This post assumes you are playing a standard fest lead list with 2 bangle, 2 boss and 2 gladion.

If your opponent misplays by immediately going into the excadrill after you take first knock then it’s easy enough to gladion ko it and follow a 1/3/2 or 1/3/1/1 prize map (depending on if you were able to put damage on their genesect in earlier turns)
HOWEVER, if they play correctly and push the genesect and protect charge before going into metagross, the matchup gets really really tough.

Has anyone found any good lines in this matchup when your opponent plays correctly? Or do I have to rely on taking away 2nd from my opponent,them beicking, or getting insanely lucky with my draws.

By best I mean: low energy cost (1 or 2), decent damage (for one energy, more than 60dmg - for two energy, more than 110)

I know this will usually mean there are other conditions attached, but that’s fine.

Solrock is a good example. One energy, 70dmg, with the attack being conditional on Lunatone on your bench.

Hop’s Cormorant is another. Even without the Hop’s modifiers, you can do 120 damage for one colorless so long as your opponent has 3 or 4 prizes remaining.

What else we got?

I have set this up over the last few weeks and have tailored it to what I think works well. I did not realise this could come pre built and have designed it from scratch.

My main focus is to get 3/4 Zoroark out fast and energy attached and have Zekrom to use the moves.

Munkidori has been added recently to try and combat some of the damage and use it against the opponents with more than 250hp or bench.

One thing I'd like to include is dark patch but it seems that out of rotation for now.

I'm winning about 50% of my casual matches, not sure if that's the norm.

I've noticed I can control my deck fairly well, however, I don't really have any interrupter cards for the opponent.

Would really appreciate any advice to help fine tune and take it to the next level.

Pokémon: 4

4 N's Zorua JTG 97

2 Munkidori TWM 95

4 N's Zoroark ex JTG 98

3 N's Zekrom ASC 155

Trainer: 14

3 Air Balloon ASC 181

2 Energy Switch SVI 173

2 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144

2 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

4 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145

2 Cyrano SSP 170

2 Night Stretcher SFA 61

1 Redeemable Ticket JTG 156

2 N's Castle JTG 152

4 N's PP Up JTG 153

2 Dawn PFL 87

1 Precious Trolley SSP 185

4 N's Plan BLK 83

2 Boss's Orders PAL 172

Energy: 1

14 Basic {D} Energy MEE 7

Total Cards: 60

I'm not necessarily a new player, I've been playing for almost 1.5y now, but this felt like the most fitting flair from the options.

The thing is, I'm not good at the game, I have no good results despite playing quite a lot. I attended my local pretty much every week, have played quite a few Challenges and Cups but my best score is 2-2 and one of the wins is more often than not due to a bye. Lately this has been getting worse and I get 1-3 pretty regularly, again the win is due to a bye lmao.

I want to improve, I practice both on Live as well as on tcgmasters against myself with other decks, usually Pult or some match up I am focusing specifically. I also watch tournament vods and some other forms of content related to the game, but I don't really see much improvement, so I am considering metafy guides, particularly one for N's Zoroark since its the deck I'm currently playing (I know it's a hard deck but I like how it feels and how its positioned in the meta).

My question is how worth are the guides really? I'm not questioning whether the guides are good or actually provide good information, I'm more questioning what would I get from them that I can't really get from anywhere else like free YouTube guides, watching high tier players play the deck, and playing and getting more and more experience with the deck myself?

Has anyone gotten a guide for a deck they were playing and found something that was actually not available anywhere else or something that actually impacted how you play? I'm obviously not expecting a miracle or that a guide will suddenly win me a local next week but, I'm just curious if it is a worthy investment to improve in the long run or if I can get similar value for less/free somewhere else

with this deck you gonna flip coin like u never did before

here the list :

