Prop 15/3 – Metagame Tiers with Deck Lists

Written by evolutionenthusiast

METAGAME TIER LIST LAST UPDATED 2025.08.25 (well, currently updating, excuse the mess: a few tier three, tier four and below deck descriptions and criteria are out of date!).

Please take a look at my “Active Decks” to get an idea of where Prop 15/3 testing has taken me (where deck lists that may influence the metagame but need further testing reside)! With an assumed several hundred games of testing but no major events of note since October 2024, the following is very anecdotal. Scroll to the bottom to see deck lists with commentary. Thanks for visiting!

Criteria Used

Decks are put into Tiers by the following criteria:

  • Power Level
    • Strong – These decks can both attack for large amounts of damage and have access to disruptive effects that lead to game-winning positions. These are the decks that are frustrating to play against without an understanding of how to beat them.
    • Moderate – These decks either attack for large amounts of damage and have access to disruptive effects that lead to game-winning positions. Decks will need to hit or have promise to hit this threshold to make it on the Tier List.
    • Weak – These decks don’t attack for large amounts of damage or have access to disruptive effects that lead to game-winning positions. These decks might be candidates for a competitive deck with additional modification but otherwise will not make the below Tier List.
  • Resiliency
    • Resilient – These decks do not overly rely on any one card or set of cards to play (and win) the game. Do not mistake decks that are frequently able to win the game after giving up 3-5 prizes as fragile.
    • Fragile – These decks rely on a particular one card or set of cards to compete and eventually win. Decks that have a substantial or multiple “single points of failure”. 
  • Consistency (Deck Construction)
    • Very Consistent – These decks are categorized by large amounts of consistency (glue) Trainers (or Pokemon that emulate glue) or many redundant cards (from a strategic standpoint). Often, these decks are Big Basic decks.
    • Somewhat Consistent – Decks that cut glue Trainers and Pokemon for more disruptive cards will fall into this category. These decks will often feel like they desperately need the play Professor Oak (but still can win some games never playing the Trainer). They may also run out of cards before winning from a commanding position in a smaller amount of their games.
    • Inconsistent – These decks may have trouble assembling their winning strategies against minimal disruption or may not easily win the game before running out of cards (and losing).
  • Consistency (Card Effects a.k.a. Coin Flips)
    • Very Consistent – These decks do not rely on winning coin flips to win a game (and won’t lose many games on the outcome of a single flip). (Though, a couple “heads” flips never hurt any Pokemon Trainer…)
    • Somewhat Consistent – These decks usually do not rely on winning coin flips to win a game (though they may need to hit the average outcome of their flips). However, they may lose a game to a bad flip.
    • Inconsistent – These decks are categorized through their need to win several flips or a very important flip to win games. Often, these decks will not make the Tier List or be Tier 3.
  • “Single Points of Failure” – These are specific Weaknesses (either Type Weakness/Resistance or weakness to a specific card) that are hard for a deck to overcome.

Deck Lists By Tiers

So with the above in mind, with the understanding that a few cards changed can move decks across tiers, my view of the Summer 2025 metagame is as follows:

Tier 0 – Best Deck(s) in Format

In a competitive setting, these decks are favored to win an event (and often dominate top standings). Usually, their weaknesses are difficult to exploit (or are exploited by decks that are at an overall lower power). Currently, I do not believe Base-Gym Prop 15/3 has decks at this level of dominance!

Tier 1 – Top Decks

In a competitive setting, these decks are favored to win an event (and many often end in the top cut). These decks are pretty flexible on average (or are very consistent to set up a hard-to-disrupt game state) and win noticeably more than they lose to many decks in lower tiers (but may have some lesser flaws that are exploitable).

Lightning-Fighting Wigglytuff Dodrio

  • Power Level – Strong – Rocket’s Zapdos, Electabuzz and Wigglytuff are three of the most efficient damage-dealers in the format, and the Fighting Pokemon offer lots of damage potential (due to weakness) for a single Energy against some of the best Pokemon in the format.
  • Resiliency – Resilient – The deck’s ~8 Big Basics play a similar game while Evolutions can be built as they are drawn. A large variety of disruptive Trainers allow for neutralizing opposing threats from many different situations.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Consistent – The Big Basics game plan supplemented by glue Trainers plays out with similar patterns over many games. 
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Very Consistent – Few cards rely on coin flips for strength.
  • Single Points of Failure – Resistance without Dodrios – Without the ability to cheaply retreat, this deck’s Pokemon can get matched up against attackers that resist the majority of damage dealt.

