Idaho's mini marathon to close out Spring Battle Roads report (by juniormccracken)

[juniormccracken]

I. Boise/Nampa/Meridian Battle Road tournament report

Report by: juniormccracken
Decks: Darkrai EX/Tornadus EX twice and Klingklang and EXs
Event: Idaho Spring Battle Roads
Location: Boise (Boise State University), Nampa (Nampa Civic Center), Meridian (Phoenix Fire Games)
Format: HGSS-on

An nyoung ha seh yo,

This past weekend I had a blast playing and did the best I have done since starting to play competitively last year. I played Darkrai EX/Tornadus EX twice (with little tweaks the second time...I added a second Tonadus EX because I couldn't find another dark energy and the local meta has lots of fighting so I figured that would work. lol) and Klingklang with Darkrai and EXs for fun on the second day. I play tested both a little bit but didn't have lots of times to play-test as much as I would of liked coming into the weeekend.


II. Decklist

Darkrai EX/Tornadus EX (first place list)
Pokemon: 10
x3 Darkrai EX
x3 Tornadus EX
x1 Mewtwo EX
x2 Smeargle
x1 Shaymin (Celebration Wind)

Supporers: 9
x4 PONT
x3 N
x2 Juniper

Trainer Items: 26
x4 Dark Patch
x4 Catcher
x4 Junk Arm
x3 Random Receiver
x2 Ultra Ball
x2 Switch
x2 Eviolite
x2 Dark Claw
x1 SSU
x1 Max Potion
x1 Super Rod

Stadiums: 2
x2 Sky Arrow Bridge

Energy: 13
x9 Dark
x4 DCE

III. Deck Strategy

Darkrai EX/Torndus EX
This deck is about speed. Get Tornadus EX , DCE, Skyarrow and hit for 60. Darkrai/Skyarrow can give free retreat to anyone. Huge pokemon...hard to OHKO (except versus certain fist Pokemon). Smeargle/RR were used for more consistency.

Klingklang/Darkrai EX (fun deck)
This deck is halarious to play and is amazing once set up. Once you get a Klingklang setup and Darkrai on the bench you are unstoppable unless you get OHKO'd. The local meta has lots of fist pokemon so I put in 2 Kyurem EX to destroy Donphan and special energies. I also had 2 of them so I could use broken wings for 120 turn after turn. The reason a lot of fist pokemon is used locally is because there is a huge weakness to it so I put in 2 Groudons. In hindsight, I should of put a Terrakion or 2 in to OHKO Darkrais and Zeels.

Key cards (other than the obvious - Junk Arm, Catcher, etc) were Max Potion. If you can't OHKO, I could move all the energy off (becuase they are all metal, prism or rainbow), Max Potion all damage off and then move them back on. The ability to move any energy at any time once setup, gave mobility between any pokemon as well.

IV. Reported Matches

Day 1 (Boise State, Boise Idaho)

Round 1: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Terrakion and ? (Randy, pokedad)
Game was bad for my opponent. He started lone Terrakion and I started Smeargle with options in my hand (Darkrai/Tornadus and supporters). He starts, attaches Prism and passes. I drop Tornadus becuase of the fist pokemon and portrait. I see a couple of not useful supports (no refresh) and so I leave him at that. The game pretty much stays like that and he dead draws. I hit his Terrakion a couple times with Tornadus. GG
1-0 (tournament 1)
1-0 (weekend)

Round 2: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Tri-Enteai and Mewtwo (Jessi, pokemom and my wife)
I don't remember much about this game but it was a pretty good game. She just couldn't get the draws she needed.
2-0 (tournament 1)
2-0 (weekend)

Round 3: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Truth (Trenton, a top local player that I never beat in premier events)
This game I did not get locked. I was able to catcher out an Oddish and hit for 30 with Tornadus EX on T1. I got Darkrai with 2 energies on my bench but couldn't get the 3rd energy on it but had another dark energy, catcher to KO both Oddishes next turn so I was hoping he didn't N my hand away. He knows his Oddish is done so he attaches to a benched pokemon, does some other stuff and passes. I KO both Oddishes T2 and never get locked. Game was pretty close but because Vileplume never hit the field, I had the advantage of Catcher and ended winning. This was the first time I had beat Trenton - earlier in the season we had some epic games that came down to the last top deck or things like that. I finally beat him.
3-0 (tournament 1)
3-0 (weekend)

