pokebeach.comAs we all know Battle Roads are coming up and it will be the first time that players will be forced to try some new decks, other than the kids who decide to play Luxchomp, because of the rotation and the new set (Undaunted).
A lot of articles have appeared here on 6prizes about Viletomb. I was going to run it for Battle Roads, but after playing it for a couple weeks I just couldn’t get the hang of using it and in my opinion it wasn’t fun to begin with. Last Friday I was looking to build something new while at a new league that I just started running. Looking at my Primes I chose to give Steelix a try. I’ve heard some people mention a deck around it but I’ve never seen one played.
So I threw a deck together to test and added a 1-1 Scizor Prime line. After playing with it, me and my opponent were both in shock. Neither of us had high hopes for it sure proved to be the exact opposite of our opinions. “I really like that deck. What’s the list again?” is what he asked me right in the middle of our match. The next night I decided to add another Scizor Prime line to balance out the deck. Three Steelix and only one Scizor wasn’t helpful seeing as how one Steelix is already pretty hard to KO. The line is now 2-2 Steelix and 2-2 Scizor.
Now let’s get on with it, shall we?
Strategy
pokebeach.comRight off the bat I know that all of you are going to say that it’s too slow or that Luxchomp will beat it. Well know duh Luxchomp can beat it! That’s the reason it won Worlds but I’m sick of hearing about Luxchomp. SP is just way too dull now in my opinion. Let me point out that there is not one stage two Pokémon in this deck. They’re all stage one at the most, so that increases the speed and recovery somewhat.
To set up Steelix, once you have it active attach an Expert Belt and one Double Colorless so that you can start attacking with Energy Stream for 50 right away. Now what makes that so useful is that not only are you dealing a considerable amount of damage, but Energy Stream lets you search your discard pile for an energy card and attach it to Steelix.
Steelix already has the DCE and seeing as how his Gaia Crush takes two Metal Energies and three Colorless then that means you can attach two energies in one turn on top of the DCE you already have so getting the five energies on him isn’t really difficult at all. How do you pull this off though? Blissey from Platinum.
Blissey’s Nurse Call Poké-Power allows you to discard one card from your hand and remove two damage counters from one of your Pokémon. It’s a great way to heal, but I’m sure that all of you already know about that. But here’s what you do: Attach an energy to Steelix and then discard an energy to use Nurse Call and then Energy Stream to take that energy you just discarded and attach it to Steelix. Pretty simple right?
But enough about Steelix and let’s move onto Scizor! In Scizor’s case I would only attach basic metals to it in case of a mirror match because most of your special metals are going to Steelix and if your opponent puts down a Scizor Prime then Steelix can’t attack it. That’s why I would only attach basic metals to Scizor. If you put two metals and an Expert Belt on Scizor then he’s hitting for 90 damage.
Techs
Well there aren’t really a lot of techs in this deck, but here they are:
2-1 Uxie X: You dont always have to use the X, I just prefer to to be able to retain some sort of drawing source.
1 Azelf to retrieve bad prizes.
1-1 Blissey PL: I prefer to use Chansey from PL as well because it can donk a Garchomp c.
2 Sableye SF: I use it to help set up. You don’t have to.
You also could try Exploud SV because of the Blaziken FB popularity increase.
Other Cards
Defender: To reduce your opponents attacks by even less.
Expert Belt: To raise your Pokémon’s attacks and HP, making Steelix even harder to take out.
Warp Point: To get Blissey or a hurt Steelix out of the Active Spot without having to discard four energies. You also use Warp Energies for the same reason.
Here’s my list, it’s just what I’m using currently.
|
Pokémon: 17
3 Onix UL |
T/S/S: 27
2 Expert Belt |
Energy: 15
4 Double Colorless |
Now that’s just what I’m using; it might not be the best, but it still works very well. I’m excited to finally try something I haven’t seen before for Battle Roads.
