The Perfect Sidekick — Yanmega Decks for Standard
What an exciting time to play Pokemon right now. A new rotation has just happened and people are more driven to play this game with the promise of more cash prizes. This is always an exciting time of year because of the new decks and the meta that reveals itself with the rotation of popular cards in the past.
This new format brings about huge changes. The masters of the old format, Night March and [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] have disappeared, and everyone is scrambling to find their footing with the new cards that have become better with the rotation of these two decks. These two decks in particular limited creativity in the game and the cards that these decks just dominated are now the new meta. How much hype is [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] now that Night March doesn’t just sweep these decks away?
Myself and a lot of our writers are already covering much about this new format. There’s a lot of ideas that are being discussed about this new format amongst myself and the other writers. Most of us, including myself have already tested a lot of this format in preparation for the PokeBeach Invitational that took place after the World Championships this year.
I’m going to discuss a bit about breaking ground on a new format, and then I will discuss the meat of this article, [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] and various Stage 1s that work well with it. I’ve been testing these decks extensively and they have tested incredibly well against the decks that should be popular after rotation. I’ll break down some decent decks for the PRC – STS format while leaving the in depth stuff about those particular decks to our other writers.
Breaking Apart a New Format
I see it every year. People just don’t know what to do after rotation. Not necessarily everyone doesn’t know what to do, but a good majority of players out there just do not. Consistency engines disappear and people don’t know how to build a deck after looking at and using decks all year and not constructing their own.
The Skill of Deck Building
Now, the content and lists that our writers have put out are meant to be used by our content subscribers. But I believe that there is value in the skill of good deck building. Seriously, see a good Pokemon that you like, build a deck, play a few games, and drop that list in our Subscriber’s Secret Hideout for some criticism. I love seeing budding players build their own decks. I feel like this is a skill that comes in very handy this time of year, and it’s also more helpful to others since you can critique your buddies’ decks too.
You can also see lists that we put out, and tool them up to fit what you personally prefer better. Your deck list is a huge portion of tournament success. It also gives you an edge over other players in your area competing against you, since they may build very inconsistent or clunky versions of decks.
So don’t hesitate to use what’s successful, but try to build your own decks based on ideas that you have. You may be the next Shintaro Ito, piloting a well built rogue to a win.
Consider Everything
Once a format rotates, a lot of ideas that you may have shoved into the back of your brain need to come back and be re-evaluated. Cards and the decks that go around them are in a different metagame now. So for example, decks such as [card name=”Primal Kyogre-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] got destroyed by rush down decks such as Night March and [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card]. These decks are practically non-existent now, due to [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] rotating. So [card name=”Primal Kyogre-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] may be a deck worth considering again.
What else needs to be considered is that certain consistency cards are gone now. [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] was a staple in a lot of decks, and it’s gone now. So rethinking counts of Supporters is a must. Higher counts of [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”XY” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] need to be able to make up for the lack of the [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”110″ c=”name”][/card] combos. Also, utility Supporters such as [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card], Supporters that do not draw you any cards, need to have their counts rethought. One [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] was fine before, when you could [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] it away and have easy access to it with [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card]. But now you must draw into them, so maybe two is worth playing, depending on your deck.
[cardimg name=”Primal Kyogre-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”55″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Consider Your New Matchups
A key part of whether or not your new deck is viable or not depends on what you feel like will be good after the rotation. I think that it didn’t take a genius to figure out that [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] decks would be popular, so we may play decks that can abuse or fit two copies of [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] in their decks to help counter these decks. This information can be just pure speculation on your part, what your buddies are testing, or what you read on PokeBeach that our writers feel will be popular and that you need to consider. Essentially, you need to identify a new metagame before a large tournament establishes it. This alone can give you an incredibly good shot at doing well at your next tournament, since you can predict what everyone else is playing, and have answers to it in your deck.
Let’s consider what I feel the metagame will be. This will make it much clearer why I made the choices I made in my deck lists.
The Top Decks of the Early New Standard Format
Mega Pokemon are the easy solution to turn to when considering decks for this format. They all have massive HP and have amazing attacks. Defining a tier list for this format isn’t easy, since there is no actual hard data to go off of. I will organize this list in tier list fashion, starting with Tier 1.
