Promogon-Z (Article)

[Decmaster]

Promogon-Z​

Introduction​

Well, a long time ago, I found this deck on the forums. It was by Regi, and he said said it'd won a lot. To me, it looked interesting, so, I did what I always did. I proxied it. I played it for a while, and I came to love playing the deck. It set up fast, and hit for huge damage. There was a lot to learn about the deck. I learned it all, and won a spring BR's with it.
Then came the rotation.
I had plans for the deck, however. The loss of Claydol hurt it greatly, and some other cards hurt it, too. Plus, it only ran special energies, so Scizor Prime shut it down. And, with Vileplume being newly released, the trainer lock hurt this deck so much, it wasn't funny. But I replaced the cards, and through a series of changes, came up with a list that almost made the deck faster, but it certainly didn't hurt it.​

The list​

Pokemon-20​

1 Porygon-Z Lv.X (MD-100)​

3 Porygon-Z (Promo-35)​

3 Porygon2 (TR-49)​

4 Porygon (HGSS22 [Promo])​

2 Magnezone Prime (TR-96)
1 Magneton (SF-43)
2 Magnemite (SF-66)
1 Dialga G Lv.X (PT-122)
1 Dialga G (PT-7)
1 Uxie (LA-43)
1 Azelf (LA-19)​

T/S/S-31​

4 Technical Machine TS-1 (LA-136)
4 Technical Machine TS-2 (LA-137)
3 Broken Time-Space (PT-104)
3 Rare Candy (UL-82)
2 Bebe's Search (RR-89)
2 Copycat (HS-90)
2 Expert Belt (AR-87)
2 Palmer's Contribution (SV-139)
2 Pokemon Collector (HS-97)
2 Pokemon Communication (HS-98)
2 Super Scoop Up (UL-83)
2 Warp Point (MD-88)
1 Luxury Ball (SF-86)​

Energies-9​

4 Double Colorless Energy (HS-103)
2 Call Energy (MD-92)
2 Cyclone Energy (SF-94)
1 Metal Energy (Basic)​

Strategies​

Overall Strategy​

Set up by around turn two, and keep using Overload to hit for massive damage. Keep the Technical Machines coming (With a synergy/strategy between two cards that I will discuss later) and move them around from Porygon-Z to Porygon-Z to make sure that when one is knocked out, all the Technical Machines aren't discarded with it. Use Dialga G Lv.X for a lot of reasons. (The main ones being Trainer lock and Scizor Prime's Poke' Body)​

Single Card Strategies​

The main attacker of this deck. Use Overload to hit for massive damage with a Double Colorless Energy. With eight Technical Machines and an Expert Belt, that's 220 damage a turn. However, not all of the Technical Machines should be on one Porygon-Z. Move them around using Install, keeping only enough for the Knock Out, just in case one of your opponent's Pokemon revenge/surprise knocks you out.​

The extra of this deck. It fits in because the deck is Porygon-Z based, and is a huge addition. Mode Crash shuts down decks heavy on special energies. Yet, the real power behind this card is Decode. It is the main draw power of this deck. I search for any two cards that I want, and put them on top of my deck. Then, I use a draw engine (Magnezone Prime) to get those two cards into my hand.​

This card is the main draw power of this deck. It's very easy to set up, and once it is, I've got whatever cards I need. Using Porygon-Z Lv.X, I put two cards on top of my deck, and then use Magnezone Prime's Magnetic Draw to get those cards into my hand. Using this, I can get all eight Technical Machines onto my Porygon-Z's in about four turns, I can get a fully powered up Porygon-Z in two, or many other things.​

This deck runs so many trainers, Trainer locks shut this deck down. This deck needs a counter to these, so why not the king of counters, Dialga G Lv.X? It shuts down those pesky Vileplumes and Spiritombs. It also counters a boatload of other things that affect this deck, like Scizor Prime, Donphan Prime, Machamp Lv.X, etc. It's also relatively easy to set up, using mainly Porygon-Z's Learning.​

These cards help this deck so much. Not only do they boost Overload's damage to 200, but they also do countless other things. First off, Technical Machine TS-1. This card is really helpful for setting up. If I have one of these in a bad starting hand, it's not a bad starting hand anymore. I (Hopefully) will have a Porygon, then I can attach Technical Machine TS-1 and get a Porygon2 or Porygon-Z. I can also use it for Magnezone Prime. Second off, Technical Machine TS-2. This helps not as much, but it really helps on a Rare Candy deck. I Devolute my opponent's Rare Candied Stage 2, and then, they've got a weak Basic. I'll usually only use this in a bad start, just to stall for time. (I usually only need a few turns) Plus, I can devolve a Gyarados with 40 damage (and get around Rescue) and I can get around Fainting Spell on a Gengar (Thanks to minimidgit94 for pointing this out)​

