Standard Kingdra / Alolan Ninetales GX

[Joshua Huggard]

Hey all!

I've been trying to think of a semi budget deck to build, one that isn't so common, but can still stand up to the likes of the main meta decks out there. I'm thinking that i'll use Alolan Ninetales GX as my main active, just as it has high HP and can deal a fair amount of damage to any of my opponents Pokemon for two energy. Then i'll bring out Kingdra later game to start picking off the opponents Pokemon, hopefully using Max Potions to keep Kingdra going for as long as possible. Here is my first draft of a decklist.


15 Pokemon

3 x Horsea - BUS
2 x Seadra - BUS
3 x Kingdra - BUS
3 x Alolan Vulpix - GRI
2 x Alolan Ninetales GX - GRI
2 x Tapu Lele - GRI

36 Trainers

3 x Sycamore
2 x N
2 x Shauna
3 x Guzma
2 x Acerola
1 x Brigette
3 x Rare Candy
2 x Field Blower
4 x Aqua Patch
2 x Max Potion
1 x Super Rod
1 x Rescue Stretcher
3 x Ultra Ball
3 x Choice Band
2 x Float Stone
2 x Brooklet Hill

9 Energy

7 x Water
2 x DCE

I was wondering if a third Alolan Ninetales GX would be worthy? Also, how do you think a single Tapu Koko Promo would work in this? Although, I am yet to play test this deck, I would love to hear some of your thoughts on the overall idea of the deck and decklist!

All the best

 

[TuxedoBlack]

A few comments for your consideration:

My "gut" thinks that runing a Stage 1 and Stage 2 lines in the same deck will create some "lag" in getting setup, as well as limit the potential effectiveness of the deck. For example, you could perhaps build a "more" effective deck centered around either Alolan Ninetales or Kindra...

If Alolan Ninetales GX is your primary attacker, ideally, you'll want to start with an Alolan Vulpix, I assume; so, why not run 4 in order to maximize your chances of starting with that Pokémon?

Given all the Items you use, why no Skyla?

Suggested deck changes:

-1 Acerola - making room for higher priority cards
-1 Aqua Patch - making room for higher priority cards
-1 Max Potion - making room for higher priority cards
-2 Float Stone - making room for higher priority cards

+1 Alolan Vulpix
+1 Alolan Ninetales
+1 Skyla
+1 W
+1 DC​

I hope you find these comments helpful.

 

[Joshua Huggard]

A few comments for your consideration:

My "gut" thinks that runing a Stage 1 and Stage 2 lines in the same deck will create some "lag" in getting setup, as well as limit the potential effectiveness of the deck. For example, you could perhaps build a "more" effective deck centered around either Alolan Ninetales or Kindra...

If Alolan Ninetales GX is your primary attacker, ideally, you'll want to start with an Alolan Vulpix, I assume; so, why not run 4 in order to maximize your chances of starting with that Pokémon?

Given all the Items you use, why no Skyla?

Suggested deck changes:

-1 Acerola - making room for higher priority cards
-1 Aqua Patch - making room for higher priority cards
-1 Max Potion - making room for higher priority cards
-2 Float Stone - making room for higher priority cards

+1 Alolan Vulpix
+1 Alolan Ninetales
+1 Skyla
+1 W
+1 DC​

I hope you find these comments helpful.

@TuxedoBlack
These are very helpful comments, thank you!
I see what you mean about how it could cause "lag". Do you have any suggestions about what i could run with Kingdra?
I think I prefer the idea of running Kingdra over Ninetales GX because although it's being used, i just haven't seen as much 'hype' over Kindra, which appeals to me. But then i dont know if there is a reason it's not getting all the 'hype' i think it deserves?

 

[TuxedoBlack]

@TuxedoBlack
These are very helpful comments, thank you!
I see what you mean about how it could cause "lag". Do you have any suggestions about what i could run with Kingdra?
I think I prefer the idea of running Kingdra over Ninetales GX because although it's being used, i just haven't seen as much 'hype' over Kindra, which appeals to me. But then i dont know if there is a reason it's not getting all the 'hype' i think it deserves?

Have you seen Tapu Koko, the non-GX promo? It is a free-retreating, L-type, 110 Basic Pokémon that can inflict 20 damage onto all opponents' Pokémon for just CC energy cost. IMO, this would be a great starting Pokémon for Kingdra. You could easily drop the entire Alolan Ninetales GX line replacing that with 4 Tapu Koko and still have some slots you could rearrange.

Further, you could also do some "clever" things like run Tauros GX and/or Necrozma GX with Ninja Boy in order to inflict some "heavy" damage too that will make Kingdra sniping more effective.

 

[Joshua Huggard]

Have you seen Tapu Koko, the non-GX promo? It is a free-retreating, L-type, 110 Basic Pokémon that can inflict 20 damage onto all opponents' Pokémon for just CC energy cost. IMO, this would be a great starting Pokémon for Kingdra. You could easily drop the entire Alolan Ninetales GX line replacing that with 4 Tapu Koko and still have some slots you could rearrange.

Further, you could also do some "clever" things like run Tauros GX and/or Necrozma GX with Ninja Boy in order to inflict some "heavy" damage too that will make Kingdra sniping more effective.

These are great suggestions, thank you so much!