Winners of December’s TCG Cup Crowned! Deck Lists and Interview!
PokeBeach’s December TCG Cup is over and the winners have been crowned!
The tournament was played in the Standard format at the time — XY through Evolutions.
Interview with the Champion
Coming in first place is Fernando Santacruz from Pasadena, California! He will walk away with 18 booster packs from TCGplayer.com.
Here’s our interview with him:
How well are you performing in Play! Pokemon tournaments this season?
I have not gotten any points this season. I have been indecisive with my deck choice at first maining Volcanion but then testing the waters with [card name=”Kyurem-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] and now trying this Yveltal deck.
Why did you decide to participate in this tournament?
I decided to participate to practice what I should be playing for Regionals and upcoming League Cups. It’s great practice and you get free packs depending on your performance, plus I love competing in tournaments.
What deck did you play for the December TCG Cup?
[cardimg name=”Yveltal-EX” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY150″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
I was playing [card name=”Yveltal-EX” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY150″ c=”name”][/card] and decided to play it due to consistency. I have been playing Volcanion since the release of Steam Siege and always had a problem with consistency and matchups. Recently though I started to see a lot of [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] and quickly realized Volcanion wouldn’t be fun to play, so I came in with Yveltal to test it out and decide if I like the deck. Sure enough, I do.
What kind of decks give yours trouble? Which are good matchups?
As for good matchups I would say anything that requires time to set up because Yveltal-EX has an attack which does 20 damage plus 20 more for each Energy, and if you are able attach a Dark Energy and a [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”103″ c=”name”][/card] on turn one, it’s a solid 80 damage or 100 if they have an Energy attached, then on the next turn it’s a Knock Out. By far though my favorite match up is versus Volcanion. It just doesn’t seem fair if I’m able to set up my Garbodor and [card name=”Yveltal” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card].
What kind of decks did you play against?
I played versus a variety of decks. I can’t really remember them off the top of my head, but the two that gave me the hardest time were [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] with [card name=”Jolteon-EX” set=”Generations” no=”28″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card].
What was your most exciting game or match?
By far my favorite set was my final match versus Mega Rayquaza. It was down to the wire. On game three he had one Prize card remaining and I had two damaged Yveltals on my Bench. All he needed was a [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”name”][/card] or a DCE to end it, but luckily enough I never wasted any [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card]s throughout the game, so I was able to [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] him to one about four times in a row and he could not find his DCE. Little did I know though it was his final Prize but it was a very exciting match as I had to make a comeback from six Prizes.
What was your favorite card in your list?
My favorite card in the list is a tie between [card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card] and the third [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card]. I love when my opponent plays his hand down to three and has a [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] in hand then I would Delinquent it on my turn. I also love limiting my opponent’s Bench so he is locked to only three Benched Pokemon.
Would you make any changes to your deck or list?
The only change I have made so far is -1 [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] and -1 Delinquent for 1 [card name=”Yveltal BREAK” set=”Steam Siege” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] and 1 [card name=”Team Flare Grunt” set=”XY” no=”129″ c=”name”][/card]. I added the Yveltal BREAK so I don’t get Jolteon locked and added the Flare Grunt for the mirror match as I can Flare Grunt the Dark Energy and he would be forced to put another Dark Energy instead of a DCE.
How does Sun & Moon and affect your deck? Is it still viable?
I believe the deck will still be viable but I think there will be better choices when Sun & Moon is released.
Congratulations, Fern!
Here is the deck list he used to win the tournament:
[decklist name=”Fernando’s Yveltal” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Yveltal-EX” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY150″][pokemon amt=”11″]3x [card name=”Yveltal-EX” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY150″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Yveltal” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Steam Siege” no=”65″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Trubbish” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”37″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”XY” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Skyla” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Olympia” set=”Generations” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Switch” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]8x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Other Top Finishers
Coming in 2nd, 3rd and 4th places were Arne Van Braeckel (Arneboy11), Michael Shane (Twixz) and Alex Mei (TheAnticipationEevee). All three won a bunch of booster packs from the latest expansions. Their deck lists can be seen below:
Arne Van Braeckel
[decklist name=”Arne’s Mega Ray” amt=”60″ caption=”undefined” cname=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″][pokemon amt=”16″]3x [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Hoopa-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”36″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Jolteon-EX” set=”Generations” no=”28″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Dragonite-EX” set=”Evolutions” no=”72″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”34″]3x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”XY” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Olympia” set=”Generations” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brock’s Grit” set=”Evolutions” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Fates Collide” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Mega Turbo” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”86″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Rayquaza Spirit Link” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”87″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]6x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”6″][/card]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Michael Shane
[decklist name=”Michael’s Vileplume” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″][pokemon amt=”23″]3x [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Gloom” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”2″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Oddish” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”1″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Jolteon-EX” set=”Generations” no=”28″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Glaceon-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”20″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Regice” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”24″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew-EX” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”RC24″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY67″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Beedrill-EX” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY157″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Manaphy-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”32″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Magearna-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”27″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Ninja Boy” set=”Steam Siege” no=”103″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Level Ball” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]4x [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Generations” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Alex Mei
[decklist name=”Alex’s Yveltal” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Yveltal” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”94″][pokemon amt=”12″]3x [card name=”Yveltal” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Yveltal-EX” set=”XY” no=”79″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Trubbish” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”35″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”XY” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Center Lady” set=”Generations” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ 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=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”13″]9x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”XY” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”9″][/card]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”114″ 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!
Creative Deck Winners
As part of every tournament, PokeBeach’s article writers voted for the five premium members whom they felt used the most creative deck lists, and each of them earned some additional booster packs or a promo product.
BKRapper, Coolpilot, Tomg713, Wil Yates and jbcheshire each walked away with several booster packs or a specially-selected Pokemon promo product from TCGplayer.com. These players used decks such as [card name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Dodrio” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Golduck BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”18″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Wailord-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”38″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Regice” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”24″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Swampert” set=”Primal Clash” no=”36″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Archie’s Ace in the Hole” set=”Primal Clash” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Xerneas” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”107″ c=”custom”]Rainbow Road[/card], [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Giratina-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] respectively.
Want to Become a Premium Member?
February’s tournament will be posted on February 1st, and January’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 packs, 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 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!
You can always check the “Sets” tab at the top of our website 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.)