Retro Format Ban & Errata Update – May 2025
The Retro format of the UniVersus Trading Card Game (TCG) offers a nostalgic journey through the game's extensive history, allowing players to utilize cards from all eras. However, to maintain a balanced and enjoyable gameplay experience, UVS Games periodically updates the ban and errata lists.
As of May 2025, several cards have been added to the Retro format's banned list, and specific errata have been issued to address gameplay concerns.
Banned Cards (Retro Format – Effective Immediately)
The following cards are banned in the Retro format:
Twisting Azure Inferno
Shoki Gehosen
Kaden’s Blindfold
When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain…
UFS House
Lion Stance
The Golden Ticket
Drew Maffei, Lion Buddy
Joe Hill
Paul Bittner
Garett Brett
Righteousness
Deadly Embrace
Genesis
Ryu
Jiffany Jamber
Harnessing Chaos
No Equal
Meddling With Higher Powers
Penance
Paid to Protect
Ballistic Snap Kick
Truong
Sasha
Clandestine Research
Mature
Terry
Mourning the Lost
Maxima
Chin
Huitzil
Gemini Man
Big Cyclone
Graven Castle Ruins
A World Lost to Time
Napalm Man
Summer Heat
Zoey
Fatality
Andy
Kunai Ikkinage
Big Shot: Punch
Big Shot: Judy
Twinkle Murdock
Shinnok
Quan Chi
Liu Kang
Princess Parry
Shokan Prince
Lord Raptor
Jedah
Gill
Yoshimitsu
Kali Yuga
Punishment Time!
Evil Bow
Downward Spiral
Pure of Heart
Syi Salika & Loka Luha
New Seong Style: Scarlet Meteor
Shadow Slicer
Protecting the Protector
Shield Big Bang
Omega Sword and Owl Shield
Cassandra
Slay Ride Stowaway
Combat Ash
Superior Technique
Amphibious
Frog Lashing
Momo Yaoyorozu
Unwavering Slash
Coordinated Effort
Note: This list is comprehensive as of May 2025 and includes all cards currently banned in the Retro format.
Errata – Updated Card Texts
The following cards have received official text updates (errata) to clarify their effects or adjust their power levels:
·Allahra·
You may attach Syrithe to this card as though he shared the same name as this character.
R: After you add a character card to your staging area, you may gain 2 vitality, or your opponent loses 2 vitality (your choice). Only playable during your turn.
E: Your opponent's next control check this turn gets -1. If that control check fails, this Combat Phase does not end.
··Celinka··
Copies of ··Celinka·· counts as 2 characters in your staging area for card effects.
E Remove 2 attack cards from your discard pile: If your attack deals damage, your opponent destroys 1 foundation and loses vitality equal to its printed block modifier. If it has no block modifier, add the top card of your deck to your momentum.
·K'·
E (4+): If you block this attack, your block gets 'Breaker: 1'.
E Add 2 foundations from your staging area to your hand: Add 1 combo attack with a difficulty of 5 or less from your discard pile to your hand. Your next combo attack this turn gets -3 difficulty or -3 to its block modifier (your choice). Only playable once per turn.
··Kevin Broberg··
R Commit: After your opponent makes a check, it gets -X. X equals the number of assets in your staging area (Max 4). Failing this check does not end the Combat Phase.
First F: Add a card from your hand to your staging area face down. If you have two or more assets, build the top card of your deck.
·Kitana·
E Lose 1 vitality: Your Ranged or Weapon attack gets +2 speed and +1 damage.
E [Once per turn, Opponent's attack] Lose vitality equal to this attack's printed difficulty: Discard this attack.
Desperation E Name a card type: If your opponent attempts to block this attack with the named type, their block modifier gets +2.
Kuwabara:
Block Modifier: 0 Mid
R [Once per turn] Commit 1 foundation: Before the damage step of this attack, return it to printed damage.
E [Once per turn]: After your attack resolves add it to your staging area facedown.
Desperation E [Once per turn]: Add 1 foundation from your staging area to your hand.
·Maxi·
E [Once per turn] If you have 2 or more foundations in your card pool, add the top card of your deck to your momentum.
E [Twice per turn] Add 1 foundation to your card pool: Ready 1 of your foundations that has not been readied this Combat Phase. Your attack gets +1 speed and +3 damage.
·Phil Birch·
E (4+): Name a card type. Your opponent reveals the top card of their deck. If it is a card of the named card type, this attack gets +2 damage.
R [Your turn]: Once per turn, after you play a card whose control equals the control of the preceding card in your card pool, add 1 attack with a printed control of 3 from your discard pile to your hand.
·Syrithe·
You may attach Allahra to this card as though she shared the same name as this character.
