Worth Calling out: Hitmonlee is a card that wasn't mentioned that fills a similar role to Zebstrika. It can't target your opponent's active pokemon, but it has the benefit of requiring fewer slots in your deck (Zebstrika almost always takes up 4 slots, whereas hitmonlee you can get away with only one)
@@Kitsunaiko I don't think popularity is the metric that gets cards into this video. Show me the decks that play Bisharp or Tentacruel or Eelectric or Dodrio when fully optimised. And as for Hitmonlee not having a "relevant" home, I've seen a couple of Marowak decks doing well in big tournaments, which could reasonably play a 1-of Hitmonlee (although I can't remember off the top of my head if they already do)
@@bunp26 I'm gonna be real here, I think people don't play nearly enough basics. Of course Hitmonlee will look bad if you're not drawing more than one pokemon early in half your games.
Would be really interested to see you try a Beedrill build. Beedrill does 70 damage for 1 energy, but it is a stage 2 so may be tougher to build up to it. Still seems pretty powerful for only needing one energy. Loving this content so far!
Another great vid as per usual, Jeff. Definitely have been finding a lot more joy in the non-EX Pokemon like Jolteon, Alakazam, base Exeggutor, and Omastar to call out my particular favorites to play with. Watching your videos have made me realize that I really need to play more with Weezing. Now that's a REAL Pokemon Pocket card.
I think that Mienshao, Whimsicott, and to a lesser extent Heliolisk (because it's only the evolution that is generic, and it's 2 energy) have potential as weakness strikers for decks that can't afford another type of energy. They trade a small (but not insignificant) amount of health for the ability to fit anywhere as a high damage counter to the weakness they hit. They also have cheap retreat costs, so they aren't going to be stuck up front if they are bad matchups. Golbat is already being used like this against Mewtwo EX. Something that really made me consider these is the upcoming promo Jigglypuff. If it is popular enough, then Mienshao completely counters it (especially when going first) and can fit into any deck. Evolving removes statuses, and Mienshao does enough to knock it out in one hit for one energy thanks to the fighting weakness.
I've been running centiscorch as a budget charizard ex and it has it's upsides. It's stage 1 and only discards 1 energy so easier to set up and 130 damage is decent vs things like Pikachu and starmie ex
I think beedrill is interesting as a 1 cost 70 damage attacker. Its not a huge payoff for a stage 2 but high damage for low investment while you build a bench seems like it could be good when more support gets printed down the line.
Mienshao is also notable as a Fighting type that does 40 for one colorless and single retreat cost. Seems like a great splash attacker to counter a weakness.
Grebinja has definitely been my flashy favourite but I've been so impressed with Farfetched, all the people that say they struggle with the mewtwo matchup arent playing enough farfetched imo.
I threw the full 4 of mienfoo/mienshao into my Misty-less Starmie EX Greninja deck over the dodrio I was running prior to help shore up the Pikachu EX matchup. It feels slightly unfavorable yet manageable now.
Also how is it "much tankier" than Pidgeot when Weepinbell and Victreebel only have 10 HP more than Pidgeotto and Pidgeot? Please explain that. Yes 10 HP can be a game-winning difference sometimes, but it is also the barest minimum amount more tanky that a Pokémon can be. "Much tankier" to me would be at least 30 HP more.
I'm very sad that Magneton seems so unplayable. I guess he could be a battery for a Raichu deck, but it's numbers seem like they're just too bad to make the cut there. I think it's especially sad because the ability could make for a neat way to add an electric attacker into another typed deck (like what you did with Brock in the Dark energy deck).
@@Dashoof24no, what he's saying is that Pidgeot gives the Sabrina effect without needing to play the Sabrina card, so playing Pidgeot with Blaine is equivalent to Sabrina + Blaine in one turn, which sounds broken.
@@Dashoof24maybe next time read carefully and thoroughly think through what you read before you decide to leave a worthless snide comment implying that the person whom you're replying to doesn't understand how things work, which just makes you look like an a-hole.
Jeff your editor is well worth the money!!
The graphics are really on point for these guide videos. Simple, points out the important info, and aesthetically pleasing.
Videos like this are really cool. I hope you continue to make these in the future.
Will definitely be a staple here as the meta/game grows
Great video, absolutely LOVE putting what packs to open for each card.
My savior. Non ex fans/1 Ex decks unite.
First video of yours, and it's awesome! Thank you for the info, and I'll be sure to watch more!
Welcome!
Hrs away now ! The first two actually topped one of the tournaments this past weekend. Great breakdown for anyone looking to build budget decks.
Worth Calling out: Hitmonlee is a card that wasn't mentioned that fills a similar role to Zebstrika. It can't target your opponent's active pokemon, but it has the benefit of requiring fewer slots in your deck (Zebstrika almost always takes up 4 slots, whereas hitmonlee you can get away with only one)
true, Hitmonlee is better to be kept in hand and use it as a surprise since it can enter and hit cause it needs only 1 energy
Yes, but Zebstrika finds home in Pikachu decks, while Hitmonlee cannot fit any “relevant” deck right now.
@@Kitsunaiko I don't think popularity is the metric that gets cards into this video. Show me the decks that play Bisharp or Tentacruel or Eelectric or Dodrio when fully optimised.
And as for Hitmonlee not having a "relevant" home, I've seen a couple of Marowak decks doing well in big tournaments, which could reasonably play a 1-of Hitmonlee (although I can't remember off the top of my head if they already do)
i like hitmonlee, but it can be game losing when it is the only basic in your opening hand
@@bunp26 I'm gonna be real here, I think people don't play nearly enough basics. Of course Hitmonlee will look bad if you're not drawing more than one pokemon early in half your games.
