Felicity No More…

My name is Will Youngblood and this will be my first article here. I’ve played Pokémon for a couple years now and decided I could burn some time by writing an article. I love Gyarados, so I build and rebuild my Gyarados SF deck almost monthly. I have a good amount of experience with different versions of the deck, but haven’t done anything special with it. I’ve won a couple of Battle Roads, but haven’t done much in any major tournaments, so please take any information I give with a grain of salt.

Old Deck Ideas

When I previously played Gyarados SF, I played it a little differently than most. I’ve always wanted to make any deck my own, even if it’s something as common as “Luxchomp”. My original deck used Palkia LV.X from Great Encounters. Its “Restructure” Poké-Power allowed me (and my opponent) to manipulate the field and rearrange the active Pokémon. However, I ran 4 Switch and 4 Warp Energy. This allowed me to bring my active right back to the bench and attack with Gyarados SF against who ever I would like.

Of course not only has this card rotated but also one of the most key cards as well… Felicity’s Drawing. This card was an absolute staple in Gyarados. This card allowed you to discard two cards and draw four. This kills two birds with one stone. Not only do you get to discard two Magikarp, you also provide an engine in which you purposefully discard the Pokémon needed to use Gyarados’s “Tail Revenge” attack, and get four bonus cards by doing so. Not a bad deal.

However, Felicity’s Drawing has left me and I will now attempt to find a replacement. I will continue to play Gyarados, the coolest dragon in Pokémon (that isn’t actually a dragon), with or without it!

Idea Behind Gyarados

Now I understand most people understand how the deck works and functions but I decided it couldn’t hurt to fill in everyone else. At the very least, this is just a refresher. The very basic idea of the deck is to attack with Gyarados SF (Stormfront) with its “Tail Revenge” attack. The attack costs no energy but can dish out large damage.

The attack reads “Does 30 damage times the number of Magikarp in your discard pile.” This may seem mediocre, but if you can manage to put three Magikarp in the discard and use the forth for your attacking Gyarados, it deals 90 damage for NO energy. The obvious problems are this:

1) Getting the Magikarp in your discard fast enough.
2) Getting the one Magikarp back into your hand after your lone Gyarados dies (which it will).
3) Keeping your hand large when the main focus is discarding it.

pokemon-paradijs.comFelicity’s Drawing was made for this deck. It allowed the player to discard two cards (two Magikarps) and darw four cards! That supporter does problem number (1) and (3) all in one! Problem number (2) was achieved with Pokémon Rescue and Combee SF. Now, problem number (2) is still around but none of the cards were rotated since they are still MD-on.

However, with the loss of Felicity’s Drawing, two of the original three problems have risen again.

The “Replacement”

Now I am expecting some large criticism from this idea because frankly I thought this idea was more of a joke than anything, however I believe it has some synergy with the idea of a Gyarados deck. Well, here it comes… Banette PL and everyone’s favorite Uxie LA. I know, I know, I’m just another person talking about the exact same thing, but hear me out.

The idea behind this little combination is fairly simple. Banette has a Poké-Power called “Temper Tantrum”. This Poké-Power allows the user to discard any number of cards from your hand as you like and then put that many damage counters on Banette. Now you should have a fairly empty hand and can then use Uxie’s Poké-Power “Set Up” and draw until you have seven cards in your hand.

pokemon-paradijs.comNow this combination isn’t anything new and people have been talking about it to potentially replace Claydol GE. I’ll be honest and tell you I laughed at the idea. Potentially, Knocking yourself Out or close to it doesn’t seem like a great idea to me especially with the amount of cards that can “snipe” and/or place damage counters i.e. Gengar SF/Crobat G/Garchomp C LV.X and many more.

However, this is one deck where i can see it working (I’m sure many can argue its applications in other decks as well). Banette’s Poké-Power “Temper Tantrum” allows you to discard the Magikarps at will with the side effect of damaging itself. However, unlike with Felicity’s Drawing, Banette can discard ALL THREE Magikarp instead of just two.

This makes the deck a little faster (assuming getting Banette out isn’t a problem). The Poké-Power also allows you to clear your hand and better put Uxie’s Poké-Power to work and potentially draw many more cards to keep your hand refreshed. This combination solves both of the problems that Felicity’s Drawing did, but as a down side it takes many more cards.

Completing The Deck

This section will explain most of the cards in my decklist (which is always changing) and why I have them in there now. Please note the decklist is always changing and is suited to counter MY metagame.

Pokémon: 26

4 Magikarp SF
3 Gyarados SF
3 Uxie LA
1 Uxie LV.X
2 Shuppet
2 Banette PL
4 Sableye SF
1 Luxray GL
1 Luxray GL LV.X
2 Crobat G
1 Azelf LA
1 Regice LA
1 Combee SF

T/S/S: 29

4 Super Scoop Up
4 Pokémon Rescue
3 Poké Turn
3 Expert Belt
1 Luxury Ball
2 Pokémon Communication
3 Broken Time-Space
4 Pokémon Collector
3 Cyrus’s Conspiracy
2 Bebe’s Search

Energy: 5

2 P
2 Electric
1 Rainbow

Sableye SF
This is the ideal starter for this deck. It uses it’s first attack “Impersonate” to search your deck for a supporter and use its effect as your attack. This is especially useful for searching for the many, many basics that are needed in the early game with this deck. These basics include: all four Magikarp, Regice, Shuppet, Uxie, and more if necessary!

