#sapahn

Fire Energy x15 Double Colorless Energy x4 Scyther lv. 25 x3 Charmander lv. 10 x3 Charmeleon x3 Charizard x2 Magmar lv. 31 x4 Voltorb lv. 10 x2 Electrode lv. 42 x2 Professor Oak x3 Bill x4 Energy Removal x4 Scoop Up x2 Computer Search x2 PlusPower x3 Item Finder x2 Gust of Wind x2

Notes Another submission from sapahn, who has some explaining to do:

Here’s a deck I recently built to play Charizard smoothly. The idea is open with Magmar while building a Charizard on the bench. Scyther has its free retreat and is an alternative use for the Double Colorless Energy included for Charizard. To round out the Pokémon, I included the Electrode line for type coverage. Lighting hits for weakness against Water (the weakness of Charizard and Magmar) and the Electrode line uses colorless energy for its attacks (again, another alternative use for Double Colorless Energy). Everything else is fairly standard. I teched Scoop Up as an out to status ailments as well as a way to get a used up Charizard out of the way if one comes into the active position a bit too early to end the game (not to mention all the damage it may have absorbed in the meantime). Charmeleon is also worth mentioning as a Slash of a different color and one that OTKs opposing Scyther with a PlusPower (although that’s more relevant in PvP rather than computer opponents). Additionally it can do the work against a deck using evolving Basics with 50 HP or less with its own Flamethrower attack without needing to go all the way to Charizard’s Fire Spin.

Attempting to build goods decks with Charizard has been a quest as old as time, and while this Fire/Lighting deck puts in a good effort it can use some adjustments:

Switch should be run over Scoop Up: while it doesn't clear damage it still allows you to switch out. Scoop Up’s effect basically kills off your Charizard anyways. Swapping out one Item Finder for a third Gust of Wind wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. 

With Charizard's Energy Burn you can easily use Lightning Energy over a few of the Fire Energy and put in a stronger Lightning Pokémon like Electabuzz lv. 35 or Raichu.

Psychic Energy x18 Double Colorless Energy x4 Abra lv. 10 x3 Alakazam lv. 42 x3 Mr. Mime lv. 28 x3 Tauros lv. 32 x4 Professor Oak x3 Pokémon Breeder x3 Energy Removal x4 Super Energy Removal x4 Switch x3 Computer Search x4 Item Finder x2 Gust of Wind x2

Notes A submission from sapahn, who explains the composition thusly:

Here’s a deck inspired from some of the information I’ve learned on your tumblr, namely the combination of Damage Swap and Rage.

I typically want to open Tauros with a Double Colorless Energy to start doing damage right away on my opponent’s first Pokémon while I set up an Alakazam and Mr. Mime on the bench for the combo to be explained below. In the meantime, Tauros should also be taking damage for a quick Ramage KO before being knocked out itself. Mr. Mime is the second go-to lead, at least having the advantage of not being first turn donked if I open only with it thanks to its PokePower. Abra has free retreat so assuming I go first (or my opponent can’t OTK it) opening Abra doesn’t hurt either as long as I can get something to replace it instantly and evolve it next turn to avoid an unnecessary Gust of Wind OTK.

After hopefully getting the first prize or two off of my first Tauros, Mr. Mime goes in to accumulate damage on my next Tauros with Alakazam while slowly getting a knockout with Meditate, followed up with a Rampage OTK against anything the opponent brings out with 70 or less HP that isn’t Mr. Mime (in which case I just attack with Stomp and hope I don’t flip Heads, after removing the appropriate amount of damage so Mr. Mime can’t hit back of course). Tauros is most likely knocked out on my opponent’s next turn so I play another and let Mr. Mime repeat the process (which should still be in play - basically I shouldn’t be allowing Mr. Mimes to get knocked out unless I’m against Muk or lacking an Alakazam). And of course, when my opponent is playing basics with low HP, I can just damage Tauros appropriately and perhaps get multiple Rampage OTKs in with the same Tauros (Switch helps here to get rid of Confusion if I had flipped tails on a prior Rampage - Mr. Mime is pretty easy to retreat back in with a cost of 1, or a spare Abra if having it benched doesn’t put me at severe risk of falling behind in the prize race to a Gust).

An interesting version of offensive Damage Swap. Mr. Mime takes little to no damage via Invisible Wall, which is then placed onto Tauros with Alakazam’s Damage Swap. If Tauros becomes Confused due to Rampage, Switch is used to refresh the Wild Bull Pokémon so it can continue to run amok.

Give the other followers a chance, dude

Defender would be unnecessary if you evolve Pikachu, so that may be why. Either Pikachu or Kangaskhan has to survive for you to win, not necessarily both. I just included both.