The Lightning Wigglytuff / Dodrio deck but with Hitmonchans. This was my pick for best deck prior to the TCGOne Mega Battle (where it made Top 4); I feel it has an edge against Lightning variants and while it may suffer some against Lock decks, careful play can mitigate the weakness. As there are a lot of possible Trainer/Pokemon configurations to consider, I hope to do a deeper dive on multiple approaches to this successful strategy, but I’d like to highlight among the most aggressive versions (playing PlusPowers and no Kangaskhan) here as well as a more toolbox approach.

For more insight on this list (both playing or playing against it) as well as possible cards to play, see the Deck List Details page [not yet created]. See the Big Basics Deck Strategy Spotlight page for ideas on similar decks.

Psychic Slowpoke Muk Lock

  • Power Level – Moderate – On the back of disruptive Trainers and Pokemon, this deck can create a strangling hold the opponent may never resist. The deck may have difficulty taking knock outs.
  • Resiliency – Resilient – Professor Oaks, Computer Searches, Nightly Garbage Runs and an almost maximum number of Energy Removal cards ensure this Lock deck can enact its plan to outlast the opponent’s resources. 
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Somewhat Consistent – Lower on glue Trainers and Mon, the deck may use paralysis attacks to prolong the game and draw needed cards and Slowpoke’s Scavenge to recover Trainers.
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Very Consistent – With approximately 50 percent heads, this deck has a chance to paralyze many turns due to a large number of paralyze-inducing attacks.
  • Single Points of Failure – Nimble Opposing Actives – Rocket’s Zapdos and free or discounted retreaters are enough to win some games.
    Well-timed Trainers – Scoop Up can counteract attempts to strand an active. Imposter Oak’s Revenge can counter a Slowpoke in the later game.
    Low HP starter Mon – The deck can suffer from weak Basic starting Pokemon.

Jason’s deep understanding of the format led to creating this monster: a deck that doesn’t need to take a single prize (but is capable of taking 6) as the opponent runs out of first energy and then cards. Often, this is done by taunting a high-retreat, high-energy attacker into the active while Muk prevents Pokemon Powers from supporting the stranded Mon. Players can change the deck to be more aggressive with increased counts of Scythers and Gastlys, which I believe helps elevate it to Tier 1 by strengthening the best way to remove Energy: knock outs. Note that the deck takes quite some time to practice enough and learn how to respond to different scenarios.

For more insight on this list (both playing or playing against it) as well as possible cards to play, see the Deck List Details page.

Tier 2 – Challenger Decks

In a competitive setting, these decks can achieve top cut (and may even win) but tend to have more or greater flaws than Tier 1 decks. These flaws can lead to a poor matchup or just less consistent performances.

Lightning-Psychic Dark Dragon Alakazam Stall (Chaos Gym)

  • Power Level – Strong – Alakazam, Tentacool and Mr. Mime can indefinitely stall the opponent (while doing damage against Pokemon lacking Psychic resistance). Chaos Gym further disrupts the opponent’s ability to react. 
  • Resiliency – Fragile – The deck plays at least 2 of every Pokemon to ensure the primary players are set up each game but ultimately will have trouble winning if Alakazam is answered (via Knock Out, Aerodactyl or Muk).
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Very Consistent – The deck plays Dark Dragons, Kangaskhan and a ton of glue Trainers to set up Alakazam every game (and quickly each game).
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Very Consistent – Few cards rely on coin flips for strength (but there are some paralyzing attacks in desperate scenarios).
  • Single Points of Failure – Alakazam / Tentacool – Neutralizing out Alakazam (or in some instances, Tentacool) can defeat this deck in certain situations. (Similarly, not setting them up is often a defeat.)
    Rocket’s Zapdos / Kangaskhan – Both of the primary attackers are weak to Clefable.
    Low Energy Count – The deck can suffer from not having enough energy to attack (especially after knock outs or after a lot of retreating).