R: After you add a character card to your staging area, turn 1 foundation in your opponent's staging area face down. That card is considered a foundation with a blank text box. Only playable during your turn.
E: Your next control check this turn gets +1.
··Tim Keefe··
R [Twice per Turn] After you make a check to play a card with a higher printed difficulty than the last card in your card pool, it gets +2.
E [Twice per turn]: Seal 1 of your opponent's foundations.
75-Shiki Kai
Combo E: This attack gets 'Multiple: 1'.
R [Card Pool] Discard this card from your card pool: Before you make a control check, that check gets +1 for each attack in your card pool.
A Long Journey
After this foundation is committed due to your opponent's effect, ready 1 other foundation that has not been readied this Combat Phase.
This card cannot leave your staging area due to your opponent's effects.
This card cannot be turned face down by your opponent's effects.
Black Dog’s Fangs
R [Card Pool] Discard 1 momentum: After another attack resolves, add this card to your hand.
Boulder Barrage Genbu
R: After you play this attack, add the top card of your discard pile to your card pool face down as a copy of this attack. Add that attack to the attack stack. Discard the copy after it resolves. Only playable if this is the first attack you have played this turn.
Brotherhood in Arms
R Commit: After a check is modified due to your effect, it gets +2.
R Flip, name a keyword: After your opponent's Combat Phase begins, attacks with the named keyword get -3 speed for the rest of this turn.
Calling Upon The Sun
R Flip: After you lose 2 or more vitality as part of a cost, gain 2 vitality.
R Flip: After 1 of your foundations is committed or destroyed due to your opponent's effect, they commit 1 of their foundations. Playable while committed.
Concussion Blast
If this attack is blocked, discard it from your card pool after it resolves.
Crescent Moon Hook
After you play this card, your opponent discards 1 momentum.
First E: If this attack was played as a reversal, turn it face down. If you did, choose 1 attack in your opponent's card pool. This card becomes a copy of the chosen attack, gains your character's resource symbols for the rest of this turn, and is added to the attack stack.
Cryomancer’s Descendant
R Remove: After a Stun attack deals damage, both players discard 1 card.
Sub Zero R Remove: After 1 of your foundations is flipped, unflip 2 foundations.
Dark Reconquista: Purgatory
E Lose 3 vitality: Commit your opponent's character. Your opponent may lose 6 vitality to cancel this effect.
Deadlock E: Name a card. Search your deck for any number of copies of the named card and add them to your hand.
Diamond Crusher
Enhance: This attack gets +4 damage if there is a face down card in your opponent’s card pool.
Enhance: Commit 1 of your opponent’s foundations. If that foundation is face down, add it to their card pool.
Diplomatic
E Commit: Your attack gets +1 speed.
R (5+): After any number of cards leaves your opponent’s card pool due to their effect, they lose 2 vitality.
Discussing the Future
R Commit: After your opponent draws any number of cards during the combat phase, draw 1 card.
R Destroy this foundation: After your opponent plays an ability that would discard 1 or more cards from your momentum, add the top 2 cards of your deck to your momentum.
Evening the Odds
After you play this card your next attack this turn gets -1 damage and +2 speed.
R: After your opponent discards 1 or more momentum to pay for a cost, commit 1 card in your opponent's staging area and draw 1 card.
R Commit 1 foundation: After your attack deals less than its printed damage, both players lose 3 vitality.
Fade
R: After your opponent plays a card (not as a block), cancel its effects and add it from their card pool to their hand.
Desperation E Remove: Your next check gets +3.
Fan-Nado
Combo E: This card can only be blocked by cards with a printed block modifier of 3 or greater.
Desperation E: This attack gets +2 speed and +2 damage.
Final Judgment
While this card is in your card pool, all of your cards gain the Infinity Symbol for the rest of this turn.
Fortress of Bones
While this card is in your staging area, at the start of the End Phase, players who dealt damage this turn may add the top card of their deck to their momentum.
R Commit: After you make a check to play an attack, it gets +2.
Frozen Palace
While this card is in your staging area, at the start of each Combat Phase, both players may seal 1 of their opponent's foundations.
E [Your turn] Commit: Seal 1 of your opponent's foundations.
Funky Tomato
R Commit, flip: After your opponent plays an ability that would increase the damage of an attack, cancel its effects.
Good and Evil
Unique
E Commit: This attack gets -1 speed and -1 damage (minimum 1).
R Commit, discard 1 momentum: After your opponent plays a response ability on a noncharacter card, cancel its effects.
Gravity Hold
NOTE: REMOVED THE ABILITY TO NOT COUNT TOWARD PROGRESSIVE DIFFICULTY
Haoh Raiou Ken
R: After you play this card, cards cannot leave or be played from discard piles by effects for the rest of this turn. Only playable if cards have not left or been played from your discard pile due to one of your effects this turn.
