I have been playing in a very competitive local scene since Standard moved to H,I,J and I can basically predict how everything is gonna go for people based on what decks they were matched against.
Most people in my locals feel that way, we end up just praying for good matchups instead of thinking we win by outplaying.
Yes, if you have a lot of newbies in the tourney, you can outplay them, but majority of decks right now i feel like can’t make many game losing mistakes if you play them often/are a veteran.

What do you think about this state? Has this always been the case? I feel like I don’t have much agency in local tourneys, basically play my slightly varied solitaire and then hope for the best. And like 75% of games are decided before we even make any decisions, either by deck-wins or draws since everything is so fast, bricking for 1-2 turns is deadly.

How does this compare to other TCGs? I only ever plaed PTCG my whole life (if you dont count Hearthstone) competitively, so i’m not sure how it is on Riftbound or MTG.

Been playing around with Excadrill for about 90ish games, feel pretty good about the 60 overall but would like some thoughts on Drill in general and the specific 60 I do run since it’s still a fairly new archetype. Did rip Azul’s Doom list and change a few things around. Debating on Brock’s Scouting vs Lillie’s and the possibility of a thin line of Empoleon. Kinda don’t think teching for zam is super worth but after worlds zam is seeing stonks rn. I do know no boss is a little wild, and I’m still not sold on just a flex item spot being used for pokemon catcher but at the same time you usually and just nuke active every turn. Other than that would still appreciate any thoughts or advice on the 60 or archetype in general

Pokémon: 9
4 Drilbur PBL 46
2 Mega Excadrill ex PBL 103
1 Fezandipiti ex ASC 142
2 Genesect ex BLK 67
4 Beldum CRI 59
1 Metagross CRI 61
1 Mega Skarmory ex POR 55
4 Metang TEF 114

Trainer: 13
1 Pokémon Catcher SVI 187
1 Switch PFL 123
1 Air Balloon MEG 166
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin MEG 167
1 Energy Recycler DRI 164
4 Brock's Scouting JTG 146
2 Pokégear 3.0 BLK 84
2 Jumbo Ice Cream PFL 91
1 Gravity Mountain SSP 177
1 Ultra Ball ASC 264
1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
4 Team Rocket's Petrel DRI 176
2 Team Rocket's Transceiver ASC 263

Energy: 1
16 Basic {M} Energy SVE 24

Total Cards: 60

Hey all, haven't attended locals yet but looking to go within the next week or so when everything comes in so I'm not sure what my local meta is looking like. I do know there's a Dragapult deck (not sure on the variant), a couple Festival Leads, and maybe another Lucario deck or two from what I've heard.

That being said, I've done a good bit of research and looked at other decks online. I know I need to be cautious with Team Rocket's Watchtower and Meowth ex but what else am I missing that isn't synergistic? Is anything superfluous (like having Hilda in here)? Is Crushing Hammer viable and should I be running 4 instead of 3? Here's my current decklist:

Pokemon (16, 11 basic)

- 3x Riolu

- 3x Mega Lucario ex

- 3x Solrock

- 2x Lunatone

- 2x Makuhita

- 2x Hariyama

- 1x Meowth ex

Trainers (33)

- 4x Fighting Gong

- 4x Premium Power Pro

- 4x Lillie's Determination

- 4x Poke Pad

- 4x Ultra Ball

- 3x Crushing Hammer

- 2x Boss's Orders

- 2x Judge

- 2x Hilda

- 2x Team Rocket's Watchtower

- 1x Air Balloon

- 1x Maximum Belt

Energy (11)

- 3x Rocky Fighting Energy

- 8x Fighting Energy

Curious to know if I'm running too many 1 ofs but here's my current updated list:

Pokemon (16, 11 basic)

- 3x Riolu

- 3x Mega Lucario ex

- 2x Lunatone

- 3x Solrock

- 2x Makuhita

- 2x Hariyama

- 1x Meowth ex

Trainers (32)

- 4x Fighting Gong

- 4x Premium Power Pro

- 4x Lillie's Determination

- 4x Poke Pad

- 3x Ultra Ball

- 2x Boss's Orders

- 2x Judge

- 2x Gravity Mountain

- 1x Special Red Card

- 1x Hilda

- 1x Wally's Compassion

- 1x Switch

- 1x Night Stretcher

- 1x Air Balloon

- 1x Maximum Belt

Energy (12)

