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LuxApe is a Pokémon Trading Card Game deck archetype that focuses on switching the opponent's Defending Pokémon and type-trumping it. It was originally used to counter Dialga G and Palkia G variants. The deck placed well in many tournaments toward the end of the 2008-2009 Pokémon Organized Play season. Heikki Kettunen took 4th place in the Junior Division during the 2009 World Championships with LuxApe. Although most of the cards in the deck remain legal for competitive play, LuxApe sees very little play at present due to the release of Blaziken FB LV.X, Garchomp C LV.X, and various other cards thought to form combinations with Luxray GL LV.X superior to that with Infernape 4 LV.X.
Strategy
LuxApe has no designated starter Pokémon. Generally, Luxray GL and Infernape 4 both provide fine starts, so as to allow for quicker attacking and leveling up, and any poor start can be remedied through either Unown Q or Poké Turn. The LuxApe player begins taking prizes as soon as possible through attacks such as Infernape 4's Split Bomb, Luxray GL's Trash Bolt, and, when possible, the attacks of their respective LV.Xs. While attacking, Cyrus's Conspiracy, Uxie, Roseanne's Research, and various other searching and drawing cards are used to stockpile Poké Turns, Power Sprays, and other situational resources in the player's hand.
After slowing the opponent's setup through the use of Power Spray, LuxApe attempts to disrupt the opponent's strategy by bringing up their support Pokémon with Luxray GL LV.X's Bright Look Poké-Power or Infernape 4 LV.X's Intimidating Roar Poké-Power. With the opponent crippled, LuxApe ideally proceeds to take six prizes as quickly as possible off the opponent's weak support Pokémon and unevolved Basics.
Certain cards in the deck are used to "type-trump" the opponent's main attackers or techs, giving LuxApe a significant advantage over many of the major archetypes of the day. Ninetales provided an extremely powerful counter to both Flygon-based archetypes, such as Mother Flygon, and decks teching Mewtwo LV.X to beat SP decks. Toxicroak G could knock out an only slightly-damaged Regigigas LV.X as a revenge kill, while Luxray GL LV.X and Infernape 4 LV.X provided good type coverage and all-around good attackers.
Key Cards
Typical decklist
The deck list appearing below is not official; it is meant to represent an average build of the archetype, not specifically constructed for any regional metagame. Being that this is merely an archetype, a player may wish to change any part of this deck when building his or her own version.
Possible Tech Cards