I hope you enjoyed this article, it is the 3rd one that I’ve written. And until next time, this is hgssprime. See you guys later!
mmm here are some changes, hope you like them:
-1 switch
-1 life herb
-2 moo moo milk
-2 sableye
-1 interwier
-1 BTS
-1 metal energy (basic)
-3 defender
+1 call energy
+2 SSU
+4 poke healer
+1 exchanger
+1 conductive quarry
+1 palmers
+1 warp point
+1 collector
Ya I know I could have added and taken away some stuff but this was a deck that I through together using cards that i had at my disposal lol Thank you for the insight though. Im playing a deck that some of me and my friends came up with at my next BR. Scizor lock!
m… more warp point?
3 Onix UL
3 Steelix Prime
2 Scyther UD
2 Scizor Prime
2 Chansey PL
2 Blissey PL
2 Uxie LA
1 Uxie Lv.X
2 unown Q
4 sableye
2 Expert Belt
2 Broken Time-Space
2 Pokemon Collector
2 Judge
2 Bebe’s Search
4 Super Scoop Up
2 Energy Exchanger
1 Luxury Ball
4 poke healer
4 Double Colorless
4 Special Metal
4 Basic Metal
4 Call
I like this. Great use of Chansey blissey.
engineers adjustment anyone??
Interesting deck concept, but both Pokemon are kinda energy hogs so I’m wondering how well it can really perform. You’ve obviously tested it though, so I’ll take your word. I’m wondering if Scizor would be better of as a 1/1 tech?
But nice write-up though, it’s at least something fresh.
P.S. Sweet title. :)
Thanks. Unfortunately I ended up not running it today. After playing with it some more against kids that I was facing at BR today it just couldnt happen so I decide to try BLG (Blaziken, Luxray, Garchomp) Yes I went against what i said in the article but Blaziken makes SP a little more fun. Im sorry! haha Today my big accomplishment was Last round beating a kid that was undefeated and he was using Viletomb haha It was such an intense match though. Im trying Scizor lock on the 1st of oct.
Blaziken doesnt get the love he deserves, so im happy someone else apart from me is using him.
also, how can you lock with scizor? O.o
its a crazy build. Tank with scizor, use conductive query, Sableye to try and donk and Weavile UD fro disruption. My frind is the one who came up with it and it’s actually really good. I myself decided to tech in a 1-1 Blaziken FB X
its a crazy build. Tank with scizor, use conductive query, Sableye to try and donk and Weavile UD fro disruption. My frind is the one who came up with it and it’s actually really good. I myself decided to tech in a 1-1 Blaziken FB X
I know. it is a really good card
Yay, Blaziken FB LV.X!!!! I love him too seeing as I have one but no regular Blaziken FB… Clearly I don’t run SP…
Blaziken doesnt get the love he deserves, so im happy someone else apart from me is using him.
also, how can you lock with scizor? O.o
Also here’s a name for this deck…METAL GEAR SOLID!
When I look at this deck, it has ADAM CAPRIOLA in graffiti all over it, lol.
Seriously, with Gyarados hampered, I find this right up your ally. It is a bit of an energy hog, but it is SO easy to get up and going pretty quick with Engineer’s, Conductive Quarry, Jirachi, and Energy Stream. I run quite a bit of energy in my list, but honestly, it seems about perfect.
yes, this is an energy heavy line, but teching in 2 Skarmory UD with the Steel Coat attack can build up your bench. Steelix Prime only takes two energy to self-load from the discard pile. AND, Energy Stream can take ANY energy from the discard pile — Double Colorless, Special Metal, etc!
Also, Steel Coat two Special Metals on Scizor Prime to hit for 70 a shot and reduce damage by 20!
Plus, retreat on Skarmory UD is only one energy and Steelix Prime is going to absorb that any way!
Ya a kid ran steelix at my BR with Skarmory. I honestly had no clue what the card did, I never pulled one so I never read what it does so I didnt think about it until he told em about it.
Skarmory doesn’t speed up Steelix. Instead of attaching to Skarmory, attach to Steelix (onix), it takes the same amount of time to set up.
