Standard Alolan Ninetales (Guardian Rising)

[Calcab]

I'm a huge fan of water Pokémon and my first deck was Greninja Break (psh, it's been a while now). After Sun & Moon, however, it was terrible to play my darling frog and I really don't like Lapras to play it. But Alolan Ninetales is just a beautiful Pokémon and an amazing card.

Pokémon:

• 4 Alolan Vulpix
• 4 Alolan Ninetales GX
• 2 Manaphy-EX
• 1 Glaceon-EX
• 1 Tapu-Lele
• 1 Shaymin-EX
• 1 Wishiwashi (Cowardice)

Trainers/Supporters/Stadiums:

• 4 Aqua Patch
• 4 Vs Seeker
• 4 Ultra Ball
• 2 Dive Ball
• 2 Choice Band
• 2 Trainers' Mail
• 2 Escape Rope
• 1 Field Blower

• 4 Professor Sycamore
• 3 N
• 2 Lysandre
• 1 Hex Maniac
• 1 Professor Kukui

• 4 Rough Seas

Energy:

• 6 Water Energy
• 4 Double Colorless Energy

(I'm planning to drop 1 Ninetales-GX to include the regular Alolan Ninetales). The strategy is pretty simple, get Ninetales as soon as possible and attack with Blizzard Edge. Next turn, finish with Ice Blade or try to use Blizzard Edge again. That's when Wishiwashi and the DCE comes. Since Aqua Patch only works on benched Pokémon, I have to retreat Ninetales (Manaphy-EX), then Aqua Patch, attach (if needed), Cowardice and attack again if Blizzard Edge is really needed. The DCE comes in hand because even if I can't Aqua Patch, I can use any of the other two attacks, or discard the double so I just need the turn energy. In my tests it happened a lot to not KO a Pokémon because I couldn't use Blizzard Edge and that sucks, but the DCE decision isn't definitive.

I even have the option to clar Ninetales damage to KO a Pokémon and start to play from the beginning again!

4 Ultra Ball instead of 4 Dive Ball because I have to discard Water Energy asap.

Only 1 Shaymin-EX because it's become more and more an easy target and I really don't need an explosive first turn, so its purpose is only to help with draw power whenever needed.

 

[Dark Espeon]

Hi Calcab,

Nice deck. Would like a little more Water Energies to ensure that they can be discarded earlier with Ultra Ball. Also consider to switch Shaymin Ex for another Tapu Lele GX since he can serve a similar role first turn with Lillie and is also a decent secondary attacker in a mirror match.

Consider these modifications:

Pokémon:
- 1 Alolan Ninetales GX (three suffice since on usual the deck looses an Alolan Vulpix before it can be evolved)
- 1 Shaymin Ex (trade it in for a second Tapu Lele GX since it works better against Garbodor decks and makes the deck much more stable)

+ 1 Tapu Lele GX (see above)

Trainer:
- 2 Trainer's Mail (two are a little inconsistent an a more stable number of three to four fuels Garbodor a little too much)
- 2 Escape Rope (not needed with Manaphy Ex and a techy supporter line)


+ 1 Choice Band (allows Alolan Ninetales GX to hit magic numbers on BBP and also ohko in the mirror with Kukui)
+ 1 Pokémon Fand Club (nice additional search card with two Tapu Lele GX to ensure a stable flow of Alolan Ninetales)
+ 1 Lillie (great draw supporter turn one with Tapu Lele GX)
+ 1 Super Rod / Rescue Stretcher (nice resource recovery)

Energy:
+ 1 Water Energy

Would like to fit in an eight Basic Water Energy but had no immediate idea on how to do so. Maybe test the deck out an see what can be dropped to fit in an eight Basic Water Energy to ensure a smoother setup.

With the release of Tapu Lele GX and the easier access to tech supporters such as Hex Maniac I am not convinced that the regular Alolan Ninetales is a decent addition to this deck. I would opt not to include it. Hope this provides some initial assistance.

 

[Dorsall]

I would take out a single Ninetales, I honestly think that with the Field Blower you can drop the stadium count to 3. I would try testing a copy or 2 of the baby Tapu Koko for the 20 spread for the magic numbers on the benched basics and EXes (He's not a bad lead with his free retreat). Like what Dark Espeon said, I would add the Lillie and a Rescue Stretcher, in exchange for the 2 Trainers' Mail. I disagree with Dark Espeon about taking out the Escape Ropes I think that it is wonderful way for controlling the game. With the 2 count of Escape Rope I think that you can take out 1 Lysandre and put in another water energy (You need more water energy). I don't think that adding Pokemon Fan Club would be good. You have Vulpix's first attack that searches out 2 Pokemon already. You have quite a bit of ball search and it just wastes your supporter for the turn.