TCG Battle: Zy vs Mekkah

Battle played by Zystral and Mekkah. Flavor by Zystral. Art by Precipice.

Introduction

It was a cold winter's day... Okay, maybe not. More like a lazy afternoon in #TCG (feel free to stop by, we don't bite). People were gearing up for their Christmas holidays and there was nothing to do. Out of sheer boredom since there was not much to GP check, and I had finished writing Empoleon's update, I figured I might as well mess with my deck a little bit. After adding a Lucario GL and some more Energy, Mekkah turns up. I felt that I might as well test my deck's modifications.

Zy: "Mekkah, wanna battle?"
Mekkah: "Yeah, sure."

But little did our intrepid card players know that this match would seal their destinies... Or just be an entertaining article, that works too.

Mekkah: Start game for player A.
Mekkah: *** Shuffles deck ***
Mekkah: Draws 7 card(s) from deck.
Mekkah: Sets aside 6 prize cards.
Zy: Plays a card facedown from hand.
Mekkah: Plays a card facedown from hand.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Zy: h/t
Mekkah: heads
Zy: *** COIN FLIP *** TAILS (13)
Zy: Flips over a Smeargle (playmat), now faceup.
Mekkah: Flips over a Uxie (playmat), now faceup.

I got pretty lucky with my starting hand. Smeargle and Unown Q. Sadly, no other basics can be problematic, especially since I'm not playing Unown Q yet. Going first will be pretty helpful for me, since I can hopefully use Portrait, and he'll have a Pokemon Collector in his hand. Especially helpful seeing as I'm low on supporters and trainers.

2 Bebe's Searches, a Cynthia's Feelings and an Uxie. Nothing else worth mentioning, so I guess it's Uxie for now. There's a handy Warp Point in case I get a Sableye next turn.

Player B's turn.
Zy: Starts Player B turn 0A:1B
Zy: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Plays Unown Q from hand.
Zy: Unown Q - QUICK
Zy: Attaches a Unown Q to Smeargle
Zy: Smeargle - Portrait
Mekkah: Lets opponent view hand.
Zy: Views opponent's hand.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: Bebe's Search
Zy: Places Bebe's Search (from hand) on top of deck.
Zy: Views deck.
Zy: Moves Luxray GL from deck to temp.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: *** Shuffles deck ***
Zy: Picks up Luxray GL from temp.
Zy: Ends Player B turn 0A:1B

Uxie lead gives me nothing about his deck. I spot Cynthia's Feelings, Seeker, 2 Bebe's Searches and a Rescue Energy. This doesn't tell me much, but I'm assuming due to the use of Cynthia and Rescue he's using Gyarados. I would have the advantage, type match-up-wise; however, I'll need to get Lucario GL in play if I'm to stand a chance, since if Gyarados sets up to full power, he can OHKO everything I have. I'll go for Luxray GL first, since my hand is full of Double Colorless and Lightning Energy.

Obvious Zy is running SP... He's got Luxray GL, and I'm hoping he was silly enough to forget his Lucario. Either way, an Expert Belted Tail Revenge KOes all of his Pokemon.

In between turns.
Player A's turn.
Mekkah: Starts Player A turn 1A:1B
Mekkah: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Mekkah: Plays Bebe's Search from hand.
Mekkah: Places card (from hand) on top of deck.
Mekkah: Views deck.
Mekkah: Moves Sableye from deck to hand.
Mekkah: *** Shuffles deck ***
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Plays Sableye from hand.
Mekkah: Attaches a Warp Energy to Uxie
Mekkah: Sableye - Impersonate
Mekkah: Views deck.
Mekkah: Moves Pokemon Collector from deck to discard.
Mekkah: Moves Magikarp, Magikarp, Uxie from deck to hand.
Mekkah: *** Shuffles deck ***
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Discards Bebe's Search (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Ends Player A turn 1A:1B

The Magikarp confirm it; he's running Gyarados. I'll need to plan on the long run for this if I'm to have a chance. Fortunately, he's only got two Magikarp at the moment, and considering he has to bench one to evolve it, I have a few more turns to set up.

