This Tier List was made before the Forbidden/Limited List Update, but since that update didn't negatively affect any of the Tier List decks, we have kept the origianl Tier List intact
Forbidden/Limited List Comments
I believe Loading... has far more implications than any of the other banlist changes. Loading... is a 2600 ATK monster that sticks to the field, and the mill is not to be underestimated either. The value you get out of this single spell that doesn't conflict with your Normal Summon is extremely high given the right synergy, I believe Harpies and Witchcrafter are the decks most capable of immediately utilizing them.
The unbanlist changes nothing, waiting for a Skill re-balance. Dark Magician and Spellbooks slightly improve but still don't do enough to compete, while Invoked Neos gets nerfed to the ground for no apparent reason.
Mine might be an unpopular opinion, but I think that whoever complained about the banlist did not play 200+ games this KC or just doesn't play the game at all. If you had done that, you'd realize fairly soon that no hit it to any deck was actually needed given that our metagame is incredibly weak right now, and that the only thing we need is just an influx of new and more powerful decks to make oppressive techs less decisive than what they are right now (Right, Loading... ?). The only thing I seriously expected was Loading... to 2, but I'm glad it didn't happen. What we can be upset for is that not MORE stuff got out of the list, as what we've been given is quite lackluster to say the least.
Loading... changes pretty much nothing in Dark Magician lists besides for the fact that pure lists can now run 1 Loading... 1 Loading... or 2 Econ / 2 TTH, which isn't that big of a change, Loading... is a buff to SelFTK decks if anything, and the Spellbook cards being out of the list makes Loading... + Draw Sense: Low Level a thing for the deck, which can now be summarized as "Buster Blader but Worse".
Loading... is obviously the heavy hitter here (Along with Loading... moving to 3), however, their use will still be scarce over the meta game. First of all, they're completely unplayable with the Invoked Engine, as they should be. Their use will be limited to decks that don't run Limit 2/3 or only run 1 Limited to 2 card, and here's some of them:
Harpies: 30-card Harpie lists experimented Neos Fusion in the past as a way to send Loading... , and it's now more consistent if one is willing to give up on Loading... s and on a Loading... . The 2 Neos Fusion 1 Floodgate ratio is still possible, but it was shown in the past that the engine wasn't enough with that, so it's very likely it'll still be a sub-par choice.
Burning Abyss: If you want, you can trade Floodgate for Loading... searches or quick Loading... banishes.
Destiny HEROs: Some Clock Tower Prison lists have been experimenting with Neos Fusion, but I don't believe the synergy is that good to justify giving up limit 2 spots.
"Pure" Neos Variants: And finally, the actual Neos Fusion deck: Well...you can't run Aleister with this. If you want, you can still run Loading... s to send off of Neos Fusion and just have them as a FIRE Reload / Discard fodder engine, but I feel like the deck will be extremely streamlined and reliant on Discard traps rather than big ol' Neos itself. Running 1 Keeper 2 Fusions seems to be the way for this deck though.
Dark Magician: We were all expecting for the Master of Fusion: Paladin Skill to be buffed and put Loading... to 2. Instead, Loading... was freed and that was it. Wrong card Konami, but we'll take it I guess.
Loading... : Konami decided to change the limits on the Neos cards. We may see a lot of decks such as Destiny HEROs, Burning Abyss, Satellarknights, Bujins, Koa'ki Meiru, etc. utilize the Loading... engine. Time will tell which deck will benefit most from this change.
Tier 1
TPC Comments
Phantom Knights rise up to Tier 1, this deck has proven itself worthy to be the best deck during the past weeks. The deck has very good matchups spread and its very difficult to beat for most other decks. Between powerful disruption and defense with cards like Loading... and Loading... and powerful explosive plays with Loading... , this deck has it all. Fog Blade being a searchable negate, with the Turn 1 graveyard setup give this deck a very powerful Turn 1 while also providing great follow-up plays. The Phantom Knight traps make this deck very difficult to beat, as even if the opponent is able to get rid of those cards, they would still be useable in the grave to extend plays and boost the defenses of the deck. So put shortly, this deck promotes to Tier 1 as it simply has all the typical characteristics of a Tier 1 deck between a good Turn 1, a good Turn 2 and powerful follow-up plays.