Banned and Restricted Card Announcement (03.17.25)
In the Digimon Card Game, your deck can include up to 4 copies of a card with the same card number. In official tournaments, however, some cards are banned or restricted, limiting the number of copies you can play.
Banned cards: Can’t be included in decks.
Restricted cards (1): You can only include a number of copies equal to the number listed in parentheses.
Banned Pair: If A is included in a deck, B is banned from being included in the deck.
Banned and restricted cards listed here may be removed from the list depending on the current competitive environment.
Based on the competitive environment, the following cards will be added tothe banned and restricted list.
Effective on March 28, 2025
Banned cards: Can’t be included in decks.
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- BT2-090
Matt Ishida
By combining this card with a small number of [BT18-078 Duskmon] and [BT18-079 Velgrmon], you can make great use of cards from your trash.
Since this move can be performed simply by placing a single one of these cards in the battle area or trash, we decided that a one-card limit would be more difficult to counter.
It will be banned for the reasons mentioned above.
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- *Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- BT4-111
Jack Raid
Since this card was designed, the speed at which the number of cards in the trash can be accumulated has also increased, making it easier to secure a large amount of memory with just this one card.
The result is that it has accelerated the game speed more than anticipated. This limits the design options for future purple decks, so for that reason, we will be restricting it to only one copy.
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- BT17-069
Fenriloogamon
In the [Fenriloogamon: Takemikazuchi] deck, this card allows you to play [Kazuchimon] without paying the cost, which is necessary for the DNA Digivolution of [BT17-101Fenriloogamon: Takemikazuchi]. Since the role of this single card is overwhelming, we've determined that the one-shot performance of this card will discourage players from using other aggressive decks and reduce the diversity of decks in the game.
For that reason, we will be restricting it to only one copy.
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- BT4-104
Blinding Ray
Since the time this card was designed, there are now more cards that can complete combos by trashing security, making it easier to trigger those conditions and gain a large amount of memory with just this card.
Also, its zero cost allows it to be used at any time, greatly expanding actionable options and improving the player's ability to turn the game around at a greater rate.
For that reason, we will be restricting it to only one copy.
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- P-029 Agunimon
P-030 Lobomon
Although these cards were intended to strengthen Hybrid decks, they can be easily Digivolved into AncientGreymon and AncientGarurumon rather than using gimmicks that require two cards, such as BT17-011 Agunimon and BT17-022 Lobomon, making it possible to steadily produce excessive speed.
This means that the reason for using other Lv.6s such as EmperorGreymon and MagnaGarurumon is lost and designs for Hybrid decks become limited.
For that reason, we will be limiting each to only one copy.
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- BT11-033
MirageGaogamon
Because it greatly restricts actions that can lead to comebacks from having "more cards in hand," it is a card that is difficult to deal with unless the opponent is able to remove it from play. If the opponent is unable to deal with it, the player can easily set up a second copy of the card, continuing to limit their opponent's actions and resulting in a potentially one-sided game.
Also, because it is a self-contained card, its versatility means that decks that include blue lose the diversity of other available blue cards.
For that reason, we will be restricting it to only one copy.
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- ST9-09
Stingmon
As the card pool has increased, it has become possible to include general-purpose cards such as powerful Lv.6’s that can digivolve from Paildramon and other option cards, and so drawing cards using this card's non-"once per turn" inherited effect has led to an excessive increase in possibilities.
Also, because it can be played for a low cost, the number of cards needed for DNA digivolution can be minimized, making it possible to perform the moves mentioned above and making the early game unnecessarily stable.
As a result, the role of this one card in the deck is significant, and the diversity of cards used is lost.
For that reason, we will be restricting it to only one copy.
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- EX4-030
Kuzuhamon
Combined with [BT19-037 Taomon ACE] or option cards that accelerate Digivolution, it is possible to Digivolve into a powerful Lv. 7 at an early stage in the game. Also, by repeating the same action multiple times during a single turn, it can unilaterally dominate the playing field, creating a situation that many decks are unable to handle.
To improve the situation, we will be restricting it to only one copy.
