"Can you" as in "are you able to" or "should you"?
Anyway, yes on both counts personally. It's like reviewing resumes with identifiers removed.
Otherwise, one would be judging the content with preconceived bias. IMO it's a slippery slope to, and belong in the same subset as, so many other identity-related issues in society e.g. tribalism, identity-based politics, discriminition based on identities like race, etc
Shoutout to this random mage, who's likely the one who passed the pancake-flipping grimoire to Gehen:
I don't think we've ever seen Fern so happy over a "useless" spell:
What is the list of spells collected in this season? I can't remember all of them but I have the impression that the spells obtained in this season are in fact quite useful e.g. scratch the itch on your back
Since this is the season finale, they really went all-in on the callbacks, and I love it: the music, lines of dialogue ("It's what Frieren would have done"), Stark copying Kraft's method of staying warm, etc
My favourite is Stark entertaining kids with handstands. Looks like that's his thing now.
There are, like, a thousand things to comment on, but I will probably end up rambling so here's just one thing:
Tamon was wearing a hat right outside Utage's place
But he seemed to have lost his hat by the time he was leaving Utage's place, and had to resort to his usual paper bag...
Stream of thoughts:
When Okkotsu started fighting the pompadour dude, surely I can't be the only one who thought Okkotsu can simply do this:
Also, the fight became kinda homoerotic towards the end.
They went and touched tips 🗿
As usual, playing the opening song for the final fight is too hype.
Lastly, the power-up lasted 7+ mins on screen, not 5 🤓
I can share some of these with you, and anything else on your wishlist that I have spare copies of.
twerking Mew
Bruh... I can't unsee it now
Friend id: 4213552621716574
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My previous lists: here
I will try to keep the lists here up-to-date.
I have a strong preference for the English version of high-rarity cards, but otherwise I don't really mind.
I've now got quite a number of low-rarity cards that I can give away. Ask me and I'll check if there's something that I can share with you.
Conversely, if anyone is willing to share copies of low-rarity cards with me, I'd really appreciate it.
Looking for:
Looking for:
Looking for:
Looking for:
Looking for:
As usual, feel free to use this post to find the cards you need!
(Or list the cards you can offer or share)
Previous trading post: B2a Paldean Wonders
Worth opening in your opinion?
Now that 24-hour wonderpicks are a thing, I always try to complete the latest set ASAP. This way, there's a way higher chance of getting the rare cards.
For reference: reddit post on 24-hour wonderpick
how does the set look for deck building?
For serious play, fire and lightning decks appear to be buffed IMO.
For fire decks, the new Charmeleon is a direct upgrade over the Crimson Blaze version. Mega Charizard X is guaranteed to survive one hit from most heavy hitters, meaning that it would likely get the KO first thanks to its attack's effect.
For lightning decks, they just got even faster with Mega Manetric and the new stadium. Fighting decks - their natural counters - are pretty dead, so there aren't many challengers besides the overpowered meta cards.
If there is a card that I would consider essential, it is the new stadium: Hiking Trail. Pretty much all hyper aggressive, tempo-based decks would want to run this.
On a side note, I like how thematic the game design is. Fire is all about big damage, usually with a cost: HP or energy. Lightning is all about speed.
On the fun side of things, the new Darkrai plus Hypno line looks like a combo that can be very cheesy / frustrating for the opponent.
Personally, I am still looking forward to more support for hand-discards (like Persian and Mega Absol) in later expansions. It would be so toxic for opponents playing slow, control decks 😈
It is indeed the Aqua x Ruby route 💀
Other works would have done some cowardly cop-out at the last minute, revealing that they are step siblings and hence it's ok for them to get together.
This writer is too big-brained for that, and chose to
Oshi no Ko manga ending spoiler
kill one of them off instead.
I guess there are certainly fewer options when they are technically genetic twins 🗿
(But, the other girls are right there!)
Proper thoughts / discussion:
I love the Oshi no Ko formula of season finale. I love how there's closure, but there's still a hook leaving you wanting more.
I am so glad that Aqua and Ruby got to know their past lives' identities, and that Miyako got to get together with Ichigo again (though Ichigo got off too lightly IMO).
Now that this series is entering its final phases, I wonder if Memcho would get some time in the spotlight. Akane, Kana and Ruby had their turn, but not Memcho. She's pretty much relegated to being a side character these days. Feels bad if she's the only core member who got left out, and get less character development as a result. Maybe there can be an arc in which her actual age is leaked, causing another scandal?
Regarding that white-haired little girl, I'm surprised that she's an actual person and not just a spirit. I wonder why all those crows flock to her, and how she handles them. Think of all the bird shit! Also, why is she getting involved with Aqua and Ruby? She has some knowledge of what's going on - could she be a reincarnated individual too? But there are too little clues to guess at her motivations.
Anyway, peak season once again; looking forward to the next (and final?) season. I am aware of the manga ending, but I hope that the journey there won't be disappointing.
Banner nomination: Ruby sucking Aqua's juice 🥵
@rikka@ani.social
Edit: I only just found out myself, so: THERE'S A POST CREDIT SCENE, people! Don't miss it!
Or miss it, because there's nothing much. It looks like a tease of what's to come, or the trigger for Aqua's revenge plan.
Any guesses as to what Ai's message for Ruby is? Maybe something like "beware of guys who are {perfect description of Hikaru}"? That would be too easy though.
What's the alternative for a not-so-wealthy country in the short term?
Source: 'Tis Time for "Torture", Princess - season 2 episode 10
This deck is inspired by the old Mega Altaria-Greninja deck, and the current Dark Greninja deck.
