Charizard EX Deck reimagined WITHOUT Moltres EX in a Pokemon Pocket Tournament!

[@ryty0591]

This deck is significantly more fun than moltres/charizard and I like having a consistent gameplan not dependent on moltres. Thanks!

[@hotdogy12345]

For real I can’t stand coin flips

[@hyperspeedgameplay8652]

​@@hotdogy12345 but still kanga is relying on coinflips for attacks 😅

[@trevorscheer7544]

This is honestly why you're one of the best deckbuilders across so many games Jeff. Everyone has been trying to jam Moltres in that nobody else was really asking if we should be doing so? Even if the Moltres variant is somehow still the better version (and it could be, would need much more testing to determine), this is a very compelling argument for thinking outside the box in terms of Charizard EX in this format. I say bravo and well done to you good sir. This video is very helpful for the community.

[@nuruhu5122]

This is the best deck I play right now. I love the play lines and for some reason the fulfilment of getting Charizard online naturally feels really good.

[@Epsi96]

These tournament vids are excellent, Jeff! And I really enjoy you verbalizing your turn-by-turn analysis.

[@mattlepinski]

Great video. I learn a lot listening to Jeff talk through his tournament games.

[@andrewwalsh7415]

So glad you recorded this haha when you mentioned you weren’t going to stream it Friday I was bummed, really enjoy tournament gameplay and your commentary over the gameplay is exceptional. Keep up the great work and I’ve been loving the Pocket content 👍

[@cregkly5444]

This is great stuff. I really appreciate the explanations of your actions in the games as well. I can see times where I would have lost games in the same position.

[@fallguybuddy2654]

Really interesting that this deck has an Ex but basically plays like a single prize deck bc you always want your zard to take the last points, while offering them single point mons. I’m definitely trying this out

[@trevorscheer7544]

Honestly prob the best reason to possibly play something like this over Moltres. The Moltres 2 points is brutal.

[@rexstillbottom7572]

This was fantastic. The narration/commentary was so helpful and informative. Love your content, and especially videos like this explaining the though process and strategy.

[@mysticalpotato447]

Just paused in the middle of the final game to come say that this was great. There were so many decisions and lines that you explained super well. This video format is fantastic too. Getting to see 3 straight competitive matches really gives us a good feel for the deck, it would be awesome if we could get more of these.

[@HooglandiaPocket]

Thanks! I'm hoping to play in these a couple of times a month and will definitely post worthwhile games when I have them. Very different vibe than live stream content for sure.

[@mysticalpotato447]

Exactly! I've been loving the streams but this is something that not many other creators are doing. Nostalgic almost. Anyways, looking forward to them!

[@nathanparker403]

really like this video format, looking forward to more of these for sure

[@MrZang8393]

Absolutely love the thumbnail. I didn’t hear no bell either!

[@AvgBlue]

Very interesting to see a game you don't win, you still keep the high standart even if you lost you clearly explain what the winning line was and how you could got it.

[@jeager343]

I’ve been running this build out of necessity since I didnt have moltres and found it quite effective. Pulled a copy since then and still find it more potent overall

[@windmagus8573]

Always good to see you playing and commenting on your reasoning. Good video

[@jamesbeam85]

Loving these pocket videos a lot

[@rruhland]

I’ve been running this deck and it’s been pretty good into Mewtwo EX as well. The Moltres deck seems like there would be too many opportunities for a heavy hitter to get Charizard weakened before you can take the points you need. With this, you’re protecting your Zard well until you can crack their big guy for 200 and clean up what comes in late.

[@juliangiovanetti2899]

Love the shaved head! Never had the courage to suggest you do it on live streams because some might take offense but it looks great on you and I hope you love it. I grow a full head of hair (albeit with a bad hairline) and I shave my head bald by choice. I love it

[@pspsmallz]

Great list. My luck with moltres is usually good but its nice to see a consistent ramp to zard that isnt dependent on flips so much.

[@animalchin5082]

Ive been playing this because i didnt pull 2 Moltres and actually found a lot of success with it too. Running 1 Kanga and 1 Blaine in my list.

[@brasswirebrush]

stache-less Jeff isn't real, he can't hurt you

[@shenronsgoldfish]

So somewhat related to the deterministic game state you achieved I'll say I've been playing a deck that gives out sleep and having the incredibly small chance to win has felt so good like i know statistically my opponent isn't going to flip tails 3 turns in a row but the fact they *could* makes match ups feel like i got a chance

[@cmciff4054]

Actually have the cards to give this a try, very cool idea!

[@Belaa_VGC]

i like this, a very intresting take on charizard

[@Valter_David]

Really enjoyed the games, thought Charizard couldn't outperform pika and m2 but just some tweaks and the deck mamages to pull through consistently without moltres

[@brownies1324]

Ah yeah. This is good content.

[@waranddeath6936]

Oh no... Jeff made me want a Charizard EX

[@VSayes]

i've been looking for a deck like this XD i wasn't pulling moltres ex anywhere and I was sad that I couldn't use my immersive zards :(

[@swedishZ0mBi3]

Damn I really need Gangashan in my collection to play all your decks :P So far no luck for me!