I need to get a Sableye out if I'm going to win this. Magikarp are of high priority. I'll drop my other Bebe's Search so he can't Portrait it. Warp Energy lets Sableye come out to active, and I use Collector's for 2 Magikarp and an Uxie. Regice is in my prizes, so I'll need Azelf for that.

In between turns.
Player B's turn.
Zy: Starts Player B turn 1A:2B
Zy: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Plays Luxray GL from hand.
Zy: Attaches a Double Colorless Energy to Luxray GL
Zy: Smeargle - Portrait
Mekkah: Lets opponent view hand.
Zy: Views opponent's hand.
Zy: active=B, player=A, Done viewing opponent hand.
Zy: Cynthia's Feelings
Zy: Plays Cynthia's Feelings
Zy: Places cards in hand onto deck.
Zy: *** Shuffles deck ***
Zy: Draws 4 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Plays Pokemon Collector from hand.
Zy: Views deck.
Zy: Moves Garchomp C, Lucario GL, Uxie from deck to temp.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: *** Shuffles deck ***
Zy: Plays Garchomp C from temp.
Zy: Plays Lucario GL from temp.
Zy: Plays Uxie from temp.
Zy: Uxie - Set Up
Zy: Draws 4 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Discards Pokemon Collector (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Ends Player B turn 1A:2B

I get Luxray GL ready to use Trash Bolt with a DCE. This time I can use the second Bebe's Search in his hand to grab Luxray GL Lv.X, attach a Lightning Energy and be ready to start attacking. Unfortunately, a use of Portrait shows he used his Bebe's Search to drop the other one back into his deck. Clever, clever. I can afford to use Cynthia's Feelings, since if I grab a Cyrus's Conspiracy I can regain that Lightning Energy. Not much else was in my hand, however. And as luck would have it, I grab myself a Lightning Energy, a PokeTurn, Pokemon Collector, and Energy Gain. Collector grabs me an Uxie and a Lucario GL, and I'll pick up a Garchomp C just in case. Play the pair, then use Uxie to draw 4 cards. Perfect draw, I get a Luxray GL Lv.X and there's a Twins, which means I need to let him set up his Gyarados first and KO my Smeargle before I start.

He Portraits Cynthia's Feelings and it topdecks him a Pokemon Collector. Lucario GL... That's annoying. I'll need to take out his Luxray somehow if I'm to stand a chance of survival. That's really annoying. However, he still can't do much to me, so I've still got a chance to claw out top.

In between turns.
Player A's turn.
Mekkah: Starts Player A turn 2A:2B
Mekkah: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Mekkah: Plays Magikarp from hand.
Mekkah: Sableye - Impersonate
Mekkah: Views deck.
Mekkah: Moves Pokemon Collector from deck to discard.
Mekkah: Moves Azelf, Crobat G, Magikarp from deck to hand.
Mekkah: *** Shuffles deck ***
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Ends Player A turn 2A:2B

Azelf means he's likely going to Magikarp in his prizes. This gives me even more time, although the Crobat G he's picked up means that there's a chance he may not even need Expert Belt to take me out.

I should play Magikarp now since I don't have Broken Time-Space, and if he KOes it then it just goes to my discard and Sableye is still alive, so I'm fine with that. I'll play Azelf next turn for my Regice, and then I should be able to start setting up.

In between turns.
Player B's turn.
Zy: Starts Player B turn 2A:3B
Zy: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Attaches a Lightning Energy to Luxray GL
Zy: Smeargle - Portrait
Mekkah: Lets opponent view hand.
Zy: Views opponent's hand.
Zy: active=B, player=A, Done viewing opponent hand.
Zy: Seeker
Zy: Picks up Uxie (including attachments, if any).
Mekkah: Picks up Uxie (including attachments, if any).
Zy: Plays Ambipom G from hand.
Zy: Retreat Smeargle
Zy: Evolves Luxray GL into Luxray GL Lv.X.
Zy: Luxray GL Lv.X - Bright Look
Zy: Magikarp
Zy: Ends Player B turn 2A:3B

Perfect play. I've now got a Luxray GL Lv.X ready to use Trash Bolt, with spare Energy in my hand. Unfortunately, as much as I want to KO his Magikarp and get a prize, that will stop me from using Twins. Plus it just throws that Magikarp into his discard pile, which makes his Gyarados even stronger when he does eventually play it. I've lured it out, which is good enough. Especially since he's unlikely to KO me next turn, so if he evolves it, then it's primed for the kill.

