As another format shift approaches in the ever-evolving world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, duelists everywhere are refreshing their browsers for the next banlist drop and scouring decklists to predict what’s next. Whether you’re a rogue deck loyalist or a meta chaser, knowing what to expect can give you a major edge going forward.
Here’s a breakdown of what you might see in the next Yu-Gi-Oh! format—from likely meta contenders to sleeper decks and banlist predictions.
The current format has been dominated by a few standout archetypes:
Kashtira – Still oppressive in some matchups, though it’s been softened.
Tearlaments – Now past their peak but still hanging on.
Branded Despia – A resilient fan favorite, thanks to Fusion support.
Superheavy Samurai – Recently nerfed but still relevant.
With the new list around the corner, it’s reasonable to expect further hits to floodgates, toxic lock pieces, or overly consistent combo engines.
Arise-Heart – Possibly limited or banned due to its oppressive field presence.
Anti-Spell Fragrance – A longtime floodgate favorite that might finally go.
Runick Fountain – May get touched to keep Runick from overtaking control matchups.
This deck’s ceiling is high, and with new support on the way, it could be the next combo powerhouse. It’s tuners, synchros, and solid recursion wrapped into a tight, aggressive shell.
Consistently underrated, Unchained’s disruption and resource loop potential make it a strong pick if the meta slows down even slightly.
This hybrid Fire support archetype is gaining steam fast. It’s got synergy, board presence, and some nasty surprise plays.
With trap-heavy formats often sneaking back in after combo-dominant metas, Labrynth could easily take up space in the top tables—especially with floodgate decks being checked.
Rikka Sunavalon – Can steal wins with combo pieces most people don’t prep for.
Mathmech – OTK potential and reliable engines keep it viable in slower metas.
Exosisters – If graveyard decks return, Exosisters become a hard counter.
Floowandereeze – If hand traps fall out of favor, Flunder might return from the clouds.
This set is dropping just in time to shake up the format with new support for:
Yubel
Infernoble
Fire King
Rescue-ACE
Watch for cards that add consistency or free bodies to the board. If they can help a deck go +2 on turn one without heavy cost, that deck’s going to top locals fast.
We might see a return to speed over grind—combo decks that end games by Turn 3 rather than drag them out.
Some of the rising decks (like Unchained or Branded) favor layered interactions over one big turn. Expect decks that can grind and pop off when needed.
With rogue decks and anti-meta strategies seeing more play, flexible side deck cards like Droll & Lock Bird, Dimensional Barrier, and Evenly Matched are likely to show up in triples.
The next Yu-Gi-Oh! format is shaping up to be one of transition. As dominant engines cool off and new support hits the shelves, we’re entering a meta where skillful tech choices and rogue strategies could truly shine.
Stay flexible, study your matchups, and don’t sleep on decks just because they aren’t topping today. The next rogue sleeper could be tomorrow’s Tier 1.
