Defector Format
Introduction: A format that excludes XYZ, Pendulum, & Link summoning without going back to the "stone age" of Yu-Gi-Oh!.
Purpose: To allow a format for casual, nostalgic, and creative players that suits their ideals for the game of Yu-Gi-Oh! as they remember it. September 2010 was a time when the game had a decent card pool and interesting strategies, and without the need for drastic changes to be made to curb its power level.
*Based on the September 2010 format. All cards released on or after March 2011 are considered banned unless they are "released" into the format.
*Rule notes: Priority works as it does today, 1st turn player does not draw, and summoning mechanics exclude the new Link mechanics. One match is 45 minutes; time begins during turn 0 and concludes at the end of the End Phase of turn 5 of the duel after time was called.
*There are some minor adjustments to the initial Defector Format list, mainly to take into account the erratas that Konami has done to rebalance certain cards. The most up-to-date text for all cards are considered the official texts for this format. Other changes will be made to reduce the power ceiling of the format for decks that were top tier during September 2010.
*Updates to the format will take place in the form of "releasing" newer sets from March 2011 and later. Usually this can only include cards which are generic or archetypal-legacy support. Cards that are "released" may immediately be limited, semi-limited, or unlimited upon their introduction. If a card is deemed unbalanced, it will be banned.
Ban List (Changes mentioned outline differences from September 2010 format):
FORBIDDEN
Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning
Card Destruction (was Limited)
Chaos Emperor Dragon - Envoy of the End
Cyber Jar
Cyber-Stein
Dark Magician of Chaos
Destiny HERO - Disk Commander
Fiber Jar
Magical Scientist
Makyura the Destructor
Substitoad
Trap Dustshoot (was Limited)
Tribe-Infecting Virus
Tsukuyomi
Victory Dragon
Yata-Garasu
Butterfly Dagger - Elma
Card of Safe Return
Change of Heart
Confiscation
Delinquent Duo
Dimension Fusion
Graceful Charity
Harpie's Feather Duster
Heavy Storm
Last Will
Mirage of Nightmare
Painful Choice
Pot of Greed
Premature Burial
Raigeki
Snatch Steal
Temple of the Kings
The Forceful Sentry
Exchange of the Spirit
Last Turn
Time Seal
LIMITED
Blackwing - Gale the Whirlwind
Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier
Card Trooper
Dark Armed Dragon
Elemental HERO Stratos
Exodia the Forbidden One
Gladiator Beast Bestiari
Gorz the Emissary of Darkness
Goyo Guardian
Left Arm of the Forbidden One
Left Leg of the Forbidden One
Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner
Magician of Faith (was Banned)
Metamorphosis (was Banned)
Marshmallon
Mezuki
Mind Master
Morphing Jar
Necroface
Necro Gardna
Neo-Spacian Grand Mole
Night Assailant
Plaguespreader Zombie
Rescue Cat (was Banned)
Right Arm of the Forbidden One
Right Leg of the Forbidden One
Sangan
Spirit Reaper
Tragoedia
Witch of the Black Forest (was Banned)
Advanced Ritual Art
Allure of Darkness
Black Whirlwind
Brain Control (was Banned)
Burial from a Different Dimension
Charge of the Light Brigade
Cold Wave
Dark Hole
Destiny Draw
Emergency Teleport
Foolish Burial
Giant Trunade
Infernity Launcher
Level Limit - Area B
Limiter Removal
Mind Control
Monster Gate
Monster Reborn
One for One
Overload Fusion
Reasoning
Reinforcement of the Army
Scapegoat
Swords of Revealing Light
Call of the Haunted
Ceasefire
Gravity Bind
Imperial Order (was Banned)
Magical Explosion
Mind Crush
Mirror Force
Return from the Different Dimension
Ring of Destruction (was Banned)
Royal Oppression
Solemn Judgment
Torrential Tribute
Wall of Revealing Light
SEMI-LIMITED
Chaos Sorcerer
Dandylion
Demise, King of Armageddon
Destiny HERO - Malicious
Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier
Honest
Judgment Dragon
Lonefire Blossom
Snipe Hunter
Summoner Monk (was Limited)
Chain Strike
Gold Sarcophagus
Magical Stone Excavation
Mystical Space Typhoon
Bottomless Trap Hole
Magic Cylinder
Ojama Trio
Skill Drain
Ultimate Offering
UNLIMITED:
Crush Card Virus (was Banned)
Dark Strike Fighter (was Banned)
Future Fusion (was Limited)
Megamorph (was Limited)
Sinister Serpent (was Banned)
Thousand-Eyes Restrict (was Banned)
The Transmigration Prophecy (was Limited)
RELEASED CARDS:
None (TBD)