---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Ace of Blades <pojomail@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2000 16:04:09 -0700 (PDT)

>Spongy Stuff
>
>Pokemon x16
>
>x3 MP Mewtwo
>
>x3 Scyther
>
>x3 Electabuzz
>
>x4 Jigglypuff
>
>x3 Wigglytuff
>
>Trainer x22
>
>x4 Bill
>
>x3 Professor Oak
>
>x4 Plus Power
>
>x3 Computer Search
>
>x3 Rocket Sneak Attack (RSA)
>
>x2 Super Energy Removal (SER)
>
>x3 Gust of Wind (GOW)
>
>Energy x22
>
>x9 Psychic Energy
>
>x7 Electric Energy
>
>x4 Double Colorless Energy (DCE)
>
>x2 Full Heal Energy
>
> 16
> 22
>+22
> 60
>
>My deck uses the sponge strategy(discard energy
>and absorb on mewtwo) and Wigglytuff together.
>It is really fast and can do 40-60 damage on the
>second turn.
>
>Could You Please help tune up this deck?
>
>  Ace of Blades
>
>
>

-----------------------


This deck gives me an opportunity to touch on a subject I have been getting alot of questions about lately... synergy.  (If you haven't already, read my strategy article posted on my garage about synergy)

Here is the easiest way I can think to explain synergy:

Promo Mewtwo is a good card because it has 2 excellent attacks and has great HP!

Professor Oak is a good card because it allows you to draw multiple cards all at once.

Now, while both of these cards are good cards all by themselves, using the two cards together can make both of these cards EVEN BETTER!  (For those of you that don't know, Oak can be used to dump Energy into your discard pile for Mewtwo to absorb on turn 1, powering up his big Psyburn attack super quick!) 

That is synergy, when 2 or more cards work off each other to make themselves even better.  Or to be more specific, this is an example of GOOD synergy. 

Which brings us to the deck review, and a look at yet another Wigglytuff variant.  This deck has potential for just boat loads of Synergy.  Mewtwo and Wiggly have good synergy since Wiggly has resistance to Mewtwo's weakness.  Also note that Scyther balances out Wiggly's weakness as well!

>From the above example, we all know Oak and Mewtwo work well together.  As it turns out, Oak works great with Wigglytuff as well by allowing you to draw plenty of cards to power-up and evolve Wiggly, as well as Fill up the bench to maximize Do The Wave!


But wait, there's more!  As veterans can tell you, Wigglytuff decks don't like Energy Removal since Do The Wave costs 3 energy to use.  Huh, isn't that convenient that Promo Mewtwo is darn near immune to Energy Removal due to his Absorb attack!  This deck has more Synergy than Lita and the Hardy Boys!  (Although she'd have good synergy with just about anything.  Heck, she could make the Brooklyn Brawler look good!)

Here's my "fix"

4 Promo Mewtwo
4 Scyther
4 Jigglypuff
3 Wigglytuff

4 Bill
4 Computer Search
4 Professor Oak
4 Energy Removal
3 Plus Power
4 Rocket Sneak Attack
3 Scoop Up
2 Gust of Wind

4 DCE
13 Psychic Energy

And for those of you who aren't tired of the work Synergy in this review... here's a little bit more!  Notice that in building Wiggly early you will Oak usually several times on the second turn.  As a result, the other trainers in the deck are all suited to bew easily used before you Oak for maximum card advantage!

Hope this helps... have fun!
Aaron