E: If this attack deals damage, gain 1 vitality for each resource symbol on your character and if you are at maximum vitality, draw 2 cards.
Healing Powers
R Flip: After your opponent gains vitality, gain 3 vitality.
R Destroy: After your opponent adds 1 or more cards to their momentum during the combat phase, discard the added cards. Your opponent may add the top card of their deck to their momentum at the start of the End Phase.
Hellfire Impalement
Enhance Discard the top 10 cards of your deck: Draw X cards. X equals the number of cards with a printed control of 2 or less discarded this way.
Enhance Remove X cards from your discard pile with a printed control of 2 or less: Ready X foundations that have not been readied this Combat Phase.
Hizoku Prince
This card cannot leave your staging area due to effects.
E Lose 1 vitality: Your opponent discards the top card of their deck. Only playable during your attack.
Incomparable Might
E Commit: If your attack deals less than its printed damage, cards cannot leave either player's card pool due to card effects until the beginning of your next turn.
E Commit: If your attack deals less than its printed damage, your next attack this turn gets 'Stun: 2'.
Inner Peace
If this asset leaves your staging area, discard all cards attached to this asset.
First F: Attach 1 card from your hand to this asset face down.
F Commit, discard 1 momentum: Play 1 card attached to this asset as a form, following all restrictions and paying all costs (no control check necessary).
Invoking Blood Magic
While this card is in your staging area, Your opponent must discard 1 momentum as an additional cost to play abilities that would discard any number of your momentum.
E Remove: Reduce this attack’s speed to 0. Only playable if you have lost vitality this turn.
King of Fighters XIII
E (5+): Your King of Fighters XIII attack gets +3 damage. Only playable if your opponent's vitality is at least 10 greater than your vitality.
R Destroy this asset: After your opponent plays an ability that would cause a card to leave their card pool during your turn, cancel its effects.
Knee-capper
If this attack is blocked, discard it from your card pool after it resolves.
Kove
While this card is in your staging area, attacks get -1 speed and -1 damage.
R Add 1 of your foundations to your card pool: After an action card is played, your opponent adds the top card of their deck to their card pool. Copies of that action card cannot be played for the rest of this turn. Playable by either player.
Kuzuryu Reppa
E: If this attack deals damage, draw X cards and your opponent discards X of their momentum, then discard cards until the number of cards in your hand is equal to or less than your character's hand size. X equals the amount of damage this attack deals.
Leap of the Loach
Combo E: If this attack is blocked, add it to your staging area face down.
E: If this attack is not blocked, your opponent commits 1 foundation.
Leona Blade
Combo E: This attack gets 'Stun: 3.' Ready all cards committed to pass the control check to play this attack.
Leona R [Card Pool] Discard this card from your card pool: After your opponent plays a response ability, cancel its effects.
"Like Watching a Nightmare"
While this card is in your staging area, if there are more than X face up non-Unique foundations with exactly 1 copy in your staging area, your hand size gets +1. X equals your character’s printed hand size.
Making a Killing
R Commit 1 other foundation: After you draw 1 or more cards due to another non- character effect, draw 1 card. If this ability has been played at least twice this turn, commit this card.
R Remove, discard X Cards: Before you take damage, reduce that damage by X times 2.
Marrying Age
E Commit: This attack gets +2 speed.
R: After your opponent readies 1 of their cards during the Combat Phase due to their effect, ready 1 card in your staging area. If you cannot ready a card in your staging area due to this ability, you may add 1 foundation you could normally play from your hand to your staging area ready.
"New Seong Style: Scarlet Meteor"
E: You may destroy assets in addition to discarding momentum to pay for this attack's Powerful ability.
R [Card Pool] Destroy 1 asset: After your opponent plays an ability on an action card, cancel its effects.
E Destroy 1 foundation: Add 1 asset or foundation from your discard pile to your staging area.
Not My Problem
E Discard 1 card: The next card a player attempts to play this turn gets +1 or -1 difficulty.
Orders From Heidern
After this foundation is committed during your attack's Enhance Step, your attack gets +2 damage.
E Destroy this foundation: Choose 1 attack in your opponent's card pool. It may not leave the card pool for the rest of this Combat Phase. Playable while committed.
Outworld’s Heiress
E Remove, choose 1 of your opponent's assets or foundations and lose vitality equal to its printed difficulty: Add the chosen card from your opponent's staging area to their hand.
R Lose X vitality: After an attack is played, it gets -X to its Stun rating. X may not be more than its Stun rating.
Ozomu
While this card is in your staging area, the first Reversal attack each player plays during a turn gets +2 damage.
E Remove 1 other asset from the game: Draw 2 cards and remove 1 card in your hand from the game.
