Hello Rulers!
2025 has just begun and today we are releasing the new MP02 set, Fates Reunited. We are also starting a new phase of Force of Will with the release of the new rotating Paradox format.
So today we have the first banned list and combination banned list of the Paradox format. We will be adjusting these two banned lists as time goes on, to keep them as small as possible, but at the same time allow for as many playable cards as possible, just like we did with Wanderer.
The Reworking Protocol is coming to an end. This is the penultimate set to feature cards leaving the banlist with new text, with the next set (Ten Oaths of Protopaterpolis' War) being the last to have RWP cards. We want to thank the reception that the RWP has had and we will take a closer look at it in the next banlist article.
Without further ado, this is the new update to the banned list and combination banned list of Force of Will!
Effective date: 28/02/2025
· Wanderer
Banned
o Traveler in Wonderland (SDAO1-030)
o Reflect // Refrain (AO3 Buy a Box-2) (RWP)
o Roar of Dark Blessing (CMB-064)
o Solaria, Ruler of Desire // Solaria, Empress of Arcus (JRP-076)
No longer Banned
o Umr-at-Tawil (ENW-051) (RWP)
o Water Spirit of the Lamp (EDL-055, TSD1-007) (RWP)
o Yggdrasil, Malefic Verdant Tree (ENW-068) (RWP)
Combination Banned
o Ancient Manager (LEL-009) + World Creating Paradox (MP02-016)
o Return of Judgment (JRP-000) + The Library of the Neverending Stories (MP02-149)
o Broken Mask of the Crusader (TSR-087) + Hugh, Queen's Left Hand (TEU-066)
o Queen of the Eternal Eclipse, Giotto Sansta // Giotto Sansta, Conqueror of Protopaterpolis (TEU-007) + Blade of Dimensional Fire // Blade of Dimensional Fire (MP02-008)
o Advisor to the Underwater Federation, Rucheel (TEU-019) + Moonless Night's Crossing Point (TEU-094)
No longer in the Combination Banned List
o Reflect // Refrain (AO3 Buy a Box-2) + Protuberanz, Solarised Whip (JRP-018)
o Squirrel of Solari (NWE-045) + Reconnaissance Gears (TUS-098)
o Cascade of Water Solarisire (JRP-038) + Solaria, Ruler of Desire // Solaria, Empress of Arcus (JRP-076)
o Solaristation of Wind // Avatar of Wind Solarisites (JRP-041) + Solaria, Ruler of Desire // Solaria, Empress of Arcus (JRP-076)
Effective date: 28/02/2025
· Arcana Battle Colosseum
o No changes.
Effective date: 28/02/2025
· Paradox
Banned
o Child of the Darkness Moon (NWE-051)
o Dexia's Advice (TUS-026)
o Megiddo, Artificial Sun (TUS-073)
o Metal Helix (TUS-074)
o Raging Messiah (TWS-028)
o Summon the Charger of War! // Ifrit Glass Chronogear (TWS-032)
o Light Curtain (CMB-005)
o The End of the False Savior (CMB-012)
o Tinker Bell, Spirit of the Light Trials (CMB-014)
o Last Movement (CMB-036)
o Girl's Staring at... (CST-006)
o King's Hopeless Scream (CST-087)
o Replicant: Shiva (JRP-071)
o Lehen, Legendary Explorer // Lehen, Witch Swordswoman (TSD1-001)
o Mina Harker, Heroic Vampire Huntress (TSR-097)
o Advisor to the Underwater Federation, Rucheel // Rucheel, Songstress of the Forgotten Town (TEU-019)
o Dead Eye of Astaroth // Dead Eye of Astaroth (TEU-021)
o Moonless Night's Crossing Point (TEU-094)
o Uranus, Arcanist of the Freedom Star (MP02-092)
o Yggdrasil, Malefic Verdant Tree (MP02-140)
Combination Banned
o Memory of Worlds (TUS-043) + Queen of the Eternal Eclipse, Giotto Sansta // Giotto Sansta, Conqueror of Protopaterpolis (TEU-007)
o Statue of the Misty Dragon (TSD1-013) + Queen of the Eternal Eclipse, Giotto Sansta // Giotto Sansta, Conqueror of Protopaterpolis (TEU-007)
o Broken Mask of the Crusader (TSR-087) + Grimoire of 1001 Nights (TEU-091)
Traveler in Wonderland (SDAO1-030)
Much like Alice, Zeus Incarnate, this card limits future card design for the Development Team. Whenever we design cards or abilities linked to some kind of race or trait, we have to keep in mind the existence of this card, as we had to do with Alice, Zeus Incarnate, as this card grants that race or trait to every resonator on the field, creating so many unwanted interactions that it's not possible to deal with it using the combination banlist. So, sadly, with that in mind, we have decided that Traveler in Wonderland (SDAO1-030) is banned.
Roar of Dark Blessing (CMB-064)
This card has been one of the most controversial cards since it was released in CMB. When we were thinking about the new Paradox banned list, we felt that its power level was too much for Paradox, but, after a debate of the FOW team, we have decided that its power level is also too strong for Wanderer. Being able to force both players to begin the game with no cards in hand it's not fun and creates an unenjoyable gaming experience. With that in mind, we have decided that Roar of Dark Blessing (CMB-064) is banned.
Reflect // Refrain (AO3 Buy a Box-2) and Solaria, Ruler of Desire // Solaria, Empress of Arcus (JRP-076)
Since WGP2024 we have been analyzing all the Rulers that could be problematic for this new competitive season, and after finding several unwanted interactions with Reflect/Refrain and Solaria with many new cards (As example, Solar Painter Golem of the Court) and with many cards of the next cluster, we have decided that Reflect // Refrain (AO3 Buy a Box-2) and Solaria, Ruler of Desire // Solaria, Empress of Arcus (JRP-076) are banned. Reflect/Refrain will return with thanks to the Reworking Protocol, linking their triggers to their own Regalia, but the same cannot be said for Solaria, which will remain on the banlist, as it already interferes with the development of new cards.