[@skullfazed7776]

I feel you bro

[@TaskMaster5]

I burned pack points for 2 copies because I wasn't pulling any Kanga either. Worth it.

[@corrado8955]

@@TaskMaster5Same. Worth it though. Unlocks so many slower decks that are much more my style.

[@Grayfox541]

I just got my second Charizard EX right now but I don't have Moltres so this deck is perfect!!

[@g.slayer44]

Couldn’t pull the second moltres so I thought ab trying this out. I dont have kanga but would rapidash still fit on my team?

[@abhinandhari7812]

Jeff, what do u think about turn 1? Should turn 1s be buffed? Personally would like to start with an extra card in hand, but not my job to balance.

[@HooglandiaPocket]

I think going first is probably fine with a different card pool. We need more Weezing / Egg style cards that reward you for going first.

[@abhinandhari7812]

@HooglandiaPocket that is true, I havent thought of those cards at all. Thanks for the insight, the community indeed does get narrowminded at times

[@joek0620]

Thanks for the decks suggestion. I don't have Kang, but I added 2 Chansey instead. I hope it does well.

[@ramia114]

Chansey is pretty bad sadly

[@TaskMaster5]

The reason Kanga is used is, not only for the 100 HP being important but the one energy attack to apply pressure while it tanks hits for you. Sadly, Chansey just tanks hits and can't get any damage back. Chansey falls into the same problems that Snorlax has in that if your opponent is also a set up deck, they don't need to even bother attacking Chansey until they can deterministically win the game, because Chansey isn't doing anything (Nor does Snorlax) due to their high energy costs for their bad attacks and have high retreats so you can't easily shift out of them when you need to. Kanga actually requires the opponent try to deal with it because it's smacking every single turn to shorten the win time window.

[@joek0620]

@@TaskMaster5 I don't have kanga so I don't have any ideas for subs.

[@Valter_David]

I thought a similar set up for Golem, you lead with marowak (non ex) or kangaskhan while geodude is being charged up and then you start hitting 150, the knockback damage sucks but it is really strong KO most of ex mons in the meta.

[@areyanceJr]

‏‪39:50‬‏ the rare red card W

[@areyanceJr]

i was malding over having 0 moltres ex and being more or less done with charizard pack so this is great for me

[@areyanceJr]

its crazy to me how game ending sabrina can be even at 1 copy

[@chazclark86]

Looking fresh Jeff! What would your optimum pika deck be? I’m torn between 2 🤣

[@HooglandiaPocket]

I'll have some formal thoughts on that in tomorrow's meta report.

[@chazclark86]

@ top man!! Look forward to it sir, you really are awesome with your deck building and analysis

[@waranddeath6936]

I think this idea might work for Mewtwo decks as well... 2Mewtwos ex, 2 Gardevoir, 2 Kang... looks solid, i will try it out once i get Gardevoirs

[@HooglandiaPocket]

I've got a Mewtwo EX+Clefable+Kang list in my editor I want to try on stream this week.

[@ConnorPlaysTCG]

I know gengar isn’t amazing but this makes me want trt a kang and clefable gengar EX deck

[@akiasura]

I like throwing ninetails in there with Blaine. One shots pika

[@guardianyt007]

What is the good subtitute for kangaskhan? I want to play Charizard EX deck but I hate coin flip mechanic.

[@HooglandiaPocket]

There isn't one. You need a high HP pokemon that attacks for one.

[@Tobeh]

With Rapidash as a main player in the deck would a single copy of Blaine be workable as a surprise 70 damage when they might expect a stage 0 or 1 pokemon to take 2 hits? Or would it be a bit too narrow and mostly a dead draw?

[@kylerqaz22]

If I havent pulled any Kangas yet, do you think theres another suitable card to fill that role? Ive got 4 charzard exs and no moltres ex so im really itching for a deck i can play 😅

[@HooglandiaPocket]

You could play a different high HP basic to purely stall, but I think that is often worse than Kanga being able to deal damage for one energy. Unfortunately Kanga is pretty unique in her role she provides of high HP and low energy damage.

[@曉p-p7t]

Doesn't seem like there is any other substitute to Kanga, unless you are playing water deck that has Lapras which is basically same as Kanga.

[@benjaminwatkins429]

If you have the points it might be worth the craft. I've gotten a lot of mileage from Kang, and I had to craft both.

[@benjaminwatkins429]

@曉p-p7t they serve a similar stalling role, but doesn't have the threatening variability of knocking out basics on the first swing.

[@harbleboy]

I think Tauros is kangaskhan at home. While decidedly worse, it's got a better retreat cost and sometimes you have an extra energy to throw on it when Charmander is shy

[@younasbutt6587]

For the first deck, can u replace kangakhan with some other colourless unit, like chanley?

