View source for Haymaker (TCG)

{{samename|skill in {{g|Masters EX}}|Haymaker (Skill)}}
{{ArchetypeInfobox
|title=Haymaker
|image=HitmonchanBaseSet7.jpg
|image2=ElectabuzzBaseSet20.jpg
|caption={{TCG ID|Base Set|Hitmonchan|7}} and {{TCG ID|Base Set|Electabuzz|20}}
|types={{e|Fighting}}{{e|Lightning}}{{e|Grass}}
|cards={{TCG ID|Base Set|Hitmonchan|7}}, {{TCG ID|Base Set|Electabuzz|20}}, {{TCG ID|Jungle|Scyther|10}}
|era=1999-2001
}}

The '''Haymaker''' {{TCG|deck archetype}} was a strong competitor in the early days of the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]. It was played heavily due to its fast, hard hitting nature that included control elements.

==Strategy==
[[File:ScytherJungle10.jpg|thumb|left|200px|{{TCG ID|Jungle|Scyther|10}}]]
As one of the earliest deck archetypes, Haymaker took advantage of useful {{TCG|Trainer card}}s and [[Basic Pokémon]] from {{TCG|Base Set}} and {{TCG|Jungle}} to set up quickly and strike hard quickly. The classic trio of Pokémon in Haymaker decks include {{TCG ID|Base Set|Hitmonchan|7}}, {{TCG ID|Base Set|Electabuzz|20}}, and {{TCG ID|Jungle|Scyther|10}}. All are Basic Pokémon with 70HP, allowing them to be played straight from the hand and soak up damage early in the game. All have good damage to Energy cost ratios, with Hitmonchan able to deal 20 damage for {{e|Fighting}}, and Electabuzz able to deal 10 damage and potentially inflict {{TCG|Paralyzed|Paralysis}} for {{e|Lightning}}.

Trainer cards also factored heavily in Haymaker decks. Cards such as {{TCG ID|Base Set|Bill|91}}, {{TCG ID|Base Set|Professor Oak|88}}, and {{TCG ID|Base Set|Computer Search|71}} allowed cards to be drawn and quickly populate the Bench. {{TCG ID|Base Set|PlusPower|84}} gave extra power to attacks, while {{TCG ID|Base Set|Energy Removal|92}} and {{TCG ID|Base Set|Super Energy Removal|79}} could disrupt the opponent's strategy. {{TCG ID|Base Set|Item Finder|74}} was also useful in recycling Trainer cards.

==Key Cards==
*'''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Electabuzz|20}}''' - The ability to Paralyze with ''Thundershock'' on turn 1 allowed Electabuzz to set up for ''Thunderpunch'' on turn 2, with the possibility of dealing 40 damage.  Important for hitting the Weakness of {{TCG ID|Base Set|Blastoise|2}}.
*'''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Hitmonchan|7}}''' - Hitmonchan could use its ''Jab'' attack on turn 1 for 20 damage. Its second attack, ''Special Punch'', could deal 40 damage for three Energy.  Important for hitting the Weakness of many Colorless and most Lightning Pokémon. 
*'''{{TCG ID|Jungle|Scyther|10}}''' - Primarily valued for its combination of 70 HP with Fighting Resistance and a free Retreat Cost.  With the addition of {{TCG ID|Base Set|Double Colorless Energy|96}}, Scyther could deal a consistent 30 damage from turn 2 with its ''Slash'' attack.
*'''{{TCG ID|Base Set|PlusPower|84}}''' - Provides an additional 10 damage to a Pokémon's attack. {{TCG ID|Base Set|Gust of Wind|93}} and matching Weakness, this allowed {{TCG ID|Base Set|Electabuzz|20}} to quickly OHKO most Basic Pokémon.
*'''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Energy Removal|92}}''' and '''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Super Energy Removal|79}}''' - Allows the player to discard Energy from opposing Pokémon, limiting most opponent's to low Energy attacks.  This was vital to Haymaker; even though 70 HP was large for a Basic Pokémon, multiple Evolved Pokémon could still OHKO this amount.  Between S/ER and Gust of Wind, they never got the chance.
*'''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Bill|91}}''', '''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Computer Search|71}}''', '''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Item Finder|74}}''', and '''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Professor Oak|88}}''' - Provides for the deck's draw and search needs, allowing the player to quickly setup.  The usage of Bill was hotly debated, with the side in favor of it pointing out it made the deck faster and more consistent, while the side opposed preferred space for additional options and felt it both fast and consistent enough already.  Item Finder was also often important late game, recycling a useful Trainer that had already been used several times or was discarded for other card effects.
*'''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Gust of Wind|93}}''' - Controlling the opponent's Active could be used to stall for time, but it was mostly used to facilitate key KO's (preferably OHKO's) that would not only earn a Prize but weaken the opponent's own setup.
*'''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Scoop Up|78}}''' - This card was used to deal with damage and the effects of attacks (including what we now call Special Conditions).  Though you had to discard the Energy currently attached to the Pokémon in question, judicious use of single Energy attacks, �Scyther (with its free Retreat Cost), and/or Super Energy Removal could reduce or even eliminate this drawback.