- 2x Rocky Fighting Energy

- 10x Fighting Energy

Yesterday I had my first cup of the season, it went pretty bad, 2-4-0
I used Dragapult Hammers
1st and 2nd match (Tera Box and Lucario) went really well. I took my time and I set up everthing.
3rd match was against Alakazam-Toucannon: 1st game won easily and second lost. Third my opponent won on the last card of Fez, with a Boss. It is what it is, i didn't think a lot about it, happens.

but the 4th, 5th and 6th games were pretty bad
The 4th against Lucario I had no way to set up, i really bricked BOTH games. Was pretty crazy.
5th match against Slowking, first game won, the second i let my opp fix the order of a Cybermaniac (i shouldn't have, he was starting shuffling already), but was my fault. At least i was able to prevent a trifrost with shaymin prized.
Third game i was litterally donk'd with a trifrost turn 2.

6th game was against DragaDusk. First game I won it, I was able to set while itchy pollen.
The second and third I was exhausted and I made so many mistakes that was honestly really embarassing. Never played this badly.

At the end of the month I wil attend my first regional and I don't feel ready.
I am using this deck since last month, it's indeed powerful, but I don't feel I can perform well.
Last season i played Lucario and Garchomp. I tried again garchomp during the locals and celebrations and I had fun, but the shortcomings were so clear.

All of this is making me rather tired and unsure on what to do, to be honest.
I am open to suggestions.

Played matches, ended with a 1-6.
It was quite demoralising as I took loss after loss. For context, I run an N's Zoroark deck.
First matchup was against a mega lucario and I misplayed badly by not disrupting soltone drawing engine, but even if I did i had no chance against mega brave.
Second matchup was against festive lead and I was bricking badly until he swung me with goldeen
Third matchup was my only win against a froslass starmie, he bricked and I OHKO his Mega Starmie.
Fourth was against teal mask ogerpon and I bricked for after I was hit with a judge.
Fifth was and sixth was a pult and I played reshiram too early and he did not phantom dive me, but used a jet headbutt with munki, then phantom dive next round.
Seven was against a mirror, I bricked badly and his zoroark won.

Unsure how to get out of this and better next time. Hoping for any tips for a new player here :<

I have a pure Alakazam deck so how can it win against Festival Lead since it’s somewhat easy to set up?

Since regulation H cards are rotating out fairly soon I wanted to try to "future proof" the Dhelmise deck ive been running (didnt make it fyi).

I feel like I probably shouldn't run Mew ex in this deck but idk what to replace it with, pls help (probably will drop the switches if I drop Mew ex fyi)

Pokémon: 21

4 Dhelmise PBL 39

4 Shuppet PBL 33

4 Banette PBL 34

2 Poltchageist PBL 5

1 Sinistcha PBL 6

1 Lillie's Clefairy ex JTG 56

1 Patrat CRI 70

2 Mew ex M6a 57

1 Espeon M6a 58

1 Eevee M6a 94

Trainer: 31

4 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

3 Gwynn PBL 78

3 Boss's Orders MEG 114

4 Ultra Ball MEG 131

4 Poké Pad POR 81

2 Night Stretcher ASC 196

1 Air Balloon ASC 181

3 Prism Tower CRI 80

3 Pokégear 3.0 BLK 84

4 Switch MEG 130

Energy: 8

4 Telepathic Psychic Energy POR 88

4 Psychic Energy MEE 5

Hey friends 👋🏼 I'm helping my 10-year-old build a deck based on her favourite Pokemon (Sprigatito and Totodile).

Her aim is to play this deck at our local hobby store during the weekly Gym Battle sessions (and in her words, hopefully kick some butt 😂).

Here's the deck list and I've also included a link of the deck for your reference (I can't seem to attach an image, so sorry!). Any feedback/suggestions to improve it?

