U.S. Nationals Top 16 Report with Toad Bats
Hello, PokeBeach readers! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Kolton Day, a second year Master from Springfield, MO. I’ve been playing this game since 2007 and haven’t looked back since! I’m going to be a Junior in High School this upcoming year, and am still unsure of where I will go after High School, but am hopeful that Pokemon will still be in that path. Currently, I’m at 519 Championship Points heading into Worlds, getting CP from two League Challenge second places, four League Challenge top 4s, two Cities second places, two Cities wins, one States second place, one Regionals top 64, two Regionals top 32s, and one Nationals top 16.
In this article, I’m going to talk about what deck I played, why I played some of the cards, how my rounds went at Nationals, and how Toad / Bats can change to fit the meta at Worlds, as well as what changes I made to my list.
Pre-Nationals
[cardimg name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ align=”right” height=”200″ c=”none”]
After a top 32 Wisconsin Regional finish, I thought [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] / [card name=”Aromatisse” set=”XY” no=”93″ c=”name”] with [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”] was a great play for Nationals. On the car ride back home from the event, my new found favorite deck lost a key component in the banning of [card name=”Lysandre’s Trump Card” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”118″ c=”name”]. This shocking news gave me a month to find a new deck I liked for Nationals. With all of the commotion about what would be good, I thought that the [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”] line would be very useful for getting damage on the board that would most likely stick, as my opponents couldn’t [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Furious Fists” no=”100″ c=”name”] the damage repeatedly with the use of Trump Card. The first deck that my friend, Kyle Haverland and I tried out was [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”name”] / [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”]. It seemed to work fine, the damage output was fairly high. [card name=”Hawlucha” set=”Furious Fists” no=”63″ c=”name”] with the Fighting support and the Bat damage can KO almost any EX in the game, besides Megas. Testing the deck out at a League Challenge, I found that the deck worked well, but lost to Item Locks very fast. Mainly, in the form of Seismitoad-EX. I thought that Toad would have died since Lysandre’s Trump Card got banned. In a way, it did. The deck could no longer use unlimited [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Kalos Starter Set” no=”34″ c=”name”]s and [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Furious Fists” no=”100″ c=”name”]s. At the time, the only way to crank out enough damage was to use [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”name”] and [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”] to speed up the damage process, along with [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”] and [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”name”].
Cash Tournament
While scrolling though Facebook one day, I discovered that Yeti Gaming was hosting a Cash Tournament a month before Nationals to help test out the now [card name=”Lysandre’s Trump Card” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”99″ c=”name”]-less format. Luckily, Kyle Haverland was awake, and I convinced him to take the trip the next morning up to Crestwood, Missouri to hopefully win some cash. After a late start, we were on our way, except we didn’t actually have a deck built. So, I quickly made one up on the drive up there for a rough draft of a [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] / [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”] list that we would both play in the tournament. Here is what the first draft looked like:
[decklist]
[pokemon amt=”18″]
4x [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Mewtwo-EX” set=”Next Destinies” no=”54″ c=”deck2″]
[/pokemon]
[trainers amt=”35″]
4x [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”98″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Flashfire” no=”99″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Furious Fists” no=”100″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”deck2″]
[/trainers]
[energy amt=”7″]
4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”XY” no=”130″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”Expedition” no=”165″ c=”deck2″]
[/energy]
[/decklist]
The Tournament
We got there about an hour before it started, so we mostly just talked to friends while waiting for it to start. I believe we had 14 masters meaning five rounds, top 4. I played against a PokeDad playing [card name=”Primal Kyogre-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”55″ c=”name”] round one, and he didn’t draw well either game due to Item Lock every turn. Round two, I played against another Pokedad playing [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”name”] / [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”], and once again, my opponent didn’t draw well under Item Lock. Round three, I played against my friend, Carrington, playing [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] / [card name=”Aegislash-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”65″ c=”name”] / [card name=”Dragalge” set=”Flashfire” no=”71″ c=”name”]. Game one, he opened terribly, and was forced to Turn 1 play a [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Furious Fists” no=”100″ c=”name”] to pick up his lone [card name=”Skrelp” set=”Flashfire” no=”44″ c=”name”]. Game two, I was able to keep off his [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”XY” no=”130″ c=”name”] using my [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”name”] multiple times thanks to [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”], and he just couldn’t keep up with my Poison and Bat damage, letting me start out 3-0. Kyle and I were the only 3-0s at this point, and we played against each other with the 60-card mirror on stream. Let me say, it was a really boring match to watch. All three games, one of us dead drew, letting the other set up. Unfortunately, I was the one who ended up losing 2-1, so I had to win my last round to be guaranteed top 4. In the fifth and final round, I was paired against Jac, playing a [card name=”Donphan” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”72″ c=”name”] deck. I was able to take a KO every turn of the game starting on turn two of both games, letting me seal the series 2-0 in my favor pretty fast. Top 2 came up, and Kyle was the number one seed, and I was the number two. Oddly enough, Kyle and I both played against [card name=”Primal Kyogre-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”55″ c=”name”] decks, and we both beat our opponents to move onto the finals, where we split the pot, each giving us $150. I felt confident about Toad / Bats, and felt like it would be a strong play for Nationals.