[premium]
Tier 1
M Mewtwo-EX
This was an obvious placement on this chart. Every deck out there needs to have an answer to this deck. [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card]’s Psychic Infinity attack in addition to his synergy with [card name=”Shrine of Memories” set=”Primal Clash” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] and Damage Change with the [card name=”Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”62″ c=”name”][/card] underneath the Mega, makes for a very powerful attacker that can heal itself while taking Knock Outs. The other [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] can also be an option in this deck with its powerful Vanishing Strike attack.
Players often pair [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] with [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] to remove Abilities and to take advantage of the lack of Tool removal in the format. [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] doesn’t particularly need any Abilities, so [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] really doesn’t harm it at all.
[card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] will consistently see play this format due to its options along with its ability to do disgusting amounts of damage. [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] was neutered in the past by Night March decks that were rampant in the format. [card name=”Pumpkaboo” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”44″ c=”name”][/card] easily hit for Weakness against [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] and didn’t even allow it once to use Damage Change since it just got Knocked Out right away.
M Rayquaza-EX
This was a very evident good deck for the format as well, since OHKOs are harder to come by without [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card]. So abusing [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] is the next best option to get quick Prizes. [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] easily hits for 240 early in the game and can sustain that easy damage throughout the game while boasting 220 HP.
Every deck needs some sort of answer to [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] as well. This deck will run you over quickly if you cannot either Knock Out the [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] in one hit or if you cannot limit their damage easily. The easiest way to counter this deck is to use [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] in your deck to drop their Bench of eight to a Bench of three and limiting [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] to hitting for 90 instead of 240.
[cardimg name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”105″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Tier 2
Vileplume Toolbox
[card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] is the only Item-lock option that didn’t rotate. Being able to Item-lock turn one without your opponent getting a chance to play Items is incredibly powerful and this deck boasts that. This current metagame isn’t really suited to beating Item-lock decks since [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] rotated and [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] decks are very limited this current format.
Sam Hough made this deck popular at Worlds 2016 and it should be able to carry this momentum onto the 2016 Standard format as well. Sporting attackers such as [card name=”Jolteon-EX” set=”Generations” no=”28″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Glaceon-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Trevenant-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”19″ c=”name”][/card], this is a deck that is built to lock players out of the game by not allowing them to do damage. This deck’s main engine is using [card name=”Ninja Boy” set=”Steam Siege” no=”103″ c=”name”][/card] to flip between attackers.
M Gardevoir-EX
[card name=”M Gardevoir-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card] from Steam Siege is incredibly powerful in this current format. Pokemon multipliers such as [card name=”Hoopa-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] never rotated, and [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] didn’t either. There’s a couple ways to build this deck, either boasting three to four copies of [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card]. The [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] version plays more Pokemon to discard with Despair Ray and can hit higher numbers of damage.
The [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] version however, sports an incredibly good [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] matchup. Hitting [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] for Weakness in addition to hitting [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] with up to three [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] in a single game gives it a powerful matchup against both of the Tier 1 decks.
M Scizor-EX
[card name=”M Scizor-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card]’s attack two hits every Mega in the game currently, while boasting a powerful ability that hurts both [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] decks as well as [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] decks. Removal of [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] for either deck is awful to deal with, in addition to removing [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Shrine of Memories” set=”Primal Clash” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card]. I’ve heard this deck does have an average [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] matchup, but it has an incredible matchup against [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card]. It also plays its own [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] that can be used to pitch [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] off its Bench and then get discarded with [card name=”M Scizor-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card]’s attack. Some versions of this deck play [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Emerging Powers” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card] and high [card name=”Mega Turbo” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] counts. Some play [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”111″ c=”name”][/card] as well.
Volcanion
[card name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ability is incredible, and allows you to hit massive numbers while powering up your attackers. [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Steam Siege” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] recovers the Energy well and allows you to attach them to your Benched Pokemon. The deck also sports a high Fire Energy count, so it can take advantage of [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card]. The only downside to this deck is that it struggles against [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card].
[cardimg name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”26″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Greninja / Talonflame
The second place deck at Worlds doesn’t lose much from rotation, so it still should be a solid pick. [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] really hoses this deck though, even more so than [card name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card] since this deck cannot OHKO a [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] even if it were to be [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card]d Active. In non [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] matchups, it still has amazing HP, explosive damage output, and disruption through Shadow Stitching.