This deck sets up Alakazam and Tentacool(s) with Chaos Gym to present a difficult-to-break active attacker; the deck is almost singularly focused in setting up (and plays 2 copies of most key cards to lower the chance of them being prized). Many opponents may not have a chance without flipping heads several times under Chaos Gym or using similar effects via Pokemon Powers or attacks.

Lightning-Fighting Dark Dragonite Clefable Dodrio

  • Power Level – Strong – Rocket’s Zapdos, Clefable, Hitmonchan and Brock’s Mankey can do massive amounts of damage with only one or two Energy cards from hand. Dodrio and Dragonite give the deck extra flexibility to switch between attackers.
  • Resiliency – Resilient – The deck’s Big Basics play a similar game while Dark Dragons ensure a quicker setup of Evolutions. While playing many glue Trainers, a curated selection of disruptive Trainers allow for neutralizing opposing threats from many different situations.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Very Consistent – The Big Basics game plan supplemented by glue Trainers plays out with similar patterns over many games; additions of Khangaskhan and Dark Dragons give the deck a tons of speed to assemble specific Pokemon.
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Very Consistent – Few cards rely on coin flips for strength.
  • Single Points of Failure – Weak Starting Pokemon – Hands with only a Clefairy or Dratini as a Basic Pokemon will put the deck at a disadvantage.

This was my pick for countering Lightning-Fighting Dodrio Wigglytuff prior to the TCGOne Mega Battle (as it can setup perfect attackers much more quickly and isn’t very vulnerable to Super Energy Removal); I feel it has an edge against Lightning variants but may suffer some against Lock decks. It will need some additional testing to determine the correct configuration of cards in the toolbox!

See the Big Basics Deck Strategy Spotlight page for ideas on similar decks.

Psychic-Grass Dark Dragonite Dark Vileplume Alakazam Lock

  • Power Level – Strong – Dark Vileplume locks out the opponent from playing Trainers (and this deck expects to burn through a good portion of its 100 percent consistency Trainers prior). Alakazam, Tentacool and Mr. Mime can indefinitely stall the opponent (while doing damage against Pokemon lacking Psychic resistance).
  • Resiliency – Fragile – The deck plays at least 2 of most Pokemon to ensure the primary players are set up each game but ultimately will have trouble winning if Alakazam or Dark Vileplume are answered (via Knock Out, Aerodactyl or Muk).
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Very Consistent – The deck plays Dark Dragons, Kangaskhan and a ton of glue Trainers to set up Dark Vileplume and Alakazam every game (and quickly each game).
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Very Consistent – Few cards rely on coin flips for strength (but there are some paralyzing attacks in desperate scenarios).
  • Single Points of Failure – Alakazam / Tentacool – Neutralizing out Alakazam (or in some instances, Tentacool) can defeat this deck in certain situations. (Similarly, not setting them up can lead to defeat.)
    Kangaskhan – The primary attacker is weak to Clefable.
    Low Energy Count – The deck can suffer from not having enough energy to attack (especially after knock outs or after a lot of retreating).

Similar to the Alakazam Chaos Gym deck, this variant has a stronger defense against Trainers (but sacrifices some of the Alakazam components and ability to more quickly take prizes)! Use Rainbow Energy to knock out your own bench to get more HP for swapping damage. Playing the deck requires a good sense of which sequence evolutions should be assembled (and when Dark Vileplume can be played, locking out its player’s Trainers).

Grass-+ Koga’s Beedrill Brock’s Golbat (Chaos Gym)

  • Power Level – Moderate – The deck lacks a high-damage output outside of coin flips except for a few 1-of Pokemon (or hitting for weakness). But it 
  • Resiliency – Resilient – The deck does not need an early Beedrill to compete (though it makes games much easier to navigate).
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Almost… Very Consistent – A fairly high amount of consistency Trainers, Brock’s Zubat and occasionally Koga’s Pidgey all join the Emerge Pokemon Power to accelerate Beedrills into the battle arena.
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Somewhat Consistent – Koga’s Beedrill relies on coin flips for its power (but it can still win games flipping more tails than average).
  • Single Points of Failure – Koga’s Beedrill – Fire Pokemon, high-HP Pokemon that output a lot of damage and ways to circumvent status can all give Koga’s Beedrill fits.
    Weak Starting Pokemon – Hands with only a Koga’s Weedle, Brock’s Zubat or other 40HP Mon as a Basic Pokemon will put the deck at a disadvantage.

