Subject: Thunderstorm Deck Hello all, I realized it's been a while since I've let you guys in on what's been going on at the Shop, so here's an update. With Christmas in sight just over two weeks away, Blastoise has switched into extra-special-good-boy mode. Normally this is a blessing for me; I don't have to put up with calls from neighbors saying that Blastoise chased their Persians up trees and the other nonsense that has become the norm over the past years we've been residents here. But this year, something's different. You see, having been through his share of Christmases already, Blastoise has decided that he should have the final say in every decoration and light that goes up in the Shop. He's been ordering around my other Pokémon like slaves, and was rewarded this afternoon by a Thunderpunch from Electabuzz. It didn't seem to daunt him in the least, however, as he's back to barking commands...sigh...well, let's see what we can do for your deck. >>>> I got this out of the Thunderstorm Gift Box a year ago. I finally remembered I had it, so I started using it. Its goal is to deal damage to not only the Defending Pokemon, but the bench also. The only thing is, it has been awhile since I last bought any cards, so I don't know how it can get better. Buying is not a problem. So here it is: Thunderstorm: 4 Bill 2 Computer Searches 2 Defenders 2 Energy Searches 2 Energy Retrievers 2 Oaks 2 Pokemon Traders 3 D.C.E 5 Psychic Energy 8 Water Energy 10 Lightning Energy 1 Electrabuzz 1 Lt. Surge's Electrabuzz 1 Promo Marill 1 Marill 1 Ivy Pikachu 1 Movie Pikachu 1 Neo Pikachu 1 Base Raichu 1 Fossil Raichu 3 Rocket Psyduck 2 Fossil Golduck 3 Spearow 2 Fearow 1 Fossil Zapdos >>>> Hmm...so this is the Thunderstorm Gift Box deck, is it? Huh...it isn't too bad, for a precon that is. Anyway, let's see if we can't make it even better-which I'm sure we can. ;) 1 Electrabuzz 1 Lt. Surge's Electrabuzz 1 Promo Marill 1 Marill 1 Ivy Pikachu 1 Movie Pikachu 1 Neo Pikachu 1 Base Raichu 1 Fossil Raichu 3 Rocket Psyduck 2 Fossil Golduck 3 Spearow 2 Fearow 1 Fossil Zapdos Hmmm...well, let's see. The first thing I noticed when I looked at this Pokémon selection is the inclusion of the Golduck family. Golduck is nice, but Dark Golduck is the better choice. Kill the Golduck for two Dark Golduck, and let's knock out a Marill for a third, making the line 3-3. I'm thinking we're going to make this deck a Water/Psychic deck, but keep the strategy. Bench damage is nothing to sneeze at, it can be a pretty neat strategy. Let's knock out the Spearow for three "Telekenesis" Mewtwo - they can be found in Legendary Collection. They'll be doing the bench damage in this deck - 30 damage is enough to off a baby, and Cleffas are everywhere these days. Now speaking of Cleffa, we need a few of our own. Drop the Fearow and Zapdos for three Cleffa. Now, drop both Raichu for another Psyduck and Dark Golduck. Next, let's make the Electabuzz, Lt. Surge's Electabuzz, Promo Marill, Movie Pikachu, Ivy Pikachu and Neo Pikachu into 3 fossil Gastly and 3 Gengar. There's more bench hitting for ya! :D 20 4 Psyduck 4 Dark Golduck 3 Gastly 3 Gengar 3 Mewtwo 3 Cleffa Now on to the Trainers. :\ 4 Bill 2 Computer Searches 2 Defenders 2 Energy Searches 2 Energy Retrievers 2 Oaks 2 Pokemon Traders Arg...well, actually, that's not too bad. Not too _good_, but not too bad either. Hmmm...still though, things need to be fixed. Remove the Energy Search for two more Professor Oak, and ditch the Energy Retrieval for two more Computer Search. Next, kill the Pokémon Traders and the two Defenders for four Itemfinder, and knock out the four Bill for two Professor Elm and two Super Energy Removal. Now, we obviously need more space for Trainers, so we're knocking out all of the Water Energy and the Double Colorless Energy as well, giving us 11 spaces to fool around with. Add in another Super Energy Removal and three regular Energy Removal, and follow that with one Gust of Wind and three Gold Berry. Finally, drop in two Rocket's Hideout and a tech Switch - just in case. 27 4 Computer Search 4 Itemfinder 4 Professor Oak 3 Super Energy Removal 3 Energy Removal 3 Gold Berry 2 Professor Elm 2 Rocket's Hideout 1 Gust of Wind 1 Switch Finally, this is what we have left for Energy: 5 Psychic Energy 10 Lightning Energy Let's take out three of the Lightning Energy for three Recycle Energy and turn the rest into more Psychic Energy. 12 Psychic Energy 3 Recycle Energy There you have it. Now if you'll excuse me, Blastoise has gotten himself tangled in Christmas lights...or so Electabuzz and the others say. But the appearance of diliberate knots seem to say otherwise...looks like a good old fashioned yuletide mutiny. Good luck and happy gaming, folks!