Paralyzing Touch
E: If this attack was played as a reversal, your opponent destroys 1 of their foundations.
E: If this attack deals damage, discard it from your card pool.
Pit
While this card is ready in your staging area, attacks lose Safe and cannot gain keywords or have their keyword ratings increased.
E Commit: Your attack gets +2 damage. You may add 1 copy of "Stage Kill" from your discard pile to your hand.
Pressure Sensitive
R Discard 1 card: Before a card would leave your staging area due to your opponent’s effect, remove this card instead.
Proud Nose
R Destroy, discard 1 momentum: After you check a 1, re-check.
Reaping
If this card is discarded due to your opponent's card effect, choose 2 cards in your discard pile that do not share a name with this card and add them to your hand.
E: Your weapon attack gets +3 damage. If your opponent blocks this attack, discard it and this card from the card pool.
Rebirth
After this foundation leaves your staging area due to your opponent's effect, search your deck for 1 foundation that shares at least 2 resource symbols with your character and add it to your staging area.
R Discard 1 momentum: Before a card would leave your staging area due to an opponent's effect, remove this card instead.
Remembrance
E Commit: This attack gets Safe until the end of the turn.
E [Your Turn] Destroy: Draw
Scorch Wheel
[MALE] E: Draw 1 card for each foundation that has been added to your staging area this turn.
NOTE: NO LONGER IGNORES PROGRESSIVE DIFFICULTY.
Sense of Morals
This card does not count towards progressive difficulty.
E [Once per turn] (4+): Ready 1 of your foundations that has been committed due to your opponent's effect this turn. Playable while committed.
Shadow of Death
E: Your next printed 6 difficulty attack gets -2 difficulty.
R [Card Pool]: After your opponent reduces the damage of this attack, you may add it to your hand and your opponent loses 2 vitality.
Shouoken
R [Card Pool]: After you play this card, cards cannot leave your opponent's card pool or discard pile due to costs or effects for the rest of the Combat Phase.
E Discard 1 momentum: Reveal the top card of your deck.
Skull Fortress II
While this card is in your staging area, Ally attacks get +1 speed.
Slide Shots
E: For the rest of this turn, after a Multiple copy of this attack resolves, you may flip 1 foundation to discard it from your card pool.
Southern Cross Hall
While this card is in your staging area, before each player's Review Step, that player may draw 1 card.
R Commit: After you block with a foundation card, add it to your hand. The zone of your opponent's next attack is changed to the block zone of that foundation.
Spellbound
After this card leaves your staging area due to your opponent's effect, add the top card of your deck to your staging area face down.
E: Your ally or safe attack gets +1 damage.
Spirit Sword Thrust
E: Add up to 3 face down foundations from your staging area to your hand. This attack gets +1 speed and +1 damage for each foundation added this way.
Kuwabara E: Reveal 1 foundation from your hand and add it to your staging area face up or face down.
Tatsumaki Zankukyaku
E: Your opponent discards 1 momentum.
E Lose 2 vitality: If your opponent has 2 or more cards in their hand, players cannot add cards to their hand due to their own costs or effects for the rest of this turn.
Technical Sphere
E: Choose 1 attack in your removed from game pile that is not named “Technical Sphere”. This attack gains all abilities, keywords and their ratings printed on that card.
The Key to Humanity’s Freedom
E Remove: Add 1 asset (that you could normally play) from your discard pile to your staging area. Destroy that card at the start of the End Phase.
The Ninjas of Love and Justice
While this card is in your staging area, whenever an attack leaves a player's card pool due to their effect, that player commits 1 of their foundations.
R Remove 1 card in your discard pile from the game: After your Ready Phase, search your deck for 1 copy of the removed card, reveal it and add it to your hand. Playable by either player. Playable while committed.
The White House
While this card is in your staging area, checks to play action cards get -4.
R Commit: After a card is added to your staging area during the Combat Phase, draw 1 card.
Thunder Break
After this card is discarded from your hand due to your opponent’s effect, draw back up to your printed hand size.
E: Your opponent commits the highest difficulty ready foundation in their staging area (if there is a tie, you choose). This attack gains Stun: X. X equals the committed card's printed difficulty.
Water Freezes
F Commit: Cards cannot leave your discard pile or staging area due to your opponent's effects for the rest of this turn. Your next Flash attack gets Safe for the rest of this turn.
You Are Not Alone
R Commit: After your opponent plays an ability that would cause a card to leave your staging area, you may add 1 foundation from your hand to your staging area ready.
E Commit: This , or attack gets - 3 speed (minimum 1).
Additional Resources
To explore the full ban list, errata history, and legality guidelines, check out the official UVS Games resources:
Living Errata and Legality (Plain Text)
Rules and Documents
Stay sharp, deckbuilders—and remember to always keep coping.