Banned Pair: If A is included in a deck, B is banned from being included in the deck.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- EX2-007
Mother D-Reaper
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- EX7-064
Shoto Kazama
Since [EX2-007 Mother D-Reaper] can be set up reliably early in the game, and [EX7-064 Shoto Kazama] being able to give it the <Blocker> effect easily, you are able to set up strong defensive measures early in the game. We have determined that this combination is not good for the environment, as many decks have limited means of dealing with it, and the effect is highly reproducible because the only card required in the deck is [EX7-064 Shoto Kazama].
For that reason, we will ban the use of these two cards in the same deck.
Effective on August 31, 2024
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- *Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- P-123
Ukkomon
It was intended for this to be a card that could be combined with [P-130 Lui Ohwada] and used in a variety of decks, but the importance of this one card turned out to be much bigger than predicted, as it increases the speed of control decks that don't require level 3, and provides many options by securing memory.
As a result, there’s a difference in power between decks that can use this card and those that can’t, resulting in a loss of diversity in the decks that can be used.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- P-130
Lui Ohwada
By repeatedly combining effects that aren’t [Once Per Turn], such as [BT6-088 Matt Ishida]’s, with this card's [On Play] effect, the game speed accelerates dramatically, making it difficult for many decks to compete.
Because various decks use countermeasures against this combination, decks that are strongly affected by the countermeasures are no longer able to perform as effectively as they should, resulting in a loss of diversity in the decks being used.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- ST2-13
Hammer Spark
This card has long been used in decks that include blue, but the increased variety of cards available now allows for more card drawing, making it possible to draw multiple cards and use them consecutively in a single turn.
As a result, it has become easier to speed up the game, and the gap between decks that can and can't use this card is widening.
For that reason, we will be restricting it to only one copy.
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- BT9-098
Awakening of the
Golden Knight
This card is used in decks that mainly use [BT16-102 Magnamon (X Antibody)], which has a high usage rate in recent game environments. When combined with cards such as level 3 cards that support digivolution, it was possible to keep [BT16-102 Magnamon (X Antibody)] on the board early on and move toward attacking.
The above play is very powerful and creates situations that many decks can't handle.
To fix this issue, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- BT15-057
Numemon (X Antibody)
When using [Numemon] decks, this card has high board retention from the beginning of the game and its inherited effect can be reused when combined with other cards, allowing this single card to significantly increase the ability to control the entire deck.
In addition, since a level 6 can also be played by its effect, it's easy to digivolve from there to level 7, which has a higher output, to create a one-sided control board at an early stage.
For the reasons stated above, we expect this card will play a very large role in the deck, resulting in a loss of diversity in the cards included.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- BT14-084
T.K. Takaishi
Having multiples of this card in play makes it easy to continuously and significantly increase Memory, guaranteeing stability in “Yellow Vaccine” decks and others that use this card.
Also, this card’s role through the entire game becomes significant since the effect which increases or decreases the Security cards can be activated for a low Memory cost.
On top of this, having Memory gained after ⟨Recovery⟩ effects lets the player do more and makes matches take excessively longer.
For these reasons this card will be limited to 1 copy in a deck.
Restricted cards that will be lifted
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- ST6-03
Gabumon
In past game environments when this card was widely used, by combining it with a Digimon that had an effect that let it attack consecutively and activating its inherited effect that doesn't have [Once Per Turn] multiple times, it increased the speed and consistency of decks that made use of the trash.
However, as the card pool has increased in recent game environments, there are now more ways to suppress attacks. Because of this, we have determined that it has become more difficult to consistently activate this card's effect multiple times compared to before, therefore we have decided to change this card from "Restricted to 1" to "Unrestricted."
Banned Pair Effective on January 19, 2024
Banned Pair: If A is included in a deck, B is banned from being included in the deck.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
- ・EX5-065 Sayo & Koh
- ・P-097 Zubamon
- ・BT13-102 Keenan Crier
- ・ST16-14 Matt Ishida
It has been discovered that by combining the [Start of Opponent's Turn] effect of [EX5-065 Sayo & Koh] and the [On Play] effect of [P-097 Zubamon], it is repeatedly possible to gain memory and immediately end the opponent's turn.
