Unlimited Psychic/Lightning Deck (Reanimation Deck)

[Beelz]

First: Some exposition.

I am the very definition of a new guy when it comes to Pokemon TCG - I only started playing last weekend when my boyfriend and I played around while waiting between panels at an anime convention. I don't really intend for my deck to be professional or play in tournaments and whatnot, but I do want to ask you on the forum if my deck would be at least playable and if it could be improved at all.

Pokemon: 23
(2) Zekrom
(2) Pikachu (Next Destinies)
(2) Raichu (Next Destinies)
(2) Emolga (Next Destinies)
(4) Gastly (Stormfront)
(3) Haunter (Diamond & Pearl)
(2) Gengar (Arceus) (With the "Shadow Skip" ability)
(2) Spoink (Legends Awakened)
(2) Spoink (Triumphant)
(2) Grumpig (EX Emerald)

Trainers: 17
(2) Bill’s Maintenance
(2) Relic Hunter
(2) Pokemon Communication
(3) Potion
(2) Cilan
(2) Warp Point
(2) Level Ball
(2) Pokemon Center

Energy: 20
(9) Lightning
(11) Psychic

Total: 60

So, I guess this is called a Free Retreat Deck? The majority of the Pokemon in my deck have an ability that allows me to switch it with one of my Benched Pokemon after it attacks. Anything that doesn't have that ability can Paralyze or put to Sleep the Defending Pokemon to buy some time. My whole strategy is to keep switching my Active and Benched Pokemon after every attack so that my opponent never gets the opportunity to kill any of them while I slowly whittle away at theirs.

Zekrom is there in case I need a late-game heavy hitter to end with. And Pikachu and Raichu came with him in the starter deck, and they're pretty cool, so I kept them too. Nothing too complicated in that regard.

My biggest problem is with Trainers and Supports, I think. I specifically chose the Pokemon Center Stadium so I can heal my Pokemon on the Bench before switching them back into battle and Relic Hunter helps me get it out as quickly as possible. Warp Point helps in case I need to change out a Pokemon that doesn't have that specific ability like Haunter or Pikachu and not waste Energies for the retreat cost - with the added bonus of forcing my opponent to switch theirs as well. But all the others... I seriously don't know for sure if they work or if there are better cards out there that will help with my strategy.

Anyway, I wasn't kidding when I said I'm a beginner; I literally only started playing less than a week ago. I'm anxious to learn what I can do to improve this deck without losing the basic strategy/style I've set up. Again, I'm honestly not looking to go pro here, I just want something I can have fun with.

 

[nikx1]

Hey. This is only a quick edit whilst im sitting on the train work but i would by a quick glance
-4 Spoink
2 Grumpig
2 Emolga
2 Psychic
1 Lightning

+ 3 Rare Candy
2 Collector
2 Communication
3 Hand Refresh........such as Oak or Copycat maybe??
1 Super Rod or Night Maintenance

Of course these cards are all legal in the format now but u cud always
Swap them out for older cards which do a similar thing??

The idea is just to add more focus to ur setting up...
..keeping Raichu and Gengar lines with Zekrom
Posted with Mobile style...

 

[Beelz]

Thank you for the advice! I'll look up those cards right now to see what they do!

I'm just curious - does it help to have fewer Pokemon in a deck? I'm worried about not having enough basics for early/mid game. I guess the draw power Trainers help out, but I think I don't fully understand the reasoning behind only having 15 Pokemon in a deck with 60 cards in it. That just seems like so few...

 

[broncosboy18]

It is better to have fewer pokemon because you want to have a centralized attacker with support. If your deck has to many pokemon, it may seem like you can never choose what pokemon to use.
Posted with Mobile style...

 

[Beelz]

Okay, I guess I can understand that. I've made some modifications now, and I'm pretty confident about it.

Before I go, are there any comments on the Free Retreat strategy? Anything I should know or avoid when trying to employ it?

 

[X_empoleon_X]

This would generally be refered to as a "hit & run" strategy.

You should find pokemon that act as walls as to not just give your opponent a free prize once you've switched out Emolga or Gengar. Here are a few pokemon to consider:

Mr.Mime (Mysterious Treasure) - This was an amazing wall card paired with Gengar which basically prevents all damage done to Mr.Mime if your opponents defending pokemon doesn't have at least 3 energy cards attached to it. The strategy falls apart if your opponent has a way to attack around it.

Mr.Mime ex (Fire Red & Leaf Green) - Another wall to consider. There are 2 versions of this card but they both more-or-less do the same thing - block damage. However one blocks damage if the damage dealt to it is an even number (20, 40, 60 etc.) and the other Mr. Mime ex blocks odd damage (10, 30, 50 etc.)

Those were 2 (or 3) of the many types of blockers, but generally you to should switch into a pokemon that can either survive an on-coming hit from your opponent or just block the damage.

 

[Beelz]

I didn't even think of a blocker. You're absolutely right, I should have some sort of Pokemon that can take hits just in case. And Mr. Mime is perfect since he's also a psychic type. Thank you so much!