Winners Of PokeBeach’s March TCG Cup Crowned: Deck Lists And Interviews!

PokeBeach’s March TCG Cup is over and the winners have been crowned!

The tournament was played in the Standard format, which at the time was XY through BREAKpoint.

Interview with the Champion

Coming in first place is Harry Smith from London! He will be walking away with a BREAKpoint booster box from TCGplayer.com. Here’s our interview with him.

How well are you performing in Play! Pokemon tournaments this season?

I have a mere 20 CP as, unfortunately, I don’t have much time to travel to tournaments outside of London. I’m fairly new to the TCG too, so I haven’t yet tried for a Worlds invite. However, winning this event has given me some confidence, so I’m going to try a bit harder to pick up points in the future.

What deck did you play for the March TCG Cup?

I played Turbo Darkrai – a mix of [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Yveltal-EX” set=”XY” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Malamar-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card] that makes use of [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] to get Energy on the board quickly.

My choice was heavily influenced by [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] – at the U.S. Winter Regionals where BREAKpoint was legal, Trevenant decks collected the second biggest share of Championship Points. On the back of this I figured people would adapt it for the Standard format.

[decklist name=”Darkrai” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Darkrai-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”74″][pokemon amt=”10″]2x [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Yveltal-EX” set=”XY” no=”79″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Yveltal” set=”XY” no=”78″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Malamar-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hoopa-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”36″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”39″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor Birch’s Observations” set=”Primal Clash” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”78″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Giovanni’s Scheme” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Primal Clash” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Switch” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Generations” no=”61″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Reverse Valley” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”110″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]11x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Generations” no=”81″ c=”deck2″ amt=”11″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

What was your favorite card in your list?

[card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Generations” no=”61″ c=”name”][/card] was definitely my favorite card in the deck! It was the perfect partner in crime for [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] and had great synergy with my main attackers. Every time I drew the card it gave tricks up my sleeve – first turn Evil Ball / Dark Pulse, a more powerful Evil Ball and a sudden Dark Head to name a few. It really put in work.

What was your most exciting game?

Personally, my most exciting game was against [card name=”Yveltal” set=”XY” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Gallade” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”84″ c=”name”][/card]. About halfway through game one, it was on a knife edge at four Prizes each. My Active [card name=”Yveltal-EX” set=”XY” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card] couldn’t Knock Out my opponent’s Yveltal-EX (he had three Energy to my two) and would’ve been KO’d next turn. However, I managed to pull off a combination of an Energy attachment, [card name=”Reverse Valley” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”110″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Generations” no=”61″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Giovanni’s Scheme” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] to take the KO. It was a very satisfying coming together of the jigsaw and I rode the momentum from there.

The most exciting match, however, was against [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Huntail” set=”Primal Clash” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card] / Archie’s [card name=”Swampert” set=”Primal Clash” no=”36″ c=”name”][/card] – what a deck! I lost the first game as I completely underestimated Huntail. My opponent was able to slow the pace of the game with Seismitoad whilst building up Energy on his side of the board and preparing a Huntail. In the following two games I started with lone [card name=”Hoopa-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”36″ c=”name”][/card] – somehow, in both games, I was able to get him out of the Active spot before being Item-locked and from there I targeted benched [card name=”Clamperl” set=”Primal Clash” no=”49″ c=”name”][/card]. It was a very tense series.

What kind of decks did you play against?

Well, there’s a funny thing – I ran into zero [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card]! Instead, I played against the following:

• [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Giratina-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Manectric-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”23″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Raikou” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Greninja BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Huntail” set=”Primal Clash” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card] / Archie’s [card name=”Swampert” set=”Primal Clash” no=”36″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Yveltal” set=”XY” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Gallade” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”84″ c=”name”][/card]

Would you make any changes to your deck or list?

I would like to find space for [card name=”Yveltal” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”94″ c=”from”][/card]. Fright Night is a very appealing Ability that switches off your and your opponent’s Tools – it’s a great way of dealing with [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]. Plus, Pitch-Black Spear is a fantastic attack. All in all it’s a versatile card.

[card name=”Hoopa-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”36″ c=”name”][/card] is good in theory but I didn’t play it down once during the tournament; it just always felt like [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card] bait. If I wanted to tweak the list, he would be the first to get the chop.

What kind of decks give your deck trouble? Which are good matchups?

Oddly enough, [card name=”Garchomp” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] is a big problem! With a [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Furious Fists” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] it OHKO’s everything in the deck apart from Baby [card name=”Yveltal” set=”XY” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card], which can’t do much back and is 2HKO’d anyway. Garchomp decks often run [card name=”Focus Sash” set=”Furious Fists” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] as well which gives me a real headache.