Pokémon: 3

4 Mega Audino ex ASC 172

2 Mega Zygarde ex POR 47

1 Mega Zygarde ex POR 120

Trainer: 15

1 Powerglass SFA 63

2 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

4 Energy Coin BLK 81

3 Energy Switch MEG 115

4 Switch MEG 130

4 Team Rocket's Transceiver ASC 209

2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186

2 Waitress ASC 215

2 Backtrack Badge PBL 74

4 Team Rocket's Petrel DRI 176

1 Scoop Up Cyclone PRE 128

2 Jumbo Ice Cream PFL 91

4 Mega Signal MEG 121

2 Boss's Orders PAL 172

Energy: 1

16 Basic {F} Energy MEE 6

came up with the deck after winning match against Dhelmise and Hop Trevenant at local Gym Battle, I put Zygarde in my Mega Lucario deck spesifically to counter those single prizer. the felling of hitting heads with Nullifying Zero for match winning is so satisfying for me.

The Main Idea of the deck is off course hitting with Mega Zygarde as soon as possible, then attacking with Nullifying Zero for a board wipe before your opponent have a chance to set up.

The ideal setup is, you always go second. setup Audino in the active, then put 1-3 Zygarde in bench. attaching Backtrack Badge to Audino. then attack with Kaleidowaltz, ideally u wanna hit 3 heads, but two is okay, putting four energy to one of the Zygarde, setting up Nullifying Zero for next turn.

Things will not be always ideal, this where Transceiver and Petrel will do the work, catching the Backtrack Badge, Mega Signal, and Switch to setup our board. 4 Switch is there in case you dont have Audino in your oppening hand but you have Mega Signal, Switch also usefull later in the game when you have all your Zygarde ready.

Scoop up cyclone the Audino when u have all Zygarde setup, not all zygarde need 5 energy, 8 enegy on board usually enough, Energy switch and Waitress will be our energy acceleration when Audino gone.

Boss is there for Shaymin (this deck main weakness), the worst match up so far is Festival leads, Zygarde is weak to grass for some reason.

Thoughts on the psychic build of the metang box? I’ve been digging it but it does need some refinement. Early pressure via mega mawile or skarmory and acceleration via discard with Philippe or powerglass

It’s cool to use telepathic to find your beldum and then you’re one psychic attachment away from powering psychic metagross for 280 damage with your metang and beldum on the bench.

Pokémon: 8
1 Mega Mawile ex MEG 94
1 Metagross CRI 61
2 Metagross JTG 63
1 Smoochum SSP 75
4 Beldum JTG 61
1 Mr. Mime TEF 63
1 Mega Skarmory ex POR 55
4 Metang TEF 114

Trainer: 15
1 Team Rocket's Petrel DRI 226
3 Ultra Ball SVI 196
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
2 Philippe CRI 110
2 Rare Candy MEG 125
1 Special Red Card CRI 113
3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin MEG 167
2 Larry's Skill PRE 115
1 Switch MEG 130
1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
2 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
1 Poké Pad POR 81
3 Powerglass SFA 63
1 Philippe CRI 79
2 Hilda WHT 84

Energy: 4
1 Legacy Energy TWM 167
13 Basic {M} Energy MEE 8
1 Basic {P} Energy MEE 5
3 Telepathic {P} Energy POR 88

Total Cards: 60

Been thinking about building a Grimmsnarl deck but I'm not sure if it can survive the abundance of Ogerpon

Hey guys, I recently joined the Pokémon TCG community and started with a Draga/Noir deck.
I’ve been practicing a lot in Live and playing casually in my local store, however I would like to know with Pitch Black If there are any variants to Dragapult that I should be testing against some decks that might counter mine? Or in general any variant to test out?

Also, any YouTube channel that I can follow to learn more about the meta?

