MetaByss (TCG): Difference between revisions

The prime reason {{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Metagross|11}} and {{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Gorebyss|18}} were used in tandem was not for any inherent synergy in their effects, but in their {{TCG|Type|typing}}.  Together, they covered each other's {{TCG|Weakness|Weaknesses}} and were able to take advantage of the Weaknesses of many other attackers of the era. Furthermore, each were capable of abusing {{TCG|Double Rainbow Energy}} to attack faster. As a dual {{TCG|Psychic}}/{{TCG|Metal|Metal-type}}, Metagross attacked for increased damage against popular Pokémon such as {{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Walrein|15}}, {{TCG ID|EX Sandstorm|Gardevoir ex|96}}, and {{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Crobat|3}} (a frequent fixture in other Gorebyss decks). Metagross was weak to {{TCG|Fire}}, which was problematic due to the prevalence of {{TCG ID|EX Ruby & Sapphire|Blaziken|3}} and {{TCG ID|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua|Blaziken ex|89}} in the metagame (although the latter was also weak to Metagross itself), so Gorebyss served to counter Fire-types.

Although the primary goal of the deck was simple (attack as soon and as often as possible with either Metagross or Gorebyss, depending on the matchup), there was no clear-cut path on how to optimally accomplish this. A particular area of contention involved which {{TCG|Beldum}} to use. There were three options: [[Beldum (EX Hidden Legends 28)]], [[Beldum (EX Hidden Legends 29)]], and [[Beldum (EX Hidden Legends 54)]]. The first had a {{TCG|Poké-BODY}}, ''Levitate'', that granted it free retreat if it had any {{TCG|Energy card|Energy}} attached. This was useful both in tandem with a starter Pokémon such as {{TCG ID|EX Sandstorm|Dunsparce|60}} or {{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Jirachi|8}}, as it provides a way to easily retreat Beldum and attack with a preferable Pokémon instead. ''Levitate'' was particularly useful given Metagross's ''Metal Juncture'' {{TCG|Poké-POWER}}, which could be used to move {{TCG ID|Neo Genesis|Metal Energy|19}} used to retreat off of Beldum and onto an attacking Metagross later in the game.  The second Beldum, numbered 29, had a Poké-POWER called ''Magnetic Call'' that allowed the user to flip a coin once during their turn, and (upon a successful flip) search their deck for another Beldum and place it onto the Bench. The third Beldum, numbered 54, had a ''Call for Family'' attack for a cost of {{e|Colorless}}, which searched the deck for one {{TCG|Basic Pokémon}} and placed it onto the user's Bench. Unlike the other two Beldum, which were {{TCG|Metal|Metal-type}}, this Beldum was {{TCG|Psychic|Psychic-type}} and thus not weak to Fire, giving it greater staying power against Blaziken-based decks.

MetaByss lists also often differed in their choice of starting Pokémon. Like most decks of the era, MetaByss often relied on Dunsparce's ''Strike and Run'' attack to set up, but a more aggressive player may have felt that Dunsparce was redundant when included in a deck already running either the ''Magnetic Call'' or ''Call for Family'' Beldum and opted to run {{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Jirachi|8}} instead. The list below runs both, making it less consistent but more versatile.

* '''{{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Metagross|11}}''' - Metagross was one of the deck's two main attackers. Pending favorable coin flips, it was capable of doing large amounts of damage with its ''Squared Attack'', as well as abusing the effects of both [[Metal Energy (Neo Genesis 19)|Special Metal Energy]] and {{TCG|Double Rainbow Energy}}.

* '''{{TCG ID|EX Sandstorm|Dunsparce|60}}''' - Dunsparce was the deck's ideal starter Pokémon. With its ''Strike and Run'' attack, Dunsparce could instantly give the player a strong setup; most decks of the time relied on Dunsparce early in the game.

* '''[[Metal Energy (Neo Genesis 19)|Special Metal Energy]]''' - Special Metal Energy reduced 10 damage done by attacks to the {{TCG|Metal|Metal-type}} Pokémon it was attached to. Thus, a Metagross with one or more Metal Energy attached was difficult for many decks to Knock Out in one or even two attacks.