Hey 6p, nardd here with an introductory article to help kick-start my new project for the rest of the season- Porygon Z!
My plan is to master both the decklist and to discover the best way (for me) to play my favorite Pokémon, as well as dive right into the metagame and how it affects my deck on a competitive level. It would also be pretty cool to be known as “that guy that plays Porygon” :6 This article is more of an advertisement for my mini-blog I’ll be doing on the 6p boards, right under “Strategy (modified format)” in the “Competitive Deck Discussion” section, but don’t worry- I’ll be sure to put some useful info about the deck right here as a hook to get some people to follow my work on Porygon Z. I’m going to do my best to do as much play-testing and editing for my list as I can, of course giving updates on how it goes and why I make the changes.
Of course, (to keep myself somewhat humble) I’ll be accepting comments and suggestions in the thread in between posts, so you can follow along and help me master the virtual Pokémon and all of its subtleties. Don’t be afraid to disagree with what I do, as I also want to download some apprentice so I can take on any (and all?) challengers who want to help my testing with their “tournament worthy” decks. I want this project to be a WIP (Work In Progress) until it gets cycled out of the current format, and hopefully become something resourceful for anyone interested in what Porygon Z can do- for them AND against them.
So, onto the article.
Porygon Z: the big idea
First things first: My deck is going to be centered around the PROMO Porygon Z from the blister pack available back when Platinum hit store shelves (I’ve seen it at Target recently still if you want to pick some up) and NOT the Porygon Z from Great Encounters (GE). That Porygon Z is flip-based in its attacks, and it relies on discarding precious energy in order to do respectable damage. I don’t like either of those ideas, though quite possible with the cards available in format, so I only plan on testing one in my deck at some point as a tech against big decks that I have trouble with.
The big idea is to get a quick Porygon Z out on the field, ready to load up on Technical Machine TS-1 (TMTS1) and Technical Machine TS-2 (TMTS2) for 40 damage +20 damage for each attached TM using “Overload”. The maximum amount this attach can do is 200, which 1HKOs anything in the metagmae short of a Torterra with Shaymin LV.X in play and expert belt attached (220 HP wow). The nice thing about Porygon Z is its Poké-Power, “Install,” which lets you move around those TM’s to anything on your side of the field, assuming Porygon doesn’t have any status ailments inflicted upon it. This synergizes well with “Overload,” since you can calculate the exact amount of TM’s needed to KO the opposing Pokémon and move the extras to other Pokémon on the bench to (hopefully) protect them.
So it seems easy enough, right? Just get out a quick Porygon Z (easy) with two energy (double easy with Double Colorless Energy and/or Upper Energy) and then a bunch of TM’s (this might be difficult).
Porygon Z: the basic(s)
You have to start somewhere, right? Going from the top down, let’s take a closer look.
At 50 HP, you’re a little susceptible to donks from things like Sableye, Kingdra, Shuppet (what isn’t threatened by Shuppet first turn?), and anything else that can do 50 damage first turn. It’s not a horrible amount of HP, but it’s the only choice for the deck so it will have to do.
Colorless typing is pretty cool- you hit Flygon and Garchomp C for weakness (as well as the now rare Salamence), but on the downside Porygon has to hit through resistance against Gengar and the somewhat rare Dusknoir. We’ll talk about typing tactics later though :]
The first attack is what you would likely be using if there aren’t any better options turn 1. Reordering the top 3 can be game changing if you can force yourself to topdeck that Claydol for your next turn, or that key rare candy to get the T2 donk.
The second attack, “Sharpen,” isn’t much for 20 for two energy… horrible actually :P
Weakness to fighting isn’t going to affect you much T1, but I’ll get more to fighting weakness in general in a later post in my thread. No resistance is normal for a normal type nowadays, and a Retreat Cost of one isn’t horrible. It could be two.
Overall, Porygon is a pretty average basic Pokémon. It has a nice attack for helping yourself get set up (as you’ll find most of the Porygon line has), and it should make for a solid base to our little virtual friend.
