Ask Esa: Answer Time #2

Who's that Pokémon?

Hi everyone!

Once, again today’s an answer time for the questions, you have been sending me. I got a decent amount of questions this time around as well and I’m very happy that you are so active with your questions! In fact, I got so many questions that I won’t be able to answer the mall in this entry! I know that many of you are preparing for Regionals and in the future for Nationals, so don’t hesitate to send questions about your tournament deck either! I’ll answer anonymously if you want to, so no one knows, I’m talking about your deck.

The main idea of “Ask Esa” –series is to help everyone – from beginning players, to more experienced ones. I am happy to answer any level of questions, so don’t hesitate asking things you thought that are stupid or embarrassing. There’s no such thing as a stupid question! Anyways, I hope everyone find this entry series useful and interesting since at least I love answering and helping people. Let’s get into the questions.

Question #1

Hi Esa, I am building a deck kyugatr, as you must know the main idea is to accelerate the energies with the help of rain dance, well no more words in this way I have the deck:

Pokemon (13):

3-1-3 Feraligatr Prime

3 Kyurem EX

1 Cryogonal NVI (with Ice Chain)

2 Mewtwo EX

Supporters/trainers (33)

2 N

2 Cheren

2 Cilan

3 PONT

2 Professor Juniper

3 rare candy

1 energy retrieval

3 eviolite

1 pokegear 3.0

2 junk arm

2 level ball

3 pokemon catcher

1 super road

3 switch

3 heavy ball

Energy (14)

10 Water

4 DCE

The idea of ​​having Cryogonal attack is to use your Ice Chain and to bring things like Eelektrik, Emboar and Dodrio (which are widely used where the game) off the bench forcing them to spend their energies shift to removing them and the attack is very economical to use.

The main attacker of the deck is Kyurem EX, although their attacks are very expensive I support the DCE to attack fast and in many cases remove the special energies that may have the opponents Pokemon (such as DCE, energy rescue, rainbow prism energy and energy)

sometimes placed in the deck to start the kyurem attack glaciate to harness electric type to go knocking the Eelectrik and prevent loading these things continueas they are the EX Zekrom after all the basis of the decks that are in top.

I don't use pokemon collector in the deck because I don't have any and fix it by placing heavy ball and level ball to achieve the same work and many other, with great ball and I can find Feraligatr prime and with level ball I can find Croconaw when I don't have rare candy in my hand and I evolve without the aid of rare candies.

Thanks for taking the time to read this mail, awaiting response.

Esa answers:

Here we have a very usual combo – energy accelerating Pokémon supporting attackers. However, as we can see from the list, there’s a lot of work to do. I’ll start with the fixes and then explain, what’s behind these fixes.

First, what we take out of the list.

- 2 N
- 2 Cilan
- 2 Cheren
- 2 Level Ball
- 3 Heavy Ball
- 1 Switch
- 3 Eviolite
=15

Then we add:

+ 3 Dual Ball
+ 4 Pokémon Communication
+ 3 Super Scoop Up
+ 1 Shaymin(UL)
+ 1 Cleffa
+ 1 Professor Oak’s New Theory
+ 2 Sage’s Training
=15

First of all, even though Ns are good, they are bad in decks that energy accelerate from hands (see ReshiBoar). Second, Cilan isn’t worth it since the deck is already lacking draw cards. Then, Cheren isn’t one of the best cards in this format – it’s no use playing Cheren in any deck at the moment. Level and Heavy Balls can be replaced by Dual Balls and Communications since they’re better and more versatile cards. Eviolite isn’t worth it because Mewtwo EX will be OHKOed in Mewtwo EX wars anyways and Kyurem EX is very difficult to OHKO even without Eviolite. Also, I needed to find some more space to make the deck more consistent.

Super Scoop and Shaymin are in this deck because that way you can save your energy + Kyurem EX if it’s damaged. If Kyurem takes an attack, just move its energy to another Kyurem EX/Mewtwo EX with Shaymin’s Power and SSU/Switch it away from the active position.

Also, compared to the original list, this list is far more consistent. I added Cleffa to help slow starts (that are probably very usual with this list). Also, the final list has 4+ 3+ 4+ 3+ 1 =15 + Cleffa draw/search cards. The original list had 17 draw cards if we count Cilans but the efficiency of the draw cards isn’t that good. Here’s a great example how quality goes over quantity.

I hope that helped you and that you’ll have great success playing this deck even though it’s not a tier1 deck!


