Hello everyone and welcome to

Pikachu's Hideout #2!

Hello once again, 60cards readers! Today we'll look over the results of the 15 State Championships and 3 Regionals that took place last weekend. Near the bottom of the article you'll find the opinions of a few well known players on the upcoming Spring Regionals (including our own).

Will and I played in Oklahoma during the 4th Weekend of States, and ended up placing 8th and 20th. We both played the same Exeggutor list, which you can find at the bottom of this article.

Let's take a look at the results!

North America



Here's a table showing the performances of various decks from the past week.

Meta Share is the percentage of Top 8 these decks occupied. Weighted Meta Share is corrected to show which decks performed better in Top 8. In this statistic, a higher placement counts for more than a lower one.

Europe

Results by tournament



CONNECTICUT:

1. Dylan Bryan - Exeggutor PLF/Empoleon PLF

2. Jamie DePhamphillis - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

3. Alex Zorrilla - Yveltal EX

4. Sam Chen - Donphan PLS/Primal Groudon EX

5. Michael Drolet - Aromatisse XY/Manectric EX

6. Dale Russel - Seismitoad EX/Crawaunt PRC

7. Adrian Bariknack - Virizion EX/Mewtwo EX/Seismitoad EX

8. Raymond Cipoletti - Seismitoad EX/Manectric EX/Crobat PHF

FLORIDA:

1. Sebastian Inks - M Gardevoir EX/Aromatisse XY

2. Omar Izaguirre - Exeggutor PLF

3. David Lopez - Seismitoad EX/Crobat PHF

4. Mike Canaves - Empoleon PLF/Magnezone PLS

5. William Darling - Primal Groudon EX

6. Gavin Grohowski - Seismitoad EX/Crawdaunt PRC

7. Branden Jackson - Seismitoad EX/Crobat PHF

8. Jim Roll - Flareon PLF

KANSAS:

1. Treynor Wolfe - Virizion EX/Genesect EX/Mew EX

2. Michael Hopkins - Exeggutor PLF

3. Kyle Haverland - Yveltal EX

4. Brit Pybas - Yveltal EX

5. Damien Hardy - Seismitoad EX/Manectric EX/Crobat PHF

6. Jac Carter - Seismitoad EX/Manectric EX/Crobat PHF

7. Cole B. - Flareon PLF

8. Zach Martin - Thunderus EX/Deoxys EX/Kyurem PLF

LOUISIANA:

1. Jake Morgan - M Manectric EX/Seismitoad EX/Suicune PLB

2. Rudy Paras - Seismitoad EX/Slurpuff PHF/Swampert PRC

3. Daniel Martin - Seismitoad EX/Manectric EX/Crobat PHF

4. William Herman - Fighting/Crobat PHF

5. Kris Hill - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

6. Brad Curcio - M Manectric EX/Black Kyurem EX

7. Ricky Luu - Seismitoad EX/Slurpuff PHF

8. Brent Siebenkittel - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

MINNESOTA:

1. James Stumbo - Tool Drop

2. Jeremiah Williams - Seismitoad EX/Crawdaunt PRC

3. Alex Bunker - Landorus EX/Crobat PHF/Seismitoad EX

4. Ben Moscow - Virizion EX/Genesect EX/M Manectric EX

5. Dane Schussler - Virizion EX/Mewtwo EX/Seismitoad EX

6. Jonathan Galvez - Aromatisse XY

7. Ryan Grant - Exeggutor PLF

8. Franco Llamas - Flareon PLF

NEW JERSEY:

1. Jason A. - Flareon PLF

2. Mike Fouchet - Exeggutor PLF/Empoleon PLF/Dragalge FLF

3. Arjun Khadse - Psychic/Crobat PHF

4. Isaiah Rufus - Bronzong PHF

5. Nick Falcone - Manectric EX/Seismitoad EX/Crobat PHF

6. Bryan Tam - Bronzong PHF

7. Bryain Aing - M Manectric EX/Rough Seas

8. Tristan Macek - Primal Kyogre EX

NEW MEXICO:

1. Roberto Lozada - Seismitoad EX/Slurpuff PHF

2. Harrison Fraizer - Night March/Empoleon PLF

3. Armond Crockett - Yveltal EX/Seismitoad EX

4. Chris Collins - Donphan PLS/Hawlucha FFI

5. Drew Kennett - M Manectric EX/Empoleon PLF

6. Sammy Sosa - Night March/Flareon PLF

7. Jeremy Jallen - M Manectric EX /Empoleon PLF

8. Anson Shwegmann - Donphan PLS

OHIO:

1: Michael Livingston - Seismitoad EX/Crobat PHF

2: Andrew Mahone - Fighting/Crobat PHF

3: Corey Scott - Medicham PRC

4: Deon Lunsford - Seismitoad EX/Aromatisse XY/Malamar EX

5: Frank Serafinski - Donphan PLS

6: Steve Guthrie - Blastoise PLB/Keldeo BCR

7: Justin Titus - Manectric EX/Crobat PHF

8: Carl Scheu - Primal Kyogre EX

OKLAHOMA:

