Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Ex-ped On format, not highly received

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A few things.

This is the most fun, most balanced format there ever was. Disagree? That's fine with me, you obviously haven't been having the nail-biter games I have lately. Or maybe you haven't noticed all of the different cards that can be played? Omastar, Gardevoir, Gardevoir ex, Aggron ex, Scizor, Sceptile, Eeveelutions, Blaziken/Eggs, Blaziken/Fire, and the list can go on even further.

What was modified again? Cargo, Gatr, SMF. woooooo! Yeah, you could do alright with rogue in that format, but in this format... its COMPLETELY ROGUE. Almost nobody has the same exact Gardevoir deck, and everyone will play the deck differently too.

I dunno how you can argue about this format. Its great. The best format to have hit us in a LONG TIME.

A few things about the packs. You get lucky or unlucky. I have a ton of stage 2s from Sandstorm when I got my box. Ludicolo, Armaldo, Cradily, 3 Shiftry, 2 Tops ex, 2 Phlosion ex, 2 Aggron ex.... etc, I got stage 2s.

Also, there are these things called Preconstructed decks. You want some stagge 2s? Go buy that. You'll also get the good trainers.

On the topic of supporters. This game is NOT slow because of supporters. Complaining about Armaldo??? COMPLAINING ABOUT ARMALDO??!!! AHAHHAHAHAHAAH. He's NOT very good folks. Not very good at all. Sure, I want him to be good, but he's just NOT. If you complain about him, you need to get a better deck...


Last I heard, this was called the Pokemon TRADING card game. Trade for some stage 2s you need too.

Bill SUCKS. Elm was good, now its gone. GET OVER IT. Oak was good too, but its gone and everyone seems to be happier about it. I'm personally glad that someone can't Oak's Research, Elm, AND delcatty all in the same friggin turn.


"Therein lies everyone's argument. With the exception of Delcatty, every one of the aforementioned cards is a supporter. That's simply annoying."

How is that annoying? HOW? The game changes, people, you have to use your cards a bit more wisely than you had to before.

No good trainers? PFFFFTTTTTT. compared to what? Potion can win you games. Again, you have to be strategic with them though. Burn them to get another card off Birch or save em for when my pokemon needs 20 more health?

In summary... stop whining. If people can't create decks that are legal, then what have they been doing, not buying ANY new cards? Not trading for any new cards? I dunno what to tell you about the lackluster turnouts for a modified tourney. If its about the playstyle of Modified, then some people need to just change. This game certainly isn't about just stalling and then getting a stage 2. Stage 2s play an integral part, sure. But you can play stage 1s and win. And if you're just stalling to get ONE stage 2 up, then you're going to lose. Hands down, you're going to lose. Just look at most of the decks on these boards. You have to get multiple things going. In a lot of games, you're gonna have to make decisions on what to power first, what to evo, which supporter to use. Do I net search or Research this turn? Options = Strategy. Strategy = Fun.

So yeah. ADJUST.
 
So what if all the draw cards are supporters. The only bad side to that is that you can only use one draw card a turn and Armaldo shuts down drawing cards. But by no means does that mean win.
 
My suggestion to those of you that are "dissatisfied" with the current format, let PUI know. I am sure they want to hear feedback from the player contingent.

I am sure if they see a need to make modifications to the existing format, that they'd be open to suggestions. However, the best way to do it, is e-mail them and voice your concerns and/or issues that way.

HTH,

Skywolf1
 
You may think it's a boring format, but for a community that needs change, it certainly isn't. Even with a lack of non-supporter draw, you can solve the problem by running those Delcatties, Linoones, or deck-specific cards.

My sanctioned league that I go to didn't take E-on too well either; they all wanted to stick with Ne-on. However, after weeks of confusion, and hands-on experience, many became pretty hyped about the new format.

In short: Give it time! You can't make such a rash decision so soon.
 
i feel sorry for you guys that this is the only card game experience you have, cause if it wasnt you would understand stuff like this happens(cards for play change and stategy change). you play like certian cards then a ban or format change come in and you have to rethink. i see it as a challenge to be the next to be able to break the cards they have given me and be original at the same time. that is the fun for me and then able to brag about it. im also sorry that you limit your ideas so much that you cant think outa the box to try and beat what everyone else is classify as staple cards. i have 4 different search engines i am testing with only 2 cards common between them(oaks reasearch and desert shaman (3 max each not the standard 4 everyone else thinks). and then you all are complianing with another change do right around the corner.(dragons). i for one would love to see 3 cards back in the game for this format at some time: recycle, elm, muk.all would balance the area they are in: nrg needed for the retreats, supported draw vs trainer draw, pokemon powers are so unbalanced nothing to stop them. but that at some time right now im just building what i have to do with and make the best of it without being like every other joe. then waiting to see what the next set or 2 will bring the the enviromnet. which is very exciting to me. i hope you all can get past the resistance to change and meet the challenge to break the format. but i do agree withe card count should go back to 11 if the ereader info isnt as indepth as they were. that will also boost sales cause it would be the second highest pack count card game out there for about $3.29 with magic still the boss for 15 at $3.29.
 