This looks just like the decklist on the pokemon tcg website in the nationals section, I’ve been wanting to build this deck since I saw it, it looks fun
This looks just like the decklist on the pokemon tcg website in the nationals section, I’ve been wanting to build this deck since I saw it, it looks fun
Well I promise you it’s not that list :) lol The only time I actually ever go on there is to look up even dates when i’m not sure haha
It just looks the same, even the moomoo milks are in there, the only difference is the sableyes and the scizors, but yeah bro have fun with it. the original decklist had a Skunktank G in there too it works cool with steelix cuz if there’s a stadium it poisons both pokemans or something like that (due to it’s pokepower or body or whatever). But with Steelix’s perfect metal power thing he won’t get poisoned, just your opponent’s active will I like that
Ya the deck is really fun. I didn’t run it in my first BR today simply just to see how good I could do haha I used BLG like a hypocrite haha :/ But I did beat viletomb so I was happy even though over all I only went 2-3 because 2 kids were playing what they’ve been playing forever (Luxchomp). My 2nd loss I literally went 8 turns without draw 1 Cyrus or 1 energy so I got run through, and another one used Arceus and he was incredibly good with it. That deck would take WAY too much practice for my. Im trying Scizor lock next. My friend Curtis got first with it yesterday.
Ya the deck is really fun. I didn’t run it in my first BR today simply just to see how good I could do haha I used BLG like a hypocrite haha :/ But I did beat viletomb so I was happy even though over all I only went 2-3 because 2 kids were playing what they’ve been playing forever (Luxchomp). My 2nd loss I literally went 8 turns without draw 1 Cyrus or 1 energy so I got run through, and another one used Arceus and he was incredibly good with it. That deck would take WAY too much practice for my. Im trying Scizor lock next. My friend Curtis got first with it yesterday.
Well I promise you it’s not that list :) lol The only time I actually ever go on there is to look up even dates when i’m not sure haha
Engineer for extra Energy discard? Shaymin UL or Lucian for switching the energy around?
*Cavalry
Oh I guess I used thw wrong one. The little red error line didn’t show up under it so I didn’t realize it. Either way you get what I was saying.
Oh I guess I used thw wrong one. The little red error line didn’t show up under it so I didn’t realize it. Either way you get what I was saying.
Oops good catch, I missed that too. I’ll fix it right now.
Interesting deck indeed. My BR is the 26th and I will be taking Steelix. I’ve played with a 1-1 and a 2-2 Scizor tech line and didn’t like either. I even thought about a 1-1 Dialga G tech…but in the end, I’ve figured one thing out: Steelix works best when Steelix is swinging away. A belted Steelix does 120 T3 pretty easy. The problem here is getting it out that quick.
Just some suggestions I have after testing this deck for the better part of a month:
Don’t run any attacker other than Steelix. 2 turns to put energy on Scizor is a complete waste.
More Energy Exchanger. The only matchup that scares me is Scizor b/c I run so much special Energy. I also hit for 50 with 2 energy and with Energy Exchanger, I do pretty well to get my basic energy out.
I like the Steelix tank idea a la Nance’s LBS (Life Herb, Blissey, Steelix) but this is pretty much an auto loss to Gengar with that many trainers, it won’t matter how much you can heal.
Sableye is a great starter, though I wouldn’t run him without Dark Energy, which I wouldn’t run in this deck. I HIGHLY recommend Jirachi RR.
Skuntank G is a MUST. When I was first putting my list together, I didn’t really like it…bulky if a starter, serves no purpose other than to poison…but, it is a PERFECT Gengar counter. Gaia crush does 100 with no belt (which you can’t play against Gengar) plus poison = KO with no Fainting Spell. IF Gengar X is out,once again, no belt, you Gaia Crush for 100, energy stream for 30, then poison = KO and no Fainting spell. That and it does +10 damage.
That is must some things I’ve found out testing. Here some specific things for you deck:
You have too many trainers, Genar will eat your lunch.
Anything that has 1 beside it that is not a Pokemon tech needs to be changed.
You don’t run 4 of ANY T/S/S and only run 3 of 1 Stadium…that is SCREAMING: INCONSISTENCYYYYYY!
4 calls is a must
4 of whatever starter you run (Sableye or Jirachi) is a must
At least 3 Energy Exchanger (almost guarantees DCE or Sp. Metal)
And, like many others have said, Engineers Adjustment is awesome.
I think Steelix has a TON of potential…though, it may take some time to get it lined out perfect.
