This is a question I've been holding back for awhile now. I'm an adult
Pokemon player and I read the articles here all the time. Deck building
usually follows the same theme (4 Bills, 3-4 Oaks, etc) as far as trainers
and that's not bad. But when I see reconstruction tips advising players to
put in maybe 5, 6, or more rares (You should add two more Electabuzz and
maybe go with three Scythers at least) I have to ask...Where are these kids
gonna get these cards? There's a reason they're called RARES. Of all of the
Deck Mechanics here and other places I have yet to see one lay out a
realistic competitve deck. maybe it won't beat every Wiggly/Raindance/Rocket
Trap/etc deck but where does skill come in to play? I've helped kids make
lots of competitive decks that follow original themes and are not loaded with
holos and rares. One of the strongest is a Psychic deck based on
Jynx/Likitung and loaded with Drowzees, Sleep!, and Ghastlys for status
effects. I also run a strong but slow Nidoking deck. Now every deck has to
have a few rares to be really strong but can any Deck Mechanic here create a
deck with no more than three Rolo/Rare Pokemon and 6 Rare Trainers? I
challenge you. It's not impossible. My tourney winning deck is based on 3
Flareon and 2 Scyther and 2 Electabuzz. You can count my 4 promo Eevees as
"rares" but anyone in the League can get them. I've beaten even Raindance
decks with it so I know it works.
My challenge would be to see a competitve deck from each type or maybe some
of the little used Pokemon (A Gastly/Haunter/Gengar deck is a killer now with
all of the Gym Challenge/Hero cards out) like NidoKing, Arcanine, or Golduck
or some newbies like Jumpluff or Feraligatr.
Anyway, that's it. When we start seeing some realistic decks I'll be happy.
The game should be able to be played and enjoyed by normal people, not the
Ebay shopping leeches who are killing it.
PS: Could you guys post the rules of the Draw games you play with sealed
boosters? Maybe even a running weekly recap, if you play that much.
                                                                             
             -Harerazer 
HareRazor@aol.com 

Response:

As for you challenge, I find your perspective interesting, but slightly naive. You have the right idea in that kids should be taught to think creatively, but asking Pojo Deck Mechs to cut rares is not the right venue. The kids that send in their decks to us want to win.  If they have limited resources, they usually state that and we accommodate them.  It does them little good if we do a cheap fix for them if they cannot win with it (believe me, I do hear back often if my "fix" does not have a winning record).  Honestly (and unfortunately for those with limited resources), the sad fact is that cards are often Rare because they are superior.  Of course, there are exceptions. Yes, there are some crappy rares (Clefairy Doll (eep!), Devolution Spray, Jungle Victreebel), and yes, there are some great commons (Bill, Energy Removal, Gligar), BUT, the fact remains that the best commons and uncommons will never compete with the best Rares.

Though competitive decks can be created with few or no rare Pokémon (example: Fossil Magmar, Growlithe and Arcanine deck), there is no way that a deck will be competitive in high level DCI tournament with 3 or less rare trainers.  It is almost a given that competitive decks must include quantities of certain rares, including any or all of the following: Computer Search, Item Finder, Scoop Up, Lass, Super Energy Removal, and on and on.  If you have a "winning" deck with fewer than 3 rares ALTOGETHER of Pokémon and Trainers, it is my guess that you are probably playing in a Pokémon League or similar non-high level competitive environment.  It always amazes me how people assume their environment is "competitive" when they have never played high level DCI sanctioned events (again, NO, this does NOT include Pokémon League!). 

 
I assure you completely that a deck with less than 4 total rares (pokes and trainers) will not be played competitively by the DCI top 100 players.  It can never have the search or draw capabilities that top decks do, and will be smashed in the process.  Sure, you can substitute substandard non-rare cards for the rares, but the rares are superior and tip the scales in favor of those running them. 
 
If you would like to challenge this, and you want to test in a truly competitive environment, then I challenge you to take your 4 or less rare deck to Pojo's Online Apprentice league and test it there.  Play against any of the top 20 or 30 players. I would say that that should give you a sampling of high level competitors. Let me know who you played, what deck you used and how you did.
 
Anyhow, accusing the Deck Mechs is basically barking up the wrong tree.  If your true concern is that kids can't get a hold of rares, or if you really want to get kids to think outside the realms of the archetype "net decks", you should instead be challenging the people that hold your local tourneys to hold NON-RARE tournaments.  No rare or promo cards allowed.  Now THAT is a blast.  When I actively judged for Pojo's online tourneys, I often used that format, and I loved it, as did most players.  You got to use cards that were rarely seen or used in regular tourneys, and the decks and ideas produced were very interesting.  It really gave everyone a chance to be thoughtful and creative with their deck-building.
 
 
 
As for booster drafts, a rough outline as follows: 
Booster drafts are a blast!  It takes a few times to catch on that certain cards that are basically useless in constructed are amazingly broken in draft.  You will find yourself needing to use a totally different mindset while drafting... a good thing as it expands your imagination and thinking processes as it pertains to the game. =)
 

Thanks for your letter!
 ~ Doll
Associate Webmaster - Pojo.com