Tier 1

TPC Comments

Phantom Knights moves swiftly up to Tier 1. The placement makes a lot of sense due to the representation, results and power level of the deck. Being able to make an oppressive floodgate like Loading... (which counters the the other Tier 1 [with a Loading... on top]) Turn 1 and being able to push through multiple interruptions with space for a lot of tech cards sees this deck at the top of the pile for now. It's not without its counters with Loading... and Loading... being able to shut it down, so we should see decks that can play those cards see more success.

Phantom Knights are a better version of its prior self. The deck's main formula is mostly the same (OTK with Loading... and survive with Loading... and Loading... ). The addition of Loading... gives the deck another Special Summon and the ability to fill the GY with more PK cards. I don't think the optimal build has been found yet. Some people are deciding between Loading... and Loading... versions (the Loading... /Loading... OTK Package generally isn't worth the Extra Deck space considering how easily the deck OTK's with requiem already). Cards like Loading... , Loading... and Loading... completely shut down PK, and Loading... /Loading... partially do so as well. While most of these cards already existed in the meta, Lancea usage will see an uptick with PK'd inclusion to the meta.

Tier 2

TPC Comments

Sky Striker moves up to Tier 2 as Phantom Knights enter the meta. Striker is a natural counter to PK as it can play under the interruptions they tries to set up. Boss monsters such as Loading... or Loading... are easily removed (and Ophion's floodgate does nothing to Striker). Also, being able to banish Phantom Knights from the GY with Loading... can unsettle the PK game plan.

Sky Striker is on the borderline of Tier 2 and Tier 3 in my opinion. It's one of the few decks that are mostly unaffected by the slew of floodgates in the meta, but the deck doesn't have any particularly favorable matchups (it's OK going second into Phantom Knights, but PK going second can easily shut down Loading... with Loading... ).

Zombies are still strong, but the two Tier 1 decks make floodgates that hard counter the deck (and Zombies themselves have less tech space to deal with them). The deck is more than capable of topping but there are too many unwinnable situations (and sometimes Loading... + Loading... is not enough).