Extra Strategies​

Porygon2 from Triumphant is amazing. If I have a Porygon but a bad start, I'll have it active, evolve to Porygon2 (When I can, of course) and use Mapping for a Broken Time-Space. I find myself in this position a lot, so this Porygon2 is the right way to go. The Porygon Promo is such a great starter. With it and a Double Colorless Energy, an opening hand is never bad. I attach the DCE, and use Version update for a Porygon2, then Mapping for a Broken Time-Space, and voila! A T2 Proygon-Z. Cyclone Energy was originally in Regi's list to get rid of active Spiritombs. I have tried Warp Energy in this deck, and I lost twice to a VileGar because of it. However, Cyclone Energy is not better, it just helps with the matchup against VileGar. Whichever you use is strictly personal choice depending on which matchup you need help with. Copycat is my version of Professor Oak's New Theory, but I like Copycat better. My deck gets small very fast, so it's nice to have a small hand. Or, if used right, I can use it for more cards to help me get set up. People tend to have big hands at the beginning of games, when I'd need set up. I use Super Scoop Up just in case, to pick a damaged Porygon-Z, or something else. (I pick up a Porygon-Z a lot) I may switch this to Seeker.​

Opening Hand
A perfect opening hand would be:
Porygon
Double Colorless Energy
(A way to get/already have) Porygon-Z
(A way to get/already have) Dialga G
Mainly because I can Double Colorless Energy to Porygon, and Version Update. Then, Porygon2, Mapping, Broken Time-Space, Porygon-Z, and Learning for a Dialga G Lv.X. Or, if trainer lock isn't a problem, I can attack. But it's always a good idea to set up Dialga G Lv.X.​

Match-ups​

SP - 75-25 Different SP's can't do much to this deck. Luxray GL Lv.X doesn't do enough damage to hurt a Porygon-Z Lv.X, and this deck has many ways to recover from a Bright Look. Garchomp C Lv.X also doesn't do enough damage to hurt a Porygon-Z Lv.X. There's nothing good on my bench to snipe except maybe a Uxie or Azelf, and that doesn't hurt me much. Plus, I hit it for weakness, while it doesn't hit me. Dialga G Lv.X doesn't affect me much. The Trainer lock will hurt at the beginning, but 10 damage won't do anything to me. And, the Poke` Body doesn't affect me at all, otherwise, why would I run it? It may Lost Remover my energy, but that's only on my active. Then, using my engine, I'll get a Warp Point to another fully powered Porygon-Z and OHKO it. Blaziken FB Lv.X doesn't do much, either. It can hit for 140 absolute max (Jet Shoot, Burning Spirit, Expert Belt), which still isn't enough to Knock Out a Porygon-Z Lv.X with an Expert Belt, and I'm not doing my job if a Blaziken FB Lv.X can have those requirements met.

VileGar - 20-80 This is a really tough match up. Gengar Lv.X really kills my Dialga G Lv.X, getting rid of it and sending it back to my deck. Since i run so many trainers, I'm doomed. However, during playtesting, I have gotten a T1 setup under a trainer lock. (I went second. I only used a Bebe's Search and a Broken Time-Space) That setup included a Porygon-Z with a DCE and a Dialga G Lv.X. If I can get a T1 Dialga G Lv.X, then I can sweep early without letting them get set up. So, I can beat this deck, but it's very tough to pull off.

Gyarados - 65-35 This match up okay for this deck. I should Knock Out their Gyarados pretty fast, and then, they just can't recover fast enough. However, if they do manage to get recovered quickly, then two-turn succession Tail Revenge will Knock Out a Porygon-Z. However, I'll have another one ready by then. I'll Mode Crash any Recover Energy I can, that way, I'll keep the recovery at bay.

Sablelock (with or without Blaziken FB Lv.X) - 75-25 This deck does nothing to me. Judge can potentially get on my nerves, but I have many options with this deck. Cyrus's Initiative won't, either, I have so many ways to get the cards back. As I've stated before, Garchomp C Lv.X and Blaziken FB Lv.X don't do anything to me.


If you feel any of the match ups are incorrect, please tell me. I didn't write this to get feedback on the deck. I wrote this to raise awareness of this deck. This deck is amazing. I've seen an increase of this deck around the forums, and that is good.

I'm running this at Cities tomorrow!

This is my first article!

 

[Cinema]

Okay one strategy you really failed to mention was using devoluter as a HUGELY good card in this deck. First of all, you can do 40 to a Gyarados then Devolute it for the KO, bypassing rescue energy. Same strategy goes for against Gengar, but now not only can you get around rescue energy you can also get around Fainting Spell. Much better TM IMO. I just built this deck last night after wanting to forever and I like it alot so far, but my list is significantly different, but I'll try something similar to your list today.

 

[scizorlicious]

Nice article! It's too bad a lot of the cards are getting rotated soon (Porygon-Z X, TMs), or I would consider building this deck. That Porygon-Z Lv.X+Magnezone Prime's a nice combo.

 

[AmishEskimoNinja]

A few thoughts from a veteran pory z user:

The promo porygon 2 is definitely worth using at least 1 of. Lower retreat on Z is great.

9 energy is waaaay not enough. You'll need at least 10-12 minimum or you'll be searching for them all game. And while you're adding energy lost burn is a spectacular late game attack. Why does DGX get an energy, but not magnezone?

3 BTS seems kinda heavy considering you can search for it with pory 2.

TR porygon Z doesn't even get a mention? It does get you TM's back.