Regice
Regice’s Poké-Power is very useful. It also allows you to discard to cards, as well as Banette. However, Regice’s Poké-Power “Regi-Move” only works if they have a basic as their active. You discard two cards from your hand (ideally two Magikarp) and then your opponent switches the active, basic Pokémon with one from the bench. This card is also useful to just disrupt your opponent as well, even after the Magikarp have been discarded.

pokemon-paradijs.comCombee SF
Combee SF has an “effect” (for lack of a better word). The effect “Honey” says that when you play Combee onto your bench you may search your discard for a basic pokemon and put it onto your bench. This is especially helpful when your last Magikarp is Knocked Out and you are trying to get out another Gyarados.

Crobat G/Luxray GL LV.X
I believe everyone is quite familiar with these two cards. Crobat G has a Poké-Power called “Flash Bite”. It allows the user to put a damage counter on one of your opponents Pokémon. This is helpful when you just need a little more damage. Luxray GL LV.X is also well known for its Poké-Power

Banette
This card has a couple of bonuses that I love. First off it has the ability to damage itself and an attack, “Darkness Switch”, for just one energy that allows me to switch the damage with one of my opponents Pokémon. This can be really helpful to pick off a low to mid range HP Pokémon. Also, it has a second attack the will function similar to Uxie LV.X’s “Zen Blade”.

After using Luxray GL LV.X’s “Bright Look”, I can use Banette’s (“Loneliness”) or Uxie LV.X’s attack to 1HKO an opponents Vileplume UD. Since trainer lock becomes a problem when using this deck, having two Pokémon act as a counter and vital role in the deck seems hard to beat!

Discussion of Trainers and Supporters

This is usually the section where many people disagree with certain choices. I totally agree (already) that this list may not be ideal or the best play but I’m going to test them and see if I like them. First off I’ll go over the “staples”.

1) Broken Time-Space – I play three instead of four because the deck (in theory) has enough draw power to pull into at least one. Four may be a more consistent play and I love consistency so I may add the forth.

2) Bebe’s Search/Pokémon Communication – These function similarly in that the both put a card back and search for any Pokémon. I may need to add more of one or the other. If I do, it will be more Bebe’s Search because trainer locking seems to be a common theme in my area.

pokemon-paradijs.com3) Pokémon Collector – If I could, I would run more of these. I need to get so many basic Pokémon, its ridiculous. I have found myself using one for my turn and using Sableye’s “Impersonate” for another one and still not having all the basics I need! I can’t imagine running any less than four with this build.

4) Pokémon Rescue – I know, I run four and I don’t need them all. Most people will laugh at the fact that I play four but I don’t want to have to worry about drawing into one to get my Magikarp back from the grave. It’s easier to run 4 and be able to use them when you need to. However, if trainer locking does become a problem I may even choose to add another Combee and drop some Pokémon Rescue’s.

5) Expert Belt – I haven’t decided whether to run two or three. Right now I have three but I may drop one if I find them cluttering my hand. These allow me to swing for 110 damage for NO energy.

6) Poké Turn/Super Scoop Up – This is one the more controversial lines I have implemented. As of now, I am running three Poké Turn and four Super Scoop Up. The Poké Turn’s are searchable and very useful in order to reuse Luxray GL LV.X’s “Bright Look” and to stack extra damage with Crobat G’s “Flash Bite”.

The Super Scoop Up’s are not needed but can be a HUGE pain to play against. Accumulating enough damage to Knock Out a belted Gyarados is (usually) a daunting task. Just imagine, getting really close and having it be picked up and laid right back down like no damage ever happened. Yeah that would be no fun at all. So I’m testing the waters and seeing how useful they actually are. Plus, I can use them to pick up Uxies and Banette and reuse their Poké-Powers.

7) Cyrus’s Conspiracy – This is another card that is debatable. I decided to use them since Roseanne’s Research has been rotated. It allows me to search out another supporter, one of the few energy I run, and the helpful Poké Turns. Its most important use IMO is the energy. If I ever want to attack with a different Pokémon (which I will because I LOVE options) I will need to find the correct energy. I have decided to run three because four is over kill but three should be enough to draw into one by turn two or three.

What to Watch Out For

BEWARE! This deck hates a couple of things…

pokemon-paradijs.com1) Power Spray – Currently my only defense against the dreaded Power Spray is the multitude of powers I will be using, and Super Scoop Ups to continue to reuse them! Almost every card in this deck has a Poké-Poké and intended on using them often.

The idea is they should burn through most of them in the beginning and will have none left over late game. If critical Poké-Powers do get sprayed I can always attempt to use a Super Scoop Up and reuse that Poké-Power.

