Alt. Format XY-On: M Rayquaza EX / Shaymin EX / Raichu

[KevinLangenberg]

Hi guys,

This will be my first post in deck garage! I'm not that active here but I will try to explain some of my deckchoices, the problems this deck has and how we could solve that.

I decided to make RayMin because I like the fact that it's a speed deck which can hit for high numbers. Since I'm starting (again) in September with the new rotation all of my builds will be XY-ON. I assume it's going to be this format.

I made multiple XY-ON RayMin builds at PTCGO, but only 2 stand out: Metal-variant and the Raichu-variant. I have played over 100 single games and my winning rate is around 80% with both of them. This is in the current format which uses BRC-ON. I decided to only discuss the Raichu version because I think it has better cards to play in comparison to the metal decklist (Most of the time I lose to Lysandre on my bronzong when I'm short on cards and have no outs to retreat him (No Float Stone in XY-ON))

The Decklist - Mega Rayquaza EX / Shaymin EX / Raichu

Pokemon (16):

• 3 Rayquaza EX (Colorless)
• 3 M Rayquaza EX
• 4 Shaymin EX
• 1 Swablu
• 1 Altaria (ROS)
• 2 Pikachu (XY)
• 2 Raichu (XY)

Trainers/Supporters/Stadiums (34):

• 3 Professor Birch's Observation
• 3 Professor Sycamore
  
• 1 Winona (MVP)
  
• 1 Lysandre
• 3 Rayquaza Spirit Link
• 3 Mega Turbo
• 3 Ultra Ball
• 3 Acro Bike
  
• 4 Sky Field
• 4 Trainers' Mail
  
• 3 VS Seeker
• 1 Switch
• 1 Battle Compressor
  
• 1 Sacred Ash

Energy (10):

• 6 Random Basic Energy
  
• 4 Double Colorless Energy

Strategy:

I think it's pretty basic. Battle Compressor fills VS Seekers and Mega Turbo, Acro Bike/Trainer's Mail put some speed in the deck and only 3 Ultra Ball because that's just something I feel most comfortable with .

Problems:

Anyway, this deck has some problems. First off I lose to decks which have a better prize-trade (Night March, Raichu/Bats). It's really annoying sometimes but on the other side I'm playing against decks with Mew EX, Laser, Exeggcute, Colress, N and stuff like that which all rotates out. The same goes up for, in lesser extent, any seismitoad build. If I can't setup turn 1 I'm most likely gonna lose. But that deck will get hit the most after rotation so I'm not complaining.

What concerns me the most is that I lose to Fighting decks with Bats. Lucario puts in some work and Raichu is useless most of the time. These decks of course run Landorus EX, but he is not the biggest problem. I just Fighting decks in general (Hawlucha, Lucario EX, Bats).

In 1/8 games I miss out on some keycards. For example; 2 MegaRay or normal Rayquaza are prized, 2 Shaymin are prized, etc. This makes me want to play 4/3 or 4/4 on Rayquaza, but I don't think that solves the problem this deck has. Finding a better T1 attacker and/or a good companion next to Ray/Raichu would be a better solution.

Solutions (?):

The thing this deck lacks is a strong and lowcost attacker early game and something other than MegaRay too attack with. I understand that the purpose of the deck is setting up MegaRay and hit hard fast, but that isn't happening every game and even if it would it would make the deck pretty straight forward (I know it is).

I had some ideas of cards which can be used as a low cost, big hitting secondary (after Raichu) attacker which is good against the matchups that this deck has problems against:

• Lucario EX
  
• Gengar EX
• Manectric EX
  
• Seimitoad EX
• Lugia EX (Ancient Origins)
• Landorus (FFI)
• Yveltal (XY)

I can explain all these choices, but I think they're self explanatory. If you have any questions feel free to ask! Also if you think there are better cards, don't hesitate to post it. I hope we can share some ideas, strategies and cardsto take this deck to the next level.

 

[TuxedoBlack]

Other starting Poke options to consider also are those that provide some type of energy acceleration attachment, such as
Landorus
Yveltal

Both of these Poke have better than average HP (so could possibly attack 2+(?) turns) for Basic (non-EX) Poke, are 1-energy attackers, inflicts "minor" damage, and can Basic energy from your discard pile and have it attached to your benched Poke.

Another option is to use an EX Poke, like one of those you've mentioned, that only requires a single energy attachment action before it can attack. Seismitoad EX requires a DCE in this case, but it will also impose an Item-lock onto your opponent when you Quaking Punch. Manectric EX attacks both the opponent's active and a benched Poke.

 

[KevinLangenberg]

Other starting Poke options to consider also are those that provide some type of energy acceleration attachment, such as
Landorus
Yveltal

Both of these Poke have better than average HP (so could possibly attack 2+(?) turns) for Basic (non-EX) Poke, are 1-energy attackers, inflicts "minor" damage, and can Basic energy from your discard pile and have it attached to your benched Poke.

Another option is to use an EX Poke, like one of those you've mentioned, that only requires a single energy attachment action before it can attack. Seismitoad EX requires a DCE in this case, but it will also impose an Item-lock onto your opponent when you Quaking Punch. Manectric EX attacks both the opponent's active and a benched Poke.

Thank you for the input. You're right, I don't know why I overlooked those cards.. They are indeed good options to consider, I will add them on the list.