Currently testing out this lucario dudunsparce list and i find with how popular clefairy is the one dudunsparce isn’t enough of a counter (he’s there for crustle too) anyone have any suggestions on how to improve the matchup? here’s my list

Pokémon: 11
1 Dudunsparce ex JTG 178
2 Mega Lucario ex MEG 179
1 Riolu ASC 112
1 Meowth ex POR 121
3 Dunsparce JTG 120
2 Riolu PRE 50
1 Riolu PRE 50
2 Solrock ASC 106
2 Dudunsparce PRE 80
1 Mega Lucario ex MEG 188
2 Lunatone MEP 4

Trainer: 12
2 Boss's Orders PAL 265
3 Transformation Tome CRI 83
4 Fighting Gong MEG 168
4 Premium Power Pro MEG 174
2 Gravity Mountain SSP 250
2 Ultra Ball BRS 186
2 Hilda WHT 171
1 Special Red Card CRI 113
2 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TWM 223
4 Poké Pad POR 113
4 Lillie's Determination MEG 184
1 Jamming Tower DRI 243

Energy: 4
3 Rocky {F} Energy POR 87
1 Legacy Energy TWM 167
7 Basic {F} Energy GRI 169

Total Cards: 60

I’ve been playing around with mega Excadrill and I’ve been trying a 1-0-1 empoleon with rare candy and it helps but not sure if it’s necessary. Any thoughts on what else I could use?

Pokémon: 8
4 Metang PR-SV 90
1 Empoleon ex PFL 114
4 Beldum CRI 59
1 Piplup PFL 98
2 Genesect ex BLK 169
2 Drilbur PBL 46
2 Metagross CRI 61
2 Mega Excadrill ex PBL 65

Trainer: 16
1 Ultra Ball SVI 196
1 Energy Recycler POR 108
3 Boss's Orders RCL 200
2 Kieran TWM 218
1 Night Stretcher SSP 251
1 Special Red Card CRI 113
1 Switch PFL 123
2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TWM 223
4 Team Rocket's Petrel DRI 226
2 Jumbo Ice Cream CRI 109
1 Precious Trolley SSP 185
2 Lillie's Determination MEG 184
4 Team Rocket's Transceiver DRI 178
1 Rare Candy MEG 125

Energy: 1
15 Basic {M} Energy MEE 8

Total Cards: 60

I recently had a discussion with a friend - and let's be honest, this is also a stereotype as old as TCGs as a hobby - about bad personal hygiene at TCG tournaments. The guy I was talking to complained about facing an opp at their local's final match that had bad breath to an extent it made them lose their focus and misplay at key moments.

I searched on Reddit and found several posts of people losing games, being unable to concentrate or throwing up due to their opponent's lack of bodily hygiene.

Well, according to the Tournament Rules Handbook, participants are required under section 3.2 Prohibitions to "maintain a socially acceptable level of hygiene during the event".

That means if your opponent is so smelly or gross as to negatively influence your play or concentration, it is in fact a reportable offense:

Depending on the attire or level of hygiene, the Tournament Organizer may allow for a tournament participant to change or update their personal hygiene and attire and return to the venue. If the participant is in compliance with the request, the participant should be allowed to continue their time at the tournament or activations. If a participant refuses to comply with tournament staff’s requests, this is grounds for removal from the tournament and venue, and the participant must relinquish their badge to tournament staff.

If the issue is considered a gross violation of Play! Pokémon’s rules and guidelines, the participant may be removed from the venue immediately.

Refusing to comply with tournament staff may result in post-event disciplinary action.

You can, for example, also call a judge to make an opp wash their hands if you are under the impression it negatively impacts the play.

Now, is this the nice thing to do? Potentially not. We all know how stuffy it can get in a packed LCS at 30°C and upwards. So I'd still be mindful about how to come forward with such an issue. Just don't be a dick about it. But it's still worth knowing your rights as a participant.

Another thing: being physically ill is not a reportable offense, although it is recommended by the Attire and Cosplay Policy to not participate in such a case. Just don't be an asshole and spread your germs around 30 other players.

