Monday, April 30, 2012

The Deck Out goes global: Italy


Vineyards in Italy
Hi everyone!

It’s been a huge stream of The Deck Out goes global entries lately, and this is no exception. Today, it’s time to look at Italy, which most of you probably know for Pizza and Pasta. However, Italy is also a great TCG country and has had some great success internationally. I think Italy is one of the most competitive and ambitious Pokémon TCG countries in the whole world and it shows in their tournaments results and deck choices. In my experience, Italian players very often play rogue decks and oppose the main stream in the international tournaments.


It sounds that everything is great in Italy. However, is Pokémon TCG community in Italy healthy from Italian player’s point view? Let’s find out!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Deck Out goes global: Denmark

Hi everyone!


In today’s The Deck Out goes global, I’ll take a look at Denmark. I think most people connect Denmark to LEGOs and windmills. However, there are lots of other things in Denmark as well. How about world-class Pokémon players? Indeed, Danish players have top-cutted in Worlds multiple times and in fact, there were a Danish player in the Masters age division final in 2007. He was defeated by Finnish player (Tom Roos).

Denmark is a Scandinavian country and if you have followed this series, you know what it probably means for the Pokémon TCG of Denmark. Yes, the Local Distributo of Denmark is Bergsala Enigma and the story is probably familiar to most of you.

Monday, April 23, 2012

The Deck Out goes global: Germany


Jasmund National Park
Hi everyone!

Today is a time to look at relatively big country in both, economics and Pokémon TCG player base – Germany. Germany is a very rare bird in Pokémon TCG community because its community seems to be striving and the game is growing all the time. And it already has a player base that’s probably the world’s 3rd largest (after U.S.A. and Japan)!

Even though Germany has a huge player base, it seems to lack international success. What’s the reason for this? Well, that’s what I’m here to find out! Let’s get going.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Deck Out goes global: Philippines


Makati, the country's financial center.
Hi everyone!

First of all, today's my birthday, yea! I turned 21 today so the age doesn't bring me anything cool but still - birthday is always a birthday.

In today's goes global - entry, I'll take a look at a not-so-known TCG country - Philippines. Philippines is one of the countries, where there is potential for a lot more but due the lack of official support, Philppines Pokémon TCG community is struggling. This time, there isn't as much controversy as in Mexico article, but I hope you enjoy it anyways!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Secret Deck: Mismagius/Terrakion


This deck reminds me of Claydol ex
Hi everyone!

This time of the year is very difficult to write deck articles because I’ve already covered almost every metagame deck and the new set is coming up very soon. However, I can’t yet analyze the set and cards of the new set because we don’t have scans of the set. I’ll be trying to get interviews in the future entries so even those, who don’t enjoy The Deck Out goes global entries, have something interesting to read.

Anyways, today’s t topic is the new secret deck that was revealed in the U.S. Regionals just yesterday. I always enjoy secret decks and I think this is a great deck because it’s not only a secret deck but also a lot of fun to play with. Solo-Terrakion is nowhere as fun to play with as this deck. If you haven’t yet heard or seen a list about, here is my take on it.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Deck Out goes global: Mexico


Maya pyramid in Mexico
Hi everyone!


Today’s country is a country that’s probably most known for its food – Mexico. I also remember Mexico for its good players in the World Championships of 2005 when I was still in the Seniors Division. I knew almost nothing about Mexico before I started to make this entry, so all the things I found was as surprising to me as they probably to you.

I want to warn readers in advance. There are some very controversial topics discussed in this entry so prepare yourselves for it before reading this entry. I hope that this can create constructive discussion about the state of the game in Mexico and hope that other Mexican players comment on this topic as well since I sure hope that things aren’t as bad as they’re pictured in this entry.

Monday, April 9, 2012

The Deck Out goes global: The United Kingdom

The Royal Court
Hello everyone!

Today's country is the UK or whatever you like to call it. The UK has a lot of good and known Pokémon TCG players (i.e. the Sekkoum brothers) and they have also had international success in the tournaments. When I think about The UK as a country, first things that pop into my head are Harry Potter, football and pop-music.

I haven't ever visited the UK but I'm planning to do so probably this year. There are lots of sights to see in the UK including Big Ben, Kensigton Palace, Tower Bridge etc. However, for now let's focus on the Pokémon TCG in the UK and how it looks like.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Another point of view into Spanish TCG community

Hi everyone!

As yoy may know, The Deck Out goes global: Spain got a controversial welcome from the Spanish players, so here's another point of view into the Spanish TCG community.

This will only a be a small correction, which I wanted to make, so we all get a complete picture of the Spanish TCG community. I hope you enjoy!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

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.


Monday, April 2, 2012

MeesieMew - the rise of a rogue


Chandelure's Pokedex -entry speak for itself
Hi everyone!


It’s been a while since I’ve done a real deck article, so I decided to give you one today. As you can see, the deck of this article is MeesieMew, which placed to top8 in the ECC and got a lot of hype since it was a rogue deck. It hasn’t yet lived up to its expectations in the U.S. but it has still gotten random top placements there.

The reason, why I haven’t been doing deck entries for a while is that there really isn’t that much new decks. Other option would be doing an entry about Fighting decks of the format (Terrakion and Landorus) but I’ve gotten so many requests to review MeesieMew that it was an easy choice. In fact, I asked the deck’s creator – Mees Brenninkmeijer – to write this article for me but unfortunately he was busy. I hope you still enjoy this article!