Passive Agression (Magnezone EX / Greninja)

[Redstart]

I'm just getting back into the TCG, and this is going to be my first attempt at building a deck that can (maybe? hopefully?) actually hold up against the other strong decks out there. This is my preliminary deck list, which I'm sure will change a lot before this is playable!

Pokemon:
4 Magnezone EX [FF]
4-2-4 Froakie-Frogadier-Greninja [XY]
2 Druddigon [FF]
Total 16

Trainers/Supporters/Stadiums:
4 Energy Retrieval
4 Professor's Letter
3 Rare Candy
2 Ultra Ball
4 Lysandre
4 N
2 Pokemon Center Lady
Total 23

Energy:
8 Lightning
10 Water
4 Double-Colorless
Total 21

Strategy:
Aim to get out as many Greninja as possible, and use Magnezone as a main attacker. With four Greninja on the bench and enough water energy, use Water Shuriken to do 120 passive damage on the Pokemon of choice. Attack with Magnezone to do an extra 50 to two Pokemon. When Magnezone is knocked out, use Druddigon to revenge kill.

Concerns:

• Mr. Mime protecting the opponent's bench
• Can Magnezone EX and Greninja actually work well together?
• This deck is not energy-efficient as I don't know how to be energy efficient yet! Help?
• I think using Dusknoir would be fun here, to rearrange damage for mid-turn knockouts.
• This deck isn't too great at getting out the Pokémon it needs.

Thank you in advance for any recommendations you have!

 

[Luispipe8]

RE: Passive Agression (Magnezone EX/Greninja)

Well, TBH, I'd do:

-4 Magnezone-EX
-8 Lightning
-4 DC Energy
-2 Pokémon Center Lady
-1 Frogadier
-1 Druddigon
-2 Lysandre

This is a very inconsistent list, so:
+3 Kyurem NVI/LTR
+1 Kyurem PLF
+2-1-2 Dusknoir.
+3 Professor Juniper
+2 Skyla
+1 Rare Candy
+2 Superior Energy Retrieval
+2 Level Ball
+2 Ultra Ball
+1 Exeggcute(to avoid discarding valuable resources)

Kyurem(either) helps you spread damage, and then Dusknoir moves it around. Greninja helps as well, but I'd still not play it as a 4-of. The extra trainers are for consistency and draw power. If there's any question, feel free to ask. Hope I could help!!

Ps.: And Mr. Mime, with Dusknoir, is not THAT problematic, because you just either Water Shuriken it to death or move damage from the active to it and then you can shower damage like there's no tomorrow. XD

 

[Ironman131]

RE: Passive Agression (Magnezone EX/Greninja)

I like the original idea to attack with magnazone ex but i dont think it will be that compettive. I run a deck that is similar what luispipe8 mentioned but I use mega blastoise ex as well to give some more damage, but you could also use treventant, or darkrai ex. But if you really want the damage spread out use gourgest with dusknoir and kyurem ltr, i play it online and have gotten multiple 4 prize turns using it.

 

[9Tailz]

I think speed may be a problem for this deck since it would take 3 manual attachments to power Kyurem or Magnezone EX up. If you add the Kyurems, you may want to consider a 1-1 line of Milotic FF because between Greninja, Juniper, and Ultra Ball, you shouldn't have a problem getting 3 energy discarded and it should help with getting fast Kyurems. The only problem I see with it is that Milotic has to be KOed, but because everything in your deck would be a non-ex I feel like it shouldnt hurt too much. I don't know what you would take out for it, but maybe you can find space for it.

 

[TuxedoBlack]

Following are some thoughts/comments regarding your Concerns:

• Although I haven't seen Mr. Mime used lately in recent tournaments, it is still a valid issue to your strategy. However, your solution is simple: Water Shuriken it 3x and that bench-protecting Poké is KOd leaving your opponent's other benched Poké open to
  Mag EX Dual Bullet attacks.
• The main issue I see with running Mag EX is that you have no energy attachment acceleration - it will take you 3 manual attachments of L energy to power it up. That, IMHO, is a "long" time. Secondly, there are Poké that will take advantage of the 3 required L energy in order to inflict damage onto your Mag EX like Mewtwo EX and Yveltal EX. Consider utilizing Miltank (Ff) as an initial attacker while you setup. Miltank can inflict 80 damage for just a C energy cost when you have a Stage 2 Poké on your bench.
• I agree; your deck is not energy efficient. But, you may still be successful with it after making some changes. For example, there are 2 Poké, Manectric and Magnezone, that can provide some energy attachment acceleration, but would require some major changes to your deck. My feedback will focus more on staying within the confines of your current build.
• Dusknoir is a fantastic Poké. I have usedan still use it in several different decks all of which were "blanket" (i.e., hits ALL opponent's Poké) spread decks. With Magnezone EX and Greninja, you can actually "target" which opponent's Poké you want to damage. So, Dusknoir, IMHO, would not be any more effective in your deck.
• If you are not getting the right Poké out when needed, you have some options you could employ:
  • Utilize more Level Balls, Evosoda, and/or Ultra Balls,
  • Increase card draw support (you only have 4 which is woefully insufficient), and/or
  • Utilize Call for Family Poké (e.g., Kangaskhan, Emolga, etc.).
  Using some combination of these options will address this concern; you'll just need to playtest different combs till you find the one that works best for you.

Given the above comments, following are some suggested changes for your consideration:

• 
  -2 Druddigon,
  +2 Miltank (or Call for Family Poké). This Poké can inflict some damage (for just C energy cost) while you setup. When you first 1 is KOd, Mag EX can be the primary attacker then.
  
  -2 Energy Retrieval,
  +2 Superior Energy Retrieval. I "suspect" a balance of 2 ER and 2 SER will work better. Playtesting will help you decide.
  
  -2 Lysandre. You really don't need these since your Poké can target ANY opponent's Poké; however, these are handy to bring a "fat" retreater (3+ energy cost) to the active position and then snipe around this Poké.
  +2 Ultra Ball. To help setup.
  
  -2 Lightning,
  -4 Water. You have 4 Professor's Letter; so, geting energy will not be an issue.
  +4 Professor Juniper,
  +2 Colress. More card draw Supporters.

I hope you find these comments helpful.