ChampDos for Regionals? – A Rogue Deck Analysis

Hey guys! It’s Dane again, and I’m here with a rogue deck analysis.

This deck was “created” (I’m sure someone else found it, but as far as I know, we created it) by Dane Carlson (me), and my friend Bradley Petit.

‘Twas the night before States, and all was about; Not a Pokemon was stirring, not even a someting-that-rhymes-with-about (LOL). We were talking on Facebook about the decks we were going to bring to States, and I brought up Gyarados (see my States Report).

I was fiddlin’ around with different variations of it, and I brought up a deck that I call Psychic Gyarados (I’m pretty sure I found it here in the forums). I was saying that I ran a 1-1-1 Machamp SF line in it, and Bradley suggested taking out the “Psychic” in “Psychic Gyarados”, and replacing it with Machamp.

I quickly thought of the name “ChampDos”, and ChampDos was born.

ChampDos

After discussing it with Bradley, we decided that Sableye would make the deck too slow, and we should replace it with Smeargle UD/CL (same card). So let’s take a look at out skeleton list:

So that right there is 45-60 of all your cards. Of course you may want to tweak it, and here are a few options that you might like to take advantage of:

Techs

2-3 Expert Belt: One of my personal favorite cards, you can do a max 110 damage with Gyarados’ Tail Revenge this way. Plus, you can do 60 damage instead of 40 to non-basic Pokemon with Machamp SF.

1-2 Rainbow Energy: If you want more versatality, and not to mention a boost for Machamp’s “Rage” attack, you may want to throw in a couple of these babies.

This way, if you’re in a tight spot, you can use Gyarados’s other attacks (i.e. if your Magikarps have been thrown on your bench via Honchkrow SV‘s “Darkness Restore” power). You can also use them to lock your opponent with Azelf’s “Lock Up” attack, so they can’t retreat Sableye/Smeargle/Spiritomb.

1-2 Warp Point: No Warp Energy handy? This guy’ll help ya. It can also help bring up your opponent’s Basic Pokemon so you can “Take them Out” with Machamp.

1 Mesprit LA: Even just “Psychic Binding” your opponent for 1 turn can win you a game. During States, I used Seeker and forgot to pick up a Pokemon (my original intent was to pick up Mesprit), and it was already my opponent’s turn. If it wasn’t for that misplay (that made both judges come over for), I could’ve had a chance to win that game. Anyways, Power Lock can help tremendously in battles.

1-2 Crobat G: “Flash Bite” your Dialga G, and Tail Revenge for 110. Game. Having trouble beating Dialga G (and you have no Machamp)? Try this “batty” dude. Or, you can “Bite” an Unown Q to death. Either way, this guy helps.

Editor’s Note: Flash Biting an Unown Q to death is extremely unlikely.

1 Machamp Prime: Want extra power? Bingo! Machamp Prime fits the bill. I wouldn’t add any more than 1 of these, as he soaks up a lot of Energy. Of course, you can try the next option…

1-3 Double Colorless Energy: Pretty much use this only if you run Machamp Prime. I wouldn’t max this out, though, because if you run Machamp Prime, there really should only be 1 of those. I could also accept if you run 1 or 2 for Machamp SF’s “Rage” attack, though I’d prefer the Rainbow Energy approach.

Strategy

The main strategy of the deck is to destroy SP with Machamp, get easy KO’s with Machamp, and pound hard with Gyarados. It’s really simple. Also, if I were you, don’t even bother with Gyarados in the LuxChomp matchup, as they’ll just “Bright Look” it up and grab an easy KO (with Lucario GL and Crobat G, of course).

Matchups

vs. LuxChomp: Favorable

As long as you don’t drop Regice or you build up a Gyarados (<—- stupid move), all you need to do is “Take Out”, “Take Out”, “Take Out”, “Take Out”, “Take Out”, and *GASP* “Take Out”, and you win the game. Just be careful of Garchomp C LV.X‘s Dragon Rush. My advice is to evolve quickly.

vs. Sablelock/Chenlock: Favorable – Even

This matchup is harder than you’d suspect, as most Sablelock variants run Honchkrow SV, which burns; burns bad. Your main strategy here is to use “Take Out” repeatedly, and build up a Gyarados on your bench in case they bring up a Honchkrow. If they can’t bring up Honchkrow though, you’ve got the game in the bag. Also, just as in LuxChomp, watch out for Garchomp C LV.X’s Dragon Rush, as it can easily snipe your evolving Machop and Machoke (Machoke if they use Crobat G, as well.)

vs. DialgaChomp: Favorable

“Take Out”, “Take Out”, “Take Out”, “Take Out”, “Take Out”, “Take Out”, game. Just be careful of Garchomp C LV.X’s Dragon Rush, as it can possibly cripple your set up by sniping Machop/Machoke while evolving.

vs. VileGar: Even – Slightly Unfavorable

This matchup, unlike the SP’s, is gonna give you some trouble. My main advice is to get set up as quickly as possible, and try your best to make sure they don’t get the Trainer Lock going. This is a matchup where Machamp Prime might come in handy. Machamp SF’s “Rage” is also very helpful.

vs. LostGar (No Vileplume): Slightly Favorable – Even

Your main focus in this matchup is to get Gyarados up and running so you can (almost) one-shot anything on their field. This may not be as easy as you might think though, as this is the speed version of LostGar, and will do anything they can to get a T1/T2 Gengar Prime out, and they’ll start ‘Hurling your Magikarp into the Lost Zone. If you manage to accomplish that, though, then it should run smoothly from then on.

vs. LostGar (With Vileplume): Slightly Unfavorable – Unfavorable

The combination of Trainer Lock and Lost Zoning your Magikarp is going to hurt — bad. Basically, you want to set up as quickly as possible, and try your best to make sure they don’t get the Trainer Lock going. If you can get Gyarados swinging for 90 (110 with Expert Belt) a turn, then you can easily win, but this deck poses a major threat. Just cross your fingers you don’t bump into it.

vs. Machamp: Favorable

Gyarados is your best friend in this matchup. All you need to do is get him up and running with a back-up Machamp on the bench, and you win; Gyarados’s -20 Fighting Resistance kills them. Just watch out for Ruins of Alph, a possible tech that could easily turn this matchup in their favor.

vs. Gyarados: Slightly Favorable – Even

Let the Gyarados wars begin! Basically, whoever sets up the quickest, wins. Saying that you run Rare Candy, BTS, and no Sableye, it’s very possible that you can get a Gyarados up quicker than they can. If you can pull that off, you win. Crobat G can be very helpful in this matchup if you choose to run it, as it can get the last couple damage counters on their Gyarados so you can OHKO theirs.

This deck could be very viable for Regionals, and may even pull of a win or two. Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch ya later. See ya!

-Dane

Check out my website at http://dcdane.webs.com/ !