Welcome, Pokemon Trainers! In this deck Fix, I will show you the process that
I go through with some of the people who send thier decks in to me. Often times
the decks I get are simply not ready to even be worked on--as the trainer has not
taken the time to do the basic homework that is associated with building a deck.
As a trainer, you have a few simple tasks to do before you send in your deck:

~Make sure it follows the basic rules of Pokemon TCG.
~ Try not to have Japanese cards/cards that are not DCI legal.
~ Try to have a clue.

Check this out.

In a message dated 3/15/00 9:20:47 PM Central Standard Time, cnidawg@flash.net writes:

Could you help me possibly improve this deck? I have battled with a
friend and only won once or twice out of all, like 15 games we
played. I don't know if it is just me, or if he has a better deck, or
what, but I would like to be able to get some of my powerful pokemon
out and cream him. I want to hit hard and keep it like that.

Well, this is my deck.

> Fire Wave
>
> All 3 neo promo fire cards
> 1 Moltres
> 1 Basic Magmar
> 1 fossil Magmar
> 2 vulpix
> 1 Ninetails
> 2 Eevee
> 1 Flareon
> 2 Growlithe
> 1 Arcanine
> 1 movie promo pikachu
> 1 Jolteon
> 2 basic Pikachu
> 1 basic Raichu
> 1 Electabuzz
> 16 Fire energy
> 12 Electric energy
> 4 bills
> 2 gamblers
> 5 potions

REPLY FROM THE LADY
Well, first off, I usually focus only on decks that are legal for play in DCI sanctioned tournaments--I haven't put much time into memorizing the NEO cards, or the GYM cards, as they might have different attacks when translated to English. My first suggestion is that you've got too many singles in the deck for it to be effective.

Next, I'm going to tell you that the NEO cards, until they are releaced in English by WOTC are illegal to have in your deck.

Finally, You can't have 5 potions. It says clearly in the rulebook that you can only have 4 of each card (except basic energy).

*** NEXT EMAIL FROM TRAINER ***

Okay. I took out a base magmar and added a fossil, and took out
vulpix and ninetails added a growlithe , jolteon, and electabuzz. Is
that better?

Fire Wave

2 Moltres
1 Basic Magmar
2 fossil Magmar
2 Eevee
2 Flareon
3 Growlithe
2 Arcanine
2 movie promo pikachu
2 Jolteon
1 basic Raichu
2 Electabuzz
4 bills
4 potions
3 switch
16 Fire energy
>12 Electric energy

NEXT EMAIL FROM THE LADY:
>
>You've definately improved it.
>
>Question: Why do you have 2 Base Magmar and 1 Fossil? Do you prefer Base
>Magmar? Can you not get ahold of fossil where you are?
>TPL'S Note. ~ I prefer fossil Magmar. Smokescreen can be a very effective
>deterrant. Only 50% of your opponent's attacks will ever hit (provided they
>don't bench and return.)
>
>
>> 2 Moltres
>> 2 Basic Magmar
>> 1 fossil Magmar
>> 2 vulpix
>> 1 Ninetails
>> 2 Flareon
>> 2 Growlithe
>> 2 Arcanine
>
>Question: If you had to pick between Vulpix+Ninetails and Growlithe+Arcanine,
>which one would you pick?
>TPL Note~ With 2 Moltres and 3 Magmar allready in your deck, you should
>really pick one of those families to keep and the other to remove. It will
>open your deck up to include better ratios of the families that you have. I
>suggest you take out the Vulpix+Ninetails and add another Growlithe to boost
>that family to 3-2.
>>
>
>> 2 Eevee
>> 1 Jolteon
>> 2 movie promo pikachu
>> 1 basic Raichu
>> 1 Electabuzz
>
>Question: Why do you only have 1 Electabuzz? Why do you only have 1 Jolteon?
>Why do you only have 1 Raichu? Is it because these are rares?
>TPL Note~ If you can't get your hands on more of those important evolutions,
>then take them out. You definately will benefit if you have another
>Electabuzz, and probably if you have 1 more of each of those cards I just
>mentioned.
>
>> 4 bills
>> 4 potions
>> 3 switch
>> 16 Fire energy
>> 12 Electric energy
>>
>
>Even those families out, and send it back... we'll keep working =)
>
>TPL

Reorganize your deck, make sure that you've got 4-3, 3-2, or 3-2-2 evolutions of the families in your deck. Don't have singles of anything. Make sure that your cards are legal... that's about all the advice I have for you right now. When you've done the basic homework, send it back and Ill look at it again.

TPL.