Indy, Buenos Aires, and Champions League Sapporo ResultsIndy, Buenos Aires, and Champions League Sapporo Results
The Payoff with Pete
Corey and Jared break down recent Pokemon TCG events in Buenos Aires, Indianapolis and Sapporo, analysing key decks like Charizard, Chien-Pao and Dialga. They mix meta analysis with a lively debate on deck-building choices and what drives players to compete at big tournaments.
1:11:07•10 May 2024
Charizard, Dialga and the Chien-Pao Debate: Teach Me Pokemon Tackles Indy & Sapporo
Episode Overview
- Charizard remains a top deck, with players experimenting with techs like Devolution TM and Miss Fortune Energy to gain an edge in mirror matches.
- Dialga v-star’s Indy win is linked to a very streamlined list and smart one-of techs such as Zamazenta and Mew ex to adjust the prize trade.
- Chien-Pao is portrayed as powerful yet unreliable at the very top level, with concerns around its HP, energy engine, and late-stage consistency.
- New Japanese lists highlight future trends, including Gardevoir builds with Munkidori and Palkia v-star, plus a Blissey ex tank deck abusing healing and damage movement.
- The hosts discuss how most players likely treat events as a pastime, while a small percentage chase Worlds invites and prize money as something closer to a profession.
“Like so many decks of old, including the greninja that you love so much. This is a deck that is so good, but will disappoint you if your goal is to ultimately win the tournament.”
Curious about how others shape their strategy in competitive play? This episode of **Teach Me Pokemon** drops you right into the chatter between long-time friends and co-hosts Corey and Jared as they break down recent major Pokemon TCG events and argue (hard) about what really wins tournaments.
You’ll hear them walk through results from Buenos Aires, Indianapolis Regionals, and Champions League Sapporo, breaking down why Charizard remains a powerhouse, how tech choices like Devolution TM and Counter Catcher change mirror matches, and why some Gardevoir players are sneaking in quirky cards like Espathra ex. They also give a blow‑by‑blow of Andrew Herrick’s Dialga v-star win in Indy and debate whether his success came down to smart techs like Zamazenta and Mew ex or a super‑streamlined, low‑variance list.
The real fireworks come when they tackle Chien-Pao: four copies in Indy’s top eight, none taking the trophy. Jared launches into a full rant, comparing the deck to the Dallas Cowboys—flashy in Swiss, stumbling in the knockout rounds—arguing that 220 HP and reliance on Baxcalibur just don’t cut it at the very top level.
Corey pushes back, mapping out prize routes with Radiant Greninja and Iron Hands, and the two go back and forth in a surprisingly technical but very accessible debate. Later, they jump into early post‑Twilight Masquerade trends from Japan: Maridon ex winning a 2,700‑player event, new Gardevoir variants using Munkidori to move damage counters, and a cheeky Blissey ex tank deck that abuses healing and energy movement.
They round things off with a wider chat about “pastime vs profession” in Pokemon, questioning how many players are really chasing Worlds versus just chasing a good time. If you enjoy strong opinions, tournament stats, and a bit of playful beef over card choices, this one might have you rethinking your next deck list—what techs would you swap into your 60 after hearing this?
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