Hello all.
First off, I want to say that BOTH of these Gym Challenges were excellent. Vince and Ray ran the Sedalia GC very well, and the same goes for the KC GC. They were very comfortable atmospheres... I can't even remember one problem arising.
At first, I was only going to go to Sedalia. We didn't even know about the Kansas City GC. However, my friend and my sister (who also play Pokemon and came along as well, combining for a dismal, yet "helpful" 3-7 at BOTH events) wanted to go to Kansas City, and I guess they convinced my mom while I was playing in the top 8. Anywho, here's an approximation of what my decklist was both days.
Darth VADER (Voltorb, ...A something, Dunsparce, Electrode, dark tyranitaR) Ok that was lame. Let's just call it "Dark Tyranitrode"
4 Dunsparce
3 Larvitar (C - 10, FC - 20)
3 Dark Pupitar (80 HP, the good one)
3 Dark Tyranitar (Spinning tail)
3 Voltorb (RG)
3 Dark Electrode (RR)
8 Lightning Energy
4 Darkness Energy
2 Dark Metal Energy
2 R Energy
4 Steven's
4 TV Reporter
4 Rocket's Pokeball
3 Strength Charm
3 Rare Candy
3 Copycat
2 Rocket's Tricky Gym
2 ATM Rock
That's an approximation. I made minor adjustments day 2, adding 1 Trode ex (for Dark Trode), and a couple other trainer adjustments. This deck is good. The strategy is simple... Use Dark Trode on turns 2 and 3 to start loading up Dark Tyranitar. It's FAST, and at the same time strong. I'm going to have to make some fixes to it to make it more competitive... in the FINAL MATCH. It seems like it's good any other time, except for games 2 and 3 of the final match. I am a classic choke artist... I'll just admit it now.
SEDALIA GC...
Round 1 vs. guy with grass deck
All I remember here is that Dark Electrode did EXACTLY what it was supposed to, and Rocket's Tricky Gym proved to be very helpful. I did 40 on turn 2, and 40 on turn 3, and all he had was a lone Rocket's Scyther.
1-0
Round 2 vs. my sister
She played a Dk Tyranitar (both versions)/Togetic/Magcargo. I was simply much faster, and I got a quick 2-6 prize lead. She tried to make a comeback (with the fighting dk tyranitar, which I'm weak to) but I was able to knock it out and eventually win the game.
2-0
Round 3 vs. Dave with Zapdos ex
I enjoyed this matchup. Dave is a REALLY nice guy who was at both gym challenges. I love playing against Zapdos ex too, because although I nearly almost win the matchup, I always sweat. Zapdos usually takes a 2-6 prize lead on me, and FINALLY Dark Tyranitar will come out and do his Bite Off and dominate the deck. That's exactly what happened.
3-0
Round 4 vs. Anthony with Electrode ex/Delcatty/Magcargo
I thought I dominated this matchup. I took a 3-6 prize lead... with 2 dark tyranitars fully built. He then blew up his electrode, giving me a 1-6 prize lead... but he attached everything basically to delcatty. He pow'd my fully loaded dark t-tar, killing it. I sent up dunsparce, tried to paralyze (while putting an energy on dark tyranitar)... he then pow'd the other one, killing it. He came back from a 1-6 prize deficit... and won easily. This deck is simply amazing when you run it the correct way.
3-1
Round 5 vs. Michael with Gardevoir
I love this matchup, but I nearly lost this one. I had a terrible start; he had a great one. He rare candied to a Gardevoir first turn, and started beating down on me. He had me down to a lone Dark Pupitar... and then I ATM Rocked. He had nothing, and he was forced to retreat and send up Wobbuffet, while I was able to set up. Once I set up Dark Tyranitar, he couldn't deal with it.
4-1
So I knew I made top 8. Michael ended up making it too... which was good. He was a really nice guy, and I hope to see him again at future Gym Challenges.