Nationals Report
Testing
After a month of of testing, I was certain [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] / [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”] was the best deck in format, only losing to very few things, such as [card name=”Primal Groudon-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”86″ c=”name”] and [card name=”M Manectric-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”24″ c=”name”]-based decks, which were both possible to beat due to how strong Seismitoad-EX’s Quaking Punch is.
I’m going to show you the list that I played for U.S. Nationals, go over all the games I played at Nats, and go over the changes I made to the list. Make sure you have a Premium Subscription so you don’t miss out on all the great content! With a Subscription you will have access to all of our high quality articles plus direct access to all of our writers in the Subscriber’s Secret Hideout. We look forward to helping you with your lists and giving you advice there!
[premium]
[decklist]
[pokemon amt=”17″]
4x [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Mewtwo-EX” set=”Next Destinies” no=”98″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Jirachi-EX” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”60″ c=”deck2″]
[/pokemon]
[trainers amt=”36″]
4x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”98″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Flashfire” no=”99″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Furious Fists” no=”100″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Switch” set=”XY Trainer Kit” no=”4″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”94″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”deck2″] [/trainers]
[energy amt=”7″]
4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Next Destinies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”Call of Legends” no=”90″ c=”deck2″]
[/energy]
[/decklist]
Round 1: Alex Haas – Gengar / Trevenant
[cardimg name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ align=”right” height=”190″ c=”none”]
Round one, and I get paired against a friend. Great. When he flipped over a [card name=”Phantump” set=”XY” no=”54″ c=”name”], I felt confident, if he was running [card name=”Gengar-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”34″ c=”name”], because I was helping my friend test the same deck out for about two hours the night before. I knew it would be extremely hard if he got the turn one [card name=”Wally” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”94″ c=”name”] into [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”], allowing him to establish his Item Lock first. Thank goodness, he whiffed, allowing me to get the turn one Quaking Punch off. I then used [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”104″ c=”name”] and [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”name”] to either break his Item Lock, or to stall an Active Trevenant, by not letting him Retreat. The math is perfect against his deck. Two Quaking Punches without a [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”] as well as one of each Ability of [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”name”] and [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”] deals exactly 110 damage to an Active Trevenant. I did this multiple times, forcing him to either lose all of his Trevenants or bring up another Pokemon, allowing me to play Items again. After closing out the game with an X Ball from my [card name=”Mewtwo-EX” set=”Next Destinies” no=”54″ c=”name”] onto an opposing [card name=”Gengar-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”34″ c=”name”], we went to game two. Alex opened with three Phantump, drew a card, and passed. I got the turn one Quaking Punch off, and was able to Knock Out most of his Pokemon with ease, allowing me to take the game and match.
1-0 (3)
Round 2: Mitchell Lindsay – Raichu / Trevenant
I get to play against another Trevenant deck. Wonderful. However, this time, Trevenant was the main attacker, while also having an easy back-up attacker in [card name=”Raichu” set=”XY” no=”43″ c=”name”]. Both games I went second, while facing down a turn one [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”] both times, but not much else. I was able to take KOs with Bat damage, so I never had to KO a Pokemon going into his turn. Both games went pretty similarly, with me taking Knock Outs very frequently, letting me take a fast, convincing, 2-0 match.
