September 2010

Pikkdogs Stupid Deck Idea: Slowpluff (Slowking Prime and Jumpluff)

Hey all you members of Omar-Nation.  This is Pikkdogs here.

The Fall Battle Road season is well under way, and I hope you guys are having fun at your own tournaments.  I have had an interesting season so far, and will try to right up one big report once my season is over.  So make sure to try to play at as many tournaments as you can in the last couple weekends.                                                                                                      

I am here to give you a rundown of a Stupid Deck that I have been playing this week.  This time the stupid deck idea centers around Jumpluff.

Jumpluff has been very popular since it was released in the Heart Gold Soul Silver set.  It saw a lot of play at States, Regionals, and Nationals last year.  Jumpluff was popular because it is a cute Pokemon, that can do 10 damage for each Pokemon in play, for only 1 Grass energy.  The classic build featured Jumpluff with the support of Luxray Gl and Claydol Ge.  The deck was very successful, and appealed to many players.  But, after Worlds the format changed and Claydol Ge was rotated out.  Many players tried to play it after the rotation, but the deck was too slow to setup and too slow to recover.  Some other builds that have seen a little play since rotation included Jumpluff with Sunflora, and Jumpluff with the VileTomb combo.  But, these builds only seem to middle out at tournaments. Read More

Machampion

Throughout this budding season, the format has undergone a massive fluctuation in speed. Some decks have sped up while some have slowed down. Claydol (or lack thereof) is mostly to blame.

With Stage 2 decks getting the shaft by relying on trainers such as Rare Candy, Pokemon Communication, Luxury Ball, etc, Stage 1 and Basic pokemon are picking up rapidly. The format is starting to clutter with sablechomps, luxchomps, dialgachomps, Legends, and a few fiery stage 1’s such as scizor and donphan. These SP decks have picked up massive popularity lately simply because they work! Why not run a deck that does everything you want without having to evolve your pokemon? The real question is “What can I do to topple these giants?” Here’s your answer:

Take Out

Get your pick-up lines ready ’cause you’re about to take SP’s on a date they won’t forget (and you won’t return their calls later). Machamp (Stormfront) is once again a deck to be reckoned with, and yes, I’m talking about “straight” Machamp. The ability to win a game on the first turn is still a strong possibility as well as “super-effective” to gaining the points or Victory Medals you’re after. Many may call it a cheap win, but if you can design your deck to win on the first turn 9/10 games, then your skill is still there, but more in your deck building rather than playing (Yes, there is a difference!). In this article I want to share with you how you can take Machamp and turn him into an SP-smashing, turn 1 donking, late-game killer of a deck. After the list, I will give a brief strategy on how the deck works, followed by a tournament report.

The List:

4-3-3/1 Machamp
4 unown r
3-1 uxie
1 unown q

4 judge
3 collector
2 bebe
1 palmer
4 rare candy
4 poke drawer+
4 pokedex
2 warp point
3 communication
2 dual ball
1 lux ball
3 BTS

2 dce
5 fighting

The deck purely focuses on setting up Machamp turn 1 for Take Out, but also boasts 4 judges to disrupt your opponent and keep them from setting up their field as fast. Your goal as the operator of the deck is to take 2-4 prizes before your opponent is set up. Typically, you can get them to sacrifice a few prizes to machamp while they do. With the new 30 minute time limit, it’s much more important to hold onto a prize lead this season, so any chance you can jump out with a 3 prize lead, you’re *likely* going to win. Machamp will tend to “fizzle-out” late game if you’re playing against a Stage 1 or Stage 2 deck, so Machamp Lv. X, Warp Points, and DCE come in handy later in the game when you’re ready to Level Up for extra damage, Rage, or warp point a couple of prizes to finish off your opponent.

Oklahoma City Battle Roads – Sep 18th, 2010

Round 1: Gengar/Vileplume
He flips over lone uxie to my machop with him going first. He attatched and psychic restored. I play my hand out and end up with the rare candy/machamp/fighting energy for the donk.
1-0

Round 2: Sablelock
He starts with sableye and impersonates a Cyrus Conspiracy to start setting up. I collector for my Q, Machop, and an Uxie and pull the T1 Machamp again for the donk.
2-0

Round 3: Machamp
I’m playing Taylor who agreed to play Machamp with me today (almost the same exact list save for 2-3 preference cards). We’re both undefeated and we know it comes down to whoever goes second. He goes 2nd and gets the T1 champ as I managed to still set up my Machamp but he leveled up and hit the 3 heads to OHKO my machamp.
2-1

Round 4: Sablelock
He opens sableye to my lone machop, attaches SP Dark and overconfidents my machop for 20. I guess he didn’t think I had the ability to evolve or grab another poke, but either way I lux ball/rare candy into machamp, judge, and attach fighting energy for the Take Out. After 2 more turns of Take Out he scoops.
3-1

I tied for 2nd place in win% opp. win% and opp.opp. win %, but TOM gave the other player the spot in top 2, so I watched Taylor take the Victory Medal with our deck. All in all, it was a great tournament with the deck going a combined 8-1 with it’s only loss being to itself.

