by in
Hey everyone,
Just wanted to share a quick update I’m really excited about: Goat Format is now available on Dueling Nexus!
If you’ve been around the community for a while, you probably know how often this format gets requested—and now it’s finally here. Goat Format is available through the Custom Game room system, so you won’t find it in ranked or unranked queue just yet. But if you want to relive that 2005 magic, you can start dueling right now with the classic card pool and banlist.
Just a heads-up: this is Goat Format by card pool and banlist only—it doesn’t use the old-school 2005 rulings. So things like missing the timing and priority still follow modern mechanics. That said, the gameplay is still incredibly faithful to the era. You’ll see all the classics—Scapegoat, Metamorphosis, Tsukuyomi, Thousand-Eyes Restrict, and of course, Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning—and the duels are just as grindy, thoughtful, and rewarding as ever.
I hopped into a few custom games this morning and it honestly felt like I was back at locals in 2005. Every set monster was a mind game, every bluff mattered, and the satisfaction of flipping Magician of Faith still hits the same.
Before I jumped in, I made sure to fire up my residential VPN to keep the connection stable—especially helpful when you’re dueling folks from other regions. With slower-paced formats like Goat, a single lag spike can really throw off the rhythm, so it’s worth setting up if you’re into longer, grindier matches.
We’re already seeing people host Goat lobbies in Custom, and I expect that to ramp up fast. If you’re building decks, testing ideas, or looking to get into the format for the first time, now’s the perfect time to jump in.
I’ll be hanging around in lobbies and Discord, so if you want to duel or talk deckbuilding, feel free to ping me. Long live GOAT.