The first weekend of Battle Roads is now behind us, and Plasma Freeze cards appeared to have broken out in the masses. While a Who/What Won Battle Roads thread has not been established yet (at least to my knowledge), from the Battle Road I attended it seems that people have adapted quite quickly to the new set, particularly Thundurus EX/Deoxys-EX/etc.
For some, Battle Roads marks one of the last chances to gobble up some Championship Points and fight for an invitation for the World Championships. For others, they are merely tournaments to go have fun and maybe try out some silly ideas.
This article is catered to the latter of that group. For me personally, I am currently sitting at 368 Championship Points (that is if TPCi ever awards me my 50 points from Top 8 at Indiana States, but that is another story in itself). This should put me in contention for a Worlds invite, however my career requirements prevent me from being able to attend.
Therefore, rather than taking Battle Roads as serious as most people would who are in my Championship Point situation, I decided that I was going to take a break from playing top tier decks and just have some fun. For those that are not close to invitation, I encourage you to do the same.
I was initially planning on writing a report recapping my States and Spring Regionals run. I even had the article halfway written until my laptop fried and I lost the word document. (Note to everyone: always back up files on a flash drive.)
I contemplated starting the report over, however at that point I felt it was too far past Regionals to talk about the past format in great detail. Therefore I will just give a brief recap of my States/Regionals performance and provide the lists I used.
Wisconsin States
I decided to stick with my Bouffalant/Eelektrik deck that I used to get to the Top 4 at Illinois States. Unfortunately, luck was not in my favor this day, and I ended the tournament at 3-3 drop. However, my good friend Joe Baka ended up winning the whole tournament with a Darkrai/Hammer/Laser deck that we had built the morning of the tournament.
Here is the Bouffalant/Eelektrik deck that I used during the first two weeks of State Championships:
|
Pokémon – 14 4 Tynamo NVI 38 |
Trainers – 34 4 Professor Juniper
4 Pokémon Catcher
|
Energy – 12 8 L |
At Illinois States I ran no Colress, however at Wisconsin States I decided to drop a Bianca for one, and that is a change that I do not regret.
Indiana States
By the third week of States, I felt that the Bouffalant/Eelektrik deck lost strength, as other decks began to run multiple copies of Max Potion. I decided to transition back to Rayquaza EX/Eelektrik, as I wanted a deck that would be able to one shot any Pokémon.
I ended up 6-2 in Swiss at Indiana States, making top cut at the 14th seed. I narrowly defeated a Darkrai/Potion deck in Top 16, before running cold in games 1 and 3 in Top 8, taking a loss to a Darkrai/Mewtwo/Bouffalant deck. Here is the list I used at Indiana States:
|
Pokémon – 15 4 Tynamo NVI 38 |
Trainers – 32 4 Professor Juniper
4 Ultra Ball
|
Energy – 13 |
I initially hated the deck when I played it at States, but I came to realize it was more the list I hated than the deck itself. I decided to keep working on the list for Wisconsin Regionals.
Wisconsin Regionals
I stuck with my gut and played Rayquaza EX/Eelektrik once again for Wisconsin Regionals. However, as I stated above, I decided to make some significant changes to the list. This is the list I settled on:
|
Pokémon – 15 4 Tynamo NVI 38 |
Trainers – 32 4 Professor Juniper 2 Bicycle
4 Ultra Ball
|
Energy – 13 |
I felt that Victini-EX was a necessary inclusion in the deck, however I felt that the deck should either be centered around the card (with at least three Victini-EX), or the card should just be used as a single tech. I also decided to include the Dragon Vault Rayquaza, as I anticipated to play both Blastoise and Mirror, and the card ended up paying off huge dividends.
I ended Swiss at 6-2 once again, and made cut at 29th seed. I was able to defeat Michael Pramawat’s Darkrai deck in Top 32 (a video of the match is available on The Top Cut), and beat my friend Toby in sudden death in Top 16 playing Mirror, before once again running cold in Game 3 of Top 8 against Adam Vernola’s Darkrai deck.
Overall, it was a great weekend as Regionals always is, and I was satisfied with my deck choice and list.
Fun Decks from Plasma Freeze
Now onto the meat of the article. Again, I would like to iterate that these lists are largely untested and are certainly not Tier 1, or likely even Tier 2 (or 3) for that matter. However, if you have nothing to gain from Battle Roads other than a good time, than I would recommend picking up a fun deck at least once during the BR season.
