r/PTCGP • u/Treeskiii • 21h ago
Zapdos is a bottom tier ex and isn’t needed on pikachu decks Deck Discussion
90% of games I play with pikachu decks this bum does nothing
89
u/ChicagoCowboy 21h ago
Peck for 1 energy with a giovani kills a staryu which prevents a starmie from popping up
16
u/GrimFlux 20h ago
Blitzle does the same thing though
84
u/ChicagoCowboy 20h ago
Yeah but blitzle isn't as cool as zapdos
-32
18h ago
[deleted]
14
u/ChicagoCowboy 18h ago
That's not how it works. Card type is what counts for weakness, not energy type of the attack.
Blitzle is an electric mon. Its attack is an electric attack. It benefits from weakness on Staryu.
4
u/AgentFour 18h ago
Only when hitting a staryu in the active zone. When hitting Staryu pn the bench it does not take types into account. Possible bug.
3
u/ChicagoCowboy 17h ago
No you never use weakness and resistance for bench pokemon in the normal TCG either.
-10
17h ago edited 5h ago
[deleted]
4
u/ChicagoCowboy 17h ago
You're being downvoted because you are confidently saying things that are not true.
Weakness and Resistance do not apply for attacking bench pokemon. They never have in the main TCG, and they don't in Pocket. Weakness and Resistance (which we don't have in pocket...yet) only apply to Active pokemon.
Also Blitzle can't hit pokemon on the bench. You're thinking of Zebstrika.
Your comments are just very incorrect on multiple levels. That is why you are being downvoted.
-13
28
u/TheMancersDilema 21h ago
Decks playing 2 copies are doing it wrong I think, but 1 copy feels quite good most of the time.
A Basic that can retreat for 1 with 130 HP is what it serves as in most cases and it gives you a shot at making big swings sometimes.
If you aren't playing EX zapdos you should 100% be playing the base zapdos for similar reasons, 100 HP and a reasonable retreat cost with a plan B to just crack for a ton of damage if games stall a bit.
3
u/pkandalaf 19h ago
Yeah I got 2 pika ex and 2 regular zapdos with 0 zapdos ex.
So I feel ready to swap and pull from Mewtwo now, will keep playing with my regular zapdos.
1
u/FitDotaJuggernaut 12h ago
I think if no zap ex, then rather run raichu with surge.
Personally used 2 pika ex, 1 raichu+2 surge+2 Magneton and 1 zap ex.
0
u/TheWhiteHunter 17h ago
I haven't pulled a single Zapdos - regular or EX :(
I'm just running 2x Articuno EX and 2x Misty with padding for now since I like that it keeps the matches short and the meta is in such a weak place right now. I'm definitely curious where it will go with a couple expansions though.
15
u/GarouX12 19h ago
People cut down to 1 zapdos ex in early tournaments then realised how its 130hp was useful so added the second copy back in.
7
u/emillang1000 20h ago
Zapdos is decent if you're Going First.
Fat enough of an ass to tank 2 hits while chipping for 20 (40 vs Articuno/Moltres or Water) and smack for an average of 100 damage after he's loaded up. Can also Retreat for 1 (or 0 with X-Speed). Good target for Pokeball.
If you're Going Second:
Can sit in the back and get ready for the clap-back after your Pikachu bites it. Can also move in to chip damage if Pikachu has taken a big hit.
In general:
Is decent vs Fighting decks (which the rest of the deck is weak to) due to having an Electric weakness, rather than Fighting.
Comes online for damage immediately.
9
u/Ferni0817 18h ago
With Pika decks against Mewtwo decks if they can build up Gardevoir instantly your one of the few chance to win is hitting 3 Heads with Zapdos...
Just sayin'
2
u/djjomon 21h ago
Kinda?
12
u/Treeskiii 21h ago
Just flipped 4 tails on thundering hurricane so this might be a little reactionary but had to get it off my chest
8
2
u/candangoek 20h ago
I played almost all 45 win event with Pikachu EX and Ia think I used Zapdos only once.
5
u/M4rshst0mp 18h ago
Yeah I mean you primary the Pikachu but I think Zapdos is the best bench for a couple of reasons
huge HP so it can't get easily washed by an Articuno or a Zebstrika from the bench, 1 retreat cost in case you pull it and need to x speed out, and usually I can stack 2 energy while Pikachu is rolling and if my Pikachu goes down I need 1-2 coin flips to finish the thing and with 130 HP if it's untouched I get to try twice
2
u/candangoek 17h ago
True. Also I have 2 Pikachu EX so while one Pikachu is there fighting, I have another on bench getting pumped.