Rainbow Road
[card name=”Xerneas” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] got a lot of buffs from the dual types in Steam Siege. [card name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card] finds its way easily into this deck, counting as two different types of Pokemon at one time. [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] doesn’t even hurt this deck as much anymore, since even with three Benched Pokemon, Rainbow Force still hits for 130. If the deck sports more dual types, such as [card name=”Galvantula” set=”Steam Siege” no=”42″ c=”name”][/card], it can hit for 160 with only three on the Bench. [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] should still be played but it isn’t as necessary to this deck anymore with dual types in the format. Recovery is also not an issue due to [card name=”Exp. Share” set=”Primal Clash” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] being in format.
Xerneas BREAK / Giratina-EX
[card name=”Giratina-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] is obviously powerful in the current metagame full of Mega Pokemon and Special Energy. [card name=”Xerneas” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY05″ c=”name”][/card] is an excellent partner for it, since [card name=”Xerneas BREAK” set=”Steam Siege” no=”82″ c=”name”][/card] hits for ridiculous amounts of damage with a ton of Fairy Energy on the field. [card name=”Xerneas” set=”XY” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card]’s Basic form easily fills the board full of Energy, and [card name=”Double Dragon Energy” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] counts as two Fairy Energy as well, allowing [card name=”Xerneas BREAK” set=”Steam Siege” no=”82″ c=”name”][/card]’s attack to hit really good numbers.
Now, there are a ton more decks out there, and I probably haven’t covered them all. But be sure to look out for articles by other writers that are coming out soon for more coverage on the deck spread.
As for me, I’ve got my own Tier 2 deck to talk about that I believe has incredibly good matchups against a good majority of the format.
Yanmega BREAK / Vespiquen
Jesper Eriksen made this deck very popular. It’s got amazing early damage and good survivability with [card name=”Yanmega BREAK” set=”Steam Siege” no=”8″ c=”name”][/card]’s high HP. It also attacks very easily, needing no Energy and four cards in your hand to attack.
I’ve been testing a standard version of this deck for a good while. I believe its incredibly good in Standard right now since it has OHKO potential late game, and it abuses [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card], which prevents damage to your Pokemon from Mega Pokemon. This deck is also incredibly fast in Standard as well. It isn’t Night March levels of fast, but expect to do a good amount of damage on the first turn.
Here is the list I’ve been testing and have taken to a League Challenge.
[decklist name=”Harambeesrevenge” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″][pokemon amt=”26″]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]2x [card name=”Yanmega BREAK” set=”Steam Siege” no=”8″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Yanma” set=”Steam Siege” no=”6″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Unown” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”30″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”30″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”XY” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Judge” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”110″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Bursting Balloon” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Level Ball” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”4″]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
The deck performs incredibly consistently. Even with all the Pokemon this deck runs and without having [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card]. One of the few downsides to this deck is the amount of bad starters. [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Unown” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card] are just awful to start with, however, attaching one of your four [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] to them to retreat and attack with [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] isn’t terrible due to the [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] this deck plays. With [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card], you really can discard and throw away [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] without having to worry too much about them. You’ll typically only use about three or four a game, depending on how big of a role [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] plays in the matchup.
Let’s go over some card counts.
Card Explanations
4-4 Vespiquen
I know that [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] is the subject of this article, however, in this deck, [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] is the primary attacker. The reason for this is that [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] can attack regardless of if a [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] is on the field or if a [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] has been played. It also hits for huge damage late game.
3-3-2 Yanmega
[card name=”Yanmega BREAK” set=”Steam Siege” no=”8″ c=”name”][/card] is such an incredible card. The high HP and the consistent free 100 damage that attacks through [card name=”Jirachi” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY67″ c=”name”][/card] is just absolutely phenomenal. Getting your hand to four is also very easy with this Pokemon, so getting damage done early isn’t a problem at all. This is the [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Triumphant” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card] Prime days all over again!
Four Klefki
In order for [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] to be able to hit big damage without waiting for your Pokemon to get Knocked Out, you almost have to play a lot of Pokemon that discard themselves. [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] is an absolutely incredible card at this time because it prevents damage from hitting your Pokemon from Mega Pokemon. A trick I like to do, is that in matchups where [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] is unneeded, is to have them activate their Abilities and attach them to either another [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Unown” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card]. Triggering the second Ability on the [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] with the [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] attached discards the original [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card]. You can attach this [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] chain to an [card name=”Unown” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card] and then use Farewell Letter to get three Pokemon in the discard pile all at the same time, giving you a quick 30 damage boost for [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card].
