Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

The Cover 2 Defense: Best in Intimidating Snow.

I'm from the North Texas area, which is the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

Expert belt is a tricky card. It takes courage and calculation to play with. Expert Belt isn't a card you can just play when you draw. I've played Abomasnow with Manectric PL and Steelix SF late last year. I was one of the vast 5-2's at last years regional that didn't t-16 in Houston. The one thing that keeps me from top cutting more is the fact that for some reason I get one game every tourney where I get a hand that I wouldn't wish on people I hate.
 
I understand your deck compeletly, and i dissaggree, if you spread early, you force them to use their garchomps powers to save the pokemon on their bench, or they waste their poketurns, eithe way they are limiting the number of times they can garchomp, which late game can and will hurt them.
Draging up something early with zangoose forces the unown g play on dialgia, which means they defen for 10 damage...lol

what i dont see is the flygon matchup, a zangoose play only causes a trade off of prizes, machamp/flygon, both oHKO you zangoose

But great deck super scoop ups would be just the best tech honestly...like "heads, imma pick all of this up"
 
Expain how flychamp is "very favorable" towards your deck? How is power swing not OHKOing your zangoose and masqerain? How is machamp not taking out your zangoose? Also how is kindgra "very favorable" towards your deck? Its nothing but water pokemon so abamasnow can't spread.....it does 60 (accounting for expert belt and bodies cancelling out) for 1 compared to your 50 for 1. Neither of you are hitting weakness. And kingdra 2 hit KOs masqerain and 3 hits abamasnow. While 3 hitting is bad, abanasnow can't do anything until they have 3 energies attached so the trade back and forth is in their favor. I don't think a single one of your matchups are legitimately rated.
 
Muk Man said:
I understand your deck compeletly, and i dissaggree, if you spread early, you force them to use their garchomps powers to save the pokemon on their bench, or they waste their poketurns, eithe way they are limiting the number of times they can garchomp, which late game can and will hurt them.
Draging up something early with zangoose forces the unown g play on dialgia, which means they defen for 10 damage...lol

what i dont see is the flygon matchup, a zangoose play only causes a trade off of prizes, machamp/flygon, both oHKO you zangoose

But great deck super scoop ups would be just the best tech honestly...like "heads, imma pick all of this up"
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Here's the thing with zangoose. Zangoose isnt even played until it's needed. So, Zangoose isn't as big as a liability. Zangoose isn't the deck. I know people are focusing on Zangoose. You may give up a KO, but if it's to prevent Flygon to hit the field, then it's worth it. Masquerain is the kryptonite to the Machamp. It's all about how you use it. I don't usually have Zangoose out there until it's needed. So, it won't be a liability.

facism101 said:
Expain how flychamp is "very favorable" towards your deck? How is power swing not OHKOing your zangoose and masqerain? How is machamp not taking out your zangoose? Also how is kindgra "very favorable" towards your deck? Its nothing but water pokemon so abamasnow can't spread.....it does 60 (accounting for expert belt and bodies cancelling out) for 1 compared to your 50 for 1. Neither of you are hitting weakness. And kingdra 2 hit KOs masqerain and 3 hits abamasnow. While 3 hitting is bad, abanasnow can't do anything until they have 3 energies attached so the trade back and forth is in their favor. I don't think a single one of your matchups are legitimately rated.
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Machamp isn't taking out Zangoose because I don't place it out in the situation unless I just ko'd a Flygon/Vibrava. Flygon doesn't OHKO Masquerain because Masquerain is so fast to charge up and get going that it doesn't get a chance to. Please keep in mind that Masquerain takes -40 to Machamp. With Kingdra, not all the pokemon in Kingdra are water. You may not be able to spread the kingdras, but you can hit the Claydol and Uxies that are just laying there on the bench. Keep in mind that "Snow Play" does have base damage. So, it's hitting the active Kingdra. The thing about kingdra is that it doesn't do well when it's being hit as well. With it taking three turns to KO abomasnow, it can easily get those prizes, even with buffer pieces. Masquerain are used to soften up the Kingdra.

For the record. I have yet to lose against Flychamp. Its played that deck the most. It's never lost to Kingdra either. I've played hi-level competition with it.
 
Jaeger said:
How do you not scoop to queen?
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Two reasons.
1. The deck isn't all about spreading. Nidoqueen's damage isn't adding up just as my damage isn't adding up. Here's a little known secret. Abomasnow has a second attack. (But don't tell anyone :cool:)
2. Scooping is for losers. :thumb: DON'T GIVE UP KIDS! :cool:
 
So, what does that do? (Where have you been Chris?)
I have been playing Flygon Queen all year, with a heavy 2-1-2 line at that. Thus I don't feel threaten by this thing at all. Random non retreatable Queen, I understand your thought, but. I can't tell you how thick Warp Energy are these days though.

At this point, Garchomp C seems to be the bigger issue though and more frequent issue though.
 
