waynegg
CotD Editor<br>Forum Moderator
Arceus has captivated many within the Pokemon community since its art was revealed publicly for the first time when the Diamond and Pearl expansions were about to be released. I know of a few who have been on pins and needles wanting to build a deck around it for the last two years. The Arceus Rule has minds racing to new ways to abuse the mechanic.
As a result, I find it only fitting to present, before Cities, a concept deck which looks to have good match-ups on paper so that some can see the new Alpha Pokemon's potential strategies and strengths from a slightly different angle and in a whole new light.
Deck Name: Proto-Arceus
Author: Wayne Eggert (waynegg)
Date:11/02/2009
Format: 2009-2010 Modified, DP-PA
Latest Set: Platinum Arceus
Deck List
Pokemon (22)
2 Arceus Lv. X
1 Arceus Lv. X
2 Arceus Dark
2 Arceus Fire
1 Arceus Colorless
1 Arceus Psychic
1 Ampharos
1 Flaaffy
1 Mareep
2 Claydol
2 Baltoy
2 Unown G
2 Rotom
Trainers (23)
3 Bebe's Search
3 Roseanne's Research
3 Felicity's Drawing
2 Beginning Door
2 Ultimate Zone
2 Lake Boundary
2 Rare Candy
2 Department Store Girl
2 Bench Shield
2 Lucky Egg
1 Luxury Ball
1 Looker's Investigation
Energy (15)
3 Darkness
3 Dark
3 Lightning
4 Fire
2 Psychic
Strategy
Quite simply, tech and conquer.
As I see it decks built around Arceus are an experiment with techs being the 100% focus of the strategy to win. Instead of fighting this built in synergy, you should embrace it when building and running the deck. Going against that flow just isn't practical when it can merge together so smoothly when all the parts come together.
First, you have the Luxury of building your own custom Pokemon with Arceus. Next you get to pick the type you want it to be and the attack you want it to have. Lastly, you decide how to tie it all together to become the assassin you are hoping for. This has never been possible before. If you don't understand let me explain a little.
You need to take note very early on to your opponent's main weaknesses and then exploit the weakness by Leveling your corresponding Arceus with the Omniscient Lv. X. This will make your Leveled Up attacking Pokemon the type your opponent is weak to while protecting you from weakness at all. I see the dark Arceus being most favored for this task as there is so much Gengar in my area it's ridiculous, while you may have Flygon prevalence so you would beef up your colorless line and so on with other meta. Then it becomes a simple task of using whatever attack it best suited from all the attacks any of your Arceus have.
This deck has the capabilities of being great, but paper match-ups and Redshark only go so far. It can't truly be proven and fully tested until it is out there in the trenches.
The List
Pokemon
Pokemon
[gal=49326] ArceusLvX [/gal]
Arceus Lv. X
Omniscient is what makes this custom Pokemon extravaganza possible. You level the type you want your attacker to be (80%+ of the time that will be the dark type) and then use the attack of any Arceus in play. This versatility allows you to counter any deck when played right as you will be able to exploit weaknesses in ways you have only dreamed of before. The range of this card can also create difficult decisions for the Opponent to consider throughout the game. It is definitely a game changing Pokemon, but to what degree is the question!
[gal=49157] ArceusLvX [/gal]
Arceus Lv. X
This Arceus fills the need for a secondary attacker that doesn't rely on weakness to go off. You still want this guy on your bench and use the attack via your attacker with the Omniscient Level Up in most occasions. Even if you are forced to bring it active and attack, you can easily move it back out of harm's way the next turn with the single Energy retreat cost all the Arceus share.[gal=49203] ArceusDark [/gal]
Arceus Dark
This guy's attack is great for the early game, after you have gotten everything set up, and your Rotom has bitten the dust. For just 2 energy Prize Count can dish out 60+ damage when behind. With the Arceus Weakness Trick that Omnicient brings to the table, this could allow you to rally back in no time!
