Yu-gi-oh :: September 2009 Banlist

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This is a big one. Almost every major deck archetype in Yu-Gi-Oh has been downgraded thanks to the latest update of Forbidden and Limited cards. The new list also sees the very first Synchro Monster ban. At the same time, some decks that were previously hampered by the banlist have been revived a bit, as there are plenty of cards that have been removed from the list. Here's a quick summary of the changes:

Denied! Rejected! Forbidden!

The biggest addition to the Forbidden list is the first Synchro Monster to appear on the list, Dark Strike Fighter. This card was incredible to use in tournaments thanks to its high ATK and effect. It could strike for 2600 and then tribute itself to dish out another 1400 damage, a total of 4000 with just one card! Synchro Cat decks were played to summon this: Two Rescue Cats in your hand and Cold Wave mean that you could stun your opponent and then summon two Dark Strike Fighter for a OTK, or One Turn Kill. Thanks to that combo, we now have our first Synchro ban.

Card of Safe Return, Monster Reborn, and Crush Card Virus have also been banned, with Monster Reborn and Crush Card Virus seeing a bit too much use in tournaments. Konami seems to favor themed decks rather than one stuffed with staple cards and so, a fan-favorite, Monster Reborn is gone. Card of Safe Return has been banned in preparation for Zombie decks making a huge return thanks to the other changes below.

How Limiting and Restrictive

Three major monsters join the Limited club that is going to hurt a lot of decks: Rescue Cat, Summoner Monk, and Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind. Being restricted to just one Rescue Cat and one Summoner Monk means that Synchro Cat decks are officially dead. There is not a lot you can do with just one of each. Gale's restriction is going to hurt a lot players as well, especially Blackwings players. Gale's effect and tuning ability made it arguably the best tuner in the game. So good, in fact, that other decks started using Gale, which is probably why it is on the list.

If you still don't think that Synchro Cat is gone, the addition of Cold Wave and Mind Control to the Limited list seals the deal. Also joining the list is Solemn Judgement, which was a powerful catch-all protection card that all players will miss. Call of the Haunted makes a return, coming off its ban, and will help Zombie decks make a return.

Double or Nothing

Two cards have been released from the Limited list and are now only Semi-Limited, which means you can have two instead of just one! Mezuki, one of the best Zombie cards, is back in action and is probably the main reason why people will be looking at using a Zombie deck at Orlando's Shonen Jump Tournament. Chaos Sorceror has also received a lightened sentence, since there are now even more powerful cards available.

Another staple trap card, Bottomless Trap Hole, has been added to the list in general. This will slow down the average game considerably but will encourage players to take more risks, which is a good thing.

Free as a Bird

A lot of cards have managed to get off the list this time around and all of them are notable. Breaker the Magical Warrior is an incredible card to use and should feature prominently in Dark decks. The release of Raiza the Storm Monarch might lead the way for a revival of Monarch Control decks. Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest, might see some play in Lightsworn decks.

Without Further Adieu

A lot of major changes this time around. Synchro Cat is gone and Blackwings have been hampered. Gladiator Beasts were wrecked a bit already from the previous banlist. This leaves Lightsworn on top. Expect to see a lot more people bringing on the light in upcoming tournaments, or at least packing a few Light Imprisoning Mirrors. Check out the list for yourself below:

FORBIDDEN
Card Type	Card Name	Changes
Monster/Effect	BLACK LUSTER SOLDIER - ENVOY OF THE BEGINNING
Monster/Effect	CHAOS EMPEROR DRAGON - ENVOY OF THE END
Monster/Effect	CYBER JAR
Monster/Effect	CYBER-STEIN
Monster/Effect	DARK MAGICIAN OF CHAOS
Monster/Effect	DESTINY HERO - DISK COMMANDER
Monster/Effect	FIBER JAR
Monster/Effect	MAGICAL SCIENTIST
Monster/Effect	MAGICIAN OF FAITH
Monster/Effect	MAKYURA THE DESTRUCTOR
Monster/Effect	SINISTER SERPENT
Monster/Effect	TRIBE-INFECTING VIRUS
Monster/Effect	TSUKUYOMI
Monster/Effect	VICTORY DRAGON
Monster/Effect	WITCH OF THE BLACK FOREST
Monster/Effect	YATA-GARASU
Monster/Synchro	DARK STRIKE FIGHTER	New; Forbidden
Monster/Fusion	THOUSAND-EYES RESTRICT
Spell	BUTTERFLY DAGGER - ELMA
Spell	CARD OF SAFE RETURN	Limited -> Forbidden
Spell	CHANGE OF HEART
Spell	CONFISCATION
Spell	DARK HOLE
Spell	DELINQUENT DUO
Spell	DIMENSION FUSION
Spell	GRACEFUL CHARITY
Spell	HARPIE'S FEATHER DUSTER
Spell	LAST WILL
Spell	METAMORPHOSIS
Spell	MIRAGE OF NIGHTMARE
Spell	MONSTER REBORN	Limited -> Forbidden
Spell	PAINFUL CHOICE
Spell	POT OF GREED
Spell	PREMATURE BURIAL
Spell	RAIGEKI
Spell	SNATCH STEAL
Spell	THE FORCEFUL SENTRY
Trap	CRUSH CARD VIRUS	Limited -> Forbidden
Trap	EXCHANGE OF THE SPIRIT
Trap	IMPERIAL ORDER
Trap	LAST TURN
Trap	RING OF DESTRUCTION
Trap	TIME SEAL

