Plasma's Return

thood

thood

Konohagakure Shinobi
Member
In my local Meta (STL, Missouri), I've been seeing more and more Plasma decks every week. Around 1/5 of my local league plays Plasma (that's around 10 people). Anyways, as another thread on here mentioned, Pyroar is seeing less and less play, and with the release of new sets later this year, I think it's safe to say we can expect this trend to continue. Pyroar was one of the toughest match-ups for Plasma, as outside of LaserBank or Frozen City, the deck had no real way of touching Pyroar. However, now I think is a good time for us to dust off our Plasma decks and bring them back out again. Plasma has great match-ups across the board. Thundurus EX destroys all Yveltal variants, while Lugia EX's ability is stronger than ever with the abundant presence of Jirachi EX. Hell, if you're running Rainbow Energy, cards like Moltres/Heatran EX can even be used to destroy VirGen decks. This is also coupled with the fact that Plasma has arguably one of the best engines in the game : free search (plasma ball), damage modifier (Deoxys EX), energy acceleration (colress machine, Thundurus EX), favorable prize trades (Lugia EX), counter stadiums (Frozen City). Plasma has so much to work with and a very positive outlook going into this Meta, and I'm thinking we can definitely expect an increase usage in Plasma!
 
It really depends on your area's meta, I think. The area I am in actually sees a lot of cards XY-on, and just getting your hands on anything before that is hard.
 
I think the bigger issue for Plasma is only having four multitype energy (four rainbow). This puts a lot of limits on what can be played together.
 
I do like that plasma decks are making somewhat of a comeback. I think they will be played because they have a decent matchup against most decks and pyroar and maybe seismitoad decks are the only bad matchups at the moment. Even though there are only 4 multitype energy that can be use in a plasma deck I think if you add more water and electric energy you will be fine and less dependent on special energy, and making enhanced hammers less useful against your deck will also clog up your oppenents hand because most deck play enhanced hammer.
 
The biggest problem with Plasma is the influx of megas, along with a general consistency issue due to the lack of multicolored energy. Plasma was always so good because it was so versatile--it had energy acceleration, it could do small damage when it needed to, big damage when it needed to, it had access to a small sniping attack, and it was all based around basics that were easy to set up. Megas generally lie outside the range that Plasma can do, meaning stuff like Mega Gardevoir and Mega Manectric are going to pose big problems for the deck. Aegislash, whether in faries or metal, also tears the deck apart. Seismitoad/Garbodor is also rather unfriendly, as Plasma hates hammers and doesn't have a way to deal enough damage under ability lock.

Don't get me wrong, I love Plasma and played it quite a bit back in the day. But it died for a reason, and that reason wasn't just Pyroar. It wasn't good last format and isn't getting any better with the new set, since it gets hurt by a lot of cards like Silent Lab and the previously mentioned Mega Gardevoir.


P.S. Quick note on Plasma vs. Yveltal, don't fall into the trap thinking that type advantage = destruction. Plasma vs. Yveltal last year was actually very close, and even more so if the Plasma wasn't playing Laserbank, which many variants didn't. Thundurus can't consistently OHKO Yveltal and Yveltal is such an unbelievably strong attacker that it can and often will overwhelm Plasma. Same goes for Heatran.
 
Interestingly enough, I've had some recent thoughts about rebuilding a Plasma deck; but it will be centered around a VirGen core more than anything else. Given the release of Primal Clash, the good old TDK, Speed Lugia,etc. decks are not competitive enough in today's game format filled with the Mega decks, IMO. Those decks can no longer "hit the right numbers" easily. However, since most of the Mega decks are G-weak, some VirGen deck versions may yet linger as a solid counter to the new decks.

Lastly, I suspect Plasma Leafeon, as well as Flareon, will see some play too going forward.
 
I actually have been kinda tempted to build a Plasma Deck on PTCGO; however, the issues previously stated are definitely something that's holding this deck back. That combined with how quickly some decks get set up and their reliance on Special Energy... I don't feel like Plasma's going to make as much of an impact as it has in the past.
 
