Pow-Block/Spinning Tail Dark Tyranitar

[sdrawkcab]

What once was a rogue deck all of 6 months ago, has sprung to a Archetype to look out for: Pow-Block!

This deck was made famous by the all renown player and pokegym member pidgeotto_trainer who as most of you know by now, finished 2nd at Worlds 2005, defeating the legendary Yamato in t8! But thats enough about Ross, lets get on with the deck!

Article Title: Pow-Block/Spinning Tail Dark Tyranitar
Author: Mike M. (sdrawkcab)
Date: April 1st (this isn't a joke btw)
Format: Modified, HL-on
Latest Set: EX: Legend Maker
Contact: hot_shot190@msn.com

This is the list I have came up with after City & Provincial Championships, as well as a lot of play testing on apprentice.

Pokemon: 21
3 Dark Tyranitar TRR
2 Dark Pupitar TRR (80hp)
3 Larvitar TRR (light punch)
4 Jirachi DX
2 Pidgeot RG
1 Pidgeotto RG
2 Pidgey RG
1 Magcargo DX
1 Slugma DX (collect)
1 Electrode ex
1 Voltorb HL

Energy: 15
4 Darkness Energy
4 Scramble Energy DX
3 Heal Energy DX
2 R Energy TRR
2 Lightning Energy

Trainers: 24
4 Celio's Network
2 Holon's Mentor
3 Steven's Advice
2 Rocket's Admin
3 Rare Candy
3 Swoop! Teleporter
1 Protective Orb
2 Pow! Hand Extension
1 Switch
1 ATM Rock
1 Pokemon Retriever
1 Solid Rage

All righty then, Shall we begain with the pokemon?


This fella is our big hitter!
Being dark, allows him to take full advantage of darkness energy
(+10 for every darkness energy attached). This simple fact is what makes this deck so strong.

Grind:
This attack, for one energy isn't going to do much, only 20 damage, or 30 if it happens to be a darkness energy. For a stage two, but being able to attack at all with only one energy is rare! And once you start getting him powered up, you'd be able to do more then Bite off! My record this morning was a 210 damage attack to OHKO a Steelix (Grind with 4 "activated" scramble, and 4 darkness energy, 10 + 30 + 30 + 30 + 30 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 40 =GG)
I'll be getting to how I had so many energy on one Dark Tyranitar later on.

#2:
Spinning Tail:
Another very nice attack, doing 20 damage to every one of your opponents pokemon can be extremly devastating, even more so after a couple hits. This is best used when your opponent is playing with a fairly big bench, such as Ludicargo, but what truly makes this attack worthy is when you've got a couple darkness energy attack. No, no it dosn't add ten more damage to each of your opponent's bench, but it still adds 10 damage to your opponent's active pokemon. So with 3 darkness energy attached, you OHKO the active 50 hp pokemon AND doing 20 to all of your opponents pokemon. Very Evil Indeed!

Last but not least
Bite Off:
Okay, Okay, I know what your thinking, "5 energy?!? and HOW exactly am I going to get him charged up?!" well just hold on, I'll get to that soon enough. But for now, all you need to know is.....
70, or 120 if the Defending pokemon is an EX. 120! This Ohko's almost all of the ex's used by t-2 decks, Medicham, Esypeon, Scizor (with out metal energy), Zapdos, Ray, ect. ect. Even more with some darkness attached! including the now-famed Blastiose ex with only three darkness energy attached!

Next up, drum roll please!


You may have noticed how I like to pile a lot of darkness energy onto one Tyranitar to do loads of damage, well this my friends, is what we use to get em back.

At the cost of 2 prize cards, Electrode ex's power lets us take 5!!!!! Yes, 5 energy cards (special ones too _ from our discard pile to any of our non-ex pokemon! And since our Electrode here is our only ex....let the Extra Energy Bomb Begain!
So now you can attach all those dark to the first Dark Tyranitar, and not worry when he gets knocked out, since you can get em all back with a bang! =D
Yes Yes I know, 2 prize cards, that IS a big deal, but not only is it worth it (you'll make the ko's back) we've also got some cards to take advantage of those two prizes we just gave away, once again, I'll get to that later.
Moving on....


Used by Almost EVERY turn-2 deck, Jirachi is the card you want to start off with. Looking at top 5 and taking one, falling asleep, waking up, wishing star, just until you're completely set up, or until jirachi gets knocked out. (Remember, this deck isn't made to take the first prize, set up your Pidgeot and Magcargo line (if not prized) allowing Jirachi to be KO'd gives you an advantage, with the scramble energy, the Pow! Hand extension and the Solid Rage.

