Digimon TCG banned pairs list may expand ahead of US Nationals

An emergency ban list hit Japan last week, with a content creator showing off an infinite loop using an unintended pair. To combat this, while keeping the individual pieces playable in their intended decks, Digimon Banned Pairs, otherwise known as Choice Restriction, was introduced.

Some argue this is only the start, and the list is not complete. Let’s go over what choice restrictions are and which are the currently banned pairs.

What are Digimon Banned Pairs?
Choice Restriction is when cards are not individually banned, but are banned in conjunction with one another. In other games, where there is a wider Choice Restriction, it means that cards from two different card pools cannot be in the same deck. Meaning players get the flexibility of picking cards they want for their deck. It allows the dev team to create cards that can work well in their intended archetype, without seeing unintended power boosts from other cards.

Bandai’s other main TCG – One Piece does not have Choice Restriction yet. Other card games, such as CardFight Vanguard has a much wider restriction list for its various formats.

Pair A

EX5-065 Sayo & Koh

Pair B

P-097 Zubamon
BT13-102 Keenan Crier
ST16-14 Matt Ishida

If you have Sayo & Koh in your deck, you cannot use any of the cards from Pair B, and vice-versa.

Why were these pairs restricted?
The combo was known of secretly for a while, but was made public by YouTuber Arrester S TCG.

Sayo&Koh’s effect plays a Digimon of the same level from one of your Light Fang/Night Claw stacks at the start of your opponent’s turn. (This takes place after a Memory Setter would put them to 3). The most consistent version of this loop prompted action from Bandai. Players would have a Legend Arms trait Digimon on field.

Often, BT3-008 Zubamon. By using BT5-094 Rowdy Rocker to put P-097 Zubamon under an EX5 Coronamon or Lunamon, the loop can be made. As effects resolve individually, 2 Sayo&Koh can bring the same Zubamon out, checking top 3 and granting 2 memory due to having a Legend Arms. This effectively skips turn over and over, preventing the opponent from playing the game.

Additionally, less consistent versions using 4 of BT13-102 Keenan Crier generically gives 1 memory if a Digimon is played by effect on your opponent’s turn. But because of Sayo&Koh playing the Digimon out during your opponent’s turn, this will work regardless of the level. But requries more tamers to make work.

Other cards that have on play effects to trash a card would also trigger ST16-14 Matt Ishida to suspend, in effect, taking more memory.

Why not just ban them outright?
The combo is certainly not developer intended, but the Sayo&Koh tamer is crucial for making the underpowered GraceNovamon deck function. Promo Zubamon has also been heavily awaited for the Ragnaloardmon deck, which also languishes in mediocrity.

Further restricting these decks entirely would be too heavy handed. Instead choosing to prevent an unintended and degenerate lock out loop by introducing Choice Restriction. Although if you’re getting looped by the 4 Keenan version with how slow it is, you probably deserve it.

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