Should I Play This Format?

Y

Your Master

Aspiring Trainer
Member
I quit Pokemon shortly after the Boundaries Crossed set was released, but I find myself getting interested in the game again. I am hesitant, though, because of how much hate this format is getting. I personally think it deserves it, so I don't think it's worth my money, but I am wanting to spend money on unlimited because I enjoy that. What would you do, and more importantly, What Would Stunfisk Do?
 
I'd probably wait until X & Y Base Set is released or until the 2015-2016 Modified Format but like you and everyone else who still plays the TCG I don't want to wait that long when all the Big Basic EX's including Pokemon Catcher get completely rotated out of the format. TPCi to me just doesn't have the guts to do a hard rotation like they did when SableDonk almost ruined the format a few years ago. I remember it because J-Wittz had a YouTube video a few years ago explaining how broken the deck was.
 
Thanks, I was just gonna wait until X/Y, but I feel like that isn't going to fix everything in just one set, and also the announcement they made about holding onto your old BW cards kind of scares me. I really hope they don't allow them in the modified format again. I want the Pokemon company to fix its mistakes and move on. Although, is it really TPCi's fault? Are they the ones making the cards, or are they the ones who just bring them to the states?
 
Your Master said:
I quit Pokemon shortly after the Boundaries Crossed set was released, but I find myself getting interested in the game again. I am hesitant, though, because of how much hate this format is getting. I personally think it deserves it, so I don't think it's worth my money, but I am wanting to spend money on unlimited because I enjoy that. What would you do, and more importantly, What Would Stunfisk Do?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure how good NXD-on will be in terms of actual in-game play seeing as I'm still testing out the new options and such, but thinking about the prices of cards right now I personally think it's a great time to jump back in. Looking at a tier 1 deck like Plasma, you have the new Deoxys, Thundurus and Lugia EX tins coming out soon, Pokemon Catcher was just reprinted in Plasma Blast, and majority of the other staple Items/Supporters are only worth a few dollars tops. I guess the only thing is we don't really know what the future sets hold, but for me that's only something to get more excited about. In the end I think it's up to you whether you're willing to give the game another shot. I always tell people if you're not having fun then more than likely you're wasting your time.
 
@Afro-G Actually, with Catcher being reprinted, that is what made me think about jumping back in since it's under 10 bucks now. Also, since Plasma will be good, I knew the tin promos would be cheap like the older Mewtwo/Darkrais were. The thing is, though, is that I don't know if I want to invest in Pokemon again. I am a sophomore now, and I plan on playing basketball this year, so for almost all Winter, I can't go to every tourney that I want. Also, Plasma is starting to see some major counters which there are probably more to come. I know there are some other decks that are cheap and still decent(in testing) like TOOLbox and anti meta decks. I guess I will probably join back if it is possible to build plasma under 100 bucks. Do you think it's possible with the new tins?
 
The announcement about holding onto your BW cards was for a new format that TPCi is creating for the TCG which IMO isn't worth playing cause it will be about as unbalanced as Unlimited format is which isn't even sanctioned due to all the power creep from past sets dating back to the Original Base Set. TPCi doesn't make the Pokemon cards they're only in charge of the official rules, marketing, and sanctioning of the TCG itself. With Lugia EX, Thundurus EX, and Deoxys EX getting reprinted as Tin Promos that should make it easier to build Plasma Toolbox for the upcoming format.

As for what you were saying Afro-G, it's probably a good time to get into the TCG If you aren't planning on running Blastoise/Keldeo where 2-3 Tropical Beach is still required to run it consistently. Aside from Plasma, Darkrai/Hydreigon, and Virizion/Genesect there's still not very many decks to build a competitive rogue deck for with the current cardpool we have for NXD-On unless XY brings more playable cards to the table. There's Flareon with Cofagrigus (Six Feet Under) in conjunction with the Audino that gets around Hypnotoxic Laser, Quad Snorlax, and Ampharos with Frozen City but aside from that not much.
 
But about Plasma, how much do you think the "standard" list would cost after the tins only buying singles? I can get most trainer staples like junipers and Ns from my league leader.
 