He hasn't KOed my Magikarp, which is extremely helpful. I should now be able to set up, although the fact that he now has a Luxray GL Lv.X ready to use Trash Bolt and KO me means I need an Expert Belt, and fast.

In between turns.
Player A's turn.
Mekkah: Starts Player A turn 3A:3B
Mekkah: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Mekkah: Plays Smeargle from hand.
Mekkah: Plays Azelf from hand.
Mekkah: Azelf - Time Walk
Mekkah: Views prize.
Mekkah: Moves Regice from prize to hand.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Mekkah: Plays a card facedown from hand.
Mekkah: Makes facedown card on playmat a prize card (Prize 6).
Mekkah: Plays Regice from hand.
Mekkah: Regice - Regi Move
Mekkah: Discards Magikarp from hand.
Mekkah: Discards Magikarp from hand.
Mekkah: Evolves Magikarp into Gyarados.
Mekkah: Plays Crobat G from hand.
Mekkah: Crobat G - Flash Bite
Mekkah: Ambipom G
Zy: Ambipom G damage adjustment: 10, current damage = 10.
Mekkah: Plays TGI G-105 Poke Turn from hand.
Zy: Ambipom G damage adjustment: 10, current damage = 20.
Mekkah: Discards TGI G-105 Poke Turn (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Attaches a Rescue Energy to Gyarados
Mekkah: Views opponent's discard.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Plays Seeker from hand.
Mekkah: Picks up Azelf (including attachments, if any).
Zy: Picks up Garchomp C (including attachments, if any).
Mekkah: Plays Uxie from hand.
Mekkah: Uxie - Set Up
Mekkah: Draws 4 card(s) from deck.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Mekkah: Gyarados - Tail Revenge
Zy: Discards Ambipom G (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Picks up facedown Prize 1.
Mekkah: Discards Seeker (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Ends Player A turn 3A:3B

Fortunately, his Gyarados is only running off 2 Magikarps not 3, meaning that he's only doing 60 damage. However, my fears of Crobat G were founded, and he's managed to take out Ambipom G. The moment he attached Rescue Energy, Ambipom became worthless anyway. I bring out Smeargle and get ready for Twins.

Well, I managed to KO something, at least. I've only got two Magikarps in the discard, so I need to pick up another one from somewhere. Either way, I have the lead right now, but he's probably going to come back with a revenge KO. Fortunately, I've got Rescue Energy and Broken Time-Space is now in play.

In between turns.
Player B's turn.
Zy: Starts Player B turn 3A:4B
Zy: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Plays Garchomp C from hand.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Zy: Attaches a Double Colorless Energy to Garchomp C
Zy: Plays Twins from hand.
Zy: Views deck.
Zy: Moves Cyrus's Conspiracy, TGI G-103 Power Spray from deck to temp.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: *** Shuffles deck ***
Zy: Picks up TGI G-103 Power Spray from temp.
Zy: Picks up Cyrus's Conspiracy from temp.
Zy: Smeargle - Portrait
Mekkah: Lets opponent view hand.
Zy: Views opponent's hand.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: Seeker
Zy: Picks up Lucario GL (including attachments, if any).
Zy: Plays Lucario GL from hand.
Mekkah: Picks up Regice (including attachments, if any).
Zy: Retreat Smeargle
Zy: Luxray GL - Trash Bolt
Zy: Discards Lightning Energy from hand.
Mekkah: Discards Rescue Energy attached to Gyarados.
Mekkah: Picks up Gyarados (including attachments, if any).
Zy: Picks up facedown Prize 6.
Zy: Discards Twins (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Ends Player B turn 3A:4B

Twins gets me a Cyrus, which is what I need, and a spare Power Spray in case he tries Crobat G to get my Luxray down to KO range. Annoyingly, his hand doesn't have much either. There's not much I can do, so Seeker will at least lighten up his bench. I get Luxray to even out the score.

