What is the Play for NAIC? Top 5 Decks, Japan Championship Results, and Just Have FunWhat is the Play for NAIC? Top 5 Decks, Japan Championship Results, and Just Have Fun
The Payoff with Pete
Cory and Jared break down recent major Pokémon TCG events, highlight decks like Lugia, Future Box and Raging Bolt, and share their top NAIC meta predictions. They also remind competitive players to enjoy the game, learn from coverage, and not give up after a bad start.
55:12•7 Jun 2024
Top Decks, Big Tournaments, and Remembering to Just Have Fun
Episode Overview
- A rough start or even a game loss doesn’t mean a tournament is over; you can still fight back to a strong finish.
- Choosing a deck is about more than raw power – picking a “path” that fits your matchups and play style can pay off.
- Future Box, Lugia, and Raging Bolt ex are shown as serious contenders after strong performances in major events.
- Watching high-level streams and talking through plays is a powerful way to learn and enjoy the game with others.
- Having fun and appreciating the game itself is just as important as chasing wins and results.
“"I think enjoyment is as much a part of what we should be teaching people as the ins and outs of the strategies and how things work."”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? For anyone who knows addiction often shifts into new obsessions, this episode shows how two long-time Pokémon TCG fans channel that intensity into cards, competition, and community. Cory and Jared, best friends and co-hosts, break down recent high-level Pokémon tournaments with the same energy many people once poured into late nights out.
They chat through the Bologna Special Event and the huge Japan Championships, talking through why Future Box finally took a major win, how Lugia dominated Japan with Legacy Energy, and why Raging Bolt ex is suddenly everywhere. It’s fast, jokey, and full of friendly teasing, but there’s a serious appreciation for focus, patience, and staying the course.
You’ll hear them stress not giving up after a rough start, using Kim Pobagna’s run from an 0–1 record and even a game loss to win a major event as a reminder that a bad round doesn’t mean a ruined weekend.
Their “wrath versus path” idea – choosing between the supposedly strongest deck and a slightly weaker list that fits your matchups and personality – will sound familiar to anyone who’s had to pick between quick fixes and healthier, long-term choices. The big chunk of the chat is their Top 5 predictions for NAIC: where Charizard, Gardevoir, Lugia, Raging Bolt, and Chien-Pao might land, and why Lost Box variants could quietly run the tables.
They round things off with an “educational moment” that’s surprisingly simple: tune in, enjoy the game, talk about plays with friends or family, and remember that having fun matters as much as winning. If you’re someone who’s swapped one addiction for a healthier passion, this mix of strategy, humour, and genuine enthusiasm might feel very familiar. What hobby is helping you build a life on the other side of alcohol?
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