Ok, I know that other various factors have been listed about this
controversial topic, but I am going to offer my two cents. Ok, now I know
that this is a hot topic, not including incredibly disruptive to many popular
decks, such as Wiggly and Trapper. Most popular decks rely on high trainer
counts, but not only does the Prop 15 Rule affect these decks, but Prop 3T is
just as important to analyze. Being able to use only 3 Trainers causes the
player to strategize, and focus on not only this turn, but the turns after
that.

    Some incredibly key elements in this type of enviroment are: Retreat
Costs, Status Effects, Pokemon Powers, Key Evolutions, and (of course)
Trainer cards.

1. Retreat Cost- Retreating in this type of tournament will be a major idea
to focus on. Retreating not only lets you survive in a close match, but lets
you remove nasty status effects. Since space is so limited for Scoop Ups, or
Switches, you need to try to pick Pokemon with low retreat. Other factors of
retreat costs are Lt Surge's Fearow's attack Clutch, which prevents
retreating, and Dark Muk's pokemon power that adds to retreat. These are
small cases, but cases that can't be ignored.

2. Status Effects- Status Effects will be a big part, and this concept ties
together nicely with Retreating. Confusion, in particulat will be nasty,
especially if you play Psychic; but along with poison, paralyzation, sleep,
and confusion there is are more status effects, and those are SmokeScreen,
and Agility. As with a lower retreat the more likely you are to evade these
status dangers.

3. Pokemon Powers- Ahh, the ever-present, ever-almighty Pokemon power, well
not really. Many Pokemon Powers have gone out in the average tourney. I mean,
Blastoise, Charizard, Venusaur, were icons as the game started, but now the
focus of the game is quickness via excess trainers. So what does this have to
do with Props 15+ 3T? Well, plenty, since Pokemon Powers use by Pokemon, such
as Ditto, Erica's Dratini, are fairly popular, Since players must incorperate
more Pokemon in, I think that more Pokemon Powers will be used. I feel that
Blastoise, and Venusaur may re-awake, and even some new Powers will be used,
such as Brock's Ninetails' Shapeshift, and Brock's Primeape's Scram, will be
a force to be reckoned with. But I have failed to mention, the most important
Pokemon Power, and that belongs to Muk, his Power stops everyone elses; you
gotta believe that Muk or mabye some Goop Gas will be present, so tune your
Powers wisely.

4. Key Evolutions- Hmm, the choice of evolutions will be key in this type of
tournament. Wiggly has been reduced to a 3:3 Jiggly:Wiggly ratio. You need to
make a deck that relies on strong basics, followed by a supportive evolution
such as Dodrio or Erica's Dragonair. That way, with Dodrio, you can have help
retreating, which is vital, or with the the Erica's Dratini/Dragonair line.
You have Erica's Dratini to combat basic Pokes, and Erica's Dragonair to
inflict damage to the bench with Blizzard, or use Take Away to get rid of
that powerful pokemon your opponent is powering up, or use Take Away to act
as a Scoop Up to heal your Dragonair. Supportive Evolutions will be more
effective than Offensive Evolutions in terms of strategy. Try to focus the
damage with Pokemon like Chan and Scyther, and have a back-up with Erica's
Dragonair, it will work nicely.

5. Trainers- Trainers are the most important element of a Prop 15 Deck. If
you have a good mix of Pokemon, and energy, but Trainers that aren't needed,
your deck is in trouble. Let's look at some of the key trainers that aren't
needed:
ER/SER- This set of trainers were pretty popular until No ER Gyms, but now,
with so much energy, they are outdated for the tourney.
Bill- This trainer is a counterpart to Oak, but why Bill when you can Oak
again with the help of Item Finder? Item Finder replaces Bill easily, and is
a necessity to get back your precious trainers.
Nightly Garbage Run- This card is great, and widely used, put with all of the
excess energy and Pokemon, it isn't needed.
Rocket's Sneak Attack- This is an impressve card, and works well, but will so
limited trainers, I don't think it's needed for this tourney format.

Now that Gym I and II are out, you can see and strategize with the various
new trainers and stadiums. Chaos Gym will be interesting, and prolly used, so
make sure use use at least 2 Gyms in your deck to counter any other Gym in
play that plays to your disadvantage. Some interesting Gym Trainers are
Sabrina's Gaze, Misty's Wrath, Secret Mission, and Sabrina's Psychic Control.
 Here's a sample deck I have created:

Pokemon: 21 (15 Basic + 6 Evolution)
3 Electabuzz
3 Rocket's Zapdos
3 Chansey
3 Doduo
3 Dodrio
3 Erika's Dratini
3 Erika's Dragonair

Energy:  24
18 Electric
3 Double Colorless
3 Full Heal

Trainers: 15
3 Oak
3 Item Finder
3 Computer Search
3 Sabrina's Psychic Control
2 Rocket's Secret Training Gym
1 Master Ball


Ok this is a slightly changed version of my previous deck. I took out Wiggly,
as he isn't needed to inflict high damage, as Chansey, Zapdos, and Buzz do a
lot of damage. I added Doduo and Dodrio in place of Jiggly and Wiggly because
of Dodrio's Pokemon Power, retreating will be important, and he helps. But
more importantly, I am adding Rocket's Secret Training Gym instead of No ER
Gym, it isn't needed, I mean I am playing with more energy, and decks are low
on trainers, and I don't think a high percentage of people will waste
previous space for ER/SER. Dodrio + Rocket's Secret Training Gym =
devastating in this enviroment. I also took out Scyther, because I don't need
him, I mean I am trying to keep my weakness as low as possible, and I know
that Magmar will be there. E's Dratini will help combat the Strong Basic
Pokes, and E's Dragonair can end a quick battle, act as a Scoop Up, and NGR.
That can be valuable, I think. Also I changed my Trainers, PlusPower isn't
needed, it just wastes space. So I added Item Finder, that along with Oak,
will be THE most important Trainer, due to lack of Trainers. I also added
Sabrina's Psychic Control, another very good card, allowing you to use your
opponents trainers on a good coin flip. And of course Master Ball will help
get some quick evolutions, or get another basic Pokemon in case of loss by
lack of bench.


Thanks so much for reading!
Jim Ferrell reach me at Pokeplayer85@aol.com

Yoda- The Pokemon Player, Deck Mechanic, and Master Gym Leader