Ummm...Dialga will just Deafen for a couple turns and then Warp-Heal Breath and start Remove Losting everything for 100, ignoring Bodies. You seriously can't win that one, especially when you 3HKO a Dialga at best with Masquerain and Abomasnow can't do anything important without three Energy attached. The matchup is definitely wayyy out of your favor, let alone freaking even.

Luxray variants, especially Blaze, won't have a problem here either. Garchomp (which should always be with Luxray GL) heals off spread, once again, while Luxray kills off Masquerain and Snovers while Abomasnow just sits there trying to spread. If they play Blaze, then it can handle Abomasnow just fine in between Bright Looks.

Flygon is just too freaking big to hurt fast, especially if they play Queen. Once they get three Energy on Flygon, they will take 3+ prizes with it. And by the time you take it out, they'll have another.
 
JBowroxmysox said:
Ummm...Dialga will just Deafen for a couple turns and then Warp-Heal Breath and start Remove Losting everything for 100, ignoring Bodies. You seriously can't win that one, especially when you 3HKO a Dialga at best with Masquerain and Abomasnow can't do anything important without three Energy attached. The matchup is definitely wayyy out of your favor, let alone freaking even.

Luxray variants, especially Blaze, won't have a problem here either. Garchomp (which should always be with Luxray GL) heals off spread, once again, while Luxray kills off Masquerain and Snovers while Abomasnow just sits there trying to spread. If they play Blaze, then it can handle Abomasnow just fine in between Bright Looks.

Flygon is just too freaking big to hurt fast, especially if they play Queen. Once they get three Energy on Flygon, they will take 3+ prizes with it. And by the time you take it out, they'll have another.
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There are some argument for and against Dialga match up. The deafen lock can be broken if played right. SP decks are really a hard match up to defend against. But, it's not as bad as you're making out to be.

On the Flygon match up. This deck has yet to lose to flygon with a lot of testing against it. Flygon can't add up the damage to one shot Masquerain or Abomasnow. The deck doesn't let Flygon set up. They can't get the energy on the flygon on the simple fact that this deck is faster than flygon.

A lot of people are viewing this deck as one-deminsional when it's truly not. On paper, it appears that this deck will lose to certain deck. Once played, properly, it will turn some heads.
 
deredd04 said:
On the Flygon match up. This deck has yet to lose to flygon with a lot of testing against it. Flygon can't add up the damage to one shot Masquerain or Abomasnow. The deck doesn't let Flygon set up. They can't get the energy on the flygon on the simple fact that this deck is faster than flygon..
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For the bolded part - I can understand Abomasnow, where they effectively have to produce 140 damage to OHKO you (doable, mind you, with Champ X + Belt + 2 heads on Hurricane punch), but it's tough to pull with a Flygon. Masquerain has 100 HP with Belt, and an "effective" 120 with the body. You're telling me Flygon can't get four evos on the bench and a belt in play? This ties into the next bit, the italics...

The deck doesn't let Flygon set up - really? Do they just let their flygons sit out front taking damage from the get-go? Do they not run Spiritomb or Chatot (shoot, they could promote Uxie/Azelfs as chump attackers). Oh, I forgot, you run Zangoose, so you can Invite and Strike... assuming they don't Unown G anything. Your damage is minimal, really, even pre-Queen.

As Jbow said, once they get a Flygon with 3 energy, they're going to roll with it.

Edit: have you tested the Glaceon matchup? Glaceon and Leafeon don't take damage from Snow Play, and since they can pack Lake Boundary, Flareon, and Jolteon they can OHKO your attackers while still locking your powers after that!
 
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You guys forget about Buffer Piece. That's another -20 Damage. I'll defend my build as it's completely different to the Masquerain build. A heavy queen line can be a pain. Still do able, with 4 Blower and Zangooze unless you Unown G it. Chomp variants are easier as the regular chomp has 80 and OHKO with Gooze and Expert Belt, so they won't get to Level Up. If they Guard the Chomp then that's what Blower is for.

Spread is not dead by any means. It is hurt a lot but there are counters to the healers. A teched Spiritomb can surprise too. Blowers can be use to try and add an extra 10 manage which is another surprise. Adding Blissey to the Healers list is something that might hurt spread a lot but we still don't know how Great Pokemon are going to work.
 
Spread is Dead...
Chris, I know your builds are typically very solid and you have done very well with snowmonster in the past, and you would admit to matchup issues if you had them. This build has many issues. We see Snover...Spread.. A quick Snowmonster against a deck without answer to spread can beat many decks, no one denies that, but there are many decks and players who have solid strategies against spread that this just won't get the job done. I am missing the point with Masqquerain as a serious tournament deck. Zangoose causes problems against folks who carelessly put down pokemon... but who does that at the top tables. Claydol goes down, so does unown G.
....Long Live The Queen
 
Dialga variations just pwn this deck, so does Flygons... Those machups should be reestimated... They are too unrealistic for frontpage article...
 
