Deep Haymaker (TCG)

The Deep Haymaker Deck is a and type deck found in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Fossil Expansion Player's Guide. The deck is classified as one of the tournament winning decks, containing more rare cards and strategy than other easy-to-build decks.

Description

CONCEPTS: "Haymaker" is the name of a speedy Fighting deck. The basic themes are fast, heavy attacks along with lots of Energy Removal. It is the epitome of "Beat-Down" decks. Strong basic Pokémon and low cost retreating are super important to this type of deck. Typically a Haymaker lacks the "depth" necessary to withstand late-game attackers, and compensates by never allowing the match to get that far. Evolved Pokémon typically contain powerful Pokémon Powers that can totally bypass a Haymaker's offense. This deck tries to give Haymaker some depth by adding Muk's Toxic Gas stranglehold on Pokémon Power combo decks.

TIPS FOR PLAYING: Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee are included primarily for offense. There are basic Pokémon with a lot of offensive potential. Nintendo knew what they were doing when they named these two Pokémon after martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. Scyther is included as Fighting resistance (to ward off your opponent's Hitmonchan and Hitmonlees) and for its free retreat cost. Clash is a little expensive for this deck—allocate most of your resources onto the "karate kids". Scyther's Swords Dance is a quaint little move that is useful about once only each game. Use it immediately prior to attaching the 3rd energy card for a 60 damage Slash. There is little point using Swords Dance beyond attaching the 3rd energy since two rounds of 30 damage is equal (and more difficult to defend against) than one round of 60.

Grimer is only included as a Muk foundation. Both of Grimer's attacks just scream out: "Attack me please!" You will be better off as the attack in most cases. Muk's Toxic Gas is what it's all about. Even Sludge should be avoided as it is too slow for this deck's appetite. Keep Muk nice and safe on your bench where it will negate your opponent's Alakazam, Blastoise, Mr. Mime, and Venusaur combos. Muk is a little slow because it requires Grimer in play first, but most of the monsters Muk protects against will be even more slow in appearing.

There are 18 Pokémon cards in this deck and that significantly cuts into Haymaker's allocation of offensive Trainer cards. We've cut the Energy Removal and Super Energy Removal down to a total of 6 cards. Because of this, it will be imperative to monitor your opponent's progress and only use your ER cards where they provide the most disruption. Monsters with Double Colorless Energy cards attached or large retreat costs are always good targets for Energy Removal. Certainly never waste your Energy Removal cards on defenders that are about to be K-O'd.

PlusPower and Gust of Wind are included as "surprise" cards. Try to catch the opponent off guard when you use these gems. PlusPower is remarkably useful during the early rounds of a match. Its great to see another player's face when a few PlusPower on a Hitmonchan dishes out 40 damage on turn #1. If you're extremely lucky, you'll get a Knock Out with it and perhaps even a Win if the opposing player is left without an in-play Pokémon. Even later in the game, PlusPower is most effective when played in multiples. Item Finder can retrieve extra copies from your discard pile if necessary.

Gust of Wind brings an added bonus in this particular deck. This trainer card is already extremely powerful, allowing you to select the best defender to beat on. But when combined with Hitmonlee's two attack moves, Gust of Wind makes for your opponent's worst nightmare. After a round or two of Stretch Kicks on the benched defender that you fear the most, use Gust of Wind to bring it up front where you can finish it off with a High Jump Kick. Keee-Yaaa! Or equally useful use Gust of Wind to feat your opponent's active Pokémon from their bench. Bring forward a Pokémon that you know cannot be easily retreated and then Stretch Kick the nasty defender while they are defenseless on the bench.

PITFALLS: Watch out for Fighting's standard weakness: Psychic opponents. Both Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee will be over their head quickly in that match-up. Even the lowly Grimer and Muk will cringe when they see a purple opponent. Scyther will be your best friend in these situations. We're included 4 copies of the Grass slasher just to make sure that one is always around when you need it.

Be careful to use your trainer cards wisely and choose targets that have the potential to create the most problems for this deck. Psychic Pokémon are always a threat and should be handled with hostility. However, Fighting resistant monsters (like Pokémon birds) will also be challenging to deal with, and represent acceptable targets for a timely Gust of Wind/PlusPower/Energy Removal.

Deck list

Quantity	Card	Type	Rarity
4×	Hitmonchan
3×	Hitmonlee
4×	Scyther
3×	Grimer
3×	Muk
4×	Bill	T
2×	Professor Oak	T
3×	Energy Removal	T
3×	Super Energy Removal	T
3×	Item Finder	T
3×	Gust of Wind	T
3×	PlusPower	T
11×	Fighting Energy	E	—
11×	Grass Energy	E