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CMT (TCG): Difference between revisions
I will finish this today, I swear.
Politoed666 (talk | contribs) (Getting there. Obviously won't mainspace this until the deck rotates. Hoping to have a few others done by then as well.) |
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'''CMT''' was a highly successful and popular {{TCG|deck archetype}} in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] during the second half of the 2011-2012 organized play season. It focused on [[Celebi (Triumphant 92)|Celebi Prime]]'s ''Forest Breath'' {{TCG|Poké-Power}} for | '''CMT''' was a highly successful and popular {{TCG|deck archetype}} in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] during the second half of the 2011-2012 organized play season. It focused on [[Celebi (Triumphant 92)|Celebi Prime]]'s ''Forest Breath'' {{TCG|Poké-Power}} for Energy acceleration, combined with {{TCG|Skyarrow Bridge}} and {{TCG|Switch}} to switch into an attacker. The deck won multiple [[Play! Pokémon#State Championships|State]] and [[Play! Pokémon#Regional Championships|Regional Championships]], and several variants performed well at the [[Play! Pokémon#National Championships|2012 U.S. National Championships]], including one top four finish in Masters. Stephan Tabaco also piloted the deck to top eight at the [[2012 World Championships]]. Its name is an acronym derived from the deck's three most critical Pokémon<nowiki>:</nowiki> '''C'''elebi Prime, [[Mewtwo-EX (Next Destinies 54)|'''M'''ewtwo-EX]], and [[Tornadus (Emerging Powers 89)|'''T'''ornadus]]. | ||
==Strategy== | ==Strategy== | ||
The deck aimed to open with [[Celebi (Triumphant 92)|Celebi Prime]]. Ideally, the CMT player would be able to attack as early as turn one or turn two with either {{TCG ID|Emerging Powers|Tornadus|89}} or {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Mewtwo-EX|54}}. This was possible through the | The deck aimed to open with [[Celebi (Triumphant 92)|Celebi Prime]]. Ideally, the CMT player would be able to attack as early as turn one or turn two with either {{TCG ID|Emerging Powers|Tornadus|89}} or {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Mewtwo-EX|54}}. This was possible through the Energy acceleration Celebi Prime's ''Forest Breath'' provided, combined with {{TCG|Double Colorless Energy}} to fulfill the Energy requirements for Tornadus's ''Hurricane'' or Mewtwo-EX's ''X-Ball''. To get Celebi Prime out of the active position and begin attacking, the deck utilized either {{TCG|Switch}} or {{TCG|Skyarrow Bridge}} depending on availability. In the event that the CMT player found him- or herself with a dead hand at some point, {{TCG ID|Undaunted|Smeargle|8}}'s ''Portrait'' {{TCG|Poké-Power}} often provided an out. Like Celebi Prime, Smeargle worked well with Switch and Skyarrow Bridge, as the player could often avoid discarding to retreat after a ''Portrait''. | ||
CMT was most potent early in the game. Many other archetypes of its time, such as {{TCG|Zeel}} and {{TCG|Quad Terrakion}}, were incapable of doing much damage the first few turns, so CMT thrived on outspeeding the opponent. After getting a Tornadus or Mewtwo-EX into the active position, the deck focused on taking easy knockouts off the opponent's weak {{TCG|Basic Pokémon|Basics}} and support Pokémon. Although this of course benefitted CMT by giving it prizes, knocking out Pokémon so early in the game could also slow or even cripple the opponent's setup. {{TCG|Pokémon Catcher}} was especially helpful in this regard by extending the deck's reach to benched potential threats. Against decks such as Zeel, CMT aimed to knock out as many {{TCG|Tynamo}} as possible before they evolved into {{TCG ID|Noble Victories|Eelektrik|40}}, thus denying Zeel its | CMT was most potent early in the game. Many other archetypes of its time, such as {{TCG|Zeel}} and {{TCG|Quad Terrakion}}, were incapable of doing much damage the first few turns, so CMT thrived on outspeeding the opponent. After getting a Tornadus or Mewtwo-EX into the active position, the deck focused on taking easy knockouts off the opponent's weak {{TCG|Basic Pokémon|Basics}} and support Pokémon. Although this of course benefitted CMT by giving it prizes, knocking out Pokémon so early in the game could also slow or even cripple the opponent's setup. {{TCG|Pokémon Catcher}} was especially helpful in this regard by extending the deck's reach to benched potential threats. Against decks such as Zeel, CMT aimed to knock out as many {{TCG|Tynamo}} as possible before they evolved into {{TCG ID|Noble Victories|Eelektrik|40}}, thus denying Zeel its Energy acceleration. | ||