2) Luxray GL LV.X – This card has always been a problem for Gyarados. However, I think it will become less of one in this format. Most cards have 2× weakness now so Lucario GL is becoming teched less often. This means Luxray cannot 1HKO Gyarados anymore and Knocking Out Gyarados in two turns is something that happens often anyway.

However, this deck does not have a good “Bright Look” counter and therefore Reigice may become a problem with a HUGE three retreat in a deck that only runs five total energy.

3) Trainer Lock – If trainers get locked early on, this deck may struggle. Early conveniences like Luxury Ball and Pokémon Communication will be stopped and then later Poké Turns and Super Scoop Ups will become useless. I have talked about the various plays involving Uxie LV.X and Banette combined with “Bright Look” to 1HKO a Vileplume on the bench. Also, Regice can move an opponents Spiritomb back to the bench as well. These are very helpful when dealing with a trainer lock.

Cards to Consider

1) Promocroak/Donphan Prime/Relicanth – These are all good Luxray GL LV.X counters because they are fighting type and can 1HKO Luxray. I will probably be adding a Promocroak to my list since I already use Psychic energy.

2) Professor Oak’s New Theory (PONT) – I really should find room for this card. It is a supporter that would allow me to refresh my hand after a Cyrus chain or it can be “Impersonated” for as well. A helpful card that realistically should be included.

3) Judge/Looker’s Investigation/Giratina “Let Loose – These can be helpful in any kind of Pokémon SP match up. Since Power Sprays will be a problem, these cards would allow you to get rid of their hand and (hopefully) get rid of all Power Sprays.

pokemon-paradijs.com4) Warp and Cyclone Energy – With Luxray GL LV.X in my deck I decided I wouldn’t need Cyclone energy. However, if my Pokémon tend to be manipulated, I may add some Warp Energy to move them back to the bench.

5) Junk Arm – This card will not released until our next set “Triumphant” but could be a great addition or even replacement. It is a trainer which allows you to discard two cards from your hand and use a trainer in your discard pile as its affect. This allows discarding of Magikarp and multiple uses of key trainers like Luxury Ball or Pokémon Communication.

6) Rescue Energy – This special energy also comes out in the next set and can replace the Pokémon Rescues. It says if the the Pokémon the energy is attached to is Knocked Out, return it to your hand instead of the discard pile! So no more worries about trainer lock to get your Magikarp (and Gyarados) back to your hand!

Reader Interactions

44 replies

  1. Ed Mandy

    No Volkner? I’d think you would want to run at least one just to impersonate at the right time.

    [Regice’s Poke-Power “Regi-Move” only works if they have a basic as their active.]
    It depends on what you mean by “works”. It will still get Karp in the discard. It just won’t push back their active if it’s evolved.

    It seems like you’re trying to do way too much here. When I first started reading, I thought the Banette/Uxie twist was an interesting one. The more I read, the more it seemed to lack focus, though. I see the Uxie/Shuppet/Banette lines, and I can get behind that.

    Then comes in Luxray, Crobat, Combee, and all that comes with those guys. It’s starting to become a hassle.

    If you’re going to play Shuppet and Expert Belt, why not try Plus Powers instead of Crobat. Drop in a Memory Berry, and you even have a way (Fade Out) to remove all of Banette’s damage (from discarding Karp) while freeing bench space and reusing Plus Powers.

    The only problem with removing the Crobat is losing a free retreater. Maybe you drop in an Unown Q and/or a bunch of Warp Energy.

    Luxray is a nifty gimmick, but I don’t see taking up room to fit it in here. If you had a more basic list, then I could support it. You don’t run any Energy Gain, but you run 2 Electric Energy. I don’t get that, and I don’t get running only 3 Poke Turn (when you have Crobat AND Luxray).

    Don’t get me wrong. I like the idea you’re going for. I’m just not convinced that the execution is quite there yet.

    • Garrett Williamson  → Ed

      Thats what I’v always thought could replace Felicity’s drawing. Its just like Claydo too except you discard instead of drop. I like using at least one in all my decks.

    • Will Youngblood  → Ed

      I have thought about volkner as well but it doesnt seem all that necessary when i have two pokemon that allow me to discard. i will play around with the idea and see if its worth it.

      and i agree the pokemon in the list do seem to clutter but thats how most gyarados builds are. instead of claydol i added 2-2 banette. all gyarados builds use 1 regice/combee/azelf/crobat as they are pretty much necessary. luxray is the only one i agree may be to much but i figured since im already using cyrus it would be easy to get the energy when i need it. plus the main reason i have luxray is just to bright look. attacking with it would be a last resort. the reason i have 3 poke turn is because i am also running 4 SSU. with 4 ways to pick up a pokemon. adding 4 more turns seems like a lot. i also thought about plus powers but the current build just doesnt have room for them. and again banette is a last resort attacker. if i ever do attack with it its for a “snipe” or im having trouble pulling out another gyarados. the memory berry is extremely situational and wouldnt be useful the vast majority of the time. i agree the build isnt quite streamline yet but ill have to toy with it and see whats most helpful in more situations

      • Ed Mandy  → Will

        Well, I think you’re either missing the point of my comment or trying too hard to defend your position.