Battle Road #2: Vanilla TOSSED Testing

After yesterday’s BR, I decided that I ought to try another version of TOSSED for BR #2. I opted for “Vanilla” TOSSED, because I thought it might be easier to play. I want to get an idea of the strength’s of each. I can’t say that I got a great idea of it. I can’t say that I did much at all today. I’m pretty unimpressed with my performance.

Ava, however, won another 2 packs. I think she got 3rd, but she may have been 4th. She actually won only 1 game (and lost 1), because she got a bye. Her first match was winable, but she forgot to lay the ExBelt. Her next match was the bye, and then she got a hard-fought win to claim her 2 packs.

I didn’t fare that well.

Round 1: Ryan W.
Ryan had LuxChomp with Blaziken. All I saw was Luxray. It didn’t make it past my first turn, partially thanks to an Expert Belt and a DCE.
1-0

Round 2: Peter (Senior)
Peter also had LuxChomp. Last night, I made the decision to tech in a Regice for Spiritomb. In this match, I realized my worse Regice fear, starting with it active and being unable to retreat it. Yeah, that sucked, otherwise I think I had a first-turn KO. Peter actually did me a favor by Bright Looking it to the bench, and the game went to sudden death. Each of us were like 10 away from a KO a couple turns in a row. I came real close on my final turn, but I was unable to draw the card I needed for the win.
1-1

Round 3: Nick
Nick had Gengar C. I started my first 2 turns with back-to-back KOs on Gastly and Toxicroak G. Nick actually almost conceded, but decided to play it out. After that, there was one turn when the juniors winners were announced (and my daughter got a prize) where I was fairly distracted. Nick asked me to please play faster, and I think that was the turning point. I started making hasty plays, and by then, I was kinda mentally spent anyway. I can’t say why. I really don’t know how I lost this. I do know that Nick got a couple important KOs, and I had a bad prize, but this should not have meant doom for me. I really think that I just rushed things assuming I had the win. I even got a KO on his Gengar and he flipped tails. I honestly wonder if I forgot to take a prize or something, because I dunno how it went downhill that fast. I think that Nick won on the 3rd turn of +3 (after time was called).
1-2

Round 4: Michael Slutsky
I start lone Unown Q. Michael starts Garchomp C. He wins the toss, he attaches DCE, I get up and leave. The day is over, and I’m a bit relieved to be done.
1-3

What did I learn? TOSSED surprises people. Regice is not a good tech unless you add in a good (more than just SSU) way to get it out of the active spot. Vanilla TOSSED is not easier to play (compared to the other variants) when you play SP all day. I think it can be a good meta choice, but it’s not the right one against this local MN meta right now.

Team Omar Takes 2nd At 1st BR

The title is slightly misleading, but it’s true. Today’s Team Omar crew consisted of Ava, my 7-year-old daughter, and myself. Ava and I both went 3-0 to start the day. Then Ava got paired against the other top junior player and lost. That put both of them into top cuts (top-2), so they played again. She lost again, but that gave her 2nd overall on the day winning her 4 packs. She had a good time, and I’m very proud of her. She played Donkphan, and it’s built mainly around cards she already knows from previous decks. She really only played it once before the tourney, but she knew how it worked.

For me, today marked TOSSED’s inaugural voyage into the seas of tournament play. TOSSED used to stand for Team Omar Super Secret Excellent Deck. Yeah, I know, it’s lame, but it’s not meant to be explained worded out like that. It’s kinda a backronym anyway, and now that it’s been played, it’s not so secret. It’s just TOSSED, so the player can say something like, “You just got TOSSED!” At some point, I’ll unveil its new meaning when I’m ready to give out more info about the deck. For now, though, I’m still playing it, so I’m not quite ready to publicize the list.

So, on to my mini tourney report.
Read More

PokemanDan’s PokeClass Series (Episodes 1-3)

Hey, I’m PokemanDan, and this is my first article on TeamOmar.com. A few weeks ago, I started my own webshow via YouTube about competitive Pokemon TCG play, as there aren’t many around. I’m from the UK, so we don’t have anything else like it (apart from JWittz from the US). I’m here now to introduce myself and show you all my first three episodes (below) which I have already released.

