Stage 2s are actually playable. They're difficult, yes, but at States I ran Miltank/Empoleon/Greninja. I won my first three rounds, two against Seismitoad, one against Exeggutor, before coming back late from lunch. What helped me seize victory in most of the games was Teammates grabbing my missing evolutions, Xerosic tearing off their DCE after I've seen them run through 2-3 other ones, and using Manaphy and Diving Draw to compliment my supporters. The other factor in winning, I think at least, was the fact that their Enhanced Hammers and Headringers were ENTIRELY useless against me, and Crushing Hammers were mildly annoying at best.
I don't mean to say that Seismitoad isn't overpowered and completely taking over this format, just that Stage 2 decks can do better than most people expect.