This can be set up quickly, and once set up, it is difficult to interfere with and the game will end with the opponent unable to participate at all. The intended experience is based on turns going back-and-forth and both players getting to play cards, so we have decided that this is not healthy for the game due to how fast and consistently this combination can be used.
In addition, we've identified that the same combination also works with [BT13-102 Keenan Crier] and [ST16-14 Matt Ishida]. For the above reasons, we have decided to ban the three cards [P-097 Zubamon], [BT13-102 Keenan Crier] and [ST16-14 Matt Ishida] from being included in decks that include [EX5-065 Sayo & Koh].
Effective on March 1, 2024
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- BT14-002
Bukamon
Because this card grants ＜Jamming＞ by fulfilling an easy condition, it offers greater consistency than other blue Digi-Egg cards that are more specialized for different blue deck playstyles.
As a result, there is little reason for blue decks to use any other cards than this one.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- BT15-102
Apocalymon
If you can send cards with the [Dark Masters] trait to the trash even once, this card can be played many times easily and for a low cost depending on the number of copies, which combined with cards such as [BT13-077 Craniamon], makes it extremely difficult to deal with.
In addition, there is no cost to activating the deck trashing effect and the number of cards trashed at a time is considerable, making it difficult to deal with for decks that cannot utilize the trash, so this card limits the number of deck types that can compete in the environment.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- EX5-015
Gabumon (X Antibody)
In a Garurumon deck, this card offers both higher consistency and speed than other cards.
In addition, this card’s inherited effect grants a protection effect that makes it difficult for the opponent to respond from the beginning of the game.
As a result, there is little reason to use other cards, because the importance of this one card is so great.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- EX5-018
Garurumon (X Antibody)
This card alone allows altering one’s hand to a great degree, and it offers greater consistency than is reasonable for decks that can use it.
In addition, this card can be used by not only Garurumon decks, but also decks that utilize the trash.
As a result, there is little reason to use other cards, because the importance of this one card is so great.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- EX5-062
Anubismon
This card has high board retention and control due to its continuous play and removal effects, which greatly improves the consistency and speed of the deck when combined with several other existing cards.
There are very few deck types that can handle this speed, and currently this card reduces the space for choosing other deck themes with similar board expansion effects, limiting the diversity of decks you can use.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
Effective on November 17, 2023
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- ST6-03
Gabumon
Digimon with effects that can attack in succession are able to send targeted cards to the trash at a faster rate than expected, and the output of effects that take advantage of the trash and the stability of the deck is higher than expected, due to the inherited effect of this card to exchange hands multiple times in one turn.
In addition to the above, this card is Lv.3 and can evolve to "GABUMON X Antibody" at 0 cost, so the timing of the inherited effect is highly flexible, which narrows the range of design of active effects and effects utilizing trash.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- BT2-069
Gabumon
It is very versatile among the hand exchange effects due to its ability to send a targeted card to the trash while increasing the number of cards in the hand with the inherited effect.
In addition, since it has this effect as a Lv. 3 evolution source, it can perform this hand exchange at a very early stage, and as a result, it is so powerful that there is no need to use other methods, thus we have decided to limit this card.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- BT13-012
GeoGreymon
When using [ShineGreymon] decks, [Marcus Damon] becomes central to play, and the card was intended to be a card similar to [BT12-038 GeoGreymon] that plays Tamers. However, because it can play Tamers from areas other than a hand, the speed and reliability of playing [Marcus Damon] cards was greater than predicted, leading to greater precision of one-shot wins with [ShineGreymon] decks.
Because this card is a Vaccine card, [Yellow Vaccine] decks also allow Tamers to be played at speeds greater than predicted when [BT14-033 Patamon] is included.
In addition, at level 4 and higher, an effect allows for playing from the security stack instead of from the hand, and because the effect specifies "red or yellow Tamer," the card design is limited to decks that use red or yellow Tamers.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- EX4-019
MachGaogamon
When using [MirageGaogamon] decks, pairing this card's inherited effect with the inherited effects of cards such as [EX4-015 Gaomon] or [EX04-017 Gaogamon] allowed for faster digivolutions to level 6 than predicted. As a result, interfering with opponent's moves using [BT11-033 MirageGaogamon] was faster than other [MachGaogamon] cards.
