Author Topic: Deck essentials Pscyther Member Member # 126758 posted February 12, 2003 05:44 PM            I've been playing this game casually for a couple months now, and I've got a deck to enter in SBZ. The thing is, I've read deck reports and fixes from a couple sites and all of them (and I mean all) seem to stress that every single deck needs max Elm (and to a lesser extent, Cleffa/Copycat). I know drawing power is important and I know what card advantage is. I have Master Ball, Dual Ball, Forest Guardian, Bill's Maintenances, and several Elm's Training Methods to get the pokemon I need, and I have plenty in there (I think). So what do you think? In general, am I completely doomed without Elm? -------------------- There's nothing quite like 4 heads on a Fury Cutter 8) From: Maryland, USA, Terra | Registered: Feb 2003  |  IP: Logged yoshi1001 Member # 825 posted February 12, 2003 05:50 PM             Not really. With so many draw trainers out there, you can do a lot without it. It is nice to have, though. -------------------- Visit Pokéwatch! Listen to PIRN, the Pokémon Internet Radio Network. We have interviews with Master Trainer Mike, Kierin Chase, and more, as well as your favorite Pokémon music! PIRN: The number 1 Pokémon Internet Radio Station! PIRN: The Magazine PIRN Message Boards GCAbGEbGF AIM: yoshi1001 From: Janesville, Wisconsin | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged IPGeek21 Member # 184 posted February 12, 2003 06:45 PM             Just compare the SPEED & reliability to: 4 ELM 4 Trader 4 Copycat 4 Oak's Research Can you deck keep up with this type of deck? AND if they only use STage 1's becareful. -------------------- Drafts bring out the BEST of the WORST cards in Pokemon *TC Member/WizpogMOD_Squad/Master_Prof* +GodFather to an Angel:RIP-Paloma Geronimo -=-=-=-=-=- TheCompendium Team Random Proud bro of SSJ3DVP11 ipgeek21.com SHUT UP & DO something about it From: The here, BUT WHERE shall we go? | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged dkates Member Member # 113463 posted February 12, 2003 07:38 PM            Draw trainers are nice, but there is one deck type that they actually hurt. I'm speaking, of course, of the classic Stall Deck. Since these decks tend to try to make your opponent run out of cards, drawing extra cards endangers the strategy. IMO, many other decks can do fine with a few deck searchers, instad of bunches of draw trainers. You can even go low on deck-searchers if you're not using many stage 2's or singles. -------------------- Every time I think I can't say anything stupider, I prove myself wrong. Maybe I should just stop thinking. From: Houston, TX | Registered: Nov 2002  |  IP: Logged IPGeek21 Member # 184 posted February 12, 2003 07:45 PM             Just the opposite you can PUT IN MORE trainers. BTW, this is the draw engine to a MODIFIED deck... that moltres stall deck (for example) is unlimited. Yeah, that was a nasty deck to have to face... *phew* my slowking deck was able to beat it at a tourney one time. -------------------- Drafts bring out the BEST of the WORST cards in Pokemon *TC Member/WizpogMOD_Squad/Master_Prof* +GodFather to an Angel:RIP-Paloma Geronimo -=-=-=-=-=- TheCompendium Team Random Proud bro of SSJ3DVP11 ipgeek21.com SHUT UP & DO something about it From: The here, BUT WHERE shall we go? | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged The Dark Llama Member Member # 75434 posted February 12, 2003 07:59 PM             Ignore all requests to play more Elm/Oak/Cleffa. I have 7 decks that don't use any of them, and as you can see in my sig, my record speaks for itself. Just because everyone else uses them doesn't mean you have to. Just say NO to Elm! -------------------- Best Decks Kurai Tsuki no Kokoro Dark Ampharos/Dark Espeon 31-7 Kage Ha! Dark Scizor 8-0 Elm, Oak, Cleffa and Copycat are archetypes. YGO Deck: Yukai na Shi ni yotte Ryu Pleasant Death by way of Dragon 25-8 My have/want list One Sentence Add-On! From: San Diego | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged IPGeek21 Member # 184 posted February 12, 2003 08:36 PM             TDL, I am