Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Best way to get into competitive playing.

J

jules_d1

New Member
Hey folks. Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. Feel free to delete or move if appropriate.

I used to play a looong time ago with the base sets and have had success. I am a competitive magic the gathering player and now looking for a change of pace.

What's the best way to get back into pokemon? I know a lot had changed since the old days.

As much fun as it is to crack open booster boxes, I just want to get into playing with a solid deck.

Any help with direction?

Thanks.
 
The most cost-effficient solution would probably be...

Find a deck you like, where the deck's playstyle meshes with your own. Check into singles prices, and look for any packaged product (theme decks, starter sets, special collections, tins) that provide the card at a price lower than the price of singles.

If you suggest the overall strategy you liked in Magic, or even in general, people here might be able to suggest decks that mesh with that play style. If your concern is with the decks that win the most, there are websites that cover Pokemon tournament results and occasionally provide deck lists.
 
MegaVelocibot said:
The most cost-effficient solution would probably be...

Find a deck you like, where the deck's playstyle meshes with your own. Check into singles prices, and look for any packaged product (theme decks, starter sets, special collections, tins) that provide the card at a price lower than the price of singles.

If you suggest the overall strategy you liked in Magic, or even in general, people here might be able to suggest decks that mesh with that play style. If your concern is with the decks that win the most, there are websites that cover Pokemon tournament results and occasionally provide deck lists.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the advice. In not really on a budget but with that said i don't want to go crazy. I know you can get more 'pimped out' versions of cards which are more expensive but that isnt a real priority of mine.

With magic I guess I'm usually a UW control player liking to take control of the game to the point where the opponent is basically ground into submission. I also like combo decks (eg tron in modern). I'm not really an aggro player but if there is a clear powerful aggressive method I will try it. Does that help at all?


Are there general strategy categories that things can get lumped into? Id love a link to some resources on that.
 
Relatively inexpensive, and decent starting decks (although there are counterstrategies to these), I would probably recommend (either Gothitelle or Trevenant)/Accelgor/Mew-EX or a Garbodor deck variant. Gothitelle and Trevenant disable the opponent's Item use while active. Accelgor (and Mew-EX copying Accelgor's attack) does 50 damage with auto-Paralysis/Poison on their Active Pokemon and shuffles the attacker into the deck (denying a Prize off of it, preventing deck-out in most cases, and allowing the Item-lock Pokemon back into the Active position). Dusknoir is featured in variants to allow damage manipulation. The deck struggles against Virizion-EX (no status conditions on Pokemon with Grass Energy on them breaks the Paralysis lock) and to a degree Garbodor (disables Abilities, but can be countered by Tool Scrapper, an Item that discards Pokemon Tools).

Garbodor disables Abilities while a Pokemon Tool (typically Float Stone) is attached to it, and is used in tandem with various attackers and disruptors that don't use their Abilities, such as Sableye (Item reuse) and Darkrai-EX (might seem counter-intuitive but has been a strong attacker), though other Garbodor variants exist.
 
Welcome back to the Game!

After you hiatis, you will find a lot of the game has changed; but much has still remained the same... Several ideas for you to consider relating to getting back into competitive play:

  • Check out the Pokémon website: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/ where you can find current information regarding rules, online game play, and future events.
  • Find and join a Pokémon league in your area: https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-events/find-an-event/ This same website can also be used to find information about upcoming tournaments too.
  • Consider purchasing a Pokémon "starter" deck (<$20, I believe) which is sold at a variety of retail establishments. The package will include a current and valid 60-card deck and other stuff you might find helpful. This starter deck is not designed to be competitive, but moreso, in my opinion, to help someone learn or get reacquainted with the game. You can use this deck to start playing at your local league.
  • As with MTG (I played that game for a short while), you will find players at your league who will share their opinions about cards and decks. You can also use the Gym too to start developing your "network" of players with whom you can share ideas.
  • Check out the cards listed in the Pokéym's Research Tower: http://pokegym.net/tower/ In doing so, you will see some cards that you like and may want to build a deck around.
  • Also, check out the Deck Help and Strategy Forum where you will find lots of useful information, including the "Nature of Deck Building" threads, as well as other discussion threads pertaining to a wide variety of decks - perhaps one/some that you are considering. When you are ready, post a deck idea and players will respond with comments to help improve your deck (in most cases).
  • As time passes, you'll start to identify those cards and/or decks you really like. Start building your own decks (even if you proxy cards initially just to playtest your ideas) and playtest at your league.
  • Compete in tournaments when you are ready. (Note: you will need a valid deck, containing no card proxies, for tournaments.)
Hopefully, the aforementioned steps will help facilitate your return to the game.

jules_d1 said:
What do you define as reflectively inexpensive and expensive?
Click to expand...
I currently have 4 competitive, tournament-worthy decks. The least expensive one (if I had to buy 60 individual cards) I would estimate would cost about $50-$75; my most expensive deck would have an estimated cost of $150. On the other hand, one of my Poké pals has a a completely "blinged-out" deck including 3 "very" expensive cards(Tropical Beach). He has estimated that his deck could sale for $600+.
 