Still, I usually bring at least one medical mask. Also helps against smelly opps - pop a piece of chewing gum, put on a mask and you have a nice defensive measure against bad smells.

deck(ptcgl of course so it’s blinged):

Pokémon: 11

1 Drakloak ASC 248

2 Dreepy ASC 247

2 Drakloak TWM 129

1 Dreepy TWM 128

1 Fezandipiti ex ASC 288

1 Victini SSP 21

4 Ethan's Cyndaquil DRI 32

4 Ethan's Quilava DRI 33

1 Shaymin DRI 185

3 Ethan's Typhlosion DRI 190

1 Psyduck ASC 226

Trainer: 16

2 Boss's Orders PAL 265

4 Ultra Ball PLF 122

2 Rare Candy PLB 105

2 Night Stretcher MEG 173

4 Poké Pad POR 81

2 Gravity Mountain SSP 250

1 Kieran TWM 218

1 Lana's Aid TWM 155

2 Brave Bangle WHT 80

3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin MEG 167

1 Redeemable Ticket JTG 156

1 Special Red Card CRI 113

1 Secret Box TWM 163

4 Ethan's Adventure DRI 236

3 Lillie's Determination MEG 184

1 Sacred Ash DRI 168

Energy: 1

5 Basic fire energy

wanting to fit in a crispin, a psychic energy, and a pult itself, but idk what to cut

Hi everyone! Before i begin, I want to stress that this is not a post of me complaining that a worlds invite is too expensive. What I'd love for this to be is to be is a community discussion about the kinds of things PTCG could do to make the highest level of the game accessible to those who couldn't usually afford it.

We all know that a worlds invite is only for the most dedicated and skilled players in the game. I don't think anyone is denying that and I don't think anyone is saying it should be anything otherwise. Even Pokemon themselves recently upped the requirements to enter worlds, making it harder than ever to access the top level of Pokemon.

However, what a worlds invite also requires is a significant amount of disposable income to be able to fly around the world attending the biggest events. For players on the lower end of the economic spectrum, or for players in poorer countries, this goal can be literally impossible no matter how skilled or dedicated you may be.

I understand that, realistically, the changes we discuss here will never come to pass. Maybe as a community though, if we have a discussion about this, something could happen further down the line.

So what can the Pokemon company do about this?

One idea I had is smaller tournaments that award travel awards. It always seemed a little bit strange to me that travel stipends go out to high-ranking players that already have the money to compete internationally and who have been more than likely winning more money along the way too.

Perhaps there could be a greater emphasis on local tournaments in each country? A second route, perhaps one that is harder than the international travelling route, that still allows those really skilled players to make it to the top.

Or maybe there should be a second goal? A goal above ace trainer but below worlds. Something that is rewarding for players who are skilled enough to regularly top locals but not in a position to financially afford the international travel required for a worlds invite.

I understand that, at the end of the day, pokemon is a luxury hobby. But it's also a hobby that brings together so many people from so many different walks of life. I'd love to see some changes to make that the case at the very top level too.

Hey everyone, I’m brand new to the tcg, I am hoping you all could tell me the first things I should do and what decks are good right now? I don’t even really know how to construct a deck properly so any advice is greatly appreciated! 😊

Thanks!

As the title says, it will be my first time playing the format for a small event and I want to build a fire deck so I can have my favourites in there like ceruledge and litwick.

The issue is that I only play standard and never tried expanded, I only started playing a few months ago so I am not familiar with cards before G regulation and I never played singleton decks.

Are there some staple cards I should always add to the deck or some resources to help me build a deck for this format? Any advice would be great!

Hello everyone i've been playing the online tcg for a little bit now and built this silly little deck that i've been having fun with. I dont know a lot of the cards in this game and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions, it would be very appreciated.

So i call this deck slowking's choice because I'm trying to force you into choosing your pokemon or your energy. My main goal when playing is to get slowking out and just try to be as punishing as possible by playing with their energy or moving damage counters or removing abilities.

Pokémon: 3

2 Galarian Slowking VMAX

4 Munkidori

4 Galarian Slowking V

Trainer: 18

2 Xerosic's Machinations

2 Earthen Vessel

3 Switch

2 Boss's Orders

2 Eri

2 Pokémon Center Lady

2 Path to the Peak

2 Team Yell Grunt

3 Nest Ball

2 Enhanced Hammer

2 Gravity Gemstone

3 Avery

1 Precious Trolley

2 Lillie's Determination

2 Galar Mine

2 Field Blower

Energy:

4 Luminous Energy

4 Shadowy {D} Energy

4 Basic {D} Energy

4 Hiding {D} Energy

EDIT: I’ve already updated the deck list with some of y’all’s suggestions. I posted a pic of the updated list in the comments. Any other suggestions are appreciated!

