Normal/Rare

Normal/Rare Format, more commonly shortened to N/R Format, is a format originally made to be an equivalent to that of the TCG's "Common Charity" Format. The Format, devised before the announcement of the event, took off, due to an event announcement, for the N/R Festival. Due to this, this guide is made for those who want an in-depth understanding of the format, not just for the festival, but to play for tournaments and even just-for-fun duel rooms.

Disclaimer: This was made before the full banlist for the N/R Festival was revealed. While particular dynamics might change for this particular event, the information is still valid for the N/R format as a whole.

Author(s)

I'm

, also known as DeckDevilYGO. I've been playing Yugioh since 2015, and it's been a personal passion of mine, ever since. I, while writing this, am consulting the N/R Discord, to give whoever reads this a proper first-hand experience, from a group of players who love the format as much as I do. They're giving me the provided deck lists, as well as testimonials, quotes, and even some of the points made in this article. If nothing else, please give them some love, and feel free to join the server, and meet everyone.

"I enjoy the freedom of working with cheap mats and the feeling of helping pioneer a meta in an environment that would otherwise feel like a pre-charted course. When I dont have to dedicate a third of my deck to staple handtraps just to survive, I can make more fun things happen. When my extra deck isn't just the same 8 staples and my key archetype picks, I can work towards more unusual and fun cards that rarely see play elsewhere. This format is like a breath of fresh air"

ObiXLS

How to Start Playing N/R Format

The first thing that you have to be aware of in N/R Format is, of course, the limitations on your card pool. A big part of this format is working with what you've got. This means you're also going to have to change your mindset up a lot, both in deck building and in duels; you're not going to have easy access to negations, nor will you have the usual handtraps to sling at your opponents. You'll have to think much more resource-focused when you play. While the format does have its own strong staples and techs, using them carelessly is likely to cost you advantage, if not the game entirely.

Since this format is so resource-intensive, balancing consistency with staples is the name of the game. You'll want to construct your Deck to be as consistent as possible, but you'll also need to be covering bases using appropriate tech cards. So, here's some simple techs to consider:

Ancient Warriors - Loyal Guan Yun
Battle Fader
Speedroid Menko
Book of Moon
Forbidden Chalice
Lightning Vortex
Mystical Space Typhoon
Compulsory Evacuation Device
Paleozoic Dinomischus
Phantom Knights' Fog Blade
Torrential Tribute

The Difference between Standard Format and N/R Format

The Difference between Standard Format and N/R Format, are centered around a few fundamental differences. The biggest one, being the focus of the game itself. Standard Format tends to be more Negate-Oriented, whereas N/R Format is far more Advantage-Oriented. The difference between advantage in players, be it through slow methodical play, or through relentless combo-ing, is crucial to victory. One well placed interruption that removes a significant amount of advantage can completely change the flow of a game in N/R Format, whereas, in Standard Format, your advantage can stem from multiple sources beyond your hand, field, and extra deck, so one interruption doesnt tend to change much in the flow of a game, unless it inhibits your opponent's ability to play the game (I.E. A Floodgate or Effects that cannot be responded to.)


The Meta