2-0 (6)
Round 3: Dylan Campos – Hawlucha / Lucario / Landorus
[cardimg name=”Hawlucha” set=”Furious Fists” no=”63″ align=”right” height=”190″ c=”none”]
After getting food, I was ready to play again. Game one, my opponent flipped over a [card name=”Jirachi-EX” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”60″ c=”name”], with me going first. I played a [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”] along with a [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”name”], and passed the turn, leaving the Jirachi-EX with 60 HP left. He draws, attaches a [card name=”Focus Sash” set=”Furious Fists” no=”91″ c=”name”] to his Jirachi, and passes. I draw, and pass for the KO in between turns due to the Poison damage. So far, I only knew he was playing a Fighting variant, and was worried it was a [card name=”Primal Groudon-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”86″ c=”name”] deck. Game two goes much differently. This time, it was I who was draw-passing while a field of [card name=”Hawlucha” set=”Furious Fists” no=”63″ c=”name”], [card name=”Lucario-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”54″ c=”name”], and [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”name”] tore through my field of [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”], [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”name”], and [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”name”]. Game three started with around 30 minutes left in the round, so I was certain that this match wouldn’t end in a tie. Game three, I go first with a pretty standard start, opening Seismitoad along with a few Zubats on my Bench. He opened Hawlucha, and it was a long back and forth match until it was my one Prize to his two Prizes. I had an Active Seismitoad against his Lucario. He attached a second Energy, and [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”name”]s us down to a low hand size. He uses Corkscrew Smash to draw to six, and threatens the KO next turn. I draw a [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”name”] and use it to discard his [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Furious Fists” no=”104″ c=”name”] to prevent me from losing next turn. He attaches another Fighting Energy, and uses Corkscrew Smash again to leave my Active Seismitoad with 40 HP left. I draw a card… and it’s [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”98″ c=”name”]! I play it, draw seven, and find a [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”], a [card name=”Switch” set=”Expedition” no=”157″ c=”name”], an [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”90″ c=”name”], and four useless cards. I play the Ultra Ball and go grab my [card name=”Mewtwo-EX” set=”Next Destinies” no=”54″ c=”name”], Bench it and bring it active using Switch. I play the Shaymin to draw my last four cards in deck, which contains my last [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”XY” no=”130″ c=”name”], and attach it to Mewtwo and use X Ball for the KO, taking my last Prize card, and the match. I was shaking so much after this round. That was one of the closest matches I’ve played in a while.
3-0 (9)
Round 4: Jason Annichiarico – Flareon
[cardimg name=”Flareon” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”12″ align=”right” height=”190″ c=”none”]
While shuffling, my opponent dropped a [card name=”Leafeon” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”11″ c=”name”], and I immediately became worried. However, his opening of [card name=”Eevee” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”90″ c=”name”] and using [card name=”Archie’s Ace in the Hole” set=”Primal Clash” no=”124″ c=”name”] to get out [card name=”Empoleon” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”29″ c=”name”] made me extremely relieved. I was playing against a [card name=”Flareon” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”12″ c=”name”] deck, one that I was very comfortable against. Both games, I went second, but managed to get the turn one Quaking Punch off both times, along with a [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”] to prevent any tricks using [card name=”Audino” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”126″ c=”name”] to heal the Poison damage, and to prevent any [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”] from allowing him to draw cards while under Item Lock. I was able to hit some clutch [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Furious Fists” no=”100″ c=”name”] flips to heal off heavily damaged Toads, which ultimately won me the game. As I played Flareon for a while, I’m aware of how hard it is to play against Toad decks, especially without [card name=”Lysandre’s Trump Card” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”99″ c=”name”] to recycle your Energies and Eevees. Game two was similar, as after a few Quaking Punches, he didn’t have any resources, and couldn’t do anything but pass, allowing a pretty sound 2-0 victory for me.
4-0 (12)
Round 5: Samuel McClain – Seismitoad / Garbodor
My first [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] mirror match of the day. Game one, I was able to get ahead due to [card name=”Jirachi-EX” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”60″ c=”name”]’s Stellar Guidance to grab a [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”name”] to discard a [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”111″ c=”name”] on his Seismitoad-EX, causing him to miss the first Quaking Punch, allowing me to not only play Items, but also use my [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”] to keep reusing my lone Xerosic, while the Poison and Bat damage kept accumulating on his Pokemon. Game two, my opponent was forced to keep draw-passing for several turns until he eventually conceded due to his poor draws, and to charge his phone, granting me my best start I’ve ever had at any Nationals before.
5-0 (15)
Round 6: Jeremy Jallen – Night March
[cardimg name=”Joltik” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”26″ align=”right” height=”190″ c=”none”]
Game one, he went first and got seven Night Marchers in the discard, which meant after a few Knock Outs, all of his attacks would OHKO all of my [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”]s. I managed to get a turn one Quaking Punch, and ended up giving up four Prizes before [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”name”]ing him down to two cards in hopes that he doesn’t rip either the Double Colorless Energy or [card name=”Dimension Valley” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”93″ c=”name”] to replace my [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”], allowing his [card name=”Mew-EX” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”46″ c=”name”] to use its Versatile Ability. Luckily, he whiffed, and I was able to use Bat and Laser damage to finish out the game within the next couple of turns. Game two, he exploded again, getting eight Night Marchers in the discard, but wasn’t able to draw into any of his [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”XY” no=”130″ c=”name”]s, when just one would have most likely sealed the game for him, as I couldn’t keep up with his damage output. After the game, he reveals that he didn’t have any Prized, and they were all at the bottom of his deck.
