Tweaking with Zapdos ex...

[TrueGamerX]

With the current release of EX: Deoxys, there have been a few changes to the metagame. The hyped Salamence ex has been floating around, along with Boost Energy and Crystal Shard being released to balance the format a bit with Dark Dragonite and among the other decks. Nevertheless, some decks have been weakened and has grown a bit. One of these decks, in particular, is Zap-Turn-Dos. From my experience with Zapdos, I have learned its quite a strong and fast deck plain and simple. But does have its weaknesses like any other deck. Not all decks are perfect when it comes to efficiency and consistency but at least some are close to perfection (maybe).

Overall, Zapdos relies on speed and that famous Turn Two game winning advantage. But it somewhat relies on that perfect set up. If it get delays somehow, either Blaziken, Dark Dragonite or its main weakness Dark Ampharos can take great advantage over it. Zapdos can't really last mid to late game against like say Blaziken. But with the help of the new Electrike and Manectric ex, there may be some hope to keep Zapdos consistent with limits. So I'll try my best to break it down with the best of my ability to set Zapdos right with a good amount of Pokemon, the right drawing Trainers, and a stable number of energies.

I'll start with of course the Pokemon. Heres the list I came up for the Pokemon.

Pokemon: [17]
4x Electrike (EX:DX)
4x Voltorb (HL)
4x Zapdos ex
2x Electrode (HL)
2x Elekid (SS)
1x Manectric ex (EX:DX) / 1x Electrode ex (FR/LG)

IMO, 4/4 Voltorb/Electrike isn't enough to get that turn two advantage. Since we have more Pokemon to work with that have that similar searching deck for energy attack, we might as well use them all. The Elekids are in there for better leverage and a better chance to getting that setup. It also reduces the chances of getting that Turn 1 Zapdos only basic pokemon. I may consider raising the Elekid count to 3 after testing.

Manectric ex is a great ex pokemon don't get me wrong. But having 5 or 6 EX pokemon in a deck, is risking a lot. I do feel that Electrode ex is better, considering that Mex is Desert Ruins bait. The second attack sucks really bad. 80 to any pokemon, thats awesome! Discard all energies, WHAT! Even though the first attack is real good, its still risking a lot. I would say Electrode ex would be better, like say late game when you have a good amount of energies in play, you can always just come back with a boat of damage. But the two seem good in their respected situations. Furthermore, I wouldn't consider putting 2 Mex in though.

Now on to the Trainers and Energy...

Trainers: [26]
4x Pokemon Reversal
4x Dual Ball
4x Steven's Advice
4x TV Reporter
3x Super Scoop Up
2x Mt. Moon
2x Lanette's Net Search
2x Strength Charm
1x Pokemon Retriever

Energy: [17]
17x Lightning

Here we have room for good drawing. With more drawing, you more than likely gonna draw a Dual Ball or a Zapdos ex, so Lanette's Net Search isn't needed all that much. I would try to fit in Crystal Shard somehow, maybe by replacing Strength Charm. And finally with 17 energies, I think its a good balance from all the parts.

Questions, comments, and opinions are appreciated!

PS: I apologize for the Wooper post.

[ShawofMordor]

That's pretty close to my list man. Shard is a life saver when you can surprise them with a OHKO to their Draggy with three Darks on it.

Consider Space Center because while Moon can stop a lot of Pokemon, Wobbufett is a big danger to Zapdos.

Also, Rayquaza tech is cool. 14L/3R energy.

[mollymotes]

-1 pokemon reversal.
-1 lightning energy
+2 shard you know why boober seriously you will need it. Lets say you dont get zapdos mid game but turn two against dark drag. They will maybe if stupied enough play desert ruins. Idk lol. Anyways 70 just wont cut it for one turn and you know if he/she <for marks sake has 2 dark dragonites with like 3 dark energies already you know search one turn atth search or atth anyways that wont cut it but if you just do attch shard bam discard one energy knock out. It will help so there went 3 dark energies they aint gettin them back no extra damage added. So do as youw ill you will have the occasional not well planned out dark draggy and sally. But you and I both know 2 ppl will automatically play dark drag. Plus ray ex come on daniel. Remember you had two good match ups against blaziken decks. But if you had shard in there at the timie wouldnt you put it in there. of course. And thats not really a wooper post wooper really goes into depth about why to use or not use a card. My post is just a piece of hair of a wooper post

[Jim Ferrell]

Very nice, pretty standard, here's my list:

Pokemon: 17
4 Zapdos ex
4 Electrike (Deoxys)
4 Voltorb (Hidden Legends)
2 Electrode (Hidden Legends)
2 Elekid (Sandstorm)
1 Electrode ex

Energy: 17
17 Electric

Trainers: 26
4 Dual Ball
4 Pokemon Reversal
3 Steven's Advice
3 TV Reporter
3 Lanette's Net Search
3 Super Scoop Up
2 Crystal Shard
2 Mt. Moon
1 Strength Charm
1 Space Center

~Jim

[SlimeyGrimey]

Originally Posted by mollymotes

-1 pokemon reversal.
-1 lightning energy
+2 shard you know why boober seriously you will need it. Lets say you dont get zapdos mid game but turn two against dark drag. They will maybe if stupied enough play desert ruins. Idk lol. Anyways 70 just wont cut it for one turn and you know if he/she <for marks sake has 2 dark dragonites with like 3 dark energies already you know search one turn atth search or atth anyways that wont cut it but if you just do attch shard bam discard one energy knock out. It will help so there went 3 dark energies they aint gettin them back no extra damage added. So do as youw ill you will have the occasional not well planned out dark draggy and sally. But you and I both know 2 ppl will automatically play dark drag. Plus ray ex come on daniel. Remember you had two good match ups against blaziken decks. But if you had shard in there at the timie wouldnt you put it in there. of course. And thats not really a wooper post wooper really goes into depth about why to use or not use a card. My post is just a piece of hair of a wooper post

wow. I honestly don't understand a word of this post.

anyway, I haven't actually used zapdos post-deoxys, but here's my present list:
//NAME: Untitled Deck
18 Lightning Energy
1 Pokémon Retriever
1 Crystal Shard
2 Strength Charm
3 Super Scoop Up
4 Pokémon Reversal
1 Mt. Moon
2 Space Center
3 TV Reporter
4 Steven's Advice
3 Lanette's Net Search
4 Dual Ball
2 Electrode HL
1 Electrode ex
4 Voltorb HL
4 Electrike DX2
3 Zapdos ex