TCG Jump: Featured Card- Shaymin EX (Roaring Skies)

[Nekomata]

So, sorry to butt into the convo here...

But I got a Shaymin EX today (and Mega Latios)- and sheesh. People look like they're ready to sell their souls for the thing. o-o' I get the appeal and all- but it feels a bit overhyped to me. Maybe that's just me though. xD Lysandre is common enough for me not to try using it.

I've considered using Genesect EX to snipe them off- or just use lysandre/catcher to force them out if I've got the attacking power ready. Flygon EX is also a nice choice to consider- among others. The Mega Latios downside of discarding cards isn't too bad- there's generally plenty of ways to get basic energies from the discard pile- and the retreat cost of Mega Lati makes it easy to switch out to someone who is ready to fight while you recharge.

[MC Elesa]

Shaymin EX provides non-Supporter draw support which is pretty good. It free up your Supporter to play something like Lysandre so you can KO your opponent's Shaymin EX and win the game.

You do bring up a good point that players can use Lysandre or Genesect EX to pull up the Shaymin EX to take a prize but I think most players would be focus on getting rid of the bigger threat (Ex: Primal Groudon EX in the active or Dialga EX in the active) then dealing with a Shaymin EX that can't hurt them. Shaymin EX is the Pokemon you want to knock out to finish off the game. I know I have done it a few times and it is quite nice to know you have that easy knock out.

Then again, maybe that is why people were talking about G Scoop at Nationals this weekend. If you attach G Scoop on Gensect EX and have a Deoxys EX on the bench then you can cleanly kill off any Shaymin. A nice early game lead if you can snipe those suckers off the bench.

[Nekomata]

I just feel it's too vulnerable for me to use. In my main decks, I rarely seem to have any issues with energy or Pokemon- though I can see why drawing extra would be nice.

And you're right- it's best to wait til the end to finish off the Shaymin for the wins. I've done it a few times when I had the opportunity. Sometimes you've just got to figure out what your priority is though. Generally, shaymin falls pretty low on that list for me. Still, it's pretty amazing what people are willing to offer for one. o-o'

And yeah- G Scope with Deoxys would be a great way to snipe Pokemon off of the bench. I think /any/ Pokemon would be afraid of that combo. You wouldn't be able to hide on or off the bench like that... heh- I should try that one of these days. xD I've got all of the cards, though I typically don't use Genesect EX or Deoxys EX. I tend to use the Gaia Blaster Genesect a lot- a bit easier to KO, but deadly potential with Virizion EX.

[MC Elesa]

In my main deck, Shaymin EX is just another target that can be used to make me lose the match. Even though it could use some more draw support. Maybe I will play one in the future once my main deck rotates out which is why I keep my FA one in my binder waiting to be used.

Genesect EX is a great card and makes a great deck. I remember prior to Nationals saying that there would be a lot there but in reality nobody played it. Then again, seeing what made it to top 2, I think people wish they played it now. VirGen is a strong deck that once you get going can really mess things up. I have one myself but I never use it seriously and it will mostly lose. I guess I have too much fun using Mew EX to Megalo Cannon things instead of Emerald Slash.

[Nekomata]

@MC Elesa
- Yeah, I feel that as well. Draw support is great and all- but not worth losing a match for it. Though, I've seen some people play it pretty well as an easy to setup attacker. Double Colorless energy, muscle band- and another ready on the bench. Just rotate over and over. Though, once you have something able to KO one of them, they tend to stop.

I'm surprised I don't see Genesect more than I have, honestly. It's a useful card- not too hard to setup and acts as a free Lysandre without using your supporter for the turn. That and with the G-Scope it can snipe the bench pretty easily. See a huge threat in the bench? Start hitting it.

The VirGen deck I use doesn't use Genesect EX- but it could. I've got this strange aversion to using more than two or three EX cards in any deck. Not sure why- I guess part of me feels like they should be your trump card- not the norm. I'm slowly breaking out of this habit, and I'm not sure that's a good thing. xD I do pretty well with my Virizion deck, thankfully. Gotta love the status immunity with the Virizion-EX ability. Hypnotoxic Lasers get really annoying without it.

[MC Elesa]

Yeah. You are right. Also, Colorless M Rayquaza EX make sure to discard Shaymin EX first thing once their Skyfield is gone. Most players are smart enough to know when and how to take out the Shaymin EX before their opponents does it for them.

I am surprise that we didn't see more Genesect EX at Nationals. It cleans Toad's clock nicely and hits everything else so hard with the right build. It is still a strong card that shouldn't be underestimated. I am willing to say that we will see Genesect EX at Worlds after what happen at Nationals with Wailord.

As mention before, the VirGen deck is a strong deck and provides a great immunity to LaserBank. It may be a deck that heavily relies on EX Pokemon but it can really do work in making sure you take your wins once you get set up.

[John]

Then again, maybe that is why people were talking about G Scoop at Nationals this weekend. If you attach G Scoop on Gensect EX and have a Deoxys EX on the bench then you can cleanly kill off any Shaymin. A nice early game lead if you can snipe those suckers off the bench.

Please don't spread misinformation Mr. TO.

Deoxys-EX's Power Connect ability specifically states that it only applies to the opponent's Active Pokemon, not their Benched Pokemon. Therefore G-Scope would still do 100 damage, since you can only target Benched Pokemon with that attack.