With the new format, I had to think long and hard on whether I would stick with Turbo Reshiram & Charizard-GX as my main deck in competitive games, especially League Challenges or League Cups. It had served me well, giving me my first League Challenge win and my first top 4 finish at a League Cup. But could it still hang in there with the newer decks?
Truth be told, I still have TurboZard with me as one of my main choices of decks to play to any event I go to but I have not played it yet. And with two huge tournaments coming up next month (Singapore SPE and Malaysia Regionals), this format might be the most important I've played in at any time of me playing the game since I started playing semi-competitively 3 years ago. The main reason for not playing TurboZard lately being that I've found a new project to work on, the return of Charizard TEU (or BabyZard as some call it).
Ever since Rosa and Professor Oak's Setup were revealed from the new Cosmic Eclipse set, I just knew I had to give it a try in BabyZard, it might be just what the deck needed to function. I did try to make it work but with Nest Ball and Ultra Ball gone, set-up was the biggest issue with the deck, there was no good way to get my Charmanders out and Elm wasn't the idea way to go about it.
I started testing the deck out with Oak and Rosa and I could tell how much better it flowed with those two new supporters, it's all I really needed from the new set to make it viable again but what about the matchups? Malamar being as popular as it was, that kept me away from playing BabyZard. Until now.
THE OPTIONS
With the release of the new set, Malamar has seen little play due to the threat of Mallow & Lana preventing it from it's two shot tactic and also ADP, and the way the format is right now, there are three sides to the deck choices from what I could see.
- Big Basic Tag Team Decks
- Controlling Decks
- One Hit-Ko Decks
Everything else just didn't seem good enough. Sadly spread wasn't a viable option with Mallow & Lana being as popular as it was. So my initial investment on Volcarona-GX was already a waste. I have never really been a big fan of Tag Team Pokemon. Even when I tried them, I just never did well with it, be it PikaRom or Mew2Mew. And of course I'll never play Control decks so the way to go for me was the One Hit-KO decks. But which ones? There were a few good options flying around:
- Turbo Reshiram & Charizard-GX
- Blacephalon-GX/Naganadel
- Blacephalon UNB/Pidgeotto
- Charizard TEU
- Ultra Necrozma-GX/Malamar
Yes all but one of them are fire decks using Welder. It's too good for me to ignore. I've always said Welder is easily the best Supporter in the game right now and I'll likely play Welder decks until it's rotated. And most of the decks it supports are capable of taking big one hit KOs so why not stick with it? For that reason U Nec was out of the equation as much as I liked it. If I were to go the Malamar route I'd still go with it, it's one hit potential of Tag Teams can't be ignored surely.
For obvious reasons, Blace-GX was out of the picture as I don't even own a single English version of the card. So I would end up focusing on TurboZard, Blace/Birds and BabyZard, testing all 3 decks during my downtime when I was recovering from my illness.
And with the results from LAIC, some decks had made their presence felt and I could tell I would likely see these decks at my locals and also at the two big events in the next month:
- Arcues & Dialga & Palkia-GX
- Turbo Reshiram & Charizard-GX
- Mewtwo & Mew-GX
- Blacephalon-GX/Naganadel
- Blacephalon/Pidgeotto
- Oranguru/Pidgeotto Control
- Doll Stall
- Naganadel & Guzzlord-GX
- Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX
Early impressions were that big basics were still ruling the roost and after speaking to the busted PokeStats gang, the word was that Blace/Birds might be the play going forward. With that in mind, I went back to BabyZard, thinking everyone else might end up going that way and with the Autumn Pro Circuit Invitational coming up, I decided to go back to possibly my favourite card in the TCG of all time. I didn't want to play something that everyone was somewhat expecting to see, might as well try something else that might also be viable.
THE DECK AND THE CARD CHOICES
After testing a few different lists out, I finally came up with one I felt that was just right, and one that had given me an 11-match winning streak online, so surely this had to be the one to go with.
4 CHARMANDER, 1 CHARMELEON, 4 CHARIZARD
- Just the right number for me. The 1 Charmeleon is there to make things easier for me, having to avoid a turn of looking for Rare Candy and instead just needing a Charizard.
