Ignatious
New Member
Tier 1:
Kingdra-
A deck that consistently pull off a Kingdra KO one the first turn that it is humanly possible, also allowing to set up KOs for later, or to KO a Claydol in a few turns, depending on the match up. The deck swarms effectively, and doesn't need energy attachments to stay in the game, in fact, many times it is better to not attach energy, to set up a KO attack that KOs with no energy requirements. Furthermore, discarding from the hand allows for more Uxie/Claydol draws, so searching for specific cards that you need, is much easier for this deck.
Regigigas-
A deck with only one bad match up, as I foresee Ramparados replacing Machamp in the up-coming meta. T2/3 Complete set up is not uncommon, in fact that is what the deck was built to do. Following the massive and early KOs is a Palkia, which destroys Claydol, and many decks that have relied on his support. Furthermore, Regigigas constantly discards a card from both the deck and the hand, which adds up to many, many resources being cut off, limiting any deck from its true potential. Dialga G LvX is also a necessary tech, which not only crushes Amphy, but helps out in many other major match-ups as well.
Dusknoir-
One of the few decks that dominate, a bad hand will generally lose to a well built Dusknoir deck, on any given day. Whiffing on energy WILL lose the game for you, as can whiffing on Unown Gs, along with overplaying your hand into Dark Palm, or being unable to remove basics from your hand to fight off Lumineon. So many things can go so wrong, an effective Dusknoir player forces their opponents into bad corners where misplaying is common. Even against a good player, if the Dusknoir player is better, you can count on him to trick his way into a victory.
Tier 2-
Ramparados-
A good deck, however slightly less consistent than Kingdra, and not as devastating, as it cannot hit the bench. It also damages itself, which allows for an easy comeback for decks such as Dusknoir. Regardless, this deck is in its own right, very effective. Turn one KO, even on a basic Gigas, or SP pokemon, is something that even Kingdra cannot effectively pull off, so credit there goes to Ramparados on being a heavier attacker.
Ampharos/Manectric-
Kills everything that is not prepared. Many techs can be used for fighting this off, but if not, sorry pal, but you will lose. No powers other than coming into play powers is devastating, many top decks fold at this point. Also, the type advantage it great, is sacrifices the match-up to Ramparados for an added boost against Kingdra, so without a T1 Kingdra, this deck should effectively beat it. The only thing keeping this deck from the top tier, is the huge amounts of Dialga, Crobat G, and Uxie that run around in nearly every deck.
Decks I do not believe are very good-
Torterra-
Sure, I'll give it the Kingdra match up, as resistance and good HP are crucial in terms of a powerful comeback. I, however, do not see it effectively beating Dusknoir without the options of a large bench, or poke-bodies (Dialga G LvX). I also do not see Torterra effectively defeating Regigigas, as Gigas KOs all of the support pokemon that Torterra needs to keep attacking. Furthermore, Ramparados has a huge advantage, 2HKO, and early kills at the beginning.
Abomasnow-
Although I think Grass decks may not be good, I do not doubt they will see play, destroying this deck completely. Also, the damage blockade isn't so effective in the up-coming format as damage output is increasing is nearly every deck, and Super Scoop Ups will see more play, as decks run from Dusknoir DP, and need to heal against Amphy, and to simply reuse Uxie's. This deck, while good, I think is now becoming burnt out.
Also, I have not tested either Blastoise or the SP pokemon, so I don't know where to put them at the moment.
Kingdra-
A deck that consistently pull off a Kingdra KO one the first turn that it is humanly possible, also allowing to set up KOs for later, or to KO a Claydol in a few turns, depending on the match up. The deck swarms effectively, and doesn't need energy attachments to stay in the game, in fact, many times it is better to not attach energy, to set up a KO attack that KOs with no energy requirements. Furthermore, discarding from the hand allows for more Uxie/Claydol draws, so searching for specific cards that you need, is much easier for this deck.
Regigigas-
A deck with only one bad match up, as I foresee Ramparados replacing Machamp in the up-coming meta. T2/3 Complete set up is not uncommon, in fact that is what the deck was built to do. Following the massive and early KOs is a Palkia, which destroys Claydol, and many decks that have relied on his support. Furthermore, Regigigas constantly discards a card from both the deck and the hand, which adds up to many, many resources being cut off, limiting any deck from its true potential. Dialga G LvX is also a necessary tech, which not only crushes Amphy, but helps out in many other major match-ups as well.
Dusknoir-
One of the few decks that dominate, a bad hand will generally lose to a well built Dusknoir deck, on any given day. Whiffing on energy WILL lose the game for you, as can whiffing on Unown Gs, along with overplaying your hand into Dark Palm, or being unable to remove basics from your hand to fight off Lumineon. So many things can go so wrong, an effective Dusknoir player forces their opponents into bad corners where misplaying is common. Even against a good player, if the Dusknoir player is better, you can count on him to trick his way into a victory.
Tier 2-
Ramparados-
A good deck, however slightly less consistent than Kingdra, and not as devastating, as it cannot hit the bench. It also damages itself, which allows for an easy comeback for decks such as Dusknoir. Regardless, this deck is in its own right, very effective. Turn one KO, even on a basic Gigas, or SP pokemon, is something that even Kingdra cannot effectively pull off, so credit there goes to Ramparados on being a heavier attacker.
Ampharos/Manectric-
Kills everything that is not prepared. Many techs can be used for fighting this off, but if not, sorry pal, but you will lose. No powers other than coming into play powers is devastating, many top decks fold at this point. Also, the type advantage it great, is sacrifices the match-up to Ramparados for an added boost against Kingdra, so without a T1 Kingdra, this deck should effectively beat it. The only thing keeping this deck from the top tier, is the huge amounts of Dialga, Crobat G, and Uxie that run around in nearly every deck.
Decks I do not believe are very good-
Torterra-
Sure, I'll give it the Kingdra match up, as resistance and good HP are crucial in terms of a powerful comeback. I, however, do not see it effectively beating Dusknoir without the options of a large bench, or poke-bodies (Dialga G LvX). I also do not see Torterra effectively defeating Regigigas, as Gigas KOs all of the support pokemon that Torterra needs to keep attacking. Furthermore, Ramparados has a huge advantage, 2HKO, and early kills at the beginning.
Abomasnow-
Although I think Grass decks may not be good, I do not doubt they will see play, destroying this deck completely. Also, the damage blockade isn't so effective in the up-coming format as damage output is increasing is nearly every deck, and Super Scoop Ups will see more play, as decks run from Dusknoir DP, and need to heal against Amphy, and to simply reuse Uxie's. This deck, while good, I think is now becoming burnt out.
Also, I have not tested either Blastoise or the SP pokemon, so I don't know where to put them at the moment.
