Hey, what's going on guys? Due to the newest set in the Pokemon TCG, Boundaries Crossed, having a release date less than a month away, I thought I'd take my lunch break today to write an article and a possible sample deck list for one of THE most hyped decks coming out of the new set, Keldeo/Blastoise. Now, a lot of different names have popped up for the variant, but I'll skip the ridiculous nicknames and leave it at that. This particular deck has taken our OCG counterpart in Japan by storm and has been doing extremely well, but then again, so did Garchomp/Altaria. After the gigantic disappointment with the Dragon Call deck, I fear Keldeo EX might be just another hype deck that's doing well overseas, but you never know how it's going to play out in our meta game. I've heard opinions from many of my friends at my local league, both positive and negative about the deck, so I'll throw in a sample deck list and give you guys my views on this potentially all-hype deck. For those of you who read my recent article on the Ho-oh EX deck, you know I like to leave no stone unturned when dealing with any deck idea. This means I don't like relying on only 1 strategy to win, which is what I've been seeing in the majority of Kedleo decks that have been popping up on the internet. The main strategy is fuel Keldeo with as many water energies as possible using Blastoise and OHKO'ing your opponent at every turn. Seeing as this has been very effective in Japan, you'd think it would easily transfer over to the states, but that hasn't always been the case when the TCG get's a new set. If anyone was unfortunate enough to invest in Garchomp/Altaria, you've realized that just because a deck does well in the OCG, that doesn't necessarily mean it will do well over here. Another thing I'll point out: If a card doesn't need explaining, I'm not going to waste anyone's time by typing out a description of something everyone already knows about. Without further delay and me talking about stuff you guys don't care about, let's get straight into this sample list of what "Keldoise" might look like in the upcoming meta.
Pokemon:
2 Keldeo EX
3-1-3 Blastoise BC(Boundaries Crossed)
2 Kyurem NV
2 Mewtwo EX
total: 13
With every single attacker on this list having colorless attacking requirements, I thought they went extremely well together. While your 1st objective will be trying to set up your stage 2 line and get Keldeo fueled up for late game, this has been subject to failing and I've added 2 other possibilities at the attacker position. Everyone knows of Mewtwo EX and his deadly X-Ball attack, but Kyurem has been sort of swept under the rug with his thunder counterpart Zekrom taking the spotlight in the ever popular Eel variants and Reshiram joining him under the rug, as "Reshiboar" and "Reshiphlosion" have dissolved away from the meta. I think Kyurem's Glaciate attack is a fantastic way of distributing damage across your opponents bench, giving you that slight advantage you'll need late game. Outrage is amazing late game when Kyurem has racked up a few counters, and can simply devastate your opponent. Let's not count out Blastoise either. For 2 DCE, or a varied combination of DCE and water energies, this bulky, nostalgic favorite of many of our older Pokemon fans can deal a hefty amount of damage, (at least 60) and 10 more for each Water Energy attached to it. All in all, I think this a great start to a possible Pokemon lineup.
Items:
2 Random Receiver
2 Eviolite
3 Ultra Ball
3 Pokemon Catcher
3 Switch
2 Pokemon Communication
1 Super Rod
3 Rare Candy
2 Energy Retrieval
Total: 21
Quite possibly the best deck thinner in the game, Random Receiver has made it's way into many of today's meta decks for it's ability to search out the deck for that key N or Juniper you need to get out of a bad hand and refresh it. Eviolite is, in my opinion, very necessary in this deck. With Super Rod and energy Retrieval being your only way of recycling energies and Pokemon from the grave, it is imperative that you keep your Pokemon on the board as long as possible. 3 Ultra Ball is another must, and some people would even argue a 4th into this build. Getting your Blastoise set up as early as possible is very important and Ultra Ball is a great way of getting that missing Squirtle, Blastoise, or even single Wartortle in the hand to get your engine going. 4 Catcher is a must in this format, and I feel 3 Switch is plenty.
