TCG Tips

Guide to Deckbuilding

Author: MonsterOfTheLake

Date: 8/6/3

:Legend:

1) Introduction

2) The Guide

· Pokémon

· Trainers

· Energy

· Sample Deck

3) Legal Stuff

*Note: Everything in this document is my opinion. If you disagree with anything in here, you are wrong.*

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1) Introduction

Hey Reader =/. I'm MonsterOfTheLake as many of you from mIRC know me. This guide was created after a friend of mine (new to pokémon, just bought a RS theme deck) asked me to help him with his deck. So here's a guide to deckbuilding, enjoy =/

*Note: This guide is for Neon (Neo Genesis and On) decks only. Don't e-mail me asking 'y dun u uze slowkinger' =/*

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2) The Guide

First of all, before even starting to build your deck, you need to pick a main pokémon that'll be the focus of your deck. The main Archetypes of Neon are:

Ampharos (EX) / Ho-Oh L44 (Neo 3) [Note: Sometimes used with Clefable EX]

Dark Blastoise (LC)

Espeon (Neo 3)

Feraligatr (Any)

Jumpluff (AQ)

Magcargo (Neo 3)

Scizor (AQ)

There are many more, but I couldn't list all of them off my mind. Remember, not ALL people play archetypes. There are lots of rogue decks out there (For example, Pooka's Meganium, my Marowak, etc =/). After you choose something, base your deck around it.

· Pokémon

Pokémon Lineup:

Main Pokémon Line are the focus of the deck. A good example would be 4 Squirtle, 4 Dark Wartortle, 4 Dark Blastoise.

Supporter Pokémon Line are the 'sidekicks'. They either let you attack until your main is juiced up, or stall there after getting your main KOed. A good example would be 2 Scyther, 2 Scizor.

Others are there to help with little things. A good example would be 2 Tyrogue, 2 Cleffa.

Pokémon Lineups

:Here are the list of Lineups that work:

Basic to Stage 1

[Basic-Stage1]

2-2

3-2

3-3

4-2

4-3

4-4

Basic to Stage 2 [w/o Pokémon Breeder]

[Basic-Stage1-Stage2]

3-2-2

3-3-2

4-3-2

4-3-3

4-4-3

4-4-4

Basic to Stage 2 [w/ Pokémon Breeder]

[Basic-Stage1/Pokémon Breeder-Stage2]

3-0-2

3-0-3

3-2-2

3-2-3

4-0-2

4-0-3

4-0-4 [Note: Only try this if the Stage 2 is VERY usable, like Base Blastoise]

4-2-3

4-2-4

4-3-4

*Note: I would suggest going with at LEAST 1 Stage 1*

· Trainers

Trainers Lineup:

Card Recovery is pretty non-existant. Just use 1 or 2 Town Volunteers in your deck, and you're done with this part :). A good example would be 1/2 Town Volunteers.

Drawing, however, is pretty huge. Drawing is very important, seeing as it helps you get the cards you need faster. A good example would be 4 Professor Elm, 4 Copycat, 1/2 Professor Oak's Research, 1/2 Professor Birch, 1/2 Juggler, and if you want to go original, try the Oracle + Bill combo.

Gust/Switch cards are cards that help you gust/switch =/. These are real game-turner-arounders, retreating your waiting-to-be-KO'ed poké OR gusting your opponent's waiting-to-be-KO'ed poké. A good example would be 4 Double Gust, 1/2 Cyclone Energy.

Healing is also very game-turner-arounder :). A good example would be 3/4 Gold Berry, 3/4 Focus Band.

Stadiums are optional. A good example would be 1/2 Rocket's Hideout.

· Energy

Energy Lineup:
<Basic>

Basic Energy is a MUST in every deck, unless you're using some weird Elekid/Dark Crobat combo =/. A good example would be 10/16 Energies of your Main Pokés type.

Special Energy is optional. A good example would be 1/2 Recycle Energies.

*Note: If your deck is based on a Darkness/Metal Pokémon, your lineup should be like this:*

* 4 Darkness/Metal Energies, 4 Rainbow Energies *

· Sample Deck

n00b's first deck

[Pokémon: 19]

4 Squirtle EX2

3 Dark Wartortle LC

4 Dark Blastoise LC

2 Scyther L24

2 Scizor AQ

2 Tyrogue Neo 2

2 Cleffa Neo 1

[Trainers: 23]

1 Town Volunteers AQ

4 Professor Elm BEST

3 Copycat EX

2 Juggler AQ

4 Double Gust Neo 1

4 Gold Berry Neo 1

3 Focus Band Neo 1

2 Rocket's Hideout Neo 3

[Energy: 18]

14 Water Energy Base (Always use Base Set Energies =/)

4 Metal Energy Neo 1

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3) Legal Stuff

This document was created by MonsterOfTheLake, and may only be used for educational reasons. I'm not responsible for any damages or tournament losses you receive because of this document. There are currently 2 sites who may display this document. If you wish your site to show this document, you need to contact me. My email is MonsterOfTheLake@hotmail.com.

:List of 8/5/3:

http://lake.randomized.us

http://www.pojo.com

Pokémon TCG is a division of TPC. The Pokémon EX was created and printed by Wizards Of The Coast. All respective rights are reserved by their owners.