The format is fine. I find that the older players at my league who always complained about the flipping babies are now complaining about Supporters. I do agree with JohnnyBlaze that a restricted/banned format would help a bit for those players who don't really want to invest/play Modified. But, in our area, we're doing two tournaments per month (maybe more soon), and we alternate the format between Unlimited and Modified. I find it interesting the the top 2-3 players do well in either format. But, there are certainly differences in the rankings after that.

Hey, I've stopped buying massive amounts of the Nintendo product because I got spoiled during the WOTC E-card days, when you could easily get Rares in one of three types (Foils, RH, and non-holos). Now, it's MUCH harder to get those rares in the Nintendo sets. Nevertheless, on average, the R&S Nintendo Pokemon are better than the WOTC E-card Pokemon.

JMO.
 
nikePK said:
A few things.

This is the most fun, most balanced format there ever was. Disagree? That's fine with me, you obviously haven't been having the nail-biter games I have lately. Or maybe you haven't noticed all of the different cards that can be played? Omastar, Gardevoir, Gardevoir ex, Aggron ex, Scizor, Sceptile, Eeveelutions, Blaziken/Eggs, Blaziken/Fire, and the list can go on even further.

What was modified again? Cargo, Gatr, SMF. woooooo! Yeah, you could do alright with rogue in that format, but in this format... its COMPLETELY ROGUE. Almost nobody has the same exact Gardevoir deck, and everyone will play the deck differently too.

I dunno how you can argue about this format. Its great. The best format to have hit us in a LONG TIME.

A few things about the packs. You get lucky or unlucky. I have a ton of stage 2s from Sandstorm when I got my box. Ludicolo, Armaldo, Cradily, 3 Shiftry, 2 Tops ex, 2 Phlosion ex, 2 Aggron ex.... etc, I got stage 2s.

Also, there are these things called Preconstructed decks. You want some stagge 2s? Go buy that. You'll also get the good trainers.

On the topic of supporters. This game is NOT slow because of supporters. Complaining about Armaldo??? COMPLAINING ABOUT ARMALDO??!!! AHAHHAHAHAHAAH. He's NOT very good folks. Not very good at all. Sure, I want him to be good, but he's just NOT. If you complain about him, you need to get a better deck...


Last I heard, this was called the Pokemon TRADING card game. Trade for some stage 2s you need too.

Bill SUCKS. Elm was good, now its gone. GET OVER IT. Oak was good too, but its gone and everyone seems to be happier about it. I'm personally glad that someone can't Oak's Research, Elm, AND delcatty all in the same friggin turn.


"Therein lies everyone's argument. With the exception of Delcatty, every one of the aforementioned cards is a supporter. That's simply annoying."

How is that annoying? HOW? The game changes, people, you have to use your cards a bit more wisely than you had to before.

No good trainers? PFFFFTTTTTT. compared to what? Potion can win you games. Again, you have to be strategic with them though. Burn them to get another card off Birch or save em for when my pokemon needs 20 more health?

In summary... stop whining. If people can't create decks that are legal, then what have they been doing, not buying ANY new cards? Not trading for any new cards? I dunno what to tell you about the lackluster turnouts for a modified tourney. If its about the playstyle of Modified, then some people need to just change. This game certainly isn't about just stalling and then getting a stage 2. Stage 2s play an integral part, sure. But you can play stage 1s and win. And if you're just stalling to get ONE stage 2 up, then you're going to lose. Hands down, you're going to lose. Just look at most of the decks on these boards. You have to get multiple things going. In a lot of games, you're gonna have to make decisions on what to power first, what to evo, which supporter to use. Do I net search or Research this turn? Options = Strategy. Strategy = Fun.

So yeah. ADJUST.
Click to expand...

Well, I've certainly seen the light. If not for your sage-like advice, I'd still dislike the format. Thank you!

As far as your observation about rogue decks, it's rather contradictory to have a rogue archetype, wouldn't you think? Gardevoir, Blaziken, Sceptile? Certainly you cannot look here and see how many decks have been posted focusing on these cards. And the only differences between them involve choosing between Potion or Moo-Moo Milk, Oak's Research or Copycat. Not that being unoriginal is anything new, but don't act like creativity just exploded when the new Modified was announced.

But really, thank you for turning me around. I'm sure my two cents will change your mind as well. After all, that's what arguing about card games is for, right?
 