In addition, the conditions for the unsuspending effect in this card's inherited effect are looser than other [MachGaogamon] cards since it activates when attacking, allowing for greater attack capabilities.
As a result of these two factors, other [MachGaogamon] cards fall by the wayside, and [MirageGaogamon] decks have greater stability than predicted.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
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- BT7-069
Eyesmon:
Scatter Mode
It has long been an effective card in decks that utilize trashing, but its ability to exchange a very large number of cards at Lv. 4 has greatly reduced the usage rate of other cards with hand exchange effects.
In addition, the effect is so powerful that deck designs that utilize the Trash must be based on this card.
For the above reasons, we have decided to restrict this card to 1 per deck.
Card ban lifted on November 17, 2023
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- BT6-015
SaviorHuckmon
In past game environments when this card was widely used, its effect and [BT6-016 Jesmon]'s effect that played [Sistermon] cards were very powerful, and when the unsuspending effect in this card's inherited effect was paired with [BT6-016 Jesmon]'s Piercing, security stacks could be rapidly worn down without being affected by defensive strategies such as ＜Blocker＞. However, we have determined that decks that can counter these strategies have increased in recent game environments, therefore we have decided to change this card from "Restricted to 1" to "Unrestricted."
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- BT7-086
Tommy Himi
In past game environments when this card was widely used, this card's On Play effect was a factor that allowed decks that used [Hybrid] cards as main cards to immediately attack more easily than predicted and more effectively than decks that required multiple standard digivolutions, creating an imbalance in play.
Even among [Hybrid] decks, effects in [Blue Hybrid] decks that prevented attacking and blocking were particularly strong, and this led to a heavy burden on other decks.
However, in recent game environments, there has been an increase in cards that can counter digivolution card removals and can counter effects that prevent attacking/blocking, therefore we have decided to change this card from "Restricted to 1" to "Unrestricted."
Effective on June 1, 2023
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- BT3-054
Blossomon
When using [Plant]/[Vegetation]/[Fairy] decks, this card can easily digivolve to level 6, even with very little memory. This limits the future game design possibilities for green cards and [Plant]/[Vegetation]/[Fairy] decks. It also removes the need for another level 5 card with <Digisorption>. For these reasons, we’ve decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
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- EX2-039
Impmon
In current [Beelzemon] decks, this card has an effect that can trash an additional card from the deck when this card is trashed, making it too easy to build up cards in the trash. Additionally, it even removes the need for using cards such as [ST14-11 Ai & Mako] to place a card at the top of your deck so it can activate an effect when it is trashed from the deck, accelerating the game speed and limiting future game design possibilities for cards that reference the number of cards in your trash. For these reasons, we’ve decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
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- P-008
WereGarurumon
In current decks that use [BT9-028 WereGarurumon (X Antibody)], a quick defeat is possible using this card. It doesn't have extreme power in current play environments, but this card limits the future game design possibilities for decks that reference the name [Garurumon]. For this reason, we’ve decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
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- P-025
GranKuwagamon
As this card can add multiple activations of <Security Attack +1>, this card allows decks with [BT9-055 GrandisKuwagamon] to easily defeat an opponent in a short amount of time, the attacked player has few methods for defense, and this card has been used in play environments for longer than we expected. For these reasons, this card limits the future game design possibilities for decks that reference [GranKuwagamon] or [Insectoid] cards, therefore we’ve decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
Effective on April 1, 2023
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- BT11-064
Greymon (X Antibody)
The effect of reducing the cost when digivolving from this card to a Digimon that has [Greymon] in its name allows you to digivolve into [BT12-068 MetalGreymon] or [BT9-015 MetalGreymon (X Antibody)] too efficiently, accelerating the speed at which the deck reduces the opponent's security and its comeback potential. Additionally, this card's inherited effect gives resistance to a number of effects, and overall increases the effectiveness of Greymon decks more than expected. Therefore, we have determined that this card narrows the range of viable decks in the format, and we have decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