I've gotten destroyed by some Plasma decks lately on PTCGO, and I honestly don't know what to do about them. From what I've seen, getting a T2 Lugia hitting for 160+ is more consistent than ever with Acro Bike. Decks like mine, focused on using non-EXs so my opponents need 6 KOs, are just slaughtered when 3 KOs are enough to win. So what are the best ways to slow down or stop these decks?
 
Simply put? An EX Blocker - Sigilyph or Suicune, whatever you fancy - are the biggest wall to Plasma (when they don't have Hypnotoxic down). Aside from that, depending on what cards you run exactly... it may not be a bad idea to tech in a Silent Lab - it negates Lugia EX's ability, making the prize trade 1 : 1 again.
 
TuxedoBlack said:
Interestingly enough, I've had some recent thoughts about rebuilding a Plasma deck; but it will be centered around a VirGen core more than anything else. Given the release of Primal Clash, the good old TDK, Speed Lugia,etc. decks are not competitive enough in today's game format filled with the Mega decks, IMO. Those decks can no longer "hit the right numbers" easily. However, since most of the Mega decks are G-weak, some VirGen deck versions may yet linger as a solid counter to the new decks.

Lastly, I suspect Plasma Leafeon, as well as Flareon, will see some play too going forward.
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Genesect also has G Booster. With one Deoxys in play, you can take care of Manectric and Gardevoir's Megas. Flareon could also be used in case Mega Aggron becomes a thing.

Another idea I've thought of is using Snorlax with Deoxys. This can max out at 250 if you have 4 Deoxys and a Silver Bangle attached. The five energy cost is steep and leaves it vulnerable to Mewtwo/Yveltal, but Deoxys can deal with Mewtwo and Thundurus (or something like Jolteon) can deal with Yveltal. Lastly, I've found that Lysandre's Trump Card does wonders in Plasma decks. It lets you reuse your plasma energy again and again.
 
pokedan24 said:
Another idea I've thought of is using Snorlax with Deoxys. This can max out at 250 if you have 4 Deoxys and a Silver Bangle attached. The five energy cost is steep and leaves it vulnerable to Mewtwo/Yveltal, but Deoxys can deal with Mewtwo and Thundurus (or something like Jolteon) can deal with Yveltal. Lastly, I've found that Lysandre's Trump Card does wonders in Plasma decks. It lets you reuse your plasma energy again and again.
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Alright, two things:

Five energy is horrible and would never get off the ground. In a scenario where you dump five energy onto a Snorlax, you are already neck deep in a lot of bad situations. Over committing to one attacker, (presumably using DCE) you are walled by Aegis EX, that is assuming 4 Deoxys on your bench at once at having five energy... when there some Pokemon in the format who can KO 130 HP very easily. Fighting weakness also doesn't help the cause at all.

Secondly, Plasma Energy can be in Discard if only because Thundurus EX exists - why put back into your deck and try to draw it out when you can just accelerate it (or any other energy you want in there) and do damage at the same time?
 
So personally I've been testing out a Speed Lugia EX deck on PTCGO and it's been pretty awesome. I only have 7 Pokemon in the whole deck : x4 Lugia EX and x3 Thundurus EX. The deck is extremely consistent and very fast. It's hardest match-up is Seismitoad, followed by LandoGarb. It does extremely well against Donphan, and other non-EX decks like Night March (Mew EX is easy prizes) and Lugia EX makes it difficult for your opponent to put down Jirachi EX. I'm considering adding Deoxys EX, but I'm not sure how much of a difference it will make. My strategy so far has been hit for 30-50 with Thundurus's Raiden Knuckle, retreat into Lugia and hit for 120-140 for either 2-3 prizes. I also run Frozen City which has been a huge help against Yveltal EX and it also weakens up my opponents pokemon, as after 2 energy attachments, all non Mega EXs are within KO range of Lugia EX with a Muscle Band.
 
