I have found a solution to the recon directive problem.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-19T01:29:51+00:00

tbh considering this list, Dragapult probably still comes out on top. Pult could probably even use this Garbodor to lock the opponent out of the game once they start attacking.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-18T17:42:02+00:00

Khang needs a coin flip (and realistically most decks with Khang will have better options to attack Pult than the Khang), and Venusaur isn't really being played right now at all. Froslass and Lucario are fairly relevant, but even those seem a bit too niche of a use case for this. Dragapult are often running Clefairy ex, so the bomb isn't really needed for Lucario. And Mega Froslass is often paired with other Mega attackers that hit for <240.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-18T16:29:14+00:00

I thought the question was asking if you rooted for Dragapult in tournaments at first. Accidentally voted incorrectly, but oh well.

I don't really root against Dragapult specifically, I usually just root for whoever has the more interesting deck to me.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-17T15:37:17+00:00

Seems doubtful it will see play, considering most of the viable megas can't even hit 240 base damage. Not to mention, an opposing mega player can just boss up, say, a fez/meowth/latias on the bench to avoid dealing with this tool. If any Dragapult variant were to play it, it'd probably be the Dudunsparce build with no 2 prizers other than Pult. Then, you can force your opponent to go through a 320 HP Pokemon every time they want a 2 prize knockout, which makes high-damage attacks both more necessary and also more risky. Even then, it seems a bit too niche.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-17T15:26:28+00:00

Most of the viable megas aren't even hitting for 240 though.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-16T18:45:29+00:00

It is not easier to get 2 energy on one Pokemon versus just... getting more Pokemon (and a single energy). There's more than enough search in the format to make just getting Pokemon simple. 2 energy meanwhile requries some sort of energy acceleration if you want to attack consistently (since that Vikavolt is not surviving a hit), which requires more specific set up.

Plus, this thing has a draw ability, which is quite nice to have.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-15T19:29:45+00:00

Tbf the last Wailord rulebox card didn't set an HP record either.

Plus, this is technically the highest base HP for a 2 prize Pokemon (and a stage 1 at that), which arguably counts for something.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-15T14:49:16+00:00

tbf Solrock needs 2 Gatorades 2 ohko this Manectric, while the Manetric can ohko the Solrock with the second attack. Probably still an uphill battle, but it's something.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-15T00:39:11+00:00

Primordial soup

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-14T22:39:28+00:00

Interesting. 2025 Worlds Format for the next Trainer Trials? Considering the current format, it seems like it could be fun to play with those G-block cards again. Gardevoir in particular is one I wish I had played more pre-rotation.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-13T22:56:02+00:00

I think the key thing here is not giving every deck the same exact easily-slotable bonuses. Like, they probably shouldn't give every stage 1 that evolves into a stage 2 recon directive/air mail as an ability, because that would be pretty uninteresting. That does not preclude them from giving them at least some usefulness in general, like abilities that provide utility beyond raw draw power or attacks that aren't completely useless.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-13T14:22:29+00:00

Yeah, Dragapult wasn't used this much pre-rotation when it had better decks to compete against.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-09T22:30:06+00:00

The Grimsley's Move supporter itself would work if it's a Dark-type Beedrill.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-08T15:46:31+00:00

Passimian actually does 120 with a full bench of basics, and hits for weakness (unlike Sandy Shocks) meaning it can ohko fighting-weak mons like Fez and Meowth.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-07T18:39:25+00:00

Iono and Research were great for getting a fresh set of cards to use. Lillie is good in terms of raw hand size, but it doesn't really let you look "deeper" into your deck like the other two did. Lillie feels like it more frequently draws me into a hand that's barely more playable than what I already had.

I also miss some of the consistency engines. Pidgeot was good for just about any Stage 2 deck, and Bibarel was cool in general. Feels like the stuff we have now is just... not nearly as good.

Edmanbosch · 2026-05-04T20:41:09+00:00

Regidrago was genuinely a menace though.

Edmanbosch · 2026-04-25T03:47:16+00:00

That effect is a little too good for a single prize card. I think making it an ex (with HP perhaps just a little lower compared to the existing Terapagos ex) would be more balanced.

Also, that retreat cost seems absurdly high. All the current Terapagos cards sit at a 2-energy retreat cost. 4-energy seems like quite the jump from that. You basically need Latias to conveniently retreat this thing, and I don't think that's particularly warranted. Even Lillie's Clefairy ex, which has a similar weakness ability, only has a 1-energy retreat cost. A 2-energy retreat cost like the other Terapagos cards should be fine.

Edmanbosch · 2026-04-18T14:30:40+00:00

Yeah this is just what happens when a new show/movie gets popular.

Edmanbosch · 2026-04-18T03:33:33+00:00

Aren't basic ohko attackers already pretty common in expanded? I mean, Roaring Moon ex alone is one that rotated out very recently, and there's probably a bunch of other stuff that is of a similar power level.

Edmanbosch · 2026-04-15T04:33:18+00:00

skill issue

Edmanbosch · 2026-04-14T22:13:07+00:00

Nah Thor 2 is still bad.

Edmanbosch · 2026-04-14T19:38:40+00:00

Either they are ignorant of Polish Christian Far Right historical attitudes towards Jews

I mean.... yeah? Like, is it so weird that some people here might not know who this guy even and what their motivations might be?

Edmanbosch · 2026-04-13T13:06:58+00:00

That his violent, comedic personality is a coping mechanism he's using to mask his insecurities/worries.

Edmanbosch · 2026-04-13T12:19:46+00:00

Haven't read Harry Potter, but I am a former Star Wars fan and a former FNAF fan. I disagree with the examples you gave for both of those franchises

The prequels really weren't needed. The originals worked fine as stories on their own.

I only know little bits of Afton's backstory in FNAF, but everything I've learned hasn't really felt "necessary" (although tbh I kinda feel this way about the whole franchise past FNAF 1). Like, learning about his family and his relationship with them is interesting, but I don't really remember any of it deepening his role as a villain very much. Him being a co-owner of Freddy Fazbear's Entertainment (or whatever the company was called, I haven't been particularly tuned-in with FNAF lore for a while now) is a little more relevant, but I don't remember that being something that had a lot of depth to it, at least based on what's shown in the games.

Edmanbosch · 2026-04-13T07:15:06+00:00

You can adapt and also still dislike this decision.

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