Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Can you win with only DP cards?

M

Martian

Member
Greetings everyone,

And please be kind to this Poke-newb (ex-M:tG player.)

So the whole family (Mom, Dad, and two sons) are now playing Pokemon starting with DP.

That seems to be our problem, what few ex series cards we have so far tend to go into my Senior division son's deck as he seems to have the most 'talent' and chance at winning those scholorship funds.

So without DRE, scrambles, Celios, or cards with 'Holon' in their title, etc (or maybe only one or two) we are at a big disadvantage. Where can the three "master division' members in the family try to focus their resources and at least be competitive with the 'big money' decks run by Mr. Suitcase?

We've bought all the pre-constructed starters so far and received 36+ pop 6 player rewards a few days ago. (Lots of Blastiodon, Rampardos & Lucarios!)

Please help point us in the right direction.

A confused Poke-Dad.
 
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It doesn't really matter. You could get Mysterious Treasure and Secret Wonder boosters (which all come after Diamond and Pearl). Those would help up your game. Or you could use the cards you have. I only use cards from Diamond and Pearl up and I do fine. I guess it's not what you've got it's how you use it.
 
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Can you win with only DP cards? No.

But you can probably do decent if you based something around a DP card, and added in rares from other sets. ie: Infernape DP + Delcatty PK. ( though this isn't a good choice anymore)
 
Some of the good EX-series trainers can be replaced with DP cards that might be better in many cases, or just a little worse than the card.
  • Holon Mentor - Roseanne's Research (Secret Wonders)
  • Celio's Network - Bebe's Search (Mysterious Treasures)
  • TV Reporter - Professor Oak's Visit (Secret Wonders)
  • Copycat - Professor Rowan (Diamond and Pearl, Secret Wonders)
DRE/Scramble can't be really replaced with any card DP-on, but they can be found in multiple sets such as:
  • Scramble - POP4, Deoxys, Dragon Frontiers
  • DRE - POP5, Emerald, Crystal Guardians
  • Boost - Aquapolis, Deoxys, Unseen Forces, Dragon Frontiers, POP5
There are many EX-series cards that haven't been reprinted in DP-on sets. To maximize your chances of getting some, maybe you could use this information to see if there is a specific set that has more trainers that you might could use and buy those packs.
  • Rare Candy - Sandstorm, Emerald, Holon Phantoms, and POP5
  • Steven's Advice - Power Keepers
  • Castaway - Crystal Guardians
  • Cessation Crystal - Crystal Guardians
  • Great Ball - Fire Red/Leaf Green, Delta Species, Power Keepers
DP-on sets have a few trainers that are just the best card in it's field and should be a card to get your hands on for it's good use:
  • Night Maintenance (Mysterious Treasures)
  • Quick Ball (Mysterious Treasures)
Together, all these trainers, mixed in with anything you can trade for, should be able to do decently at tournaments. But people will the good EX-series trainers will have an advantage. You might check eBay.com if you want to buy trainers online.

Good luck!
 
I dunno. You could play 4-4 lucario and 4-4 medchamp. 4 potion 4 pokedex handy 4 poke ball 3 professor rowan..........
 
Your best bet is to buy singles on ebay or other websites. Most, if not all, pokemon being used in decks are DP-on, it's just some trainers that are pre-DP.

I would order playsets of trainers online, or trade for some at league. Get sets of all the trainers you see that are popular.

Check out the deck help section, too. You can see not only what kind of trainer engines are popular, but we can help your decks out and tune them to get the right trainers you need.

I wouldnt bother trying to buy packs from old sets where the only real value is in the trainers. Get new packs and trade for old stuff, or buy singles of old trainers/energy.
 
I feel for you as I was in the same case a couple years ago. 2 daughters and I knew nada. Trades are your best bet at leages and the forum here on the gym.
 
Our family started not to long ago. I've got to agree with others that buying singles is hands down the most cost effective way to build decks. Conversely buying starter decks is the best way to get basic energy and can net you a few good trainers. All the DP on stater decks have something of value in them IMHO.

If there is one set that has a *lot* of what you need that might be the only time I might consider investing in packs ... for instance I bought a box of DS last year to get the trainers & a number of specific pokemon we wanted. That worked out for us but in general it's not a good idea.

Prime's post has a lot of specific good info.
 
It's possible I think to win without DP cards currently in this format, but it will be undoubtedly hard. Next format though, you'll be in perfect position since the format will be DP-On more than likely.
 
Prime said:
Some of the good EX-series trainers can be replaced with DP cards that might be better in many cases, or just a little worse than the card.
  • Holon Mentor - Roseanne's Research (Secret Wonders)
  • Celio's Network - Bebe's Search (Mysterious Treasures)
  • TV Reporter - Professor Oak's Visit (Secret Wonders)
  • Copycat - Professor Rowan (Diamond and Pearl, Secret Wonders)
DRE/Scramble can't be really replaced with any card DP-on, but they can be found in multiple sets such as:
  • Scramble - POP4, Deoxys, Dragon Frontiers
  • DRE - POP5, Emerald, Crystal Guardians
  • Boost - Aquapolis, Deoxys, Unseen Forces, Dragon Frontiers, POP5
There are many EX-series cards that haven't been reprinted in DP-on sets. To maximize your chances of getting some, maybe you could use this information to see if there is a specific set that has more trainers that you might could use and buy those packs.
  • Rare Candy - Sandstorm, Emerald, Holon Phantoms, and POP5
  • Steven's Advice - Power Keepers
  • Castaway - Crystal Guardians
  • Cessation Crystal - Crystal Guardians
  • Great Ball - Fire Red/Leaf Green, Delta Species, Power Keepers
DP-on sets have a few trainers that are just the best card in it's field and should be a card to get your hands on for it's good use:
  • Night Maintenance (Mysterious Treasures)
  • Quick Ball (Mysterious Treasures)
Together, all these trainers, mixed in with anything you can trade for, should be able to do decently at tournaments. But people will the good EX-series trainers will have an advantage. You might check eBay.com if you want to buy trainers online.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Very nice summary. (needs Time Space Distortion too sadly )

I'd add that you won't be at a disadvantage by restricting yourself to the D&P series Pokemon. In a few more months I expect all the EX series Pokemon to be consigned to the binder.
 
