Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

What to do about Sableye?

M

MattPL

New Member
I lost an important match at states to a Sableye deck, which I've only ever played against maybe once or twice. Anyways, his luck could not have been going more perfect, as he Judged my already bad starting hand into an even worse one. He then proceeded to use Chatot G twice to arrange the cards I draw to his favor, then he proceeded to flip 3 out of 4 heads on a double Cyrus's Iniative.

I was stuck, helpless, with almost no options available, and I was unable to get set up. I caught up late game, but I wasn't quick enough, and I lost.

In this situation, is there really anything I could have done against the deck? Or did it pretty much have me beat since the beginning of the game? BTW, I was play Magnezone/Regirock.
 
Your options are playing more outs to Uxie or playing shuffling cards. As a sablock player, I dread the idea of going against a deck that plays many collectors, bebes, and other stuff to grab uxies. Also, playing sableye just stops chatot and locking from being effective. Play more cards to shuffle your deck to avoid them from stacking it with Chatot G too much. Even then, the sablock player will continue to play a real game if you avoid giving them the easy win.

I have found that I am especially effective against Dialgachomp and bulky decks like that that do not have a shuffling opener, and are really bulky. It makes me feel good to see 3 energy and a Dailga G X on the top 4 of your deck ;D
 
z-man said:
Your options are playing more outs to Uxie or playing shuffling cards. As a sablock player, I dread the idea of going against a deck that plays many collectors, bebes, and other stuff to grab uxies. Also, playing sableye just stops chatot and locking from being effective. Play more cards to shuffle your deck to avoid them from stacking it with Chatot G too much. Even then, the sablock player will continue to play a real game if you avoid giving them the easy win.

I have found that I am especially effective against Dialgachomp and bulky decks like that that do not have a shuffling opener, and are really bulky. It makes me feel good to see 3 energy and a Dailga G X on the top 4 of your deck ;D
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Like I mentioned, I was playing Magnezone/Regirock, which usually doesn't run ANY Uxies. But I'll keep that in mind if I'm using a different deck.

Also, I had PLENTY of shuffle supporters in my deck. I just couldn't seem to draw a single one.
 
Well playing Uxie is a big help. I've never seen a Magnerock build that works (I've built a really bad version...but never more), so it may just be me not knowing the deck, but I would believe that 2 Uxie would do wonders. Not having Uxie makes Collector and Bebe not legitimate outs to Sablock. Perhaps try playing some PONT and/or volkners?
 
z-man said:
Well playing Uxie is a big help. I've never seen a Magnerock build that works (I've built a really bad version...but never more), so it may just be me not knowing the deck, but I would believe that 2 Uxie would do wonders. Not having Uxie makes Collector and Bebe not legitimate outs to Sablock. Perhaps try playing some PONT and/or volkners?
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Mine works very well, I just couldn't do anything when I wasn't able to draw a card. The only cards I play that could sorta help are Judge and Engineer's Adjustment.
 
I thought about Call Energy, but I built the deck last minute and didn't have time to test it. Maybe I'll try that and see what happens.
 
run smeargles/sableye, both even, like 3-4, so that when you open with it, even if he judges you into trash you can use his supporters/search for your own to play the game. start setting up and everything.
 
MattPL said:
I lost an important match at states to a Sableye deck, which I've only ever played against maybe once or twice. Anyways, his luck could not have been going more perfect, as he Judged my already bad starting hand into an even worse one. He then proceeded to use Chatot G twice to arrange the cards I draw to his favor, then he proceeded to flip 3 out of 4 heads on a double Cyrus's Iniative.

I was stuck, helpless, with almost no options available, and I was unable to get set up. I caught up late game, but I wasn't quick enough, and I lost.

In this situation, is there really anything I could have done against the deck? Or did it pretty much have me beat since the beginning of the game? BTW, I was play Magnezone/Regirock.
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Not many decks are going to come back from Judge/Chatot/double Initiative.

That's how Sablelock wins, and that's what makes it so dangerous.

Your best bet is Chatot MD (it's still good), Smeargle, or Sableye. Not sure how you would fit that into Zone though.
 
tehmoe said:
run smeargles/sableye, both even, like 3-4, so that when you open with it, even if he judges you into trash you can use his supporters/search for your own to play the game. start setting up and everything.
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He's alrdy using spiritomb for starters, so that can't be done
 
Just so you know, they're not always that lucky, and I have seen many times their attempts to mess with your hand backfire hardcore on them. Just set up, and you can beat them with out too much trouble.
 
z-man said:
Well playing Uxie is a big help. I've never seen a Magnerock build that works (I've built a really bad version...but never more), so it may just be me not knowing the deck, but I would believe that 2 Uxie would do wonders. Not having Uxie makes Collector and Bebe not legitimate outs to Sablock. Perhaps try playing some PONT and/or volkners?
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From experience, the deck does not require Uxie whatsoever. Our build here in Ohio took Top 2 at Indiana States, if that's telling you anything about deck success.

Honestly, your best bet against Sablelock is that you get set up before they have a chance to turn you off. Its a really tough matchup for mostly any Stage 2 oriented deck, and an impressive deck like Magnerock is no different. A good judge used as a supporter followed by a Sableye Initiative (success) can be all they need to shut you down for the rest of the game.

If, however you manage to get a Magnezone going though, you have draw to their judges, and for all you know, their hand could be absolute garbage. Anything they put up if you have a setup overpowers them. One Zone gives you draw power, and looking at initiative from that standpoint, they get rid of two cards, you're getting up to 4. (Maybe more if you can dump cards. Don't forget you have Spiritomb to stop their Power Sprays)

You can win Sablelock, it just requires a massive amount of vigilance. The deck WILL run out of steam eventually, and when that occurs, let the damage commence.
 
I didn't read anything above really besides the initial post.
I would say run spiritomb/call energy so you could atleast shuffle your deck or get basics
 
baby mario said:
Not many decks are going to come back from Judge/Chatot/double Initiative.

That's how Sablelock wins, and that's what makes it so dangerous.

Your best bet is Chatot MD (it's still good), Smeargle, or Sableye. Not sure how you would fit that into Zone though.
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That's what I was thinking. It didn't seem like ANY deck would do good after that.

Maybe I can try adding in a Chatot though. I do have 1 space in my deck that I can easily replace.
 
I don't see a problem with sableye at all especially with the 2 new 130 hp basics that pretty awesome next set. Its a good deck but its still not the nuts people make it out to be if it was it would be winning a lot more events.
 
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