This is a Tier List for Stage 2 of the KC Cup, a Best-of-1 Ladder format.
Tier 1
TPC Comments
One of the scariest newest decks in recent memory, Gandora is poised to make great strides in the upcoming KCC due to its sacky nature in a Best-of-1 format. The ceiling of the deck is high due to its ability to play through multiple backrow by forcing them with multiple Gandora summons. Furthermore, the deck has access to generic Xyz monsters and defensive cards like Loading... and Loading... . Expect this deck to be a headache during your upcoming climb.
Gandora rises to Tier 1 in the short time since its release, This increase to Tier 1 is mainly due to KC CUP and Bo1 format, where Gandora is incredibly powerful and Meta-warping,
Expect to see this deck everywhere Day 1 of KC Cup (whether it can take more Top 100 spots in the KC Cup than Phantom Knights is debatable).
Loading... and Loading... look to be the best tech cards this format, both having huge impact against the two best decks.
Gandora has been promoted to Tier 1 for this upcoming KC Cup. In the past weeks, this deck has been acknowledged more and more by a lot of players as an extremely sacky and strong strategy in this format. When Gandora was first released, people were playing more or less weaker builds just focused on sacking the opponent with Loading... and getting searches via Loading... as well as OG Loading... . However, since this strategy is slow, inconsistent and lacks synergy with the Gadgets, players have been playing a heavier EARTH Machine engine instead. Cards like Loading... adding both Loading... and Loading... not only guarantees follow-up but also pressures a lot harder with Rank 4 plays. The Gandora mirror match is won by the player who can apply pressure without using Gandora (since it will just be stopped by 1 Handtrap and and halving your Life Points leaves you open to lethal on the crackback) and Rank 4 plays are a great way to go about that. These Rank 4 Xyz plays also help a lot more dealing with Loading... and floodgates like Loading... (something the deck couldn't do with Levianeer sack alone). The EARTH Machine engine also replaces the plus'ing from OG Thunder Dragon so you wont have to worry about not having enough tributes for the Gandoras.
Gandora will be a meta-defining and format-warping deck this KC Cup, and there are no questions that it will be an effective strategy as well. However, with a deck being this popular and strong, it is inevitable that players are going to adapt to it. Roach with disruption, Shadow-Imprisoning Mirror, Handtrap strategies like Yosenjus, and Handtraps themselves like Loading... amd Loading... are all really effective against Gandora.
tl;dr: This deck is strong and popular so expect it to get countered and tech’d against.
Who would have thought that another Mini BOX would shake up the meta again right before a KC Cup. Last February KCC, we slept on Phantom Knights (which was new at that time) and right after the event the deck had the most tops. This time we are certain Gandora is a major threat, and you should consider knowing the matchup if you are tryharding in the KC Cup. If you are already familiar with the matchup, then just hope you draw enough techs to stop their push. It will be interesting to see what tech cards the players will choose to try and counter this. Due to the sacky nature, broken skill, and flexible tech choices this deck has, Gandora is promoted to Tier 1 for this event.
Gandora rises up to Tier 1 status! While being hindered by the Side Deck, the KC Cup has no such thing, and Gandora will inevitably sack its way to the top. The deck has consistency Determination to Fight provides, the ability to run one of the best backrow-sweeping monsters in the game in the form of Loading... , and the ability to maintain pluses with cards like Loading... or Loading... (if they so wish to run it). Additionally, running handtraps, which makes it very good against other decks that plan to sack fast. Expect a lot of tops from this deck in the KC Cup, and maybe try to prepare some Gandora hate in your deck as well.
Phantom Knights are still the most consistent deck of the format, which is no understatement especially when you consider how far a consistent deck can go in a KCC. In terms of deckbuilding not much has changed in Tournament format, however, I expect that to change during the KC Cup because your tech choices can make or break your climb. Even though Phantom Knights are still insanely strong, you will need to be mindful of the supporting cards you put around it , depending on what is swarming around the Top 100.
To no surprise, Phantom Knights remain Tier 1 for this upcoming KC Cup. The combination of having a consistent Turn 1 with follow up as well as a searchable Loading... is still extremely strong in this format (having a decent Gandora match up is especially great). Many Phantom Knight builds are also changing: A lot of players are moving away from heavy backrow removal and are teching a lot more disruption into their deck such as Loading... or even Loading... . Since the new Gandora-Deck doesn't play any backrow, all your removal is dead and you want to open at least 2 Interruptions. Both Floodgate and Chain Disappearance are pretty good in the mirror as well. Loading... has also found its way into a lot of players' Extra Decks, including PK. Being able to summon a 2900 ATK Loading... -boosted Roach after a Loading... pop acts an as additional form of interruption, which Gandora struggles to out (especially when supported with backrow).
A good Phantom Knight pilot who is able to swap out techs on the fly and use power cards like Loading... well will have a big advantage this KC Cup.