Round 4: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Quad-Entei and Mewtwo (Anthony, Trenton's brother and good local player)
This game looked pretty ugly for him (at one point, he had a lone Entei with damage and my field was setup. He was able to get more on his board and made it a close game. Late game, it was either of our games...he just needed a plus power to win and I just needed a dark claw to win (since I don't play plus powers in that list). Game ends up in my favor.
4-0 (tournament 1)
4-0 (weekend)

Round 5: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Zeels (Confesor, top 2 of our local players)
Game is pretty close. I don't let an Eel see the field until late. I don't remember lots of specific about this match either but I know I pull out another close win. GG on to top cut.
5-0 (tournament 1)
5-0 (weekend)

Top 4, Game 1: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. TyRam (Shawn, my brother)
This game is pretty ugly for him and I deny his Typhlosions for most of the game. He finally candies to 2 'Phlosions on one turn and gets back in the game. Game is closer than it should be but I still win
1-0

Top 4, Game 2: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. TyRam (Shawn, my brother)
This game is ugly for both of us. Dead draw after dead draw for both of us. Finally, the game takes off and I fall behind. I am unable to comeback and he takes game 2.
1-1

Top 4, Game 3: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. TyRam (Shawn, my brother)
Details on this game is fuzzy too but I remember it goes to time so we have 0+3. He is unable to match the prizes I take so I win. Yeah on to T2.
2-1, 6-0 (tournament 1)
6-0 (weekend)

By this time, it's 11:30pm and there is another tournament at 10am the next day and there are kids waiting for rides home for people running the tournament. After deciding I don't need 2 CP and my opponent can us them more, I decide to scoop to Trenton to save time. I get the 2nd Victory Cup and pull a Tornadus EX.
6-1 (tournament 1)
6-1 (weekend)

Day 2 (Nampa Civic Center, Nampa Idaho)

Since I feel good about the previous tournament, I decide to play a fun deck, Klingklang.

Round 1: Klingklang/Darkrai/EXs vs. Terrakion/Groudon/? (Amanda, pokemom)
This was tricky...I can't remember who was active but she had a Terrakion and Groudon on the bench. I took out Eviolite and regretted it for this type of match-up. I get setup and dance around and am able to catcher the Terrakion and KO it before it can use Retaliate on my Darkrai. The Groudon get promoted and then Darkrai gets catchered up and I think "oh crap...plus power, OHKO my Darkrai..." The attack phase almost starts and a look of "oh crap...I don't have a plus power and will miss the OHKO on Darkrai...". She looks at me and said she messed up. She then says something about that fact I probably have a Max Potion or Junk Arm (I used one Max Potion earlier in the game) in my hand and the Groudon is going to get OHKO'd by my benched Kyurem EX and heal my Darkrai. I show 2 Max Potions and a Junk Arm. She scoops because she can't recover. Side note, she play-tested with her husband with that same type of deck so she had grown an unhealthy hatred towards it.
1-0 (tournament 2)
7-1 (weekend)

Round 2: Klingklang/Darkrai/EXs vs. Dohpan and ??? (Tina, Confesor's wife)
This game was pretty ugly for her. I get set up, she gets 2 Donphans. I am able to get my Kyurem EX hitting for 100 (60 x 2 weakness minus 20 for poke-body). I think I 6-0 or 6-1 her.
2-0 (tournament 2)
8-1 (weekend)

Round 3: Klingklang/Darkrai/EXs vs. Darkrai/Sableye/Crushing Hammer (Confesor, top 2 of our local players)
This game got bad for me. He uses Enhanced Hammers and Crushing Hammer and Junk Hunt. I can't draw my Klinglang to get setup. My Smeargle stalls a little while. I'm able to PONT 3 times in one turn (thanks to 2 Smeargles) but whiff all 3 times for what I need. I can't get (and keep) my special energies on the board. Darkrai comes up and destroys me. GG.
2-1 (tournament 2)
8-2 (weekend)

Round 4: Klingklang/Darkrai/EXs vs. Quad-Terrakion and Mewtwos (Justin, a pokedad with strong finishes for the current spring battle roads)
This game was full of dead draws for me. I wish I could get setup sooner ( I got setup late game when I was down like 4-0) because he had no idea what my deck did. He wins and after the game I explain what my deck does. I think he was glad I didn't get set up. lol. At this point, I know I missed top cut but I had a great time because it was such a fun deck.
2-2 (tournament 2)
8-3 (weekend)

Day 3 (Phoenix Fire Games, Meridian Idaho)

I go back to the deck I played on Friday but tweak it a little right before hand.