I haven’t found a Grass-only variant of this deck able to succeed, but both Psychic and Fighting free-retreating Mon have paired well. (Noticeable, Lightning didn’t seem to be a good pairing!) Koga also has several Owner-unique Trainers to explore that each have very high upsides (but compete for limited deck space). See more about the evolution of the archetype at its deck details page.

Psychic-Fighting Clefable Dark Golbat Sabrina’s Kadabra

  • Power Level – Strong – This deck plays some of the highest damage-per-energy output Mon (that attack for many important Weaknesses) as well as a PlusPower and 3 Dark Golbat to extremely take KOs.
  • Resiliency – Resilient – The deck often loses its Mon to KOs but can easily take six prizes when expertly piloted.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Somewhat Consistent – With only 8 consistency Trainers and no consistency Pokemon, not all games will flow smoothly in the beginning stages.
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Somewhat Consistent – Both Sabrina’s Kadabra and Lt. Surge’s Pikachu have to flip heads to hit a high-damage output.
  • Single Points of Failure – Fragile Pokemon – Many Pokemon are just 40HP, so the deck is often at risk of giving up KOs (and can lose games when starting only with a single Mon).

Aka “Charmaster’s Ankle Biters”, developed from Sabrina’s Kadabra Dark Golbat by discord user Charmaster, this deck has a very aggressive play pattern to take quick and frequent Knock Outs. It leverages 0-cost retreating to ensure that it is attacking with the best options (and plays carefully to not get a Clefable stuck in the active). Sabrina’s Kadabra (with heads) offers one of the strongest attacks in the game when the opponent has a high-HP Mon that cannot evolve further, giving this deck the ability to win games where many other would have difficulty (with a bit a luck, that is).

Tier 3 – Contender Decks

In a competitive setting, these decks are looking to make top cut (while giving a greater challenge to the player). They often have a more linear nature than Tier 1/2 decks, and their flaws are generally more exploitable by opponents. Powerful decks requiring several key pieces may lose more games when drawing key cards out of sequence and/or sacrifice flexibility or interactive Trainers to focus on assembling several Evolution Pokemon. I assume many of these decks have options to change a few cards to win more games (or may perform better in different metagames).

Fire-Fighting Charizard Dodrio

  • Power Level – Strong – Charizard’s entire Evolution line have powerful attack options, and the Fighting Pokemon offer lots of damage potential for a single Energy against some of the best Pokemon in the format.
  • Resiliency – Resilient – Gather Fire, Scoop Ups, Resistance and Big Basics give the deck many options to attack.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Almost… Very Consistent – Kangaskhan, Computer Search and Pokemon Traders form the core of the deck; don’t be surprised if the deck wins without ever playing a Professor Oak! Also, the deck can function on its other Big Basics when dictated by the starting draw.
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Very Consistent – Few cards rely on coin flips for strength. The deck may even consider dropping the third copy of Big Basics for other Fire-, Fighting- or Colorless-attacking Pokemon.
  • Single Points of Failure – Water Weakness – Multiple Water attackers can make quick work of this deck’s namesake Fire Evolutions, but I haven’t found a particularly convincing Water deck to worry about yet.
    Problematic Attackers – Mr. Mime, Sabrina’s Kadabra, Clefable and Rocket’s Zapdos all present difficult scenarios (especially when paired with Dodrio to avoid Smokescreen).
    Energy Removal, Confusion – Not a surprise, Energy Removal Trainers and attacks can stop Charizard from taking over games. Additionally, confusion will hamper the Fire Lizard. Play carefully with Charmeleon and only evolve when necessary.

After further testing, Charizard (well, primarily Charmander and Charmeleon) with Dodrio, a slower approach to using Professor Oak, Big Basics and Scoop Ups can convincingly compete against Lightning Dodrio decks (including varieties with Fighting or Evolutions, though Hitmonchan can do some serious damage). The deck’s lineup of lean attackers (Hitmonchan, Magmar, Charmander and Dodrio) with the Gather Fire into Charmeleon possibilities also make it competitive against Slowpoke Lock.