Well, thanks for reading! I hope you continue to follow this project on the 6p boards as I continue to update on what I’m thinking and playing around with for my Porygon Z.
~Drew
heres one combo, porygon Z lv X and uxie lv X, use porygon X to get 2 cards on top then use uxie to take one, it’s like infinite pokedrawr!
… it would be even better with claydol, no ?
Yes, I plan to make extensive use of this little “mini-combo” with Claydol, and, if I can get my hands on one, Uxie lv.X
It also works with any kind of draw support (i.e. volkner’s, felicity’s, etc)
That is an interesting idea, except if anyone is running a machamp deck then the deck is pretty much toast. So maybe you should run a Uxie Lv X to kill the machamp’s. Awesome deck though!!!
Yeah, Uxie lv.X is a nice tech to combat those machamps. I’ll definitely have to test out some other things as well, though.
That is an interesting idea, except if anyone is running a machamp deck then the deck is pretty much toast. So maybe you should run a Uxie Lv X to kill the machamp’s. Awesome deck though!!!
Yeah, Uxie lv.X is a nice tech to combat those machamps. I’ll definitely have to test out some other things as well, though.
There are 2 big problems if you wanna play it :
That’s why I think that the deck won’t be good.
I think this deck does have great potential and can work around its weaknesses with the proper techs. (Having the main attacker as colorless really helps with variety). I’m sure a knowledgeable list with respect to the proper metagame would be a nice deck to play.
Interesting idea, im wondering how much of your deck is going to be TM’s? Your going t have to have allot arn’t you? Seems like it would use allot of space.
I think youi would use 5-6 TMs
Right now, and with my past experiences playing the deck, 8 is a must (4 of each). You want to have at least one by the time your start attacking (T1 or T2), so a bunch helps get them out quickly as well as keep them stocked for the late game.
The reason all 8 is the best idea is because you can use them to attach to any Pokemon you have in play to free up your hand for a nice hefty Uxie drop. With the Uxie count at 2, Rare Candy at 4, and Claydol at 2-2, you’re sure to be able to free up your hand quickly. The biggest down fall to this would be a T1 Spiritomb lock. With the in a Gengar Skip deck you’re pretty much at the point of scooping. =/
Otherwise this is a pretty cool article. I’ve been interested in the Data-Duck myself.
i have this deck and it has 2 horrible drawbacks…
1.- Power lock
2.- Poorman players using gengar-machamp
i put a 1-0-1 dusknoir line on it, and 2-2 claydols aswell
It’s very nice when not playing against any of those above
peace
Power lock does hurt this deck, especially when you want to transfer those TM’s around to prevent them from going away after a KO.
I’ll have to experiment between trying to spread out the TM’s and go for the 2HKO rather than the OHKO and trying to tech against them (Alakazam for Mesprits? still won’t help against Gardevoir, but what does help against that?)
Agree, well it has to have a drawback, it still being a nice deck however
so true mate!
heres one combo, porygon Z lv X and uxie lv X, use porygon X to get 2 cards on top then use uxie to take one, it’s like infinite pokedrawr!
… it would be even better with claydol, no ?
Yes, I plan to make extensive use of this little “mini-combo” with Claydol, and, if I can get my hands on one, Uxie lv.X
It also works with any kind of draw support (i.e. volkner’s, felicity’s, etc)
https://sixprizes.com/boards/showthread.php?t=267
^^^^there’s a link to the WIP thread.
After this article’s run its course, feel free to hop on over there every once in a while to see how it’s going, as well as give me more things to watch out for and questions as to how I’m making my list.
There are 2 big problems if you wanna play it :
That’s why I think that the deck won’t be good.
I think this deck does have great potential and can work around its weaknesses with the proper techs. (Having the main attacker as colorless really helps with variety). I’m sure a knowledgeable list with respect to the proper metagame would be a nice deck to play.
Interesting idea, im wondering how much of your deck is going to be TM’s? Your going t have to have allot arn’t you? Seems like it would use allot of space.
