New Player - Becoming a Professor, Good Decks and Buying Cards

[Arcade]

Hello, folks.

I got a few questions regarding the Pokemon TCG. For starters, I'm wanting to get a scene started at my LGS. Though, at the moment it's a mainly Magic: The Gathering based shop. We got some other games played there, but they're not as big. Our Yu-Gi-Oh crew is actually pretty chill, you hear a lot of horror stories around the games players, but we got lucky. Anyway! There were a few dudes playing Pokemon the other day in there, and it got me thinking.

I like Pokemon, not gonna front. Why haven't I given the TCG a shot since the Game Boy Color days?

I'm in the process of building a Tron deck for MTG and we played The Spoils on a competitive level when it first came out, did pretty well for ourselves actually. So, wanting to get a league started and needed some advice from the Guru's and Champ's of the game here in regards to he Pokemon TCG.

1. What does one need to become a Professor?
2. Can I call myself Professor Awesome?
3. What are some good decks?
4. What are some good decks that don't have the turbo expensive Shaymim EX.
5. Should I buy singles to get started, or a few intro decks and combine them for awesome happy fun times.

I've looked up some champion decks, and I've seen some cool ones with Gengar EX seemingly based off of Poison, and the Fairy Toolbox seemed fun. In any case, good to be here and look forward to your replies!

QuickEdit: Thanks for the thread title edit, I guess. :I

 

[crann777]

Well, I guess I'll answer what I can:

1. The instructions for applying to be a Professor are located HERE. First, you need to be at least 18 years old, which it looks like you're covered. The application includes a personality survey, as well as a test on basic gameplay & organized play rules. In approximately six months (not even joking about that timeline) The Pokemon Company will review your application and provided that (1) you passed the exam and (2) your area isn't saturated with Professors, you'll be asked to complete a background check. If that comes back clean, then you should be a Professor.
2. I guess, but please don't.
3. HERE is a good place to start.
4. Most non-EX decks can run fine without Shaymin EX. Shaymin improves consistency, but any deck can work without it.
5. Okay, this one is loaded so let's break it down:

• If you aren't thoroughly versed with the rules of the game, buy Theme decks. (note: You can build something serviceable with the Xerneas half of the "Yveltal vs. Xerneas" deck listed below)
• If you know how to play the game, and don't know where to start when building a deck from scratch, buy the "Yveltal vs. Xerneas" or "Mewtwo vs. Darkrai" decks.
• If you know how to play the game, and want some good staple cards for decks, as well as (a) the satisfaction of opening packs, or (b) to collect the cards, buy a booster box of Phantom Forces, then a booster box of Roaring Skies.
• If you know how to play the game, and you (a) know exactly what deck you want to build, or (b) have a good collection of staple cards, buy singles.

 

[King Arceus]

I'm going to expand a bit on the first point since I've been a professor for many years. You need to have knowledge of basic rules and how cards interact. Looking over rulings on The Compendium is a good way to study and learn patterns of card interaction. The questions you get will depend on which exam you take, for example you won't find video game questions on the TCG Professor Exam. Upon completing an exam you will either see a failed exam type of message or that your application is pending review. If you get the failed message then you'll have to study up and try again at a later date. I believe the wait is 1 month. If you get the application pending review message, you answered enough of the questions correctly. If your application has been waiting to be approved and it has been a month, put in a support ticket and request the background check form be sent to you. Once that is done, it doesn't take too long for the process to be completed.

If you want to run a league, I believe you need to pass the Organizer Basic Exam. To my knowledge the only thing that is a bit restrictive is PTOs, and Tournament Organizers that are approved to run VGC Premier Challenges.