Round 1: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Water (a local league player playing in her first premier tournament)
I have this game from the coin flip. I start Mewtwo EX, DCE and I just methodically take 6 prizes.
1-0 (tournament 3)
9-3 (weekend)

Round 2: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Darkrai/Sableye/Terrakion (Amanda, pokemom)
She starts loan pokemon (Terrakion I think). I start Tornadus EX. She dead draws and can't get another Pokemon on the field. I take 1 prize and win.
2-0 (tournament 3)
10-3 (weekend)

Round 3: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Donphan/Cobalion (Mario, local TO)
This was a great game. I misplay that I think cost me the game. I had Shaymin, Darkrai and other stuff with a hurt active Pokemon. I was going to bench Darkrai, retreat active and then drop Shaymin to move the energies. I drop Darkrai and then Shaymin, move the energies and realize the mistake I did. I ask to not pick up Shaymin and do it in the right order, he declines (I told him I don't blame him). Game comes down to the wire and he top draws an energy for the win. GG
2-1 (tournament 3)
10-4 (weekend)

Round 4: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Confesor (Confesor, top 2 of our local players)
Another good game. I end up having exactly everything I need to OHKO his Darkrai with Mewtwo. GG
3-1 (tournament 3)
11-3 (weekend)

Round 5: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. CMT (Adam, used to be a top local player but moved away but was in town for this tournament)
He starts Celebi, I start Tornadus. Coin flip, I get it. I see I can donk him but have to get the right cards. I have an N and Juniper. I know if I don't get the donk, I can't afford to get rid of the resources I had in my hand so I use N. I see the DCE in the first couple of cards...and Skyarrow in the 6th. I tell him GG.
4-1 (tournament 3)
12-3 (weekend)

I sneak into top cut in 4th.

Top 4, Game 1: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Truth (Trenton, a top local player)
Bad match up for him. I take control and don't let him lock me because I am able to N (to get rid of the assumed Twins he has in his hand) him on the same turn I KO his first prize so avoid the lock. I take control of the game and it gets ugly because of his no catcher/trainers. I win game 1.
1-0

Top 4, Game 2: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Truth (Trenton, a top local player)
I can't get as fast as I would like but I do avoid the lock. I give him too much time and he sets up too much stuff to overcome. He takes game 2.
1-1

Top 4, Game 3: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Truth (Trenton, a top local player)
I go first. I catcher, his Solosis with my Mewtwo on T1. He then is able to activate Twins on T1 to get a Pichu out to Playground. Unfortunately, time is called during the resolution of Playground. Our PTO calls Pokemon to make sure the ruling is correct but the initial ruling is that his turn is still going so it's 0 and so I would get 2 more turns and he would get only 1. After a short break, it is confirmed that his turn is indeed 0 of the 0+3 time extension. Unfortunately he just benched 2 Oddish to get set up. I get another KO with Mewtwo so it's 2-0 and he is going into his last turn having to KO my Mewtwo for 2 prizes. He has a Twins and gets Mewtwo and DCE. My Mewtwo was hurt already so an X-Ball will KO mine. I have no energies on my field and have to get a KO for the win. I drop a Tornadus EX, attach an energy, use a Dark Patch on my Darkrai, catcher Pichu, retreat to get my Tornadus active and Ultra Ball for Shaymin for the win. GG and off to top 2.
2-1, 5-1 (tournament 1)
12-3 (weekend)


Top 2, Game 1: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Donphan/Cobalion (Mario, local TO)
I like this match up - Donphan can't generally win this matchup because it can't OHKO my Darkrai. I take control from this the beginning. I misplay by trying to attack after getting Iron Breakered (I haven't played against this card for a while. derp). It didn't end up affecting anything other than me not attacking that turn. I take the game.
1-0

