Why do so many people care about the rotation? I can understand that it’s kind of a big mystery since there wasn’t a rotation last year, and maybe collectors/sellers want to try and get the most out of their cards while they still can, but it boggles my mind why semi-competitive players would be thinking about the rotation at all right now, much less dedicating threads/posts on message boards about it (and yes, I understand that’s exactly what I’m doing).
Now, I’m not saying it doesn’t matter, but, considering that, in the U.S. at least, we’ve still got…
– Nationals
– Worlds
– Our August set
– Our November set before any important tournaments (i.e. cities).
There is no need to worry about the rotation. You should be focusing on figuring out the local metagame for your Battle Roads (if you’re playing in them), what you’re going to play for Nationals, and then a little bit further down the line, what you’re going to play for Worlds. If you’re a competitive player who plans to attend both, that should be your main focus (unless you don’t care how you do, which in that case this article doesn’t really matter to you, heh).
Even if you’re not really competitive, or just not attending Nationals/Worlds this year, I still don’t understand why people are trying to build decks for a potential rotation, getting into arguments about it, etc. when we’ve still got another set coming! That’s another 100-150 cards that could change the game extensively, and a handful that we know will (Vileplume, Gengar Prime, etc.).
On top of that, before we get to the City Championships (which are, to most competitive players, the true start of the reason), we’ll likely have ANOTHER set, which means another 100-150 cards, more decks, more combos, etc., etc.
So, consider this article just a bit of venting on my part, like an Op. Ed. piece I guess, ha. I just really don’t understand the minds of Pokémon players sometimes.
Like I said at the beginning though, I’d like this to be kind of a springboard of discussion. I want to know why I’m wrong and why you should be worrying about the rotation and why not having X or Y card matters now, I want someone to prove me wrong, for sure! If you have a differing opinion, an argument to bring up, or just want to tell me how much of an idiot I am, please reply in the comments section and I’ll do my best to get back to you!
Dude its not like thats what everyone talks about. We also talk about whats going to be in the next sets. Why should we care about those when they are not going to be playable until after worlds? Its just another discussion. For some its their fist huge change in the format, so its new to them. Plus some people are really comfortable with the format as it is now and don't want it to change. Why do some people dedicate posts about crappy deck lists or their tournament reports? Do we really care about how someone went 4-3 at States? Its just something than can be discussed extensively.
Dude, I still have to worry, cauz half of my deck selections are DP… Like 8 Claydols, 9 uxies, many pokemon lines, ETC! Damn you, I just LOST THE GAME!!!!
For a lot of players our season is over after battle roads because we can not afford to travel to Nats or Worlds. So we are not looking at what decks we should begin working on for the next battle roads in September.
Also, to make sure players to not waste money we like to know what cards we do not need to purchase or trade for because they will be rotated out. As a league leader I try to steer new players to only invest in the newest sets to help make sure they have the “legal” cards for the next season.
If pokemon told us the rotation now we would be able to assist the new players to make sure they are competitive and enjoy the game, there fore growing the player base for the future.
We discuss it because we can. No amount of discussion is going to change what happens with the rotation when it happens. We can't tell Nintendo/TPC “these sets are what should be allowed.” It's not like we can change anything.
Then again, most games are about prediction. Do you Power Spray your opponent now, or do you save it in case he bright-looks? In a sense, looking ahead to the format rotation is just playing the meta-game in a different way.
Another reason for competitive collectors is to get rid of valuable cards now, before they quit being valuable. If Uxie is going to be removed from the format, do you really need 14 of them, or would four do? Will Claydol still go for $10 on ebay after it's no longer allowed in tournament decks? Removing a valuable card from the current rotation generally will lower the resale value, so thinking ahead means you can sell high before the card's value decreases. Also, looking at what will become the new powerhouse cards lets you pick up those cards before the price skyrockets when everyone wants them.
I agree with you that focusing on the present is very important. It's the present that matters for Battle Roads, Nationals, and Worlds (unless you're playing the Professor Cup, but that's another story entirely). Don't completely discount looking ahead, though. The players who will win the first series of tournaments after the format rotation will be those who have actively begun to look for the next powerhouse decks.
talking about the rotation is the one thing that gets these kids excited and you had to go and ruin it for them. nice job bro
Yes I believe cities is the start of the reason ROFL. We dont worry about it just predict and come up with combos ahead of time since we have the translations to the japanese sets.
Well, you did bring up a pretty good point. We shouldn't really be worrying about the rotation yet. After all, there are more things coming soon before the next cities. Even “Clash at the Summit,” the next Japanese set, is likely coming out in November, so we shouldn't be worrying about things that much since maybe the set will bring even better cards.
Well, this was definitely a great article. I agreed with every point you made pretty much.
