New BDIF and Does Playing Other TCGs Make You A Better Pokémon Player?New BDIF and Does Playing Other TCGs Make You A Better Pokémon Player?
The Payoff with Pete
Cory and Jared break down why Regidrago might be the top deck for Worlds, argue about whether playing other TCGs helps or hurts Pokémon performance, and share thoughts on when conceding a game is actually the smartest move. Strategy, mindset, and a lot of friendly ribbing keep the chat lively and relatable.
1:07:07•2 Aug 2024
Regidrago Hype, Side Games, and Knowing When to Quit
Episode Overview
- Regidrago with Kyurem and a mix of tech attackers is presented as the strongest deck heading into Worlds, thanks to its flexibility and lack of weakness.
- Lost Tina is highlighted as a serious contender that can trade blow-for-blow with Regidrago and potentially one-shot its main attacker.
- Stall and ability-lock strategies are debated, with Regidrago’s toolbox and recovery options making it hard to pin down consistently.
- Playing other TCGs like Lorcana may sharpen situational thinking, but heavy side-gaming can cost precious practice time in Pokémon.
- Conceding should be a strategic choice rather than an emotional reaction, especially in best-of-three sets where time and information matter as much as a single game win.
“"Quitting a game should always be to your strategic advantage, and quitting can be to your strategic advantage because of the format that we live in."”
What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery? Swap alcohol for cardboard and you’ll still recognise a lot of the same themes here: obsession, discipline, ego, and knowing when to walk away. This episode of *The Payoff with Pete* features Cory and Jared talking as lifelong friends and competitive Pokémon Trading Card Game players. The chat is fast, funny, and surprisingly relatable if you’re into recovery or self-improvement, even though the focus stays firmly on Pokémon.
They break down what Cory calls “the unquestionable best deck right now” – Regidrago – and why it “can’t be stopped” thanks to its toolbox of attackers like Kyurem, Dragapult, Raging Bolt and Giratina. The pair talk counters too, with Cory backing Lost Tina as a serious challenger and debating whether stall decks or ability lock can realistically slow Regidrago down.
You’ll also hear a big debate on whether playing other card games like Lorcana actually makes someone a better Pokémon player. Jared argues that learning different systems can sharpen situational awareness, while Cory thinks time spent on other TCGs is time stolen from serious Pokémon practice. As Cory jokes, “They wasted time on another game. Love it. I have an advantage now.” Later, Jared turns this into a mini coaching session about knowing when to concede a game.
He stresses that quitting should never be emotional, only strategic: saving time, protecting mental health in long events, and remembering that “your goal is to win the tournament, not necessarily that game you’re in.” If you enjoy competitive strategy, mindset talk, and two mates roasting each other while still getting quite serious about discipline and focus, this one’s a fun listen.
It might even get you asking: where in your own life do you need to stop forcing the unwinnable game and play for the long run instead?
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