What Do Beginners like me need to know when I first go to a Pokemon TCG Tournament

L

lvivas

Aspiring Trainer
Member
I've been collecting Pokémon cards ever since I was 5 years old, but I began playing it two years ago when I went to a little Pokémon league shop in Coeur 'd'
Alene, Idaho called Lightning Comics, which has now closed down :(. I currently live in Jacksonville, Florida,and, besides training online, there are virtually no Pokémon leagues ten miles around me. Because of this, I've been ignorant about swiss rounds and 50 minute time limit rules when it involves tournaments. Does that affect what deck I can build? I am currently running a Mewtwo EX / Gallade / Gardevoir Deck. Please help me.

>I am also 18 years old now, and sometimes I'm shy to express my passion for the TCG to the community around me.

>Most people around me only play Yugioh and Magic :(.

>I mostly defeat all of my friends' decks without breaking a sweat. I would like to go somewhere physically convenient where I could find more challenging battles instead of having to find them online.


Moved to the correct forum. Welcome to the game :). ~Camoclone
 
The biggest thing you can worry about when playing is time management and being very precise with your plays. As far as decks go I wouldn't recommend playing slow stall decks unless you can guarantee yourself that you will win game 1. Speed of set up is very crucial. Decks like speed Darkrai / Virizion-Genesect / TDK are all good choices as they set up fast hit and hard early.
 
Time management is crucial, and slower decks (Blastoise, Gardevoir) really need to take that first game. Also, welcome to the game! I've been playing Pokemon TCG for a short time, but I am a seasoned Vet of a few others (Naruto / Yu-Gi-Oh / Raw Deal). Tournament play is all about a mindset, and being completely focused on your plays.
>Be Decisive
>Be Confident in your deck / abilities
>Don't listen to deck hype
>"Study the tapes"- Bone up on what's hot in the area and tech against it if possible
>Most importantly have fun
 
I'm debating whether to go to a tournament before or after the first XY base set comes out. The format is dicey as it is right now, so I am not sure exactly what to do.

I'm saving for an XY booster box when it comes out. I am skipping Legendary Treasures just for that reason.
 
lvivas said:
I'm debating whether to go to a tournament before or after the first XY base set comes out. The format is dicey as it is right now, so I am not sure exactly what to do.

I'm saving for an XY booster box when it comes out. I am skipping Legendary Treasures just for that reason.
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I don't think that's the best idea. Some of, or a lot of, the cards being reprinted in Treasures are going to be staples, and they are very easy to get a hold of thanks to the crazy pull ratio now.

However, waiting before jumping into tournament play, or going to observe, is a great idea. You'll get a feel for the environment, and the meta in the area.

In summation, I would say go to a few before and one after to observe, then jump right on in!
 
I will give it a thought about legendary treasures, but just imagine how many staples there will be in the first xy set :). Thanks for the advice on tournaments.
 
Well that really depends with XY they bring a new format with mega evoultions into the game. Some of our staple EXs now will be gone, I personally believe Darkrai will be gone once XY has enough sets to accommodate its format, I could be wrong however.

I thing I use to do before, going to tournaments to help me think about the game was to watch tournaments on youtube. The Top Cut Invitational, World Champs etc. It will give you a feel of how people can play, because most people do play to win and will play like that.

I personally believe there is nothing wrong with you entering a tournament now if you have a deck that is eligible to play, practice makes perfection and you will never 100% know what its like to swis rounds until you have actually done them. Maybe not attend regionals and observe them, but attend the upcoming battle roads and cities? In Australia the latter is somewhat more relaxing and easier to accommodate newer players but in saying that people wont turn down others who go to regionals and don't 100% know how to play the game, you will find everyone is willing to teach and gives tips.
 
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