I saw this note, and wanted to add my 2 cents on the deck building part:
Deck Building Tips
20/20 rule
20 Energy Cards = Energy, Energy Search, or Draw Supportor cards. Thus 18 energy + 2 Draw Supportors or 20 energy all the same. General rule is you use every draw supportor. Missing an energy drops is such a bad thing in this game.
20 Other Cards = Pokemon, Search Supportor and USEFUL Tech Trainers. (switch, pokeball, potion), Don't often bother with Stadiums or weird trainers.
Pokemon In Decks:
-Find any decent line that you have to center your decks around. 3-2, 2-1, 1-2, 1-1 lines all work if the stage 1 or stage is actually any good. 3-1 one lines depend if the basic is any good. I have 2-2 lines I have left in my bag because the stage 1 was soooo bad, not worth it.
Rounding Out the Deck:
1. Use every big basic Pokemon, with any attack IE 70,80,90 HP basic, with 20 attack for 1 or 2 is great for pre-releases as big skirmisher.
2. 20 damage and Flip for Paralysis or Auto Sleep is another boss card in pre-releases. You can lock up an attacker for along time with these.
3. Bench Hitter, need to finish the deal with 10 damage to the bench, try to fit in a pokemon or 2 with these.
4. Attacks of Call for Family, Draw Cards, Etc attacks are all good set up pokemon start with.
5. Fossil Rule: If the set has Fossils, grab up to 4 of them to take some hits before you discard them to start with your offensive attack.
6. Misc. Attackers - If you are still looking to fit in pokemon, round out with basics that have good attacks that are colorless. 3 types of energy is ussually the best way to spread your energy.
Again, for new folks I always remind them of the 20/20 rule. If they do that, they will be OK.