Last edited:
Thanks TuxedoBlack.

I don't think I would bother with a start deck. To me is seems like a waste. I would rather just buy the singles I need for a good deck or buy a whole competitive deck.

I see there are a lot of versions of the same card in some instances. When you say your friends "blinged out" deck is worth $600, can you build the same deck for a hell of a lot less if you dont care about full art and foils?
 
Some of the cards, yes. Tropical Beach, while not Black Lotus levels of rarity, was a promo card given only to participants and staff of the World Championships for two years. As such, for its rarity it commands a high price.
 
But there are cheaper versions of Tropical Beach which are non foil correct?

I'm not one to care for bling.
 
jules_d1 said:
Thanks TuxedoBlack.

I don't think I would bother with a start deck. To me is seems like a waste. I would rather just buy the singles I need for a good deck or buy a whole competitive deck.
Click to expand...
If that's the case, then consider finding particular core cards you like (perhaps start by perusing the Research Tower) and/or consider looking at established decks in the Deck Help and Strategy, identify the deck(s) you like and wish to build, and then procure the necessary cards. By the way, folks you meet at your league may want to contribute cards to help you get started.

jules_d1 said:
Thanks TuxedoBlack.
I see there are a lot of versions of the same card in some instances. When you say your friends "blinged out" deck is worth $600, can you build the same deck for a hell of a lot less if you dont care about full art and foils?
Click to expand...
Yes, minus the Tropical Beaches, the rare "gold" cards, and the remaining holo/reverse cards, one could easily build the same deck for well under $175.
 
jules_d1 said:
But there are cheaper versions of Tropical Beach which are non foil correct?

I'm not one to care for bling.
Click to expand...
Not really. Tropical Beach is a unique card that was printed to commemorate certain, World tournaments. By the way, this Stadium card is quite useful in primarily Stage 2 type decks and used for card drawing purposes. Chances are, you will not see it used in other decks. Also, there are other cards, like Electrode and Empoleon, that can help with card-drawing too.
 
Im seeing some tropical beaches on ebay

"Pokemon (World Championships 2013 Ian Whiton) x3 MINT Tropical Beach BW50"

while the promo ones are $100's each. I assume the cheaper ones are fine and function exactly the same?

I play competitive magic so Im used to seeing non-blinged cards for well over $50 each. Making a tier 1 competitive deck for less than $200 is a bargain in my eyes :p
 
jules_d1 said:
Im seeing some tropical beaches on ebay

"Pokemon (World Championships 2013 Ian Whiton) x3 MINT Tropical Beach BW50"

while the promo ones are $100's each. I assume the cheaper ones are fine and function exactly the same?

I play competitive magic so Im used to seeing non-blinged cards for well over $50 each. Making a tier 1 competitive deck for less than $200 is a bargain in my eyes :p
Click to expand...

If they are the ones from the world's championship decks they are not legal for tournaments.
 
if the card pictured in the auction has a silver (rather than yellow) border and a player's signature in the card image, it's from the worlds decks. these cards have a different back and are NOT legal for tournament play. unfortunately there are a lot of ebay sellers offering these cards at what seems like a bargain price, if one leaves out that little detail...=/
 
If you are planning on using a deck that uses it, it is pricey. Starting into the game, you might want to consider a deck that doesn't run it.
 
Currently, in my area (upper Midwest), the "top" decks are Blastoise, Darkrai variants, Xerneas-Aromatisse-Slurpfff, FairyBox variants, PlasmaBox variants, RayBoar, and Virizion-Genesect. Other notable, really good decks include Empoleon and Darkrai-Hydreigon. Of these decks, you will typically see a player run Tropical Beach in Blastoise, Empoleon, and RayBoar - all stage 2 decks. So, you have quite a few other, less expensive decks to review and determine if you would want to start with one of those.
 
IMO don't go playing a deck that you need Tropical Beach to be effective. i find that any deck where without the magical Tropical Beach in play i don't win, is not consistent enough to win. try and find a deck that is consistent using only supporters and pokemon vs a stadium that costs 200$ or close to it. personally i'd rather attack then have to use a stadium as my attack
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top