See the Charizard Deck Diary page for ideas on how the Fire Lizard has played in 15/3 (and check the active decks section for where the list currently stands).

Fighting-Psychic Dodrio Slowbro Box Stall

  • Power Level – Moderate – On the back of disruptive Trainers and Pokemon, this deck can create a strangling hold the opponent may never resist. The deck may have difficulty taking knock outs.
  • Resiliency – Resilient – Professor Oaks, Computer Searches, Nightly Garbage Runs and an almost maximum number of Energy Removal cards ensure this Lock deck can enact its plan to outlast the opponent’s resources. 
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Somewhat Consistent – Lower on glue Trainers and Mon, the deck may use paralysis attacks to prolong the game and draw needed cards and Slowpoke’s Scavenge to recover Trainers.
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Very Consistent – With approximately 50 percent heads, this deck has a chance to paralyze many turns due to a large number of paralyze-inducing attacks.
  • Single Points of Failure – Lacking effective attackers – Clefable, Fighting and Psychic Pokemon are easily resisted, making some matchups difficult is Slowpoke’s Scavenge attack cannot be looped.
    Weak Basic Mon – The deck can suffer from weak Basic starting Pokemon, with Slowpoke, Brock’s Mankey and Clefairy being very susceptible to KO.

In theory, this deck looks to combine a large amount of Energy removal with Gusts and OHKO to ensure the opponent cannot build strong attackers. Slowbro protects attackers and Slowpoke offers late-game strength when more Trainers are needed.

For more insight on this list (both playing or playing against it) as well as possible cards to play, see the Deck List Details page.

Fire Dark Dragon Wigglytuff Blaine’s Charmander Stall

  • Power Level – Moderate – Rocket’s Zapdos is a natural counter to Blaine’s Charmander (but I think WIgglytuff’s damage output and Wiggly’s/Jiggy’s HP may be more important that playing Clefable). 
  • Resiliency – Somewhat Resilient – to be updated.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Consistent – Dark Dragons provide a booster to 8 consistency Trainers.
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Somewhat Consistent – The main strategy of Kindle is not too coin-flip reliant, but the deck will want some flips going its way when Magmar, Dark Dragons or Blaine’s Vulpix attack.
  • Single Points of Failure – As mentioned above, Pokemon that interact with Energy favorably (like Rocket’s Zapdos, Mewtwo, Venusaur, etc.) can be a problem.

This deck was built after testing Jason’s Kindle Lock deck (and wishing I could retreat Blaine’s Charmander for free). Dark Dragons allow the deck to play a toolbox of Mon (with Wigglytuff sitting on top to provide a large source of damage). It needs quite a bit more tuning, but the core strategy (Dark Dragon, Dodrio, Blaine’s Charmander) seems promising.

Lightning-Fighting Dark Dragon Wigglytuff Muk

  • Power Level – Strong – Rocket’s Zapdos, Wigglytuff, Hitmonchan and Brock’s Mankey can do massive amounts of damage with only one or two Energy cards from hand. Dragonite gives the deck extra flexibility to switch between attackers, while Muk can shut down entire archetypes.
  • Resiliency – Resilient – The deck’s Big Basics play a similar game while Dark Dragons ensure a quicker setup of Evolutions. While playing many glue Trainers, a curated selection of disruptive Trainers allow for neutralizing opposing threats from many different situations.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Very Consistent – The Big Basics game plan supplemented by glue Trainers plays out with similar patterns over many games; additions of Khangaskhan and Dark Dragons give the deck a tons of speed to assemble specific Pokemon.
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Very Consistent – Few cards rely on coin flips for strength.
  • Single Points of Failure – Weak Starting Pokemon – Hands with only a Clefairy or Dratini as a Basic Pokemon will put the deck at a disadvantage.
    Anti-Synergy Muk – The deck looks to leverage some Pokemon Powers (that are shut off when Muk is in play). Evolving at the incorrect time could lead to defeat!

Inspired by an earlier Pokemon 1999 league deck from user jiffy, Dark Dragons supplement both Wigglytuff and Muk Stage 1 lines along with some of the best Big Basics. While recently not tested to great volume, a variant of this deck seems like a natural predator to Alakazam and Dark Vileplume decks.