[@HooglandiaPocket]

Not really unfortunately. You want to be able to deal damage with your starting Pokemon while you build up your backline.

[@younasbutt6587]

@HooglandiaPocket oh thats unfortunate. Thank you for the advise and deck.

[@Interstice1994]

This is basically what I'm using but with Pincir and Venu lol. 😂

[@autokevin]

shaved head looking clean, sir

[@spearshaker7974]

I’ve just been trying random stuff and sometimes u find low rare stuff what just rocks maybe 30 round game but wow some are stompers

[@dittmar104]

I just played like 8 games with this deck but I opted for 1 farfetch and a red card instead of kanga. It’s really fun and feels like a middle ground between Blaine and moltres ex. To borrow from mtg Blaine is an aggro deck that requires good draws to combo off. Moltres ex is a ramp deck that requires luck after a good draw to generate advantage through inaction. Charizard ex rapidash is a midrange deck that starts strong, building a board of stronger threats early to justify spending more resources on a finisher. It feels more consistent than either deck as I’ve had games where I’ve lost two point and was down to my last rapidash before I found charmeleon and won and had games where I only had a single rapidash and evolved into charazard on my third turn. I’ve even had games where I sat on charazard after having my opener go down to soak up damage for my ponyta until I could find rapidash, retreat and bring zard back in after sacking rapidash to get in some chip damage. TLDR deck is good

[@g.slayer44]

How does farfetched feel in this deck?

[@dittmar104]

@g.slayer44 It feels okay but far less than Rapidash feels. The hp kinda sucks and can be an issue with some matchups but its nice that it actually does damage.

[@g.slayer44]

@@dittmar104 Ive been running one moltres cause thats all I got and two rapidash lines. Not sure how it feels.

[@kaullm]

Nice games!!

[@Lycandros]

I'm curious about your decision to not put all of the bench Pokemon out at turn start in some of the matches.

[@zerenx8272]

If you put khan in front and 1 charmander in the back opponent can sabrina and one shot your charmander

[@Lycandros]

@@zerenx8272 At turn start. He would often play them out on the first turn after the start, was wondering if there was a strategic reason or just cause he can.

[@zerenx8272]

@@Lycandros for this deck your backline should be, 1 charmander, 1 fail safe for sabrina, 1 for flexibility or adapt to situation

[@MollMoney]

The mama is the only 3 🔶️s I'm missing and I'm missing one pika ex and one char ex. I might have to craft two kangas since everyone and their grandma are running one or two in their deck

[@Falnky]

Kanga is a solid craft! Goes in so many decks.

[@EIiteMarshmaIIow]

Only thing hotter than the deck is Jeff with a shaved head and trimmed beard #boldchoicesaresupereffective

[@benadrylthundercrotch7144]

29:58 Imagine a gamer not red card-ing just because of something silly like it being pointless.

[@Rexderr]

Im missing one kangas, I'll try it this with one KEKW

[@TaskMaster5]

You could also use pack points to get a second Kanga if needed. I didn't pull any so I just used pack points for my two copies and haven't looked back.

[@buffalufacus]

I put this deck together last night before seeing your video. It got me excited to try it out. Severely underperformed. M2 destroyed me, Zap/Pika destroyed me, it really feels like if you don't have Zard ready by turn 10, it's a concession. Zard really is #3 and a low collection stomper, M2 and Pika are too good

[@HooglandiaPocket]

The stage two decks that finish with the stage 2 need them to be competitive yes.

[@whimchester]

Awesome game play as always! Can anyone sign up for these tournaments?

[@HooglandiaPocket]

Yep. Limitlesstcg.com

[@fallguybuddy2654]

33:40 😅

[@pokemonnnerd]

Good to see that the card games may change, but the card gamers continue to value absolutely 0 seconds of their time. That EX Mewtwo match around the 30 minute mark would have been so annoying to me playing it.

[@pokemonnnerd]

@jprec5174 I understand what tournament play is, but there's no winning there in that board state. Short of Jeff disconnecting, the match was won in one player's favor.

[@thelandsavior402]

Why no ppl build evee deck lol

[@HooglandiaPocket]

I highlighted a deck with Jolteon/Vaporeon yesterday kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5aqhmyfqqaJlbM

[@thelandsavior402]

@HooglandiaPocket Nice

[@Alexifeu]

guardevoir, hypno and misty are the worst designed cards ever way to over powered. They puit 0 thought into them

[@GoAwayNate]

Kanga

[@MgMg-mn5qs]

Kanga is needed to get a nerf

[@TaskMaster5]

No, it doesn't. It fills a very important niche in the current state of the game and is also high variance due to the coin flips making it a bit inconsistent to balance out. Problem is, people play these long, drawn out 'charging mah laser' decks and Kanga is pretty strong into those decks because she can put a LOT of pressure into the opponent who is playing solitaire because they're rarely swinging back so Kanga gets a LOT of turns to get higher rolls with her attack. Kanga, however, doesn't do nearly as well against quicker, aggressive decks that can down her quickly when she has bad variance in her flips.