If an opposing deck managed to set up fully, CMT was often far enough ahead that it could win with its few remaining resources. As with many decks, CMT could use {{TCG|N}} to drop both players' hands should the game become close near the end. The deck played an unusually large number of Supporter cards as well as Smeargle, so it often had a better chance to draw an out than the opposition after a late game N. | If an opposing deck managed to set up fully, CMT was often far enough ahead that it could win with its few remaining resources. As with many decks, CMT could use {{TCG|N}} to drop both players' hands should the game become close near the end. The deck played an unusually large number of Supporter cards as well as Smeargle, so it often had a better chance to draw an out than the opposition after a late game N. | ||
==Key cards== | ==Key cards== | ||
* '''[[Celebi (Triumphant 92)|Celebi Prime]]''' - Celebi Prime provided the deck's main | [[File:DoubleColorlessEnergyHeartGoldSoulSilver103.jpg|thumb|left|{{TCG|Double Colorless Energy}}]] | ||
* '''[[Celebi (Triumphant 92)|Celebi Prime]]''' - Celebi Prime provided the deck's main Energy acceleration via its ''Forest Breath'' {{TCG|Poké-Power}}. If Celebi Prime was active, ''Forest Breath'' allowed for the attachment of one {{e|Grass}} Energy card from the player's hand to one of his or her Pokémon, in addition to the typical Energy attachment for the turn. Because Celebi Prime had a retreat cost of {{e}}, it could retreat for free with {{TCG|Skyarrow Bridge}} in play. By attaching one Energy card via ''Forest Breath'' and one Energy from the hand, and subsequently retreating or {{TCG|Switch}}ing Celebi Prime, CMT could deal as much as {{tt|80 damage|via Tornadus's Hurricane}} turn one. | |||
* '''{{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Mewtwo-EX|54}}''' - Mewtwo-EX, along with Tornadus, was one of CMT's main attackers. Although it gave up two prizes when knocked out and was vulnerable to an opponent's Mewtwo-EX, its ''X-Ball'' attack could be charged with only one {{TCG|Double Colorless Energy}} and was capable of doing more damage than ''Hurricane''. As the aforementioned {{TCG|Zeel}} was a major archetype at the time, Mewtwo-EX was critical to knocking out {{TCG|Tynamo}} early even without ''Forest Breath''. | * '''{{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Mewtwo-EX|54}}''' - Mewtwo-EX, along with Tornadus, was one of CMT's main attackers. Although it gave up two prizes when knocked out and was vulnerable to an opponent's Mewtwo-EX, its ''X-Ball'' attack could be charged with only one {{TCG|Double Colorless Energy}} and was capable of doing more damage than ''Hurricane''. As the aforementioned {{TCG|Zeel}} was a major archetype at the time, Mewtwo-EX was critical to knocking out {{TCG|Tynamo}} early even without ''Forest Breath''. | ||
* '''{{TCG ID|Emerging Powers|Tornadus|89}}''' - Variants of CMT existed without Tornadus (generally called '''CM'''), but many players opted to run Tornadus both for added power early in the game and as a counter to {{TCG|Quad Terrakion}} and [[Mew (Triumphant 97)|Mew Prime]]-based decks. With one ''Forest Breath'' and a Double Colorless Energy, Tornadus was able to do 80 damage with ''Hurricane'', 20 damage more than ''X-Ball'' was capable of with three Energy attached. | * '''{{TCG ID|Emerging Powers|Tornadus|89}}''' - Variants of CMT existed without Tornadus (generally called '''CM'''), but many players opted to run Tornadus both for added power early in the game and as a counter to {{TCG|Quad Terrakion}} and [[Mew (Triumphant 97)|Mew Prime]]-based decks. With one ''Forest Breath'' and a Double Colorless Energy, Tornadus was able to do 80 damage with ''Hurricane'', 20 damage more than ''X-Ball'' was capable of with three Energy attached. | ||
