Graphite (Steel/Fighting)
By Sudzi
Jim’s Double Dribble
Elmhurst, Illinois
April 21: 10:00a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Participants: 15
Last week was my first time back toJDD.
Unfortunately, the deck I used
last week, “VoR Trap” created by GlitcH, did not do so well, so it’s time
to
return to making my own deck. I chose the Pokemon Steelix to use as my new
deck arch-type. The 110 hit points were very appealing, plus the thought of
doing 50 damage on turn two was there as well. Doctor Glenn on Pokeschool.com
thought of a very cool way to use and abuse Steelix. Some of the cards he
added in his deck weren’t as affective as other cards that could’ve been
used, so I decided to change it to the way it is now. Here is Graphite, the
Steelix deck.
Graphite
Steelix x3
Scyther x2
Miltank x1
Erica x2
Bill x2
Professor Oak x2
Professor Elm x1
Computer Search x3
Item Finder x3
Super Energy Removal x3
Energy Removal x2
Gold Berry x3
Scoop Up x2
Defender x3
Rocket Sneak Attack x3
Gust of Wind x3
Plus Power x3
Energy Charge x1
Nightly Garbage Run x1
Ecogym x1
No Removal Gym x1
Fighting Energy x5
Steel Energy x3
Double Colorless Energy x3
The deck is
pretty straightforward. It is played very similar to
Wigglytuff decks because your main goal is to get the big hitter out on the
second turn. As for some of the Pokemon picks, the base set Onix was chosen
over the Neo one because it has more hit points and a first turn attack.
Steelix is there as our big hitter, doing up to 50 damage on the second turn.
Scyther is there because it is a versatile fighter and he has resistance to
fighting, which is a pretty popular color here at JDD. Miltank is included
for two reasons. 1. It is my favorite Pokemon. I am the biggest fan of
Miltank in the world. 2. It is the best way to destroy Psychic Pokemon
here
at my league. The resistance is always a pain, but the attack “Milk Drink”
makes sure there is no way your opponent is going to kill it. I use it a lot
in stall decks that I have built, so I wanted to use it in this deck so I can
prepare for the coming of Steelix. Trainers are pretty straightforward as
well. Erica, Bill, Oak and Elm are the card drawers as well as Computer
Search. Item Finder retrieves lost trainers. Nightly Garbage Run is for
returning cards to thedeck, while Energy Charge (a terrible card) is used
only if any of the Steel Energy is lost. Gold Berry is for healing Steelix.
Defender is a weird card to put in a deck like this, but it makes sense.
Steelix, although he has the 110 hit points, is everyone’s target while
attacking. Defender is used to reduce attacks that do damage to Steelix. Plus
Power is for getting over the 60-70 hit point count and everything else is
for disturbing your opponent’s hand or energy.
The battles
were single elimination, everyone there to have a
good time and to try out there new decks. So,after a long explanation about
the deck, here is my report.
Round 1 vs. Jason Emery – Sabrina’s Alakazam deck
Revenge was written all over this match. Last week Jason had creamed me with
this deck. Although it is not one of the top Pokemon decks that are used out
there, it does extremely well and Jason is a very skilled deck builder. He
started off with a Kangaskhan, a few Rocket Dratini (used for DarkDragonair’s
Pokemon Power) and an Abra. I started out with an oddly perfect hand
consisting of a Steelix, Steel Energy and a Computer Search. Choosing Onix as
my starting Pokemon, Jason’s first turn was to use Kangaskhan’s first move,
Fetch. I attached a Steel Energy and waited for my next turn to release the
secret weapon. The game was basically Steelix destroying all the week basics
before they evolved into their next stage. The only real threat was a
Sabrina’s Kadabra, which had fun Life Draining me early in the game. Good
game Jason, hope to battle you next week.
1-0
Round 2 vs. Justin James – 4 color Lugia deck
This
was a new kid that I haven’t played before, but I must say the
deck he played was a very cute idea. Obviously, the only thing he wanted was
to get his Lugia out and do 90 to the first Pokemon that came up.
Unfortunately, I included 3 Super Energy Removals to kill these type of
decks. I killed Lugia on the third turn, leaving him with 2 Girafarig on the
bench and no other defense against my snake of steel.
2-0
Round 3 vs. Sean McVickor – Sneasel deck
Another
person who is obsessed with the power of Sneasel. At the start
of this match he claimed that this was an “S vs. S” grudge match to see if
Sneasel or Steelix was the better Pokemon. So I gave him the answer. He
started out with a Sneasel, Rocket’s Hitmonchan and a Hitmonchan. I started
with an Onix and a Miltank. The game started out slowly. Every time he
attached a Dark energy, I would blow it away with an Energy Removal that I
would have saved since the beginning of the match. That got him a little
ticked. He then attempted to stall me out by constantly using Cross Counter
while waiting to use Magnum Punch. I Super Energy Removed the R.Hitmonchan
twice to prevent him from using Magnum Punch. I eventually killed it, and I
picked off the leftover basics here and there until he forfeited, a thing
that is illegal to do in the store, and stormed off to get his losing points.
I should have forced him to play on, but he was a little mad so I let him
slide.
3-0
Final Match vs. Baker Sebert – Fighting
Another
new kid that didn’t know the rules 100% so I helped him along
the way. He started with a Ryhorn and I start with Scyther. Poor kid.The game
went on for a short time, me killing all the Fighting Pokemon and him having
no defense whatsoever. He learned the rules a little more and that was the
key point of this match.
4-0
I ended up
only staying for an hour because my Dad wanted us to
get home, so I left only playing 4 really good matches. It was a very fun
time and I am looking forward to coming to the League next week. All emails
go to ChristopherH86@aol.com.
No props and slops..
Sudzi
Christopher Hayes