There will be a new episode every Saturday with a new topic each week. So check them out and comment if you like/dislike. If you want to see anything else in particular for my next episode then don’t hesitate to comment or message me and I’ll consider it. Now that I am writing for Team Omar, I will post an article with the new video as soon as it’s uploaded, so you can all check it out.

Thanks for taking the time to read and watch,
Dan

Episode 1 – Vileplume UD Card Analysis:

Read More

Pikkdogs Pikks Three: Mesprit La, Jirachi, Ul, and Rescue Energy.

Hello to everyone in Omar-Nation.  This is Pikkdogs here, ready to “Pikk” Three.  As always I will review three cards.  One card is a commonly used card, the second card is a card which I think deserves more play, and the third card is from a new or unreleased set.

Since my last “Pikk” Three article TPCI has unveiled the new set, named Triumphant.  It shall be a combination of most of the cards of the Japanese Clash at the Summit Set and the Lost Link Mini Set.  It will have around 117 cards in it and will introduce a new mechanic that will change the game.  But, we will get to that in a later Pikk Three article.

Through my web surfing I have found a YouTube page that is similar to Jwittz’s Prof-it series.  I don’t know if it has all the promise that Prof-it has, but still has some decent episodes and videos of deck testings.  The show is ran from the UK and is called” Poke-Class.”  You can find it at http://www.youtube.com/user/PokemanDanLv45.

And one last bit of housekeeping.  This upcoming weekend starts the fall battle roads.  So all of the testing that you guys did this summer will hopefully pay of when you first get a taste of the new format.  So make sure to check out www.pokemon.com or your regions Pokemon website to find the time of tournaments near you.

Okay now that all that’s over, lets Pikk Three.

The Staple: Mesprit La.                                                                                                                                     

Description– Mesprit is a 70 HP, basic Psychic Pokemon with a +20 weakness to psychic and a 1 retreat cost.  It has one attack, which for two psychic energies does 20 damage or 70 damage if you have the same number of cards in your hand as your opponent.  It also has a Poke-Power named “Psychic Bind,” that you may use when you first lay him onto your bench.  Psychic Bind does not allow your opponent to use Poke-Powers during his/her next turn.

Analysis– Mesprit is a great Pokemon that has seen play since its release over a year ago.  It has most commonly been used in decks with Palkia Gs, though it has been used in Regigas decks.  It is a powerful card when you use it with TGI Power-Spray, to make sure your opponent does not set up or use Poke-Powers during most of the game.  Most decks that use Mesprit try to keep a Power Lock on the opponent through out the game to ruin their setup.

This strategy can only be more useful now that Claydol has rotated out of the format.  Almost all decks rely on an early Uxie drop to set up their decks, but Mesprit will stop or delay your opponent’s strategy.

But there are negative aspects to using Mesprit.  One is that his power can only be used once, and once you use him he is there clogging your bench.  Another is that he has average stats and an attack that is hard to pull off.

Final Rating7/10.  Mesprit is great to use in Palkia G and Regigas decks, and can be used as a tech in every deck.  But is pretty useless after you use him.

The Underdog- Jirachi Ul                                                                                                        

Description–  Jirachi is a basic Psychic Pokemon with 60 HP, a psychic weakness, and a 1 retreat cost.  It’s Poke-Power is called “Stardust Song”, and will allow you to flip three coins when you first play Jirachi from your hand.  For each heads you flip you may attach a psychic Energy card from your discard pile to Jirachi.  It has one attack called “Time Hollow,” which for 1 psychic energy, allows you to remove the highest stage evolution card from 1 of your opponents Pokemon for each energy you have attached to Jirachi.

Analysis– Wow what an interesting card here.  This card was released in the Unleashed set to little or no buzz, it has since not seen much play.  Its Poke-Power is great, but situational.  Its attack is good, but also is situational.  So what we have here is a situational card, so what can we add to it so it can be usable.

I think it could be a card used or used against the new trainer lock decks.  A person using a trainer-lock deck could use it to give itself an advantage in the mirror matchup.  And a person playing against a trainer-lock deck can use it in their SP deck to finish off a Vileplume that was Dragon Rushed the last turn by Garchomp C Lv.X.  It can also be used to combat high HP Pokemon like Steelix Prime, Gyarados, and Charizard.

The worst thing about Jirachi is the fact that he only has 60 HP and a 1 retreat cost.  This means that your opponent will most likely be able to knock-out Jirachi right after you use “Time Hollow,” and the retreat costs means that you will have to burn an Energy or an Unown Q if you get lucky enough to have Jirachi survive your opponents turn.

Final Rating7.75/10– Jirachi is a card that I think can see a lot of play this season.  It is situational, but can be a game changer when used right.