I thought he'd try something like that. However, the Power Spray in his hand is annoying, since I now need to rely on an Expert Belt rather than Crobat G to take him out.

In between turns.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Player A's turn.
Mekkah: Starts Player A turn 4A:4B
Mekkah: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Mekkah: Smeargle - Portrait
Zy: Lets opponent view hand.
Mekkah: Views opponent's hand.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Cyrus's Conspiracy
Mekkah: Views deck.
Mekkah: Moves Bebe's Search from deck to temp.
Mekkah: Moves TGI G-105 Poke Turn from deck to temp.
Mekkah: *** Shuffles deck ***
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Picks up Bebe's Search from temp.
Mekkah: Picks up TGI G-105 Poke Turn from temp.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Mekkah: Plays Magikarp from hand.
Mekkah: Plays Gyarados from hand.
Mekkah: Plays Broken Time-Space from hand.
Mekkah: Evolves Magikarp into Gyarados.
Mekkah: Plays TGI G-105 Poke Turn from hand.
Mekkah: Picks up Crobat G (including attachments, if any).
Mekkah: Discards TGI G-105 Poke Turn (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Plays Crobat G from hand.
Mekkah: Crobat G - Flash Bite
Mekkah: Luxray GL Lv.X
Zy: Luxray GL Lv.X damage adjustment: 10, current damage = 10.
Mekkah: Plays Junk Arm from hand.
Mekkah: Discards Broken Time-Space from hand.
Mekkah: Discards Azelf from hand.
Mekkah: Views discard.
Mekkah: Moves TGI G-105 Poke Turn from discard to hand.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Discards Junk Arm (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Plays TGI G-105 Poke Turn from hand.
Zy: Discards TGI G-103 Power Spray from hand.
Mekkah: Discards TGI G-105 Poke Turn (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Views discard.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Plays Pokemon Collector from hand.
Mekkah: Views deck.
Mekkah: Views opponent's discard.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Moves Magikarp, Unown Q, Crobat G from deck to hand.
Mekkah: *** Shuffles deck ***
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Plays Unown Q from hand.
Mekkah: Unown Q - QUICK
Mekkah: Attaches a Unown Q to Smeargle
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Mekkah: Plays Regice from hand.
Mekkah: Regice - Regi Move
Mekkah: Discards Magikarp from hand.
Mekkah: Discards Bebe's Search from hand.
Mekkah: Retreat Smeargle
Mekkah: Gyarados - Tail Revenge
Zy: Discards Smeargle (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Picks up facedown Prize 4.
Mekkah: Discards Pokemon Collector (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Ends Player A turn 4A:4B

That was too close for comfort. He was nearly able to take out my Luxray, and considering I don't have a spare in my hand, that could have been disastrous. Fortunately, he takes out Smeargle, which is now useless in the later stages of the game. He has his own Smeargle, which can abuse my Cyrus to get his PokeTurns, but this is less annoying, since I can just grab Power Sprays to stop him from doing that. Very fortunate that I grabed one with Twins in the meantime, since my Luxray would've been toast.

Well, Portrait can use his Cyrus's Conspiracy, and that allows me to get a PokeTurn to use on Crobat. With two Flash Bites, I can KO it now that I have 3 Karps in the discard. However, Zy seems to have other plans and plays his Power Spray. Regardless, he's now 10 damage up, and so I can use Seeker next turn for a KO.