As for the rest of the pokemon, we have our Pidgeot and Magcargo lines. Tho the "original" Pow-Block list used at Worlds only had 1-1-1 Pidgeot, I personally feel 2-1-2 is needed for consistency, and speed. Even tho Battle frontier isn't as popular as it once was, 1-1 Magcargo allows you to have a search engine well your Pidgeot is down, or x2 searches when both are out! This allows for a very speedy set up, and better late game recovery.

Stratagy:
All righty, Starting with a Jirachi, is the best start for this deck, Swoop! Teleporter gives you just that much more starting consistency! ( you can find other images of these cards here in the image gallery)
Putting Jirachi to sleep for wishing star always has to possibility to not wake up between then end of your turn, and the start of your next turn (about 25%). Cards like heal energy, will wake him up, and give you that one energy needed to retreat, but it takes your energy placement for a turn. There is also 1 switch, but this is better used in late game situations (if for an example, your Magcargo gets Pow! Hand Extension-ed) Waiting until Jirachi gets ko'ed (knocked out) is your best choise the majority of the time. First you should set up ether a Pidgeot or Magcargo (most of the time Pidgeot, unless they played a battle frontier, or Marcargo is just that easy for you to get.) After you've gotten a searcher out, you can start getting a Dark Tyranitar ready for when Jirachi gets knocked out. (Be carful, sometimes this can happen by the second turn!)

By now, you should down on prizes 5-6, with a Pidgeot or Magcargo and a Dark Tyranitar. Since your down on prizes, you can use Scramble Energy which provide three of anything (including dark). So even if you don't have anything attached to Tyranitar, when you send him active, just quick search for a Scramble, and bam! you can use spinning tail. or grind for a quick 40. If you already have a scramble attached, quick search for a R energy and BAM! 130 to that EX. Oh? the ex isn't active? Well go find that Pow! Hand extension, and knock it out while they're still charging up, leaving your opponent starting blankly at you with teary eyes.

If your Tyranitar isn't ready, go ahead, send out another Jirachi, You CAN literally give away the first two prizes with this deck.

Okay, lets say you needed to give up two Jirachi before you could get set up, so its 6-4 your opponent, send up Dark Tyranitar, ko an EX 4-4, or you should be able to ko 2 non ex's.....
remember if they have a big bench, spinning tail is the way to go, if they have a couple big hitters, either de-energize them with Pow! or pow them up to OHKO them. Or if they don't have either, use what ever will be the fastest way to kill off everything they have Lets just say you only took two prizes with your first Tyranitar...so its 4-3 for your opponent (they ko'd 2 Jirachi and the first T-tar) this is where you make them cry! Start off by getting all your dark and Scrambles you've lost back onto the feild. (well up to 5 anyway) by blowing up your Electrode ex. so it's now 4-1. This is where you pow up the biggest threat, or de-energize the biggest threat, unless they still have a searcher, such as pidgeot or Magcargo....you want to KO those if they can't ko you next turn. Then use Rockets Admin, giving you opponent only one card! With out any searchers, there is very little they can do, and finish them off pounding away for 210 damage with grind. GG

Alright time for specific deck match ups! (ok ok, i'm not to sure on these so cut me a little slack? I'll update with changes as we debate, promise!)

Queendom: 60-40?
Okay, we all know that Queendom beat Pow-Block at worlds, but it isn't all that bad of a match up (even better now that Protective Orb is out :D). Save your heal energy for the toxic attack, and remember to use your Protective Orb since Tyranitar is Weak. Ko the Nidorans and Nidorinas as soon as you can, the more ko's you get in, the better. Spinning tail won't work, since queendom still plays the Milotic teck. Save the switch until you need it! All those Clutching Pidgeot & ottos can be quite annoying.

Rock Lock: 50-50 to 60-40 depending on the list
hmmm I beat one of the best rocklock players in the Semi-finals at a City Champ with this deck, don't really remember how tho. Watch out for Sand Damage T-tar, it will hurt your bench, and can OHKO your T-tar with out Protective Orb. Actually, Rocklock relays heavily on Rare Candy, so Spinning Tail & Atm rock should do the trick :) But remember, try not to rare candy, since they just might do they same to you.