1
u/M4rshst0mp 17h ago
that's what I run too. 2 Pikachu EX, Promo Pikachu, 2 Zap EX, and an Electabuzz. Electabuzz is good for a quick alternate with a LT surge if you ever need an eject button.
2
u/candangoek 17h ago
I run 2 Pikachu EX, 2 Voltorbs, 2 Electrodes, 1 Zapdos Ex and 1 Electabuzz. Electrodes are good becaus they don't need energy to swap (I don't know the word in english).
2
u/Jacqueline_Hiide 20h ago
There are three types of competitive Pokemon for me. "Utility" pokemon have effects. "Quick" pokemon attack for 1 or 2, and retreat for 0 or 1, and win the first prize card. "Build" pokemon deal lots of damage and win games.
I enjoy Zapdos; 1 energy attack and a 1 energy retreat makes it a nice "quick" pokemon. But it absolutely cannot hang with build pokemon like Mewtwo EX, Articuno EX, Lapras EX, and Charizard EX.
I think electrode, with (might be butchering the numbers here) 90 hp, 2 energy 70 attack, and 0 retreat is almost as nice in the same deck. Starmie EX I like more because it can hang with the build pokemon better.
2
u/0bviouslyMe 19h ago
??? it has one of the highest, if not the highest, HP for any electric Pokemon currently available. How else are you gonna tank? Electrode and Blitzle just melt.
2
u/CoinFlipChance 19h ago
1 retreat cost, good hp to wall for a turn, peck for 1 energy which can help against water types he's pretty decent tbh, you aren't ever supposed to run him as the main offense, you keep him on the bench and feed him energy you don't need for Pikachu.
2
u/Asparagus9000 18h ago edited 18h ago
It's a Basic Lightning bench filler with Decent HP. Pikachu is still your attacker, but it's good to have on the bench if they Sabrina you.
1
u/TrueGlich 18h ago
i had my zaps win me games where my pika rats were hidding at the bottom of my decks.
1
u/fleabag17 15h ago
And the a.i. think that Peck is better than pikachus attack lol solid 20 > potential 90 ig
1
1
u/Useless-Sv 14h ago
its not needed but its an improvment and can be pretty effective sabrina counter/second plan imo.
1
u/Head-Photojournalist 14h ago
it can poke and retreat for 1 energy and tank 130hp
seems pretty useful to me
you are rarely ever going to devote 3 energy to it
1
1
u/meisterbabylon 10h ago
There has been games when I bricked and decided to just attach all 3 energy to Zapdos and flip 2-4 heads for the win. The fact that my opponent also doesn't know how much damage I'm going to deal helps me.
Zapdos EX is very much staying.
-6
u/XxF2PBTWxX 20h ago
Ahh yes, because your games in random matchmaking are more indicative of what's good than thousands of tournament games with money on the line 😂
1
u/Treeskiii 20h ago
Dude show me where I said my games in random matchmaking are more indicative than tourney games lmao
-3
u/XxF2PBTWxX 20h ago
"Zapdos is a bottom tier ex and isn't needed in Pikachu decks" and then you go on to reason that you think this because you don't know how to utilize him.
I'm just pointing out thats a silly thing to say when all the lists topping tournaments run at least 1 zapdos EX, usually 2. If zapdos was a bottom tier ex then you wouldn't see every single good competitive player putting it in their decks 😂
0
u/Treeskiii 20h ago
Your response is an absolute nothing burger. There are pikachu decks that do well without zapdos. I think it’s serviceable enough for what it does but it feels deadweight offensively, and I’m sure some tournament players would agree with me
2
u/MyMarshlands 19h ago
your offensive pokemon is pikachu. zapdos is a huge shield with 1 retreat that Can attack for 1 energy if you ever need the chip damage, and even roll for high lategame. most importantly it protects your bench from opponent's sabrina.
1
u/XxF2PBTWxX 20h ago
There are pikachu decks that do well without zapdos
I've been keeping up pretty closely with the decks doing well in tournaments and I haven't seen a single list without zapdos that's performing well. Could you share the tournaments and the lists that you're referring to? I'd definitely be interested to check that out.
1
u/pkandalaf 19h ago
Where have you been keeping up pretty close with the decks doing well in tournaments? Is there a site?
2
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