4 JIRACHI
- A must play for any stage 2 deck I feel. One of the best ways to search out Rare Candy, Pokemon Communication and Welders.
- Having 4 also increases my odds of starting with it and by doing that, hopefully getting that first turn Professor Oak's Setup or Welder for one of the two ideal ways to start the match
1 BLITZLE, 1 ZEBSTRIKA
- I had grown a fondness for Zebstrika after seeing how good it was in my TurboZard deck. Since this deck does suffer from Reset Stamps, I had to include it.
- Blitzle makes sense with Professor Oak's Setup in mind
1 VULPIX, 1 NINETALES
- Inspiration once again came from playing TurboZard. Main reason for going with this instead of Great Catcher was to deal with Malamar mainly but also to target down preferred Tag Team targets
- If need be, Ninetales can also be a back-up attacker in certain matchups
1 DITTO PRISM
- This is a set-up deck, Ditto Prism is a must! Works well with Oak's Setup in mind as well
- Most of the time this will evolve into Ninetales to get the gust effect in as quickly as possible but Zebstrika and Charmeleon are avaialbe options when the time comes for it.
1 HOOPA
- Mainly in to deal with Malamar but can prove to be useful in certain match ups, especially against decks like Blace/Birds and NuzzleBox.
- Also handy in softening up certain Tag Teams for Charizard to take an easier KO
1 MEW
- Main reason is to protect the bench from Naganadel-GX and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX
- Possible attacker in stall matchups
4 PROFESSOR OAK'S SETUP
- 4 is a must to get the ideal set-up
- Most of the time you'll search out for a Jirachi, Charmander and either Blitzle or Ditto Prism
- Got a Charizard set up for the next turn? Why not set up more Charmanders in the mean time with yet another Oak's Setup
3 ROSA
- Just the three felt just right as I don't want to depend on it all the time, especially against Tag Team Pokemon.
- Best way to search out Rare Candy & Charizard at the same time
- If you've already got Rare Candy, good way to set up your support system with Zebstrika and Ninetales. Pokemon Communication is one of the most searched non-Candy card for this play
3 WELDER
- If I had a space for a 4th, I would do just that but 3 does feel fine most of the time
- Especially useful to take down Tag Team Pokemon in one turn with Charizard
4 POKEMON COMMUNICATION
- I'm playing 20 Pokemon in this deck, 4 is surely a must as I'll easily have a Pokemon in hand most of the time
- Best search card we have at the moment until Quick Ball and Evolution Incense are released in the Sword & Shield set. Even then, might still use this.
- Especially useful with 4 Jirachis in the deck, they'll be Comm fodders most of the time.
4 RARE CANDY
- We're a Stage 2 deck with 4 attackers, need I say more?
3 FIRE CRYSTAL, 2 ENERGY RECYCLER
- Energy Recycler is a must in this deck but with Fire Crystal and Welder now available, I'm less reliant on it, thus only having 2 in the deck.
- 3 Crystals feels fine, most of the time it will be used to help power up Charizard, gust someone out with Ninetales or used for Giant Hearth draw.
2 ESCAPE BOARD, 2 SWITCH
- We're heavily reliant on Jirachi in this deck so Escape Board is a must
- 2 Switch feels nice just in case of some techs that are meant to hurt Jirachi.
- Also useful is you really need to use 2 Stellar Wishes in a turn to find the pieces to take a big KO that turn
2 GIANT HEART, 1 HEAT FACTORY PRISM
- Heat Factory is a must for Fire decks especially a set-up deck like this
- 2 Giant Hearth is just nice to get the job done.
- The emergence of Choatic Swell does worry me a bit if Hearth is still the way to go or switch to either Fiery Flint or add another Fire Crystal.
10 FIRE ENERGY
- After testing every possible number for this deck, 10 feels just right with the amount of Recycler and Crystal I'm using in the deck. If I had the space, might go with 11 and another Energy Recycler.
So this list felt just right for me and this was built two weeks before Cosmic Eclipse was released so I went out of my way to get myself those 3 Rosa. Oak was thankfully more easier to get as it was in my Pre Release kits.