        You say that all builds use regice/combee/azelf/crobat, but then you say that 4 SSU and 3 Turn is fine. Every good build that I’ve ever seen that includes Crobat G will run 4 Turn. Azelf is mandatory here. Regice is probably mandatory without Felicity. With Felicity, I think it was still a good option. Combee is a situational tech that I think too many people assume to be mandatory. It takes up a bench slot, and it can only grab a basic. Its main strength comes against trainer lock, but I fear your build won’t have enough bench space to use it in a pinch.

        Most Gyarados builds are cluttered. Yeah, that may be true. 50% of buids are below average. You’d like to be in the top 25% at least, so you need to aim to be better than most builds. Clutter isn’t great for consistency, especially when the cards lack synergy.

        Crobat with PokeTurn is 6 cards. Its strengths lie in its free retreat, and its ability to do mid-turn damage to active OR benched Pokemon.

        PlusPower is 4 cards (less clutter). Its main advantage lies there, but with Shuppet comes some synergy. Now, you can use it as a surprise one-time bonus for Gyarados (which is how you use Crobat most of the time) OR you can use it on Shuppet to get a reusable bonus.

        So, let’s just say, for sake of argument, that Luxray was expendable. That’s 2 cards gone. Well, it’s actually 4, because you play Electric Energy, too. Now, if we can make the argument that PlusPower is an acceptable replacement for Crobat+Turn, then we can drop another card from your build (since you only run 3 turns which I think isn’t proper anyway). Now, that eliminates Cyrus’s usefulness, so we can drop another 3. That brings us to a net loss of 8 cards. I would probably lose the Combee to make it 9, but that can be a metagame decision.

        What would I put in place, you may ask? Well, I think I’d use 4 of the slots for Special Dark Energy. The other 4 slots would probably be 3 Warp Energy, and a Volkner. In fact, I forgot about your Rainbow Energy, so I’d drop that for another Volkner, Psy Energy, Warp Point, Memory Berry, or Warp Energy.

        • Will Youngblood  → Ed

          I didn’t mean to sound defensive, I was just trying to let you know my thought process and why i chose what I did. I should probably drop the rainbow energy and add a poke turn. That decision makes sense to me. However, dropping crobats and turns for plus powers IMO is a bad idea. Using both seems feasible but im not sure if i truly need that much extra damage. I’m not sure what I’d drop to add plus powers but it wouldn’t be the cyrus line/crobat/luxray. I could drop another energy or 2 but i dont know if adding just a few plus powers is that helpful.

          Warp energy/cyclone energy are a good alternative to maybe luxray but i havent decided if they are worth a shot since they arent searchable. Although I think i will eventually have to add some warp energy b/c regice will probably tend to be a problem as its retreat cost in huge.

          Running 4 Special dark and memory berry is where i completely disagree. The special dark are WAY to situational. this is not a donk deck and realistically they are only useful turn 1 or MAYBE 2 if youre lucky. You may get lucky everynow and again but after turn to they are virtually useless. That IMO is a very inconsistent play in this deck. Also adding one memory berry might be helpful every now and again but realistically the chances of me drawing into one of my psy energy, memory berry, and an extra belt + plus powers seems highly unlikely. the reason shuppets attack works in its own deck is due to its particular build where you virtually eliminate your entire deck and reuse them every turn along with uxie. however getting them all in my hand while setting up everything else seems near impossible. especially trying to do it consistently.

          Lastly, combee is absolutely necessary, especially in my metagame. trainer locking is probably the single most common theme right now with the arrival of vileplume. At least 50% of players I know have some sort or working build involving a trainer lock one way or another (Dialga G/Spiritomb/Vileplume) and without combee ill be dead in the water.

        • Ed Mandy  → Will

          First. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to badmouth your ideas. I’m actually impressed with your article. As I said, though, it just strikes me as trying to do way too much.

          I played Gyarados for most of my tourneys last season, and I really would like to see it work again without Felicity.

          Here’s my thought process (to defend my position further). It’s not so much that I think Plus Power is better than Crobat+Turn. In general, I believe that it’s worse. What I am actually against is running Cyrus and Luxray. It seems that you are only running Cyrus to get Psy Energy (or maybe Electric). But, you think that the dark energy is too situational. Is that not true for Psy Energy?

          If you really wanted to keep Cyrus, Crobat, and Luxray, then consider finding room for an SP Radar and an Energy Gain. That way, you have the option of attacking with Crobat any time you have a Cyrus in hand, and the SP Radar gives you a way to Cyrus for Luxray, Luxray X, or Crobat.

          In my opinion, though, this is way too much. So, back to my thought process of ripping out the Lux and Cyrus. Once that’s ripped out, then I focus on the Crobat+Turn. In a Gyarados build, I think you have to choose between Cyrus+Turn or PlusPower. That’s where my comparison of the two comes in. You are already running Shuppet and Expert Belt, and PlusPower goes nicely with that. That’s why I think you ought to consier it.

          Yeah, the main focus is on Gyarados. But, you already have the pieces for a mini-shuppet, so why not take advantage of that? I don’t know if it’s better. You are already planning to attack with Banette (or else you wouldn’t have the Psy Energy), so why would you be against attacking with Shuppet?

