I was wondering what format should be the last format if there was one. This would be due to Konami becoming bankrupt, loss of public interest, or whatever hypothetical reason. So I'm in the process of creating my own format for fun. I been considering this for awhile and figured I'd try to perfect it to the best of my ability and in my opinion. However, I would appreciate constructive feedback on what to change, or perhaps just how you'd break it with your tier 0 deck within this format.
Format Name: Archetype Ascendancy
-Overview-
Archetype Ascendancy is a Yu-Gi-Oh! format that emphasizes pure archetype synergy and strategic deck-building by restricting decks to a single archetype while allowing limited access to powerful banned cards. Players must adhere to the modern TCG banlist but can include up to three copies of any banned card if their deck avoids other restricted (banned, limited, or semi-limited) cards. The format promotes diversity by requiring a minimum of 10 archetype-specific cards in the Main Deck and features an expanding "Archetype List" that defines eligible archetypes, starting with a curated selection and growing over time without rotation.
-Rules-
Banlist Adherence with Exception:
1.Players must follow the current Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG banlist (as of the latest update).
•Exception: Players may include up to three copies of any card on the banned list, provided their Main Deck, Extra Deck, and Side Deck contain no other cards that are banned, limited, or semi-limited on the TCG banlist.
•Example: A player could run three copies of "Graceful Charity" (banned) in a Shaddoll deck, but only if the deck excludes all other restricted cards (e.g., no "El Shaddoll Construct" if it’s limited).
2.Archetype Requirement:
The Main Deck must include at least 10 cards from a single archetype listed on the Archetype List (see below).
These 10 cards must consist of:
5 archetype monsters (e.g., "Shaddoll Falco," "Blue-Eyes White Dragon").
5 non-monster cards (Spells/Traps) that explicitly mention the archetype in their name or effect text (e.g., "Shaddoll Fusion," "Blue-Eyes Spirit").
Cards that support multiple archetypes (e.g., generic support like "Allure of Darkness" for DARK monsters) do not count toward the 10-card requirement unless they specifically name the archetype. The 10 cards to meet the requirement must be of the same archetype and listed in the Archetype List.
-Archetype List-
The format begins with the following eligible archetypes:
•Alien
•Arcana Force
•Ashened
•Blue-Eyes
•Cyber Dragon
•Dark Magician
•Darklord
•Dark World
•Destiny Board
•Egyptian Gods(Obelisk the Tormentor, Slifer the Sky Dragon, The Winged Dragon of Ra)
•Exodia
•Gate Guardians(Sanga of the Thunder, Kazejin, and Suijin)
•Gladiator Beast
•Graydle
•Gravekeepers
•Harpie Lady
•HERO
•Jinzo
•Junk
•Kuriboh
•Lightsworn
•Madolche
•Monarch
•Odd-Eyes
•Ojama
•Red-Eyes
•Relinquished
•Six Samurai
•Shaddoll
•Shining Sarcophagus
•Skull Servant
•Spellbook
•Summoned Skull
•Timelord
•Tistina
•Toon World
•Ryu-Ge
•Volcanic
The Archetype List will expand over time with new archetypes added, but archetypes will not rotate out, ensuring longevity for players’ decks. Some archetypes will never be on the Archetype list(Kashtira for example), but the cards can be used within a deck that has the Archetype minimum established.
Only cards explicitly tied to these archetypes (via name or effect text) count toward the 10-card minimum.
Deck Construction:
Main Deck: 40–60 cards, following standard Yu-Gi-Oh! rules.
Extra Deck: 0–15 cards, following standard rules.
Side Deck: 0–15 cards, following standard rules.
All cards in the Main, Extra, and Side Decks must adhere to the banlist exception rule (no restricted cards unless using the banned card allowance) and the archetype requirement.
Gameplay:
Matches follow standard Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG rules (best-of-three, time limits, etc.).
It is impossible to please all players with a single format, though I feel I this format checked a lot of boxes for me. I may alter the specifics in time. The format encourages strategic use of archetype synergy and careful selection of banned cards to maximize consistency and power. Note some Archetypes may be effected by the banlist already (Exodia), Prohibiting use of banned cards.
-The Banlist-
The Banlist is still a work in progress, So at the moment we're assuming the current banlist until complications and conflicts become apparent.
