Archetypes

Archetypes,In pokemon TCG,are decks that are seen commonly. Most of these decks are good and that's why they're copied . Since these decks are used commonly and are mostly good, (Even though the person with the deck might not be good) they are seen in tourneys everywhere. So I'm here to discuss how to beat the archetypes. Let's begin.

~STRATEGY~ The most overused deck in the pokemon TCG. This deck makes quick work of weak basics with pokemon like Electabuzz and Promo Mewtwo(From the movie). The pokemon that are most commonly used in Haymakers have 70 Hp, cheap costing attacks that do big damage, and low retreat (0-2).

~HOW TO BEAT 'EM~ Most people say the best way to beat a Haymaker is to build a better one. Even though somewhat true, there's another way. If you can get out a powerhouse they're done for. The only problem is, how do you get out a powerhouse? There's 3 ways to do this. 1: Raindance (Of course you need to try and be "original" unless you're a starter. So try to use another tactic) 2: Use Haymaker pokemon in the beginning. For Ex. If you have a fire deck, use Fossil Magmar to fend off those Mewtwos then bring in a Ninetales to blow 'em all away(You need to build up another pokemon in the process because Haymakers can defeat powerhouses too). 3: Stall while you build up a powerhouse(I prefer Kangaskhan because of Fetch and resistance to psychic even though he is weak to Hitmonchan)

~STRATEGY~ Would probably take the place of Haymaker in "The most overused deck", but the cards in Raindance are very scarce. The strategy is to send out Lapras/Articuno in the beginning, have Blastoise out on turn 2 and pump up all your pokemon.

~HOW TO BEAT 'EM~ Mr. Mime. I know there's Lapras, but Mr. Mime's retreat is low(at 1) so just retreat em for a pumped Electabuzz. Uh oh. Your opponent killed Electabuzz with a Blastoise+pluspower. Out comes Mr. Mime. So basically the way to beat a Raindance deck is a Haymaker variant with

~STRATEGY~ I give this deck the award of "Most Annoying Deck Ever Built In TCG History". The games take so long and those friggin FOSSIL HAUNTERS that you can never hit. Well, anyway the strategy is to use Alakazam's damage swap with a Mr. Mime/Fossil Haunter(Active) and a Chansey/Tenetacool(Benched) so the opponent decks.

~HOW TO BEAT 'EM~ Gust Of Wind!!! GOW out those pesky Tentacools. Gust of Wind out the Alakazam(retreat 3). GOW out that Chansey with 110 damage on it. As for Mr. Mime+Alakazam+Tentacool you either have to poison Mime, Nidoking, or GOW out that Alakazam. 4GOW and 2-4 Item Finder recommended.

~STRATEGY~ The only thing I have to say about this deck is it's good, but it's not a tourney winning deck(consistently at least). The main strategy here is to start off with a Scyther/Pinsir then breeder a Bulbasaur to Venusaur to trans to Exeguttor for Big Eggsplosion. I like to think of this as a Raindance strategy because it gets all your pokemon powered up fast.

~HOW TO BEAT 'EM~ Basically a fire deck or a Haymaker with Fossil Magmars. Muk stops this deck cold also. It's always a nice surprise when they trans 10 energy to Exeggutor and you slap down a Muk.

~STRATEGY~ Umm, to deny the opponent of energy. These decks use Golduck/Dragonaire (Poliwrath will occasionally make into these decks) to rid the opponent of energy then come in for the kill with a powerhouse.

~HOW TO BEAT 'EM~ Stall with an energy less Chansey while building up on the bench is a good tactic, but low energy requirements work too along with Energy Retrieval.

~STRATEGY~ To take advantage of Beedrill's, Scyther's, and Pinsir's low retreat cost while demolishing the opponent. Pinsir can take care of all those Haymaker pokemon with a 20 paralis 50 damage attack. Scyther I'm sure you all know. And as for Beedrill he's the powerhouse of the deck.

~HOW TO BEAT 'EM~ Well, there's fire decks and Fossil Magmar, but when the Team Rocket Expansion comes out there's always Muk. Haymakers also seem to do well against this deck 'cause of Weedle having the only first turn attack.

~STRATEGY~ The name says it all. Fossil Zapdos anf Fossil Raichu damage the bench with Electabuzz for back-up and start of the game power. Base Electrode is sometimes used to help Zapdos/Raichu get powered up with Buzzap(Also used for Electric Shock).

Well, Haymaker's will just demolish this deck along with Muk and GOWs to get out Aerodactyl and Mew(NOTE: This is one of the reasons ALL ddecks should have haymaker pokemon).

See Haymaker(If you're wondering why so many decks have the same as Haymaker it's because Haymakers have the best trainers along with Scoop Ups because of the huge quantity of basics)

Another Haymaker variant strategy with Electabuzz and Promo Mewtwo along with(maybe) a few of these- Ditto/Scyther/Mr. Mine/Kangaskhan/Wigglytuff(Jigglypuff). As you can (hopefully) see these pokemon cover for each other's weaknesses.

I've found Dugtrio to be very effective against Sponge decks because of his 70 damage attack and resistance to Electabuzz. Of course he has weakness to Scyther, but a few Fossil Magmars will cover that. And. once againg, the 3 "How to Beat a Haymaker" taactics.

Once again, a Haymaker variant. Strong, Hyamaker Basics support Wiggly why she does major damage. Most successful Turbo Wiggly decks have a good chance of having 60 damage on turn 2 with Wiggly.

Turbo Wiggly is mainly a Sponge, but with Wigglytuff. Electabuzz and Wiggly have weakness to fighting and fighting is weakn against Promo Mewtwo. Promo Mewtwo's weakness is psychic, but Wiggly has resistance to it.

Well, that about wraps up the archeypes. Keep in mind that if you're going to make a deck to defeat an archetype you MUST make your deck able to beat others too.