Farewell Friends — My Entire Collection

Hot Date
 

Simisear is going on a hot date with Simipour. They're going to play laser tag and get something to eat after. This is a cute and creative deck I came up with seeking to combine the effects of the [Water's Power] Simisear with [Stadium Wave] Simipour. Both of these attacks appeared the have some deck synergy to them, as they both put Pokémon to sleep, and can be used in conjunction with one another.

 

The original version of the deck didn't have much a strategy to it, but simply attempted to get by on the Special Condition. This re-vision of the original deck now frontlines with a Virbank/Laser strategy to better pair with the Asleep Special Condition between Simisear and Simipour, also complimenting their low damage and HP. Toxicroak-EX has further been added for its synergy with Virbank City Gym, alongside an array of [Outrage] Dragons, for their universal potential, and the Type-diversity they add to the deck. [Outrage] Dragons also pair very well with the Virbank/Laser combo, and presence of Fighting Fury Belt here helps to take them over the top.

 

Complimenting this is a very hard disruption concept, revolving around a heavy presence of Judge and Ilima aside Professor Juniper and Delinquent. This aims to provide fast recoveries from Judge and Ilima  as well as crunch the opponent's hand facing the nightmare of the Virbank/Laser combo.

 

Delinquent has a lot of natural talent with Virbank City Gym, enabling an effective outlet for multiple copies that could otherwise just sit around. Delinquent also enables the opponent's copies of Virbank City Gym to be aced out in place of one's own.

 

Ilima has a 1 in 4 chance of coming out as an Ace Trainer, and further doubles to hold the same potential that Judge naturally has with Delinquent (effectively leaving the opponent with just a single card in hand). For a creative adaptation, Delinquent can be replaced with Team Skull Grunt in disruption strategies like this that include Red Card, Ilima, and Judge—to some questionably greater success. It would definitely be something neat to try out here, but I wouldn't say this is the best strategy to make use of an Ilima/Judge/Team Skull Grunt combo.

 

House of Di Dracian

Here's an alpha {Dragon Call}/[Mach Cut] Garchomp deck. This was a deck that ruled the ranks back in the Team Plasma era for its speed, power, and prize exchange grind. Gabite's {Dragon Call} provides some immense resourcing potential for evolution chain building. Seeking to get the most out of this, the Garchomp line is paired here with the {Fight Song} Altaria, whose Ability boosts the attacks of Dragon-type Pokémon by 20 damage each. To super-reinforce this deck's resourcing potential, I included a full 4 Level Ball and took Master Ball as the select Ace Spec. This enables lightning fast evolution chain building with {Dragon Call} for Garchomp and Altaria.

 

This deck doesn't use Wally, can be used to get the jump on the climb to Garchomp right away. In its place (since Wally wasn't around back then), I tactically arranged this deck's Garchomp line with a 4-4-3 arrangement. This enables a Gabite to lead with {Dragon Call} and take a Knock Out, without the deck suffering any overlapping odd ends. Meanwhile, another Garchomp and several Altaria can build up on the bench behind it, potentially swinging out for a One-Hit KO.

 

This final edit of the deck replaces a previous tech on Silver Bracelet with a tech on Fighting Fury Belt instead for the more universal potential it provides (especially facing the arrival of Pokémon-GX). This final edit also include a split between the original [Power Blast] Garchomp-EX and the new-since-then [Shred] Garchomp-EX for the diversity this split provides. The [Shred] Garchomp isn't entirely better, since its second attack is significantly more expensive, and when time is a factor, one might not make it to the Knock Out (where [Power Blast] could have definitely delivered).

 

This final edit of deck gets a much needed tech from Karen, to provide crucial extensions to the Garchomp line. This was traditionally a weakness of the deck, if-and-when it ran out of Garchomp. Giovanni's Scheme now takes a tech spot behind Karen, with a heavy presence from Professor Kukui instead, given its immense potential here with heavy resourcing taking the burden off the need for cards (while the additional 20 damage helps to push Garchomp's attacks that much higher).

 

 

Hunny with a Hallpass
 

Does that girl have a...Hallpass? This is a deck about being taken back to school, walking the halls, and the risk of detention for naughty boys and girls that get caught without a hallpass.

 

This is a Whimsicott deck that combines some hard hitting Pokémon, with a defensive suite, and the effect of [Windy Mischief], for some hardcore lockdown action. This deck further includes a tech on Wailord-EX, which was the original concept and combination with [Windy Mischief] that started it all. Wailord has an immense 250HP, and for whatever reason, can be equipped with Fighting Fury Belt to increase its HP to an immense 290HP.

