TPC Analysis on Banlist/New Box Impact
A Word From , TPC Manager
Hello all, in light of the recent balance update and the new Mini BOX, the Top Player Council will walk through the current Tier List decks and how the recent updates/releases affected them.
I think the overall meta will not see a large shift due to the banlist and box. Phantom Knights started a trend of more resource-efficient engines being added to Duel Links, and though Loading... being unlimited helps, the deck must now compete with the engines of the current meta. Crystron improves as 2 key cards are unlimited as well as the addition of Loading... to give the deck a decent turn 1 monster to summon alongside a Loading... or Loading... . However, a large number of tech cards have been released since crystron was free, some of which can be difficult for them to play through reliably. Crystron's biggest strengths have been in their defensive ability, consistency, and advantage loop that can facilitate most generic Synchro Monsters, however the meta favors strategies that can play with only a since card rather than those that need a combination to start playing. As such, the consistency and advantage Crystrons provide are not better than other meta decks and will likely have to find another avenue to stand out.
This week is all about seeing what the new Mini BOX and Forbidden/Limited List can do to change up the meta. My personal prediction is that the List won't do much at all besides helping Phantom Knight players play more powerful Trap cards. Many will likely try to bring back Crystrons or Shiranui, but most likely with little success. The new Mini BOX, however, is bringing some interesting generic Synchro options for us to play with. Unironically, Rose Dragon might come out as the biggest winner, but Tech Genus and Synchrons might come out as winners as well. It will be exciting to see what other decks can utilize these new Synchro monsters (Trishula package, Loading... , etc.)
The box also has Dragunity support which I know many players are excited about. Historically in Duel Links, Dragunity lacked turn one plays. So, time will tell if this has changed and if Dragunity can compete at all in this meta with the new support they've received.
Current Tier List
Tier 1
TPC Comments
With every attempt to release something to deal with Rose Dragons, somehow this deck ends up being stronger. This time it's with the release of the Trishula package, which most likely outweighs Loading... , a supposed counter to Rose Dragon, who is only accessible to few specific decks that struggle anyways in the current format. Loading... is instead a very strong form of removal accessible through two Level 4s and Roxrose, which will most likely seal games once it gets on the board. The threat of a float into a potentially huge monster is also scary, meaning that people will be afraid of destroying Trishula, and will probably spend a Loading... or a Loading... on it.
Tier 2
TPC Comments
Meklords have been overshadowed by Favorite Duel Heroes as the deck that can “stand up to Rose”. Meklords benefitted heavily from the surprise factor, as Loading... in the Side Deck has shown how fragile the deck can be if played for.