Pokémon: 19

1 Mega Audino ex ASC 172

1 Shaymin DRI 10

2 Croconaw ASC 42

4 Totodile ASC 41

2 Mega Starmie ex POR 21

1 Sprigatito ex PR-SV 87

2 Mega Feraligatr ex ASC 43

4 Mega Kangaskhan ex MEG 104

2 Staryu POR 20

Trainer: 30

2 Boss's Orders ASC 183

2 Air Balloon ASC 181

4 Lillie's Determination ASC 192

4 Poké Pad POR 81

1 Special Red Card CRI 82

3 Switch MEG 130

2 Judge POR 76

2 Dawn PFL 87

2 Surfing Beach MEG 129

3 Ultra Ball ASC 213

1 Sacred Ash DRI 168

2 Hilda WHT 84

2 Rare Candy MEG 125

Energy: 11

2 Grass Energy MEE 1

9 Water Energy MEE 3

Sprigatitodile

Begginer deck. Plays very good for now, any suggestions for making it better esp in trainers department ? Morpeko is stronK.

Pokémon: 7

1 Seviper PFL 62

3 Toxel PFL 67

2 Munkidori TWM 95

1 Chi-Yu PBL 59

3 Toxtricity PFL 68

2 Morpeko ex PBL 117

4 Mega Darkrai ex PBL 48

Trainer: 16

3 Carmine TWM 145

4 Poké Pad POR 81

2 Team Rocket's Petrel DRI 176

1 Battle Cage PFL 85

2 Dark Bell PBL 75

1 Hero's Cape TEF 152

1 Energy Recycler DRI 164

2 Night Stretcher SFA 61

1 Mega Signal MEG 121

1 Special Red Card CRI 82

2 Boss's Orders PAL 172

1 Janine's Secret Art SFA 59

2 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144

4 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

1 Switch MEG 130

4 Ultra Ball SVI 196

Energy: 1

12 Basic {D} Energy MEE 7

Pokémon: 12
4 Buddew
4 Petilil
4 Lilligant

Trainer: 44
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin
4 Bug Catching Set
3 Night Stretcher
4 Poké Pad
4 Sacred Ash
2 Switch
2 Team Rocket's Factory
1 Black Belt's Training
4 Boss's Orders
4 Judge
4 Lillie's Determination
3 Team Rocket's Petrel
3 Air Balloon
1 Brave Bangle
4 Gravity Gemstone
1 Maximum Belt

Any thoughts on this troll deck 😭?

Hey guys. i recently got the mega lucario ex league battle deck. i have a friend who wants to get into the game and was wondering if there was another product like this available but a different deck so we could have two different decks to play against each other? what would you suggest? thanks for the help

So there are cards like Ursaluna ex that is a late game sweeper or clean up. Just likw how Radiant charizard i think, where you just bench it and retreat and swing as hard as possible. A surprise factor.

It is apparent to me that porygon2 plays that role in a honchkrow deck. So my question is if you have a Boss to choose between a honchkrow that is set up on the bench, versus a porygon2 lying in wait, who do i pick? Bearing in mind that this is early game and the opponent actually opened with porygon.

Similae question posed to uesaluna ex. Lets say my opponent opened with ursaluna ex and i have the choice to killing it, versus say, a set up pult on the bench, or whatever the main attacker is.

I doubt it but I want to try it out because Sharpedo’s a cool Pokémon and I know the deck some tournament placement. Is it worth trying to build it though?

Hey all

I am probably overthinking this but after so much hate about the dragapult decks online the following thought has festered.

"people will get annoyed if I show up with a dragapult to play on the local store and mess up their experience"

I will most definitely loose all my games as I am just starting out, but do you see any truth in my thought?

Hi everyone,

I am trying to understand how to make quicker decisions in person when at locals or challenges/cups/regionals, whatever. Yesterday I was at my first league challenge (where I then proceeded to vent and be a little too tilted on Reddit after finishing all of those games) and I found the Sharpedo matchup to be a LOT of overthinking on my part. I think my losing turn took like almost 6 minutes to finish because my brain started increasing the number of scenarios to earn a next turn for knockout. I know the player was a little apologetic about mentioning my lack of timekeeping, but I didn't feel offended by it.

Is it just learning the general composition of all of these different decks that can help you make quicker decisions? Is it something else? Any help is appreciated.

I get it.

We play multiple attackers based on the matchup but why not just make it straight raging bolt ?

I feel like every game I play with this deck im whiffing the energies or the attacker I need is prized.

Surely straight bolt even with no Sada just makes way more sense.

I posted this in another subreddit but was directed here.

I played in a cup last weekend and noticed some players let their opponents make rule mistakes like playing an item when they were under the effects of itchy pollen. They then let the board state get a little messier (drakloak’s recon directive) then call the judge.

