Going First?

[fuzzywuzzy229]

Hi everyone. Ever since I got back into the TCG, I've always disliked going first. I used to run Cursegar and then on to Vilegar and I really really don't like going first.I prefer to go second and be able to use my T/S/S. Does anyone else feel that way?

I guess the reason why the rules are the way is it is to prevent donks since if you can play your T/S/S from turn one, then donk decks would rule the format (I think). However, I was wondering why not just allow the 1st player to play their T/S/S but not allow them to attack for the first turn? It allows them to setup as well but they won't be able to kill anything. But then again, the disruption decks would completely take over by ruining the other player's hand even before they started playing.

[Ninja]

Well, if threy made it that way... then there would be no donk decks...

They made sabelye to pretty much set up, and donk first turn...

Sure it sucks to not be able to use your T/S/S first turn but thats the game haha
Maybe you should run call or sabeleye xD

[Yoshi-]

Do you run Call Energy?

[NoPoke]

I doubt the rule is to prevent donks. Much more likely it is to attempt to balance out the impact of winning or losing the coin toss.

[TheGeneral]

Originally Posted by fuzzywuzzy229

Hi everyone. Ever since I got back into the TCG, I've always disliked going first. I used to run Cursegar and then on to Vilegar and I really really don't like going first.I prefer to go second and be able to use my T/S/S. Does anyone else feel that way?

I guess the reason why the rules are the way is it is to prevent donks since if you can play your T/S/S from turn one, then donk decks would rule the format (I think). However, I was wondering why not just allow the 1st player to play their T/S/S but not allow them to attack for the first turn? It allows them to setup as well but they won't be able to kill anything. But then again, the disruption decks would completely take over by ruining the other player's hand even before they started playing.

Flash Bite/2nd Flash Bite/Turn/Turn/Poke-Blower/Turn

T1 donk, no attack. Shuppet would rule haha

[Regis_Neo]

Originally Posted by NoPoke

I doubt the rule is to prevent donks. Much more likely it is to attempt to balance out the impact of winning or losing the coin toss.

The only problem is, this balances it in favor of the person losing the coin flip imo; unless you're using the beforementioned Sableye or that Smeargle from whatever set with the Poke-Power, whoever is first gets to attach and pretty much pass or deal some light attack for almost nothing on most Pokemon (or on occasion, whiffing into Call to use its effect, etc). This is in comparison to the enormous advantage the person going 2nd has, which is basically just a regular turn, and gives them the donk potential.

So imo, something needs to give. Letting the person going first use EITHER supporters or trainers would at least allow them to be somewhat competitive for that first turn.

[Kayle]

I like that both players can use trainers and supporters but cannot play or use anything that effects their opponent until the second turn has started. That seems like a good plan to me.

[Barkjon]

I think supporters first turn would be nice, no trainers. Donks would increase because of trainers T1 (Machamp t1 plus candy says hi.)

[Kayle]

Originally Posted by Barkjon

I think supporters first turn would be nice, no trainers. Donks would increase because of trainers T1 (Machamp t1 plus candy says hi.)

hunter T1 lololol

[Deoxys Cool Form]

Hunter can only do bench Pokemon, I think anyway.

[Barkjon]

Originally Posted by Kayle

hunter T1 lololol

Oh ya, good point.

We could block Hunter from being played T1?

[Kayle]

Originally Posted by Deoxys Cool Form

Hunter can only do bench Pokemon, I think anyway.

I thought I saw someone demonstrating a Hunter-based deck where they picked up their active sometimes...

[Deoxys Cool Form]

Hmmm I really want to know now lol

[baby mario]

Originally Posted by Kayle

I thought I saw someone demonstrating a Hunter-based deck where they picked up their active sometimes...

Probably, cos theorymon on unreleased cards is even less accurate than it is normally.

According to Pokebeach . . .

Hunter - Supporter

Each player returns 1 of his or her Benched Pokemon and all cards attached to it to his or her hand. You return your cards first.

[Ninja]

Well... kinda going off topic :/
You could use hunter :D
if they have 2 pokemon use hunter, then use the new Drifblim to win xD
That would be the cooliest win evar! :P

[honchvire]

Originally Posted by Ninja

Well... kinda going off topic :/
You could use hunter :D
if they have 2 pokemon use hunter, then use the new Drifblim to win xD
That would be the cooliest win evar! :P

How do you propose getting 3 energy on a Driftblim T1, when you've already determined that your supporter to be used is Hunter?

You also need a rare candy or a BTS to get the Driftblim out. In order for this to work your opening hand would have to be something like:

Driftloon, Drifblim, Psychic, Psychic, Hunter, Regice, Uxie. And BTS as your top deck.
Then you better hope for Energy, Jirachi UL, and Shaymin UL off of one of your two Uxie Drops.
Regice Discards Psychic, Stardust Song with Jirachi, Celebration wind to Drifblim, Attach energy and Carry Away.

That or a bunch of Energy Pickups instead of Jirachi+Shaymin. That is the only way I could see that happening T1.

Anyway, back on topic.
I had the situation once explained to me that the player going first does have some advantages. They get the first energy drop, the first attack, and will get to evolve or level up their Pokemon first. So to give the 2nd player a fair shake, the first player's turn is nerfed a bit to make up for it.

However, these days there are so many different powers, T/S/S etc that can let the player going second overtake the slight advantage given to the first player. Things like Rare Candy/BTS/Level Max, Energy Pickup/Energy Gain. This is good and bad in my opinion, as after the first turn by both players, each deck should be around even footing, but going first can be darn scary since you don't have access to everything you need to keep from getting donked.