Don't buy Booster from older set, just buy singles.

here's a ready and healthy "must buy" list:

4 Double Rainbow energy
4 Scramble Enerrgy
4 Boost energy
4 Rare Candy
4 Celio's network
4 Cessation Crystal
4 Windstorm
3 Castaway
3 Tv reporter
3 Steven's advice
3 Great ball
1 Strenght charm
1 Buffer piece

with those card you shouldn't have problems building 90% of competitive decks arising in metagame.


Some mopre usfeull cards (not 100% needed but still nice to have):

3 Holon energy FF
3 Holon energy WP
2 Prof Birch (ya, really!)
3 Heal energy
2 Cylcone energy
1 Holon castform
2 Holon mentor
4 energy Removal 2


hope this helped!
 
Gatsu said:
4 Double Rainbow energy
4 Scramble Enerrgy
4 Boost energy
4 Rare Candy
4 Celio's network
4 Cessation Crystal
4 Windstorm
3-4 Holon Mentor
3 Castaway
3 Tv reporter
3 Steven's advice
3 Great ball
2 PlusPower
2 Strenght charm
1 Buffer piece
1 Time-Space Distortion
Click to expand...
Fixed :thumb: Please keep in mind though that those cards can be kind of expensive... Beleave it or not, those are just the back up cards. Rampardos and Lucario is actually a good combo. Try to build that if possible since you seem to have the right cards. Another good (and kind of cheep deck) is called t2k. Just use 4 kriketune and 4 kricketot with a bunch of the trainers listed above that can search for pokemon (and 4 quick balls if you have them). The deck can win and its fun to use (IMO).
 
The only thing you'll need to do well are a few pre-diamond and Pearl supporters like Celio's Network and Castaway. I also think you need to focus on getting a few tool cards. To answer your question: It will be very difficult to win in the Master's Division with an improperly built deck. The Senior's Division is much easier -you mad the right move there. Just don't forget that you can (as of the last time I checked) transfer Scholarship $$$$. Unfortunately, most tournaments don't offer scholarships. Well anyway, good luck!
 
Thank you all for your input and suggestions.

I really appreciate the cross reference from the old to new replacements of those supporters I see played against me repeatedly.

Actually I've managed to do pretty well acquiring some of the cards you've all suggested.

I even somehow managed to pull TWO Time Space Distortions out of the store we play league in.
(Pulls were about a month apart and my 11 yr old is now using one in his deck.)

Ok, maybe my problem has been in my trainer/supporter line?

I've been running 21/23/16 using Empoleon (4/4/4) with Mantyke/tine (3/2) for the free retreat.
I've tried various other lines as well including Lucario though I just picked up a Lucario X this weekend and might try again. Faster setups keep killing me! (Lots of Garchomp/Blissey locally.)

Any thoughts on synergy between Bronzong/Empoleon?

With Cities starting soon and the seeming popularity of Penquins here on the boards I’m thinking of giving Empoleon one more try.

Pokemon: (23)

Empoleon line: 4/4/3/1
Lucario line: 3/3/1

Or drop a Prinplup and the EmpX for the ONE and only one Skitty/Delkatty I have?
Or perhaps remove those same two and spot in a couple SW Stantler, Smeargle(?) or Corsola?

Energy: (16)

DRE 1 (all I have)
Multi 2
Boost 1
Water 6
Fighting 6

So now we have 21 slots for Trainers/Supporters which I usually run in groups of threes.

Celios (Get it now!)
TSD/Night Maint/Energy Restore (1/1/1 Get it BACK!)
Bill’s Maintence/TV reporter (2/1 Draw)
Rare Candy (Get BIG!)
Master/Dusk ball (1/2 Double draw)
Warp Point/Switch (2/1 Get outta there!)
The 3 Professors (Rowan, Oak, Cozmo) (Reset & draw.)

Think I can break .500?
 
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Might I suggest posting your deck in the deck help section. It might get more help that way.
 
Coming to this site is going to help you so much. My family was in a similar boat at this time last year. It sounds like you are making smart choices with the new DP cards and I just have to second what everyone else has said - get some trainers from sellers here or on eBay. We do the same thing - my Junior division sons have 'dibs' on all the cards and then Mom and Dad make decks with the leftovers. They have a much better shot at winning. And if your son does start winning - he will win more cards. That helped us so much last year. My son won 3 Cities and placed second at States. He won so many cards and that gave us many more options for building and trading.

And for the Delcatty - I just 'rediscovered' this past weekend that one of the Power Keepers theme decks (the one with Mightyena called Dark Blast) has some Skitty and 1 Delcatty. You can often find these 'older' theme decks for a reasonable price (<$10) and you will get four Darkness energy and some decent trainers (1 Scott, 2 Energy Removal 2, and 1 Master Ball).
 
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