Watchlock
|
Pokémon – 16 2 Amoonguss PLS 2 Watchog EPO 3 Mew-EX |
Trainers – 35 4 Ghetsis
4 Crushing Hammer
|
Energy – 9 4 Prism |
pokemon-paradijs.comI believe this deck saw success at one of the large Japanese tournaments, but I do not recall which one. The point of this deck is to achieve “the ultimate lock” by using Mew-EX to copy the attacks of Amoonguss, Watchog and Sableye in combination with Ghetsis.
Ideally, Ghetsis is used to strip the opponent’s hand of all Items, and then Amoonguss’ Astonish attack is used to remove another three cards from their hand, hopefully leaving them with zero cards. This attack is then followed with Watchog’s Watcheck attack, which allows the top five cards of the opponent’s deck to be rearranged, forcing an opponent to draw dead card after dead card.
Crushing Hammers and Lasers are used to further slow down the opponent’s board position, and Junk Hunt is used to retrieve crucial items, particularly Dowsing Machine which allows Ghetsis to be repeatedly abused.
Prism Energy is maxed out, which allows Mew-EX to copy a number of attacks from either side of the field when the opportunity to do damage presents itself.
Overall, this is one of the most difficult decks to set up which obviously hinders the success of the deck, however it is actually one of the most powerful decks if the complete setup is ever achieved.
Weavile/Exeggcute
|
Pokémon – 21 2 Voltorb BCR |
Trainers – 29 4 N 3 Colress 2 Bianca
|
Energy – 10 10 D |
This is another deck that a lot of people were excited to try when the set was released. I actually have yet to play a game with this deck, so this list might be a little rough.
The main purpose of the deck is to use Weavile’s Vilify attack to discard Exeggcute and other Pokémon if necessary, and then use Exeggcute’s Propagation Ability to retrieve Exeggcutes from the discard pile to be reused for Vilify. There is no damage cap on Weavile’s attack, so in theory Weavile can Knock Out Pokémon-EX by discarding six Pokémon cards to hit that magical 180 damage.
I have included Electrode for extra draw, as this deck often needs to see a lot of cards in order to attain those big KOs. Darkrai + Keldeo is used to get around Status Conditions as usual. The 1/1 count of each may be too low however, and the Darkrai count should maybe go up to 2, however as I said I have yet to test a game with this list.
Chandelure/White Kyurem EX
|
Pokémon – 15 4 Litwick BLW Promo BW27 |
Trainers – 32 4 N 4 Skyla 1 Colress
|
Energy – 13 10 R 3 W |
pokemon-paradijs.comThis deck aims to use Chandelure’s Flare Navigate Ability to both accelerate Energy, and fuel White Kyurem’s White Inferno Attack, which does 100 damage plus 10 more damage for each damage counter on it. So with three damage counters and the trusty Crystal Edge ACE SPEC card, White Kyurem EX is able to Knock Out 180 HP EXs.
The other White Kyurem EX just does a vanilla 150 damage for four Energy, while burning the Active Pokémon. Its first attack can also accelerate Energy onto itself from the discard pile. Again, I am not certain if this card should be included in the final list, as this is my first draft of the deck.
Reshiram provides an immediate counter to Klinklang and also works quite nicely with the new Chandelure. Two Super Rods help return energy back to the deck to continually be used in combination with Flare Navigate.
If Tropical Beaches cannot be obtained, I would likely cut a Skyla for another draw Supporter and then try to squeeze in 3-4 copies of Super Scoop Up. If Super Scoop is included in the list, I would also include a Chandelure from Noble Victories as a Pokémon to promote after a Scoop Up heads, to place extra damage on the opponents field. This card works great with Keldeo + Float Stone, so perhaps it should even be included in the original list.
Raticate/Eelektrik/Lasers
|
Pokémon – 17 3 Eelektrik NVI |
Trainers – 32 4 Professor Juniper
4 Hypnotoxic Laser
|
Energy – 11 7 Lighting |
People have been trying to make Raticate work for a while now, and I’m not sure the card will ever work. However, with a 40 HP Rattata now available, the deck has a slightly better chance of surviving.
The strategy is pretty clear cut: use Raticate’s Super Fang in combination with Hypnotoxic Laser to Knock Out any Pokémon, regardless of their HP. However, as Super Fang has a three Energy requirement, Eelektrik’s Dynamotor Ability to continually loop Raticates, which will assumedly be Knocked Out after just one Super Fang due to its low HP.
As the deck has several “openers” that are susceptible to donks, I have included a high count of Ditto. Ditto also allows for a Tynamo + Eelektrik/Ratata + Raticate to be laid in one turn, which is obviously beneficial as it adds an element of surprise to the opponent.
I also included two copies of Tornadus EX for two reasons. First, it again reduces the number of bad opening Pokémon. However, it also provides a backup attacker if all the Rats/Lasers make it to the discard pile.