Grass-Psychic Koga’s Beedrill Dark Golbat Sabrina’s Kadabra

  • Power Level – Moderate.
  • Resiliency – Fragile – The deck needs Beedrills each game.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Almost… Very Consistent.
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Inconsistent.
  • Single Points of Failure – Koga’s Beedrill – Fire Pokemon, high-HP Pokemon that output a lot of damage and ways to circumvent status can all give Koga’s Beedrill fits.
    Weak Starting Pokemon – Hands with only a Koga’s Weedle, Zubat or other 40HP Mon as a Basic Pokemon will put the deck at a disadvantage.

Dark Golbat’s stats are a bit underwhelming in this shell. And Sabrina’s Kadabra’s reliance on coin flips pairs poorly with Koga’s Beedrill (which is also relying on flips) to make a very inconsistent performer. I prefer the variants of Koga’s Beedrill above.

Psychic-Water Misty’s Golduck Dodrio Slowpoke (Computer Error)

  • Power Level – Strong – The deck is packed with Energy Removal and other powerful Trainers.
  • Resiliency – Fragile – The deck is looking to hit with Misty’s Golduck Super Removal once in the earl-to-mid game to set the opponent far back.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Somewhat Consistent – Computer Error, Computer Search and Koga’s Pidgey provide the majority of consistency (with some Misty’s Psyduck flips and a single Professor Oak helping every now and then).
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Inconsistent – Misty’s Golduck and Psyduck require some luck with coin flips.
  • Single Points of Failure – Flipping Tails – I do not think this deck wins if it flips poorly.

Originally designed as a counter to Fire Blaine’s Rapidash / Wigglytuff / Muk, this deck hits hard when the flips are in its favor: Super Removal success being a very strong attack. There are a lot of options for Energy, Trainers and Basics, but this list looks to run the opponent out of Energy cards if.

For more insight on this list (both playing or playing against it) as well as possible cards to play, see the Deck List Details page [not yet created]. 

Water Blastoise Dodrio Chansey

  • Power Level – Strong – Chansey adds very high damage output to a deck already bursting with it.
  • Resiliency – Fragile – Once Blastoise and Chansey are neutralized, the game is probably lost.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Inconsistent – The deck cuts some consistency to run impactful Trainers and more Energy cards .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Consistent – Sometimes, the deck needs to flip heads on Blizzard, paralysis-inducing or Scrunch attacks, but generally it is not too reliant on flips.
  • Single Points of Failure – Sequencing – The deck is very susceptible to drawing its Evolutions, Energy or Trainers out of order.
    Weakness – Fighting and Lightning Pokemon can make short work of the deck’s lineup if the active is not managed carefully.

Lean on Chansey or Articuno to absorb early attacks while building Blastoise. Defender and Chansey can take 2 prizes. This deck has been able to take some games from Lightning-Fighting Wigglytuff Dodrio (not something most Rain Dance decks can boast), but it needs further refinement to more consistently succeed.

Lightning-Fighting Aerodactyl Lock (Chaos Gym)

  • Power Level – Strong – This version of Aerodactyl plays free-Retreating Fighting Pokemon so that it does not as often get resisted in the active.
  • Resiliency – Fragile – The deck plays like a weaker Big Basics deck (and loses much of its edge when Aerodactyl is Knocked Out).
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Very Consistent – This deck is packed to the brim with consistency Trainers (and adds Erika’s Clefairy).
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Somewhat Consistent – Electabuzz and Erika’s Clefairy are looking for heads, but other Pokemon do not rely on luck.
  • Single Points of Failure – Aerodactyl – When the namesake is Knocked Out and another cannot be evolved, the deck will most likely have to contend with an onslaught of Evolution Mon.

Aerodactyl seems to underperform against Dodrio decks, but it can be game-ending against decks relying on Evolutions and without many Gust effects. The deck can also look to play Erika’s Clefairy to evolve on turn 1.

For more insight on this list (both playing or playing against it) as well as possible cards to play, see the Deck List Details page [not yet created]. See the Big Basics Deck Strategy Spotlight page for ideas on similar decks.

