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Hi, I'm Joe D'Andrea, a Pokemon professor at Comic Cafe in Warren New Jersey, and we're
here to show you how to play the Pokemon trading card game. Comic Cafe can be found online
at comiccafe.com.
As you become more familiar with your Pokemon cards, you might want to try your hand at
building your own deck. Here's a high level overview of five types of decks you might
encounter in league or tournament play. Each one has a special mix of Pokemon, trainer,
and energy cards. Speed decks are designed to help you set up faster than your opponent.
If all goes well, you can start knocking out opponents' Pokemon by the second turn. And
if your Pokemon are knocked out, speed decks will help you get those cards back into play
as quickly as possible. Heavy offense decks use Pokemon that do a lot of continuous damage
to your opponent. Once you get going, it's not unheard of for you to take a prize card
every time. Heavy defense decks used Pokemon that can withstand multiple attacks through
high hit points, the ability to move damage counters to other Pokemon and even by removing
or reducing damage. Disruption or lock decks are designed to prevent your opponent from
setting up or even using trainer cards such as the trainer lock. They can prevent cards
from being used. They can force your opponent to discard cards from his hand. They can force
your opponent to discard cards from your hand. They can control the cards your opponent gets
or prevent your opponent from attacking. The Donk deck is designed to knock out your opponents
Pokemon, hopefully when there's no Pokemon on bench during the first turn. That way they
have no more Pokemon and you win right away. If the Donk fails, you will want a back-up
plan. So make sure your deck is designed to keep you so far ahead of prize cards your
opponent cant keep up. Also, be mindful of the medi-game. This is describes what those
around you are playing. This will help influence the decisions you make when you are building
your deck. Remember to test your deck, become comfortable with it. Don't be afraid to revise
it. Seek out advice from your friends or other Pokemon professors.