[gal=49228] ArceusFire [/gal]
Arceus Fire
Bright Flame gives you an attack that OHKO's the Gengars you are bound to face with the Advent of Evil that is Gengar Lv. X. If you are facing a Grass or Metal Deck you may want to Level this one to be your attacker. Three energy for 80 isn't bad, especially when considering how this deck works on exploiting your Opponent's Weaknesses
[gal=49325] ArceusColorless [/gal]
Arceus Colorless
Most Arceus decks have the other colorless version in the deck for Energy acceleration. That's not even possible with this build which lets you concentrate on doing what you are supposed to be doing- attacking and taking prizes instead of making sure you have 6 different colors of Arceus in play. This guy was added in during the final hour as a Flygon counter which was nearly overlooked. I chose the Promo over the set because when you have to use the attack, at least the Energy can find its way back from the Discard Pile. The 10 additional HP are nice as well. This one would be an excellent candidate to Level Up with the Psychic Bolt Lv. X to reduce the retreat cost and give yourself an 'in a pinch' colorless attacker.
[gal=49164] ArceusPsychic [/gal]
Arceus Psychic
A tech you will find yourself using on occasions. With all the Psychic weak Pokemon in the meta it would have been a real oversight if one of these weren't in the deck to Level Up with. Many Nidoqueen techs, Gardevoir/Gallade, Mewtwo before they can Level Up, and Pixies will fall to the wayside when you have this ammo in your deck!
Ampharos
This Pokemon shuts off the Poke Powers on all of your Opponents Pokemon that has any damage counters on it. In my opinion, Damage bind is the most useful Poke Body in the history of the Pokemon TCG. With any luck, you can borrow the effect of your opponent's Broken Time-Space to get here quickly.
Flaaffy
The transition to Ampharos. When you aren't facing Nidoqueen, its Spark can help you to exploit its evolution's Body.
Mareep
Minor Errand-Running helps you build needed energy early, and with 10HP more than the alternative the Platinum version the obvious choice.
Claydol
Still the absolute best deck cycling tech ever. It's so good, I don't know anyone who refers to it as a tech anymore. It will only be fitting for Black arm-bands to be given out in the first League Kit next year to mark the passing of this super-tech's passing when it is finally retired.
Baltoy
Either version is fine since they both get you to Claydol. The Great Encounters card can provide you with a better start though, so unless you plan on teching in Miasma Valley pass on the purple pot.
Unown G
Protect your Active Basic when matching Machamp and your benched Powers when facing Gengar. This card is a must, so when you go making your variants, don't remove this card.
Rotom
Dual Trans plus Felicity's Drawing makes for a quick, happy set up. You can power up at least two, if not three, of your Pokemon before this sacrificial lamb is bar-b-qued!
Trainers
Bebe's Search
Get a needed Pokemon and make your hand smaller to maximize Cosmic Power's effectiveness
Roseanne's Research
With all the different Energy in this deck, it's a good thing we have a supporter like this. Search out the specific Basic Energy and the Basic Pokemon you need all at once!
Felicity's Drawing
Fuel your Rotom and draw four cards to speed up your deck. Still a great Draw option.
[gal=49245] BeginningDoor [/gal]
Beginning Door
This is where You get all your Arceus, Lv. X's and all. This cuts down on having to use Roseanne so much for Basic Pokemon which in turn makes running a four Energy Type deck even possible.
[gal=49238] UltimateZone [/gal]
Ultimate Zone
You need your Energy moved to another Arceus... well here ya go!
Lake Boundary
Take the Weakness exploitation to the extreme without the morning after side effects since Arceus Lv. X has none!
Rare Candy
It may be old, but I hope they never let this guy retire! This one card does so much for the game it really deserves its very own lengthy Feature Article.
[gal=49207] DepartmentStoreGirl [/gal]
Department Store Girl
Tools have always been, in my opinion, a marginal play as you have had to draw into them. Now that you can effectively search them out, you will be seeing a lot of this card.
[gal=49220] BenchShield [/gal]
Bench Shield
Amphytric without using up the Bench space on Manectric!
