Path vs Wrath +Top 5 Rogue NAIC Decks and Regional Tournament ResultsPath vs Wrath +Top 5 Rogue NAIC Decks and Regional Tournament Results
The Payoff with Pete
Corey and Jared break down recent Pokémon TCG tournaments, celebrate a huge Pidgeot control win, and debate the strength of meta decks versus wild rogue ideas. They also introduce a “path vs wrath” mindset for choosing decks ahead of NAIC and the Japanese Championships.
58:07•31 May 2024
Path or Wrath? Rogue Decks, Big Tournaments, and Tough Choices in Pokémon TCG
Episode Overview
- Pidgeot control proves its power as Lucas Zing wins a massive 2,070‑player regional with a highly technical one‑of heavy list.
- Chien‑Pao is framed as a deck that reliably reaches day two but struggles to convert into tournament wins compared with Charizard, Lost Box and control.
- Ancient Box, Dialga builds and Lugia variants show they can still take major events when piloted well and metagamed correctly.
- A set of five rogue NAIC contenders is highlighted, including Luxray EX hand control, Conkeldurr one‑prizers, Palafin EX, Iron Thorns lock and Toedscruel/Teal Mask Ogerpon.
- Players are urged to think in terms of “path vs wrath”: choosing either high‑variance, match‑up‑dependent decks or more flexible lists that can fight almost anything.
“Path or wrath, what do you want?”
What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery? On this occasion, the focus shifts to card games, as two long-time friends talk strategy, risk, and a bit of tournament heartbreak. Teach Me Pokemon is hosted by Corey and Jared, best mates who’ve “been playing Pokémon for a very long time” and who treat the competitive Pokémon TCG like a mix of science experiment and comedy sketch.
You’ll hear them rib each other about local league results (including a proud “3-0, baby”) before jumping into a global tour of recent events from Los Angeles to Lima, Johannesburg, Mexico City and the Philippines. They break down Lucas Zing’s massive 2,070-player regional win with Pidgeot control, praising the complexity of “so many one-offs” and the mental toughness it takes to bounce back after back‑to‑back losses.
Along the way, they poke fun at Lugia, argue over Chien‑Pao’s ceiling (“If you want to make the playoffs, run Chien Pao. If you want to win, don’t run Chien Pao”), and highlight emerging threats like Ancient Box, Dialga, and Charizard/Pidgeot. The heart of the episode is a fun, nerdy look at creativity under pressure.
Corey unveils his “top five rogue decks” for NAIC, featuring off‑beat ideas like Luxray EX hand control, Conkeldurr one‑prizers, Palafin EX tricks, Iron Thorns lock, and a spicy Toedscruel/Teal Mask Ogerpon build. Jared counters with an “educational moment” that asks players to choose between “path or wrath”: do you accept bad match‑ups for huge upside, or pick something solid that can “rumble with most anything else”?
It’s fast, jokey, and deeply technical, ideal if you enjoy competitive card games, rogue brewing, or just hearing two friends think out loud about risk, rewards, and the luck of the draw. Which side are you on—path or wrath?
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