As far as matchups, dialgachomp is going to steam roll you. First of all they have more consistent damage potential, and secondly they can remove lost your precious 9 energy faster than you can say ouch.

 

[Decmaster]

Okay:
@minimidget94, wow. I didn't even notice that! xP Well, I'll make sure to mention that.
@amisheskimoninja, first, the Porygon2 will be shut down by Dialga G Lv.X. Second, the TR Porygon-Z is not worth a space in this deck. It has a terrible attack, and it's PokePower is flippy. You're right, 3 BTS does seem a bit much, and 9 energy isn't enough. Maybe -1 BTS +1 Lightning Energy? Finally, okay, about the Dialga G Lv.X. Because if they Lost Remover my Energy, first, they have to flip heads. Second, they can only remove so many. Third, I'll Warp Point (Using my engine to get it) and send up another Porygon-Z and OHKO it. At least that's my opinion. And, Dialga G Lv.X has nothing to shut down, and besides a Uxie, there's nothing much to snipe. And then I OHKO it. I don't think that's enough reason to lower the matchup.

 

[Meaty]

Good article, but you could have gone much more indepth, and given more deck options. Right now it's just your deck glorified. There are other ways to play this deck and other techs to use. So overall expand this article. Also, matchups are never really correct, I would take those down. Especially because I know for a fact that you haven't tested against many versions of all those decks.

 

[dmaster]

The State of the Game Forum is a better fit for Articles.

*Moved*

dmaster out.

 

[festizzio]

I agree with Meaty. An awesome tech in this deck is Dodrio UD for free retreat; you don't have to bring out DGX every game, and when you don't it really helps. Also, Exploud SV helps immensely against Machamp and Donphan, and keeps you from getting revenge KO'd by a Promocroak for at least a few turns while you take prizes, if you get it out fast enough.

 

[Decmaster]

Sorry for being biased, but it is my favorite deck

However, it is my first article, and I was explaining my list. Well, yeah, I suppose that I could have used more deck options. I'll think about some and post them. I don't really want to take down the matchups, they help people get a general idea for the decks performance. If you have some suggestions, go right ahead. I guess I'll do a lot of testing at cities tomorrow.

 

[Meaty]

I meant it was only your list, and not any other sample. Not that it was Porygon-Z lol.

 

[festizzio]

A match-up you might want to add is Machamp Prime and maybe Donphan Prime, as they both hit for weakness, making it a very tough match. Arceus should also be mentioned, as I believe it's proved itself as a contender.

 

[idrumprettywell]

i played this with 6 energys at cc's and won. i think minimal energy in this deck is fine, especially since only one is needed to attack

 

[Cinema]

I play 7 energies at the moment and they come up fine. I don't play magnezone and I don't really focus on Porgyon Z X, but rather just consistency.

 

[Rikko145]

(As always) I read your DialgaChomp matchup very carefully. You fail to see that, under deafen lock, a good DChomp deck will be doing 50 a turn (Base Damage + Belt + Skuntank Poison) and you'll be able to do 40 or less to it, since you can't play any Stadiums or Trainers. None of this:
4 Technical Machine TS-1 (LA-136)
4 Technical Machine TS-2 (LA-137)
3 Broken Time-Space (PT-104)
3 Rare Candy (UL-82)
2 Expert Belt (AR-87)
2 Pokemon Communication (HS-98)
2 Super Scoop Up (UL-83)
2 Warp Point (MD-88)
1 Luxury Ball (SF-86)

 

[festizzio]

I don't know anybody that still runs Skuntank G, and if they attached E-belt to the Dialga, then you weren't under trainer lock for at least one turn, which should be enough time to get 3-4 TMs on somebody.

 

[Rikko145]

Deafen locks for the opponent's turn only. I can play my whoe Cyrus engine if I want to while you sit in trainer & stadium lock. Go read a Dialga G, please. And I have yet to see anyboy who didn't run it. Especially with Machamp around so much now, people will be running ToxiTank, which means they'll have Skuntank G even more often. I won a game at Nats that I Deafened for the entire game, so it's obviously not a problem. With all the ways to fully heal with Poke'Turns, Bronzong G, GCX, Warp Energy, and others, they can keep a tanked-out DGX active for the whole game without a problem.

 

[festizzio]

You CAN'T deafen lock the entire game if you have an E-BELT attached, which is what you originally posted. Don't tell me to read cards that I USE IN MY OWN DECK, and please stop trolling this topic. If you want to argue like a grown-up, then quit insulting my intelligence and think before you post.

On-topic: Has anyone thought of a good, practical Umbreon UD counter? I tried Drifblim UD, but it takes too long to set up and they will probably have another Umbreon on their bench by the time you get it.

 

[idrumprettywell]

for this deck, marowak tr. one heads and it's bye bye umbreon.

 

[Decmaster]

Oh yeah, Umbreon UD compleatly WREAKS this deck. I didn't realize. Hm, what about a non-leveled-up Dialga G? I guess the Metal Energy's in there for a reason....

 

[Cinema]

You can deafen turn 1 for 10 with a metal and an energy gain and keep that up until you have a belted one on your bench with special metals ready to be leveled up.