Empoleon/Zoroark/Krookodile

[StarlitSymphony]

So, I'm pretty new to playing TCG. Just found out about Regionals last mintue, and threw this deck together. I'm limited on cash right now, I just bought textbooks. I know I won't be in the top, but do I stand a chance against at least a few players (Masters Division)?

I've seen Sableye used in similar decks, would it work better than one of the other Pokemon? And I know Darkrai would be an awesome addition, is there anyway to get it last minute? Any tips would be appreciated!

All cards are from Dark Explorers unless otherwise stated.

Pokemon- 22
1 x Vullaby
4 x Zorua
2 x Zoroark
2 x Ducklett
1 x Swanna
3 x Piplup
2 x Prinplup
1 x Empoleon
2 x Sandile
2 x Krokorok
1 x Krookodile
1 x Chansey (Continuous tumble)

Trainer/Supporter/Stadium- 17
2 x Full Heal
2 x Energy Retrieval
2 x Cilan
3 x Pokemon Communication
2 x Dark Claw
2 x Energy Search
1 x Eviolite
3 x Cheren

Energy- 21
7 x Water Energy - Basic
14 x Darkness Energy - Basic

Strategy:
Pull Zorua on first turn. Use ascension to evolve in to Zoroark. As for Empoleon and Krookodile, use pokemon communication to find cards and evolve on the bench. Reuse energies with energy retrieval. Chansey seemed like a pretty good card for its HP and energy cost. Vullaby is there to switch defending pokemon with benched, to provide time to evolve/get energy. Swanna included to heal damage from pokemon.

Again, thank you!

 

[Violetwisp]

This may be a bit more then you want to spend, but I think this might work.

-1 Vullaby.
-2 Ducklett.
-1 Swanna.
-1 Chansey. Generally you don't want to just include seemingly random pokemon like this. You're probably going to want either Empoleon, Zoroark, or the Sableye or Darkrai I added to be active, and any resources you'd spend moving these guys in or out of the active spot and charging them up would probably be better spent elsewhere.
Stage 2 evolution lines should generally be 3-1-3, in the case of empoleon maybe 3-2-3 is ok, but the bad information given in starter decks that 3-2-1 are good evolution ratios is just plain wrong. The reason you don't need the stage 1 as much is a card called Rare Candy lets you just skip it entirely.
-1 Prinplup
+ 1-2 Empoleon.
Cut the Krookodile line. It takes up too much room, takes too long to set up, and the attacks are too expensive.
+1 Zoroark. 4-3 is usually what people run, assuming they run it.
+2 DarkraiEX. Again, I understand being on a budget, but this comes as a promo in a tin now, there is no excuse. You can get the tins for under 20$, and the promos online for under 10$.
+1 MewtwoEX. See above.
+2 Sableye. Yes, any deck that runs darkness energy should run sableye.


-2 Full Heal. This is one of the worst cards ever printed. Retreating heals all status conditions anyway, and darkrai gives free retreat to everything. If you're worried about paralysis or sleep, run a switch or two.
-2 Energy Retrieval. Dark Decks don't need it, and empoleon only needs one energy.
-2 Cilan. Bad as anything other then a one of in Blastoise builds, and even then it's situational.
-1 Cheren
You can keep Pokemon Communication, but I'd prefer Ultra ball.
+4 Professor Juniper.
+4 N.
+4 Pokemon Catcher. I know these are expensive, but you pretty much can't win if you don't have them and your opponent does.
+3 Dark Patch
+3 energy switch
+3 rare candy
And try to get either Gold Potion or Computer Search. Those are a bit more difficult on a budget, but include one if you can.

Energy.
This is just too much of it. Decks typically run 10-13 energy, some lower, some higher, depending on if and how you accelerate energy. Since this deck's only energy acceleration is from the discard pile, it really doesn't need a whole lot.

-6 darkness
-3 Water
+2 DCE

And this leaves us at, 64 cards. So, I may have to come back to it and find a few more spaces, but for now, just leave out any four you can't get your hands on easily. Except I really would suggest trying to get Catchers.

I don't mean to sound negative, and I realize we all have to start somewhere, and that playing card games can get ridiculously expensive to make some of the top tier decks. If you need help learning (which I'm not sure you do, you seem to get it to some extent, but everyone can learn.), try taking a look at http://www.pokebeach.com/forums/forum-bw...discussion for the builds of the most common decks and http://www.pokebeach.com/forums/forum-new-player-help for some help.
For single card purchases, I recommend Trollandtoad.com or just searching around Amazon or Ebay.

Best of Luck
-Violet

 

[AlexanderTheAwesome]

@violetwisp
Not going to lie that was kinda rude he/she was looking for help with their deck. Not to be told that their deck is horrible and even with your "god" like advice they'll never be able to win.
As for the deck list I would consider taking a look at archetype/competitive deck, it seems you are a little new to the PTCG world.

 

[Violetwisp]

@violetwisp
Not going to lie that was kinda rude he/she was looking for help with their deck. Not to be told that their deck is horrible and even with your "god" like advice they'll never be able to win.
As for the deck list I would consider taking a look at archetype/competitive deck, it seems you are a little new to the PTCG world.

I was being realistic, and I tried not to be rude. And at least I was more helpful then just saying "get a new deck". I tried to give suggestions based on the cards she had and what she could do. Giving people reasons the things they said don't work lets them learn what to do better next time.
And when did I say it was god like advice? I'm sure somebody could do better, but at least I read the entire op. She said that she was on a budget, so she can't exactly afford a tier one deck.

As to shave off the four cards, I looked again, and add to my suggestions
-2 Juniper (empoleon works as a good enough draw engine so that you shouldn't need these, but they do work early game)
-1-1 Zoroark line
-1 Mewtwo EX (empoleon doesn't really need it. I'd say get a MewEX or two, but those are 20-30$ minimum, so it's not essential.)
-2 DCE

Make the empoleon a firm +2
Add back the Cheren and one more basic water.

To Alexander and anyone else who thought I was too harsh, especially if Starlit did, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound pompous, and that first line was a bit much. I'll fix the wording in case you haven't read it yet.

 

[AlexanderTheAwesome]

It wasn't that you said it, it was the way u worded it. Also, I do have to agree with your suggestions it would make the deck somewhat playable. Lets just drop this.
Also, if you want to make a competitive deck most of the cards come in tin promos real cheap sonce you are on a budget. Plus you get 4 packs