It matters because it helps people become prepared. Take this analysis for example, with the most predictable roation PL-on, this creates a big problem with the format for 2 key issues, the first is the absence of claydol and uxie, making stage 2 decks from tier 1 and 2, to practically unplayable. The second is a card that has yet to be released called Hunter. (Hunter is a supporter that makes both you and your opponent scoop up a pokemon on your benches) This plus the card poketurn, creates an absolutely devastating base for SP decks, even more so since cyrus can search Hunter out. So not only is every other deck getting worse (I acknowledge SP also loses Uxie, but is a minor loss compared to the other archetypes), but SP seems to be only getting better.
With this simple analysis, one could deduce that SP prices could skyrocket even more, and find it wise to invest in it now, before it becomes an unobtainable price. That way it saves you money. It would also encourage people that have yet to play SP, to play it and understand it, preparing them for the new and shifting format, as apposed to just testing the current format, which will end soon. This way you stay up on the format, even as it shifts.
I really can't see Vileplume or Lost World coming to the United States. They are just way too broken with their current wordings.
Play this card and you win.
How fun.
jordanbaker, why did spiritomb come out then? it does the same as vileplume.
Rotations are pretty big in the pokemon tcg, unlike yugioh where theres hand selected cards that are banned and etc…were talking about whole sets here, so yeah it makes sense why people are talking about it..the rotation is coming soon and people want to prepare now.
Claydol'll be replaced by magnezone prime when it comes out, and in the meantime we will all run fire and SP.
Sure, in the U.S we still have many tournaments, but what about people like me who's last Premier event is Battle Roads?! I have to somehow get rid of all of my DP cards in about 3 and a half weeks! That means that I REALLY have to focus on the Rotation or I wont have any decks to use in modified format!
Spiritomb has to be active, Vileplume works even on the bench.
yep, that set is full of garbage. Hopefully it never comes out here.
Magnezone wont see any play. Its a stage 2 with 3 retreat cost and it doesn't let you put any cards back. You would waste all of your time setting up a card that is suppose to help you set up.
I am not worried about any rotation.
But as Int player my season ended may 8 (Nationals) and I would like to store my cards for the next format.
So it's not about making decks, but I want to take out all cards I can't use anymore when the new season starts (end september hopefully).
I might be even able to trade some cards away to players (read: US ones) who can still use them at their BR/Nationals.
Ah, I dunno. I mean, although I'm not too into it either, it's not as if the card says 'Play this and say GG.' it says 'If you have fulfilled this win condition you may play this and say GG.' Adding another win condition can be cool, but idk. I don't dislike the concept really, I just fear that we'll see a very very small meta.
I can see the argument for Lost World not coming, but Vileplume was in a regularly scheduled set, so I'm pretty sure it'll come. I'm sure Gengar will come out too, but I can understand the argument for it's exclusion.
Well, as far as your first paragraph, I understand that. I understand that people want to be prepared, but I just feel like they should be preparing for Nats and Worlds first, y'know? Plus, we don't even know what the rotation is yet.
And yes, I totally understand the collector/seller side of it.
As I said before, I understand the buyer/seller portion of it completely.
As far as the people who are more prepared winning the first series of tournaments, I would agree with you if we knew what rotation was going to be, and exactly what cards were coming out in what kind of distribution, etc.
That can definitely suck. I've heard a lot about how the tournament season isn't too great for non-U.S. based players. Sorry to hear that, but then again, as I was saying, maybe they don't rotate this year and you're fine? Maybe they only rotate part of DP? Either way, good luck with getting everything organized and all.
I very much doubt that Magnezone will have an impact as a draw card. He's a Stage 2, has a 3 RC, and allows you to draw until you have 6 in hand, with no swap. I don't know about you, but how many times do you Claydol with like…2 or 3 cards in hand? I find myself Claydoling with 6-7 in and and drawing 1 or 2, maybe sometimes a bit less.
Word, I've played Pokes for a few years and I understand it. I understand why people care about rotation in general, I just don't understand why there's so much discussion about it right now.
Thanks!
I'm not really sure what you're trying to say here. For a lot of people, Cities are the start of the season as they're worth much more points than BRs and are a fairly crucial step in earning a Worlds invite via ranking.
Word, I get what you're saying. If you're not going to Nats or Worlds it's legit to talk about rotation, but even then I don't understand why people get so passionate about it.
And yeah, the buyer/seller portion is legit as well.
I AM ON A 24-HOUR CLAYDOL DIET.
I am disappoint.
Sure, I totally understand that people want to discuss it. For me, I just don't think it really needs to get discussed NOW, y'know? I understand people's concerns and all, but I don't understand why everyone wants to talk about it now, is all.
The fact that we don't know the rotation, only makes speculation more crucial.
Then this is simply a problem of managing priorities, you're acting like this is time and effort that could be spent on getting ready for nats and worlds, but there are two main problems with this.
1) Not everyone's going to nats or worlds, I know I'm not, so why should I personally bother with this format at all other than being prepared for the next format? I'm sure the same question is going through everybody else's mind that isn't going to nats or worlds.