* '''{{TCG|Junk Arm}}''' - Although Junk Arm's status as a critical card was not unique to CMT (most non-Trainer lock decks of the era played four), it was very important to the deck's success. Many claimed that Junk Arm essentially allowed CMT to play eight {{TCG|Pokémon Catcher}}. In practice, this was rare, since the player typically found him- or herself expending some Junk Arms to retrieve other useful {{TCG|Trainer card}}s from the discard. Still, Junk Arm was versatile and powerful. | * '''{{TCG|Junk Arm}}''' - Although Junk Arm's status as a critical card was not unique to CMT (most non-Trainer lock decks of the era played four), it was very important to the deck's success. Many claimed that Junk Arm essentially allowed CMT to play eight {{TCG|Pokémon Catcher}}. In practice, this was rare, since the player typically found him- or herself expending some Junk Arms to retrieve other useful {{TCG|Trainer card}}s from the discard. Still, Junk Arm was versatile and powerful. | ||
* '''{{TCG|Pokémon Catcher}}''' - If an opponent managed to set up quickly, CMT was usually in a bad position; attackers such as {{TCG ID|Black & White|Zekrom|47}} outmatched it in terms of raw power. However, without support Pokémon for | * '''{{TCG|Pokémon Catcher}}''' - If an opponent managed to set up quickly, CMT was usually in a bad position; attackers such as {{TCG ID|Black & White|Zekrom|47}} outmatched it in terms of raw power. However, without support Pokémon for Energy acceleration and other non-attacking effects, other archetypes typically fell under CMT's onslaught. Pokémon Catcher was critical in this regard, by allowing the deck to knock out benched support Pokémon and their respective Basics. | ||
* '''{{TCG|Dual Ball}}''' - With some slower decks using {{TCG|Pokémon Collector}}, a {{TCG|Supporter card}}, to search for Basic Pokémon, CMT's need for speed demanded a faster, though less consistent, method. Dual Ball had a 75% chance of retrieving at least one Basic Pokémon from the deck, a valuable effect given that CMT played only Basic Pokémon. | * '''{{TCG|Dual Ball}}''' - With some slower decks using {{TCG|Pokémon Collector}}, a {{TCG|Supporter card}}, to search for Basic Pokémon, CMT's need for speed demanded a faster, though less consistent, method. Dual Ball had a 75% chance of retrieving at least one Basic Pokémon from the deck, a valuable effect given that CMT played only Basic Pokémon. | ||
* '''{{TCG|Switch}}''' - Since the deck aimed to attach | * '''{{TCG|Switch}}''' - Since the deck aimed to attach Energy via Celebi Prime's ''Forest Breath'', and ''Forest Breath'' only worked while Celebi Prime was active, Switch gave CMT the option to change into an attacker without discarding Energy to retreat. This way, the player could focus on attaching energies to attackers without wasting them on Celebi Prime. | ||
* '''{{TCG|Skyarrow Bridge}}''' - Skyarrow Bridge served essentially the same function as Switch. Celebi Prime only had a retreat cost of {{e}}, so Skyarrow Bridge allowed it to retreat for free as long as it remained in play. Although it was usable throughout the game, Skyarrow Bridge lacked the versatility of Switch. Mewtwo-EX and {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Regigigas-EX|82}} still had to discard | * '''{{TCG|Skyarrow Bridge}}''' - Skyarrow Bridge served essentially the same function as Switch. Celebi Prime only had a retreat cost of {{e}}, so Skyarrow Bridge allowed it to retreat for free as long as it remained in play. Although it was usable throughout the game, Skyarrow Bridge lacked the versatility of Switch. Mewtwo-EX and {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Regigigas-EX|82}} still had to discard Energy to retreat with Skyarrow Bridge in play, whereas they could be Switched for no cost. Also, Skyarrow Bridge's effect was only useful once per turn, while if a player had multiple Switch in hand, he or she could use all of them. | ||
* '''{{TCG|Double Colorless Energy}}''' - Mewtwo-EX's ''X-Ball'', Tornadus's ''Hurricane'', and both of Regigigas-EX's attacks could be powered either partially or fully by the {{e|Colorless}}{{e|Colorless}} that Double Colorless Energy provided. It also made it easier for Mewtwo-EX to return a knockout against an opposing Mewtwo-EX, in a dynamic known in the TCG community as a ''Mewtwo war''. If the opponent had just taken a knockout with ''X-Ball'', the CMT player could play down a Mewtwo-EX, attach Double Colorless Energy, and (sometimes requiring a {{TCG|PlusPower}}) knock it out that turn. | * '''{{TCG|Double Colorless Energy}}''' - Mewtwo-EX's ''X-Ball'', Tornadus's ''Hurricane'', and both of Regigigas-EX's attacks could be powered either partially or fully by the {{e|Colorless}}{{e|Colorless}} that Double Colorless Energy provided. It also made it easier for Mewtwo-EX to return a knockout against an opposing Mewtwo-EX, in a dynamic known in the TCG community as a ''Mewtwo war''. If the opponent had just taken a knockout with ''X-Ball'', the CMT player could play down a Mewtwo-EX, attach Double Colorless Energy, and (sometimes requiring a {{TCG|PlusPower}}) knock it out that turn. | ||
