How are we feeling about Branded?

[wildnike]

Hello all,

From the looks of it, there hasn't really been any threads complaining about Branded, so I'd figured I'd ask. Someone a while back posted a thread about what their "ideal meta" is and I never got around to answering it, but I think thus far Branded is definitely where I'd like to see it.

Combos but no unstoppable negate boards, limited amount of Floodgates, plenty of ways to blend them into a variety of archetypes ranging from control to accelerated play, and best of all I don't feel like I have lost after 2-3 turns. Not to mention every Branded mirror match thus far has been a slug fest, and it's been a blast to run a Shaddoll variant. I had a 24 turn game against a Branded Eldlich and not one turn felt boring. That's a hard feeling to replicate.

It feels like everyone can do something, but no one has techs that can control *everything*, and your fate is proportionately less decided by your opening hand compared to other decks. After playing against so many HalqDon turbos, it's not only a breath of fresh air, but the level I wish YGO remained at power wise, but I am well aware that isn't happening. I am aware I will meet my end via merfolk.

The only complaint I have is that it costs an arm and a leg. It's a complete UR feast, for, strangely, not even what I'd consider one of the most powerful decks in the format (RIP Longyuan and your lack of use for your own deck compared to Baronne). And worryingly so, unlike past Selection Packs, there are no complimenting Secret Packs -- so it really is a "get it while its hot" and I fear this practice will continue.

There's also the growing "Mystic Mine at Home" decks I have been running in to, and I was once the victim of a Ghostrick FTK, but was frankly more impressed than irritated.

But other than that, I'm a huge fan of the current new addition to the meta. Does anyone think differently? Maybe there's something I am not seeing or haven't run into yet?

Thank you for your time.

[Daguza]

What's there to like? Another perpetually recurring boss monster with a on demand disruption effect that can be brought out 1st turn with fake cost? And fake fusion summoning the deck is not a cool deck. So I hate It...

[Silamon]

It's just the new thing that happens to be better than the old new thing that will be worse than the next new thing.

Basically its just more of the same, and I don't really care either way. I am more interested in fun decks than meta.

[✦𝒱𝒶𝓅𝑜𝓇]

It's funny to watch the "unlimited" tournament going on right now, where Branded, a limited and legal deck, is completely wiping the floor with a bunch of different completely unlimited "OP" archetypes and strats, no limit skystrikers, no limit drytron no limit floodgate etc etc.

Yeah, power creep isnt real.

What do I think? Konami's gonna Konami. can't stop the earth from turning or the birds from migrating with the change of seasons.

[Silamon]

Originally posted by catdog:

It's funny to watch the "unlimited" tournament going on right now, where Branded, a limited and legal deck, is completely wiping the floor with a bunch of different completely unlimited "OP" archetypes and strats, no limit skystrikers, no limit drytron no limit floodgate etc etc.

Yeah, power creep isnt real. :apex_mirage:

What do I think? Konami's gonna Konami. can't stop the earth from turning or the birds from migrating with the change of seasons.

I don't think anyone has ever argued that power creep is not a thing in yugioh, it is what the game is based on. Powercreep has been a thing ever since Mechanical Chaser was printed to beat La Jinn.

[✦𝒱𝒶𝓅𝑜𝓇]

Originally posted by Silamon:

Originally posted by catdog:

It's funny to watch the "unlimited" tournament going on right now, where Branded, a limited and legal deck, is completely wiping the floor with a bunch of different completely unlimited "OP" archetypes and strats, no limit skystrikers, no limit drytron no limit floodgate etc etc.

Yeah, power creep isnt real.

What do I think? Konami's gonna Konami. can't stop the earth from turning or the birds from migrating with the change of seasons.

I don't think anyone has ever argued that power creep is not a thing in yugioh, it is what the game is based on. Powercreep has been a thing ever since Mechanical Chaser was printed to beat La Jinn.

Yeah, you'd think that nobody would think the world is flat either, or so many other..... interesting.... opinions, regardless of science.

Just give it a few minutes, you can find plenty, unfortunately.

I'm not saying anyone in this thread specifically has said that, but they are for sure out there. I mentioned it because that kind of thinking usually accompanies the opinion that the newest meta cards don't further this power creep, as clearly seen in the tournament I referred to.

[Bad Distraction Carnifex]

I think the -1200 dmg per effect + end phase Raigeki is a nasty combo because without a way to summon on your opponent's turn or heavy backrow a lot of decks just put themselves in the precarious position of being blasted by a recurring boss monster.

It's not completely unfair, there are definitely outs and bad matchups. It's also nice that you can negate whatever they do and make them deviate their end turn massively.

I'd basically consider them the fusion version of Soulsword without the Halq combo lines; moderately annoying, competitive, good art and super easy to use. Give it a few months, people will move onto the next FOTM.

[Angel]

too many people using it , kind of annoying, you either get matched up with branded something or adventure halqi token whatever

[Yerc2]

I have no strong feelings one way or the other. I have no intention of using it because there aren't pretty girl cards.
However, I am having an easier time winning against it than those decks that negate everything. And it's more fun to play against, IMO.

[Merilirem]

I am the one who posted that and yes this is what i like. Loving how you can do all sorts of simple plays and how consistent it is to get your bosses if you run the full setup even without Branded fusion which is the splash card everyone thinks of for branded.