1. Jordan Roberts - Seismitoad EX/Aromatisse XY/Malamar EX

2. Dale Lynch - Fighting/Crobat EX

3. Michael Feller - Empoleon PLF/Swampert PRC

4. Harry Wada - Yveltal EX

5. Phillip Barta - Donphan PLS

6. Zach Kowalski - Fighting/Crobat PHF

7. Michael White - Flareon PLF

8. Brandon Smiley - Exeggutor PLF

OREGON:

1. Richard Reynolds - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

2. Tony Paull - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

3. Kyle Andrews - Seismitoad EX/Slurpuff PHF

4. Graham Westby - Seismitoad EX/Crobat PHF

5. Andrew Jackson - Fighting/Crobat PHF

6. Jory Ackerman - Seismitoad EX/Slurpuff PHF/Dragalge FLF

7. David Cohen - M Manectric EX/Black Kyurem EX

8. Stefan Tobacco - Primal Groudon EX

SOUTH CAROLINA:

1. Grant Manley - Virizion EX/Genesect EX/ Crobat PHF

2. Jim Jones - Night March

3. Patrick Orgel - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

4. Eric Smith - Fighting/Crobat EX

5. Erik Nance - Medicham PRC

6. Michael Wierzbicki - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

7. Kyle Warden - Fighting/Crobat PHF

8. Zach Bivens - Exeggutor PLF

TENNESSEE:

1. James Hart - Exeggutor PLF/Empoleon PLF/Dragalge FLF

2. Bj Brownell - Fighting/Crobat PHF

3. Stephen Clark - Florges EX/Aromatisse XY

4. Justin Aaron - Yveltal EX/Garbodor LTR/Raichu XY

5. Austen Vance - Exeggutor PLF/Empoleon PLF/Dragalge FLF

6. Kyle Adams - Primal Kyogre EX

7. Cody Lovingood - Primal Kyogre EX

8. Samantha Martin - Bronzong PHF

VIRGINIA:

1. Christian Ortiz - Night March

2. Henry Ross-Clunis - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

3. Russel Laparre - Seismitoad EX/Manectric EX/Crobat PHF

4. Carter Copeland - Bronzong PHF

5. Dylan Dreyer - Donphan PLS

6. Lucas Nesselrot - Night March

7. Russel Watt - Yveltal EX/Garbodor LTR

8. Jimmy McClure - Seismitoad EX/Crobat PHF

ALBERTA:

1. Simon Ford - Exeggutor PLF

2. Garrett Dahlseide - Flareon PLF/Empoleon DEX

3. TJ Traquair - P Kyogre EX

4. Alex Stewart - Seismitoad EX/Slurpuff PHF

5. Kale Chalifoux - M Manectric EX/Black Kyurem EX

6. Aaron Rozbicki - Exeggutor PLF

7. Michael Martindale - Exeggutor PLF

8. Nick Bottomley - Yveltal EX/Leafeon PLF

QUEBEC:

1. Jessie Sansoucy - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

2. Pedro Dossi - Primal Groudon EX/Masquerain PLB

3. Jay Lesage - Seismitoad EX/Crobat PHF

4. Malik Zaihan - Yveltal EX/Seismitoad EX/Garbodor LTR

5. Jason Klaczynski - Exeggutor PLF/Empoleon PLF/Dragalge FLF

6. Zoey Ducoeur - Flareon PLF

7. Nicholas Therrien - Flareon PLF

8. Zach Lesage - Donphan PLS

DORTMUND(EU):

1. Steffen Eriksen - Flareon PLF

2. Søren Neumann - Yveltal EX/Seismitoad EX

3. Simon Øbro - Flareon PLF

4. Nico A. - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

5. Erik Gunnarson - Yveltal EX

6. David S. - Aromatisse XY

7. Thomas W. - Aromatisse XY

8. Mathias L. - Exeggutor PLF

GENK(EU):

1. Mehdi H. - Seismitoad EX/Slurpuff PHF

2. Steffen E. - Flareon PLF/Empoleon PLF

3. Nico A. - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

4. Rick V. - Seismitoad EX/Slurpuff PHF

5. Patrick den B. - Donphan PLS

6. Mees B. - Exeggutor PLF

7. Philip S. - Yveltal EX

8. Jeroen R. - Yveltal EX/Garbodor LTR

EINDHOVEN(EU):

1. Fatih A. - M Gardevoir EX/Aromatisse XY

2. Tristan W. - Donphan PLS

3. Bryan de V. - Flareon PLF

4. Patrick den B. - Donphan PLS

5. Robin S. - Yveltal EX/Garbodor LTR

6. Joakim G. - Virizion EX/Genesect EX

7. Benjamin P. - M Manectric EX/Rough Seas

8. Sami S. - Seismitoad EX/Garbodor LTR

Let's look at the Tier list



It's definitely difficult to make a tier list when the format is so wide, regionally defined, and the outcomes are significantly swung by who happened to hit their autoloss early in swiss. Instead of a traditional tier list that ranks decks by their relative power level, look at this as a general guideline for what you should expect to hit at your next large tournament. While this will help, be sure to check out what was big at the states closest to your next tournament; that information will be invaluable when you choose your deck.