LBS: 70-30
This is a favorable match up, Powing up the Blastiose and Spinning tail the bench is your best bet, T-tar can OHKO all of these guys with 3 darks and a scramble...120 +30 = sad sad LBS players

EspyCham: 60-4050-50 40-60 depending
Depending mainly on EspyChams start, this game can easily go either way. Timing is everything, and Protective Orb is a must, otherwise you're getting OHKO'd but be careful, With Magnetic Storm out, you might get caught with the orb in your pocket, since Espeon now does 90 for three.
The only sure way to win against this deck is to play test the match up 8 hours a day. *ahemvenusaurahem*

Dragtrode: 50-50 55-45 (version with snealsle ex ovb =p)
(or 100-0 if you're playing against mossy ;) )
This is a good, very even match up..closest one most of the time.As long as both players have a decent start. Watchout for the Sneasle, and or Mew ex. they can just come out of no where. Once they've gone threw they're energy you shopuld be fine, its a little to risky from them to use trode mew and sneasle ex....

Let them take the lead, set up a Pidgoet (do not use cargo enless you have to, it's justs a drag out taget) and a tyranitar. Normaly, the first jirachi will be knocked out around t-3. So have a second one ready if your not set up yet.
Only use trode in this match up if you have to. be very very carfully with that. It's best to wait untill They're outta energy so they don't come out of know where.
Thats what I learned from my game with mossy.

hmmm Those are the Big 4 that i've played against. If you feel another match up should be added, or if you have played against a match up, feel free to post your suggestion on the thread, and I'll be happy to add it!

From pokegym's own:
~Backwards

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[moza]

NOt bad, But I would suggest a 2-2 line of trode ex. Just me. GJ on the article!

Also with only 1 trode ex, and using it against LBS, if you don't kill the blastoise, they just switch, and Elemental Blast, so after you blew up the trode, they got 3 prizes, and you have no energy left on the field.

[spazcrackers]

ludi beats it if ludi's last prize isn't the game winning ATM rock,yeah...
-spaz

[Pidgeotto Trainer]

Originally Posted by spazcrackers

ludi beats it if ludi's last prize isn't the game winning ATM rock,yeah...
-spaz

Pow Block beats Ludi anyways if Ludi isn't running FIVE switchers. The ludi matchup is very good, they can't recover from multiple pows to Magcargo and spin tails. That game was only close because you ran Briney, Switch, WP AND 2 Articuno ex.

I don't like 1-1 Electrode and I really don't like R energy. Why use that when you have 4 Scramble? Another Pow and another Orb would be good too.
This needs the Holon engine, you have no way of searching basics. You need Voltorb, Larvitar, Larvitar, Slugma and Pidgey, you need Mentor. I took out the TVRs long ago for the holon engine.
I give Storm the edge in the matchup 55-45ish.

[sdrawkcab]

Originally Posted by Moss Factor

You should have done this, Ross.

Whats that saposed to mean? You didn't like it?

Originally Posted by moza

NOt bad, But I would suggest a 2-2 line of trode ex. Just me. GJ on the article!

Also with only 1 trode ex, and using it against LBS, if you don't kill the blastoise, they just switch, and Elemental Blast, so after you blew up the trode, they got 3 prizes, and you have no energy left on the field.

Anyone notice the pokemon retriver? It gets back the 1-1 Trode, and a lavitar that you might have swooped earlier on. Since cutting down to 1-1 trode, A) I start with voltorb less B) Trode dosn't take up space in the deck....
You rarly need to blow trode twice, tho in the game that you do, you can....(by the time you need to get energies back with trode you should have taken 3 prizes...so half the time either is prized, you'll already have picked it up.)

Originally Posted by icemelter1001

I agree with him^^^
Magmar is an excellent stater for this deck.Being able to discard multiple energy's making it easier to get set up faster.

I did play magmar earlier in the season (during CCs) Discarding energy to get set up is a good combo, but then i'd NEED to play 2-2 trode other wise the risk is to great. other reasons....
B) Jirachi > Magmar why? Magmar is straight draw, where as Jirachi lets you pick what you need most. Jirachi is a power thus using it during you turn allows you too take further actions with those cards where as Magmar can always be admined, copycated, Scitested? ect. ect.
C) Alot of the time when I did start with Magmar, I didn't have A) The nessisairy "attachable" energy too dump and draw B) Couldn't affored using those energies to dump and draw and C) Ended up getting admined, copycated, scientested, ect. ect.
Still, after personal humiliation and play testing I'd choose Jirachi over Magmar.

Originally Posted by Pidgeotto Trainer

Pow Block beats Ludi anyways if Ludi isn't running FIVE switchers. The ludi matchup is very good, they can't recover from multiple pows to Magcargo and spin tails. That game was only close because you ran Briney, Switch, WP AND 2 Articuno ex.