 

From there, Fairy Garden enables a free retreat for Wailord, and [Windy Mischief] can be used to switch all the damage from Wailord to the opponent's Active Pokémon. I originally wanted this to headline the strategy, but as it's too vulnerable to Lysandre-like effects, a Slugger style between Diancie and Florges takes center stage in its place. This strategy enables a stronger damage exchange against the opponent, which effectively acts as a more proactive effort towards victory.

 

I had thought to tech a copy of Xerneas BREAK in here just for the alternative offensive potenital, but there's no way to directly resource it here. And although it works good with the strategy, I think it would better off in a deck structure more custom built around Xerneas BREAK specifically (with the same defensive suite—or possible additions from cards like Giant Cape).

 Hunt to Kill
 

This a deck about the Stone Cold Steven Austin movie where a group of thugs kidnaps him and his daughter and forces them to guide the thugs through the Wilderness, from which Stone Cold uses his combat expertise and knowledge of the ground to best the thugs one by one.

 

The strategy for this deck pairs the combo of Trevenant BREAK and [Creep Show] Gengar. These two have some major chemistry together like apple and cinnamon. The deck strategy also helps to build itself, given the utility of Phantump's [Ascension] attack, which helps to take the edge off the need for resourcing evolution line Pokémon. Shrine of Memories then takes its place here to further bank off the effect of [Ascension] and its synergy with Wally—which effectively enable a Phantump to go active and evolve straight to Trevenant BREAK in a single turn.

 

Toxicroak-EX and [Hyperspace Punch] Hoopa both add synergy to this deck, stacking well with Trevenant BREAK and Gengar's [Creep Show] attack. They also help to take the edge off what would otherwise be an immense vulnerability to Dark-type. This aspect is mostly why Trevenant takes its place on the higher end of the split with Gengar, because its disruption potential with Item lock or {Nervous Seed} provide a better fighting chance against Dark-type Pokémon.

 

To supplement this further, this deck includes Judge in high volume as the best play to make on Turn 1 with [Ascension] and Trevenant's disruption effects. High volume of Professor Sycamore then backs up the disadvantage of Judge, which all comes full circle with a tech on Brock's Grit (helping to provide extensions on copies of cards lost to Professor Sycamore or Ultra Ball).

  

I Am the Batman
 

"I am the night—I am the Batman!"

Here's a deck about the legendary Dark Knight. The idea for this deck came from the art on M Gallade, which suddenly just made be burst out with, "I Am the Batman" one day. It was an lol moment that inspired me to see what kind of deck I could come up with a Batman theme.

 

The concept I came up with here seeks to combine the synergy between Noivern's [Boomburst] and M Gallade's [Unwavering Blade]. To compliment this further, I naturally paired them with a disruption strategy featuring Judge and Professor Sycamore in high volume. The idea here is to offset the opponent's card, then making dash with Professor Sycamore to jet off into the night, while leaving the opponent all tied down.

 

Giovanni's Scheme plays the main backup Supporter to this. I was going to run in it a split with Professor Kukui, but the card advantage potential risks being less effective when Ultra Ball comes up next to Professor Kukui after a play on Judge. In this case, it'll be a much better to play Ultra Ball, and then make a draw to 5 with Giovanni's Scheme, because it'll effectively net you an additional card, with a direct selection of any Pokémon in the deck to boot.

 

Professor Kukui also has no effect with Noivern's [Boomburst], since the attack doesn't actually deal any damage, which is another reason I didn't include more copies of Professor Kukui here. It does make a great play mid-to-late game though, especially with the ability to enable M Gallade to One-Hit KO 130HP Pokémon.

 

{Cursed Eyes} Absol was included for the powerplays as an enabler for the bonus damage of M Gallade's [Unwaivering Blade], and the ability to close up odd ends and instantly Knock Out Pokémon with just a few HP remaining. A tech on Ghetsis was included for the sheer flavor of it. How useful it really is I can't say, but it can make a really amazing play at any time in the game.

 

This deck lastly techs just a single Mystery Energy to help brace Noivern's energy needs facing a Turn 1 play on Judge. Every basic energy is going to be significant when it comes to landing one after the wheel on Judge comes around. Mystery Energy could be omitted entirely even, but I decided to keep just one, since Gallade does have an even chance of starting the game after all.

  

I Am the Viking!!!
 
"I am the strongest—I am the Viking!!! ARRRRRGGGHH!!!"