There were a few other tech cards I had considered but they either didn't make the cut or there just wasn't any space for them:
- Pal Pad - Just to get back Welder and Rosa
- Great Catcher - In place over Ninetales
- Lana's Fishing Rod - Just to save one Charizard
- Oranguru - There will be a turn where I don't attack and it might be useful to save a Charizard, Welder or Fire Crystal
- Cynthia & Caitlin - For similar reasons to Pal Pad
- Heatran-GX - Felt like a good fit for the deck but the main idea was to be a single-prize deck, having a GX attacker just didn't feel right
- Shrine of Punishment - To help Charizard's damage output against certain decks, especially Pikachu & Zekrom
- Reset Stamp - Just so opponent's can't build up a Custom Catcher strategy or anything that might hurt the deck
- Blacephalon CEC and Beast Ring - Thought it might help to win the prize race against other single prize decks and especially the irritating Doll Stall deck. Rosa could work nicely with it. Opponent will have to go down to 3 prizes eventually.
The deck also has a very unique option where I can have to ideal ways to start a match. The most ideal one is the obvious Oak start to get my Charmanders and other support pokemon going. And ideally with a Jirachi in the active. The other ideal start, especially against Tag Team Pokemon, is to have Charmander at the start with Welder and 2 Fire Energies to potentially get a Turn 2 Charizard with 5 eneriges ready to knock out a Tag Team Pokemon.
TEST MATCHES
So the first real testing of the deck came online, trying to iron out the list, trying to see which ideas worked and which didn't. In the middle of these testing, I went on an 11-match winning streak with the deck, something I don't ever do usually! Yup a Stage 2 deck got me that win streak.
Win #1 - Turbo Reshiram & Charizard-GX
- Opponent was slow to get his idea set-up and I was able to get my Charizards up before his Heatran was able to attack. ReshiZard went down with one hit thanks to the perfect Fire Crystal + Welder combo turn with Ninetales on the bench as well.
Win #2 - Reshiram & Charizard-GX/Greens
- I took my time to set up my Charizards knowing I can catch back up in the prize race and opponent just couldn't use his Catchers to disrupt my set-up, having had to use them early on
Win #3 - Reshiram & Zekrom-GX
- Took my time to set up my attackers while Jirachis took the fall early on
- Mew came in clutch has opponent had tried to set his ReshiRom up for the GX attack
- Good matchup as they can't win the prize race even when he tried to go with just Naganadel
Win #4 - Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX
- Got my Charizard set up for a KO on their ADP on my third turn and they had no back up attackers after that
Win #5 - Reshiram & Zekrom-GX
- Had to make it harder for myself by going with Plan B, a Welder start on Charmander but thankfully had the pieces to take down ReshiRom on the next turn.
- Opponent had no answer after the first KO
Win #6 - Malamar/Spell Tag
- Expected to lose this match but opponent bricked
- Only got his ideal set-up after I had taken 3 prizes already, couldn't catch back up the price race
Win #7 - Malamar/Ultra Necrozma-GX
- Again opponent bricked with a GX onboard this time, couldn't come back in the prize race
Win #8 - Honchkrow-GX/Weavile
- His stall strategy just didn't work on my deck as I had no special energies or whatever Honchkrow-GX would block.
- Didn't take much for Charizard to take down 3 Honchkrow-GXes
Win #9 - Gengar & Mimikyu-GX
- Took my time to set up my attackers and he never got down an Omastar so quite a good matchup, could never recover from the price race
Win #10 and #11 - Weavile-GX/Naganadel/Silvally-GX
- Two matches back to back against Dark Box
- Both times the game went my way, taking out the Tag Team with ease and opponent just not being able to make up ground in the price race yet again
And of course a Malamar deck would end my run...
I was now pretty convinced about the list and that the deck can work. So it was time to give it a spin at my local leagues, giving the deck a 3-day test run at Project EXT (Friday) and Next Gen (Saturday and Sunday). I was still worried knowing Singaporean players do like Malamar so I wasn't sure if I'd get any proper testing out of those 3 days.