[cardimg name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Four Unown
Three [card name=”Unown” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card] wasn’t bad in this deck when [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] existed, however, we need as many Pokemon that can put themselves in the discard pile as possible. Four [card name=”Unown” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card] is absolutely necessary to blow through the deck quickly.
Supporter Line
I’ve spoken to a lot of players that use different Supporter lines in their decks, but I tend to favor higher counts of [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] (almost always simply two). I also favor less [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] (with a name like mine, that’s pretty hard to believe I’m sure) and more Supporters. So most of my decks tend to play four [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”XY” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] and three [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card]. In this case, I replace an [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] with a [card name=”Judge” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card] to take advantage of [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ability.
The one [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] exists to help deal with [card name=”Giratina-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], which will undoubtedly be popular. A [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] and Chaos Wheel play could lock you out of attacking for a turn, and I don’t want to miss a beat with this deck at all.
One [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] is in the deck to help your matchup against [card name=”Greninja” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card] even though it does shut off your own [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ability.
Two Level Ball
[card name=”Level Ball” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] helps you find specific Pokemon in your deck that is filled with them. You need to be able to find [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Yanma” set=”Steam Siege” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Combee” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”9″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] at very specific moments in the game. If you need to, you can use them to search out [card name=”Unown” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card] to help you dig yourself out of a bad situation.
Three Bursting Balloon
[card name=”Bursting Balloon” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] is super good against non-EX attackers. They set up easy Knock Outs for your Pokemon in this deck that may struggle to hit for a lot of damage on the first turn. [card name=”Bursting Balloon” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] is also insanely powerful right now strictly due to the lack of Tool removal. The only way an opponent can avoid the damage is by using [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Primal Clash” no=”127″ c=”name”][/card] to get around it.
One Super Rod
The reason why I rolled with this over [card name=”Revitalizer” set=”Generations” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] is because of the Ability to reuse [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card]. In some matchups, having more than four [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] in a game can just be too much for some Mega decks to handle.
One Special Charge
This deck being able to use [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] more than four times in a game is crucial. Even being able to discard them at will is necessary for this deck to run quickly. [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] alleviates some of the pain of having to discard them and use them for retreating [card name=”Unown” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] that you start with. Being able to attack with [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] four to five times in a game is very useful as well.
Four Double Colorless Energy
There really is no reason to use any other Energy in this deck. Only one attacker ideally attacks with the [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card]. The other one can attack without them. So even whiffing Energy isn’t all that bad in this deck since you still have an attacker in [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card].
Matchups
This is a huge format, so I probably cannot cover all of this deck’s matchups. I will do the best I can, covering this deck’s matchups against these five decks.
M Mewtwo-EX (50-50)
[card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] is huge in this matchup, but Damage Change cuts right through it, which means that it still is able to Knock Out your [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card]. Removing [card name=”Shrine of Memories” set=”Primal Clash” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] as quickly as you can is the key to this matchup, since [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”160″ c=”name”][/card] really can’t do much without it when you have [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] on the board. If they play [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], KO it early before it can hamper your [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card]. [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] decks should able to set up very quickly and hopefully sweep [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] decks before they can set up two Psychic Energy on the [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card].
M Rayquaza-EX (60-40)
I don’t find this matchup difficult at all. [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] shuts them out for the majority of the game, even when they use [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card]. The Prize-exchange just works more favorably for [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] even if only one [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] does its job. [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card]’s recovery isn’t as seamless as [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card]’s is, so as long as you keep [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] off of your Bench, this matchup should be a breeze as they struggle to get around [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card].
[cardimg name=”Xerneas” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”107″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Rainbow Road (40-60)
It’s hard for [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] to hit 120 early. Although it can easily hit that past turn three, and usually after the first [card name=”Xerneas” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card], they will have [card name=”Exp. Share” set=”Dragon Vault” no=”18″ c=”name”][/card] on them, making them easy to Knock Out with Assault Boom, however, crafty Rainbow Road players will find it easy to just not attach [card name=”Exp. Share” set=”Dragon Vault” no=”18″ c=”name”][/card] to their [card name=”Xerneas” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] if they can help it. [card name=”Bursting Balloon” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] will be key in this matchup, in addition to making [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card] Knock Outs harder on your side of the board. This lets you pick off their [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] at your leisure.
M Scizor-EX and M Gardevoir-EX (60-40)
I don’t like lumping matchups together, but the strategy against these two decks are relatively the same. [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] is awesome at blocking damage. If they play [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], KO it early with [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] so it doesn’t shut off your [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card]. These two decks aren’t very different to approach with [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card]. They shouldn’t be very difficult matchups either. [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] is just so much faster, in addition to having protection from [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card].