6-0 (18)
Round 7: Ben Moskow – Metal
[cardimg name=”Bronzong” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”61″ align=”right” height=”190″ c=”none”]
At this point, I believe that Ben and I are the only X-0s left in the Ruby Pod, placing us at table one, which was an amazing feeling. Game one, I opened amazing, getting multiple [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”name”]s down while also opening a [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] with a [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”111″ c=”name”] against a lone [card name=”Heatran” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”63″ c=”name”]. He draws, Benches a [card name=”Keldeo-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”49″ c=”name”], and passes. I play a [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”] along with [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”name”], attach a Water Energy to my Active Toad, and use Quaking Punch. He draws, passes, leaving the Heatran with 20 HP left. I play a [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”name”] down to Knock Out the Heatran with its Sneaky Bite Ability, forcing him to promote his lone Keldeo-EX. I played another Golbat down, and played a [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”name”] for five, and the first card is a Water Energy, that I attach to my Active toad, and use Grenade Hammer with a [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”] to deal 150 damage to his Horse, Benching him on turn four of the game. Game two went much differently. My opening hand was [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”], [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”name”], four Hypnotoxic Laser, and a Virbank City Gym. I went second, drew a card, played a Laser and the Virbank, and passed. He continuously attacks me with [card name=”Dialga-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”62″ c=”name”]s and [card name=”Cobalion-EX” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”93″ c=”name”]s until I had nothing left, causing me to lose very fast. Game three, I opened with another terrible hand, attach a [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”111″ c=”name”], and play an [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”name”], which gave me another completely unplayable hand. I lost that game very quickly due to Quaking Punch from my opponent’s Seismitoad-EX, giving me my first round loss of the day.
6-1 (18)
Round 8: Aaron Wang – Toad / Bats
After my first loss, and not having any food since after round two, I wasn’t feeling great, and was hoping to just Intention Draw so I could most likely make Day Two, as well as go get food. When I sit down, the first thing Aaron asks is “Do you wanna ID?” I was so relieved I didn’t have to play another Toad Mirror, and gladly signed the match slip, to go get food. I later found out that he ran more Energy denial cards, which probably would have caused me to lose the match if we played it out.
6-1-1 (19)
Round 9: Stephan Blake – Donphan
[cardimg name=”Donphan” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”72″ align=”right” height=”190″ c=”none”]
Game one, my opponent flipped over a [card name=”Hawlucha” set=”Furious Fists” no=”63″ c=”name”] and [card name=”Phanpy” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”71″ c=”name”], so I immediately knew I was playing against a [card name=”Donphan” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”72″ c=”name”] deck, which I knew could go either way for me, based off of Prizes. My opponent ended his turn with three Hawlucha, two Phanpy, and a [card name=”Robo Substitute” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”102″ c=”name”] in play. I ended up Quaking Punching with a [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”] and [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”name”] in play to put the Hawlucha at 10 HP left. He Retreated into a new one, and used Flying Press for 100 to put my [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] in danger of being Knocked Out next turn. I drew, and played my [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”name”] to go get a [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”], only to find both of them Prized! This was a major setback, as the math without them made for a difficult matchup. Now, instead of just using a Muscle Band, a Hypnotoxic Laser, and Virbank City Gym on an Active Donphan to get the KO, I had to have a Hypnotoxic Laser, Virbank City Gym, and either two [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”name”] drops, or a Golbat and a [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”] to get the KO. This game went back and forth until his Hawluchas dealt too much damage to my Toads, as well as a lack of ability to flip heads on a [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Furious Fists” no=”100″ c=”name”] to completely heal a Seismitoad-EX. I believe I lost due to him having a [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”name”] in hand to bring up a Toad with less than 40 HP left. Game two, I went first and had an amazing start, setting up multiple [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”name”]s and Toads. He attacked me with a Hawlucha, and this time, I had the Lysandre in hand to bring up his only Phanpy he had in play, as well as the Computer Search to grab the Muscle Band, which I play, only to find I Prized both of them again! What are the odds? Instead, I’m forced to grab a Golbat to put the Phanpy at 60 HP, the perfect amount for a Quaking Punch KO due to his Water Weakness, and the first Prize is the first Muscle Band I’ve seen all of the match. We end up trading Hawluchas and Toads until I was able to use Bat damage as well as Poison damage to go down to one Prize faster than he could get down to two, letting me complete a game two really close to time. In game three, I knew there wasn’t much time left, and I didn’t think I could manage to take six Prizes in the time allowed, so my goal was to make sure he wouldn’t be able to either. Time was called on his turn with four Prizes left and he was forced to just attack my Toad with a Hawlucha. I draw, play an [card name=”N” set=”Black and White Black Star Promos” no=”BW100″ c=”name”] to put his hand down to few cards, and Quaking Punch, knowing he would need a miracle to be able to take two EX KOs in one turn. He didn’t and I quickly draw and attack, causing the match to end in a tie.