I won't explain the matches in full details, it will take up too much time but I'll just give the details on how those matches went to give an idea how the deck does against the popular decks at least.
Project EXT Nov 8 (Friday)
Round 1 vs Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX - WW
I was able to set up my Charizard in the first game to take the big KO while he had no other attackers ready. He had a slow start to the second game, giving me enough time to set up my Charizard.
Round 2 vs Doll Stall - L
Pretty much a waste of time when I realised he played 4 Stealthy Hood. Gave him the win just so I wouldn't waste my time.
Round 3 vs Chandelure - LL
Very bad match-up as I couldn't really match up with this deck as it kept streaming attackers and he never once missed a KO with his Chandelure.
Final Result: 7th out of 10 players - (1/2/0)
Next Gen Nov 9 (Saturday)
Round 1 vs Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX - WW
Great match for me made even better as my opponent was slow to set-up both times. He missed his energy in the first game. The second game was better but again he couldn't handle the prize race and how quickly I was able to set up my Charizards.
Round 2 vs Glaceon-GX/Vaporen - WW
This was a weird round of games as my opponent just could not set up in both games! I never really got to see what his deck do but the concept sounded cool enough.
Round 3 vs Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX - WW
Unlike my first opponent, he did get his Gardeons set-up in both games but once again, he couldn't disrupt my set-up, taking my time to get Charizard ready to take the big KOs with Zebstrika once again being he MVP for getting me out of Reset Stamps.
Final Result: 1st out of 14 players - (3/0/0)
Next Gen Nov 10 (Sunday)
Round 1 vs Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX - WW
Both games went well for me, I let him take the first few prizes while setting up my Charizard and also a Zebstrika, knowing the Reset Stamp would come after the first KO. I was able to get out of it and get the perfect setup to get Charizard ready to KO his other Gardeon on the very next turn. Game 2 was similar to the first, he just couldn't come back from the prize trade.
Round 2 vs Reshiram & Zekrom-GX - LWW
First match I just couldn't set up and I fell to the GX, taking down to of my Charmanders. Second game he couldn't set up quick enough and I took down both ReshiZeks with the help of two well timed Welders and some help from Crystals and Recycler and two Charizards on the board. Game 3 was closer, he tried to use Naganadel to help him keep up with the prize race but it wasn't doing enouh damage to hurt Charizard.
Round 3 vs Alolan Ninetales/Rotom - WW
I thought this would be a tricky matchup since it was a single prize attacker but I didn't realise the deck was heavily reliant on Dedenne-GX which would be his downfall. Hoopa got me some cheeky KOs early on with all the Rotoms down on his bench and taking out his first Vulpix with no back-up on board. He couldn't set up in the second game and it was plain sailing for me.
Final Result: 2nd out of 13 players - (3/0/0)
I was feeling confident about the deck and was planning to test it out even more for the following weeks. That plan took a step back when I was diagnosed with my fever and all the illness issues that took me out of the game for 2 weeks, coming back just in time for the pro circuit invitational, which would be my first time playing after 2 weeks off and my first game back would be on stream as well, talk about nerves!
AUTUMN 2019 PRO CIRCUIT INVITATIONAL
Round 1 - Bye
Round 2 - Bye
Since I finished inside the top 8 of the season's standings, I had earned myself 2 byes for this event so my first game would be in Round 3. I was still deciding between TurboZard or Charizard TEU but since I was spending most of my testing time with it, I just had to go with BabyZard.
Round 3 - Trevenant & Dusknoir-GX/Mismagius - WW (Match was on stream)
First game back in the game after a long while off and it just had to be streamed. Managed to set up my Zebstrika early on and it was the MVP in the first game, getting me out of many awkard small hands and since they're a Tag Team. I was able to set up my Charizards in time to take them down. Second game started horribly for my opponent, he whiffed three PokeGear and by the time his TrevNoir had three energies on it, my Charizard was ready to take it down with the help of my friend Rosa.