Tier 1 - Expect to play against them more than once

Seismitoad EX

Virizion EX/Genesect EX

Exeggutor PLF

Tier 2 - Expect to play against them at least once (or more based on region)

Fighting/Crobat PHF

Yveltal EX

Manectric EX

Flareon PLF

Tier 3 - Don't be surprised if you play against this deck once or twice

Donhpan PLS

Night March

Aromatisse XY

Primal Kyogre EX

Bronzong PHF

Everything else would basically fall under Tier 4 - Don't metagame for this deck (unless it's popular in your region).



The two most hated decks in the format are at the peak of popularity at the moment; expect to see lots of Seismitoad EX and Exeggutor PLF at your next tournament (and lots of decks designed to beat them).

NA Top Deck: Seismitoad EX

EU Top Deck: Flareon PLF





Opinions of others:



Andrew Zavala(A Roll of the Dice): I think this format is healthy in a way that there are so many decks out there that have a chance to win, and there is no undisputed BDIF. Sure, with all of the decks out there, the game feels incredibly based on getting lucky matchups, and Toad and Exeggcutor can provide for some less than exciting matches, but all-in-all, I think the game is in a good place right now, and it'll only get better as time goes on.

Long Bui(3rd place Texas States): I feel that the current format is the best format since I’ve started playing (Dragon Exalted). The format is diverse right now, and I’m really enjoying it. There are more than just 2-3 decks that are dominating tournaments and that’s definitely a healthy format. I had my doubts about the direction the game was heading when Furious Fist was released, but the results of recent tournaments have definitely proved me wrong. Even some Stage 2 decks are making a comeback! I know people have been complaining about Seismitoad EX but the card has a counter. Anybody who dislikes a format when an Exeggutor deck can frequently top cut tournaments is crazy. I’m very excited for the release of Roaring Skies with the new Shaymin EX; the format will be even more diverse.

Kevin Baxter: I think what the last couple weeks of States has shown is that a wide variety of decks can do well in this format. The dominance of Seismitoad in the first week has been pushed back by the rise of decks like Virizion/Genesect and Primal Kyogre. This has opened the doors for new decks to emerge and do well at events. Going into spring regionals, Double Crisis will shake things up even more. Good deck building and preparing for multiple threats will be rewarded in the upcoming tournaments.

Michal Bartošík (60card E-Shop manager): I woul pick Virgen because you have a good matchup with Seismitoad variants. Landobat - the very annoying deck for Virgen is getting less and less popular. I especially like the Chris Fulop's version with Sceptile. Also including Illumise might be a good choice.

Martin Kaninsky (Former Czech National Champion): I would definetely pick fairy Toads. I like the Malamar/Aromatisse idea free retreat and the variabily of pokemon types while still keeping the deck Toad oriented.

Our opinion:

Smiley: Personally, I still love Exeggutor. I piloted it to a Top 8 finish in Oklahoma, where I ended up losing to poor prizing/some bad luck. At this point, I'm most likely going to stick with Exeggutor up until Regionals. I think the format is still very wide (as you can see by the results), so it's best to pick a deck you feel comfortable with that has some strong match-ups against the rest of the field.

Will: Exeggutor seems like it's as close to a BDIF as you could possibly have in a format like this. No other deck seems to have such a chance against any matchup it faces. With the right build and a little luck, you will go deep with those eggs.

Lock decks spark a unique reaction among the player base; while some will jump on the bandwagon, many others will do everything in their power to beat the "degenerates" who play it. I expect Virizion EX/Genesect EX to continue to grow in popularity as people get more fed up with Exeggutor and Seismitoad. This Toad/Puff deck features a heavy counter to VG in Victini EX. You should be able to win the grass matchup a vast majority of the time. Victini will also help against Bronzong and will give you a better chance against Exeggutor (though you still have to draw into your Victini/V Piece under Blockade). You probably won't beat the Primal decks but if VG and Eggs continue to see a rise in popularity, I don't think that will matter all that much.





Looking Forward





With such an open format, it's hard to predict how the format will shift moving into the first week of Spring Regionals. I expect Exeggutor to rise in popularity, as well as decks that are strong against Exeggutor to become more prominent (such as Fairies and Yveltal). Some of the Megas(Manectric and Gardevoir) that saw less play in the few weeks saw quite a bit of play in the last week, while the Primals weren't as big due to their worse match-up against Exeggutor. Hopefully we'll be back with at least one more Pikachu's Hideout article before Regionals, but if not, good luck and we'll see you with some more results soon!