I beat papazit's Rocklock more often then his Ludi then again, he uses that dang Celebie for X Atm rock and switch and briney and......ect

Originally Posted by Pidgeotto Trainer

I don't like 1-1 Electrode and I really don't like R energy. Why use that when you have 4 Scramble? Another Pow and another Orb would be good too.

But weren't you the one who played 1-1 trode at worlds? 2-1-2 Pidgeot > 2-2 Trode IMO That what I put in for the trode instead....my other reasons for this are ^. R energy? I use R energy over DRE for Ovb Reason....but over another orb and other pow? Yes, a second orb is needed in this list (this is my apprentice list, where as my IRL list is slighty different on tech cards) For exemple, This list has Solid rage and 1 orb, where another has 2 orb...I would like to make room for a 3rd pow, R energy just seems so nice in the earlier stages of the game, for a quick spinning tail / grind when you're NOT losing, or if you where just ER2 ect. IF you have any suggestions for taking things out, I'm glad to here em'

Originally Posted by Pidgeotto Trainer

This needs the Holon engine, you have no way of searching basics. You need Voltorb, Larvitar, Larvitar, Slugma and Pidgey, you need Mentor. I took out the TVRs long ago for the holon engine.

You can fit the Holon engine in 2 slots?!? Wow you are a GOD :P I tried a few lists with Holon, it just didn't work for me. ( that was the FULL Holon's engine btw so thats why... ) I can see Holon's Mentor being more usefull then TVR, I'll give you that at least. [/quote]

Originally Posted by Pidgeotto Trainer

I give Storm the edge in the matchup 55-45ish.

Storm? .....yea maybe you should have written this

[Kempley05]

Originally Posted by sdrawkcab

Jirachi > Magmar why? Magmar is straight draw, where as Jirachi lets you pick what you need most.

Well Jirachi gives you a chance of 5, if Magmar draws 4, 80% of the time you'll get the card you would have got with wishing star, plus you get 3 extra cards, plus you've discarded the energy to bomb onto T-tar

[Kempley05]

Nice article, I have to say I prefer 2-2 trode as well, and what do you think of Magmar as a starter?

[icemelter1001]

I agree with him^^^
Magmar is an excellent stater for this deck.Being able to discard multiple energy's making it easier to get set up faster.

[Moss Factor]

You should have done this, Ross.

I give LBS a 90/10 in this, btw.

[bulbasnore]

Originally Posted by Moss Factor

You should have done this, Ross.

Keep recruiting writers Moss, esp. those with broad successful experience with a given deck. Meantime, Thanks to sdrawkab for writing and all of you for contributing your comments on the matchups and cards/strategies.

[Charizardian]

My god! Where's the stadiums?

And energy root could work here too....

[Flaming_Spinach]

Originally Posted by Charizardian

My god! Where's the stadiums?

And energy root could work here too....

No room.

And Energy Root can't be attached to Dark Pokemon.



I really like this deck. I won two cities with it, but when LBS started becoming popular, I dropped it to test other decks.

Backwards elcitra eciN

[sdrawkcab]

Originally Posted by Charizardian

My god! Where's the stadiums?

And energy root could work here too....

Where ARE THE STADIUMS?!?! In my binder and boxes and under my bed!
or in my brothers deck, i've forgoten.
The only stadium that REALY has an impact on this deck is Cursed stone, hurting both Pidgeot, Magcargo, aswell as jirachi and Electrode. The reason why I don't have any counter gyms.....
A) Can you find room for it?
B) you'll only be able to fit 1 or 2, so in the long run, you'll still be hurt by it.
and
C)All the decks that have closer matchs up against Pow-block, (ludi, medi) Don't/Can't use Cursed stone. And as of right now, there are very few decks that run it. *ahem* besides rogue

Energy root?!?

Originally Posted by sdrawkcab 2 seconds ago

Can you find room for it?

Back to back posts merged. The following information has been added:

Originally Posted by Flaming_Spinach

No room.

And Energy Root can't be attached to Dark Pokemon.

Backwards elcitra eciN

Beat me too it and
uoy knaht

Originally Posted by bulbasnore

Keep recruiting writers Moss, esp. those with broad successful experience with a given deck. Meantime, Thanks to sdrawkab for writing and all of you for contributing your comments on the matchups and cards/strategies.

!llewsa sknaht

I'm glad too see all these responces on this article, and to think, i was getting board on pokegym ever since the party ended

Still looking for a written ludi-match up....Still need to play test it some more...