LIMITED (Only One Allowed)
Card Type	Card Name	Changes
Monster/Effect	BLACKWING - GALE THE WHIRLWIND	New; Limited
Monster/Effect	CARD TROOPER
Monster/Effect	CYBER DRAGON
Monster/Effect	DANDYLION
Monster/Effect	DARK ARMED DRAGON
Monster/Effect	ELEMENTAL HERO STRATOS
Monster/Effect	EXODIA THE FORBIDDEN ONE
Monster/Effect	GLADIATOR BEAST BESTIARI
Monster/Effect	GORZ THE EMISSARY OF DARKNESS
Monster/Effect	MARSHMALLON
Monster/Effect	MIND MASTER	New; Limited
Monster/Effect	MORPHING JAR
Monster/Effect	NEO-SPACIAN GRAND MOLE
Monster/Effect	NIGHT ASSAILANT
Monster/Effect	PLAGUESPREADER ZOMBIE
Monster/Effect	RESCUE CAT	Semi-Limited -> Limited
Monster/Effect	SANGAN
Monster/Effect	SNIPE HUNTER
Monster/Effect	SPIRIT REAPER
Monster/Effect	SUMMONER MONK	Semi-Limited -> Limited
Monster/Effect	TREEBORN FROG
Monster	LEFT ARM OF THE FORBIDDEN ONE
Monster	LEFT LEG OF THE FORBIDDEN ONE
Monster	RIGHT ARM OF THE FORBIDDEN ONE
Monster	RIGHT LEG OF THE FORBIDDEN ONE
Monster/Synchro	BLACK ROSE DRAGON	New; Limited
Monster/Synchro	GOYO GUARDIAN
Monster/Ritual	DEMISE, KING OF ARMAGEDDON	New; Limited
Spell	ADVANCED RITUAL ART
Spell	BRAIN CONTROL
Spell	CARD DESTRUCTION
Spell	COLD WAVE	New; Limited
Spell	EMERGENCY TELEPORT
Spell	FUTURE FUSION
Spell	GIANT TRUNADE
Spell	HEAVY STORM
Spell	LEVEL LIMIT - AREA B
Spell	LIMITER REMOVAL
Spell	MEGAMORPH
Spell	MIND CONTROL	New; Limited
Spell	MONSTER GATE
Spell	MYSTICAL SPACE TYPHOON
Spell	ONE FOR ONE	New; Limited
Spell	OVERLOAD FUSION
Spell	REASONING
Spell	REINFORCEMENT OF THE ARMY
Spell	SCAPEGOAT
Spell	SMASHING GROUND
Spell	SWORDS OF REVEALING LIGHT
Spell	UNITED WE STAND
Trap	CALL OF THE HAUNTED	Forbidden -> Limited
Trap	CEASEFIRE
Trap	GRAVITY BIND
Trap	MAGIC CYLINDER
Trap	MIRROR FORCE
Trap	OJAMA TRIO
Trap	RETURN FROM THE DIFFERENT DIMENSION
Trap	SOLEMN JUDGMENT	New; Limited
Trap	THE TRANSMIGRATION PROPHECY
Trap	TORRENTIAL TRIBUTE
Trap	TRAP DUSTSHOOT
Trap	WALL OF REVEALING LIGHT

SEMI-LIMITED (Maximum two)
Card Type	Card Name	Changes
Monster/Effect	CHAOS SORCERER	Limited -> Semi-Limited
Monster/Effect	DESTINY HERO - MALICIOUS
Monster/Effect	GOBLIN ZOMBIE
Monster/Effect	JUDGMENT DRAGON
Monster/Effect	LONEFIRE BLOSSOM	New; Semi-Limited
Monster/Effect	MASK OF DARKNESS
Monster/Effect	MEZUKI	Limited -> Semi-Limited
Monster/Effect	NECROFACE
Spell	ALLURE OF DARKNESS
Spell	CHAIN STRIKE
Spell	FOOLISH BURIAL
Spell	GOLD SARCOPHAGUS
Spell	MAGICAL STONE EXCAVATION
Trap	BOTTOMLESS TRAP HOLE	New; Semi-Limited
Trap	MIND CRUSH
Trap	ULTIMATE OFFERING

NOT RESTRICTED
Card Type	Card Name	Changes
Monster/Effect	BREAKER THE MAGICAL WARRIOR	Limited -> No longer on list
Monster/Effect	D. D. WARRIOR LADY	Limited -> No longer on list
Monster/Effect	GREEN BABOON, DEFENDER OF THE FOREST	Semi-Limited -> No longer on list
Monster/Effect	RAIZA THE STORM MONARCH	Semi-Limited -> No longer on list
Spell	DESTINY DRAW	Semi-Limited -> No longer on list
Spell	FISSURE	Limited -> No longer on list