tSn.TCG - Competitive Pokemon TCG Team

tSn’s Paldea Picks – by Elijah Douresseau Paldea Evolved is dangerously close to its release and the SKYNITE squad wants to make sure you know which cards we’re checking for – with the expansion that follows base set in this still-fresh Scarlet and Violet TCG series.   Paldea almost feels vintage in the way that its setting into further motion the renaissance of the TCG landscape of eight or nine years ago. PE promises even more ex Pokémon and card support, more support for the grass type, and more snipe/spread attacks, interestingly.   Read on for our picks, with a collective mind towards to the developing meta game, as well as for alternate formats’ sakes:   VICTOR –     Ting-Lu : I haven’t played many ability-lock decks before, but I’m looking to update my Koraidon ex deck to do so. It should help make matchups against some of the top decks a little more bearable.    Wattrel, Murkrow, Flamigo : Might be three ...

  SKYNITE’S Scarlet and Violet Pokédex – by Elijah Douresseau     The Scarlet and Violet base set was released a couple of weeks ago, and with the fast approaching standard format rotation, we at TEAM SKYNITE thought it would be neat to share some of our favorites from the newest block of cards. Selections were made under the criteria of effectiveness in the next format. But we also have some faves below because of the art outlay on the cards. Or there was a general affinity for some reprinted cards and their effects. Whatever the reason, we hope we give you some insight to consider as you get your deck lists ready for the post-rotation beyond:   ELIJAH – Arven: I don’t think anyone will outright hate this card. I’ve heard people compare it to Irida, which I can see – as a gut comparison – but I think it functions more like Forest Seal Stone’s cousin. Either way, I appreciate the overall TCG finding a new way to create box deck staples past the t...

The man that needs little to no introduction, let me introduce you to Victor. If you ever play or meet Victor for the first time you might think he's nervous and quiet but really he's calm, cool, and collected. As you are sitting there thinking you got an easy win, Victor is calculating every strat possible from the number of cards in his hand. While a monster in his own right, Victor has taken home several locals and also dabs in Gym Leader Challenge.  Victor has been a regular at Odyssey Games where tSn.Pokemon practice at. It wasn't until recently he was interested in joining Team SKYNITE. With his track record, why wouldn't we accept him. He's familiar with the game and he knows the team as well as other players from the local scene. From Southern California, Victor set foot in the game recently much like the other players we know (Be it, returning post-covid or new to the game all together). Victor has what it takes to help Team SKYNITe reach the big league. So...

BY ELIJAH DOURESSEAU     Another Pokémon season is coming to a close. Worlds is not super far away (hope the grinders trying to make it into this summer’s main event do!), which also means standard rotation is fairly close. It technically is next month.   Most players feel rotation in one way or another. A lot of us are looking forward to a fresher meta scene. Some of us are anxious about losing key staples for most decks.   This rotation cycle feels big. It’ll be the first rotation since the Pandemic. I don’t have to tell most of you that the last three years have felt like seven. For anyone going to Portland Regionals, like myself, the rotation will also occur right before we face off in May. For a player of my caliber, who loves to play the spice and the rogue stuff more than anything, I’m excited to make decks from a new pool of standard cards.   Most who go to Regionals consider themselves competitive, in one way or another, so an eve...

 A GLC article by Nikki Xaysanasy The Gym Leader Challenge, as a format, has been growing – especially since Pokémon’s governing body recognized it as an alternative TCG format. It's being played online, via webcam, at locals – it’s also an established side event at major tournaments. It surely was at the San Diego Regionals I attended earlier in January. To learn more about the format, visit the GLC website at https://gymleaderchallenge.com I am planning on hosting a seasonal league for GLC online, once Pokémon TCG Live is officially released from its current beta rollout and everybody migrates over. Live’s crafting system, in which you can "buy" your own cards, will make it easier for players to get into GLC. Fortunately, almost everybody's collection from PTCGO will port over so players will not have to restart their digital collections. I played in a weekly event recently. Read below for my progress through the pairings ladder. Tournament: Gym Leader Challenge Wee...

By Elijah Douresseau The Pokémon Regionals took place at the San Diego Convention Center between January 6th and 8th. As the very first regional event of 2023, and the last to occur before Crown Zenith releases, the timing of the weekend could not have been more interesting. Versions of Lugia VSTAR and Lost Box were suspected to be the most visible in SD, with Mew and baby Regis bringing up the rear. And to no one’s surprise, this was the meta for the weekend and the decks to beat to make it to day two and beyond.  The SKYNITE Pokémon TCG Team showed up with a diverse deck list arsenal. I played my trusty Rapid box deck. I felt the most comfortable piloting the deck in a variety of situations. And I had the most hours logged with the list, even after integrating meta tweaks. The Junior in our squad played the tier-one Lugia list. And another player brought Eternatus VMAX, which actually had a fairly sizable presence beyond what I guessed beforehand.  My Rapid box an...

THE DAY OF THAT BIG TOURNEY: WHAT I DO FOR PREP – Elijah Douresseau Today is the day. You’ve practiced and practiced, and though you are aiming for the top spot in whatever high-stakes tournament is kicking off in a few hours, you are loose and prepared to play at your best, no matter the outcome. You're thinking clearly, strategizing effectively, and are minimally fouling with misplays. You, Trainer, are ready to compete.     But how else do you get ready for the big tournament? How crucial are the 24 hours before, along with the few hours leading up to round one on the day of? As promised, I’ll outline some of my rituals for bigger events and hopefully, you get some encouragement for creating a functional system for yourself.    Some immediately might scoff at these introductory paragraphs and think, “It’s just a game!” But the competitive and semi-competitive community sees the Pokémon TCG as something more. That classic opening sequence for the 9...