Greninja (50-50)
This is a tough matchup to think about. If they play [card name=”Bursting Balloon” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card], they open up some Shadow Stitching plays on you, which is obviously detrimental to [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card]. However, sometimes they do need to hit with a Moonlight Slash to get Knock Outs. Your own [card name=”Bursting Balloon” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] should be very good in this matchup as well.
You can easily take a couple Prizes early before they get online with [card name=”Greninja BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card], which should be easy to Knock Out in one hit with [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card]. It’s a lot more challenging if they start [card name=”Talonflame” set=”Steam Siege” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card], using [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] to get around the [card name=”Talonflame” set=”Steam Siege” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] should for sure be your strategy.
The Subject of Karen
Karen is going to be coming out soon. That isn’t necessarily the death of this deck. Not every deck will play playing Karen, some will, such as [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] and maybe Rainbow Road, however, [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] also shuffles back in your [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card]. This deck isn’t Night March. It mainly two hits, with some OHKOs late in the game. What Karen does if it is played, is that it removed the late game OHKOs. This makes some matchups worse, but it doesn’t remove the viability of this deck.
[card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Unown” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card] easily find their ways back into the discard pile, as do your Pokemon if you play [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card] at the right times. If anything, Karen can be a favor for you at times, since you can just attack with [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] more.
If this doesn’t convince you, I do have another deck that works with [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card], but leaves [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] in the binder.
Yanmega / Zoroark / Eeveelutions
So [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] is out the door, however, we need to replace it with other Stage 1s that hit for big damage that can finish off what [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] softens up. This deck isn’t as fluid since it doesn’t sport [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card]. However, [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] should theoretically hit bigger numbers earlier and give your deck some mobility with his Ability. Also, not having to play [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] means that you can play something such as [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] instead to keep [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] off your board.
[decklist name=”Yanmegazoroark” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Yanmega BREAK” set=”Steam Siege” no=”8″][pokemon amt=”23″]2x [card name=”Yanmega BREAK” set=”Steam Siege” no=”8″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Yanma” set=”Steam Siege” no=”6″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Zorua” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”89″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Flareon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”13″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Jolteon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”26″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Vaporeon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”22″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Eevee” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”63″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Judge” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”143″ 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=”Plasma Blast” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”100″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Bursting Balloon” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Level Ball” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”4″]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”XY” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Card Explanations
Let’s take a quick look at the card counts, it will explain this deck pretty well.
4-4 Zoroark
[card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] hits for a disgusting amount of damage even when your opponent isn’t filling up their Bench. Stand In also puts it in a position to do damage every turn if it needs to.
The Eevee Line
Since this deck doesn’t abuse [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] being in the discard pile like [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] did, we have to beat Mega Pokemon in another way, and that is to just hit them for Weakness. Your [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] matchup will suffer quite a bit, but your [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] just gets so much better if you can hit for Lightning Weakness or if they fill up their Bench too much making Mind Jack hit that much harder. The [card name=”M Gardevoir-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is also a tough one, but [card name=”M Scizor-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] will be a piece of cake.
One Delinquent
The single [card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card] is there if you want to get rid of a [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] that is in play that was played before your own. Having your Bench limited to three for the entire game just sucks and you do not want that to be there forever.
Four Trainers’ Mail
This deck can suffer from some consistency issues since it has so many Pokemon in it. It doesn’t have Pokemon that discard themselves like we had earlier, so playing a thick [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] line is necessary to the deck.
[cardimg name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Two Parallel City
Playing just one of these is fine too. But you do need to hit it at the right moment to pitch the [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card] off of your Bench. Having a Bench with no Pokemon-EX on it gives you an amazing attrition game and doesn’t give your opponent any quick outs to winning the game. It can work against [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] however, if their Bench is stuck at three for the whole game. Just pitch these with [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] if they aren’t advantageous for you to play.
Matchups
M Rayquaza-EX (70-30)
[card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] does disgusting things to huge Benches. There shouldn’t be any reason for a [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] deck to fill their Bench against you, so that shouldn’t be a factor very often. The [card name=”Jolteon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card] however, will come in clutch against [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] or at least will force them to pay attention to it. Every [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] KO is a big one, especially if you KO it before it can take some [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] Prizes. Getting [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] early and forcing the long game is a huge nuisance for [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] players that play a deck that tries to win quickly.
