CRBR Format Breakdown: Weeks 2-3 (December 9 2024 Banlist)

Date: December 21-29 2024

Events: NA/EU/LATAM Regionals (11 known events)

Hi everyone, Renren here! It's been a while since I've written articles for YGOPRODECK, but we're planning to have the Twitter breakdowns present on the site too. We have 95% of the data available with just a few unknown deck types not public. Let's get right into it! The smaller number of events as the year closes does skew results ever so slightly, but the trends should remain accurate. Welcome to the last Regional breakdown of 2024!

The Dominant Duo (Drive)!

Unsurprisingly, Fiendsmith Ryzeal holds the top spot in the format with Maliss at a close second. Not much has changed regarding these two decks, aside from the former adopting a heavier Bystial or Fiendsmith package, while the latter making more use of Dimension Shifter and Dominus Impulse to heavily shut down the ubiquity of the Fiendsmith decks rampant in the metagame, while FS variants themselves are looking into Knightmare Gryphon.

That's not to say that Ryzeal depends wholly on Fiendsmith, as the Pure variant still performs admirably across Regionals. Their higher count for non-engine and creative tech choices gives them a leg up against people heavily preparing for the FS version. We see the likes of Ryzeal Plugin, Ryzeal Plasma Hole, and even techs such as Castel, the Skyblaster Musketeer to enable Harpie's Feather Storm.

Former Titans

It's been a while since Tenpai Dragon and Yubel were considered top contenders in the metagame, with both decks no longer as dominant as they once were. Still, with the help of Fiendsmith, the two strategies placed fairly well across regionals, getting solid Top 4 and 8 finishes, respectively. 

With that out of the way, let's talk about the Rogue options that managed to do quite well despite the abundance of Ryzeal and Maliss dominating the format. These decks have unique tricks up their sleeves which may allow them to match well against the top 3. (Ryzeal, Maliss, Kash/Musket Fiendsmith)

Rogue Showcase

Lovely takes Center Stage! 

Kaihuang Zhang - San Diego WCQ Regional 2nd Place

3

3

3

1

1

1

3

3

2

2

1

3

2

2

3

3

3

1

Extra Deck

2

1

1

1

1

2

3

1

1

1

1

Side Deck

1

3

2

3

2

1

1

2

 
Against all odds, heavily teched-out versions of Labrynth swept two large events these past few weeks (San Diego WCQ Regional / Santiago WCQ Regional) and took home the gold over at Thessaloniki WCQ Regional. Both lists that we have available leaned into the Furniture strategy as opposed to the Trap-based one that ran Simultaneous Equation Cannons.

Kaihuang Zhang's creative build incorporating Absolute King Back Jack and Pot of Extravagance alongside a heavy furniture count meant that he was hitting hefty Destructive Daruma Karma Cannon and Dimensional Barriers often against most opponents even when going second, while Dominus Impulse also proved decently effective against Maliss. His side deck also catered towards dealing with said deck, with Fantastical Dragon Phantazmay and Chaos Hunter to help ward them off.

Transaction Rollback makes a slight resurgence, but only as a 1-of in the main on both decklists due to its tendency to brick in multiples.

Bystial Control Regains its footing!

                                                   (lists not made publicly available at the time of writing this article)

While Bystials are ubiquitous in the current format as they act as powerful hand traps, we haven't heard much of Bystial Control in quite a while. Luckily for our enterprising Hieratic Seal of the Heavenly Spheres + Branded Regained enthusiasts, a couple of talented duelists managed to do very well with it across North America. Franco Persano won the Lexington Remote WCQ Regional with Fiendsmith Bystial, while Billy Wayne Davis finished top 4 over at the Lubbock WCQ Regional.

Fiendsmith aside to help shore up the deck's weaknesses and very limited ceiling, the synergy between Necroquip Princess and The Bystial Lubellion makes for a terrifying combination that can drown the opponent in overwhelming card advantage and constant interruptions from the hand. As an example, you draw off Necroquip, then twice off Regained on both turns while establishing Bystial Baldrake alongside other hand traps. Regained also helps give you a leg up against Maliss and opposing Bystials if you can protect it.

A Bargain forged in Light and Shadow!

Brett Shirley - Little Rock WCQ Regional 1st Place

3

3

1

2

2

1

1

3

1

2

1

1

1

1

3

3

3

1

2

3

1

1

1

1

Extra Deck

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Side Deck

3

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

3

Craig Washington - Pittsboro WCQ Regional Top 8

3

2

1

1

2

1

3

1

1

1

3

3

3

3

1

1

3

1

1

1

1

3

Extra Deck

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Side Deck

2

1

3

3

3

3

White Forest makes a triumphant comeback as a potent combo deck, abandoning Runick in favor of stronger allies. With both Fiendsmith and Azamina engines in their grasp, it can get very difficult for opponents to efficiently stop the likes of Elzette of the White Forest and Astellar of the White Forest from resolving and running away with the duel! It just so happens that both engines are also somewhat effective at going second, bolstering its effectiveness. 

Another advantage of these builds over the Runick list is their capability to run just slightly more non-engine. While still not as many as Ryzeal is capable of, you have a lot more Hand Traps and Breakers than usual to help soften up your opponent's boards and start your Synchro combos. 

This deck will only get better with the upcoming release of Azamina Elzette in Supreme Darkness, so keep an eye out for this strategy! 

No Smiths? No Problem!

Benito Mena - Santiago WCQ Regional Top 8

3

3

3

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

3

1

1

3

1

3

3

2

2

3

3

Extra Deck

2

3

3

3

1

3

Side Deck

3

3

1

2

1

3

1

1

Pure Memento has been tearing up a storm over at Regionals, placing very well across 4 events these past two weeks, and even getting more spots than Tenpai and Yubel! This is all without Fiendsmith as well!

The deck's unparalleled efficiency, consistency, and capability of weaving in and out of interruptions thanks to Goblin Biker Grand Breakout, Mementotlan Bone Party, and Mementotlan Fusion can lead to a lot of dangerous lose/lose scenarios for your opponent. It helps that their toolbox nature allows them to handle most threats if they can get their plays to stick, both going first or second. Whether be it Mementoal Tecuhtlica - Combined Creation mowing down opponent's monsters, or Mementomictlan Tecuhtlica - Creation King  and Guardian Chimera causing havoc to their fields. Their grind game is among the best in recent memory, allowing them to brawl out in longer duels if needed.

A unique and unexpected tech option popped up this weekend, with a genius player brandishing a Pot of Extravagance build to a 6th place finish at the Santiago WCQ Regional. It's unlikely that this trend will catch on, but it goes to show how versatile Memento is when it comes to deck builds. People tend to change up some ratios when it comes to the monsters, quick plays, and even the Trap card of choice ( Mementotlan Fracture Dance, Mementotlan Cranium Burst, a Trap Monster for Silhouhatte Rabbit, or none at all).

Tech of the Week

Lyna the Light Charmer, Lustrous has been seeing the most play she's seen in a while, thanks to the metagame lining up to her talents quite well. Being able to steal Fiendsmith Engraver and Ryzeal Detonator among other things, is a wonderful benefit to have.

Future Sight

Duelists have been theory-crafting and hyping up some of the upcoming strategies going into Supreme Darkness this late January. As the weeks close in with the set's eventual release, it may be a good idea to look into Crystron, Gladiator Beast, Mitsurugi, and Evil HERO. Primite also gets a substantial buff with their best starter coming out of the set. 

Happy New Year everyone! Let's have a great 2025! - Renren