This is a deck about the 1988 World's Strongest Man competition between Jon Pall Sigmarsson—and his greatest rival—Bill Kazmaier. This is a Slugger style Fighting deck that seeks to overpower the opponent with immense levels of damage. Carbink BREAK plays a backup to this, whose intention is to enable the energy focus to remain on the Active Pokémon, while Stage 2 Machamp build up on the bench. Instead of having to grind in a rush trying to energize their costly attacks, {Fighting Fury} Machamp can simply build up on the bench and get easily energized later with Carbink BREAK.

 

Adding volume to the overpower strategy is a Bursting Ballon/Rock Guard/Eco Arm suite, intended to help further offset the damage exchange against the opponent. This works especially well with Machamp-EX, as it helps to better enable a One-Hit KO against the opposing Pokémon with [Steaming Mad]. You can't use [Steaming Mad] on the first turn anyways, since it costs two energy, so Bursting Balloon and Rock Guard provide that extra damage needed to enable Machamp to Knock Out a 180HP Pokémon that deals at least 60 damage to it.

 

Random Receiver provides a powerplay with Korrina towards the mid-game scenario, enabling a call for another Supporter to secure the flow of the cards on the next turn. Magnetic Storm lastly provides the edge against Pokémon with Resistance, making it the best the Stadium for this deck by far, given the desperate need for that additional 20 damage when it comes to the turn sequence involving the damage stack. Magnetic Storm hopes to spare that one additional turn this deck can't afford to lose.

 

 

Ice Fishin'

 

Here's a deck that takes you ice fishing in the wilds of the north. This deck features an excessive collection of direct retrieval, alongside a mass straight draw strategy between [Triple Draw] Kangaskahn and [Collect] Lapras, intended to super resource {Water Shuriken} Greninja/Greninja BREAK on the bench. From there, Frozen City kicks in and stacks with multiple {Water Shuriken} and {Giant Water Shuriken} as a damage amplifier. This helps to bring down high HP Pokémon even faster, and enables damage to stack up on Pokémon before {Water Shuriken} Greninja hits the board, so that they can be more easily picked apart later.

This deck originally featured Rare Candy exclusively for the quickest jump to Greninja BREAK, but now includes 2 Frogadier to suite Splash Energy for the greater potential that Splash Energy provides to Greninja BREAK. Splash Energy can be used to provide extensions to the availability of Greninja BREAK, so that more can made use, and less copies can be included in the deck to free up space for other things. This is really important potential, as the elevated HP of Greninja BREAK can be essential to victory.

This deck runs a little heavy on Item cards, so it can suffer some against Item lock, but there are adaptations that can be made to arm it against Item lock—such as dialing down the Rare Candy to a single copy, and replacing a copy or two of Dive Ball, with Pokémon Fan Club. It would also be suggested to replace the Master Ball with Dowsing Machine—which is a great potential adjustment for this deck as it stands. Tech'ing just a single copy of Super Energy Retrieval—in exchange for another copy of Fisherman or another Supporter.

 

 

Imperial Grade Green Tea

 

Here's a cute deck about the power of green tea. Green tea contains powerful anti-oxidants, which neutralize free radicals—helping to prevent reactions of oxidation—that can cause DNA damage leading to cancer and other complications. Imperial Grade green tea, such as Gyokuro and Matcha, contains especially high levels of anti-oxidants, boasting more power than any other type of tea.

 

This deck centerpieces Reuniclus as the power of green tea. Its original concept revolved around mass evolving lots of [Net Force] Reuniclus on the bench (with one {Damage Swap} Reuniclus) then leading with Mew-EX or Reuniclus while {Damage Swap} moves all damage done to them over to a benched Cresslia-EX. This would provide endless full heals for the Active Pokémon, while the damage is then permanently healed by the effects of {Sparkling Particles}.

 

This final edit of the deck replaces the [Net Force] Reuniclus with the more powerful [Link Fusion] Reuniclus. [Net Force] is really better for a [Lifesplosion] Cradily strategy, while [Link Fusion] holds a lot more universal potential here, given the slower pace.

 

This deck utilizes [Call for Family] as the primary starter to help set the foundation for the Reuniclus evolution line, and consistency helps to make up the difference from there. High volume of Professor Juniper enables some desperate draw potential that could be desperately needed here, while a tech on Karen helps to make up for any losses. Pokémon Fan Club is further included to especially help in games where this deck doesn't get to start with [Call for Family].

 

Although {Damage Swap} might see less potential with Mew and Mewtwo—thanks to [Damage Change]—it's still included here for the flavor of it, and because the combo is still works great with both [Link Fusion] Reuniclus and Skarmory. Floral Crown, Pokémon Center Lady, and tech on Pokémon Center create a small healing suite together, which aims to effectively help remove stacks of damage with {Damage Swap}.