2) Understanding the format can essentially come down to testing, and a quick analysis of what's winning locally and nation wide. It doesn't take all the effort in the world to prepare for these tournaments, I know it sounds daunting to play 50 games against each crucial matchup in the course of roughly a few months, but things can also be muddled together when testing. There are many archetypes (even more so in the current format, even though only two really matter), but there many repeated cards. Let's say you're playing SP, when playing a non sp deck, it's almost a given you'll see them playing a claydol, and you'll know exactly what do with that in every matchup, bright look it, dragon rush it, etc. Pokemon is a typically simple game, as turns are often played in bubbles and apart from the other player, with the exception only being the recent card power spray being made. I don't want to say you can play by yourself, and be at the top of your game, but you certainly won't be in bad shape if done vigilantly. But I digress, what I'm saying is that preparing for the format is not so demanding that you can't have time or effort left to speculate the next format.
The biggest worry of mine is SP dominating the format, because I feel it will for a few months unless they boost evolution decks with a good engine(s).
Someone's probably already said this in the comments, but I don't feel like looking through the 30+ comments at the moment, hah.
Coming from a personal standpoint:
I just got back into Pokemon TCG after not playing for 10 years! My first issue has been building a competitive deck and learning the meta game. In my quest for a decent pool of cards to build a deck from I have needed to buy cards obviously. At this point in the season it doesn't make sense to me if I start buying tons of cards from sets that will be rotated out in 3 months. I won't be able to to use them at Nationals or Worlds because I don't have the money or the player rating to make it to either. In addition I'm a college student and cards aren't exactly cheap. Plus as a player aspiring to be competitive in the next season I feel its an advantage to start forcing yourself to play with the newer sets and as more sets come out continue changing your strategies.
But thats just my situation.
yeah but if you put two fully evolved (no rare candy) stage 2 pokemon in the lost zone you win. Killing 6 pokemon and putting two in the lost zone do not seem equal.
he's making fun of you because you said “reason” instead of “season” in your article.
Great article! I'm excited for the next set “Lost World” I've already made a deck that might make playing pretty unique if they keep the “Lost World” Stadium the same XD I always seem to get screwed by card translation >.< Here to keeping great cards and keeping card text the same, cheers.
imagine using spiritomb to build a vileplume
i also claydol to put cards back not to deck out
if lost world comes…its just going to be gengar vs anti gengar…
If only that card was “great”
what is a rotation exactly?
Oh…in that case…boy, he sure got me…=
there is nothing “great” about that card. it WILL ruin the game if it ever sees the light of day.
The rotation is a life and death matter to me. Along with the blown call at the Tigers game the other day, and getting a flat tire.
It is when sets get removed from the modified format, which is basically the format for all tournaments nowadays.
You can only use a certain number of the latest sets for a tournament, and the rotation is when they say that X number of the older sets are no longer legal for tournament play.
It helps to keep the tournament scene fresh (and make them more money as you are forced to buy new cards).
Will it ruin the game, or will it cause players to have to tech a couple of cards to deal with the threat? I mean, I think it's possibly one of the most broken cards ever introduced into the game, but saying it will ruin the game makes it sound like the game will be unplayable by anyone. Ever. If it's been going on this long with occasional broken cards, why is one more going to destroy it?
I am in a similar boat to you, and it's insane how much money cards for a competitive deck cost when you've been out of the game for awhile.
But like you said, not everyone has given up the card game for awhile and then come back.
Are you saying that SP decks don't already dominate the format? I remember reading somewhere that the majority of regionals were won by decks that had a significant presence of SP Pokemon, if not completely SP decks.
Has anyone put together a list of what the top decks are and how many players are using them? Not just a list of every deck that's winning official tournaments, but how many of the specific deck archetype are being played successfully. Might be interesting to check out.
what are you going to tech in that lets you take 6 prizes before your opponent can put two stage 2 Pokemon in the lost zone?
Will it ruin the game, or will it cause players to have to tech a couple of cards to deal with the threat? I mean, I think it's possibly one of the most broken cards ever introduced into the game, but saying it will ruin the game makes it sound like the game will be unplayable by anyone. Ever. If it's been going on this long with occasional broken cards, why is one more going to destroy it?
I am in a similar boat to you, and it's insane how much money cards for a competitive deck cost when you've been out of the game for awhile.
But like you said, not everyone has given up the card game for awhile and then come back.
Are you saying that SP decks don't already dominate the format? I remember reading somewhere that the majority of regionals were won by decks that had a significant presence of SP Pokemon, if not completely SP decks.
Has anyone put together a list of what the top decks are and how many players are using them? Not just a list of every deck that's winning official tournaments, but how many of the specific deck archetype are being played successfully. Might be interesting to check out.
what are you going to tech in that lets you take 6 prizes before your opponent can put two stage 2 Pokemon in the lost zone?
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