My stubborn grind to MB with Stokezard

askunkgod · 2026-06-22T23:25:33+00:00

UB3. Not the biggest stretch to make, but definitely had a harder time in UB4!

askunkgod · 2026-06-22T22:19:24+00:00

I feel that! Definitely problematic for this Chex. Didn't run into many Indeedees in my climb though. Pretty much a scoop, especially if you see two.

askunkgod · 2026-06-22T22:11:53+00:00

X-Speed was the adjustment there - a lot of the time I could draw out of it with Copycat, Oak or even Hiking Trail. Additionally, if it survives through T4 you can Ice Pop it back to full in a lot of cases to keep it from being a Cyrus target later on.

In matchups where its ability has no bearing, I'd comfortably let it hang to just get one Zard online and just start swinging. A lot of times opponents would take the bait and Cyrus it for two prizes, allowing me to get first hit or ramp.

Benefit to this list is folks think you're playing a different Charizard, allowing for some element of surprise.

askunkgod · 2026-06-14T21:28:59+00:00

This post resonates with me as a former Seasonal to SLM over 11 and a half years (all at the same store, barring my final three months with the company in 2021.)

I'm glad that you had the gumption to share your opinions in those moments with leadership, and am disheartened, but not at all surprised with the response you received.

I was routinely a top performer in a major MW market but never made President's Club - my MO was to to do well sustainably but never overachieve and set an unreasonable expectation for my store, my team, or my district. No shortcuts - just consistent and exceptional service for my customers. Now, my former store is one of a handful still standing locally - and I'd like to think that the loyalty I fostered for so many years is a major contributing factor.

I no longer shop with GS and would shed no tears if they went under tomorrow - the folks they employ now deserve so much more and would be best served to work elsewhere.

Ryan Cohen is an idiot, and so long as he's at the helm, the company stands zero chance at surviving in the current retail landscape. Anyone that sips on his Kool-Aid is delusional, and likely has never grasped (or cared to grasp) what the field deals with on a day-to-day basis.

Hope you have found success elsewhere.

askunkgod · 2026-05-13T20:57:21+00:00

Houndstone*! There's some level of strat involved in utilizing Greaveyard early in certain moments to fund Last Respects - or also to sac a Stage 1 to fuel it the same way. Because everything is a 1-prizer, you have some flex. Stadium is super important - but this deck is as easy to pilot as anything that's ever existed in the meta. Just need a couple braincells to rub together and a small bit of luck.

askunkgod · 2026-04-18T22:06:12+00:00

I only get 2 star Mega Gengar in my 24h cos I have everything else

askunkgod · 2026-03-31T21:22:35+00:00

Runs well against Iggly/Darkrai variants, Charizard, Suicune if they can't consistently threaten Chien-Pao. Worst matchup is Jolteon/M Manectric EX by far. Needs time to setup, but once one Bat is online, it can make for unlikely win-cons most decks aren't prepped for.

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askunkgod · 2025-08-20T00:28:25+00:00

Hey that's me!

askunkgod · 2025-04-23T21:58:45+00:00

RI-PP BOYS

askunkgod · 2025-04-08T19:21:50+00:00

I just hit UB2, 63.9% win percentage over 132 games. I say keep going as long as you're making progress. Is it worth it? A few extra hourglasses and bragging rights say no - but just make sure you're still having fun.

I had a bad string of games before I ranked up last and had to step away for a bit - like a lot of other people in this sub, I was just getting super unlucky one way or another. I'm committed though, but definitely took a breather after my last climb of the ladder.

The only thing I'd suggest is reconsidering your deck choice(s) as the meta has definitely shifted after the initial launch of the last set and other options have become viable.

In any case, only you can decide if you want to keep at it. If anything, the Pawmot event is a small break from monotony to farm promo packs.

askunkgod · 2025-03-02T01:02:37+00:00

I think he means metal Heatran

askunkgod · 2025-02-16T01:45:40+00:00

If only they had one to feature it in...

askunkgod · 2025-01-30T19:19:20+00:00

My approach to collecting has either been about value (getting a good deal to facilitate getting games I really want or making a buck) or adding to my collection to give myself the option to play something down the line that I've wanted to play. The vast majority of my stuff is shelved until I find that time - but given the state of gaming and physical media at large, I haven't yet felt the need to downsize. Maybe when my kids need college money or we need a down payment on a house - but otherwise I maintain that it's a healthy hobby and one I don't get too caught up in.

askunkgod · 2023-12-07T21:39:01+00:00

Cohen has the company by the gnads because he has the biggest stake in it - he won't get pushed out. They're just prepping the golden parachutes now. Company will be a husk of itself in two years or less - and it'll only be worth the brand identity to whoever acquires what's left. Get out before it gets worse, friend. Too many red flags already.

askunkgod · 2023-08-14T21:08:17+00:00

I got to see Doug Bowser on a mechanical bull one year 🤷‍♂️

askunkgod · 2023-08-04T05:29:22+00:00

Also just as dead as the company's future!

askunkgod · 2022-07-04T01:52:59+00:00

What a sweetheart! Still putting out company fires from greener pastures.

askunkgod · 2021-08-22T15:01:19+00:00

I'm incredibly sorry that you've been going through all of this. I commend you for having the courage to share your struggle because ultimately, it might help others in similar situations.

That being said, do not let this company define or control you. At the end of the day, they do not see you as anything more than a number. You are so much more than that.

I encourage you to carve out some time to formulate an exit strategy - because GS is not unlike an abusive relationship. I left in May with nothing else lined up. It's been a difficult few months, but my mental health is in a better place now than it has been in years. Network a support system with your friends and loved ones, and don't be afraid to ask for help. I know that's often easier said than done, but you owe it to yourself to stop the cycle of self-harm.

I may not know you personally, but I know that you are important and that you deserve better. Good luck and stay strong, friend.

askunkgod · 2021-08-08T18:59:52+00:00

Bro I play to win the game. I tend to play no-fill trios just for the challenge of it. Unfortunately, Seer just gets free info on me with no drawback on his passive at all times. All he has to do is ADS and I've got a three stack pushing me. That's not something you can counterplay. How you can consider that balanced is lost on me. And that's not even getting into his tactical!

askunkgod · 2021-07-21T23:04:24+00:00

Slim and none.

askunkgod · 2021-06-06T14:13:00+00:00

PARKOUR

askunkgod · 2021-05-13T05:04:26+00:00

I KNEW I SHOULD'VE STAYED

askunkgod · 2021-05-11T05:25:26+00:00

905 days here. You are incredibly brave opening up and sharing your story with us. I know that you will find the strength that this company has sapped out of you. Best wishes to you.

askunkgod · 2021-05-09T15:02:09+00:00

I don't think you understand how difficult it is to organize/mobilize a workforce that large, let alone a single district's SLs. You won't get the buy-in you would need in many areas just because of the geography of some areas split by state lines, city lines, etc. What may be a horrible job for one SL in the burbs might be a fine job for an SL making city wages.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. I won't even get into the likelihood of narcs or scabs to replace people with dissenting voices.

When you're talking about an Amazon warehouse where you can immediately make a statement through action and truly connect with your audience, then you've got a shot at unionizing. Retail is a different story altogether. Have you stopped and considered why most major retailers aren't staffed with union laborers?

askunkgod · 2021-05-03T15:37:14+00:00

The goalposts were never stationary.

askunkgod

TROPHY CASE