Archetypes

Archetypes...by now everyone knows what decks to which I'm refering. These decks you see all the time. Everyone plays them. They win, a lot. Some like 'em, while others would like to see them banned from the game.

I don't like them, but not because they are unbeatable. They can be beaten. You can win tourneys with a non-archetype. (See Basic Defense under Killer Decks). But I hate them for they encourage mental laziness.

You don't have to think to play an archetype. The methods of play seem to come included. Hay, attack quickly. Raindance, 4 Squirtle, breeder and Blastoise next turn. Tuff, Oak and Bill to fill up a bench, then Wave on turn two.

However, I noticed when my opponents don't get the key opening hand for these types to go off, they get flustered. Why? They have to think their way out of the jam they are in. Something they thought they could avoid with these "auto-decks."

Those of you who play original decks, I give you all the credit in the world. When we stumble upon a deck that is an original, and wins a lot, that deck will become the new archetype. But by then, we'll already be working on the next "big deck".

Just as a side note, since my deck split the last tourney, Erika's Dratini is getting a lot of play. I can't wait until next week, when I break out the Poke Powers be Gone deck. (Hee, hee, remember Fossil Muk?)

Now that brings us to Props. I feel that prop 15 and Prop 2T are being proposed for a reason. Wizards stated that Pokemon is a game about evolutions. Limiting Trainers would enourage decks to include evolutions. Well, that's nice. But it would also encourage decks to SPEND more money to get those evolutions. Sales for the cards would go up, as people tried to get those rare cards. (Collectors would see the value of their cards increase as well.) I feel this is more money-oriented than fun-oriented.

And finally, let's all agree that one card should be banned. Which card? SER? CPU Search? Tuff? No. This card is so feared by the masses, that we have no choice but to rip it in shreads if we see it in game play.

Why ban cards at all? Why change the rules to appease the few crybabies who thinks that certain cards are unfair. I use to hate SER, but with the addition of the No Removal Gym, SER is fair for the cost. (1 Energy and 2 cards from your hand.) I know they banned CPU in Japan, but I can't see why. You are forced to discard three cards to get one. Item Finder is an annoyance if your opponent has it, but, hey, things happen. I've been KO'ed plenty of times after seeing my opponent Finder for a Pluspower.

Ban these cards, and then what? Right. The next level of power cards will be touted as unfair. Oak, Bill, Misty's Rage, Chansey, Alakazam, 'Chan, ' Buzz, MP Mewtwo, Blastoise...heck. The game will come down to Goldeen, Magikarp, Diglett, Magnemite, Vulpix, no trainers, and only basic energy. And those that play Goldeen will want Magnemite BANNED!

The game is about evolution. Well, in a sense, yes. However, it's not the Pokemon that have to do the evolving. Your decks and you have to evolve as well. Make your decks stronger, faster, more powerful. Evolve your mind. Build your deck, and take on the one type your deck has no chance against, and play it. Take notes on why you lost. Make changes. Figure out how to make it better.

Yes, this takes effort. No, it's not easy. But it will make you a better player, and perhaps a better person.