          Okay, I have to stop my discussion for the moment. I need to run.

        • Will Youngblood  → Ed

          its not that im planning to attack with it but if the situation works out and i need to place many damage counters on a pokemon. i like having that as an option since the banette will be in deck reguardless. i do agree that the pokemon are bulky but many are situational anyway. combee will only be used under trainer lock. regice doesnt need to go down if banette is out. crobat is only extra damage, luxray is only used for bright look, azelf is only used magikarp is prized. so im not sure bench space will be a HUGE problem unless many things go wrong haha.

          on the not of special dark vs other energy…
          its not that im against having situational cards. the reason i dislike the special dark is because they have a VERY limited use. only in turn 1 or 2. where as the basic energy can be used throughout the match if and when I need them. plus they are searchable with cyrus. and i know that card alone is a discussion point but my reasoning is that why have cards you cant go get (there are obvious exclusions to this). i like being able to find the cards i need to, and this finds three of them. so i decided to add some energy just in case. just realize ideally i will never use them.

        • Ed Mandy  → Will

          “its not that im planning to attack with it but if the situation works out and i need to place many damage counters on a pokemon. i like having that as an option since the banette will be in deck reguardless.”

          That’s exactly my point with the Plus Power and/or Mem Berry. You wouldn’t plan to attack with Shuppet, but what if Gyardos went down and you had a Shuppet, Expert Belt, Plus Power, Psy Energy in hand? What if you had Shuppet in hand when you wanted to SSU your belted Gyarados? What if you wanted to exploit a psy weakness? What if you wanted to KO a Gengar without worrying about Feinting Spell? This works with Uxie, too!

          What if you started the game with an Uxie, a Shuppet, and an ExBelt? Now you have donkability that you probably wouldn’t have with just Gyarados? It’s not so much that you plan to use it. It’s that almost all the pieces are there already. You’re just missing the PlusPower (and maybe MemBerry).

          It’s the same argument I’d use for Special Dark. When you don’t need them, they’re just a retreat aid, used to power Uxie’s attack, or discarded for a Regi Move. They were, however, better when Felicity was around.

        • Will Youngblood  → Ed

          its true they are both situational. my point is that a couple energy are much easier to pull out than a belt, plus power, mem berrry and an energy. the banette will already have damage and already be out on the bench. i only need one energy at any time during the game to switch those damage counters. and special darks are only useful for one MAYBE 2 turns rather than the entire game like the psy energy.

          im not arguing against the fact that both are situationally good. its that an enery is MUCH less of a hassle then a complicated 5+ card play that would need to be planned for rather than just happen. i hope im being clear. i feel like im just being repetitive.

        • Ed Mandy  → Will

          I feel like I’m repeating myself each time, too. There is no 5+ card play that needs planning in my scenario. My point is that you have all these pieces that you could use for the deck’s main focus (Gyarados), so why not also be able to use them for an alternate purpose when the situation presents itself.

          Energy aren’t easy to pull out anymore. You are running 3 Cyrus just to pull out energy. To me, that’s not easy. I have never suggested that you would pull out a Belt, a Plus Power, a Mem Berry, and an Energy. I am suggesting that you will eventually have several of these things in hand. Then you have options. Usually, the best option will be to use the pieces to beef Gyarados. Sometimes the best option would be to attack with Uxie or Shuppet.

          This is as clear as I can be. You have been clear about your point all along.

  2. James Hall

    Nice article. I was not aware how Gyarados ran but now I have a decent idea. I was looking at the Banette/Uxie also but wasn’t sure if it was a good idea or not.

    Good job!

    • Will Youngblood  → James

      Thanks! Just keep in mind this is a very general idea and many people with disagree with some of my choices. This particular list needs some tuning but IMO its alright as is.

    • Will Youngblood  → James

      Thanks! Just keep in mind this is a very general idea and many people with disagree with some of my choices. This particular list needs some tuning but IMO its alright as is.

  3. Colin Peterik

    (to the tune of Eye of the Tiger)

    Judge! Judge Judge Judge! Judge Judge Judge! Judge Judge Juuuuuuuuuuudgeee……..

    Gyarados lost Felicty’s, which was bad enough on it’s own, but every other deck gained Judge, which kinda wrecks this. My advice: Hold off on Gyarados until next set when Junk Arm and Rescue Energy come out. Those 2 cards give Gyarados another fighting chance for sure.

    • Martin Garcia  → Colin

      I agree, gyarados will get back in the game once the next set gets realesed. Junk arm is way too god for this strategy, and rescue energy was created for gyarados, im sure of it xD
      Judge is a real pain when you are impersonating collector, and im not convinced about the banette-uxie combo, sure, you may get to discard the karps, but there is not way the uxie will pass by the spray.
      As Cpeterik said, hold off this deck until clash at the summit gets realesed.