Night March is good against this deck, as it is against most things really! [card name=”Joltik” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card] hits Yveltal for Weakness, so I’m reliant on [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Malamar-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card]. Baby Yveltal used to be effective against Night March but, thanks to Fighting Fury Belt, that’s no longer a guarantee. Night March is always the favorite in the Prize-race.

As for good matchups; the deck is consistent against most Pokemon-EX decks as it hits hard every turn and, with [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card], is fairly durable as well. Having main attackers with different Weaknesses and Resistances is a big plus as you can tailor your approach to your opponent’s typing. Once the Energy is spread across the board it’s hard for the opponent to stem the flow of damage.

The deck is also good against [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] of course!

Why did you decide to participate in this tournament?

I want to get involved in more tournaments and, not having much time at the weekends to travel, this was a perfect opportunity to compete against other good players. I really wanted to test myself but I didn’t think for one second that I’d actually win!

Many thanks to PokeBeach and TCGplayer for organizing events like these!

Congratulations, Harry!

Other Top Finishers

Coming in 2nd, 3rd and 4th places were John Mostowy (Serperior), Andrew Wamboldt (urwatueatandi8arceus) and Grant Manley (grantm1999). All three won a bunch of BREAKpoint booster packs. Their deck lists can be seen here:

John Mostowy

[decklist name=”M Manectric” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”M Manectric-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”24″][pokemon amt=”13″]3x [card name=”M Manectric-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”24″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Manectric-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”23″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Raikou” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”55″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY67 ” c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”37″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”78″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Manectric Spirit Link” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”100″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Assault Vest” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”133″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Max Potion” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”103″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Mega Turbo” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”86″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Primal Clash” no=”127″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Switch” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]7x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Generations” no=”78″ c=”deck2″ amt=”7″][/card]3x [card name=”Flash Energy” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”83″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Andrew Wamboldt

[decklist name=”Entei / Emboar-EX” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Entei” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”15″][pokemon amt=”9″]4x [card name=”Entei” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”15″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Emboar-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”14″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”38″]4x [card name=”Blacksmith” set=”Flashfire” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Primal Clash” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Bursting Balloon” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Pokemon Catcher” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Eco Arm” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”71″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor’s Letter” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”146″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Startling Megaphone” set=”Flashfire” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Scorched Earth” set=”Primal Clash” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”13″]9x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”Generations” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”9″][/card]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Generations” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Grant Manley

[decklist name=”Vespiquen” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″][pokemon amt=”29″]4x [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Combee” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”9″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Golbat” set=”Generations” no=”31″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Zubat” set=”Generations” no=”30″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Unown” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”30″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Yveltal” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Yveltal” set=”XY” no=”78″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”23″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”78″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Primal Clash” no=”127″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Startling Megaphone” set=”Flashfire” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Generations” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Generations” no=”81″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

The top finishers also earned Prize Wall points on TCGplayer.com, which allows them to exchange their points for even more products like booster packs and promo boxes.

Everyone in the Top 32 of PokeBeach’s monthly tournaments will also receive Prize Wall points via e-mail. Be sure to check your inboxes soon!

Creative Deck Winners

As part of the tournament, PokeBeach’s article writers voted for the premium members who they felt used the most creative deck lists.

UrWatUEatAndI8Arceus, PMJ, SaxMaster69, Gengar Master, and Yog each walked away with several BREAKpoint booster packs or a Premium Promo Collection from TCGplayer.com. The decks we saw these players use include [card name=”Entei” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”15″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Emboar-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”14″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Garchomp” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Meowstic” set=”Flashfire” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Aromatisse” set=”XY” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] / Techs.

For every tournament, the top five premium members who come up with the most creative decks will win booster packs and promo products.

Want to Become a Premium Member?

May’s tournament will be posted on May 1st, and March’s tournament is currently underway. Each tournament awards up to four booster boxes of product to top finishers plus promo products and additional booster packs to premium members.

If you’re interested in becoming a premium member, be sure to check out this link. All premium members get reserved slots in the tournaments, double the amount of booster pack wins, double the amount of Prize Wall points, a chance to win even more product for using creative decks, and of course all the other benefits that go along with having a premium membership, including weekly articles from the game’s top players and deck help from said players. A premium membership here is extremely diverse!

Thanks, TCGplayer!

All of these prizes are brought to you by TCGplayer.com. Their online store offers the cheapest Pokemon cards on the Internet from thousands of different sellers – you will find no better deals! So be sure to check them out any time you want to purchase or sell Pokemon cards!

In the future, you can always use our navigation menu to access their store.

(Note: The Pokémon Company International is not a sponsor or endorser of PokeBeach’s tournaments, contests, or prizes, nor does the company or its affiliates have any formal association with PokeBeach. Our activities are by fans, for fans, and are not sanctioned or approved by TPCi.)