Discussion Growlithe Shenanigans

Lanstar

Lanstar

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Growlithe – Fire – HP70
Basic Pokemon

[C] Kick and Run: 10 damage. Switch this Pokemon with 1 of your Benched Pokemon.

[R][C] Flare: 20 damage.

Weakness: Water (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 2

Okay... This is a stupid funny rogue deck idea: Growlithe's first attack is much like that of Donphan of old, where you attack and switch to a disruptive wall (Like Wobbuffet) or a prize denier (Robo Substitute - I wish that was still around :/).

At first, 10 damage isn't much - but with Volcanion-EX and Fighting Fury Belt, it can become even stronger! Even more, its potential Evolution, Arcanine, can take all the energy from your bench to deal the finishing damage:

Arcanine – Fire – HP130
Stage 1 – Evolves from Growlithe

Ability: Burning Road
Once during your turn (before your attack), when this Pokemon becomes your Active Pokemon from the Bench, you may move as many [R] Energy as you like from your Pokemon to this Pokemon.

[R][R][R][C] Scorching Breath: 150 damage. Arcanine can’t attack during your next turn.

Weakness: Water (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 2

Now, would this be good enough to replace normal Volcanion builds? Probably not, but depending on the right cards coming out in future sets, this tactic could be worth scouting out later.
 
It sounds like a crazy, interesting idea! I think that even with Volcanion-EX and Fighting Fury Belt, the damage output will be a little too low, though. Dolphan could generally 2-hit KO EXs (and potentially even 1-hit KO), however Growlithe can really only 4-hit KO EXs, meaning you probably won't be able to be ahead in the prize trade. Nevertheless, there is things like Celebi AT that Donphan did not have, that could be really disruptive.
 
The problem with using Growlithe over baby Volcanion is that Volcanion attaches the Energy you used to pay Steam Up's cost. Without using Power Heater, you have no way of reliably getting four Energy on the field consistently.

You don't even have to use Growlithe's attack; Steam up + Steam Up + Power Heater + Scorching Breath does 230 damage, which is enough to OHKO everything. The problem is keeping Mewtwo from running you over. If you have to sacrifice a Volcanion just to KO a Mewtwo next turn, you're still giving up two Prizes to their two Prizes, and they are still more consistent than you are.
 
I had a similar silly idea. It involved Ponyta GEN, Volcanion EX, and Trick Coin

PMJ said:
The problem with using Growlithe over baby Volcanion is that Volcanion attaches the Energy you used to pay Steam Up's cost. Without using Power Heater, you have no way of reliably getting four Energy on the field consistently.

You don't even have to use Growlithe's attack; Steam up + Steam Up + Power Heater + Scorching Breath does 230 damage, which is enough to OHKO everything. The problem is keeping Mewtwo from running you over. If you have to sacrifice a Volcanion just to KO a Mewtwo next turn, you're still giving up two Prizes to their two Prizes, and they are still more consistent than you are.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure Steam Up only works on basics.
 
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Really cool idea! i do see a couple of issues.

You're opponent can use Lysandre to get rid of Growlithe, and you will need to run a ton of energy retrieving cards just to be able to use Steam Up consistently (unless you're going to run baby Volcanion)
 
DatSonicAce said:
Pretty sure Steam Up only works on basics.
Click to expand...

Yes, it does; that's why the chain requires Power Heater before you use Scorching Breath, as I said.
 
So glad to see people giving fun build ideas a shot rather than the "this entire set is awful" response. Keep working on it! I bet you'll find something great!
 
PMJ said:
Yes, it does; that's why the chain requires Power Heater before you use Scorching Breath, as I said.
Click to expand...

So what you mean is that you're setting up 2HKOs then?

Turn 1: Power Heater+2x Steam Up 20+30+30=80
Turn 2: Scorching Breath 150

80=150=230

You said this was enough to OHKO anything, barring Primals and Wailord, which I believe led to the confusion from @DatSonicAce. Since it seemed implied you were taking the KO in one turn, rather than two.
 
Yeah, sorry, it was a poor word choice on my part.
 
Rough Seas, Wailord with a float stone and kick and run. Energy recycler to recycle energy from steam up?
 
Until Garbodor. But seriously, nice neat list.

Maybe add in a ponyta from flashfire or generations, or even that torchic AT.
 
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