Top 4, Game 3: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Donphan/Cobalion (Mario, local TO)
This game was pretty ugly for Mario...he dead drew for a while. He was down to a solo Cobalion and finally got rolling. He couldn't recover and was too far behind to win. I win the game by drawing my only Mewtwo in the prize the turn before. I OHKO his Cobalion with Eviolite with my Mewtwo. GG
2-0, 6-1 (tournament 1)
13-3 (weekend)

V. Props/Slops, etc.

Props:
For anyone who read my whole report. lol
Top cutting twice and winning once.
Trenton for lending me Darkrai on Friday.
Bill for lending me Darkrai on Sunday.
Amanda for having such fun games with.
Mario for not flipping the table on me.
For finally getting of the hump of not being able to beat Trenton.
Going 9-2 against the top local players this weekend.
Going13-3 this weekend.
Jim for being such an awesome PTO.
Klingklang being a boss.
Tornadus EX + Eviolite laughing in the face of fist Pokemon.
The great turn outs for all 3 events.
BSU, Nampa Civic Center and Phoenix Fire Games for hosting great events.
Amanda for playtesting a game before the last tournament to make me decide not to play the list I was thinking about.
Darkrai EX.

Slops:
A couple of misplays.
All the stress that winning brought. lol
I didn't eat dinner on Sunday until 9:30pm.
Fist Pokemon. :fighting: (credit to Bill for the term, "Fist" Pokemon...)

This was an amazing weekend. I had a blast, did well. My son also won 2 of the 3 BRs this weekend as well. Good job Eli!

 

[chuzzoe]

Awesome job this weekend! It's great to have such nice players as you and your family. You guys are a true compliment to pokemon. Glad you had a great time and look forward to seeing you guys at league and other pokemon places.

chuzzoe

 

[juwilker]

Idaho Battleroad

Josh,

This is Justin with Fist pokemon. Nice tournement report. I wish I had ability to recall the games like you. Confessor killed my Terrakions with the sableye/crushing hammer. I had fun playing you. Look forward to many more.

Justin

 

[JandPDS]

Top 4, Game 3: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Truth (Trenton, a top local player)
I go first. I catcher, his Solosis with my Mewtwo on T1. He then is able to activate Twins on T1 to get a Pichu out to Playground. Unfortunately, time is called during the resolution of Playground. Our PTO calls Pokemon to make sure the ruling is correct but the initial ruling is that his turn is still going so it's 0 and so I would get 2 more turns and he would get only 1. After a short break, it is confirmed that his turn is indeed 0 of the 0+3 time extension. Unfortunately he just benched 2 Oddish to get set up. I get another KO with Mewtwo so it's 2-0 and he is going into his last turn having to KO my Mewtwo for 2 prizes. He has a Twins and gets Mewtwo and DCE. My Mewtwo was hurt already so an X-Ball will KO mine. I have no energies on my field and have to get a KO for the win. I drop a Tornadus EX, attach an energy, use a Dark Patch on my Darkrai, retreat to get my Tornadus active and Ultra Ball for Shaymin for the win. GG and off to top 2.
2-1, 5-1 (tournament 1)
12-3 (weekend)


Question, how did you OHKO his Mewtwo EX with a Tornadus EX?

 

[juniormccracken]

Top 4, Game 3: Darkrai/Tornadus vs. Truth (Trenton, a top local player)
I go first. I catcher, his Solosis with my Mewtwo on T1. He then is able to activate Twins on T1 to get a Pichu out to Playground. Unfortunately, time is called during the resolution of Playground. Our PTO calls Pokemon to make sure the ruling is correct but the initial ruling is that his turn is still going so it's 0 and so I would get 2 more turns and he would get only 1. After a short break, it is confirmed that his turn is indeed 0 of the 0+3 time extension. Unfortunately he just benched 2 Oddish to get set up. I get another KO with Mewtwo so it's 2-0 and he is going into his last turn having to KO my Mewtwo for 2 prizes. He has a Twins and gets Mewtwo and DCE. My Mewtwo was hurt already so an X-Ball will KO mine. I have no energies on my field and have to get a KO for the win. I drop a Tornadus EX, attach an energy, use a Dark Patch on my Darkrai, retreat to get my Tornadus active and Ultra Ball for Shaymin for the win. GG and off to top 2.
2-1, 5-1 (tournament 1)
12-3 (weekend)


Question, how did you OHKO his Mewtwo EX with a Tornadus EX?

My bad...I had a catcher too for his benched Pichu for 30 damage.