And, for the record, according to Erik Nance, the Luxchomp match up very good.
Thanks for you’re input! This list is just a basic skeleton of what I was using with the cards I had at my disposal. It can be changed but this was something I just threw together because I haven’t seen any articles or lists so this was all original to me. I did put skuntank g in but just took him out. But idk, it can always be changed and modified but I was pretty happy with how this was working. But what about volkners? And also I’v only been playing for just about 4 months so there’s still some cards that I had seen or read at one point but since then forgotten what they did so conductive quarry never crossed my mind.
Maybe I just got spoiled by Claydol, but the problem I’m seeing nowadays is that it is too hard to get the cards you need in hand when you need them. Scizor is a great first attacker: he does good damage early and quick and has great defense. But, only running 2 makes it hard to get out. If you haven’t looked into Jirachi RR, it is pretty cool. Basically, it lets you use the same supporter twice in the same turn for 0 energy (that is its attack, use the supporter you have in play) and has free retreat and a, dare I say it, decent attack doing 20 for 1 Metal and cuts through bodies, resistance, and effects. Jirachi paired with Engineer’s adjustment is the perfect draw engine for this deck: discard 2 energy and draw 8 cards in 1 turn. Jirachi’s power is awesome also: if its KO’ed by damage from an attack, search your deck for any 1 card and put it in your hand. This is really awesome when you are all but set up but just wish you had that belt or stadium…stall 1 turn, let Jirachi get KO’ed, get your card! Also makes Garchomp snipes hurt.
Your list is very good from what I’ve been able to find (haven’t seen many either). Very similar to how Erik Nance ran his at Worlds. The problem is Gengar will tear this up…if you can take a hit for 200 but you are being Poltergeist for 250, what’s the point?
If your list is works, don’t mess with it. But, I’ve run mine with a 2-2 Scizor, 1-1 Scizor, 1-1 Dialga, 1-1 Blaziken FB, and the best I’ve found is just straight Steelix. My original thinking was that I only needed 3. I prefer not to run Azelf EVER. Great card, yes, but a waste if you can avoid it….anyway, I had horrible luck getting random Steelix pieces prized, which really hurts. My initial thinking was, get me 1 steelix, I’ll tank for a bit, I’ll probably never need more than 2. I’ve since realized that the quicker I get an Onix benched, the better the deck works. Attack DCE, double Engineer. Evolve, attach special metal (usually VERY easy to get due to Energy Exchanger and drawing so many cards early) and enegy stream and attach a second special metal. Next turn, attach 3rd Special metal and swing for atleast 100. Usually, Jirachi will be KO’ed by now, allow me to search out my belt. Pair this with Call energy, it sets up pretty consistent.
Like I said, if yours works, don’t change it. But, try running a 4-4 Steelix line, pretty high energy, 4 Jirachi, Energy Exchanger, and Call (if you have it). Its pretty sick how well its sets up and how hard it is to take down. All you have to do is get that second Steelix on the bench with a DCE and you are ready to retreat and Blissey heal while you energy stream. Easy prizes are Jirachi, but even those are usually worth the KO. Another great card to throw in there is Prof. Oak’s Visit…with Jirachi, lets you draw 6 and put back 2, helping with the Gengar match up….speaking of which, I run 5 trainers, 2 belts, 3 energy exchanger.There is the RARE occasion when I have more than 3 T/S/S in hand and when I do, I don’t put them back. So, it is easy to get around Poltergeist. If you can get your Steelix’s cycling quick (with no Rare Candy or BTS, running 4 makes it fairly easy), it becomes very had to take one down when you start healing and recycling energy. I can usually have 1 active, 1 on the bench with 3-4 energy on it, and 1 on the bench with a DCE on it (late game, obviously). That means I have 3 steelix that can attack at any time. Just wait until 2 have damage, then drop a blissey Prime and put up the 3rd…beast.