Supporters:
3 Professor Juniper
4 N
2 Skyla
2 Bianca
1 Cilan
Total: 12
Everyone knows what N, Juniper, and Bianca does, but Skyla is a new card that will be joining us in the new set. It let's you search out your deck for any Trainer card and place it in your hand. Mind you, that means Item OR another Supporter, so I feel this is a great option to get a Super Rod or a Rare Candy in hand, or maybe even Juniper or N. I feel only 2 are needed simply because it IS a Supporter, and only 1 perturn is allowed to be played. In my opinion, running any more than 2 severely limits your options if you play it late game.
Energy:
3 DCE
11 Water Energy
Total: 14
My Final Thoughts:
Again, this is just a sample deck list and is in no way telling what may actually be played. Who really knows how this deck will play out when it finally arrives? I hope everyone has enjoyed this article and I'm considering making this a weekly thing. LEt me know what you guys think about Keldeo EX and my articles, and if you would enjoy seeing more of these written about your favorite decks. Happy Monday, Pokebeach.
Pokemon:
2 Keldeo EX
3-1-3 Blastoise BC(Boundaries Crossed)
2 Kyurem NV
2 Mewtwo EX
total: 13
With every single attacker on this list having colorless attacking requirements, I thought they went extremely well together. While your 1st objective will be trying to set up your stage 2 line and get Keldeo fueled up for late game, this has been subject to failing and I've added 2 other possibilities at the attacker position. Everyone knows of Mewtwo EX and his deadly X-Ball attack, but Kyurem has been sort of swept under the rug with his thunder counterpart Zekrom taking the spotlight in the ever popular Eel variants and Reshiram joining him under the rug, as "Reshiboar" and "Reshiphlosion" have dissolved away from the meta. I think Kyurem's Glaciate attack is a fantastic way of distributing damage across your opponents bench, giving you that slight advantage you'll need late game. Outrage is amazing late game when Kyurem has racked up a few counters, and can simply devastate your opponent. Let's not count out Blastoise either. For 2 DCE, or a varied combination of DCE and water energies, this bulky, nostalgic favorite of many of our older Pokemon fans can deal a hefty amount of damage, (at least 60) and 10 more for each Water Energy attached to it. All in all, I think this a great start to a possible Pokemon lineup.
Items:
2 Random Receiver
2 Eviolite
3 Ultra Ball
3 Pokemon Catcher
3 Switch
2 Pokemon Communication
1 Super Rod
3 Rare Candy
2 Energy Retrieval
Total: 21
Quite possibly the best deck thinner in the game, Random Receiver has made it's way into many of today's meta decks for it's ability to search out the deck for that key N or Juniper you need to get out of a bad hand and refresh it. Eviolite is, in my opinion, very necessary in this deck. With Super Rod and energy Retrieval being your only way of recycling energies and Pokemon from the grave, it is imperative that you keep your Pokemon on the board as long as possible. 3 Ultra Ball is another must, and some people would even argue a 4th into this build. Getting your Blastoise set up as early as possible is very important and Ultra Ball is a great way of getting that missing Squirtle, Blastoise, or even single Wartortle in the hand to get your engine going. 4 Catcher is a must in this format, and I feel 3 Switch is plenty.
Supporters:
3 Professor Juniper
4 N
2 Skyla
2 Bianca
1 Cilan
Total: 12
Everyone knows what N, Juniper, and Bianca does, but Skyla is a new card that will be joining us in the new set. It let's you search out your deck for any Trainer card and place it in your hand. Mind you, that means Item OR another Supporter, so I feel this is a great option to get a Super Rod or a Rare Candy in hand, or maybe even Juniper or N. I feel only 2 are needed simply because it IS a Supporter, and only 1 perturn is allowed to be played. In my opinion, running any more than 2 severely limits your options if you play it late game.
Energy:
3 DCE
11 Water Energy
Total: 14
My Final Thoughts:
Again, this is just a sample deck list and is in no way telling what may actually be played. Who really knows how this deck will play out when it finally arrives? I hope everyone has enjoyed this article and I'm considering making this a weekly thing. LEt me know what you guys think about Keldeo EX and my articles, and if you would enjoy seeing more of these written about your favorite decks. Happy Monday, Pokebeach.