Question #2

What is up Esa? My name is Isaac, I live in the US, and I love Pokemon. Now, I think that I'm going to try and make this email as short as possible, so that I don't take up too much of your time. With Dark Explorers coming out on the 9th of May, I started thinking of decks that could be good and somewhat new. My number 1 idea was a CoKE variant with Groudon EX. I'm not gonna send a list (sorry!) but I figured that it would be something like 2-3 Kyurem, 2 Groudon EX, and 2 Cobalion, 4-3 Electrode Prime line, with the energy line being 4 Prism, 4 Rainbow, 4 Special Metal, 2 Water and 2 Fighting. I havent tested this out against other decks because I don't necessarily have a good list (hence why I don't send you one. Again, sorry!) but in theory it would be great against ZekEels, good against Celebi variants, and should have overall good coverage around the board. The obvious strategy is to go for a early Energymite, spread fast with Kyurem, then simply tank all day with Groudon EX, with it OHKO nearly everything and what not, and having Cobalion for the darned Mewtwo EX's. So, what do you think? Please send a list (if I'm not bothering you, that is) and what you think whenever it is possible for you, and I hope you have a terrific day!
- Isaac

Esa answers:

The idea of this deck is a very interesting one even though it’s for the next set, so here’s my take on it (while keeping the main idea the same):

Pokémon:

4x Voltorb
3x Electrode
3x Kyurem
2x Groudon EX
2x Mewtwo EX/Cobalion
1x Cleffa
=15

3x Professor Juniper
4x N
2x Professor Oak’s New Theory
1x Pokegear 3.0
4x Pokémon Collector
3x Ultra Ball
4x Junk Arm
3x Eviolite(NV)
2x Super Rod (NV)
3x Pokemon Catcher
=30


Energy:

4x Prism Energy
4x Rainbow Energy
4x Water Energy
3x Fighting
=15

The only thing  I want to point out from this list is that Mewtwo EX is a better Mewtwo EX counter than Cobalion. Cobalion relies on having many energy attached to and since Mewtwo EX hits more damage for each energy attached to the opponent’s Pokémon, Cobalion isn’t a real answer to Mewtwo EX.

I hope that this list is a great starting list and works out well for you. I’ve been building a lot of Electrode decks and so far, this variant has been very good.




Question #3

Hey Esa, I can't tell you how much I love the Deck Out, great website, it has helped take my game to the next level. So the first tournament level oriented deck was a Zeck/Eels and looks like this:

Pokemon:
3x Tynamo (Free retreat)
3x Eelektrik NVI
3x Zekrom BLW
1x Mewtwo EX
1x Zekrom EX
1x Thundurus
1x Manaphy
=13

Trainer:
4x Pokémon Collector
4x Professor Juniper
3x Sage’s Training
2x Professor Oak’s New Theory
2x N
3x Junk Arm
3x Pokémon Catcher
4x PlusPower
2x Pokegear 3.0
2x Switch
1x Super Rod
2x pokemon Communication
1x Skyarrow Bridge
=33

Energy:
10x Lighting Energy
4x Double Colorless Energy
=14

So the deck does great here at in Austin, Tx for the local leagues, but after reading your CM/CMT deck blogs, I fell in love and started building my own, I just purchased my 2nd mewtwo and wanted to get your advice on what to go for, a pure CM deck or a CMT deck? I love the deck you took to states, but I know you are somewhat against Tornadus tecking, so what is your personal recommendation for me to work towards? My current CMT deck looks like:

Pokémon:
4x Celebi Prime
2x Mewtwo EX
1x Tornadus
=7

Trainer:
4x Professor Juniper
4x Dual Ball
2x Copycat
2x N
4x Professor Oak’s New Theory
2x Pokegear 3.0.
3x Skyarrow Bridge
3x Junk Arm
3x Pokémon Catcher
3x Switch
3x Eviolite
3x PlusPower
2x Revive
1x Energy Retrieval
=39

Energy:
4x Double Colorless Energy
10x Grass Energy
=14

This CMT version took first at my local tournament last weekend, it does great against ReshiBoar and Durant decks here locally and from my testing, but every time I play my zek/eels deck I loose 10 times for every 1 victory. And I want to know what I can do to make this deck better. I dont have the funding to instantly recreate your amazing CM deck listing, so I am slowly working towards it, but wanted to know which path you recommend, go for a 3rd Mewtwo or my 4th junkarm, 4th catcher, and two tornadus?

Also how is your CM/CMT deck doing agains Zek/eels/mewtwo ex? Any strategy tips you have that you can share?
Thank you so much for your time and for doing what you do, I check everyday hopping to get a new article and am so excited when there is a new one out, keep up the great job!!