[gal=49174] LuckyEgg [/gal]
Lucky Egg
This will be best used early and attached to Rotom or another Pokemon you know is in danger of being knocked out the next turn. You should have a fairly empty hand early on in the game and it should max your draw. It will be a card of non issue toward the end so make sure to dump it early!
Luxury Ball
Luxury Ball is ever the essential. If there were awards for Pokemon cards, this one would have to be a front runner for Best New Staple of Year
Looker's Investigation
Any deck replenisher (Cynthia's Feelings, Team Galactics Wager, etc.) will work here. I just prefer to look at my Opponent's hand when I get the chance to.
Second String Options
Premiere Ball/Level Max
This could aid in Leveling up quicker and in recycling cards from your discard. I almost put Premiere Ball in my final build, but decided to try out Lucky Egg instead.
Palmer's Contribution/Night Maintenance
A more conservative play to put Pokemon and Energy back into your deck. Sometimes the best offense is a good defense after all. I am on the fence on how much it would be needed here.
Other Arceus Types
Your local meta may give rise to the need for other types. You have an absolute plethora to chose from as all 9 types are covered in this one set!
Honchkrow G
A good play to search out your Stadiums early on and to give yourself another decent starter. I found it to over complicate the deck and run it thin in other areas, so I omitted it from my deck.
Call Energy
This will help insure a complete set up early.
Double Colorless Energy
When released, these will be staple in every deck. This is one of the best cards in the history of the game. I am very glad to see thiscard coming back, giving you new guys a chance to use it in your decks!
Team Galactic's Wager, Cynthia's Feelings, Professor Rowan, etc
Other cards to refresh your deck with and empty a heavy hand. Each of them have their strengths. Pull out the old Wagers and you just might see some oponent's jaws drop right about now!
Super Scoop Up
To stem the two turn KO's from pounding you. With all the hard hitting Pokemon we have nowadays, this can be very helpful. Oh how we miss you Briney!
Matchups
Gengar 80/20 (65/35 with Nidoqueen)
Weakness plus Ampharos make this an easy match-up. Gengar will have a small window in the first couple of turns, but after that it should be smooth sailing. In fact, I built this deck with straight Gengar on my mind in the worst way. Gengar will never have a chance with all the surprises and traps this deck has in store for it. Could this deck be the one to possibly end Gengar's tyrannical reign? Only time will tell!
GeChamp 50/50
Your goal here is to take out the 2 Machamps as quickly as possible. If you are successful in this task, you can face it like a straight Gengar deck. you must be well prepared with your unown G's and bench shields to make it through the Machamp onslaught which of course can't always be accomplished. You will probably find the Psychic Arceus coming in handy here to that end.
Machamp 30/70
Throw all your Unown Gs at it ASAP! Be prepared to Level your Psychic Arceus. This is the roughest match up for this deck. You can win the match, but you will have to be very prepared for it mentally and have a streak of luck!
Flygon Variants 40/60
This is a good match up that will favor the Flygon Player a bit. If you play 3 to 4 turns ahead you can wind your way through the maze that Flygon presents you with. Most players will have problems with this game.
Speedrill 50/50
They both set up fast and hit each other hard. this would be like watching an old Heavy Weight boxing Match where the two fighters stand toe to toe in the middle of the ring while exchanging punishing blows!
Kingdra 55/45
This seems to be a fairly even match that could really fall either way. Both builds are speedy and hit hard. I think this match will be determined by each player's experience with the deck they are running. Edge the favor slightly to Arceus when attacking with your extra Ampharos.
Gyarados 60/40
Though Gyarados is fast, this Arceus should be able to rein it in with it's own speed and all its techs. I am tentatively giving this favor to Arceus because it builds the bench so fast, while Gyarados relies on not having to take all six prizes. With the Basics for its main attacker residing in the discard pile, the angry goldfish will run out of steam before this beast.
***Thanks to baby mario for proofreading, techs, suggestions, and edits.***
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