==Typical deck list==
{{DeckArchetype}}
{{decklist/header}}
{{decklist/entry|4|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Electabuzz|20}}|Lightning||Rare}}
{{decklist/entry|4|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Hitmonchan|7}}|Fighting||Rare Holo}}
{{decklist/entry|3|{{TCG ID|Jungle|Scyther|10}}|Grass||Rare Holo}}
{{decklist/entry|3|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Computer Search|71}}|Trainer||Rare}}
{{decklist/entry|3|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Bill|91}}|Trainer||Common}}
{{decklist/entry|4|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Energy Removal|92}}|Trainer||Common}}
{{decklist/entry|3|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Energy Retrieval|81}}|Trainer||Uncommon}}
{{decklist/entry|3|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Gust of Wind|93}}|Trainer||Common}}
{{decklist/entry|3|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Item Finder|74}}|Trainer||Rare}}
{{decklist/entry|4|{{TCG ID|Base Set|PlusPower|84}}|Trainer||Uncommon}}
{{decklist/entry|3|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Professor Oak|88}}|Trainer||Uncommon}}
{{decklist/entry|3|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Scoop Up|78}}|Trainer||Rare}}
{{decklist/entry|3|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Super Energy Removal|79}}|Trainer||Rare}}
{{decklist/entry|4|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Double Colorless Energy|96}}|Energy|Colorless|Uncommon}}
{{decklist/entry|7|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Fighting Energy|97}}|Energy|Fighting|None}}
{{decklist/entry|6|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Lightning Energy|100}}|Energy|Lightning|None}}
{{decklist/footer}}

==Possible tech cards==
[[File:MewtwoWizardsPromo3.jpg|thumb|left|200px|{{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Mewtwo|3}}]]
''The following cards are often used in Haymaker in place of certain cards included in the above list.''
*'''{{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Mewtwo|3}}''' - A solid choice with 70HP and the ability to deal 40 damage for {{e|Psychic}}{{e|Psychic}}{{e|Colorless}}. So long as there is Energy in the discard pile, its ''Energy Absorption'' attack allows Mewtwo to set up quickly allowing players to choose up to 2 Energy cards from there.
*'''{{TCG ID|Fossil|Magmar|39}}''' - Good for stalling the opponent with its ''Smokescreen'' attack and 70HP, while its stronger attack, ''Smog'', provides the opportunity to {{TCG|Poison}} the opposing Pokémon.
*'''{{TCG ID|Fossil|Energy Search|59}}''' - This card would further thin the deck while snagging the exact basic Energy card needed.  Some preferred to use the space for {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Rainbow Energy|17}} or additional copies of the desired basic Energy.
*'''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Lass|75}}''' - In a deck where any Trainer cards will be used up relatively quickly, Lass can be used to disrupt the opponent's strategy with little to no impact on the players'.
*'''{{TCG ID|Base Set|Switch|95}}''' - This card was sometimes used as an alternative to running more copies of Scoop Up or Double Colorless Energy.  Used well, it could help conserve Energy.
*'''{{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Nightly Garbage Run|77}}''' - Can be used to shuffle in energies and Pokémon from the discard pile to your deck which is useful when playing against decks such as Chansey/Alakazam stall. This card can put back the energies and Pokémon discarded by Item Finder and Computer Search.
*'''{{TCG ID|Fossil|Muk|28}}''' - Muk is used for its ability Toxic Gas which is used for blocking useful abilities, such as Rain Dance on {{TCG ID|Base Set|Blastoise|2}}.

==Restriction==
The Haymaker deck, being comprised mostly of cards made in the first few sets of the TCG, was one of the first to be essentially, but not explicitly, banned from play as the cards were taken out of [[Play! Pokémon|Pokémon Organized Play]]. Due to its loss, however, the TCG was allowed to grow, and new strategies were eventually able to take root.

{{TCG ID|Base Set|Hitmonchan|7}}, {{TCG ID|Base Set|Electabuzz|20}}, and {{TCG ID|Jungle|Scyther|10}} were all reprinted as {{TCG|Retro card}}s in the {{TCG|Platinum}} expansion, allowing them to be played in the {{TCG|Modified format}} during the latter part of the 2008-2009 season, and throughout the 2009-2010 season. 
{{-}}
{{Project TCG notice}}

[[Category:Deck archetypes]]

[[fr:Haymaker]]