March 2010 OCG Ban List

I'm not going to repost it for you guys, since it's already all over the Internet. Besides, I'm sure you've all memorized it anyway...

Overall, I think it's a good list. I would've liked Black Whirlwind at 1, but Konami wants to sell their new Blackwing stuff, so yeah. It slowed basically every other meta deck down, which is good.

As for the Lightsworn problem, they made a very insightful move by Limiting both Lumina and Charge of the Light Brigade. The main problem with Lightsworn decks in the past is that they had overwhelming odds to get a Lumina and another Lightsworn on the field on the first turn to mill a bunch of cards. With the chance of getting a Lumina drastically reduced, we don't have to worry that much about Judgment Dragon. Not to mention the fact that with only one Necro Gardna and two Honests, they aren't as protected against attacks.

The Limit on Necro Gardna made me very sad, as it is my favorite card (and I have four of them...). However, Lightsworn decks broke it, so it had to be restricted in some way. They probably should have only put it to 2, but still...

Destiny Draw and Allure of Darkness getting Limited is nice. No more Destiny Hero engine! Now I can go out and buy a couple Malicious for a cheaper price...

Mezuki, Burial from a Different Dimension, and Foolish Burial were all Limited. They only needed to Limit either Mezuki or Burial from a Different Dimension to slow down Zombies, but since both went, Zombie decks died. How sad. The Limit on Foolish Burial was unnecessary, since the only decks that played 2 were some Junk and Debris variants.

The Limits on Mind Crush and Necroface were random. What's wrong with being able to rip the Blackwing your opponent got for free from their hand?

Demise getting Semi-Limited worries me for some reason. I guess with all of the new Ritual support, it's once again a viable deck type.

Cyber Dragon was also Semi-Limited, which is for the Cyber Dragon decks, with their shiny new Cyber Eltanin and Cyber Dragon Zwei. It also helps Monarchs, in a way.

Speaking of helping Monarchs, they gave us Treeborn Frog and Dandylion at 2. Treeborn Frog at 2 is kind of pointless. I would still play one, but I suppose it gives players the option to play another one if they want to draw into it or something... As for Dandylion, it also helps Junk and Debris and Plants.

Three magical Continuous Traps known as Royal Decree, Royal Oppression, and Skill Drain were Semi-Limited. I guess that's good, since they can essentially kill entire decks.

Mask of Darkness and Smashing Ground were (finally) Unlimited. That's nice. Mask of Darkness makes up for taking away a copy of each of those Continuous Traps, and Smashing Ground can help all decks (specifically Gadgets).

So, like I said, this format is going to be pretty good overall. There should be quite a few meta decks, though people will probably gravitate more towards Blackwings and Gladiator Beasts.

Starlight Road is also being released soon after the ban list comes into effect, so make sure to pick up your copies of Nobleman of Extermination before the price goes up...