Grass-Psychic Dark Dragon Venusaur Dodrio

  • Power Level – Strong – … .
  • Resiliency – Fragile – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Very Consistent – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Consistent – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – Venusaur – … .
    Sequencing – The deck is very susceptible to drawing its Evolutions, Energy or Trainers out of order.

To be updated!

Lightning Dodrio

  • Power Level – Moderate – Rocket’s Zapdos and Electabuzz are two of the most efficient damage-dealers in the format, but the deck is missing an easy-to-power-up-big-damage attacker like Wigglytuff or another Type to attack for Weakness.
  • Resiliency – Somewhat Resilient – The deck can have difficulty against decks that easily KO Electabuzz and Rocket’s Zapdos.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Very Consistent
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Consistent
  • Single Points of Failure – Clefable and Fighting-Type Pokemon can be very difficult to overcome.

Almost the same list that won the TCGOne Prop 15/3 Mega Battle, this deck looks to attack effectively with Rocket’s Zapdos and Electabuzz or build resources with Kangaskhan while assembling attackers on the bench. Repeated Gust of Wind, Defender and Super Energy Removal give the deck many options to come out favorable when trading attacks. A single Scoop Up is to prevent Kangaskhan from getting stuck in the active (and provide some additional ability to prevent the opponent taking a prize). The deck may consider switching some of the basics and playing Grass and/or Potion Energy over some number of Lightning Energy. I have gained great respect for Chansey with Defender(s) and assume that Scyther is counterplay against Brock’s Sandslash.

[LINK forthcoming]For more insight on this list (both playing or playing against it) as well as possible cards to play, see the Deck List Details page. See the Big Basics Deck Strategy Spotlight page for ideas on similar decks.

Fighting-Psychic Dodrio Brock’s Golbat Sabrina’s Kadabra

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

An attempt to play Sabrina’s Kadabra, this deck can attack many decks for Weakness and threat OHKOs against many popular Pokemon. It also has Pokemon with different types of Resistance to slow down the opponent. I’ve been able to win some against Lightning-Fighting Dodrio Wigglytuff, but I don’t know how much of that is due to luck.

Tier 4.1 – Unproven Decks (Untested or Undertested)

These decks are untested or just need more tuning against upper Tiers. I mention them as they seem like possible contenders (for which I’ve yet to find lists I’d concretely say “are competitive”) that contain card combinations that have tested well or have shown an ability to win but need more changes to approach a higher tier of performance. 

Fire-Fighting Blaine’s Rapidash Muk Clefable

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

To be updated! This deck is a candidate for playing some number of Brock’s Mankey 68.

Fire Blaine’s Rapidash Wigglytuff Muk (Chaos Gym)

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

Jason’s Blog List. To be updated!

Grass-Psychic-Fighting Venusaur Slowbro (Computer Error) Stall

  • Power Level – Strong – Venusaur, low-cost retreating and Pokemon Center is a strong combination against any deck that is looking to take 6 prizes and cannot easily OHKO. Brock’s Mankey, Mewtwo and Clefable can OHKO commonly played Pokemon from opponents.
  • Resiliency – Somewhat Resilient – The deck can have difficulty against decks that easily KO Bulbasaurs and Ivysaurs.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Somewhat Consistent – A lower number of glue Trainers can lead to losing when the deck falls behind in the early game. If given enough time, this Venusaur deck should up the perfect bench due to drawing so many cards (and recycling Trainers with Slowpoke).
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Very Consistent
  • Single Points of Failure – Games can be difficult without Venusaur; while Muk can be difficult, losing large amounts of Energy, Bulbasaurs and Ivysaurs to knock outs is worse.

Venusaur and Pokemon Center gives the deck very potent counterplay to Lightning-Fighting opponents when Venusaur survives the early game. Computer Error may lead to the opponent decking out before they expect (if Imposter Oak’s Revenge doesn’t set their hand to a small 4 cards); the deck has been able to win some games against Lightning-Fighting (but it is an uphill battle). The deck looks to slowly setup the perfect bench while threatening OHKOs; Professor Oak is available when a large influx of raw resources are needed to continue the game. Lastly, the deck can fall back on Slowpoke in the late game to recycle Trainers and create a position difficult for opponents to overcome.