In between turns.
Player B's turn.
Zy: Starts Player B turn 4A:5B
Zy: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Plays Cyrus's Conspiracy from hand.
Zy: Views deck.
Zy: Moves Lightning Energy, TGI G-109 SP Radar, Cyrus's Conspiracy from deck to temp.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: *** Shuffles deck ***
Zy: Picks up Cyrus's Conspiracy from temp.
Zy: Picks up Lightning Energy from temp.
Zy: Plays TGI G-109 SP Radar from temp.
Zy: Places TGI G-105 Poke Turn (from hand) on top of deck.
Zy: Views deck.
Zy: Moves Garchomp C Lv.X from deck to temp.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: *** Shuffles deck ***
Zy: Evolves Garchomp C into Garchomp C Lv.X.
Zy: Discards TGI G-109 SP Radar (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Garchomp C Lv.X - Healing Breath
Zy: Luxray GL Lv.X damage adjustment: -10, current damage = 0.
Zy: Plays Double Colorless Energy from hand.
Zy: Plays Energy Exchanger from hand.
Zy: Places Double Colorless Energy, from playmat, on top of deck.
Zy: Views deck.
Zy: Moves Call Energy from deck to temp.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: *** Shuffles deck ***
Zy: Attaches a Call Energy to Garchomp C Lv.X
Zy: Discards Energy Exchanger (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Plays Luxray GL from hand.
Zy: Plays Uxie from hand.
Zy: Uxie - Set Up
Zy: Draws 4 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Plays Premier Ball from hand.
Zy: Views deck.
Zy: Moves Luxray GL Lv.X from deck to temp.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: *** Shuffles deck ***
Zy: Picks up Luxray GL Lv.X from temp.
Zy: Discards Premier Ball (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Plays Crobat G from hand.
Zy: Crobat G - Flash Bite
Zy: Regice
Mekkah: Regice damage adjustment: 10, current damage = 10.
Zy: Garchomp C Lv.X - Dragon Rush
Zy: Discards Double Colorless Energy attached to Garchomp C Lv.X.
Zy: Regice
Mekkah: Discards Regice (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Picks up facedown Prize 5.
Zy: Discards Cyrus's Conspiracy (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Ends Player B turn 4A:5B

I don't want to risk using Luxray again in case he can recover and revenge KO me. I take this turn to get ready for a second Luxray. Burning through cards like Energy Exchanger and such allows me to Set Up for as much as I can, which fortunately cumulates in a Premier Ball. His Regice isn't a key player anymore, since he's not discarding any more Karps, but it's still a sitting target. I could slam Uxie instead, and that's where I misplayed. Regardless, I Crobat and Rush his Regice for a prize, and the score levels out again.

He's taken out Regice, but that's not important anymore, since I already have max power Gyarados. The fact that Smeargle and Uxie are still alive, I'm grateful for, but at this point, it doesn't look good. I'm going to need a miracle or two to claw back a victory.

In between turns.
Player A's turn.
Mekkah: Starts Player A turn 5A:5B
Mekkah: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Mekkah: Plays Crobat G from hand.
Mekkah: Crobat G - Flash Bite
Mekkah: Active
Zy: Garchomp C Lv.X damage adjustment: 10, current damage = 10.
Mekkah: Views discard.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Attaches a Warp Energy to Gyarados
Mekkah: Plays Cynthia's Feelings from hand.
Mekkah: Places cards in hand onto deck.
Mekkah: *** Shuffles deck ***
Mekkah: Draws 8 card(s) from deck.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Mekkah: Smeargle - Portrait
Zy: Lets opponent view hand.
Mekkah: Views opponent's hand.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Cyrus's Conspiracy
Mekkah: Views deck.
Mekkah: Moves Bebe's Search from deck to temp.
Mekkah: Moves TGI G-105 Poke Turn from deck to temp.
Mekkah: *** Shuffles deck ***
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Picks up Bebe's Search from temp.
Mekkah: Picks up TGI G-105 Poke Turn from temp.
Mekkah: Plays TGI G-105 Poke Turn from hand.
Mekkah: Active
Zy: Garchomp C Lv.X damage adjustment: 10, current damage = 20.
Mekkah: Discards TGI G-105 Poke Turn (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Retreat Smeargle
Mekkah: Gyarados - Tail Revenge
Zy: Discards Garchomp C Lv.X (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Picks up facedown Prize 2.
Mekkah: Discards Cynthia's Feelings (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Ends Player A turn 5A:5B

Annoyingly I had no Power Sprays in my hand, so Garchomp was going to die. I was expecting something to go down this turn anyway, and Garchomp wasn't really that needed anymore. In any instance, I should get ready to bring out Luxray for another KO.