The Young Gun- Rescue Energy

Description– Rescue Energy is a Special Energy with a simple effect.  It provides 1 unit of Colorless Energy, and when the Pokemon that the energy is attached to gets knocked out from damage by an attack, you may return the Pokemon to your hand.

Analysis– This doesn’t seem to be a game changing card like other Special Energy cards like Double Colorless and Call.  But I think this card will still be used in a lot of decks.  SP decks as well as normal decks will like the option of returning a knocked out Pokemon back to their hand.

Final Rating6.5– Im not sure how well used this card will be, but I think most decks will find a spot for it.  This card will just about replace the play of Floatzel Gl Lv.x.

Well thats it for my “Pikks.”  I hope you guys will comment and  tell me what you think of these cards, and if you have any suggestions for the next “Pikk Three” article please leave them there as well.

Good luck in your Fall BR’s!  This is Pikkdogs signing off saying so long and thanks for all the fish.

Pikkdogs’ Stupid Deck Idea: AlaDialga (Alakazam 4 + Dialga G)

Hey to all of the members of Omar-Nation.  This is Pikkdogs here to discuss a stupid deck idea I had.

I don’t know if this deck is good enough to ever be brought to a small tournament, but its a deck that is fun to play.  I came up with this deck idea last Thursday night in a time of great sorrow.  My area had just experienced a nasty thunderstorm, I was okay but the great sorrow happened when my cable (and internet) went out for almost a day.  So all I could do was watch my Seinfeld DVD’s and play games on Redshark.

The idea is to take a basic Lady Gaga deck then take out the Luxray Gl line, trim down the Garchomp C line, and add in a 2-1 Alakazam 4 Lv.X line.  Then for the trainer line add in some Warp Energies, Energy Exchangers, and extra Pokemon Collectors, and you basically have the list.  The goal of the deck is to get a Dialga G Lv.x active with at least 2 Special Metal Energies, an expert belt.  Once you get set up, you can move damage counters from Dialga G Lv.x to another Pokemon to Poketurn later. You can do this because of Alakazam 4 Lv.x’s Poke Power “Damage Switch” which allows you to move 1 damage counter from 1 SP Pokemon to another as many times as you would like. Read More

Itty Bitty Cards of The Day: Possible SP Techs?

Hello Team Omar fans! It’s Bittyboy you probably know me from Sixprizes, I am now proud to be writing for Team Omar! Now to the article!

I wanted to talk about some cards from Unleashed that actually caught my attention! Just to forewarn you this is an article geared towards SP’s. The two cards that caught my attention were Drifblim and Muk believe it or not.

I’ll start with Drifblim. Drifblim is good for two reasons: one he is a good counter to Mewtwo X, and two as a Machamp counter, it could also be used as a quick/cheap way to end the game if need be. Driblims first attack “Balloon Tackle” for one Psychic energy and one Colorless energy lets you do 60 and 20 in recoil, but with Mewtwo’s X2 Weakness to Pschic it gets OHKOed making it worth the 20 in recoil damage. Also if you have Lucario GL in play and you can use Crobat G’s Poke Power “Flash Bite”, you can the OHKO Machamp. Then we get to Drifblims second attack, “Take Away” lets you shuffle Drifblim and the defending Pokemon back into each players deck. This could easily be a game ender as I said above, but could also be a deadly compo with Luxray GL X up  and you it’s “Bright Look” power to drag up something loaded on the bench or a tech and then retreat for Drifblim and just Take Away into the wind.

Now onto Muk, Muk has a lot of positive things going for him in my opinion. Muks first attack “Sludge Drag” lets you drag up any of your opponents benched Pokemon active then poison is and confuse it. This could be used to stall, gust up techs (Ninetals, Regice, ect), or even Drag up Mewtwo Before it levels up. Muk’s second attack “Pester” does 50 damage plus 30 more for each special condition on the defending Pokemon. This could go either way, good or bad. If you bring Muk out after Mewtwo levels you only do 100 to it and you need to drop two Crobat G’s  to finish it off, or if you drag it then in levels you only need one Muk requires more resources to use but I think it is a better choice in the long run, because of it’s similarity to Luxray GL X, also you can use the attack to drag up Vileplume and hopefully kill it, breaking a trainer lock that hurts SP a lot!

I know there are tons of Mewtwo counter and Champ counters out there but I think these two are actually some of the better ones in my opinion. Another thing I like about these two is that they can be used for either Machamp or Mewtwo, whereas some counters (such as Dialga G X) can only be used for one. I hope you liked my article, and I look forward to writing more in the future! Sorry this one is kind of short I am just getting back into school and have a lot of work.