I think youi would use 5-6 TMs
Right now, and with my past experiences playing the deck, 8 is a must (4 of each). You want to have at least one by the time your start attacking (T1 or T2), so a bunch helps get them out quickly as well as keep them stocked for the late game.
The reason all 8 is the best idea is because you can use them to attach to any Pokemon you have in play to free up your hand for a nice hefty Uxie drop. With the Uxie count at 2, Rare Candy at 4, and Claydol at 2-2, you’re sure to be able to free up your hand quickly. The biggest down fall to this would be a T1 Spiritomb lock. With the in a Gengar Skip deck you’re pretty much at the point of scooping. =/
Otherwise this is a pretty cool article. I’ve been interested in the Data-Duck myself.
i have this deck and it has 2 horrible drawbacks…
1.- Power lock
2.- Poorman players using gengar-machamp
i put a 1-0-1 dusknoir line on it, and 2-2 claydols aswell
It’s very nice when not playing against any of those above
peace
Power lock does hurt this deck, especially when you want to transfer those TM’s around to prevent them from going away after a KO.
I’ll have to experiment between trying to spread out the TM’s and go for the 2HKO rather than the OHKO and trying to tech against them (Alakazam for Mesprits? still won’t help against Gardevoir, but what does help against that?)
Agree, well it has to have a drawback, it still being a nice deck however
so true mate!
https://sixprizes.com/boards/showthread.php?t=267
^^^^there’s a link to the WIP thread.
After this article’s run its course, feel free to hop on over there every once in a while to see how it’s going, as well as give me more things to watch out for and questions as to how I’m making my list.
Awesome idea!
i love how you’ve incorperated your ideas
I saw some guy running this guy at a local league I go to. Worked well from what I saw.
I saw some guy running this guy at a local league I go to. Worked well from what I saw.
Awesome idea!
i love how you’ve incorperated your ideas
Good idea probably someone would use this in worlds.
I will if I go! :D
Good idea probably someone would use this in worlds.
I will if I go! :D
I played porygon z before, it is a great deck. Unfortunaetly I just took the deck apart a couple of weeks ago so I cant give you the exact list, but its a simple deck that is very hard to beat when is properly setup.
You get a porygon z lv.x and then you can put any two cards you want on the top of your deck, then you draw them with claydol. In late game situations you should have no problem getting about 4 TMs on Porygon Z.
My deck had a metagross la tech. Its pokepower “magnetic reversal” let you flip and if heads you get to use a gust of wind type pokepower. It was awesome, when you flipped heads, when you flipped tails it stunk. Another good tech Ive seen used is Dusknoir DP.
If you want to ask me a question you can pm me on the boards here. Making this deck is pretty simple, just choose a tech, or choose straight. If you choose straight you just add a chatot and trainers that let you get our porygons fast.
Yeah, I’ve actually played the deck before (right around the last BRs), but I just really want to get GOOD at a deck rather than switch around constantly, though it is fun playing different things.
I’ll have to look into the metagross LA tech, since that sounds pretty good. I have used the DPnoir well in my last build, but we’ll see how testing and such goes.
Nice article!
I played porygon z before, it is a great deck. Unfortunaetly I just took the deck apart a couple of weeks ago so I cant give you the exact list, but its a simple deck that is very hard to beat when is properly setup.
You get a porygon z lv.x and then you can put any two cards you want on the top of your deck, then you draw them with claydol. In late game situations you should have no problem getting about 4 TMs on Porygon Z.
My deck had a metagross la tech. Its pokepower “magnetic reversal” let you flip and if heads you get to use a gust of wind type pokepower. It was awesome, when you flipped heads, when you flipped tails it stunk. Another good tech Ive seen used is Dusknoir DP.
If you want to ask me a question you can pm me on the boards here. Making this deck is pretty simple, just choose a tech, or choose straight. If you choose straight you just add a chatot and trainers that let you get our porygons fast.