6-1-2 (20)
Sitting at 20 points, I felt safe, as I knew 19 points was the bubble, so I talked to friends while I waited for standings to go up, to see I was the 14th seed of Ruby Pod heading into Day Two. I find out Kyle bubbled Day Two, but still made top 128 and secured his Day Two invite to Worlds, so I congratulated him, and we went to out hotel about 20 minutes away. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep immediately after eating. I woke up, showered, ate breakfast, and we were on out way to the Convention Center. Pairings go up, and I see I’m playing against the [card name=”Flareon” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”12″ c=”name”] player I played against in round four, so I was feeling good about my chances at making it far into the tournament.
Round 10: Jason Annichiarico – Flareon
Like I said, I played against Jason, and I was hoping to see the same result as round four. I can’t remember if I went first or second, but I do remember my first turn of attacking I got a Knock Out on an [card name=”Eevee” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”90″ c=”name”] using Quaking Punch, a [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”], and a [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”], while also getting multiple [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”name”] into play. He got multiple [card name=”Leafeon” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”11″ c=”name”] into play, which put pressure on me, but was never able to OHKO any of my [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”]s, and I was able to get Knock Outs on his Leafeons, by either using Hypnotoxic Lasers and Bat damage, or deny Knock Outs using [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”name”] and [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Furious Fists” no=”100″ c=”name”]s. He conceded the first game when I had KO’d all of his Eevees. Game two, I was able to get the turn one Quaking Punch and cripple his setup, maintaining pressure or getting KOs every turn. After a few turns of draw, passing, he conceded the game, and I was relieved to start out Day Two 1-0.
7-1-2 (23)
Since my match finished early, I talked to my friends who made Day Two, and found out a lot of them lost theirs. I see the pairings and saw that I’m playing against the person my friend just lost to, and I know I’m playing against a Metal / [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”] deck.
Round 11: Geoffrey Sauk – Metal Rayquaza
[cardimg name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ align=”right” height=”190″ c=”none”]
After getting set up, he and I talk, and he seems like a really nice guy. I go second, and my opponent opened with a [card name=”Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”75″ c=”name”], played the Spirit Link, Mega Evolved into [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”], and using multiple [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”], managed to draw into a [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”XY” no=”130″ c=”name”], and a [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”], as well as six Benched Pokemon to threaten to KO my only Seismitoad in play. After I open with a terrible hand, and whiff another Pokemon, he attaches an Energy, and KOs my only Toad in play, causing me to lose the fastest game of Pokemon that I’ve played in months. Game two, I was able to get more than just a Toad in play, but his deck was just too fast, and could easily stabilize from anything I could throw at it, giving me my first loss of the day in less than 15 minutes.
7-2-2 (23)
Not having anything else to do, I talked to my friends I came up with, as well as others, who really cheered me up, and made me feel confident going into the next round.
Round 12: Phinnegan Lynch – Toad / Bats
When I saw the pairings go up, I knew I was playing the Toad / Bats mirror, and wasn’t sure how it would play out, as most of the mirror matches I tested out were fairly one-sided. Game one was a back-and-forth Toad battle until I [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”name”]’d him down to two cards, while I drew four. I took the KO on his Toad with my own, and he didn’t have the [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”111″ c=”name”] to respond with, letting me to play Item cards, which let me play down things like [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”], [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”], and [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”] to allow me to get back one-of Supporters such as [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”name”] and [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”name”]. In the two turns of being able to use Items, I was able to get a Grenade Hammer off to KO one of his EXs to take my last Prizes. Game two was a mirror of game one, as both of us were trying to force the other to whiff the Quaking Punch. After we traded Toads, I was able to [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”name”] out his Benched [card name=”Mewtwo-EX” set=”Next Destinies” no=”54″ c=”name”]s and use Quaking Punch, in hopes that he’d be unable to get it out of the Active spot. He played a [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”84″ c=”name”], discarding a hand of Item cards, and whiffed the Energy to Retreat the Mewtwo, allowing me to play Items once again, and was able to Poison the Mewtwo with a Hypnotoxic Laser, along with a Muscle Band and some Bat damage, I was able to KO the Mewtwo coming back into my turn, allowing me to Grenade Hammer a Toad along with another Laser to KO it in between turns, giving me the set 2-0. I found out after the tournament that his list was less than five cards different than mine!