      • Will Youngblood  → Martin

        i understand judge can be frustrating but honestly i don’t know anyone in my metagame that plays them religiously so it shouldn’t be a huge problem for me. but i’m not sure the new set really helps against a judge. sure you have junk arm but thats only a way to discard the karps. you still face the problem of impersonating for a bunch of magikarp before using junk arm. i understand you can use them in the same turn but that has nothing to do with your point. either way impersonating anything can be countered by judge. with that logic sableye isnt all that useful besides donking. junk arm and rescue energy will be incredibly helpful i dont disagree but they arent as game breaking as you make them seem IMO.

  4. Colin Peterik

    (to the tune of Eye of the Tiger)

    Judge! Judge Judge Judge! Judge Judge Judge! Judge Judge Juuuuuuuuuuudgeee……..

    Gyarados lost Felicty’s, which was bad enough on it’s own, but every other deck gained Judge, which kinda wrecks this. My advice: Hold off on Gyarados until next set when Junk Arm and Rescue Energy come out. Those 2 cards give Gyarados another fighting chance for sure.

  5. Adam Capriola

    I’m worried about bench space in this. I always had a hard enough of a time managing my bench using a totally bare Gyarados list, but with Uxies and Banettes to go along with everything else, I’m not sure it’s feasible.

    I’d take out Luxray and Regice for sure. To be honest I never really got Luxray in G-Dos, it only helps matchups where you are still at a disadvantage anyway (Cursegar in the past, Gengar-Plume is going to be a loss regardless too).

    I think you’re going to have to take out Crobats as well and just use PlusPower. That means Poke Turn goes as well.

    That frees up 8 spots for 4 PlusPower, 3 Cyclone and 1 more G-dos (you need 4). You gotta play 4 BTS as well.

    I’d forget about using Banette as an attacker… go 3 Cyclone 3 Warp and you’re fine.

    I guess Cyrus goes as well… maybe Cynthias feelings can help more.

    Hope that helps!

    • Will Youngblood  → Adam

      i agree that list is very straight forward and probably great but it leaves no element of surprise. thats gyarados that most people play and i like to play my “own” version. i like to give myself a few more options and be able to adapt. im also not a great player either haha. ill definitley be toying around with different ideas though and yours seem much more consistent. I’ve never really used cyclone energy so im not sure how effective they are. it seems like you knock out whatever they would rather you knock out. I’m not sure where the huge advantage is for that.

      lastly i have a ruling question. i was under the impression that when you use “regi move” the opponents active HAS to be a basic. the wording is “Discard 2 cards from your hand AND choose 1 of your opponents active pokemon that isn’t an Evloved Pokemon.” however you can not choose a non evolved pokemon if theirs is evolved, and the word “and” infers they need to happen simultaneously. (rather than the word “than”) when you can not do one of those things the power usually fails. however i was told that you can discard the karps requardless? that seems incorrect to me but i am not judge.

      • Colin Peterik  → Will

        Yes you can Regimove no matter what. Even if the defending Pokemon is a stage 2 Lv.X and they have no bench. of course, no switch occurs, but…
        Cyclone Energy is invaluable for a couple of reasons. Against early Tomb walls, it gives you another out besides Regice so you can start playing trainers again. This technique used to be used on Mime as well. Late game, if you only need one or two prizes and they push up their last beefy hitter, (T-Tar, Machamp, Flygon, etc..) Instead of putting a dent on the real threat, Cyclone litterally gives you prizes. I’ll say it again: Each Cyclone late game is a free prize. If you have 1 or 2 left, you’ve won.

        • Will Youngblood  → Colin

          yeah that does make a lot of sense with the cyclone energy now that i think about it… however i still dont understand the ruling on regice. ill try and find another card which i believe conflicts with this ruling and leave a post explaining.

      • Ed Mandy  → Will

        In regionals, I think I had the judge called on me like all but 2 of my matches or something. Each time was for Regi Move. Each time the judge ruled in my favor (even when the opponent sought a second-opinion from another judge). Unless the rule has changed since regionals, the ruling is that you can discard. Then, if the defending Pokemon is not evolved, it has to go to the bench.

        • Will Youngblood  → Ed

          i believe you guys… at least what judges have ruled but it still makes no sense. haha

          for instance (and i know this is basically completely irrelevant) but if someone told you to “pass them the remote and turn on the lights”. the order does not matter as its implied that both need to be done essentially together. However if someone told you to “pass them the remote then turn on the lights” it is clear one needs to be done before the other. The word and implies both conditions should be met together but in this ruling, judges act as if the is a set by set order. im not arguing that yall are wrong but I believe the original ruling is incorrect and does not make much sense

        • Ed Mandy  → Will

          I have found that, in Pokemon organized play, it’s much more important to know the ruling than know how to read the card’s wording. When I played Magic, wordings seemed much more explicit. There was a syntax to how cards were worded, and they were very careful to keep this syntax consistent.

          Perhaps this has to do with the fact that Pokemon cards are all translations from Japanese to begin with.

          Recently, I saw this explanation of Regi Move elsewhere.
          “it’s just a conditional with a cost. Do X, after than if Condition Y is met, do Z.”

          X is the cost. Only something like Power Spray can stop you from paying the cost. The rest of it depends on the condition being met.

          As I said, though, don’t get too caught up on the wording. Use the knowledge of the ruling to your advantage, because others will concern themselves with the wording and will be surprised when the judge rules in your favor.