Round 4 - Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX/Mewtwo & Mew-GX - LWL
Game 1 was incredibly irritating for me. I was leading the prize race having taken down his ADP by turn 3 but while waiting to see if he had a way to disturpt my set-up, I decided not to charge up my two Charizards, worried he might go after one of them with some Custom Catcher play. I decided I'd wait until he'd KO my other Pokemon and when the time was right, I'd charge everything up, knowing I had two energies left in my deck to charge up my Charizard. And just my luck, when it was the turn to take that big KO, I top draw a Fire Energy, the one thing I did not want to see as I had no Energy Recyclers left in my deck. Lesson learnt, just charge those Charizards up first. I pretty much lost myself the game there. A point to note, my opponent misplayed one of his actions in the game and I allowed him to take his card back to change to something else. Then came Game 3.
Game 2 was perfect, I got the early KO on ADP and he had no answer after that. On to said Game 3 and this time I didn't have the ideal set-up. I had to try to keep one of his Pokemon stuck in the active to buy me one turn to win the game but I accidentally tried to gust up his Mewtwo & Mew-GX with Hood. So I took my action back since we had that understanding early on, or so I thought. He decided to act high and mighty as said "NO! You already paid your energies, you cannot take it back, you must discard it". I got so angry about that I just scoop my cards up and told him he can take his win and shove it. Mr Wang Zhe, you're now on my shit list for being a an ass of a human.
Round 5 - Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX - WW
I got the ideal set-up to take a KO on his ADP just as he had done his GX and he had no other attackers ready so I took the game from there. He had an even slower start in the second game while I started with a Charmander with 3 energies after Turn 1 thanks to Welder. I did get Rare Candy and Comms for Charizard to take down his ADP in Turn 2 and that was it.
Round 6 - Blacephalon UNB/Pidgeotto - WW
I wasn't quite sure how this matchup would play out. My opponent got a better start and he took the first prize, which meant I had to rush my set-up and trade prizes with him. We did just that and eventually it came down to him needed to get enough energies to KO my Hoopa with his Victini, I was out of Charizards. He missed his energies and misplayed his Doll move, giving me the chance to take the game with Ninetales gusting up his Pidgeotto for the win.
I had the better start in game 2, taking the first prize in turn 2 while he only took his first prize in his 4th turn. By then I was in such a big lead I didn't need to depend on all 4 of my Charizards to get me home. My opponent would scoop seeing how bad of a situation he was in. We both would make top cut at least!
Top 8 - Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX - WLW
Same opponent as in Round 5 and at least this time we had three proper games. The first game for me went perfectly, getting my Charizard ready for the KO. He did get another ADP ready to take out my Charizard but then everything went my way. Welder onto my Charizard and Stellar Wish got me my Rare Candy I needed to get my Charizard ready to take the next Tag Team KO.
Game 2 was poor, I just couldn't get my Charizard set-up in time to take KOs while he knocking my non-GXes for 2 prizes turn after turn. Game 3 went similar to the first game, I was able to beat him to the punch and this time, Ninetales came to the rescue for me as I was able to drag out his benched ADP for the win.
Top 4 - Blacephalon-GX/Green's Exploration - L
Possibly the saddest match anyone will ever see on stream. I had a really good hand but all I had was a Charmander and even after a Heat Factory draw, I still had nothing. My only hope was that he had no answer to take a KO the next turn but having already seen him Greens out a Welder, I was done for. And to make things worse, we had even agreed to make this match a Best of 1 to save us time so that came back to bite me.
MATCHUPS
After playing enough games, I can tell which decks were good for me and which would give me a harder time. Decks tend to evolve from week to week so the matchups can always change. Gardeon for example, they always used to have a hard time dealing with my set-up but now that some lists are playing Omastar, I'll need to approach this match-up more carefully.
Vs Malamar - VERY BAD
Let's just start with the obvious most horrible match-up. You'll never win this match no matter how much you try, the only real way we win this is by them bricking. The Spell Tag spread and Giratina pings are just too much for the deck to handle. Hoopa sadly doesn't even help much nor does Ninetales, they's always find a way around them.
Vs Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX - 50/50
This game really depends on both players set-up. If you can't set an ideal board state up, you're doomed. If you're able to take down their ADP after they had just used their GX, you should win it. Even if they take the first KO, you still can win the match but you need the perfect hand with Welder, Fire Crystal, Energy Recycler, Rare Candy and Charizard all needing to be at the right place at the right time.