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* '''{{TCG ID|Noble Victories|Terrakion|73}}''' - After the release of the {{TCG|Dark Explorers}} expansion in May 2012, CMT needed a way to deal with {{TCG ID|Dark Explorers|Darkrai-EX|63}}. Darkrai-EX resisted {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Mewtwo-EX|54}} and was capable of knocking out any Pokémon in the deck in two attacks. Because its ''Night Spear'' attack also hit a benched Pokémon for 30 damage (in addition to the 90 it dealt to the Defending Pokémon), Darkrai-EX could knock out a benched [[Celebi (Triumphant 92)|Celebi Prime]] in two attacks. Although the addition of Terrakion, along with {{TCG|Fighting Energy}} to power its attacks, somewhat decreased CMT's consistency, it greatly improved the deck's matchup against {{TCG|Darkrai/Terrakion}}, {{TCG|DMT}}, and other Darkrai-EX-based archetypes. | * '''{{TCG ID|Noble Victories|Terrakion|73}}''' - After the release of the {{TCG|Dark Explorers}} expansion in May 2012, CMT needed a way to deal with {{TCG ID|Dark Explorers|Darkrai-EX|63}}. Darkrai-EX resisted {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Mewtwo-EX|54}} and was capable of knocking out any Pokémon in the deck in two attacks. Because its ''Night Spear'' attack also hit a benched Pokémon for 30 damage (in addition to the 90 it dealt to the Defending Pokémon), Darkrai-EX could knock out a benched [[Celebi (Triumphant 92)|Celebi Prime]] in two attacks. Although the addition of Terrakion, along with {{TCG|Fighting Energy}} to power its attacks, somewhat decreased CMT's consistency, it greatly improved the deck's matchup against {{TCG|Darkrai/Terrakion}}, {{TCG|DMT}}, and other Darkrai-EX-based archetypes. | ||
* '''{{TCG ID|Dark Explorers|Tornadus-EX|90}}''' - Tornadus-EX effectively took the place of {{TCG ID|Emerging Powers|Tornadus|89}} from {{TCG|Emerging Powers}} upon the release of the Dark Explorers. Builds utilizing Tornadus-EX tended to run a higher count of {{TCG|Skyarrow Bridge}} than those that did not. Although Tornadus-EX was a two-prize liability against Zeel and other {{TCG|Lightning}}-type decks, it was more powerful than the Emerging Powers Tornadus and gave CMT an enhanced ability to donk. | * '''{{TCG ID|Dark Explorers|Tornadus-EX|90}}''' - Tornadus-EX effectively took the place of {{TCG ID|Emerging Powers|Tornadus|89}} from {{TCG|Emerging Powers}} upon the release of the Dark Explorers. Builds utilizing Tornadus-EX tended to run a higher count of {{TCG|Skyarrow Bridge}} than those that did not. Although Tornadus-EX was a two-prize liability against Zeel and other {{TCG|Lightning}}-type decks, it was more powerful than the Emerging Powers Tornadus and gave CMT an enhanced ability to donk. | ||
* '''{{TCG|Random Receiver}}''' - | * '''{{TCG|Random Receiver}}''' - Random Receiver was used to increase consistency and make the deck less susceptible to a late-game {{TCG|N}}. If the player had already used Random Receiver, it was searchable through {{TCG|Junk Arm}}, meaning an {{TCG|N}}'d player needed only to draw a Junk Arm ''or'' a Supporter as an out. | ||
* '''{{TCG ID|Unleashed|Shaymin|8}}''' - | * '''{{TCG ID|Unleashed|Shaymin|8}}''' - Shaymin was a common inclusion in CMT. When Shaymin was played from the hand, its ''Celebration Wind'' Poké-Power allowed the player to move Energy cards freely between his or her Pokémon. This made it possible to conserve Energies by removing them from a damaged Pokémon, and to catch the opponent off-guard by powering up an attacker that could not normally be powered up in one turn. Because Mewtwo-EX's ''X-Ball'' did damage partially based on the number of Energy attached to it, a player could also attack for a large amount of damage suddenly with Mewtwo-EX by ''Celebration Wind''ing a lot of Energy to it. | ||
* '''{{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Shaymin-EX|5}}''' - | * '''{{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Shaymin-EX|5}}''' - Although the possibility of starting with Shaymin-EX made it a little-used tech, | ||
* '''{{TCG|Energy Exchanger}}''' - | * '''{{TCG|Energy Exchanger}}''' - | ||
* '''{{TCG ID|Emerging Powers|Virizion|17}}''' - | |||
[[Category:Deck archetypes]] | [[Category:Deck archetypes]] | ||