Effective on November 11, 2022
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- BT7-107
Calling From the Darkness
This card can delete a player’s own Digimon and collect Digimon cards from a player's own trash for a low cost. As a result, it causes various endless loops and is supporting unintended playstyles. For this reason, we’ve decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
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- BT9-099
Sunrise Buster
This card has a powerful DP-reducing effect, along with an effect that plays a Tamer. Therefore, the output of this card's effects is greater than intended in some decks. For this reason, we’ve decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
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- BT7-064
DoruGreymon
As a Digimon card with [X Antibody] in its traits, multiple copies can easily be placed as the bottom digivolution card of a Digimon by other card effects to gain Security Attack +1. Furthermore, when digivolving, it has a powerful defensive effect that prevents other effects from deleting it or reducing its DP until the end of your opponent's next turn. To adjust the game balance, we’ve decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
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- BT10-009
Shoutmon X4
Due to its effect that allows the re-use of cards required for an [End of Attack] DigiXros, this card can be used for a string of repeated attacks at a low cost, just by having multiple copies in a player's hand. Its [On Play] effect also gives it a stronger than intended advantage to [Xros Heart] decks by increasing the number of cards in a player's hand. To adjust the game balance, we’ve decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
Effective on August 1, 2022
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- BT7-038
JetSilphymon
Decks that use this card have dominated the metagame for longer than anticipated, greatly limiting viable decks in yellow. For this reason, we’ve decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
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- BT7-086
Tommy Himi
This card trashes multiple digivolution cards from the bottom of a Digimon for a low-cost, and can prevent Digimon with no digivolution cards from attacking or blocking each turn. This ultimately limits the gameplay experience and causes frustration. Therefore, we’ve decided to restrict it to 1 copy per deck.
Effective on February 25, 2022
Banned cards: Can’t be included in decks.
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- BT5-109
Mega Digimon Fusion!
BT7-112 Susanoomon is a level 7 Digimon that can digivolve from a Tamer, allowing you to use this card to digivolve for free without the need for a level 6 Digimon, speeding up the metagame and restricting viable decks in the format. As such, we’ve decided to ban this card. Many games end in the early or mid-game simply by using this card to digivolve into a finisher, so we believe simply restricting this card will not be enough to fix the issue. For this reason, we’re choosing the ban this card instead of restricting it.
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- BT6-100
Reinforcing
Memory Boost!
This card proved considerably more powerful than the other Memory Boost cards, and exceeded our power level estimations when used in specialized decks, such as non-yellow multicolor control decks, and D-Reaper decks. We believe the card is too generally powerful to be left unchecked, and have decided to restrict it to 1 copy per deck.
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- EX1-068
Ice Wall!
Though performing as intended as a defensive card, using it every turn results in a lock situation that negatively impacts the speed of games. The resulting unenjoyable play patterns outweigh the benefits of the card’s effect, so we’ve decided to restrict it to 1 copy per deck.
Effective on April 1, 2021
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- BT2-047
Argomon
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- BT3-103
Hidden Potential Discovered!
[BT2-047 Argomon] and [BT3-103 Hidden Potential Discovered!] allow green decks to easily reduce digivolution costs to zero, resulting in play patterns that are much faster than we anticipated. To bring the speed of green decks in line with other colors, we’re restricting these cards to a single copy per deck.
Effective at the time of BT-08 release in your region.
Restricted Cards (1) - Decks can only include one copy of these cards.
- Even if the illustrations are different, you can only have one card in your deck if it has the same card number.
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- BT6-015
SaviorHuckmon
Decks that use this card with BT6-016 Jesmon have dominated the metagame for longer than anticipated, greatly limiting viable decks in red. For this reason, we’ve decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
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- BT7-072
Eyesmon
Using BT7-072 Eyesmon and BT7-069 Eyesmon: Scatter Mode in tandem makes it easier than anticipated to cycle through your deck while playing Digimon to your Battle Area for free. Therefore, we’ve decided to restrict this card to 1 copy per deck.