8-2-2 (26)
Round 13: Ramon Miranda – Toad / Fighting / Garbodor
My opening hand is amazing, which would allow me to get the turn one Quaking Punch off, as well as many [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”name”]s and the [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”]/[card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”name”] combo. However, my opponent plays an [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”name”], getting rid of my near-perfect hand, and I draw into a terrible one. He opened with his own [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] and puts a [card name=”Head Ringer” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”97″ c=”name”] onto my Active and Benched Toads, something I was not expecting. From there, I couldn’t attack, and he slowly pummeled me with his own Toad and Lasers, before I finally conceded to save time. Game two, I opened with an average hand, getting a Zubat or two down, along with a [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”111″ c=”name”], which he promptly discarded with a [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”name”], leaving me in an awkward place, as he played a [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”] to get it back. If I attached a second one, it would get discarded, and I would be down to just two Double Colorless left for the remainder of game. He attacks me with a [card name=”Lucario-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”54″ c=”name”], a card I had not seen since round three, for 70 damage. I draw for turn and it’s an N! I attach the DCE to Toad, and play the N, getting rid of his Xerosic, allowing me to safely Quaking Punch, or so I thought. Turns out, he drew it again, putting me an even worse place than in game one. He attached another Energy, and used Corkscrew Smash to put my Toad within 30 damage of being KO’d. I play a [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Furious Fists” no=”100″ c=”name”], and tails. I’m forced to attach a Water Energy to my Benched Toad and pass. He manages to [card name=”Switch” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”91″ c=”name”] into his own Toad, and take a Quaking Punch Knock Out on me, and now I’m the one being Item Locked. From here, he countered everything I did, whether it be a [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”name”] to try to stall him, or a lot of damage that he got rid of using [card name=”Pokémon Center Lady” set=”Flashfire” no=”93″ c=”name”], it seemed like I couldn’t do anything. He ended the game with a big Somersault Kick from a Lucario-EX to OHKO one of my Seismitoad-EX, giving him the series 2-0. And with that lost, I knew I couldn’t make the top 8 anymore, but I would try my best to make top 16 for the extra prize support.
8-3-2 (26)
Round 14: Ryan Grant – Toad / Garb
When I saw the pairings go up, I knew I was playing against [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] / [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”68″ c=”name”] as I saw him play earlier in one of the rounds. I thought that I had the edge in this matchup, as [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”54″ c=”name”] can’t get a tool on it under Item Lock, allowing me to use my Bat line freely. Game one, I went second, and started my turn staring down a Seismitoad-EX with a [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”111″ c=”name”] attached to it. In my hand, I had my own Double Colorless, a [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”name”], and a [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”], as well as a [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”], something he didn’t have on his turn. I attached the DCE to my Toad, played the Laser, Xerosic off his DCE, and VS Seeker for it back, so I could use it later on. He played another DCE down, and [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”name”]d away my hand with the Xerosic in it. I didn’t draw much off my N, but I drew for turn, and it was a [card name=”Jirachi-EX” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”60″ c=”name”]! I Bench it to get the Xerosic I got back last turn, and two turns in, I’ve discarded two DCEs off my opponents field. From there, I’m able to attack every turn, and will have the last attack, as he misses Energy drops due to not having many left in deck, giving me the win. Game two, I once again go second, and discard his DCE using my one copy of [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”94″ c=”name”], meaning I can still discard Energy under Item Lock using my Xerosic. This is a back and forth battle, until I [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”name”] out one of his [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”], hoping he can’t Retreat it. He misses, and I get to play Items, playing multiple VS Seekers and [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”]s to thin my hand size, and deck size, as well as play my [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”name”] to get a Water Energy, so anything he would be able to Lysandre Active, I could pay the Retreat Cost. I Quaking Punch his Shaymin, and as long as he can’t get it out of the Active spot, it will get Knocked Out coming back into my turn. He flips for the sleep check, and his Pikachu coin lands face-down. He plays a Lysandre to try to stall a Jirachi-EX before passing. The Shaymin-EX gets KO’d, and I go down to two Prizes, to match his two as well, and we start Quaking Punching back and forth, until I’m able to KO his with Poison damage, giving me a very close 2-0 series.