I have always been bothered the fact that you can't attack with Greninja in either of those decks due to the mismatched energies. Wouldn't it be great if there's a powerful water attacker who can take the place of Mega-Altaria or Darkrai / Mega Absol?
The new water deck of the season have shown us that there is one: Chienpao
Combining Chienpao with Chingling and Greninja gives us the following deck list:
Unfortunately I didn't keep a good record of my win rates this season. It did certainly felt better than my other two homebrew decks though: Aegislash and Cursola-Dusknoir.
I'm guessing the average win rate for it would be sub-50%, but it shouldn't be lower than 40%.
How to play it:
The way to approach it in early game is the same as the meta Chingling-Greninja decks: use Chingling to control your opponent's board while building up pokemons on the bench.
With 3 water basics, the odds of starting with not-Chingling is high, hence the 2 copies of Inflatable Boat for free retreat into Chingling.
Mid game is where a key decision may have to be made: whether to attach an energy to Greninja. Remember that in this deck, Greninja can be used as an attacker. It is decently strong, capable of 80 damage in a single turn. However, that would mean one more turn is required to charge your Chienpao up.
If you make it to the late game - before anyone concedes - that's where you'd witness the true power of this deck: 170 damage to anywhere on the board. That's enough damage to take down a benched Mega Absol, or a Mega Altaria that has taken damage from Rocky Helmet or Greninja ping one turn prior, in one shot!
Notable exclusions from this deck:
Starting Plains - with 3 permanent basics, this stadium seems like a good idea. Unfortunately, in the current meta, your opponent would likely run some of their own: Oricorio, Chienpao, Suicune. The hp buff is a double-edge sword, potentially putting your opponent's pokemons out of KO range. Run a bunch of pokemon tools instead.
Cryogonal - Makes going first an auto-lose. Also, in this deck, you've got to make every energy count. Attaching one to Cryogonal slows down your Chienpao way too much. Run Chingling instead.
One card I am unsure of is Cyrus. Cyrus is usually used to finish off a key injured pokemon, but this role has effectively been taken up by Chienpao.
However, a timely ping + Cyrus in the early game can disrupt your opponent's board devastatingly.
I'd say replace Cyrus with Red Card or Guzma depending on the situation.
Hope this makes for a more varied battling experience for you, if you were to try this deck out. How has your ranked climb been?
This is the third god pack I've encountered in wonderpick. The game must be taking pity on me for the long string of failed picks 🙃
I would rather pull a god pack, but will take what I can. Plus, it's a happy ending:
Source: You and I Are Polar Opposites - episode 9
Source: Call of the Night - season 2 episode 12
Spurt Fire Magcargo has been my favourite troll deck for quite some time, but it's spot has been taken by this Cursola-Dusknoir that I have a lot of fun with recently.
It's not exactly a new idea, but it was boosted significantly with the Peculiar Plaza stadium from set B2 Fantastical Parade.
Here's my version of the deck list:
Rationale for card inclusion:
Galarian Cursola is the core of the deck. It is so funny to see the opponent lose - even though they are the one who got the KO! - thanks to Perish Body (if it hits).
Fade into Darkness Dusknoir enhances the evilness of this deck, possibly denying your opponent of the point from the KO.
Rocky Helmet is needed as Cursola's and Dusknoir's damage output are quite low.
Pokeball, Rare Candy, Oak, Cyrus and Copycat are all standard inclusions. Ideally, this decks runs two copies of Copycat, or maybe a copy of May, but there simply isn't room in the deck.
Lastly, we have Peculiar Plaza, the secret sauce in this deck. It is a must to run 2 of it for consistency (and in case your opponent replaces it with their own stadium).
Edit:
Notable exclusion: Giratina ex
Giratina doesn't do much even when going first. Nowadays, you would want to apply pressure by attacking with Dusknoir as early as possible.
That means Giratina would usually build up to at most two energies. It's too slow, and tend to become a free 2-points for your opponents later on (e.g. Greninja ping + Cyrus)
Plus, deck space is extremely limited. It's better to run the other cards in the deck list.
How to play this deck:
Always lead with Corsola / Cursola in the active spot. If you only have Duskull in your starting hand, try to find Corsola and Peculiar Plaza with your draw engines.
The trick is to leave an undesirable target - Cursola - in the active spot while building up your Dusknoir - which has a substantial 150 hp and 80 damage - on the bench.
When Dusknoir is ready, pivot it in to deal damage. Retreating Cursola is free thanks to Peculiar Plaza
Try to put the Rocky Helmets on the Dusknoirs as they can take a few hits, but don't be afraid to put them on Cursola to increase the value generated by Copycat.
Final thoughts:
It lacks the RNG aspect of Magcargo - and now Gholdengo ex - but I'd imagine annoys any serious opponent just as much.
It would always get a laugh out of me when I get the win with Perish Body, especially when the opponent has a better board state.
Its biggest counter is Hydreigon, but Hydreigon isn't seeing as much play nowadays. There is never a better time to play this deck.
I hope you would enjoy playing this deck as much as I do.
What are your favourite troll decks?
As usual, feel free to use this post to find the cards you need!
(Or list the cards you can offer or share)
Previous trading post: B2 Fantastical Parade
Nice to see mentions of old cards. I just did a pub stomp with Gallade, going 4 (or 5?) and 1.
I didn't play your deck as is though. Instead of an aggressive approach with more pokemon tools (Giant Cape) and Hiking Trail, I went with more supporters: Sabrina, May, a Lucky Ice Pop for the lolz and most importantly, Pokemon Center Lady.
The importance of PCL cannot be understated. There are too many sleep-scams (i.e. Igglybuff-Darkrai) running around.