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Alt. Format XY-On: Metal Ray (Rayquaza EX / Bronzong / Aegislash EX)

Kuja89

Aspiring Trainer
Member
Pokemon (19):
  • 3 Rayquaza EX (ROS)
  • 2 M Rayquaza EX (ROS)
  • 3 Shaymin (ROS)
  • 1 Swablu (ROS)
  • 1 Altaria (ROS)
  • 3 Bronzor (PF)
  • 3 Bronzong (PF)
  • 2 Aegislash EX (PF)
  • 1 Heatran (PF)
Trainers/Supporters/Stadiums (31):
  • 4 Sky Field
  • 1 Silent Lab
  • 2 Winona
  • 3 Sycamore
  • 1 Pokemon Fan Club
  • 1 AZ
  • 3 Lysandre
  • 4 Ultra Ball
  • 2 Battle Compressor
  • 2 Rayquaza Spirit Link
  • 1 Enhanced Hammer
  • 1 Startling Megaphone
  • 1 Muscle Band
  • 1 Sacred Ash
  • 4 VS Seeker
Energy (10):
  • 4 Double Colorless Energy
  • 6 Metal Energy
Strategy:

Firstly, thanks for reading - this is the first time I've put a deck up in the garage. I'm only working with cards from XY on due to the impending rotation and have been playing this deck in my local league with some success. However, I'd like to make it better.

In many ways this is a very standard metal Ray deck (with the exception of the loss of cards from before XY). Obviously the idea is to get Mega Ray out, get the bench loaded and get Emerald Breaking. I chose the 1-1 Swablu Altaria to cover Rayquaza's weakness and the 3-3 Brozor Bronzong to be able to use metal links easily.

I'm currently running 1 copy of Silent Lab for anyone running Suicune as the deck is obviously ex heavy. I think I would replace this with a Hex Maniac (AOR) when it becomes legal but for now it's the best I can come up with. 1 Muscle Band is there for when I need extra damage and to allow a OHKO if I play someone with a Wailord.

Hopefully the rest is standard and needs little explaining!

Thanks again - any thoughts welcome.
 
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Hello Kuja, I think this deck list is a bit weird. I have some suggestions that would help it to get more competitive(Especially with the new format)
Hoopa EX Would be a great addition since the fact that it is a very effective way to fill your bench. I think that two M-Rayquaza is not enough so you should add a third. Level ball is also a nice addition that would help you out to get bronzongs into the bench.
Talking about the trainers, I think something is not right. You have added too many cards you´re running just one copy(Pokemon fan club,AZ,Megaphone,Muscle Band...) I think the sacred ash is okay, but I would remove some of these cards in order to add trainer´s mail, a card that will help you to get the spirit links, the stadiums and the ultraballs/level balls. Finally, I think you are not running enough prof. sycamore or shauna, I would add some.

So, these are the adjustments I suggest:
-1 Swablu
-1 Altaria

+ 1 Professor sycamore
+ 1 Shauna (You can add Birch if you want)

-1 Lyssandre
-1 Pokemon Fan Club
-1 Startling megaphone
-1 Muscle band
-1 Enhanced hammer

+ 2 Trainer´s mail
+ 1 Mega Rayquaza EX
+ 1 Rayquaza Spirit Link
+ 1 Level Ball

-2 Winona
+ 1 Hoopa EX
+ 1 Level ball

That´s all, I hope this helps ^^
 
Thanks JimmyLicua - I will give it a whirl and get testing. Really appreciate your comments.
 
Welcome to the PokeBeach Deck Garage. I hope you find this experience enjoyable and helpful.

First off, in my opinion, I do not believe you will get enough return on your investment of a 1-1 Altaria line: Swablu is not a good starter; 1-1 lines are risky (e.g., what if either card is prized; the other is useless at that point), especially when not critical to your game strategy; Altaria is an easy 1HKO prize; etc.

You've established a significant dependence on your Shaymin EXs with running only 3 Professor Sycamore and no other card-draw Supporters. Should you not have access to a Shaymin EX or if your opponent has nullified Pokemon Abilities for a turn, your 3 Professor Sycamore would prove to be woefully insufficient, in my opinion.

Running 3 Lysandre and 4 VS Seeker seem excessive to me. Plus, if you are Item-locked (quite likely given Vileplume, Trevenant and Seismitoad EX play), your VS Seeker are nullified.

Given Ray EX's 1HKO capability, I do not believe the sole Muscle Band would be that effective even though you would most likely attach it to 1 of your other Pokemon attackers.

Similarly, 1 Enhanced Hammer may not make that much of a difference given other priorities, in my opinion.

Given the above comments, following are some suggested deck changes:

-1 Swablu
-1 Altaria

-1 Lysandre
-1 Enhanced Hammer
-1 Muscle Band
-1 VS Seeker

+2 Skarmory. 100 HP Basic Pokemon that has a Call for Family (for just C energy cost). This Pokemon can help get your bench setup faster.
- - or - -
+2 Level Ball.

+1 Cassius / Pokemon Center Lady. Either of these, like your AZ, can counter Status effects, provide prize denial, get your "fat retreating" Pokemon out of the active position, etc. These cards have obvious different effects. I would suggest you test both to see which one fits your play style best.

+3 Professor Birch's Observations or Shauna. More card-draw suppport.

I hope you find these comments helpful.
 
Cheers TuexedoBlack - I'll work these in with the other feedback I've had. I think you're right about the 1-1 Altaria line and I appreciate the comments about draw support - great insight.

Edit: I'll give it a go with

-1 Swablu
-1 Altaria
-1 Muscle Band
-1 Enchanted Hammer
-1 Startling Hammer
-1 Lysandre

+1 M Ray
+1 Sycamore
+1 Cassius
+3 Shauna

I'm using the deck this week in a league challenge so can't use level balls etc as much as I would like to get some in the deck. To testing!
 
Last edited:
Cheers TuexedoBlack - I'll work these in with the other feedback I've had. I think you're right about the 1-1 Altaria line and I appreciate the comments about draw support - great insight.

Edit: I'll give it a go with

-1 Swablu
-1 Altaria
-1 Muscle Band
-1 Enchanted Hammer
-1 Startling Hammer
-1 Lysandre

+1 M Ray
+1 Sycamore
+1 Cassius
+3 Shauna

I'm using the deck this week in a league challenge so can't use level balls etc as much as I would like to get some in the deck. To testing!

Sup kuja, I recommend you to run the third spirit link if you add a third M-Rayquaza. I think you can drop the AZ.

-1 AZ
+ 1 Rayquaza Spirit link
 
Could swap out Cassius as well. Think I'll play between the two and see what suits. Thanks!
 
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