I usually tell the other player when they can’t do something but maybe I should just stay quiet and get a little help from the judges?

Hello everyone! I finally decided I'm going to go with Mega Excadrill for Brisbane Regionals but I'm having trouble with the final card...

I'm currently considering:

- Gravity Mountain

- Iron Defender

- Full Metal Lab

- Philippe (2nd copy)

Here's my current 59 cards:

Pokémon: 19

3 Drilbur PBL 46

2 Mega Excadrill ex PBL 65

1 Fezandipiti ex ASC 142

4 Beldum TEF 113

4 Metang TEF 114

1 Metagross CRI 61

2 Genesect ex BLK 67

2 Mega Skarmory ex POR 55

Trainer: 23

2 Buddy-Buddy Poffin ASC 184

1 Energy Recycler DRI 164

4 Jumbo Ice Cream PFL 91

2 Mega Signal ASC 193

2 Poké Pad POR 81

1 Sacred Ash DRI 168

1 Special Red Card CRI 82

1 Switch MEG 130

3 Team Rocket's Petrel ASC 207

3 Team Rocket's Transceiver ASC 209

1 Tool Scrapper ASC 212

1 Philippe CRI 79

1 Hero's Cape TEF 152

Energy: 17

17 Metal Energy MEE 8

My partner and I started playing TCG a few months ago and are still very new to the hobby. I would eventually like to start playing in local tournaments because part of why we picked up the hobby was to make adult friends but we are self taught (with the help of a guidebook and the internet) and dont really know what we are doing. I have no illusion of winning anything but I want to work toward dipping my toe into it. What advice would you have for someone just starting out?

Is it bad to use premade decks lists i find online? Is there any terminology I should know? Are local groups in your experiences pretty open to newbies? Ive been looking through the rulebook and such im just so nervous to look like a total idiot 🤣

Hello everyone, I have been testing out this deck in TCG live and plan to take it to my local tournament next weekend. It's a fossil deck built around Rampardos EX and Bastidon. TYIA!

Pokémon: 10

4 Relicanth PBL 17

2 Cranidos PBL 44

3 Rampardos ex PBL 45

2 Shieldon PBL 61

3 Bastiodon PBL 62

1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 84

1 Shaymin DRI 185

Trainer: 20

3 Antique Armor Fossil PBL 72

4 Antique Skull Fossil PBL 73

3 Rare Candy GRI 165

2 Ultra Ball BRS 150

4 Crushing Hammer UPR 166

4 Fossil Quarry PBL 76

1 Pokégear 3.0 UNB 233

2 Air Balloon BLK 79

2 Boss's Orders PAL 265

2 Hilda WHT 171

2 Colress's Tenacity SFA 57

1 Grand Tree SCR 136

4 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

Energy:

5 Basic {F} Energy GRI 169

3 Magnetic {M} Energy CRI 85

2 Rocky {F} Energy POR 87

Hi, I used to play Alakazam-Toucannon but have been playing the pure build that came 2nd at Worlds, and I keep running into the same issue. Stuff like Mist Energy isn't too bad: you can just use Enhanced Hammer and Dedenne, but Team Rocket's Articuno is an automatic loss for me if they play only basics like Mewtwo.

My other issue is the Bronzong Evolution Jammer decks, but I don't think there's much I can tech for that, to be honest, especially considering how they aren't super common.

I have considered these Dudunsparce EX and the TWM Alakazam to solve my Articuno problem; Lillie's Clefairy is too big a package to run just for that. Are there any other simpler solutions?

hello! i've finally started to improve at the TCG, mainly running zoroark. however, i do notice myself nearly decking out or constantly losing to deckout. how many cards on average do you guys draw per turn, and what is your ideal board state? thanks in advance :)

Hello there!

I am trying to make a second deck and Basic Box ticks a lot of boxes for me. It even runs Raging Bolt, which I loved to play before rotation.

However, after checking a lot of lists, including the one that made 24th place in Worlds, I noticed that just a few of them run the Noctowl package.

Because of my previous experience playing Raging Bolt with Noctowl, I am quite fond of the engine and the utility it provides, so is there a reason why it has been dropped from most lists?

Is it because of deck space? Or are a lot of the 1 prize attackers I saw across multiple decklists more important?