Ya I see where you’re coming from. I wouldnt use Dialga G because it shuts down Steelix’s body too so then a skuntank g wouldnt work well. I ran scizor so of as insurance, in case of losing both steelix then I have scizor attacking which could most likely allow you to take your last prizes. Idk. I also ran scizor because I wanted to try it pluss Garchomp C with DCE cant hurt hit which I find to be pretty cool haha
Yeah, that’s why I dropped Dialga, lol. But, it was mainly just a Scizor counter and I don’t really need the Skuntank then. Skuntank is pretty much in there for Gengar only since it won’t poison SP either. Though, it also helps KO those pesky 60 HP basics when I Energy Stream with a belt.
Ya I see where you’re coming from. I wouldnt use Dialga G because it shuts down Steelix’s body too so then a skuntank g wouldnt work well. I ran scizor so of as insurance, in case of losing both steelix then I have scizor attacking which could most likely allow you to take your last prizes. Idk. I also ran scizor because I wanted to try it pluss Garchomp C with DCE cant hurt hit which I find to be pretty cool haha
Maybe I just got spoiled by Claydol, but the problem I’m seeing nowadays is that it is too hard to get the cards you need in hand when you need them. Scizor is a great first attacker: he does good damage early and quick and has great defense. But, only running 2 makes it hard to get out. If you haven’t looked into Jirachi RR, it is pretty cool. Basically, it lets you use the same supporter twice in the same turn for 0 energy (that is its attack, use the supporter you have in play) and has free retreat and a, dare I say it, decent attack doing 20 for 1 Metal and cuts through bodies, resistance, and effects. Jirachi paired with Engineer’s adjustment is the perfect draw engine for this deck: discard 2 energy and draw 8 cards in 1 turn. Jirachi’s power is awesome also: if its KO’ed by damage from an attack, search your deck for any 1 card and put it in your hand. This is really awesome when you are all but set up but just wish you had that belt or stadium…stall 1 turn, let Jirachi get KO’ed, get your card! Also makes Garchomp snipes hurt.
Your list is very good from what I’ve been able to find (haven’t seen many either). Very similar to how Erik Nance ran his at Worlds. The problem is Gengar will tear this up…if you can take a hit for 200 but you are being Poltergeist for 250, what’s the point?
If your list is works, don’t mess with it. But, I’ve run mine with a 2-2 Scizor, 1-1 Scizor, 1-1 Dialga, 1-1 Blaziken FB, and the best I’ve found is just straight Steelix. My original thinking was that I only needed 3. I prefer not to run Azelf EVER. Great card, yes, but a waste if you can avoid it….anyway, I had horrible luck getting random Steelix pieces prized, which really hurts. My initial thinking was, get me 1 steelix, I’ll tank for a bit, I’ll probably never need more than 2. I’ve since realized that the quicker I get an Onix benched, the better the deck works. Attack DCE, double Engineer. Evolve, attach special metal (usually VERY easy to get due to Energy Exchanger and drawing so many cards early) and enegy stream and attach a second special metal. Next turn, attach 3rd Special metal and swing for atleast 100. Usually, Jirachi will be KO’ed by now, allow me to search out my belt. Pair this with Call energy, it sets up pretty consistent.
Like I said, if yours works, don’t change it. But, try running a 4-4 Steelix line, pretty high energy, 4 Jirachi, Energy Exchanger, and Call (if you have it). Its pretty sick how well its sets up and how hard it is to take down. All you have to do is get that second Steelix on the bench with a DCE and you are ready to retreat and Blissey heal while you energy stream. Easy prizes are Jirachi, but even those are usually worth the KO. Another great card to throw in there is Prof. Oak’s Visit…with Jirachi, lets you draw 6 and put back 2, helping with the Gengar match up….speaking of which, I run 5 trainers, 2 belts, 3 energy exchanger.There is the RARE occasion when I have more than 3 T/S/S in hand and when I do, I don’t put them back. So, it is easy to get around Poltergeist. If you can get your Steelix’s cycling quick (with no Rare Candy or BTS, running 4 makes it fairly easy), it becomes very had to take one down when you start healing and recycling energy. I can usually have 1 active, 1 on the bench with 3-4 energy on it, and 1 on the bench with a DCE on it (late game, obviously). That means I have 3 steelix that can attack at any time. Just wait until 2 have damage, then drop a blissey Prime and put up the 3rd…beast.
Do people not know what “tech” means?
2-1 uxie, azelf, etc are not techs.
jesus