$150 Budget to Build a Competitive Deck

Zentrility

Zentrility

Aspiring Trainer
Member
Hello PokéBeach users, I am a returning player who stopped right around when that Zekrom speed deck got cycled out. I have a budget of $150 and I'm not sure which deck I want to build for competitive play. I really love the Jolteon and Glaceon deck; however, those Jolteon cards are pretty pricey and buying 3 of them eats up my budget pretty quick (I would need $$$ for staples too).

Another deck that drew my attention was the Alakazam and Gengar deck. I'm trying to get the most bang for my bucks and I'm not aware of all the metagame decks out there. Generally, I love decks that limit my opponent— making their setup more difficult. Please give suggestions about what deck I should use. Feel free to direct me to a decklist in a DM or just by replying. I appreciate everyones efforts.

•Good day.
 
@Zentrility

I am going to give you an answer but not for your exact question. Hopefully "why" will become clear as you read.

  • The current format is still quite new; rotation happened September 1st, and even with people testing for weeks prior, we'll probably need to wait for some official tournaments to really have a solid idea.
  • The current format is actually two formats: Standard and Expanded. Standard was an old name for Modified that while you were gone once again became the official name for it. Standard is currently XY: Primal Clash and later expansions, XY: Black Star Promos XY36 and higher, plus mini-sets and the like released during this time. Expanded includes all BW-era releases and XY-era releases with two cards banned: Lysandre's Trump Card and Shiftry (BW: Next Destinies 72/99). Official announcement for this format here. New product becomes Organized Play legal the third Friday after its official release date. Both formats are used in the Championship Series (the tournament series that ends with the World Championships). If you're wanting to be competitive (not just play for fun) on a budget, your deck probably needs to perform well in both formats with at most some tweaks (as opposed to having a different deck for each).
  • We've seen some card prices increase quite a bit, possibly because of the combination of Pokémon Go being so popular, Pokémon Sun & Moon reveals, and just the usual new influx of players at this time of year. Already pricey staples like VS Seeker and Shaymin-EX (XY: Roaring Skies 77/108, 106/108) were pricey even before this and are worse now. VS Seeker is an Item you should really run four of in most decks, but its going for like $10 to 15 USD per copy (I think Pokémon Catcher was like that when you last played). Shaymin-EX is like $60 per copy. If you wonder why I list them together, well one was released as an Uncommon and is a reprint of an older card, and yet still its price is about 15 times what I expect of an uncommon, while I expect an Ultra Rare to hit double digits anyway. ;)
Some good news is that if you're serious about getting back into the game, the new "Keldeo Versus Rayquaza" Battle Arena Deck will have several staples for you (including two VS Seeker!) and retail for about $29.99 USD. You might even be able to cobble together a half-decent Expanded deck by doubling up on it. Vileplume (XY; Ancient Origins) won't work well except with anything but the staples in those decks, but its got Item lock that can hit the field T1 and works in both formats, so it might be your style.
 
In addition to Otaku's advice, you could take a look at some of the recent PB articles or the Competitive Play forums for some ideas and even lists. I'd also suggest taking a look a PTCG Online, the official Pokemon TCG simulator, or another simulator to test your deck ideas and see how they go, and whether you like them, before you buy.
 
I'd suggest you review the following decks:

  • Garchomp-Carbink
  • Lucario (Fight Alone)
  • Magnezone-Raikou
  • M Alakazam EX

The M Alakazam EX deck most likely will be the closet to your $ limit, but not sure. Examples of these decks can be found in the Deck Garage Forum. Even if you see any Shaymin EXs in the decks, those can be replaced by card-draw Supporters.
 
I have decided to use Talonflame Break. That deck seems pretty fun. My second deck might also be Glaceon EX/Regice. :D
 
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