Esa answers:

When playing CMT, I have learnt that the right way to go is with 2-4 Tornadus or no Tornadus at all. I would suggest that you either put in a 3^rd Mewtwo EX to your deck and remove the Tornadus or go with more Tornadus. If you want to go with straight Celebi/Mewtwo EX, the fixes would be:

- 1 Eviolite
- 1 Revive
- 1 Tornadus
- 1 PONT

+ 1 Mewtwo EX
+ 1 Pokémon Catcher
+ 1 Junk Arm
+ 1 N

4-4 Junk Arm and Pokémon Catcher is essential to get this deck working as well as possible. You must be able to take the cheap prizes in the late game and you MUST be able to disrupt your opponent’s set-up with Pokémon Catcher in the early game. That’s why 4 Catchers and Junk Arms are a must.

If you want to go with the normal CMT build, I would suggest the following changes:

- 1 Revive
- 1 Copycat
- 3 Eviolite
- 1 Grass Energy
 - 1 Energy Retrieval

+ 2 Tornadus
+ 2 N
+ 1 Junk Arm
+ 1 Pokémon Catcher
+ 1 Shaymin

Ns are better in the CMT variant because your opponent will only be getting 1 prize at the time usually. Also, Copycat won’t be that good because your basic count is higher. Shaymin is more versatile in this deck than Energy Retrieval and serves pretty much the same purpose. No matter, which variant you play, you should remember one thing – 4 Catchers and 4 Junk Arms are a must!

Against Zekeel, you should be able to out speed them with your Celebi/Mewtwo. If you go first, you should be able to take the first prize in T1. To increase the possibility in CMT, you could try adding a Tyrogue in your deck. Pokémon Catchers play a very important part in this match-up because you must be able to eliminate their Tynamos and Eelektrik before a decent set-up. If you are able to eliminate them in the first few turns, everything will go well because they don’t have energy accelerators. Also, resource management is very important in this match-up. Don’t use cards like Junk Arms, Pokegears or any supporters if you don’t have to. And try to get rid off everything that is useless when it comes to late game Ns. Late game Ns are what usually decides the match-up. If you are able to draw good from them, you’ll probably win – if you draw a dead hand, you’ll probably lose. Try making your resource management better and I’m sure that the match-up will get better at the same time!

Question #4

Hello Esa,

I've always wanted to play Snorlax CL, do you know a way to make it playable?



Esa answers:

I know this isn’t that a serious question, but I wanted to answer it nonetheless. Here’s my take on Snorlax (CL) and how to make it playable. Ok, now that I checked Snorlax again, I just realized that it’s even worse card than I remembered!

Pokémon:

4x Snorlax
4x Celebi Prime
2x Smeargle
1x Shaymin EX
1x Shaymin
1x Virizion (EPO)
=14

Trainer:

4x Dual Ball
1x Pokémon Collector
4x N
4x PONT
2x Pokegear 3.0.
2x Black Belt
1x Seeker
2x Skyarrow Bridge
4x Junk Arm
3x Pokémon Catcher
4x PlusPower
1x Energy Exchange Unit
=32


Energy:

4x Double Colorless Energy
10x Grass Energy
=14

Good luck!

Question #5


Hey Esa! I was wondering if you could tell us what is popular in Japan at the moment and what a Tier List of what you think is good is. Thanks!

P.S. Can you give me some advice on my MTC list? Zekrom/Eelektrik/Mewtwo is exremely popular in my meta, and MTC is pretty popular, too.

4x Celebi
3x Tornadus
3x Mewtwo EX
1x Tyrogue
1x Shaymin UL

4x PONT
3x Professor Juniper
4x N
4x Pokémon Catcher
4x Junk Arm
3x PokeGear 3.0.
4x Dual Ball
3x Skyarrow Bridge
3x Switch
3x PlusPower

4x DCE
9x Grass

Esa answers:

I don’t prefer commenting on Japan that lot since the new set hasn’t been released yet and I don’t want to cause hype but I can say that the Celebi/Mewtwo variants and Zekrom/Eelektrik variants are still going strong. Also, not so surprisingly, there are different kind of Dark decks that have been doing good as well. Surprisingly, Durant hasn’t disappeared anywhere because Heatmor is never played.

I think your CMT is as solid as it pretty much can be. If there is any tech that I could recommend (if you haven’t already tried them) it would be Shaymin EX, which can be surprisingly good in the mirror match-up. Overall, I think that your decklist is more than consistent and good and even I could take it to a tournament with me!





I hope everyone enjoyed this entry of Ask Esa since the questions were a bit different to last time. Also, I have already a lot of questions for my next entry but I hope you keep sending your questions to me, if you have any! I’m always happy to answer them.

Thanks for reading and feel free to comment on anything!