I usually have a more or less even mix 20/20/ pokemon, supporter, energy which has worked pretty well for me but I was wondering if this is something that is common?
Discussion Recommendations on supporter/item quantity in deck?
- Thread starter spoondestroyer
- Start date
The 20/20/20 deck building principle has rarely if ever, worked for competitive Pokémon play. Meaning I think it might have for a short time in one of the earlier Modified Formats.
For competitive play, low quantity Trainer decks are still going to have 25-30 total Trainer cards in them, with Trainer heavy decks clocking it at around 40 to 45. Something in the middle is going to be between 30 and 40 Trainers. Expect 10-15 Items, 0-4 Stadiums, and 10-15 Supporters. Currently, decks are actually running "low quantity" amounts in Standard Format play because of what is currently good. Garbodor (SM: Guardians Rising 51/145) and its "Trashalanche" attack do damage based on how many Item cards are in the other player's discard pile, so decks are trying to cut back on Item cards. Normally, Stage 2 Pokémon aren't very strong contenders, but right now Gardevoir-EX, Greninja BREAK (which actually Evolves from a Stage 2) are among the best decks; they also need a good deal of Energy (12 for Gardevoir-GX, 10 for Greninja BREAK), that means cutting back on Trainer card.
You can look up recent Regional Championship results here. That's a link to the official page, should it matter. You'll see the Top 8 for each age group, complete with decklists. Some of those events use the Expanded Format, instead of Standard; that is where you'll see decks with even higher Trainer counts.
For competitive play, low quantity Trainer decks are still going to have 25-30 total Trainer cards in them, with Trainer heavy decks clocking it at around 40 to 45. Something in the middle is going to be between 30 and 40 Trainers. Expect 10-15 Items, 0-4 Stadiums, and 10-15 Supporters. Currently, decks are actually running "low quantity" amounts in Standard Format play because of what is currently good. Garbodor (SM: Guardians Rising 51/145) and its "Trashalanche" attack do damage based on how many Item cards are in the other player's discard pile, so decks are trying to cut back on Item cards. Normally, Stage 2 Pokémon aren't very strong contenders, but right now Gardevoir-EX, Greninja BREAK (which actually Evolves from a Stage 2) are among the best decks; they also need a good deal of Energy (12 for Gardevoir-GX, 10 for Greninja BREAK), that means cutting back on Trainer card.
You can look up recent Regional Championship results here. That's a link to the official page, should it matter. You'll see the Top 8 for each age group, complete with decklists. Some of those events use the Expanded Format, instead of Standard; that is where you'll see decks with even higher Trainer counts.
Thanks you guys, I appreciate the info!
I agree with the mix of cards.
Its the Trainers and Supporters that help you win the game. you want to move as many cards thru your hand per turn as possible.
don't worry about decking out. don't "save" a card for your next turn. if you have to sycamore and dump your hand... do it.
having too much of a variety of pokemon is also detrimental. Even with a "low" pokemon count, you should be running 2-4 of the key pokemon.
as you get more experience with any particular deck... you can slowly start varying the mix of cards. but change only 1-2 cards when you do and play a few hands to see how you like the change.
Its the Trainers and Supporters that help you win the game. you want to move as many cards thru your hand per turn as possible.
don't worry about decking out. don't "save" a card for your next turn. if you have to sycamore and dump your hand... do it.
having too much of a variety of pokemon is also detrimental. Even with a "low" pokemon count, you should be running 2-4 of the key pokemon.
as you get more experience with any particular deck... you can slowly start varying the mix of cards. but change only 1-2 cards when you do and play a few hands to see how you like the change.