Standard M Manectric EX / Raikou

[musicismyalibi_]

Hello everyone, this is my very first thread on Pokébeach. I hope you guys (and girls of course) can give me a hand with this deck. I tested it a few times and it rolls pretty good, but I think it's not consistent enough. So any tips, tricks and hints on how to improve it are welcome!

Pokémon (12):

• 4 Manectric EX (PHF 113/119)
• 4 M Manectric EX (PHF 120/119)
• 2 Raikou (BKT 55/162)
• 2 Shaymin EX (ROS 106/108)

Trainers/Supporters/Stadiums (38):

• 2 Battle Compressor
• 1 Enhanced Hammer
• 1 Professor's Letter
• 1 Sacred Ash
• 1 Startling Megaphone
• 2 Tool Retriever
• 2 Trainers' Mail
• 4 Ultra Ball
• 4 VS Seeker
• 1 Ace Trainer
• 1 AZ
• 1 Lysandre
• 3 Professor Sycamore
• 3 Shauna
• 1 Xerosic
• 4 Rough Seas
• 2 Assault Vest
• 4 Manectric Spirit Link

Energy (10):

• 10 Lightning Energy

Strategy:

I noticed while playing that I could make some changes myself, but I didn't do that yet (because I went to the ECC this weekend). But how about this? Let me know!
- 1 Rough Seas
- 1 Manectric Spirit Link
- 1 Tool Retriever
+ 1 Trainers' Mail
+ 1 Muscle Band
+ 1 Skyla

 

[TuxedoBlack]

Welcome to the Beach. I hope your experience with this community will be fun and enjoyable.

Your deck is fairly solid. Following are some suggested ideas for your consideration for a few minor improvements, IMO:

-1 M Manectric EX - from my experience in running my M Manectric EX decks, 3 M Manectric EXs are quite sufficient
-1 Tool Retriever - 1 "might" be sufficient (may change in near future with expected Tool "wars")
-1 Ace Trainer - might not be behind in prizes enough for this card to be really effective

+1 Raikou - increases chances of a non-EX Pokemon start (or another Professor Sycamore or Shauna)
+2 Fighting Fury Belt - AWESOME Tool for either Raikou or Manectric EX​

You may want to consider adding a Bunnelby (PRC 121) or an Eco Arm too. Other Pokemon to perhaps consider: Dedenne (FFI), Stunfisk (BKT). Other Tool(s) to perhaps consider: Wide Lens (Bats hate this Tool - lol).

General tip: when benching a Manectric EX, attach a Tool immediately - prevents opponents from attaching their Head Ringer

 

[PokeDad5]

I'm failing to see how Bats hate wide lens. Please explain. Also struggling to understand the wording on the card.

 

[Ratpool]

I'm failing to see how Bats hate wide lens. Please explain. Also struggling to understand the wording on the card.

A Manectric with Wide Lens can hit for weakness to all the bats in the bench with Overun, making them easy targets to KO

 

[PokeDad5]

I see. Thanks. I struggled reading that one for some reason.

 

[musicismyalibi_]

Thanks for the ideas, I'll test them right away!
Also I did know the immediately attaching of a tool to a Pokémon EX, but thank you for pointing it out @TuxedoBlack

 

[TuxedoBlack]

Btw, have you tested the Magnezone-Raikou variant? It's really good too.

 

[musicismyalibi_]

Btw, have you tested the Magnezone-Raikou variant? It's really good too.

Yes, I did, but I don't really like it. The stage 2 Magnezone, the fact that they can easily pull it up to the front with Lysandre/Pokémon Catcher and they can play Xerosic/Startling Megaphone to get rid of the Float Stone. That deck is a no-go for me...

 

[fr33land]

It also has a terrible uniform weakness. . . not unlike M Man and Raikou.
The one thing Magnezone has going for it is the instantaneous recovery, Raikou is KO'd with tons of energy on it and you can attach it all right away. Unfortunately, like I think you'll find with M Man and Raikou is that it lacks real knock out power over massive opponents or EX's with Fighting Spirit Belt: enter Pikachu EX and maybe Jolteon EX.
I think it is worth considering running Max Potion. Most of your fighting will be done with Mega Manectric, with free retreat you can switch between Mega Manectrics and Max Potion them. They might be a worthwhile inclusion as your healing component over 1-2 Rough Seas. . .
I think Deluge/ Rain Dance / Inferno Fandango / Magnetic Circuit blah blah is waay better in Expanded where you could (potentially) attach 3 energies to Magnezone, retreat it and Superior Energy Retrieval all of them and play them in the same turn.
As far as I can tell you've got the right idea though: Make sure Mega Man is attacking turn 2 and an awful lot of decks fold. It's hard though, between all the powerful, low energy fighting type attackers available that weakness is soooo bad.