usually very skeptical about records. BUT in COMPETITIVE tourneys... UNLESS the deck REQUIRES a certain tweak ELMS & Cleffas (oaks are NOT allowed in modified) are a neccesary evil... to win of course. If for fun... -------------------- Drafts bring out the BEST of the WORST cards in Pokemon *TC Member/WizpogMOD_Squad/Master_Prof* +GodFather to an Angel:RIP-Paloma Geronimo -=-=-=-=-=- TheCompendium Team Random Proud bro of SSJ3DVP11 ipgeek21.com SHUT UP & DO something about it From: The here, BUT WHERE shall we go? | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged mysterioustrainer Member # 1049 posted February 12, 2003 08:48 PM             Of course there are more drawers than Elm, however most deck need a balance of kinds of trainers along with its part in the balence of the deck. It is all apart of deck building. Check out these articles for more information about trainers: Strategy: Train To Be the Best (part one) Strategy: Train To Be the Best (part two) They give insight to why Elm, Copycat, Prof. Oak, Gambler, and Research are important to the competive game. Unfortunitly, they are unique and a kind of trainer you don't see often. That makes them so popular and used. -------------------- ~Myst www.freewebs.com/mysterioustrainer Check out my personal website. Includes my ideas for decks my own fake cards, GB Teams, links to Ebay auctions, main trading page and much, much more. 1748 DCI Rating Top player in state of Wyoming (Hmm. Could have something to do with the fact that the other four players in the state haven't played in over two years?) From: Wherever the adventure takes me! | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged Pscyther Member Member # 126758 posted February 13, 2003 07:57 AM            Thanks for the advice and the links. I think I'll put in a couple copycats and playtest some more, but for my deck I don't think there's any need to go all out with 'em. Mmmm, SBZ day after tomorrow. -------------------- There's nothing quite like 4 heads on a Fury Cutter 8) From: Maryland, USA, Terra | Registered: Feb 2003  |  IP: Logged Spectreon Member # 60305 posted February 13, 2003 07:59 AM            More Trainers/Drawing doesnt meen better decks. Faster, maybe, but as a rule of thumb for my decks, I try to only run 3 of major cards. Mostly because of 11 decks, 7 of which are modified, you tend to run outta trainers no matter how many you have. Here is my modified Deck fix staples 2 Cleffa (genesis) yes only 2, these puppies are hard to come by. if I had more (or less decks) I would up it to 3 3 Elm 3 Copycat/Oaks Research (not 3 of each, these are support cards, and with one per turn, I dont like too many total supporters) 3 Fucos bands (though I only have enough for 4-5 decks) 3 Double Gust 2-3 Switches (Combos well with Double Gust and helps high retreat decks. 2 Stadiums (whatever ones suit the deck and your playing style) 1 Aipom!!! (NG) Who needs only 4 when you can have an infinite supply of any card. Pilfer anyone. 2 Recycle Energy [ February 13, 2003, 08:00 AM: Message edited by: Spectreon ] -------------------- To evolve, treat Eevee poorly, when it hates your guts, let it get ko'ed in th night while holding Spell Tag. PS, if it gets ko'ed outin the day, then it will die, go visit its grave in Soul House of Lavender, next to Fuji Spectreon: The Scary Ghost Pokemon Spectreon often haunt graveyards, sneaking up and scaring unsuspecting visitors From: Lavender Town, Kanto | Registered: Jan 2002  |  IP: Logged The_Deuce Member # 122649 posted February 13, 2003 10:16 AM             You don't really need Elm/Cleffa, but in competitive play, all it comes down to is who gets their big pokés out first, and Elm/Cleffa help that a lot. So yeah, in 90% of decks today, you'll see 3-4 Elm and 2-3 Cleffa. ::Reads Spectreon's post:: WHAT!?! only 1 Aipom?! You have to max out on Aipom at all times! -------------------- 1337 + 666 = 2003 (Proof that it's the year of elite evil...) AIM: TheTruePlatinum Apprentice plzkthx From: :noitacoL | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged

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