Great info and breakdown. Can't wait to see more deck ideas.
Best content I've ever seen for Pocket
Can’t wait for the public release this week!!
great breakdown Jeff! Looking forward to watching more Pocket content
Would be really interested to see you try a Beedrill build. Beedrill does 70 damage for 1 energy, but it is a stage 2 so may be tougher to build up to it. Still seems pretty powerful for only needing one energy.
Loving this content so far!
Another great vid as per usual, Jeff.
Definitely have been finding a lot more joy in the non-EX Pokemon like Jolteon, Alakazam, base Exeggutor, and Omastar to call out my particular favorites to play with.
Watching your videos have made me realize that I really need to play more with Weezing. Now that's a REAL Pokemon Pocket card.
I think that Mienshao, Whimsicott, and to a lesser extent Heliolisk (because it's only the evolution that is generic, and it's 2 energy) have potential as weakness strikers for decks that can't afford another type of energy. They trade a small (but not insignificant) amount of health for the ability to fit anywhere as a high damage counter to the weakness they hit. They also have cheap retreat costs, so they aren't going to be stuck up front if they are bad matchups. Golbat is already being used like this against Mewtwo EX.
Something that really made me consider these is the upcoming promo Jigglypuff. If it is popular enough, then Mienshao completely counters it (especially when going first) and can fit into any deck. Evolving removes statuses, and Mienshao does enough to knock it out in one hit for one energy thanks to the fighting weakness.
Another fantastic breakdown!
Great video as always! Super helpful to see these for deck building purposes
I've been running centiscorch as a budget charizard ex and it has it's upsides. It's stage 1 and only discards 1 energy so easier to set up and 130 damage is decent vs things like Pikachu and starmie ex
I ended up doing the same for the missions and felt REALLY good when i realized how quickly i could sub them into the active spot
Kabutops deserves a mention!
Maybe if Mewtwo was less popular.
He puts Pikachu Ex in the toilet
Great video Jeff. Mr Editor, if you reading this, you are doing a great job.
Excited to get access to this game! Will definitely be coming back to learn how to get started.
Great video Jeff! Glad to see Greninja here :)
Thanks for these lists. Gengar is my priority to get.
Now this is a great vid. Just in time for the Global release
I think beedrill is interesting as a 1 cost 70 damage attacker. Its not a huge payoff for a stage 2 but high damage for low investment while you build a bench seems like it could be good when more support gets printed down the line.
I don’t why Weezing being nuts fits so well…
you have my engagement
And my axe!!!
And my bow!
Mienshao is also notable as a Fighting type that does 40 for one colorless and single retreat cost. Seems like a great splash attacker to counter a weakness.
And Heliolisk does 40+flip for 2 colorless as an Electric.
omastar seems solid
That is a good shout
Grebinja has definitely been my flashy favourite but I've been so impressed with Farfetched, all the people that say they struggle with the mewtwo matchup arent playing enough farfetched imo.
Shout-outs to the editor
I threw the full 4 of mienfoo/mienshao into my Misty-less Starmie EX Greninja deck over the dodrio I was running prior to help shore up the Pikachu EX matchup. It feels slightly unfavorable yet manageable now.
Victreebel I think is interesting considering it's a much tankier Pigeot. Although I guess the current meta doesn't favor grindy cards.
Having to be in the active spot and only grabbing basics is a big drawback.
Also how is it "much tankier" than Pidgeot when Weepinbell and Victreebel only have 10 HP more than Pidgeotto and Pidgeot? Please explain that. Yes 10 HP can be a game-winning difference sometimes, but it is also the barest minimum amount more tanky that a Pokémon can be. "Much tankier" to me would be at least 30 HP more.
@@ydgmdlu Erika is why and anything that has 100 or more HP will have an easier time utilizing it
Melmetal is worth playing, he hits like an EX without costing 2 with death, only downside is there no way to assist with ramp up
Melmetal is incredibly mediocre while things like Mewtwo EX and Charizard EX are popular unfortunately. Too much investment to die in one hit.
For your stage 1s that do 40 damage, you missed Kabuto
You generally want to start on these Pokemon, so the Fossil never being your lead makes them markedly worse for this function IMO.
I'm very sad that Magneton seems so unplayable. I guess he could be a battery for a Raichu deck, but it's numbers seem like they're just too bad to make the cut there. I think it's especially sad because the ability could make for a neat way to add an electric attacker into another typed deck (like what you did with Brock in the Dark energy deck).
Beeg agree
I prefer calling it Zebrastrike.
Seems like Ninetails and Pideot should have something going on. Sabrina + Blaine in one turn seems very good.
Max 1 Supporter card per turn.
@@Dashoof24no, what he's saying is that Pidgeot gives the Sabrina effect without needing to play the Sabrina card, so playing Pidgeot with Blaine is equivalent to Sabrina + Blaine in one turn, which sounds broken.
@@ydgmdlu Didn't catch that at first, but it makes sense. Thanks for clearing up my confusion.
@@Dashoof24maybe next time read carefully and thoroughly think through what you read before you decide to leave a worthless snide comment implying that the person whom you're replying to doesn't understand how things work, which just makes you look like an a-hole.
Does anypne have a libk to see ll cards currently in pocket?
I wanna see electabuzz
Isn't Seaking's one energy attack also deals 40 damange on average?
I think she's an 80 all or nothing.
Technically yeah. Just a lot of variance.
Pocket monsters
No NidoKing or NidoQueen?
I haven't experienced any decks with these cards that feel like they keep up with the popular EX based decks as of yet.
I just want Gyarados to be a real card!
Poor guy is just a worse misty high roll than the other options and is terrible without her.
Hopefully he gets an EX that's playable
rapidash?
8:36