He's got another Cyrus's Conspiracy, so that's another PokeTurn for me. He's got no Power Sprays either, meaning I can whack off his Garchomp. It's not as good a prize as Luxray, but it'll do. Cynthia's Feelings also comes in handy. I'll hold off until he brings out Luxray before I Expert Belt him.

In between turns.
Player B's turn.
Zy: Starts Player B turn 5A:6B
Zy: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Attaches a Double Colorless Energy to Luxray GL
Zy: Plays Cyrus's Conspiracy from hand.
Zy: Views deck.
Zy: Moves TGI G-103 Power Spray, Psychic Energy, Cyrus's Conspiracy from deck to temp.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: *** Shuffles deck ***
Zy: Picks up Cyrus's Conspiracy from temp.
Zy: Picks up Psychic Energy from temp.
Zy: Picks up TGI G-103 Power Spray from temp.
Zy: Luxray GL - Trash Bolt
Zy: Discards Psychic Energy from hand.
Mekkah: Discards Gyarados (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Picks up facedown Prize 4.
Zy: Discards Cyrus's Conspiracy (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Ends Player B turn 5A:6B

The problem with Trash Bolt is that it's a pricey attack. I only have so many Energy in this deck, so hopefully I can find an opening where he doesn't grab a prize, putting me in the lead. The same sequence happens again; Cyrus grabs me an Energy, and I discard it for Trash Bolt which picks me up a prize.

I've got a Combee, so it's no problem. The problem is he's now got a second Luxray, meaning even if I kill the first one, it'll be in vain.

In between turns.
Player A's turn.
Mekkah: Starts Player A turn 6A:6B
Mekkah: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Mekkah: Smeargle - Portrait
Zy: Lets opponent view hand.
Mekkah: Views opponent's hand.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Cyrus's Conspiracy
Mekkah: Views deck.
Mekkah: Moves Seeker from deck to hand.
Mekkah: Moves TGI G-105 Poke Turn from deck to hand.
Mekkah: *** Shuffles deck ***
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Mekkah: Plays TGI G-105 Poke Turn from hand.
Mekkah: Picks up Crobat G (including attachments, if any).
Mekkah: Discards TGI G-105 Poke Turn (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Plays Combee from hand.
Mekkah: Combee - Honey
Mekkah: Views discard.
Mekkah: Moves Magikarp from discard to temp.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Plays Magikarp from temp.
Mekkah: Evolves Magikarp into Gyarados.
Mekkah: Plays Warp Point from hand.
Mekkah: Discards Warp Point (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Views discard.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Mekkah: Gyarados - Tail Revenge
Zy: Discards Uxie (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Picks up facedown Prize 5.
Mekkah: Ends Player A turn 6A:6B

I'm quite glad for Warp Point, since again, it saves my Luxray from harm. Regardless, I have a second Luxray benched and ready to Level Up, but the longer I keep this one alive the better. From this point, it looks like it's just a continuous race of prize exchanging. However, at this rate, he's going to win, so I need to find an opening.

Warp Point lures out a new target, but it doesn't help, since even though I'm in the lead, I won't keep it for long. I can't KO Luxray, and it would be ridiculous to try, so the most I can do is just whack his Uxie in case he's got the Lv.X in his hand.

In between turns.
Player B's turn.
Zy: Starts Player B turn 6A:7B
Zy: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Plays Cyrus's Conspiracy from hand.
Zy: Views deck.
Zy: Moves TGI G-105 Poke Turn, Interviewer's Questions from deck to temp.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: *** Shuffles deck ***
Zy: Picks up Interviewer's Questions from temp.
Zy: Picks up TGI G-105 Poke Turn from temp.
Zy: Plays Dragonite FB from hand.
Zy: Attaches a Lightning Energy to Luxray GL
Zy: Luxray GL - Trash Bolt
Zy: Discards Call Energy from hand.
Mekkah: Discards Gyarados (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Picks up facedown Prize 3.
Zy: Discards Cyrus's Conspiracy (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Ends Player B turn 6A:7B

He's still got Smeargle, so I'm not grabbing any more Cyrus's Conspiracy. I've run out of Basic Energy, but there's still enough left in my hand for 3 more Trash Bolts. Once again, it's a prize exchange, except this time, he's used his Combee and there's no Rescue Energy. Hopefully this is the opportunity I needed to gain the lead while he's recovering. Of course, like any well-played Gyarados, he's going to have a Pokemon Rescue in his hand, and he's going to play it.