Yeah, I’ve actually played the deck before (right around the last BRs), but I just really want to get GOOD at a deck rather than switch around constantly, though it is fun playing different things.
I’ll have to look into the metagross LA tech, since that sounds pretty good. I have used the DPnoir well in my last build, but we’ll see how testing and such goes.
Is Exploud SV a good tech no get rid of Porygon-Z’s weakness? Exploud SV’s attack is not too bad too…
Nice article!
Is Exploud SV a good tech no get rid of Porygon-Z’s weakness? Exploud SV’s attack is not too bad too…
I have used this deck for several months. It is usally able to hold its own against most Machamp variations i have played against.
Do you use any techs to help out against the match-up or do you just outdamage it?
Like said above, exploud looks pretty good
I have used this deck for several months. It is usally able to hold its own against most Machamp variations i have played against.
Do you use any techs to help out against the match-up or do you just outdamage it?
Like said above, exploud looks pretty good
Nice deck overall. I doubt anybody would stack a torterra that high though :O Just a question though is there a deck list?
There will be, check the thread in the forums for the updates! I posted a link up the page a little.
This is just the beginning to a deck-building process, with updates to playtesting and the metagame as a whole.
Nice deck overall. I doubt anybody would stack a torterra that high though :O Just a question though is there a deck list?
There will be, check the thread in the forums for the updates! I posted a link up the page a little.
This is just the beginning to a deck-building process, with updates to playtesting and the metagame as a whole.
i played this with 4 spiritombs, dusknoir, uxie lv x and others.
i played this with 4 spiritombs, dusknoir, uxie lv x and others.
Great idea, maybe u could put in a Porygon-Z G to help with geting TM’S out of the discard pile,
TM’s are NOT tools. That is, for you math folks,
TM =/= Tool
So no, Porygon Z G won’t make it into any of my lists, as cool as it is.
Great idea, maybe u could put in a Porygon-Z G to help with geting TM’S out of the discard pile,
TM’s are NOT tools. That is, for you math folks,
TM =/= Tool
So no, Porygon Z G won’t make it into any of my lists, as cool as it is.
You will propably want to put in a 1-1 tech Basic Lv.X to this deck – something that will benefit you in the worse matchups. See the list below.
1-1 Palkia Lv.X – Gets you around Hit&Run Spiritomb using decks (Gengar, Gliscor, propably even Shuppet). Can even help against Dialga by dragging out their Claydol to stop the Deafen lock which can essentially kill this deck. Needs Switch/Warp Energy support.
1-1 Infernape 4 Lv.X – A bit similar than Palkia, but can only combat a single copies of Spiritombs/other stallers. Fries Dialga G Lv.X, though, which might otherwise pose a problem with constant deafen + healing.
1-1 Staraptor FB Lv.X – A general strenghtener of this deck. Allows smart Wager usage. This also loves VS seeker, as you can get a supporter, discard it with Download, reuse, reuse… Propably the best overall tech. Makes Marley work – you don’t usually want to store them in your hand until your big Porygon-Z gets knocked out. While it’s not much, it also poses resistance to Fighting.
1-1 Dialga G Lv.X – This would be the anti-stall. Shuts down opposing Spiritombs, Mr. Mimes, Shedinja SVs and bunch of other decks that would like to give you problems, such as Charizard or Great Donphan.
1-1 Mewtwo Lv.X – In the meta where SPs are able to dish out 90 damage to your benched Pokémon out of a single Garchomp C on their bench, you can surprise them with outspeeding your Mewtwo Lv.X to your bench in a time span of a single turn. Also an awesomely safe place to drop the TMs from your hand against such decks as Shuppet/Regigigas/SP.
X-1 Uxie Lv.X – This is propably the most generic one. You will play Uxie anyway, so when out of energy to attack, why not put down some extra draw? Can also hax Machamp with Double Colorless Energy.
Uxie Lv.X should be given in this deck, due the weakness to Machoman, but the others are something to consider, too – depending on the meta and the way you want to play this deck.