Overall, awesome rogue deck. I think I understand everything you are saying, except that you are slightly favorable against dialga g. after deafean lock for 4-5 turns, you will not be able too do much. you don't run stadiums, so expect galactic hq in play. that's 20 damage no matter how many buffer pieces you attach or pokebodies you have. But that's about it. nice job posting something new for once on the front page.
 
The thing about Snow is that pound for pound I believe it's one of the best attackers right now. Adding many tools like Buffer Piece, Expert Belt, DCE when it comes out, it's own healing in Dawn Stadium + Health Energy, Cresselia Lv. X is very solid. I understand that with Healing being big in this format Spread has taken a hit. But like I mentioned there are ways around it.

The best way to get around those healers is to KO them. Which is why Blowers are key. Most healers still on the bench a then do there job. But analyze each healer and it can be counter.

Garchomp C: Whether it sits pretty on the bench or is attacking it can be OHKO with Zangooze + Expert Belt. Even it's leveled up, with Gooze's second attack, which has it's own spreading too and is a solid 50 attack. Plus it's own 80 Snipe attack is reduced by Snow. I love the Irony there.

Queen: Uxie does 60 + 30 for weakness is 90 + 20 Expert Belt + 10 Cresselia = 120. If it has it's own Expert Belt, Lucario GL can be teched for x2 Weakness. Or simply trade blows with Abomasnow's second attack.

Blissey: I've already started looking at basic fighting Pokemon that can OHKO it so it'll be doable.

I gave Pooka a run for his money last year at IL States finals when I didn't have my Claydol prized and he didn't have 3 Sp. Metals in play by T4. He had Blissey (PT) healing 20 damage from his guy and I still managed to take a game from him. I understand Garchomp C is upgrade from Blissey but I mentioned the counters for that. The more important reason I mention this is because all the Poke-turns and SSU that were available back then are there now so nothing has changed in that sense.

I ran a more spread version of Luxape for Nats last year and didn't fear the Queen last year. Don't fear it now.

The thing now is that Snow is probably going to be the best user of DCE, IDK yet I'll playtest it when the set comes out. Like deredd04 said people forget Abomasnow has a good second attack that can buy some time if needed.

The only real match-up I fear is Bees but I hear that is not as popular anymore with all the fire running around. Which yet another bonus for Snow since it counters Fire by itself.

I mention a lot of techs for all these counters to spread, and the thing is that I don't have to sacrifice any consistency for these techs as the deck has room for it all. It's just a matter what which gives it the hardest problem.

Last thought here, just imagine this -40 damage with Buffer Piece. Then another -10/-20 with Cresselia AND adding that on your opponent's side to add to your damage output. Spreading 40/20 to everything on bench, from a Stage 1 120 beast who can take 2 maybe 3 hits. If needed it can do it's own solid hit of 60 or 80. Having the ability to heal another 20 with Dawn Stadium + Health Energy is seriously nothing simply look by. Then the nastier thing is that it's ready for pretty much any counters you throw at it.

I mean the only way you could completely autowin it is if you put Chomp C, Blissey, Queen, Healers, and Bench Shield in one deck. Even then I may choose to simply go 80 a turn with my own healing so maybe it's not an autowin.
 
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Prodical_Fanboy: The deck is faster than Flygon. It's done it numerous times. The deck has not lost to flygon. I know it's hard to believe. With correct placement, Flygon can only do Power Swing. Yes, it can go for the heavy damage, but with something hitting your bench and taking away the power out of power swing. It loses steam.

You are correct, the damage may be minimal, but it's designed to minimize your damage as well.

And no. I didn't playtest against Eeveelutions because it's not ran here at all.

Ra2xse: Yes, Dialga variants would be advantageous against this deck because it stops the trainers and bodies. But, the matchup was Dialga/Garchomp. The matchups don't need to be re-estimated because they are correct enough. They are realistic because I did them in real life. (Especially the FlyChamp)

toradam: the deck is still pretty fast with the deafen lock. I only lose the buffer piece and experts.

SLOW DECK: The point of Masquerain is missed by a lot of people. Even the people I bea with it. People place down their pokemon when they don't realize that a Zangoose is coming. This game is more mental. This deck is more mental than it appears. It's all about how you play it. If you play it blindly, then it will lose. I don't believe that Spread is dead. It's only in a transitional period. Because of Queen, i forced the change of how the spread deck works.

louist200: okay... Below Zero one shots it. It's not hard to charge it up with Upper Energy in hand. It's not hard to take out Infernape using Snow Play. Remember, Infernape is weak to water.

chriscobi634: I like your idea on how you take spread. I mainly haven't gone that route because I generally don't have the cards to do so. Abomasnow vs Infernape is always a funny matchup to go through. It's usually the best strategist who gets it. And yes, when DCE comes back, you'll see a lot of weird things done with abomasnow, or decks in general.
 
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