For Thundurus/Deoxys/Kyurem? Here's a decklist If it helps:

Pokemon (10)

4 Deoxys EX
3 Thundurus EX
3 Kyurem (Plasma Freeze)

Trainers/Supporters/Stadiums (37)

4 Professor Juniper
4 N
4 Bianca
4 Pokemon Catcher
4 Hypnotoxic Laser
4 Switch
3 Colress Machine
3 Plasma Ball
2 Colress
2 Skyla
2 Virbank City Gym
1 Scramble Switch

Energies (13)

4 Blend Energy (Water/Fire/Lightning/Metal)
4 Prism Energy
4 Plasma Energy
1 Double Colorless Energy

Deck Total (60)
 
Well, I'm going to just say tin promos and catchers are $10 for simplicity so then the deck would be 110 for promos and catchers and I kinda want to play the non laserbank so I'd probably change that with something random idk what maybe bangle and looking at this, the deck will still be pretty expensive maybe I could get the promos for like 8's and the catchers for less than 10. But, it looks like under 150 which isn't bad. What are the main disadvantages to playing plasma?
 
The main disadvantage for playing Plasma would be in the Virizion/Genesect matchup since Virizion EX has an ability that pretty much nullifies Hypnotoxic Laser. IMO you'll need a Fire tech to counter against it and with Noble Victories Victini with V-Create rotated out in NXD-On that doesn't leave us with a whole lot of options. Maybe Heatran EX but you'll need a Basic that can hit for loads of damage with less energy requirements, most of the good Fire Basics in NXD-On can only hit for 100 damage with Fire Weakness and that won't be enough unfortunately.

There might be some stuff from Plasma Blast that would help this deck tremendously, Reversal Trigger could help over Hypnotoxic Laser since you can benefit from KO's allowing you to search your deck for just about anything you want. As for Silver Bangle it only works on non-EX Pokemon, If you do plan on running Reversal Trigger just be careful from Tool Scrapper cause alot of decks have been teching at least 2 of them especially to get around Pokemon Tool's like Eviolite, Dark Claw, etc. As for that I don't think Plasma has any other terrible matchups at the moment.
 
That deck is the exact reason I said I didn't want to run laserbank, so other than that, is there no real weakness?
 
Your Master said:
That deck is the exact reason I said I didn't want to run laserbank, so other than that, is there no real weakness?
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The only major thing that can potentially hold Plasma back right now is Silver Mirror seeing how it basically shuts down all your attackers. Because of this you're going to want to play at least two Tool Scrapper. It'll rarely be a dead card in most matchups because even if your opponent isn't playing Silver Mirror cards like Float Stone and Silver Bangle are still very popular. I'm going to give you my personal take of a rough incomplete list off the top of my head, nobody bash me if it's not fantastic, lol.

Pokemon:
4 Deoxys EX
3 Kyurem
2 Thundurus EX
1 Keldeo EX

Supporters/Items:
4 Juniper
4 N
2 Colress
2 Skyla
3 Pokemon Catcher
3 Silver Bangle
3 Colress Machine
2 Team Plasma Ball
2 Float Stone
2 Switch
2 Tool Scrapper
1 Ultra Ball
1 Dowsing Machine

Energy:
4 Prism Energy
4 Blend Energy WLFM
4 Plasma Energy

If I counted right that should be 53 cards. I'm probably missing a few rather important cards that slipped my mind but I'm not trying to give you a perfect list, but rather give you a good idea of what I think a typical list should look like. I also wanted to leave you a little room so you could be a little creative yourself if that's your desire. One thing I didn't include that I'm fairly positive just about all Plasma lists are including is Absol PLF, which is just another option for a non-EX attacker like Kyurem.

If anyone else wants to add on to what I've said please feel free. I haven't been keeping up with the deckbuilding aspect as much as I did in the past so I'm sure some of you more active players might have a thing or two to correct.
 
This is basically what I need to ask. Is it worth it to spend $100+ to play in modified when I can't go to almost any of the winter tourneys? I will still be able to attend Nationals(Provided it is in Indy again) no matter what, but that almost makes me want to wait until spring Battle Roads to play so I can just get a few play points at a few Battle Roads, and have the deck that will be good at Nats, since Plasma by then might be a lot less viable.
 
Well, I've decided to play again, and I traded my 3ds for a full plasma deck so I should have some fun this season
 
Before looking at X/Y, ask this to yourself to answer your question

Do you like this current format of Big Basic EXs?

If yes, then go ahead and play NXD-on

If no, then wait for X/Y cards and see if anything can change

Reason behind the question is that there won't be any change from BW-on and NXD-on barring the loss of Energy Switch and Eels.
 
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