          Focus on what you find at http://compendium.pokegym.net/compendium-lvx.html because it’s the law. Sadly, nobody at Pokemon really cares if it makes sense to you. :)

          Q. Can you discard 2 cards from your hand with Regice’s “Regi Move” Poke-POWER even if the opponent’s Defending Pokemon is not a Basic Pokemon? Or what if they have no Benched Pokemon?
          A. Yes, but then you cannot switch the opponent’s Defending Pokemon. (Sep 4, 2008 PUI Rules Team; Jan 22, 2009 PUI Rules Team)

        • Will Youngblood  → Ed

          wow. well thanks for your patience! at least now i see how the ruling came to be. that kinda just makes banette overkill then. i now see why people never really understood the use of banette. i should probably rethink my strategy a little.. haha

        • Ed Mandy  → Will

          I have found that, in Pokemon organized play, it’s much more important to know the ruling than know how to read the card’s wording. When I played Magic, wordings seemed much more explicit. There was a syntax to how cards were worded, and they were very careful to keep this syntax consistent.

          Perhaps this has to do with the fact that Pokemon cards are all translations from Japanese to begin with.

          Recently, I saw this explanation of Regi Move elsewhere.
          “it’s just a conditional with a cost. Do X, after than if Condition Y is met, do Z.”

          X is the cost. Only something like Power Spray can stop you from paying the cost. The rest of it depends on the condition being met.

          As I said, though, don’t get too caught up on the wording. Use the knowledge of the ruling to your advantage, because others will concern themselves with the wording and will be surprised when the judge rules in your favor.

          Focus on what you find at http://compendium.pokegym.net/compendium-lvx.html because it’s the law. Sadly, nobody at Pokemon really cares if it makes sense to you. :)

          Q. Can you discard 2 cards from your hand with Regice’s “Regi Move” Poke-POWER even if the opponent’s Defending Pokemon is not a Basic Pokemon? Or what if they have no Benched Pokemon?
          A. Yes, but then you cannot switch the opponent’s Defending Pokemon. (Sep 4, 2008 PUI Rules Team; Jan 22, 2009 PUI Rules Team)

    • Marcel Mravec  → Adam

      Crobat G is very good in gyarados for two main reasones:
      1) adds damage – you can live without it
      2) has free retreat thus if your gyarados is KOed you can easily put crobat in his place and in the same round you can attack with your new gyarados (rescue + gyarados in hand, bts on the table). IMHO you need something with free retreat as you cannot afford to use only warp/cyclone energies. SSU is not enough reliable.

      However Gyarados rocks :) I like him a lot.

  6. Tonu Taitto

    I’ve always liked this Gyarados, ever since it got released. By moving on MD-on format, Gyarados lost mainly its drawpower, Felicity. There’s a Volkner Supporter which can discard a card from your hand. To play this card you must have 6 or less cards in your hand. Gyarados is good enough to survive in early MD-on format, but will eventually be a lot better after one or two more sets gets released.

    Junk Arm is the card I’m personally waiting to get the Gyarados more deadly. Because of this Trainer Gyarados has potential to be real T1 deck. Another card I wait to get released is the Rescue Energy. This helps you to ensure that you’ll get Gyarados for the turn it dies (for damage). So Judge+KO won’t kill your chances as often as before. It also helps you against Trainer Locks. Last card I’m waiting to hit the format is Hunter. Warp Point+Hunter ensures you healed Gyarados, without a coin flip. Hunter can also be used to use Uxie’s or Combee multiple times, especially on Trainerlock.

    I cannot wait until I can play Gyarados again. It’s going to be soon one of the best decks in the format.

  7. Tony

    Great article! Even though I’ve never played the deck, I love Gyarados and hated to see Felicity’s rotated.

    I’m a little surprised by some of the recommendations once the next series comes out. I’m sure others have noticed this, but won’t Mew + Gyarados in the Lost Zone + 4 magikarp in your discard pile = Mew doing 120 damage for NO energy????? That is when I see the Gyarados resurrection taking place…. what do you think?

    • Will Youngblood  → Tony

      haha thats pretty clever actually. the only down side is you lose the 130-150 HP that gyarados has. plus im not aware of a card that lets you put your own pokemon in the lost zone besides palkia lv x so that could be tough. it could be a pretty interested tech against a “lost zone” deck. and by that i mean one that trys to win by placing 6 pokemon in your lost zone and then playing the “i win” stadium

      • Tony  → Will

        well, that’s the crazy thing about mew- it’s only attack besides its pokebody is to search your deck for 1 pokemon card (your choice!) and put it in the Lost Zone. So, methinks that Mew + Gyarardos is still a pretty cool idea (except for Dialga G Lv X threat)

        • Guy Elias Sargent IV  → Tony

          yeah except you’ll be playing a 60hp x2 weak to psychic pokemon instead of a 130 + 30 lightning.

          if anything from the next set resurrects gyarados it will be rescue energy and twins… but mew will not work. a belted uxie OHKOs a belted mew. no thanks.