He's stopped picking up Cyrus's Conspiracies, but I'm out of PokeTurns anyway. He grabs an Interviewer which gives me a chance to grab a Rescue Energy.

In between turns.
Player A's turn.
Mekkah: Starts Player A turn 7A:7B
Mekkah: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Mekkah: Sorts hand.
Mekkah: Plays Pokemon Rescue from hand.
Mekkah: Views discard.
Mekkah: Moves Magikarp from discard to hand.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Discards Pokemon Rescue (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Plays Magikarp from hand.
Mekkah: Evolves Magikarp into Gyarados.
Mekkah: Smeargle - Portrait
Zy: Lets opponent view hand.
Mekkah: Views opponent's hand.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Interviewer's Questions
Mekkah: Views top 8 cards of deck.
Mekkah: Moves Rescue Energy from deck to temp.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Picks up Rescue Energy from temp.
Mekkah: Attaches a Rescue Energy to Gyarados
Mekkah: Plays Seeker from hand.
Mekkah: Picks up Crobat G (including attachments, if any).
Zy: Picks up Crobat G (including attachments, if any).
Mekkah: Retreat Smeargle
Mekkah: Gyarados - Tail Revenge
Zy: Luxray GL Lv.X damage adjustment: 50, current damage = 50.
Zy: Luxray GL Lv.X damage adjustment: 20, current damage = 70.
Zy: Luxray GL Lv.X damage adjustment: 20, current damage = 90.
Mekkah: Discards Seeker (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Ends Player A turn 7A:7B

I thought so. However, this is the opportunity I needed - he hasn't picked up a Prize this turn, meaning I can go for the KO and pick up the lead. I'm a bit disappointed at how damaged Luxray is, but it isn't a KO, so I'm pleased with that. Unfortunately, I went for Interviewer's Questions rather than Cyrus's Conspiracy to stop him using PokeTurns, but even that gave him the Rescue Energy he needed.

Rescue Energy indeed. Unfortunately, I can't Crobat G him enough to knock him out, so I can only just do damage and hope I can knock it out next turn. Of course, he's likely to have a PokeTurn, and he's going to just KO me with the fresh Luxray.

In between turns.
Player B's turn.
Zy: Starts Player B turn 7A:8B
Zy: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Plays TGI G-105 Poke Turn from hand.
Zy: Picks up Luxray GL Lv.X (including attachments, if any).
Zy: Discards TGI G-105 Poke Turn (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Evolves Luxray GL into Luxray GL Lv.X.
Zy: Plays Luxray GL from hand.
Zy: Attaches a Double Colorless Energy to Luxray GL
Zy: Plays Interviewer's Questions from hand.
Zy: Views top 8 cards of deck.
Zy: Moves Double Colorless Energy from deck to temp.
Zy: Closed the Card List Window.
Zy: Picks up Double Colorless Energy from temp.
Zy: *** Shuffles deck ***
Zy: Luxray GL - Trash Bolt
Zy: Discards Double Colorless Energy from hand.
Mekkah: Discards Rescue Energy attached to Gyarados.
Mekkah: Picks up Gyarados (including attachments, if any).
Zy: Picks up facedown Prize 2.
Zy: Discards Interviewer's Questions (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Zy: Ends Player B turn 7A:8B

I'm now running dangerously low on Energy. Fortunately, Interviewer's Questions gives me a DCE, which I can use to take him out for now. There's a Warp Energy in my hand, but I never know when I will need it. However, I am on my last prize, so I should be able to win next turn, since he's on two prizes. I think this game is over, and it's over in my favour.

I can't hold out for much longer - I've now lost the lead in terms of the prize exchange. I'm glad I had Rescue Energy, but it makes little difference. The most I can do now is make this a 1-0 defeat instead of a 2-0 defeat.