9-3-2 (29)
Round 15: David Vidal – Colorless Rayquaza
[cardimg name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ align=”right” height=”190″ c=”none”]
Game one, my opponent opens with a [card name=”Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”75″ c=”name”], and I’m really hoping I don’t have to play against another Metal Rayquaza deck. When he plays a [card name=”Winona” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”96″ c=”name”], as well as a [card name=”Virizion-EX” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”9″ c=”name”], I could tell he was playing a straight turbo Rayquaza deck, something Seismitoad has a good matchup against. After he gets everything down, and Mega evolves to end his turn, I’m able to get a decent board, including the turn one Quaking Punch, which is something that his deck doesn’t want to see. After I [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”name”] him, and keep Quaking Punching, he’s forced to draw-pass for the remainder of his turns, as most of the cards in his deck are Item cards. This allows me to overwhelm him with Poison and Bat damage, taking EX KOs every few turns. Game two, my hand is horrible. I opened with a lone [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”], a [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”], a [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”name”], a [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”XY” no=”130″ c=”name”], and three other useless cards. Going second, I’m staring into a [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”] with a DCE and Grass Energy attached, as well as a [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”] and seven or eight Benched Pokemon, most of which are [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”]. I draw for turn, and it’s a [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”name”]. I discard his DCE, and play the Laser, putting his Active Mega Ray Asleep. I play the Virbank as well, to force him to discard a lot of his Bench, and Quaking Punch, hoping he can’t donk me. He stays Asleep, and to my pleasant surprise, he draws, and passes, meaning his hand is mostly Items. I keep attacking with Toad, until his Mega Ray finally goes down, and I’m able to Bench another Toad as well as some [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”name”]s. Any time he plays an Energy, I put pressure on that Pokemon, by either playing a [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”name”] to force it Active, or put multiple damage counters on it using [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”name”]’s and [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”]’s Abilities. When I KO a second M Rayquaza-EX, he doesn’t have anything left, and concedes the game.
10-3-2 (32)
I’m relieved to have won my last two rounds, and am hopeful I can still make top 16 for the extra prizes. Standings get posted, and…
I’m 16th! I wait around until they announce standings are final, and feel amazing. I get in line for prizes, and I walk all the way to end of the table where my top 16 prizes await me.
After 15 long rounds of Pokemon, I walk away with a Treecko hat, a Gengar deck box, and four boxes of [set name=”Roaring Skies”]. Sadly, I make the mistake of opening all of them, as I’m addicted to opening packs. In the end, I open a whopping zero Shaymin-EX, the only thing I really wanted to pull out of this set. I believe I pulled at least two of every EX in this set, (including [card name=”Thundurus-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”26″ c=”name”], sadly). I did manage to sell my bulk for a lot, though, so it ended up being not as horrible as I originally thought.
Looking Ahead
I think that [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] / [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”] is still a great choice to play at the 2015 World Championships, and with a couple of minor changes, can beat most of the meta decks. This is the list I have for the deck right now:
[decklist]
[pokemon amt=”19″]
4x [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Jirachi-EX” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”60″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Mewtwo-EX” set=”Next Destinies” no=”54″ c=”deck2″]
[/pokemon]
[trainers amt=”33″]
4x [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”116″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Team Flare Grunt” set=”XY” no=”129″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″]
3x [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Furious Fists” no=”100″ c=”deck2″]
2x [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”deck2″]
1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”deck2″]
[/trainers]
[energy amt=”8″]
4x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”Call of Legends” no=”90″ c=”deck2″]
4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”XY” no=”130″ c=”deck2″]
[/energy]
[/decklist]
Let’s take a look at all of the changes I made.
+1 Golbat
I bumped this up back to four like my original list I played at the cash tournament. There were times at Nationals where I was forced to discard a [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”name”] or two early on, leaving me with one or zero for the rest of the game, depending on Prizes. A thicker Bat line will almost always help against any deck, as this deck strives to KO all of your opponent’s Pokemon. Not to mention, Swoop Across is a good attack if for some reason I can’t get a Quaking Punch off. Against a [card name=”Suicune” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”20″ c=”name”], a [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”] on a Golbat will hit the Suicune for 30, plus Laser / Bank damage, will put Suicune down to 40 HP. If they can’t Retreat it, it will have 10 HP left, allowing for a free KO with [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”]’s Ability, while also maintaining the ability to attack for your turn. If they have a [card name=”Sigilyph” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”52″ c=”name”] or a [card name=”Wobbuffet” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”36″ c=”name”] Active, it will take one Muscle Banded Swoop Across as well as a [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”] and [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”name”] to either KO the Sigilyph, or have the Wobbuffet be KO’d coming back into your turn.
+1 Crobat
This will have most of the same reasons as the extra [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”name”]. More damage output, not as bad when I discard one early on, but [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”]’s attack is better in almost all circumstances. 30 snipe allows for finishing off attackers that just barely missed being KO’d by Quaking Punch, not to mention is much better against Safeguarders. With a Muscle Band, Crobat will OHKO Sigilyph, and put Suicune into getting Knocked Out, along with Poison damage. Crobat, as well as Golbat, have free retreat, making it a safe choice to put Active after your Active Pokemon has been KO’d.