      • Marcel Mravec  → Will

        Absol prime:
        Absol (Prime) – Darkness – HP80
        Basic Pokemon

        Poke-Body: Eye of Disaster
        As long as this Pokemon is your Active Pokemon, whenever your opponent plays a Basic Pokemon from his or her hand onto the Bench, place 2 damage counters on that Pokemon.

        [D][C] Bloody Claw: 70 damage. Place 1 Pokemon card from your hand in the Lost Zone. If you can’t place a Pokemon card in your Lost Zone, this attack fails.

        Weakness: Fighting (x2)
        Resistance: Psychic (-20)
        Retreat: 1

    • Will Youngblood  → Tony

      haha thats pretty clever actually. the only down side is you lose the 130-150 HP that gyarados has. plus im not aware of a card that lets you put your own pokemon in the lost zone besides palkia lv x so that could be tough. it could be a pretty interested tech against a “lost zone” deck. and by that i mean one that trys to win by placing 6 pokemon in your lost zone and then playing the “i win” stadium

  8. chrataxe

    I was thinking about Gyarados today. This is a deck I’ve never messed with, though I’ve always thought it seemed fun. I was looking at the T/S/S in the next set and they screamed “GYARADOOOOOOOOOS!!!!”
    Junk Arm looks like it might be what this deck is missing. It is also subject to trainer lock. Twins looks like a good way to grab Gdos and Magicarps.

    I think Gdos won’t do so well at BR, but when Triumphant comes out, I think it will get some power.

    Another card that I thought about that might be interest is replacing Sableye with Jirachi RR. Detour Twins nets 4 Pokemon, Junk Arm to discard 2. Combined with Volkner, seems to be a decent engine….but, like I said, I’m not a Gdos player.

    • Theo Seeds  → chrataxe

      twins you can only use if you’re down in prizes.

      lets think here:

      Jirachi

      Pros

      double supporter
      free retreat
      final wish

      cons:

      need a supporter
      weakness

      sableye:

      Pros:

      You go first
      searches the supporter
      sabledonk
      they might think you play sabelock
      no weakness

      Cons:

      you go first
      retreat cost of one so you need unown q
      discards a supporter instead of reusing it.

  9. tim h

    Sages Training is a good addition (not quite a replacement for felicitys).

    You can discard any magikarp you find and draw anything you need.

  10. Theo Seeds

    this is my md on gdos deck.

    4-4 Gdos SF

    4 Sableye

    1 Regice

    1 Registeel

    2-1 Blissey PL
    -1 Blissey Prime

    1-1-1 Metagross

    1 Azelf

    Unown R

    1 Unown ?

    1 Unown !

    2 Unown Q

    3 Volkner’s

    4 Pokemon Collector

    4 Bebe’s

    1 PONT

    1 Buck’s Training

    4 Pokemon Rescue

    4 SSU

    2 belts

    2 cyclone

    4 sp darks

    1 warp

    edit as you wish.

  11. Theo Seeds

    this is my md on gdos deck.

    4-4 Gdos SF

    4 Sableye

    1 Regice

    1 Registeel

    2-1 Blissey PL
    -1 Blissey Prime

    1-1-1 Metagross

    1 Azelf

    Unown R

    1 Unown ?

    1 Unown !

    2 Unown Q

    3 Volkner’s

    4 Pokemon Collector

    4 Bebe’s

    1 PONT

    1 Buck’s Training

    4 Pokemon Rescue

    4 SSU

    2 belts

    2 cyclone

    4 sp darks

    1 warp

    edit as you wish.

  12. Tonu Taitto

    Yesterday I tried to build Gyarados with Hunters, Junk Arms and Rescue Energies. I overteched my Gyarados tech to see what does work in there and what doesn’t. The deck seemed to work out fine against various decks. Warp Point + Hunter seemed to work out really well, Junk Arms helps you to discard Magikarps and get useful Trainers from discard pile. This allows to tech Gyarados with multiple different trainers. Rescue Energy doesn’t seems to be so great, but it were nice in some point. A few Rescue Energies seemed to be enough. I even tried to unown Dark + 1 Special Dark and it seemed to work ok. Mesprit+Hunter seemed viable too.

    I would like to mention one thing that haven’t yet to be mentioned here; Smeargle UD. I tried to tech only one and it seemed to be really great in most of the matches. If you opponent starts the game and you have Smearle front, there’s great chances to get T1 Donk with Sableye. If there’s Collector in your or your opponent’s starting hand, you can easily search for Sableye, Unown Q and Unown Dark for the T1 donk (if 50 HP or less, 70 with a Belt). If you cannot donk, you can possible fetch Sableye, some Magikarps to discard and hopefully play your own Supporter card. I managed to have multiple fast starts every time I started with a Smeargle. Smeargle+Sableye can get you up to 3 played Supporter cards during your Turn 1. Every Time you Warp your Gyarados to your bech or SSU it back to your hand, you can bring Unown Q’d Smeargle front and try to fish random Supporter card effects from your opponent’s hand. You will also see what cards your opponents holds into his/her hand and possibly to spoil some techs. Now I’m thinking about running 2 Smeargles and 2-3 Sableyes in a Gyarados deck.

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