tenuredprof
New Member
I know that there have been a number of LudiCargo threads -- and there will probably be many more -- but this is a somewhat different variant. I am not a player but am interested in the theory of Pokemon, and I would be grateful for the advice of experienced players.
As I see it, the biggest problems with LudiCargo are (1) potentially slow set-ups, (2) an inability to hit the bench, (3) deadly electric weakness, and (4) susceptibility to special conditions. I think that I can handle (2)-(4); the question is whether one has sacrificed too much of (1) in the process. Here is my current lineup:
4 Lotad (2 Surprise, 2 CG)
2 Lombre (CG)
4 Ludicolo (1 Happy, 2 Swing, 1 CG)
2 Slugma (DX)
2 Magcargo (DX)
2 Gulpin (CG)
2 Swalot (CG)
1 Smoochum (UF)
2 Jynx (UF)
1 Shining Latias (DX)
2 DRE
1 Scramble
3 Holon Magneton/Electrode
2 Holon FF
2 Holon WP
3 Water
3 Fire
4 Battle Frontier
2 Rare Candy
2 Reversal
1 Switch
4 Celio's Network
2 Holon Mentor or Lanette (not sure which)
1 Holon Farmer
1 Scott
5 Draw cards of choice (Copycat will be nice when it comes back)
The rationale for Jynx is that it works well as a disruptive starter, can buy time in a desperate pinch, and can reach the bench when that proves crucial. Unless Jynx is evolved, it can take time to build up the three energies, but if the Poke Powers are up and running, it should be possible to get the cards. The rationale for Swalot is that it can also buy time if things are looking grim and takes advantage of grass weakness, which I suspect is becoming increasing important. (The alternative to Swalot, if psychic weakness seems more prevalent, is the Extra Ball Grumpig, but Swalot has the benefit of having a serious attack for only colorless energy.)
The energies are a tough mix. Holon WP can handle special conditions, while Holon FF can deal with weakness. Given the power of the LudiCargo search engine, why not take advantage of both, especially with Magnetons and Electrodes to spread things around?
Of course, once one has put in 22 pokemon, 16 energies, and 4 stadiums (I would dearly love to add another stadium, such as Low Pressure System, but I do not see room), that does not leave a lot of space for trainers. I have only two Rare Candies, which may be a serious mistake. The two reversals are perhaps questionable, but if one is up against something like Shiftry Ex or Politoed Ex, a reversal plus a Shining Latias seems like a nice combination to have available. There are no Windstorms. Is there any deck that will make serious use of Cessation Crystal that LudiCargo cannot simply overpower, even without the Poke Powers? The supporter set is also very thin, especially since the pokemon do not include any basic-searching cards such as Plusle, Tauros, or Luvdisc.
Sixty cards forces trade-offs. One possible solution is to dump a Smoochum and a Jynx and go with only one Jynx as a potential bench-hitting threat. Another alternative is to go 3-2-3 on Ludicolo, but the Happy Dance Ludicolo is so useful that it hurts to part with it. However, if one takes either of these moves, what would be the best use of the available slots?
Thank you all in advance.
As I see it, the biggest problems with LudiCargo are (1) potentially slow set-ups, (2) an inability to hit the bench, (3) deadly electric weakness, and (4) susceptibility to special conditions. I think that I can handle (2)-(4); the question is whether one has sacrificed too much of (1) in the process. Here is my current lineup:
4 Lotad (2 Surprise, 2 CG)
2 Lombre (CG)
4 Ludicolo (1 Happy, 2 Swing, 1 CG)
2 Slugma (DX)
2 Magcargo (DX)
2 Gulpin (CG)
2 Swalot (CG)
1 Smoochum (UF)
2 Jynx (UF)
1 Shining Latias (DX)
2 DRE
1 Scramble
3 Holon Magneton/Electrode
2 Holon FF
2 Holon WP
3 Water
3 Fire
4 Battle Frontier
2 Rare Candy
2 Reversal
1 Switch
4 Celio's Network
2 Holon Mentor or Lanette (not sure which)
1 Holon Farmer
1 Scott
5 Draw cards of choice (Copycat will be nice when it comes back)
The rationale for Jynx is that it works well as a disruptive starter, can buy time in a desperate pinch, and can reach the bench when that proves crucial. Unless Jynx is evolved, it can take time to build up the three energies, but if the Poke Powers are up and running, it should be possible to get the cards. The rationale for Swalot is that it can also buy time if things are looking grim and takes advantage of grass weakness, which I suspect is becoming increasing important. (The alternative to Swalot, if psychic weakness seems more prevalent, is the Extra Ball Grumpig, but Swalot has the benefit of having a serious attack for only colorless energy.)
The energies are a tough mix. Holon WP can handle special conditions, while Holon FF can deal with weakness. Given the power of the LudiCargo search engine, why not take advantage of both, especially with Magnetons and Electrodes to spread things around?
Of course, once one has put in 22 pokemon, 16 energies, and 4 stadiums (I would dearly love to add another stadium, such as Low Pressure System, but I do not see room), that does not leave a lot of space for trainers. I have only two Rare Candies, which may be a serious mistake. The two reversals are perhaps questionable, but if one is up against something like Shiftry Ex or Politoed Ex, a reversal plus a Shining Latias seems like a nice combination to have available. There are no Windstorms. Is there any deck that will make serious use of Cessation Crystal that LudiCargo cannot simply overpower, even without the Poke Powers? The supporter set is also very thin, especially since the pokemon do not include any basic-searching cards such as Plusle, Tauros, or Luvdisc.
Sixty cards forces trade-offs. One possible solution is to dump a Smoochum and a Jynx and go with only one Jynx as a potential bench-hitting threat. Another alternative is to go 3-2-3 on Ludicolo, but the Happy Dance Ludicolo is so useful that it hurts to part with it. However, if one takes either of these moves, what would be the best use of the available slots?
Thank you all in advance.