The loss of Elm, to me, was not a huge deal, because Elm was little more than a supporter with teh BIGGEST drawback. Honestly, I saw Elm in unlimited decklists and laughed. Nothing worse than punishing yourself.

To let you know, we had 24 at a sanctioned modified tourney on Wednesday. 24 people. We have over 40 players signed up in the St. Louis area - Should be over 60 by this WEEKEND!

Modified is the best format ever. Period, too many decks that are viable, and more to come!

See you on the boards!

Meganium45 - See me at my Dragon PreRelease - St. Louis - Gathering Ground!!
 
"I am still convinced that if Pokemon is to survive the long haul that older card sets need to be included in the official format."

No, they don't. M:tg is the most popular tcg in the world. And they rotate out sets just like pokemon, in fact I think Pokemon has more sets in the current fomat than Magic does.

Also, I'm hearing alot of complaining about the lack of draw power, so again I refer back to Magic and even Yu-gi-oh. Neither one of those games has as much draw as Pokemon. So be happy with what you have and quit your b****ing.
 
If the format is a problem, like at our league, where people think it's too slow, use Eon+:
All cards allowed in modified;
Best promos;
All trainer cards in the Legendary Collection expansion.
Basically E-on, but faster (Mmmmm.... 8 breeders.... :p)
 
Although I can see both of the main two points that are being discussed here, I agree more with Espeonus Maximus' original assessment.

I know of a number of kids who have dropped out of Pokemon because either they got attached to using their Neo cards and can no longer use them in a sanctioned event, or because they are ticked that they are being forced to go out and purchase new cards in order to continue competing in sanctioned events.

With respect to the card comparisons, I heard no mention of Neo's Cleffa, (which was an unlimited Prof. Elm.) I am also finding it more difficult to draw the cards that I need and evolve my Pokemon quickly.

In the past I (along with most who play at the league I belong to) used the Cleffas and Elms and Bills to pretty quickly get the card that they need in their hands. They were also using the Professor Oaks Research and the Professor Elms Training Method, by the way.

Even though we now have Delcatties, Linoones, they are Stage 1 Pokemon and its more difficult getting them in play and using their power or attack than just using a Trainer card (that was easier to do when the Neo cards were included).

In addition to the drawing power trainers, you also had the Gold Berries and the Focus Bands that were very helpful (or could be with the Focus Bands). Unfortunately, to date no equivalents exist.

Also, this says nothing about the Flip-to-Attack Baby Powers that existed with the Neo babies, (although some of the Skyridge babies that are legal still have this).

Finally here, that fact that most of the legal Trainers that are designed to allow you to reshuffle or to search for the cards that you need are Supporters means that it now takes longer to get what you need, since you can only use one per turn.

I guess the flip side to this is that everyone else is in this same boat.

- Tony
 
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Okay I'll weigh in.

Obviously, this is a matter of a conflict of thoughts between those who want to remain "true" to the game's past, and those who seek change in the game. The fact of the matter is that the game must change to take on new players. We can't keep the same dynamics and keep people interested.
 
yoshi1001 said:
Okay I'll weigh in.

Obviously, this is a matter of a conflict of thoughts between those who want to remain "true" to the game's past, and those who seek change in the game. The fact of the matter is that the game must change to take on new players. We can't keep the same dynamics and keep people interested.
Click to expand...

But ostensibly changing dynamics loses the interest of current players moreso than it garners the interest of new players. But hey, just my observation.
 
I'll give my 2 cents here.

Anyways, after reading over this whole discussion, this is reminding me of the days when the old Rocket-On Modified came out. People were pretty much asking the same things, talking about how they can win without their Computer Searches, Professor Oaks, Gust of Winds, and Item Finders, and about losing Wigglytuff, Blastoise, the Haymakers (Electabuzz, Scyther, etc.), and others. Some complained that the game would slow down (and it did). Then, after a while, many people found ways around the limitations. Cleffa and Elm was a staple in every main Rocket-On deck, and there was no fear into running a few Misty's Wrath or even Sabrina's Gaze in their decks. Double Gust and Good Manners were standard. The new archetypes became Feraligatr, Slowking (until it got banned), Big Fire (Typhlosion), Erika's Victreebel, and later Crobat and Entei/Magcargo. Those were the days....

Now is the third time that there has been a significant format change. Our draw power is reduced to Lunatone, splashable Stage 1 evolutions, and Supporters. There aren't really many viable non-Supporters, although I'm glad Switch and Energy Search (gasp!) is back. However, we do have many new Pokémon to test out. Sceptile, Blaziken, Gardevoir (ex), and many more are archetypes. New strategies, such as playing 3 Stage 1 evolutions, are being tried out. Even if you don't have the money to buy the foil cards, there are still some viable uncommons and commons in the format. I'm itching to try out that new Azumarill. (It's like the return of Jungle Exeggutor, only boosted in 2 vs. 2 battles). And, new restrictions (reliance on Supporters, for instance). There are many ways to counter Armaldo, just like countering Dark Vileplume in the old days of Rocket-On; knock out those pre-evolved forms before they can evolve to their stronger forms.