For more insight on this list (both playing or playing against it) as well as possible cards to play, see the Deck List Details page [not yet created].

Lightning-Fighting Dark Dragon Electrode (Chaos Gym)

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

Untested… To be updated!

Fire Blaine’s Charmander Muk Stall

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

Jason’s Blog List. To be updated! Blaine’s Charmander and Blaine’s Vulpix combine to remove possibly every Energy card from the opponent. I haven’t seen this deck in action much so cannot comment on how viable it is.

For more insight on this list (both playing or playing against it) as well as possible cards to play, see the Deck List Details page [not yet created].

Psychic-Fighting Clefable Wigglytuff Dodrio

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

Jason’s Blog List. To be updated!

Water Misty’s Poliwhirl Clefable Muk Stall

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

Misty’s Poliwhirl can supplement Energy Removals while Muk turns off Pokemon Powers. Clefable threatens Rocket’s Zapdos. Played to good result in the Mega Battle, I would like to see how this deck develops with more testing.

For more insight on this list (both playing or playing against it) as well as possible cards to play, see the Deck List Details page [not yet created].

Tier 4.2 – Unproven Decks (Underperforming)

These decks have tested poorly but seem powerful enough to have a spot in a developed metagame. I mention them as they seem like possible contenders (for which I’ve yet to find lists I’d concretely say “are competitive”) where a theoretically functional deck may exist. 

Fire-? Brock’s Ninetales

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

Due to the Brock’s Ninetales losing Shapeshifted Evolutions to status effects, this deck falls apart in many situations. It can fight well against Slowpoke Stall, but Wigglytuff decks are very difficult to beat. I may explore Dark Dragon varieties of this deck.

For more insight on this list (both playing or playing against it) as well as possible cards to play, see the Deck List Details page.

Fighting-? Brock’s Sandslash

  • Power Level – Moderate – The deck doesn’t have any of the format’s conventionally-considered best attackers, though Electabuzz, Brock’s Mankey (68) and Brock’s Sandslash are about as good as attacking can get in Prop 15/3.
  • Resiliency – Resilient – All three Resistances (Psychic, Lightning and Fighting) are in great quantity, and the deck plays many redundant Pokemon to draw cards and attack for damage.
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – Somewhat Consistent – A lower number of glue Trainers and Chaos Gym’s interference can lead to longer games with both players having less resources and agency.
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – Inconsistent – Chaos Gym is a fickle card.
  • Single Points of Failure – Relying on Chaos Gym is only ever a 50 percent chance (and getting it later in the game can negate much of its advantage), as well as it prohibits Pewter City Gym from being in play.

Brock’s Fighting Pokemon rely on Pewter City Gym to surpass Resistances in most matchups, so the deck can have trouble when the Gym is not found early, but this version of the deck relies on Sandslash’s Swift attack, Brock’s Bats, Diglett and Electabuzz to attack Fighting-Resistant Mon. (It doesn’t even play Hitmonchan as to not be as weak to Fighting Resistance!) Brock’s Protection is replaced by the Prop 15/3 terror Chaos Gym; between Zubat and Kangaskhan, this deck looks to overpower other decks in a no-Trainer game state. Lastly, it can temporarily replace its own Chaos Gym with Pewter City Gym in the later game for a truly unfair-feeling (for the opponent) situation!

I assume that Lightning-based decks are playing Scyther out of fear of Brock’s Fighting Mouse Pokemon. This deck may be a good case study in how to use Chaos Gym in other Prop 15/3 (Base-Gym) decks. For more insight on this list (both playing or playing against it) as well as possible cards to play, see the Deck List Details page.

Water Dark Dragon Blastoise Misty’s Poliwhirl

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

To be updated!

Grass-Fire Dark Golbat Blaine’s Rapidash Clefable

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

To be updated!

Water Blastoise Dark Gyarados

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

Jason’s Blog List. To be updated!

Psychic Gengar Brock’s Golbat

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

Jason’s Blog List. To be updated!

Grass Koga’s Beedrill (Dark) Muk

  • Power Level – To Be Updated – … .
  • Resiliency – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Deck Construction) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Consistency (Card Effects) – To Be Updated – … .
  • Single Points of Failure – To Be Updated – … .

To be updated!

… I think the list is done for now (: …