Edit: Also, Porygon-Z from GE can OHKO fully tanked Dialga G Lv.X with 2 heads (might need assistance if there’s Expert Belt present), should you play Fire energy… or at least bait out the Sprays with it’s power. Though this is purely metagame choice and usually will prove itself useless.
thanks for the tips, I’ll post this in my thread and talk about what I think there.
https://sixprizes.com/boards/showthread.php?t=267
You will propably want to put in a 1-1 tech Basic Lv.X to this deck – something that will benefit you in the worse matchups. See the list below.
1-1 Palkia Lv.X – Gets you around Hit&Run Spiritomb using decks (Gengar, Gliscor, propably even Shuppet). Can even help against Dialga by dragging out their Claydol to stop the Deafen lock which can essentially kill this deck. Needs Switch/Warp Energy support.
1-1 Infernape 4 Lv.X – A bit similar than Palkia, but can only combat a single copies of Spiritombs/other stallers. Fries Dialga G Lv.X, though, which might otherwise pose a problem with constant deafen + healing.
1-1 Staraptor FB Lv.X – A general strenghtener of this deck. Allows smart Wager usage. This also loves VS seeker, as you can get a supporter, discard it with Download, reuse, reuse… Propably the best overall tech. Makes Marley work – you don’t usually want to store them in your hand until your big Porygon-Z gets knocked out. While it’s not much, it also poses resistance to Fighting.
1-1 Dialga G Lv.X – This would be the anti-stall. Shuts down opposing Spiritombs, Mr. Mimes, Shedinja SVs and bunch of other decks that would like to give you problems, such as Charizard or Great Donphan.
1-1 Mewtwo Lv.X – In the meta where SPs are able to dish out 90 damage to your benched Pokémon out of a single Garchomp C on their bench, you can surprise them with outspeeding your Mewtwo Lv.X to your bench in a time span of a single turn. Also an awesomely safe place to drop the TMs from your hand against such decks as Shuppet/Regigigas/SP.
X-1 Uxie Lv.X – This is propably the most generic one. You will play Uxie anyway, so when out of energy to attack, why not put down some extra draw? Can also hax Machamp with Double Colorless Energy.
Uxie Lv.X should be given in this deck, due the weakness to Machoman, but the others are something to consider, too – depending on the meta and the way you want to play this deck.
Edit: Also, Porygon-Z from GE can OHKO fully tanked Dialga G Lv.X with 2 heads (might need assistance if there’s Expert Belt present), should you play Fire energy… or at least bait out the Sprays with it’s power. Though this is purely metagame choice and usually will prove itself useless.
thanks for the tips, I’ll post this in my thread and talk about what I think there.
https://sixprizes.com/boards/showthread.php?t=267
Porygon has always had potential, I look forward to hearing about it’s development.
Porygon has always had potential, I look forward to hearing about it’s development.
Nice deck!! does anybody know when Heart gold and soul sliver comes out???
Feb. 10th (wednesday)
Nice deck!! does anybody know when Heart gold and soul sliver comes out???
Feb. 10th (wednesday)
I LOVE this deck. I plan on running this for Battle Roads and possibly Nats and it runs beautifuly. Dewgong SV takes care of pesky Donphan and Machamp, and Porygon does enough damage to one-shot Dusknoir and Gengar anyway. Plus, doing 440 damage to a Garchomp C Lv.X is pretty fun too, right ;).
I am known as that guy who plays ramchamp who beat Jason Martinez in top 16 at states (Jason was 2nd in world in Juniors last year)
it was my first tournament
I LOVE this deck. I plan on running this for Battle Roads and possibly Nats and it runs beautifuly. Dewgong SV takes care of pesky Donphan and Machamp, and Porygon does enough damage to one-shot Dusknoir and Gengar anyway. Plus, doing 440 damage to a Garchomp C Lv.X is pretty fun too, right ;).
I am known as that guy who plays ramchamp who beat Jason Martinez in top 16 at states (Jason was 2nd in world in Juniors last year)
it was my first tournament
oh your that guy nice going.
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