A Critique on Meta Dogma/Updating Garbodor and Gardevoir for London

The meta is more defined now that we have had some time to mull over different variants and decide what cards are actually worth playing. With confidence, I can say that the top (or at least most commonly played) decks right now are Gardevoir, Buzzwole, Zoroark, Garbodor and (possibly) Greninja.  My goal with this piece is to challenge what you think you know about these decks … Continue reading A Critique on Meta Dogma/Updating Garbodor and Gardevoir for London

Gameplay Analysis Episode 8 – Gardevoir VS Darkrai Zoroark

Hey trainers! In this video, I talk about the Gardevoir Sylveon VS Darkrai Zoroark matchup, over a best of three series Michael and I played. This is the eighth episode in a series where I analyze some of the more complex matchups of our formats. This video will feature lists from the Standard format (including Crimson Invasion), and you can find my Darkrai decklist from … Continue reading Gameplay Analysis Episode 8 – Gardevoir VS Darkrai Zoroark

Darkrai GX/Zoroark GX and Zoroark GX/Nihilego GX

Hey Everyone! Today I have a new deck based around Darkrai GX and some of the new cards from Crimson Invasion and Shining Legends. I also have a Zoroark Nihilego deck which I think has potential. Trade is an amazing ability that I have quickly grown to love. However, it does not work perfectly with everything. Darkrai is a natural partner because it benefits from … Continue reading Darkrai GX/Zoroark GX and Zoroark GX/Nihilego GX

Crimson invasion & Shining Legends Notable Cards and New Decks; Introducing Buzzwole Decidueye and Silvally Kartana

Hey readers! Today I have a piece talking about the new sets soon to be released. For this article, I have explanations for every card that I believe will be relevant, followed by two decks using main attackers from the new sets. I have way more ideas for future articles and will be coming out with two to three new decks over the next week. … Continue reading Crimson invasion & Shining Legends Notable Cards and New Decks; Introducing Buzzwole Decidueye and Silvally Kartana

“How Do You Plea?” – Navigating Standard Regionals This Season & Post-Vancouver Conclusions

Hey readers, I am currently in a Starbucks in Canada, reflecting on my 5-3-1 finish. The event was painful for several reasons, but I learned a lot about the format for Standard right now, and I wanted to share this info with you all. In this piece, I am going to talk about: How to navigate time in the Best-of-3 format for Regionals. How to … Continue reading “How Do You Plea?” – Navigating Standard Regionals This Season & Post-Vancouver Conclusions

The Best Plays For Vancouver With Matchup Descriptions

Hey everybody, Phinn again with another piece about Standard. Daytona was last weekend and Garbodor ended up winning the event, which makes me feel great about my last piece because I clearly called Garbodor the play. In fact, Jon Eng made top 8 with the list from the site with two cards different. But now we are looking at Vancouver Regionals, and we need a … Continue reading The Best Plays For Vancouver With Matchup Descriptions

“Two Formats Team Up:” Options for both Standard and Expanded Regionals

Hey guys, I’m back with another piece but this time talking about both formats. We are now in full swing with Regionals and there will be both Standard and Expanded Regionals coming up soon. I will be attending both Daytona and Vancouver, so I will be talking about the meta for both of these events. In this piece, I am going to swap back and … Continue reading “Two Formats Team Up:” Options for both Standard and Expanded Regionals

Gameplay Analysis Episode 7 – Gardevoir Sylveon VS (Tord Reklev’s) Garbodor

Hey trainers! In this video, I talk about the Gardevoir Sylveon VS Garbodor/Espeon/Drampa matchup, over a best of three series Michael and I played. This is the seventh episode in a series where I analyze some of the more complex matchups of our formats. This video will feature lists from the Standard format, and you can find my Gardevoir decklist from this video in my … Continue reading Gameplay Analysis Episode 7 – Gardevoir Sylveon VS (Tord Reklev’s) Garbodor

“Gumshoos Are Pickin’ Up the Slack:” Six Options For Hartford

Hey fellows, Hartford Regionals is two weeks away which means the first standard Regionals is almost here. Last time I covered some of the decks that were more popular at Worlds, like Gardevoir Octillery, and Garbodor. Since then some cups have rolled by and I have had more time to test the format. In this piece there is list for a couple rogue options along … Continue reading “Gumshoos Are Pickin’ Up the Slack:” Six Options For Hartford