First round of the top 8... vs. Dragtrode
I don't remember this match right now. I know that in his second game, he was stuck with a Rocket's Sneasel ex the whole time, and drew no basics so I easily won due to his fighting weakness. The first game was a good battle, but I was able to walk over the deck. Honestly, I (had) NO fears of Dragtrode until Kansas City. I seriously have never had a problem dealing with it... but maybe I've just never faced it completely set up. Anyway, I'm hinting at the conclusion of my report... I'll just continue with where I'm at. Anyway, I won this 2-0
6-1
Top 4 matchup vs. Michael
Michael beat Colin Moll's Vileplume ex deck... a deck I feared. Gardevoir was a much better matchup for me, and I was able to easily win the first game. Second game went on forever... and we just kept surprising each other. I ATM Rocked twice, the second time for the win. He also Briney'd and did stuff like that.. so we kept this match interesting. I was able to win it 2-0
8-1
FINALS MATCHUP VS. ANTHONY
I talked with Dave about how to beat this deck earlier... and we decided ATM Rock was the best route. Or... killing his Voltorbs. That's what I did the first game. I got Dark Electrode out early.. and was able to just annihilate his basics. He tried to stage a comeback, but couldn't manage it. I was ONE WIN away from the trip.
In game 2, He second turns a voltorb. He went first, attached energy, did nothing. I go... and I have a hand of Voltorb (in play), a few lightning energy, a Dark Electrode (useless on first turn without candy), and both atm rock. >_<
In game 3, he had the upper hand the whole time. I tried to force him to play to a DIFFERENT tempo... aka, a game of loading up the bench. I refused to give him the lead. That didn't matter... when he blew up the Electrode ex, he GOT the lead, Pow'd a dark tyranitar and killed it. I just played stupidly in this match... I need to playtest AGAINST this in the future. But anyway... he got the win, and I got 18 packs.
Overall record: 9-3
I really think Emerald is only worth buying for the Matrix Energy...
This was a great Gym Challenge, and I think it was probably the best I've ever been to. Great job to Vince and Ray for running an excellent event.
NOW we head to Kansas City, KS, which is approximately 8 hours from our home in Aledo. Sedalia was like 7 hours... so yeah. We're traveling for Pokemon. ALRIGHT.
I made minor adjustments, including teching an Electrode ex, because it's so good. It helped out, a lot.
Round 1 vs. Blastoise ex
She got a good setup, but once Dark Tyranitar hit the board, it was over.
1-0
Round 2 vs. Rogue deck with weird pokemon I've never heard of.
What's a Zangoose? Honestly?
2-0
Round 3 ... I don't remember, but I won.
3-0
Round 4 vs. Michael w/ Gardevoir
This match was similar to our swiss match at Sedalia. It tries, but it really can't deal with Dark Tyranitar.
4-0
Round 5 vs. DarkJake w/ Dragtrode
So I guess age groups were mixed? Anyway, I was the lone 15+ undefeated... and he was one of two 11-14 undefeated. Yeah that didn't make sense. But anyway, I got a terrible setup, and he was able to swiftly beat me.
4-1
I made top 8 once again... and now the nerves set in.
First round vs. Dave w/ Zapdos ex
These were basically the same people that were at Sedalia, only they came to KC. This was a fun matchup, and he made me "sweat", as we jokingly talked about. However, Zapdos really struggles against Dark Tyranitar, and he was completely weak to my deck. Dark ELECTRODE became very useful as well. I was able to win 2-0.
6-1
Top 4 vs. guy with Dark Tyranitar/Pidgeot
These were close. At first, I thought he had the first match one. However, the speed of my deck was able to outspeed his, and I made the comeback. In the second game, I had the edge most of the way.
8-1
FINAL MATCH VS. Trevor with Dragtrode
I'm excited. I should be able to beat this deck. Right? I guess not. I won my first match rather easily...
Then came the second game. Later in the game, I realized I hadn't played my prizes. I told the judges I should probably take a prize penalty, and they agreed. Then... later on, I thought I had won the game, but I made a huge oversight. I blew up my Trode ex, giving him 2 prizes and only one left to draw. I knew I'd have the game won in two turns. However, my poor injured Dunsparce on the bench didn't think that would work. Rocket's Tricky Gym, the card I LOVED, was used against me and he won the match.
The third match, he got the PERFECT Dragtrode setup. My setup was anything but, and his speed was better than mine. There was nothing I could do to win this game... I needed POW!... and I didn't play it. >_<
1-2
Overall record: 18-6, with 2 2nd place finishes.
I had a great time. It's just really hard to get as far as I did, and be one game away from the victory BOTH tournaments, and still lose. I don't know if I'll be going to any more GC's... I want to, but it's difficult with my work schedule. We'll see. Anyway, adios.