M Mewtwo-EX (40-60)
This is a tougher matchup since [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] decks don’t tend to fill their Benches up too full for [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] to take advantage of. [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] also isn’t as fast as [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] since this deck can’t abuse [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card]. Use [card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card] to consistently remove [card name=”Shrine of Memories” set=”Primal Clash” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card], since that is the only difficult part of this matchup, and try to keep Energy off your board unless you’re going to attack with it. [card name=”Yanmega BREAK” set=”Steam Siege” no=”8″ c=”name”][/card] shouldn’t be easy for [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] to Knock Out with 140 HP and no Energy attached.
Rainbow Road (60-40)
With [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card], I find this matchup to be positive. With just a Bench of four, [card name=”Xerneas” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] will get KOd quickly, even with the resistance to Dark. Any [card name=”Xerneas” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] after the first one will likely have an [card name=”Exp. Share” set=”Dragon Vault” no=”18″ c=”name”][/card], so it shouldn’t be difficult for [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] to OHKO them. Use [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] on yourself and remove easy Prizes, and you should be able to win the back and forth OHKO war between the two decks since they only play four [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”111″ c=”name”][/card] and most versions do not play [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card]. [card name=”Bursting Balloon” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] also makes this an easy matchup for [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card].
M Scizor-EX (60-40)
Get out a [card name=”Flareon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] and this shouldn’t even be remotely difficult. [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] the [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card] if they have one, so they cannot deny you hitting them for Weakness. Even if the [card name=”Flareon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] doesn’t come down or is prized, you still can trade with them since they cannot OHKO a [card name=”Yanmega BREAK” set=”Steam Siege” no=”8″ c=”name”][/card]. Take [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] KOs if you can, you want to try to end these games pretty quickly.
[cardimg name=”M Gardevoir-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”112″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
M Gardevoir-EX (40-60)
This is one matchup that gets worse. [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] is practically useless since [card name=”M Gardevoir-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card] drops its Bench to very low numbers every time. It also resists Dark. Savvy [card name=”M Gardevoir-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card] players will chain [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] to make your [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] useless. Without being able to use either one of your attackers, this is really not a good matchup unless your opponent doesn’t draw well.
Greninja (40-60)
Yanmega still hits very hard against [card name=”Froakie” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”38″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Frogadier” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”39″ c=”name”][/card] early, but against [card name=”Greninja” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] it struggles unless your opponent is dense enough to attach Tools to their [card name=”Greninja” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card]. With [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card]’s damage capping out at 160 without [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] in the format, Knocking Out a [card name=”Greninja BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card] is not going to be easy. Hope to draw your [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] early and use [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] to limit their damage in any way that you can. Those are your only chances in this matchup.
This deck is really solid and is more well balanced than the one I mentioned earlier. It isn’t as fast because it doesn’t use [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], but it pitches its [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card] easier and makes it much easier to play the long game by forcing your opponent to take one Prize at a time. Hitting for Weakness using the [card name=”Eevee” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”83″ c=”name”][/card] chain is the way to go against Mega Pokemon and their high HP. Even though [card name=”Yanmega BREAK” set=”Steam Siege” no=”8″ c=”name”][/card] relinquishes the bonuses of having the [card name=”Eevee” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”83″ c=”name”][/card] Evolutions on the Bench, simply don’t BREAK evolve, and hit for that Weakness if the opportunity presents itself. Most Mega Pokemon rely on Spirit links to evolve, so most should have a Tool on them, making it an easy Knock Out, hitting 240 with Weakness.
Conclusion
I hope this gave you a bit of an insight into the format. Other writers are writing about this very subject and it’s awesome to have a subscription to PokeBeach at this time. You should be miles ahead of others as far as knowledge of the format goes if you keep up with our articles.
[card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card], like [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Triumphant” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card] Prime is an excellent sidekick to all sorts of attackers. I can see [card name=”Yanmega” set=”Steam Siege” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] making its way into so many decks, since it’s easily splashable without needing to attack with a specific Energy, actually, without needing Energy at all!
Arizona Regionals is the only Regionals without Karen legal, so keep that in mind when you’re play testing. There’s a lot of League Challenges and possible League Cups going on before Regionals however, so go out there and compete. Make sure you look at what the format is for each Regionals, and make sure to test pretty far in advance. Regionals are challenging!
Till next time,
Treynor
[/premium]