Water Types

Water Types: What & How Hello Poke Fans, Pojo Maniacs, and everyone else. My name is Nickie, aka Hydrocannon, so please just call me that for short. Anyway, I’ve been reading a lot about how water types are on the downfall with Prop 15 3C, and I just wanted to give my view. Despite popular belief, I think water types can and will make a good appearance at The Super Trainer Showdown. Why? They have a few solid basics, strong attacks, and many have nice HP without huge retreat costs. Also important is the fact that Fire seems to be rising again, and someone needs to douse the flames. However, an important thing to remember is that there are going to be tons of lightening decks featuring Electabuzz, Lt. Surge’s Zapdos, Defender and energy. I think Team Rocket’s Zapdos was water’s fall, but lets look at how we can overcome this. Electabuzz always has, and always will be, one of the biggest, bestest, meanest basics in the game. He’s strong, quick, and simply good. But even though he was in every other deck, Raindance was formed. Blastoise was strong enough to fend off the blows, but Electabuzz took some of his power. Because of this, Raindance didn’t become almighty and dominant as it could have, but people still feared it. Many brave players chose to use Blastoise in spite of his weakness, and so a powerful archetype was formed. Throughout the Jungle, Fossil, Team Rocket and Gym Heroes expansions Raindance survived, blasting it’s way through tournaments and homes. Then, it happened: Wizards announced the long-dreaded format that was to be used in the East Coast Super Trainer Showdown. Articles began popping up about how fire was really good now, as was electric, and somehow water was pushed way back in the line. Everyone knew Gym Challenge was coming, and they eagerly awaited Blaine’s Charizard, Blaine’s Ninetales, Blaine’s Arcanine, Team Rocket’s Zapdos, and many others. Though Blaine’s Ninetales didn’t prove totally broken, TR’s Zapdos did. Raindance players began throwing their Blastoises’ down the drain angrily, and the pro’s started trading for Team Rocket’s Zapdos. And as it is now, water was doused. Is there hope? Surprisingly, I think there is. As soon as I learned about the STS format and believed it would most likely become the regular format, I decided to create an alternate version of my deck, Hydro Splash, which features Blastoise and Dark Blastoise. I took away my “luxury” trainers such as PlusPower and Potion and added some colorless surprises: Erika’s Dratini, in case I really get stuck, and three Ditto- remember, Ditto can do everything the defending Pokemon can do- and better. The two of them will serve as my defense against lightening types. This deck has been playtested and works very well. My opponents have been surprised, and are now scared. So, if I’ve convinced you there might be hope, please read on. If you’ve read my article so far, thanks. Lastly I must tell you how to make water work. Like I said, lightening holds two of the most broken cards, Electabuzz and Team Rocket’s Zapdos, by itself. Fortunately for true water players, normal types exist. And with them, Ditto. If you plan to take my advice and use a water deck in the Prop 15 3C format, then keep these tips in mind. Use DITTO- I can’t say it enough- Ditto is amazing. With lightening on the rise, you’re going to need tons of these guys in your pockets. Second, remember water’s strong basics. With less trainers, Raindancers, you’re not always going to have a fully charged Blastoise on turn two. I recommend using a few Lapras, Articuno and MP Articuno for good measure. Fourth, know your opponents’ deck. You need to build up strategy in your brain. Lightening’s biggest weakness, perhaps, is KO’ing themselves. Use this knowledge to great advantage. I recommend a few PlusPower in case Electabuzz flips tails on Thundershock- it’ll come in useful. Lastly- Scoop Up was good, and, though many people don’t think so, still is. Give lightening’s a bigger chance of KO’ing themselves by scooping up Articuno or Lapras a few times each. Hey… anything could work! Well, thanks for reading guys! I’ll also be posting articles on making a strong water deck Prop 15 3C style, great water combos, and top water Pokemon. Thanks!!! Hydrocannon Nickie All comments, suggestions, deck fixes, hate mail, etc: Natalie@idamail.zzn.com Pojo, please note: I wasn't sure what to put as card(s) name, because this isn't about one card, but I've seen articles like this posted, anyway thanks!