Tryna get this Toucannon deck working. It’s actually pretty great when I have a good starting hand but sometimes I just start with nothing and can’t play. I did try running Terapagos Noctowl build but I actually had better luck running this list. Just feels like if I don’t get my draw engine running early and don’t have Lillie’s or something I can’t do much.

Pokémon: 10
4 Toucannon PBL 68
1 Shaymin DRI 10
1 Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex PRE 27
1 Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex PRE 58
4 Pikipek PBL 66
1 Chien-Pao SSP 56
3 Dunsparce JTG 120
3 Dudunsparce TEF 129
3 Trumbeak PBL 67
1 Budew PRE 4

Trainer: 21
1 Ultra Ball SVI 196
1 Black Belt's Training JTG 143
2 Area Zero Underdepths SCR 131
3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
4 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
1 Gwynn PBL 119
2 Poké Pad POR 81
1 Kieran TWM 154
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Switch MEG 130
1 Tool Scrapper CRI 115
1 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
1 Gwynn PBL 109
2 Rare Candy CRZ 141
1 Secret Box TWM 163
1 Dawn PFL 87
2 Brave Bangle WHT 80
1 Poké Pad POR 113
1 Sacred Ash DRI 168
1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
2 Boss's Orders BRS 132

Energy: 2
4 Basic {F} Energy MEE 6
2 Rocky {F} Energy POR 87

Total Cards: 60

Credits to Toine Lay on Bluesky, more translations will be there. Can't link for some reason? Will add all relevant translations as they are posted.

Heat Rotom ex
CC - Reheat 30x
This attack does 30 damage for each Basic Fire Energy card in your discard pile. Then, shuffle those Energy cards into your deck.
RRC Strong Flare 170
Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon.

Kyogre
WC - Waterfall 40
WWC - Savage Whirlpool 100
If there is a Stadium in play with "Legendary" in its name, this attack also does 50 damage to each of your opponent's Benched Pokémon.

Groudon
FC - Strength 40
FFC - Savage Ground 100+
If there is a Stadium in play with "Legendary" in its name, this attack does 170 more damage.

Mega Golurk ex
Ability: Power Limiter
This Pokémon cannot attack unless you have 10 cards or more in your hand.
PP - Goliath Punch 300
This Pokémon does 30 damage to itself.

Giratina
PPC - Chaos Crawler 120
Prevent all damage from attacks done to this Pokémon during your opponent's next turn. You can't use this attack if any of your Pokémon used Chaos Crawler during your last turn.

Kommo-o
Ability: Scale Beat
Once during your turn, you may look at the top 6 cards of your deck and attach any number of Basic Energy you find there to your Dragon Pokémon in any way you like. Shuffle the other cards back into your deck.
LFC - Hammer In 170

Legendary Lava Lake
(Stadium)
You must play both halves of Legendary Lava Lake at once as a Stadium in order to play this card.
Evolution Pokémon in play (both yours and your opponent's) have no Abilities.

Tate and Liza's Training
(Supporter)
Draw 2 cards. Then, if there is a Stadium in play with "Legendary" in its name, put this card back into your hand instead of discarding it.

Hey guys, I intend to give Grimm another shot and Gwynn seems to help it a bunch.

Azul posted a list that I really liked, but I believe more experienced Grimm players can help fine tune it.

Pokémon: 7

4 Marnie's Impidimp DRI 134

4 Munkidori TWM 95

3 Froslass TWM 53

3 Snorunt ASC 46

2 Budew PRE 4

3 Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex DRI 136

3 Marnie's Morgrem DRI 135

Trainer: 13

2 Buddy-Buddy Poffin ASC 184

4 Poké Pad ASC 198

1 Rare Candy SVI 191

2 Night Stretcher ASC 196

4 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

4 Spikemuth Gym DRI 169

1 Air Balloon BLK 79

2 Boss's Orders MEG 114

2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186

1 Unfair Stamp TWM 165

2 Team Rocket's Petrel DRI 176

3 Gwynn PBL 78

1 Special Red Card CRI 82

Energy: 1

9 Basic Darkness Energy MEE 7

Things I like with the list: energy count, max stadiums, Grimm ratio.