+1 Xerosic
After [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] won Nationals, Energy denial is important. The winner of the Toad mirror match is usually decided by who misses the first Quaking Punch or who has to spend more [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”111″ c=”name”] per Toad. [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”name”] fits that need. [card name=”Jirachi-EX” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”60″ c=”name”] can search it out under Item Lock, using its Stellar Guidance Ability. Xerosic can also discard Pokemon Tools, which especially helps against [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”68″ c=”name”], as under Item Lock, they can’t re-attach another Tool, letting my Bats run free, dropping damage wherever they please.
+1 Team Flare Grunt
This serves mainly as the same purpose of [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”110″ c=”name”], in that it discards [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”111″ c=”name”] off of opposing [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”]s. However, it can also discard basic Energy off of things such as [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”name”], [card name=”Lucario-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”54″ c=”name”], and [card name=”Primal Kyogre-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”55″ c=”name”], not allowing them to use their bigger attacks. Being able to reuse this one-of with multiple [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”]s can be killer against almost any deck, as it will always discard an Energy card.
+2 Virbank City Gym
The Stadium war is a major part of this format. Decks that use [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”name”] can be a very difficult challenge for Toad decks. If [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”name”] can stay in play, tanks such as [card name=”M Manectric-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”24″ c=”name”] can be a lot easier to deal with, as the damage dealt to them will stick. Virbank will also counter [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”]s, allowing for [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”name”] to maintain his Free Flight Ability, as well as still being able to use [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”]’s powerful Set Up Ability.
+1 Water Energy
I want to be prepared against opposing [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”] decks. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this matchup comes down to who can Quaking Punch the longest, which means who has access to more Energy. A fourth Water Energy not only makes this easier, but also allows for two separate Seismitoad-EX to use Grenade Hammer, something that was only possible with the use of [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Furious Fists” no=”100″ c=”name”] before. Every Pokemon in this deck that isn’t named Seismitoad-EX or Mewtwo-EX is able to Retreat for one or zero Energy, allowing this Energy to be used for more than just attacking.
-1 Professor Juniper
While this card is one of the best Supporters in the game, this card just isn’t as useful as it once was. The loss of [card name=”Lysandre’s Trump Card” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”99″ c=”name”] meant that this shouldn’t be a four-of in any deck that needs almost all of its resources. I wanted to add in more important cards committed to the Toad matchup, and this just didn’t quite make the cut, as discarding key cards such as Energy or the Bat Evolutions will most likely end up setting me back as the game progresses. There were times when I had three of them in hand along with a [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”name”], and was either forced to discard almost all of my draw Supporters, or shuffle them back in, and draw a lot less cards. But still being able to [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”] for it as the game progresses against non-Item Lock decks is a god-send. After an [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”name”] down to one or two, drawing a fresh hand of seven is amazing, which is why this card has been a staple for so long, and I wouldn’t suggest ever dropping it below two.
-1 VS Seeker
Against the Toad mirror, you won’t want your hand filled with Items, so why not cut some? There were times when my hand was a lot of [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”], with only a [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”84″ c=”name”] in the discard, and I didn’t want to discard so many resources, but was forced to due to circumstances. Lowering it slightly would mean that I have to be a little more careful with them, but can still easily be played.
-1 Ultra Ball
Like with [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”], there were several times when I had a lot of these in hand, which although they’re easier to discard, can still be annoying if they clog up your hand. Three is still enough to last you throughout the game, in searching for whatever Pokemon you need at the moment.
-1 Switch
I found [card name=”Switch” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”91″ c=”name”] to be lackluster in the tournament, as any time I would want to Switch out of an Active, I was under Item Lock. There was one instance in which I drew into it turn one to allow for the turn one Quaking Punch, but that was just luck of the draw. If I play this deck again, Switch won’t be a part of it.
-1 Enhanced Hammer
This was mainly in here for the [card name=”Raichu” set=”XY” no=”43″ c=”name”] matchup, which wasn’t represented as well as I thought it would be, meaning that it didn’t serve as big of a purpose of a plan as I originally thought. It was amazing against Toad decks on turn one, but were dead every turn after, or if I went first in the game.
-2 Silent Lab
The last cards I cut were both of the [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”]s. I found them to be useful as a counter Stadium, but I would rather have a [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”name”] in play after the first couple of turns, as that’s when they would be able to use [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”] to the fullest. They were useful against things like [card name=”Keldeo-EX” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”45″ c=”name”], but would sometimes slow down my setup, not allowing me to Retreat any of my [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”name”], due to their Ability being shut off. I feel the cards I added in will slow my opponent down more than these two cards will.
Conclusion
To conclude, I think Toad / Bats was a very strong play for the U.S. National tournament, and think it will continue to be good going into the World Championships. Please be sure to leave a comment below asking questions about the list, giving suggestions, discussing match ups, etc. I will respond to any questions. Hopefully you all have enjoyed reading this article as much as I have had writing it. Good luck to all of you competing in the World Championships this weekend!
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