~ RaNd0m
First off, I want to say that BOTH of these Gym Challenges were excellent. Vince and Ray ran the Sedalia GC very well, and the same goes for the KC GC. They were very comfortable atmospheres... I can't even remember one problem arising.
At first, I was only going to go to Sedalia. We didn't even know about the Kansas City GC. However, my friend and my sister (who also play Pokemon and came along as well, combining for a dismal, yet "helpful" 3-7 at BOTH events) wanted to go to Kansas City, and I guess they convinced my mom while I was playing in the top 8. Anywho, here's an approximation of what my decklist was both days.
Darth VADER (Voltorb, ...A something, Dunsparce, Electrode, dark tyranitaR) Ok that was lame. Let's just call it "Dark Tyranitrode"
4 Dunsparce
3 Larvitar (C - 10, FC - 20)
3 Dark Pupitar (80 HP, the good one)
3 Dark Tyranitar (Spinning tail)
3 Voltorb (RG)
3 Dark Electrode (RR)
8 Lightning Energy
4 Darkness Energy
2 Dark Metal Energy
2 R Energy
4 Steven's
4 TV Reporter
4 Rocket's Pokeball
3 Strength Charm
3 Rare Candy
3 Copycat
2 Rocket's Tricky Gym
2 ATM Rock
That's an approximation. I made minor adjustments day 2, adding 1 Trode ex (for Dark Trode), and a couple other trainer adjustments. This deck is good. The strategy is simple... Use Dark Trode on turns 2 and 3 to start loading up Dark Tyranitar. It's FAST, and at the same time strong. I'm going to have to make some fixes to it to make it more competitive... in the FINAL MATCH. It seems like it's good any other time, except for games 2 and 3 of the final match. I am a classic choke artist... I'll just admit it now.
SEDALIA GC...
Round 1 vs. guy with grass deck
All I remember here is that Dark Electrode did EXACTLY what it was supposed to, and Rocket's Tricky Gym proved to be very helpful. I did 40 on turn 2, and 40 on turn 3, and all he had was a lone Rocket's Scyther.
1-0
Round 2 vs. my sister
She played a Dk Tyranitar (both versions)/Togetic/Magcargo. I was simply much faster, and I got a quick 2-6 prize lead. She tried to make a comeback (with the fighting dk tyranitar, which I'm weak to) but I was able to knock it out and eventually win the game.
2-0
Round 3 vs. Dave with Zapdos ex
I enjoyed this matchup. Dave is a REALLY nice guy who was at both gym challenges. I love playing against Zapdos ex too, because although I nearly almost win the matchup, I always sweat. Zapdos usually takes a 2-6 prize lead on me, and FINALLY Dark Tyranitar will come out and do his Bite Off and dominate the deck. That's exactly what happened.
3-0
Round 4 vs. Anthony with Electrode ex/Delcatty/Magcargo
I thought I dominated this matchup. I took a 3-6 prize lead... with 2 dark tyranitars fully built. He then blew up his electrode, giving me a 1-6 prize lead... but he attached everything basically to delcatty. He pow'd my fully loaded dark t-tar, killing it. I sent up dunsparce, tried to paralyze (while putting an energy on dark tyranitar)... he then pow'd the other one, killing it. He came back from a 1-6 prize deficit... and won easily. This deck is simply amazing when you run it the correct way.
3-1
Round 5 vs. Michael with Gardevoir
I love this matchup, but I nearly lost this one. I had a terrible start; he had a great one. He rare candied to a Gardevoir first turn, and started beating down on me. He had me down to a lone Dark Pupitar... and then I ATM Rocked. He had nothing, and he was forced to retreat and send up Wobbuffet, while I was able to set up. Once I set up Dark Tyranitar, he couldn't deal with it.
4-1
So I knew I made top 8. Michael ended up making it too... which was good. He was a really nice guy, and I hope to see him again at future Gym Challenges.