thood said:
So personally I've been testing out a Speed Lugia EX deck on PTCGO and it's been pretty awesome. I only have 7 Pokemon in the whole deck : x4 Lugia EX and x3 Thundurus EX. The deck is extremely consistent and very fast. It's hardest match-up is Seismitoad, followed by LandoGarb. It does extremely well against Donphan, and other non-EX decks like Night March (Mew EX is easy prizes) and Lugia EX makes it difficult for your opponent to put down Jirachi EX. I'm considering adding Deoxys EX, but I'm not sure how much of a difference it will make. My strategy so far has been hit for 30-50 with Thundurus's Raiden Knuckle, retreat into Lugia and hit for 120-140 for either 2-3 prizes. I also run Frozen City which has been a huge help against Yveltal EX and it also weakens up my opponents pokemon, as after 2 energy attachments, all non Mega EXs are within KO range of Lugia EX with a Muscle Band.
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How will you get around Aegis EX, though...? I'm legitimately curious.
 
DarkMatterGaming said:
How will you get around Aegis EX, though...? I'm legitimately curious.
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Firstly, you're acting as though Aegislash is an extremely common card - it isn't. Metal decks aren't all that popular, especially where I live. Secondly, I run Lightning Energy for my Thundurus EX, so he attacks without any special energy. Lastly, I can also Lysandre around his wall, especially since I run 4 VS Seeker.
 
thood said:
DarkMatterGaming said:
How will you get around Aegis EX, though...? I'm legitimately curious.
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Firstly, you're acting as though Aegislash is an extremely common card - it isn't. Metal decks aren't all that popular, especially where I live. Secondly, I run Lightning Energy for my Thundurus EX, so he attacks without any special energy. Lastly, I can also Lysandre around his wall, especially since I run 4 VS Seeker.
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Fair enough; my only worry for that would be that it's not a very favorable match-up for you, considering you're doing 30 - 50 per turn VS 110 - 130 a turn.
 
People are acting like it is hard to beat mega decks with Lugia. It isn't that hard at all. You can have a Lugia EX set up by turn 1 so you will be able to kill the non-mega EX version easily. Then you will be already up 3 prizes. This is a huge lead especially against Mega Gardevoir which takes 2-3 turns to get all the energy in play.

I will probably pick up Lugia again if I see an increase in pure fairy decks with Mega Gardy EX / Florges EX in my area. I wouldn't have to worry about Aegislash EX in those decks.
 
Lensiax said:
If plasma wasnt good last season then why did it win a world championships? Just saying..
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Because the meta allowed for it? The hype surrounding decks like Empoleon and Flygon made Lugia look like a strong play, and for Juniors, it was. Seniors and Masters on other hand were much rougher, Landorus/Raichu was huge, being able to take Knock Outs on anything Plasma presented and as the table numbers got higher there were some Trevenant decks (one that ran Silver Mirror) and even Alex's Blastoise that could take out so much of Plasma in a single swipe and then in Masters Drifblim tore through anything that Plasma had. So for the simpler Juniors format it was good, but there was too much hate in the other divisions.

Source: Speed Lugia player in Seniors

As for today, Plasma needs so much to go right for it. It needs to make sure that there are no Aegislash anywhere and they just block everything that would otherwise threaten it. It also needs to watch out for Seismitoad which very easily locks it out of the game because every attack costs more than one energy (aside from Raiden Knuckle, but this is pushed to two from Head Ringer). It also doesn't like a deck like Night March that has comprable speed to it but much easier trade offs in terms of prizes, even when factoring in Overflow. Another thing it needs to watch out for is Silent Lab which just shuts off Deoxys, making everything in the deck look cute compared to monsters like Yveltal, Genesect and even Landorus. Mega Manectric also poses huge problems for it as does Hard Charm. The format just shifted away from Plasma as other strategies got support.
 
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