I have to admit, I don't have a single card past Neo Destiny in my name yet. (I was always late on switching to new formats, though, and I do plan on buying some cards from the newer sets). However, with what I am seeing, I have a feeling that this is going to be the most interesting format I've seen since Rocket-On. I'm pretty sure that things will get better as far as Trainers go.

Oh, and by the way, at my league, nobody plays a full-fledged Unlimited archetype. Everyone at my league plays a sort of Modified-like style with cards from the Gym series on to the latest formats.
 
NT4-Perhaps, but I think a great deal of people are quite content with the change. and most of them aren't posting here. Happy people post less.
 
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Ok I guess i'll add my input.

I have been playing in about 2 Eon tourneys each week(in real life). I didn't really enjoy it at the beginning because I didn't have many cards, and I still dont have a lot of cards. But you can trade for them, I've been trading online for a while and I get the cards that I need usually within a week. Also the prizes for tourneys here are packs and you get a pack automatically for entering. So I get more cards each tourney. So I don't really see that as being an issue.

Nintendo needed change, obviously they want to get newer players. So they can't have cards from sets as old as Neo Genesis, I haven't seen Neo Genesis sold in stores(except relativly large card stores) for a year or so. I also got tired of seeing Gatr, SMF, and Cargo played. There was little diversity in NeoOn. Currently I like this format but i dont think it is the best. IMO the best format was the format at the last Worlds. That was very diverse except for a lot of Kingdra and Slowking. But it was a VERY fun format to play. This format has main decks, true. But those decks all have major weaknesses, so rogue stuff can do VERY well also. I have only seen very similar deck versions of Gardevoir, but I have seen A LOT of DIFFERENT versions of Sceptile. And I have seen few Blaziken decks so I'm not gonna comment on that. I've played different decks for the past 2 monthes at local tourneys(i've changed decks every week) and they all do well.

I dont understand why you are calling the format slow. Because of the loss of Elm and Bill? Maybe the format did slow down a little. But it didn't slow down JUST for YOU, it slowed down for everyone. The format isn't really that slow even. Please don't try to argue with me, cause I know that I am right. I've played more games IRL for Eon then probably most people here so I know how it works. If you say you don't have the cards, how would newer players feel if it was the Neon format? They would feel the same way, you are being very selfish about this. Nintendo is trying to attract newer players not just keep older players.

~Colin
 
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"I know of a number of kids who have dropped out of Pokemon because either they got attached to using their Neo cards and can no longer use them in a sanctioned event, or because they are ticked that they are being forced to go out and purchase new cards in order to continue competing in sanctioned events."

Well the fact of the matter is, if we want organized play, we have to support the game by buying new packs. I'm probably the poorest person on this board, but I've still spent what little cash I've had buying packs and buying stamps so I could trade for thhe new cards online.
 
As for price of the cards, as stated before, it is all up to the retail location to price them, Nintendo only sets the MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price), which is $3.29 or so, but stores tend to charge more or less depending on the situation. The store I go to (and work at) charges $2.99 to anyone, 15% off for anyone who has a membership card, and 30% off for employees.

As for the format, its just fine. In fact, for a while, I have been building decks with no Bills and Elms. I tend to not want to rely on them since I know that if I do, I wouldn't be able to play without them, so I've built many decks without Bill and Elm. To compensate, I use supporters, and more recently, Sandstorm Zigzagoon with R/S Linoone. My friend also uses Lunatone and Solrock for additional draw power.
 
Espeonus Maximus said:
Let me re-iterate:
I'm NOT having trouble getting stage 2 out, during play.

What I am complaining about, is exactly the same thing Flippin treeko is facing.

Out of 25.00 worth of packs, I get ZERO stage 2 pokemon!!!
8 packs and not one single Stage 2 pokemon.
Honestly, how many packs do they expect me to buy to make ONE solid deck, with halfway decent Pokemon?

Am I suppose to Zigazoon my way to the top, or is this a rich man's game?
Click to expand...

Maximus, I understand your plight. That's why I buy "bulk" meaning a box of pretty much every set (since TR I believe). Or if you're on a budget, you can always order off of various single sites that are very reasonable for individual pokemon cards. Here's some that I use.

www.cardhaus.com
www.pokecorner.com
www.toywiz.com

And for bulk, I use www.potomacdist.com

You don't have to freak out over not getting any decent rares, just calm down, get on the computer, and surf the net for what you need. Simple as that.
 
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