First round of the top 8... vs. Dragtrode
I don't remember this match right now. I know that in his second game, he was stuck with a Rocket's Sneasel ex the whole time, and drew no basics so I easily won due to his fighting weakness. The first game was a good battle, but I was able to walk over the deck. Honestly, I (had) NO fears of Dragtrode until Kansas City. I seriously have never had a problem dealing with it... but maybe I've just never faced it completely set up. Anyway, I'm hinting at the conclusion of my report... I'll just continue with where I'm at. Anyway, I won this 2-0
6-1
Top 4 matchup vs. Michael
Michael beat Colin Moll's Vileplume ex deck... a deck I feared. Gardevoir was a much better matchup for me, and I was able to easily win the first game. Second game went on forever... and we just kept surprising each other. I ATM Rocked twice, the second time for the win. He also Briney'd and did stuff like that.. so we kept this match interesting. I was able to win it 2-0
8-1
FINALS MATCHUP VS. ANTHONY
I talked with Dave about how to beat this deck earlier... and we decided ATM Rock was the best route. Or... killing his Voltorbs. That's what I did the first game. I got Dark Electrode out early.. and was able to just annihilate his basics. He tried to stage a comeback, but couldn't manage it. I was ONE WIN away from the trip.
In game 2, He second turns a voltorb. He went first, attached energy, did nothing. I go... and I have a hand of Voltorb (in play), a few lightning energy, a Dark Electrode (useless on first turn without candy), and both atm rock. >_<
In game 3, he had the upper hand the whole time. I tried to force him to play to a DIFFERENT tempo... aka, a game of loading up the bench. I refused to give him the lead. That didn't matter... when he blew up the Electrode ex, he GOT the lead, Pow'd a dark tyranitar and killed it. I just played stupidly in this match... I need to playtest AGAINST this in the future. But anyway... he got the win, and I got 18 packs.
Overall record: 9-3
I really think Emerald is only worth buying for the Matrix Energy...
This was a great Gym Challenge, and I think it was probably the best I've ever been to. Great job to Vince and Ray for running an excellent event.
NOW we head to Kansas City, KS, which is approximately 8 hours from our home in Aledo. Sedalia was like 7 hours... so yeah. We're traveling for Pokemon. ALRIGHT.
I made minor adjustments, including teching an Electrode ex, because it's so good. It helped out, a lot.
Round 1 vs. Blastoise ex
She got a good setup, but once Dark Tyranitar hit the board, it was over.
1-0
Round 2 vs. Rogue deck with weird pokemon I've never heard of.
What's a Zangoose? Honestly?
2-0
Round 3 ... I don't remember, but I won.
3-0
Round 4 vs. Michael w/ Gardevoir
This match was similar to our swiss match at Sedalia. It tries, but it really can't deal with Dark Tyranitar.
4-0
Round 5 vs. DarkJake w/ Dragtrode
So I guess age groups were mixed? Anyway, I was the lone 15+ undefeated... and he was one of two 11-14 undefeated. Yeah that didn't make sense. But anyway, I got a terrible setup, and he was able to swiftly beat me.
4-1
I made top 8 once again... and now the nerves set in.
First round vs. Dave w/ Zapdos ex
These were basically the same people that were at Sedalia, only they came to KC. This was a fun matchup, and he made me "sweat", as we jokingly talked about. However, Zapdos really struggles against Dark Tyranitar, and he was completely weak to my deck. Dark ELECTRODE became very useful as well. I was able to win 2-0.
6-1
Top 4 vs. guy with Dark Tyranitar/Pidgeot
These were close. At first, I thought he had the first match one. However, the speed of my deck was able to outspeed his, and I made the comeback. In the second game, I had the edge most of the way.
8-1
FINAL MATCH VS. Trevor with Dragtrode
I'm excited. I should be able to beat this deck. Right? I guess not. I won my first match rather easily...
Then came the second game. Later in the game, I realized I hadn't played my prizes. I told the judges I should probably take a prize penalty, and they agreed. Then... later on, I thought I had won the game, but I made a huge oversight. I blew up my Trode ex, giving him 2 prizes and only one left to draw. I knew I'd have the game won in two turns. However, my poor injured Dunsparce on the bench didn't think that would work. Rocket's Tricky Gym, the card I LOVED, was used against me and he won the match.
The third match, he got the PERFECT Dragtrode setup. My setup was anything but, and his speed was better than mine. There was nothing I could do to win this game... I needed POW!... and I didn't play it. >_<
1-2
Overall record: 18-6, with 2 2nd place finishes.
I had a great time. It's just really hard to get as far as I did, and be one game away from the victory BOTH tournaments, and still lose. I don't know if I'll be going to any more GC's... I want to, but it's difficult with my work schedule. We'll see. Anyway, adios.
~ RaNd0m
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