Gameplay Analysis Episode 6 – Gardevoir Mirror Match

Hey trainers! In this video, I talk about the Gardevoir mirror matchup, over a best of three series I played in top 8 of a League Cup. This is the sixth episode in a series where I analyze some of the more complex matchups of our formats. This video will feature lists from the Standard format, and you can find my decklist from this video … Continue reading Gameplay Analysis Episode 6 – Gardevoir Mirror Match

“Espe-en Garde:” An Introduction To The BKT-on Standard Format

Hey guys, I’m fresh off my plane from Fort Wayne Regionals and ready to start the new Standard format! One of the biggest changes we are going to see is an adjustment to the way our Supporter and overall draw counts look like. In this piece, I am going to cover how the Standard decks should be built, in a way that will keep the … Continue reading “Espe-en Garde:” An Introduction To The BKT-on Standard Format

Gameplay Analysis Episode 5 – Yveltal Maxie VS Night March Marshadow

Hey trainers! In this video I explain the Yveltal Maxie VS Night March Marshadow matchup, over a best of three series using lists that you can see in my most recent article. This is the fifth episode in a series where I analyze some of the more complex matchups of our formats. This video will feature lists from the the Expanded format. Leave a comment telling … Continue reading Gameplay Analysis Episode 5 – Yveltal Maxie VS Night March Marshadow

“Marshadow and More:” A Look at the New Expanded Format

Hey guys, Phinn again with another piece about the meta. This time I want to cover the Expanded format in a holistic manner. I see people putting out articles about a single deck, or a couple Expanded options, but for this piece I want to talk about how we should view the Expanded format and what decks are actually top-tier. There are tons of options … Continue reading “Marshadow and More:” A Look at the New Expanded Format

Post Worlds Conclusions: Final Lists and Lessons for Next Season

Hey reader, Phinn again. We are fresh from Worlds with plenty of information to explore and analyze. This article is going to cover what changes we saw in the meta, as opposed to past Worlds’ metas, and what has stayed consistent through each Worlds. The idea here is to think about what we thought we knew about the meta before Worlds, and then looking at … Continue reading Post Worlds Conclusions: Final Lists and Lessons for Next Season

“So Say We All:” The Final Five Options for Worlds

In the weeks leading up to Worlds, we have had (and continue to have) a rapidly-evolving meta that will most likely give us a completely new format. Now we have Gardevoir GX, but this has not changed the fact that Garbodor is incredibly strong. Decidueye/Vileplume is actually able to beat both. With that being said, Volcanion and Rayquaza beat Decidueye. Volcanion seemed amazing when we … Continue reading “So Say We All:” The Final Five Options for Worlds

Gameplay Analysis Episode 4 – Rayquaza Volcanion VS Decidueye Vileplume Ninetales

Hey trainers! In this video I explain the Rayquaza Volcanion VS Decidueye Vileplume matchup, over a best of three series using lists that you can see in my most recent article. This is the fourth episode in a series where I analyze some of the more complex matchups of our formats. This video will feature lists from the Primal Clash though Burning Shadows format. Leave a … Continue reading Gameplay Analysis Episode 4 – Rayquaza Volcanion VS Decidueye Vileplume Ninetales

Four more options for Worlds – Decidueye Vileplume, Volcanion, Mega Rayquaza, and Garbodor

Hey readers! Sorry about the wait on this piece. I’m back with four new and unique options for Worlds. Over the last two weeks I have been testing a jungle of decks, tweaking the previous lists and recreating past archetypes to deal with a new meta. Decidueye Vileplume has proven to be an extremely strong option in this format, seeing as it is one of … Continue reading Four more options for Worlds – Decidueye Vileplume, Volcanion, Mega Rayquaza, and Garbodor

Gameplay Analysis Episode 3 – Turtonator Volcanion VS Gardevoir

Hey trainers! In this video I explain the Turtonator Volcanion VS Gardevoir, over a best of three series using lists that you can see bellow the video. This is the Third episode in a series where I analyze some of the more complex matchups of our formats. This video will feature lists from the Primal Clash though Burning Shadows format. Leave a comment telling me what … Continue reading Gameplay Analysis Episode 3 – Turtonator Volcanion VS Gardevoir

“Grandpa on Wheels:” John Collins’s Senior Rogue Deck for NA Intercontinentals

Hey, Cut or Tap readers! My name is John Collins, and I’m here to write about the deck I played for North America Intercontinentals. I’m a Top 16 Senior for NA and I ended this season with 960 Championship Points. I managed to get Top 32 with a rogue deck that Charlie Lockyer and I made less than a day before the tournament started: “Grandpa … Continue reading “Grandpa on Wheels:” John Collins’s Senior Rogue Deck for NA Intercontinentals