 

  

Intelligence Gathering

 

This is a deck that I originally came up with for the Standard Format in the 2016 Season. This is a [Bee Revenge] Vespiquen deck that attempts to do all kinds of fancy things with Shaymin-EX, Sky Field, and Parallel City. The strategy behind this deck involves disrupting the opponent while resourcing as many cards as possible—as quickly as possible—to tactically build up for the [Bee Revenge] attack. The technique for this begins with a heavy presence from Judge, which alongside 4 copies of {Set Up} Shaymin, holds a lot of synergy together to disrupt the opponent's card advantage while providing tons of support to instantly bounce back from any disadvantage.

 

Sky Field opens up space on the bench to play out as many Shaymin as possible, setting up for a powerplay with Parallel City, which enables a crunch on the bench to effectively discard every copy of Shaymin and get them out of harms way, while adding to the power of [Bee Revenge]. {Farewell Letter} Unown is another powerful utility included here to supplement, adding a 1 for 1 each to the draw and power bonus. These make great alternatives to Shaymin for recovering from Judge.

 

In the initial test runs that I made, the deck out-performed my expectations for it. But I did find that the deck had one major weakness. The deck can run out of cards really, really fast. This was originally why Great Ball replaces the conventional Ultra Ball. Great Ball is even better in this deck with Judge and Shaymin than Ultra Ball is. Great Ball doesn't force you to discard crucial energies, Supporters, or copies of Combee and Vespiquen—which can be crucial for surviving a long game.

 

The deck ended up just sitting around until the 2017 Season rolled around, which is how {Sudden Cyclone} Hawlucha found its way into this deck. This card makes a really amazing addition given the Lysandre-like potential, alongside the natural synergy with the Sky Field/Parallel City powerplay. [Psychic] Mewtwo also found its way in here this way, and is intended to provide a catch for the opening spot (to spare Combee) while helping to take precautions against possible anti-EX effects.

 

This also has to do with why there are just 2 Lugia in this deck. It's to help prevent having to start with Lugia unless it's necessary. Lugia is very vulnerable to anti-EX effects (such as [Safeguard] Carbink), and against the typical swarmer, this deck is going to want to place Lugia starting out on the bench, so that Lugia can then swing out, get the first hit, and hit for as much damage as possible with the time it had to load up energy. If you have to play first, there's no chance of this happening starting with Lugia.

 

Paint Roller makes a really awesome addition to this deck to help ace out opponent's Stadium Cards. It nets a bonus card, rather than just getting nothing, and it can also be used with Sky Field to make an emergency evacuation when Parallel City isn't available. This deck also originally contained 3 Pokémon Fan Club, but I later thought to add Delinquent as a tech. That's like when your intelligence is bad. It can be crushing. Not sure how well it actually really does. But for safety, it's only a tech for similar reason Teammates is. It's because this deck can't afford to wait on Teammates at the start of the game it can't wait on Teammates, it needs to hit the ground running, so it techs just a single Teammates in hopes of being made use of sometime mid-to-endgame.

 

 

Iron Dragon

 

The Iron Dragon is an over-the-water roller coaster at Sandusky's Cedar Point amusement park. It's my grandmother's favorite roller coaster at Cedar Point. The roller coaster features a hanging railway cart, that takes its rider on a wild ride over the water, and has in recent times been experimenting with adding VR headset technology to the ride experience.

The strategy behind this deck is an energy acceleration one, that seeks to use Manectric's [Energy Assist] to load up Kingdra-EX from the bench with Lightning energy. Kingdra's [Dragon Trail] is a very powerful that attack, that does a standard 150 damage with three Lightning energy. This makes it a great pair with the [Energy Assist] effect. The damage potential also has no limit, which enables the attack to do an additional 30 more damage for each additional Lightning energy added after.

 

This could have used a Battle Compressor strategy, with a purely Out-Fighter strategy packing 3 [Energy Assist] Manectric or more. However, the style here is a hybrid one, that enables the deck to switch up to a Swarmer style with Zekrom, while Mancetric sets up from the bench. This was a decision made to best suit the fact of Kingdra's natural power failing to reach typical One-Hit KO thresholds.

Akin to this hybrid strategy, this deck runs an Ultra Ball/Professor's Letter combo, alongside Cheren  to support the straight draw, and Skyla to help bring everything together. This deck structure helps to provide more universal and adaptable potential. Muscle Band is also included here in high volume to further Support Kingdra and help [Dragon Trail] reach for that One-Hit KO.