2021 has not been a great year for Duel Links. We started it of with Noble Knights, which some could argue was a Tier 0 format. After Balance got nerfed we entered our Tier 0.5 format filled with Star Seraph Darklords and Blue-Eyes. Thankfully we got some peace with Harpies and Resonators entering the format which could be annoying because of how pretty much every deck was running 3 Loading... , 3 Loading... and 2 Loading... but it was still enjoyable for the most part. Unfortunately, now we are right back into a very toxic format.
Onomat is the best deck and there is no good counter against it. The best counter to Onomat is another Onomat variant which focuses on Loading... and a lot of backrow, trying to stall and plus with Gagaga Head. With that there is no denying that we are in a Tier 0 format with Onomat unfortunately at the top. While there are decks which try to compete with Onomat, they are outclassed in at least one if not multiple areas.
While Thunder Dragon might be as strong as Onomat, Thunder Dragon does not have reliable consistency and will inevitably brick. On top of that, Onomat sides Loading... which in combination with Loading... results in a deadly lock. The other decks in the format have a lower power ceiling like Harpies and Resonators. Currently the one of the only reasons to play one of those decks is because they have access to 2 Loading... unlike Onomat which is a very strong card against them. Harpies on top of that have Loading... which results in a favourable matchup against the slower Loading... version. Unfortunately it does not have a consistency skill in the vein of Onomatoplay and Demon's Resonance , so it will brick more often. As it stands, Harpies and Resonators may need to give up on their current playstyle and try out new stuff if they want to stay relevant in the upcoming weeks.
As a result of Onomats dominance, a new deck emerged. Hero Flash!! stall is a 30-card deck filled to the brim with at least 18 Trap Cards in addition to some handtraps. The win-con is try and draw every Trap card possible to slow down Onomat enough and than either deck them out or wait until one draws into Loading... or a similar blowout card.
The only way out of this format is either an emergency banlist, a new box which will change things up or someone makes a new discovery that drastically changes the format. Until that happens, Onomat remains as the dominant force of the format
Tier 0
TPC Comments
Onomats rise to Tier 0 status thanks to a very consistent and oppressive Turn 1 thanks to Loading... and Loading... and going into Loading... and having multiple disruptions set. It can also easily OTK and has the best follow up plays thanks to Onomatoplay and Loading... . Additionally, there is no real counter to Onomat right now.
Putting Onomat to Tier 0 sounds crazy but if we look at the reasons why, it does make sense. First of all, Onomat has the most representation due to being by far the best deck; If you are not playing Onomat yourself you would need to heavily tech against it in your main deck to not have a bad matchup.
The main problem is there's no deck that really has a good Onomat matchup. Thunder Dragons have the best chance from all existing decks. However, with Onomat beeing able to side into three Loading... makes the slightly unfavoured matchup even harder for Thunder Dragons, especially when you factor in Loading... beeing able to keep adding it back for an instant win-con.
Slower versions of Onomat came from the fact that the best counter to Onomat is itself. Essentially what I'm saying is there's no surefire good way to deal with the Onomat engine (especially when you also factor in the slower builds with three Loading... )
So, to sum it up:
- A Lot of Flex Spots,
- Strong Xyz Monsters
- Consistency Skill
- Option for a good grind game with Loading...
- No real bad matchups.
Altogether, this is enough for me to make it Tier 0
Calling Onomat Tier 0 is a huge step when in relation to some of the past strong Tier 1 Decks (Like Darklords, Crystrons, Shiranui, Witchcrafter, etc.) you could argue the deck is weaker, but what we have to look at it in context and compare it to the options across the board (if they can even be considered that at this point).
Onomats are evolving every single day in different ways, essentially becoming the best fast deck, the best slow deck, and everything in between. Onomats only rivals in the grind game would be Thunder Dragons, but by playing multiple copies of Loading... and being able to recycle it with Loading... , Onomats are not scared of Thunder Dragons in the slightest. The deck keeps evolving to defeat its other variants and doesn't really care about any other deck. By changing the amount of techslots and "Dododo" cards (some cutting them entirely in the case of the triple Loading... build, which revolves around winning the grind game with Trap Cards and recycling), the deck is able to adapt to any occaision.
The boundaries between Onomat variations are hard to determine due to shared Skill, deck size and core, and it almost seems like new builds establish themselves with every tournament. Sadly, there isn't much motivation to play any other deck in the way we've seen them, but who knows, perhaps an original idea can change the format as we know it (similar to how the triple Loading... version of Onomat did).
That being said, one must keep in mind that decks should be built to defeat Ononmat first and foremost, primarily with main-decked techs that would normally be found in the Side Deck. This further exemplifies Onomat's Tier 0 nature this format.
Onomat has once again proven its worth in this format, as the deck gets better and more versatile while the competition falls short. Displaying a top-notch consistency and an above average strength, the deck warrants being called Tier 0 - not because its power level is nothing Duel Links has ever seen before, but rather because there's no real counter to the deck, barring trap heavy strategies (which might also fail, as their consistency can't always rival Onomatoplay ).
Ah Tier Zero. Is it necessary? What's the difference between Tier Zero and sole Tier One? Semantically it's the same, it shows the deck is set apart from the rest. However, I believe the great distinction is a special place for a deck to achieve. There are distinctions that can be made and criteria a deck can check off:
Does it represent over 50% of a Top 32 cut in tournaments?
(Onomats accomplished this in various tournaments throughout the week)
Is the overall usage over 50%?
(seemingly true based on results this week)?
When you build a deck do you have to counter this deck at all costs without really considering other decks
(I do this currently when thinking of deck building)
Does this deck have different ways to be played and flexibility? = (There are multiple ways for Onomats to be played and adapt to anything)
Is this deck oppressive?
(Yes)
Does another deck consistently beat all versions of a deck?
(I'd say no right now)
Does the deck go first and second well?
(Onomats can set up a turn one board or OTK consistently going second)
To me there doesn't really feel like a reason to play another deck (outside of "fun") if your goal is to win. Can you beat Onomats with other decks? Yes. But at the top level of play will the best players using all versions of the deck beat your non-Onomat deck a majority of the time, yes. This is why Onomats have been voted Tier Zero. It's not the only deck you can play but it certainly is the best.
No deck in the meta can come close to rivaling onomats in terms of power, consistency, and flexibility all at once. Some decks can get close to reaching that power, like Thunder Dragons, but lack the consistency and also get countered by the flexibility of Onomats, like being able to perform an Loading... loop with Loading... . Onomat also has the ability to set up an oppressive Turn 1, OTK Turn 2, or simply break any board and put the opponent in a near-impossible state to win. A powerful and consistent counter to Onomats doesn’t really exist, resulting in the best way to beat the deck being playing the mirror match. This is highlighting the flexibility of the deck, being able to run more control-oriented builds or builds with three Loading... and various backrow techs to have a better chance in the mirror match. At this point, your best chance at having success in this format is either playing Onomat or finding a strategy that can reliable handle all the options Onomat has, which is extremely difficult.