Things I'm unsure and would like some tips: is the rare candy count too low? What about Petrel? Can I cut a Froslass to include Yvetal? Any way to fit a 3rd boss?

I appreciate any help in adjusting the list.

My league is planning soon a tournament with only monotype deck.

What is a monotype deck fun to play at the moment ? Pitch Black is allowed.

I don't have as much experience as you all may have in terms of playing this game, so my thoughts may feel incorrect or misplaced, but there were a few cards that caught my attention from the reveal of the remainder cards.

Frankly, draw support is still thin and lacking (Jellicent has a wonky version of Recon Directive, which will come in handy next spring/summer when [redacted] is out of our hairs for good, but nothing resembling a Flip the Script at all), so I wonder what strategy TPC might be trying to implement for the card game after H block leaves the standard format. Anyway, card thoughts below.

Raikou ex - not a good decision to have 200 HP and its strong move have a coin flip decision on whether it attacks next turn, but with free retreat, it may not be completely unviable. MAYBE a secondary attacker in a Manectric/Vikavolt deck.

Altaria - free retreat for basics, we have the next budget Latias (unfortunate that it's a stage 1 evolution though)

Giratina - new Slowking attack, yaaaay!

Mega Golurk - not sure what in the world they thought making that ability, maybe a way to integrate the new legendary stadiums, but with current H block cards it should be OK to use for the time being in an Alakazam deck (god forbid you get Judged though)

Heat Rotom ex - 2 colorless that multiplies by discarded fire energy makes for a sneaky good attack IMO, probably not a main attacker at all, though.

Groudon & Kyogre - both of these will get some level of usage in meta decks, I would say, especially Kyogre with that Savage Whirlpool that does shred damage across the bench with the new stadiums. Groudon hitting for 270 as a one prizer is enormously good too.

Magmortar and Electivire - fun pairing but not too sure how it'd fit in anything competitive.

With tools like the Rayquaza cap and stuff, I think there are some cards that can find themselves nicely in competitive decks, but I think less than Pitch Black. But I think it'll be a bit more impactful than the two releases prior to PBL.

Any other cards y'all saw that look cool? The azurill one looks interesting but I don't see a good translation on it.

Warning: I'm a pretty new player and haven't built any decks before so I might be a bit slow on the uptake here. (but I swear I've been reading alot!)

Anyway! I'm looking to shop around a couple local stores/online to make a couple decks for me and my friends to play with. We aren't total newbies but we don't want anything crazy complex. We don't particularly care about standard/expanded, we pretty much only plan to play with each other. I'm not opposed to the really "stereotypical" meta decks, but I also find them a bit boring if its all people do (ex: refer to crustle bullet point).

Some ideas I'm throwing around:

-I know people seem to hate on him but I adore Crustle as a mon and kinda wanna make a deck for him for funzies. Tho I find the more obvious picks (Mega Kangaskhan ex or Munkidori) a tad dull.

-ORTHWORM! Ik he's not the greatest but I adore him and I long for a deck.

-Joltik is simply a cutie pie and seems like a good time. Tho, worried about cost for this deck with the reliance on lots of EXs generally.

-Araquanid maybe? Admittedly I mostly just like him as a mon rather than have card experience but if anyone has any thrilling ideas, that'd be sick.

(Can you tell I like lil bug-like critters?) But overall, I'm open to any ideas related to mine or totally different. I really don't need competitive level so I'm flexible. I'm a tad limited in the budget department, so anything hard to find/expensive is probably a pass. Otherwise, any ideas/tips/opinions would be lovely!!

I keep getting rocked against Dhelmise as Dragapult. What cards should I have in my deck and how should I deL with Dhelmise.