Vs Reshiram & Charizard-GX Turbo - NOT TOO BAD
Not too sure on this one, since they've also got Ninetales which can be harmful to our set-up as they can pick off our Charmanders early on or when we're trying to set up Charizard. Also depends on them since they still need to draw into their Welders. Typical TurboZard issues, but I should know better than most.
Vs Mewtwo & Mew-GX - 50/50
Still worries about this matchup mainly due to Cross Division-GX likely taking down 2 to 3 Pokemon in one go. But if you are able to set-up your Charizard in time with the 5 energies on it, then you should be fine. Ninetales will be the MVP in this matchup.
Vs Blacephalon UNB/Pidgeotto - 50/50
Should be a close game but this one really depends on who gets their ideal board state first. If you've taken the first price, more often that not you should be set for the game.
Vs Blacephalon-GX/Naganadel - REALLY GOOD
The number is just too nice for Charizard. All you really need is a Rosa to take down Blacephalon-GXes in no time. Welder is not even needed in this matchup, it's more of a luxury.
Vs Dark Box - GOOD
Apart from Guzzlord, they might struggle to keep up with the prize race. Guzzlord is quite irritating to deal with in this matchup as is Umbreon & Darkrai's GX since you can't use Trainers but the price race should be in your favour.
Vs Oranguru Control or Doll Stall - BAD
My deck just has no answer to control decks. Now that mill is a thing, this deck does suffer as we are more likely that not losing important resources from it. Doll Stall is just a waste of time, you pretty much cannot do anything.
Vs Nuzzle Box - NOT TOO BAD
Should be favoured. They might not have enough to take home the game but also depends on your prizes, you cannot afford to have one of your attackers prized as you'll need all of them, the 4 Charizard, Hoopa and even Ninetales if needed. Heck, Mew even did some work for me in my games after the invitational against them,
Vs Tag Teams with Mismagius Engine - NOT TOO BAD
If you're able to set-up a Zebstrika, you should be fine. As long as you're able to set up a Charizard while avoiding their disruption tactics, this should be a really good game for us.
Vs Quagsire - ???
No idea on this one as I still have not had a match against this, online or in real life. Not too sure if I can deal with it's early pressure and also the weakness.
LOOKING TOWARDS SINGAPORE SPE AND KUALA LUMPUR REGIONAL
So after all of that, would I really consider taking a Stage 2 deck to a big tournament like the Singapore SPE or the Kuala Lumpur Regional? I'm quite tempted to, I just want to see how a deck I created on my own would do in a huge tournament like those. It would be cool to get a big result with your own creation but at the same time, it's still a Stage 2 deck at the end of the day, it's still gonna struggle since you need to get all the pieces together at the right time to launch off those big attacks. I am comfortable enough to take chances and try to get those pieces to work together in the game so I might take the deck to one of those events.
But of course I'll have to be realistic. There are certain decks that are the more safer options for me to hopefully score more CPs at the SPE or the Regional and hopefully get one big result to get me closer to a first Worlds invitation (currently at 57 CP). TurboZard is still likely my main deck to go. Yes it's not the most consistent deck in the world but I know I can make a deck like that work. Just need some luck to get there.
Mewtwo & Mew is one I'm interested to give a try. To me it's still the best deck in the format but it's a deck I've always struggled with so I'm gonna keep trying to learn how to play the deck for the next few weeks and see if I can convince myself to give it a go. If not, there's always TurboZard or even Blacephalon/Pidgeotto, a deck I know how to play around even though I've got no good results with it. December will be a huge month for me, and hopefully I can score a good result in one of those two big events and hopefully add on to the 57 CP to my name this season. It might be my only good shot of getting that invite as I won't be playing much come January due to Uni.
I hope you enjoyed reading this. Yes Stage 2 decks are still very fragile but when it works, it's a lot of fun and hey, it'd be nice to score a big result with a Stage 2 deck to show everyone that it can go head to head with these big basic decks. If I've managed to sell Charizard as a viable option to anyone, I really do hope you'll have fun playing the deck.