[SuperWooper]

The Electrode ex line is too small, and R Energy isn't worth it when you have Scramble. Where's the Transceiver; where's the Scientist? Gatsu's list is closer to what I'd play.

[sdrawkcab]

Originally Posted by SuperWooper

The Electrode ex line is too small, and R Energy isn't worth it when you have Scramble. Where's the Transceiver; where's the Scientist? Gatsu's list is closer to what I'd play.

Where? WHERE!?! Have you read my arguments? lol
If you don't agree with my supporting arguments, please oh please argue my arguments
(I need pratice for english class =D)

[Poliwag92]

looks pretty good to me!

Nice Job

[PKM4]

How about a match-up vs. Dragtrode. I played at the California State Championships with a Dragtrode deck and I finished 5th. In round 6 I had to play William Hung and his POW! Block deck. It was a very close match, I only had one prize left and time was almost out. I think Pow! Block has a difficult match-up against Dragtrode.

[coolmanderzx]

Originally Posted by PKM4

How about a match-up vs. Dragtrode. I played at the California State Championships with a Dragtrode deck and I finished 5th. In round 6 I had to play William Hung and his POW! Block deck. It was a very close match, I only had one prize left and time was almost out. I think Pow! Block has a difficult match-up against Dragtrode.

yea I agree with you. Powblock does have difficulty only if its the speed version w/ 3-4 rocket's sneasals. His bench manipulation ability does mess up pow-blocks or any decks ability to set-up utilizing the holon engine.

[sdrawkcab]

at im_me:
I'ce already gave reasons for playing 1-1 trode, stating ytour opinion with out reason WON'T convience anyone to change there mind....

at kemply05:
You DO NOT draw 4 cards 80% of the time. Both statiisticly and after play testing, it just dosn't happen that often.
Enless you -4 jirachi + 4 Magmar -4 x + 2 energy + 1-1 trode...

PLease, if you're going to suggesting putting something in the deck, suggest taking out something aswell....if I could play a 68 card deck, I'd play 4 magmar 2 more energy and 2-2 trode....I don't see that happening.....

at PKM4:
As I said I've never played this match up as of yet, add me on msn and aim and if i'm not busy I'll be happy to play =D (that goes for anyone else aswell, but i'd need to call you)

[Kempley05]

Originally Posted by sdrawkcab

at kemply05:
You DO NOT draw 4 cards 80% of the time. Both statiisticly and after play testing, it just dosn't happen that often.
Enless you -4 jirachi + 4 Magmar -4 x + 2 energy + 1-1 trode...

My point was that if you draw 4 cards you'll get the card you would have got with Jirachi 80% of the time

[sdrawkcab]

Originally Posted by Kempley05

My point was that if you draw 4 cards you'll get the card you would have got with Jirachi 80% of the time

Ah, but that my friend is a BIG if. You know, IF I spent my entier paycheck on lottery tickets, 25% of the time I'd end up making a profit

[im_me]

I think you seriously need a 2-2 Electrode line.

[supertyranitar]

I agree with im_me. But, I think so because what if your Trode ex is prized? Or you discard it too early, something to that nature. 2-2 I think will be better off.

Also, 3 swoop IMO is a bit much, 2 is fine, You really want 3 Pow IMO, so you can have more options, maybe even 4, but that's just me.

[sdrawkcab]

Originally Posted by supertyranitar

I agree with im_me. But, I think so because what if your Trode ex is prized? Or you discard it too early, something to that nature. 2-2 I think will be better off.

Also, 3 swoop IMO is a bit much, 2 is fine, You really want 3 Pow IMO, so you can have more options, maybe even 4, but that's just me.

Someone who followed my rules!!! As I stated before, if used too early (I did that once....only once ) Theres pokemon retriver...

the reason for swoops are for t-1 jirachi, or pidgeot or both....and getting rid of jirachi later for lavitars...(extra ones in your hand that is)

[im_me]

Originally Posted by supertyranitar

I agree with im_me. But, I think so because what if your Trode ex is prized? Or you discard it too early, something to that nature. 2-2 I think will be better off.

Also, 3 swoop IMO is a bit much, 2 is fine, You really want 3 Pow IMO, so you can have more options, maybe even 4, but that's just me.

Yeah this deck does work better that way and the possibilities aren't that good of Trode being prized but still in a big matchup you might really need the trodes because it would really stink if you get out Magmar and Dump and Draw continuously and then found out that Trode is in the prizes. Everything looks solid to me except for maybe that. I might have to try this because I love Rocket decks.

Good Article