Other cards I would love to be able to include are Ratatas/Raticates, a second Super Rod, and Emolga. I would say that a Tornadus EX could be dropped for an Emolga, but the Lightning weakness to Thundurus EX terrifies me and I believe provides yet another poor opening Pokémon. Still it is a trade that I may end up making, but it is too soon to tell with zero testing.
Stoutland/Ghetsis
|
Pokémon – 15 2 Ho-Oh EX |
Trainers – 33 4 N 3 Ghetsis 2 Skyla
3 Switch
|
Energy – 12 4 F 1 W 1 R 1 L 1 P |
pokemon-paradijs.comThis is the list that I used at the Battle Roads I attended this past weekend. I ended the day at 4-2, finishing in 8th place and gaining 6 more Championship Points. I can honestly say playing this deck was the most fun I have had in a tournament since I can remember.
The purpose of the deck is to use Stoutland in combination with Ghetsis to lock down the opponent. Ghetsis removes all Items from the opposing hand, and then Stoutland prevents an opponent from playing any Supporters, leaving them with very limited options.
Ho-Oh is included as a way to accelerate Energy, and can also be used as a last minute attacker if no other options are available. It is also used to fuel a number of other attackers that I have included in the deck.
Of course, using any of these other attackers I have included breaks the lock, however there are times when the deck needs to shift gears and attack with Pokémon other than Stoutland. Tornadus provides an answer to Fighting Pokémon, Landorus helps finish off heavily damaged Pokémon, Terrakion provides a cheap, Energy efficient attack, and Mewtwo is just all around good.
I played Rock Guard to help hit the magic 180 damage count (60 from Rock Guard + 30 from Laser + 90 from Wild Tackle = 180). I also just wanted to see the look on people’s faces when I slammed down a Rock Guard, particularly all the players that did not include Tool Scrapper in their lists.
If I played the deck I would probably drop my buddy Rock Guard for a Computer Search though, just to improve the consistency of the deck. I would also drop a Virbank City Gym for a fourth Laser, as almost every one of my opponents had their own Virbank in their decks.
Zebstrika/Garbodor
The list that I have for this deck is not mine, so I am not at liberty to hand it out. However the basic purpose of the deck is to again achieve “the ultimate lock” by preventing an opponent from playing Items and using any Abilities. Since Zebstrika only deals 40 damage at a time, Laser/Virbank are played as well to help hit those higher damage numbers.
I will also reveal that this deck once again plays my boy Rock Guard. As Zebstrika prevents Tool Scrapper from being played, the opponent will be forced to eventually attack into Zebstrika and take 60 damage.
Of course, this deck gets absolutely wrecked by a Landorus-EX with a single F Energy. The deck struggles against early pressure as well, but if a Turn Two Disconnect can be achieved, the opponent may be in for a world of hurt.
Conclusion
I hope everyone enjoyed reading through my article and gaining a glimpse at some of the fun and silly decks that are available right now. Again, these decks are not intended for those who are still fighting for their invite. Furthermore, as I stated earlier, many of these lists are largely untested, so some additional tweaking may be required.
However, I can honestly say that being able to gain 6 Championship Points playing a deck with Stoutland and Rock Guard was one of the most satisfying experiences I have ever had in my Pokémon career.
Feel free to leave me any comments/questions you may have below, and “like” the article if you enjoyed it. Otherwise, tell me what you disliked, and I will try to improve in my future articles. Now go out, build one of these lists of shenanigans and remember most importantly: just have fun!
Haha, I’m not the only one who has played around with Stoutland/Ghetsis I see…
Also, couple other points.
There’s a WW/WW thread on pokegym.
Mr Mime is probably the card the improves Raticate’s chances the most.
There’s also a What Won thread on 6p.
where is that?
https://sixprizes.com/forums/threads/what-won-spring-battle-roads-2013.9811/
thanks!
Great article! Decks like these are hillarious to play. I’d play them if it weren’t for the fact that I bought all the stuff for TDK. XD
I’ll probably use something like this on the last week.
My kids and I love this article, thanks!!
I’ve actualy seen some of these decks at several battle roads lol.
wi rules, good creative ideas, ty
i wouldnt really consider weavile exeggcute just a fun deck i played it at battle roads and made top cut hitting ex’s 180 every turn isnt bad honestly at 2 of the battle roads i attended the whole top cut was composed of weavile eggs and plasma dont write the deck off just yet cause its the comeback king (well maybe not the king)
OT:
You may want to try Google Docs, as long as you have an internet connection, there’s no way you’ll lose more than the last ten seconds of writing. ;)