LuxPluff (TCG): Difference between revisions

|era=2010-Present

'''LuxPluff''' is a popular {{TCG|deck archetype}} in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]].  Conceived after the release of the {{TCG|HeartGold & SoulSilver}} expansion, it has placed well in numerous tournaments and, though weakened by the {{TCG|rotation}} of {{TCG ID|Great Encounters|Claydol|15}}, is still considered a top-tier deck.  Its name is derived from the combination of {{TCG ID|Rising Rivals|Luxray GL LV.X|109}} and {{TCG ID|HeartGold & SoulSilver|Jumpluff|6}}, the deck's two primary Pokémon.

{{TCG ID|HeartGold & SoulSilver|Jumpluff|6}}, from the {{TCG|HeartGold & SoulSilver}} expansion, is the deck's main attacker.  {{TCG ID|Rising Rivals|Luxray GL LV.X|109}} provides important disruption and an alternate attacker, and although only a 1-1 line is used in this build, it is considered the second most significant component of the deck.

A good setup for the deck is generally achieved when the LuxPluff player has one or more {{TCG ID|HeartGold & SoulSilver|Jumpluff|6}} on the field ready to attack, as well as one or more {{TCG ID|Great Encounters|Claydol|15}} on the bench for draw support and {{TCG ID|Rising Rivals|Luxray GL|9}} on the bench ready to level up.  Ideally, the player would also have resources in hand to recover a Jumpluff, should one be knocked out, and get it back onto the field as quickly as possible.  This setup can be achieved through the deck's numerous resources, such as {{TCG ID|Legends Awakened|Uxie|43}}, {{TCG|Pokémon Collector}}, {{TCG|Cyrus's Conspiracy}}, and, once possible, {{TCG ID|Great Encounters|Claydol|15}}.  {{TCG|Broken Time-Space}} greatly simplifies the process of getting out Jumpluff and Claydol by allowing for rapid evolution, which can lead to a turn one donk or an extremely fast setup.

Although Jumpluff is the primary attacker and will generally be used simply to knock out whatever Pokémon the opponent has active at a given time, Luxray GL LV.X makes it possible to take cheap prizes off the opponent's bench.  Both Jumpluff and Luxray GL LV.X have free retreat, and the latter has access to {{TCG|Team Galactic's Invention G-105 Poké Turn|Poké Turn}}'s effect, so alternating between the two is not difficult.  Often, when one of the LuxPluff player's Active Pokémon is knocked out, they will bring up a {{TCG ID|Rising Rivals|Luxray GL|9}} to level up.  Then, using Luxray GL LV.X's ''Bright Look'', he or she will force one of the opponent's benched Pokémon active, retreat Luxray GL LV.X, and knock out the opponent's active with Jumpluff.  Luxray GL LV.X can also provide an attacker in a pinch.

* {{TCG ID|Rising Rivals|Luxray GL LV.X|109}} - Luxray GL LV.X's ''Bright Look'' [[Pokémon Power (TCG)|Poké-Power]] brings up one of the opponent's benched Pokémon and switches it with the active.  This is commonly used to bring up either an opponent's weak support Pokémon or an unevolved Basic for an easy prize.  Luxray GL LV.X can also use its ''Flash Impact'' attack, which deals 60 damage for only {{e|Lightning}}{{e}}.

* {{TCG ID|HeartGold & SoulSilver|Jumpluff|6}} - The deck's main attacker, Jumpluff can do up to 120 damage, when both players have full benches, for just {{e|Grass}} with ''Mass Attack''.

* {{TCG ID|Great Encounters|Claydol|15}} - Claydol is the deck's most powerful draw support.  Claydol's ''Cosmic Power'' Poké-Power allows for continuous hand refreshment, which is exceptionally useful to both getting out multiple Jumpluff and recovering them once they are knocked out.

* {{TCG ID|Legends Awakened|Uxie|43}} - Uxie's ''Set Up'' Poké-Power allows the player to draw until they have seven cards in hand, which is exceptionally useful for a fast setup.  Its searchability through {{TCG|Pokémon Collector}} allows for easier access as well, and makes for a more versatile card.

* {{TCG|Cyrus's Conspiracy}} - Cyrus's Conspiracy is one of the most important searching {{TCG|Supporter card}}s in the deck, allowing the player to grab a {{TCG|Supporter card}}, Team Galactic's Invention {{TCG|Trainer card}}, and [[Energy card (TCG)#Basic Energy|Basic Energy]]. This also helps Jumpluff when it runs into an energy drought; when Jumpluff can't get any energies out.

* {{TCG|Team Galactic's Invention G-105 Poké Turn|Poké Turn}} - Since Luxray GL LV.X's ''Bright Look'' can only be used when the card enters play from the owner's hand, Poké Turn is critical to the deck's ability to knock out the opponent's benched support Pokémon.

* {{TCG ID|Majestic Dawn|Chatot|55}} - Chatot is used for hand refreshment, as well as its ability to "Chatter Lock."  ''Chatter Locking'' prevents an opponent's starter Pokémon, such as {{TCG ID|Stormfront|Sableye|48}} or {{TCG ID|Arceus|Spiritomb|32}} from retreating until it is either knocked out or, in some cases, the opponent decks themselves.

* {{TCG ID|Platinum|Shaymin LV.X|126}} - Shaymin LV.X boosts Jumpluff's maximum hit points of 90, which is considered dismal for a Stage 2 Pokémon, to 130 through its ''Thankfulness'' {{TCG|Poké-Body}}.  Although ''Thankfulness'' counteracts one of the deck's biggest downfalls in Jumpluff's frailness, Shaymin LV.X is difficult to get on the field and can be a detriment to a fast setup.

* {{TCG ID|HeartGold & SoulSilver|Sunflora|31}} - Sunflora's ''Sunshine Grace'' Poké-Power, which allows the player to search their deck for any {{TCG|Grass}}-type Pokémon and add it to his or her hand, is often used as a support Pokémon in place of Claydol, after the latter's rotation.