Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Can Water Compete in a HGSS on Format?

G

Gyaradan

New Member
So, with all the hype surrounding Zekrom Donk and how fast it is, do you think that water decks such as Blastgatr will even be able to compete with it next format? If so, post your ideas and how YOU would tech to make a Zekrom matchup favorable for a water deck.
 
I think as long as Donphan and Reshiboar are popular, it has a chance. There was a really good thread on here about how the new format seems like it'll be like rock paper scissors as far as decks go.
 
I think water will be great this coming format. Reshiram, and Donphan are going to be HUGE with Donphan keeping Zekrom in place. So water has the advantage on the whole beating 2/3, and with Gatr you can match up against Zekrom. If playing Blastoise you can take pokemon using abilities off the bench for huge disruption against many decks (Emboar, Vileplume etc..) This format will be wide open with a variety of decks, at least in the early stages.
 
The problem with water decks is the lack of good basic/stage 1 attackers. It will make winning even matchups much harder. Clearly Speed Zekrom is an autoloss for any water deck, but I wouldn't consider Reshiboar an autoloss to water based deck due to it being fast and having a 1-shot abilty.
 
I'm going to say no for a couple of reasons-
tbh at least in my area a straight Reshiboar isn't gaining any popularity, and its playing a lightning pkmn.
Zekrom is faster than anything water.
Kingdra prime, the best pure attacker, loses to lightning and fire.
Blastgar, requires TWO stage twos to be setup and even though it has type advantage still loses to Reshiboar b/c it isn't as fast or consistent.
Seperior-Reuniculus,which i consider an awful deck, even beats water decks.
 
mewbreon said:
beartic. hes a donphan counter, and hes not lightning weak
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Can't wait for beartic. I'm curious to see what the english translations will be for his attacks when we get it, and if it really is as good as it looks. Hopefully, we'll get it next set... -crosses fingers-
 
It still is a shame Feraligatr Prime hasn't been dealt an awesome buddy to take advantage of Rain Dance with...Blastoise and Suicine/whatever gerbil are both too slow.
 
BlastGatr would be a great contender if it wasn't for the slow setup, I might try to build a HGSS-On format BlastGatr and test against ReshiBoar. BlastGatr is currently viable this format due to cards like Floatzel GL Lv X and Broken Time Space. Rare Candies are still great but the setup speed using them still isn't as fast as before the errata change was made to it. Hopefully a new water pokemon comes out next set that will compliment Feraligatr Prime a ton better, But I do love BlastGatr when I was playing it this season.
 
I've had some fun with Samurott paired with Gatr. It's not quick, but the ability to one shot anything is nice and damage reduction built in is always fun. You can also abuse Cleffa Stall and twins. I haven't tested it vs Zekrom yet, but I definitely see that being a problem. Maybe SamuGatr with Donphan tech'd for the ZPS matchup.
 
Don't focus on Blastoise/Feraligatr. Look at Blastoise/Floatzel. With a solid list, it hits the set up by turn 3. It even hits the set up by turn two every few games. It is definately just as fast initially as ReshiBoar, it can struggle a bit to recover once the third Blastois goes down.
 
Rock Paper Scissors


Reshiram > Zekrom > water > reshiram





Reshiram and Zekrom are going to be the two big attackers of the format imo.
 
What we will be seeing in the upcoming format is one of the greatest things out there.
Nothing is SO overpowered that it can beat everything. Many types will be good, and many things can counter decks that counter other decks.
Blastoise will beat Boar decks. ReshiBoar decks will beat Yanmega decks. Yanmega decks will beat Donphan Decks, Donphan decks will beat zekrom decks. Zekrom decks will beat blastoise. So on and so forth.
With this being said, a proper build and a good know how of how to run the decks, you can beat what beats you.

This format will be truly FUN.
And that is why I play the game.
 
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It's not that simple. Depends on the water deck, though the real good builds of any techable deck have adjusted to match ups. Zekrom shouldn't auto win any real good list that's water. It has too many flaws till catcher comes out. Fun tier 1-2 deck though.
 
Tylertyphlosion said:
Boar decks will beat Yanmega decks.
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How so?
Yanmega is weak to lightning Pokemon and it is possible to tech something, that stops its weakness....
Yanmega may be week due to OHKOs, but Yanmega is like Cinccino one of the Pokemons that can tech anything w/o problems, what makes it a great Deck.

-Darkmot.
 
ajhawk said:
Don't focus on Blastoise/Feraligatr. Look at Blastoise/Floatzel. With a solid list, it hits the set up by turn 3. It even hits the set up by turn two every few games. It is definately just as fast initially as ReshiBoar, it can struggle a bit to recover once the third Blastois goes down.
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Yes, and no.

Yes, Floatzel is faster than Feraligatr, being a Stage 1. But it's not by much, as you'll probably need at least 2 Floatzel in play for the combo to work beyond the first Blast.

No, Feraligatr covers Blastoise's weakness with a not-too-terrible attack and can survive for a turn or two against big attackers (like R@m) while you reset a Blastoise or more G8rs.

It's a tradeoff, and one that you really need to understand before you decide which build to try.

Personally, I like G8r more because of the weakness coverage and the not-terrible attack. Plus, the other G8r is a nice spread option if you're willing to abuse Rare Candy and run strange evolution lines.
 
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