In between turns.
Player A's turn.
Mekkah: Starts Player A turn 8A:8B
Mekkah: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Mekkah: Plays Magikarp from hand.
Mekkah: Evolves Magikarp into Gyarados.
Mekkah: Attaches a Expert Belt to Gyarados
Mekkah: Smeargle - Portrait
Zy: Lets opponent view hand.
Mekkah: Views opponent's hand.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Views discard.
Mekkah: Closed the Card List Window.
Mekkah: Gyarados - Tail Revenge
Zy: Discards Luxray GL Lv.X (including attachments, if any) from playmat.
Mekkah: Picks up facedown Prize 6.
Mekkah: Ends Player A turn 8A:8B

Yeah, I've got this won. He's attached an Expert Belt, which means even he's accepted it.

An Expert Belt seals my fate. It KOes his Luxray, but he has a second one, so it makes no difference at all.

In between turns.
Player B's turn.
Zy: Starts Player B turn 8A:9B
Zy: Draws 1 card(s) from deck.
Zy: Plays Crobat G from hand.
Zy: Crobat G - Flash Bite
Zy: Attaches a Lightning Energy to Luxray GL
Zy: Evolves Luxray GL into Luxray GL Lv.X.
Zy: Luxray GL - Trash Bolt
Zy: gg
Mekkah: gg

And that's the game. Well played.

A predictable outcome, but still a good game.

Final Thoughts

The ending was completely anticlimactic. The moment he failed to KO Luxray, I could take the lead, it was all downhill from there. The beginning of the match was good though, since while I got to set up first, he pulled a fast one on me and set up faster than I had anticipated, meaning I had to cut short my second set up and start attacking, which invariably put me behind for most of the match. Of course, he technically had the deck advantage - SP's can't do much against Gyarados unless we're carrying Lucario like I was, and even then, we can't OHKO an Expert Belted Gyarados without Crobat (lucky for me), while he can OHKO everything we have (Garchomp C Lv.X and Luxray GL Lv.X both reach 110 HP without Expert Belt). Of course, it was interesting to see how he was able to continuously recover and smash my Pokemon back, but in the end, the fact that my Luxray were still alive allowed me to keep coming back.

I had a pretty bad start early on, but I was able to rock up pretty easily and gain an early-game lead. I don't know why he was faffing around instead of going in for the KO, but it gave me time to set up. However, throughout the whole match I barely had what I needed, and was only able to just recover and strike back. Of course, eventually that petered out, and I ran out of power, letting him pick up the lead when I could no longer KO his Pokemon. Technically, he had the advantage in terms of type match-up, especially since he carried Lucario GL, although I should have been able to take his Luxray out before he could set a second one up. If I could, then I may have been able to win that, but then again, Aaron's Collection was probably lurking in his hand at some point. I may have been constantly struggling to stay in control, and I eventually lost that battle towards the end, but I think I played well considering I was at a loss in terms of decks and draw power early on.

Top Plays and Misplays

Top Plays:

Me, for topdecking a Crobat and an Energy just in time to win the game.
Mekkah, for being able to constantly recover and keep Tail Revenging.
Lucario GL for being there. Couldn't have won otherwise.
Team Galactic's Invention TGI-105 PokeTurn. Mekkah's Crobats would've won him the game if I didn't have any Power Sprays.
Smeargle is a pretty cool guy. He steals Zy's Cyrus's Conspiracies and doesn't afraid of Garchomp's Dragon Rush.
Cynthia's Feelings - magical topdecks for the pair of us.

Misplays:

Me, for not smashing his Smeargle or Uxie with Dragon Rush earlier on, which would have saved me a great deal of headache.
Me, for not catching on to his Smeargle and continuously grabbing Cyrus's Conspiracies until it was too late.
Me, for not being more careful with my Energy placement - if I didn't topdeck that last Warp Energy, it could have gone the other way.
Mekkah, for Seekering that Regice when he could've grabbed Crobat G instead, potentially winning him the game as he could've dropped 10 on Luxray or something.

Summary

Well, thanks for reading. As always, feel free to drop by the IRC Channel in #TCG on SynIRC, or just pop by the Social Group. We'll always welcome new players, and hopefully, this article will give you some insight on the thought process in a battle, and soon you'll be playing at our level!

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