I think the entire Dogmatika-Swordsoul-branded Lore universe is really fun when played more of less pure. Like archetypes such as Dragonmaids but with more flexibility.

Also all the light/dark cards go well with Chaos so Chaos Branded is my current Jam.

Originally posted by Yerc2:

I have no strong feelings one way or the other. I have no intention of using it because there aren't pretty girl cards.
However, I am having an easier time winning against it than those decks that negate everything. And it's more fun to play against, IMO.

I mean there is Ecclesia. You know the swordsoul starter girl who is tied to Branded. She makes the whole deck work smooth AF.

Agree that its the least Waifu of the related archetypes though. Its mostly just dragons.

[Papa Smurf]

Master duel's banlist is so dumb that I barely even noticed it. In a meta where DPE Scythe and Buster Lock is barely even rogue, why should we worry about branded? When we have full Halq/Don/Adventure/Denglong combos, how would we even notice it?

[Merilirem]

Originally posted by Papa Smurf:

Master duel's banlist is so dumb that I barely even noticed it. In a meta where DPE Scythe and Buster Lock is barely even rogue, why should we worry about branded? When we have full Halq/Don/Adventure/Denglong combos, how would we even notice it?

You notice because running into it is a refreshing feeling compared to other decks.

[Papa Smurf]

Originally posted by Merilirem:

Originally posted by Papa Smurf:

Master duel's banlist is so dumb that I barely even noticed it. In a meta where DPE Scythe and Buster Lock is barely even rogue, why should we worry about branded? When we have full Halq/Don/Adventure/Denglong combos, how would we even notice it?

You notice because running into it is a refreshing feeling compared to other decks.

Well then I guess that;s how I feel about it - it's less dumb than the stuff that should be banned. Plz no ban adventure though, my Penguins and Crusadia need it.

[Penghis Khan]

Originally posted by catdog:

It's funny to watch the "unlimited" tournament going on right now, where Branded, a limited and legal deck, is completely wiping the floor with a bunch of different completely unlimited "OP" archetypes and strats, no limit skystrikers, no limit drytron no limit floodgate etc etc.

Yeah, power creep isnt real. :apex_mirage:

What do I think? Konami's gonna Konami. can't stop the earth from turning or the birds from migrating with the change of seasons.

And yet the deck completely lost last tourney, despite having a normal banlist...

[✦𝒱𝒶𝓅𝑜𝓇]

Originally posted by Penghis Khan:

Originally posted by catdog:

It's funny to watch the "unlimited" tournament going on right now, where Branded, a limited and legal deck, is completely wiping the floor with a bunch of different completely unlimited "OP" archetypes and strats, no limit skystrikers, no limit drytron no limit floodgate etc etc.

Yeah, power creep isnt real.

What do I think? Konami's gonna Konami. can't stop the earth from turning or the birds from migrating with the change of seasons.

And yet the deck completely lost last tourney, despite having a normal banlist...

I never said branded is the new most op engine that beats in all tourneys, if you take a moment to read instead of impulse responding lmao. the point of that anecdote is to show its just more juiced engines for konami to cash in on

to reiterate, konami's gonna konami. aka nothing new here

[wildnike]

Thank you everyone.

Originally posted by Bad Distraction Carnifex:

I'd basically consider them the fusion version of Soulsword without the Halq combo lines; moderately annoying, competitive, good art and super easy to use. Give it a few months, people will move onto the next FOTM.

It definitely feels like a less consistent Swordsoul. The chokepoints which exist are hardcore, and even if you can use the Banished and Graveyard to your leisure you are going to be setting up the kind of board which will shut down all opposition most of the time. But it's new to MD, and it's strong, and feels refreshing. This will likely only last a month, maybe two depending on the next support, but it's a month worthwhile.

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Originally posted by Merilirem:

Originally posted by Papa Smurf:

Master duel's banlist is so dumb that I barely even noticed it. In a meta where DPE Scythe and Buster Lock is barely even rogue, why should we worry about branded? When we have full Halq/Don/Adventure/Denglong combos, how would we even notice it?

You notice because running into it is a refreshing feeling compared to other decks.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. There's nothing particularly agonizing about it, and if someone is looking to climb to D1 there are better options. It hits that sweet spot where it's good enough to see frequent play but not annoying enough I don't feel dirty about using it.

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Originally posted by Papa Smurf:

Originally posted by Merilirem:

You notice because running into it is a refreshing feeling compared to other decks.

Well then I guess that;s how I feel about it - it's less dumb than the stuff that should be banned. Plz no ban adventure though, my Penguins and Crusadia need it.

Given the latest OCG F/L we may be seeing Gryphon Rider go in the next banlist for MD. Adventure Engine as a whole is probably the second strongest package in MD at the moment, and I wouldn't be surprised post Synchro x Xyz event they hit it.


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All this said, I still feel the crazy UR cost and lack of Secret packs is going to be a continuous factor from here on out. The next selection pack will likely rival this one in price, even if it isn't as strong. And personally, I don't even see Branded as that meta refining -- just refreshing.

For those who were around, how long did it take for Duel Links original more FTP friendly environment to be stripped away?