If you’re new to the Base-Fossil format or just getting into competitive play, you might be wondering what exactly is going on in the meta—what are these decks, what do they look like, and how do you play against them? This post aims to break down the key archetypes and walk you through the main decks you’ll see, how they operate, and some tips on identifying and handling them.
A lot of the decklists and insights here come courtesy of Ophthalmoscope, a helpful contributor in the community Discord. If you’re not on Discord yet, grab the link down below—it’s a great resource for learning and sharing ideas. Let’s dive in.
The Four Main Archetypes
Let’s start by breaking down the four main archetypes that define the Base-Fossil format. Understanding these categories helps you navigate the game more effectively and make smarter choices during deck building and matches.
- Aggro: These decks focus on a quick beatdown strategy, aiming to take all six prize cards as fast as possible.
- They often revolve around whether they use Dodrio or Scyther as their free retreater.
- From there, they split further based on whether they use Wigglytuff as the main attacker or another Pokémon.
- Aggro decks are a great starting point for new players because they’re easier to pilot and give you a solid feel for the basics of the game.
- Mid-Range: This archetype usually takes a bit more time to set up, offering a tankier build than aggro decks.
- Their main goal is to slow down aggro decks and maintain a steady game plan that can also handle stall strategies.
- Stall: Designed to slow the game down to a crawl, these decks aim to win by decking out the opponent.
- While stall is considered one of the strongest strategies in the Base-Fossil format, plenty of decks can beat it.
- Although stall often has the upper hand, every deck has the potential to counter it.
- Combo: These decks try to execute powerful, sometimes “unfair,” strategies like donking (quickly knocking out all Pokémon) or setting up quickly to deal big damage consistently.
Aggro Decks Overview
Now let’s dive deeper into the largest archetype—aggro decks. They dominate the field and often come with some of the strangest deck names, so it’s helpful to understand how they work.
- The archetype that started it all was Haymaker, which featured key Pokémon like Hitmonchan, Electabuzz, and often Scyther.
- Hitmonchan sets the tone for aggro decks thanks to its solid stats: 70 HP and the ability to deal 20 damage for just one energy—a big stat line for a basic Pokémon.
- Most big basics in this format have around 70 HP and deal high damage compared to the energy investment required.
- It’s important to note that most of these big basics have a retreat cost of two—Magmar is an exception.
Notable Aggro Pokémon
Here are some key Pokémon to watch out for in aggro decks:
- Magmar: This versatile Pokémon offers some stall potential with its smoke screen and status effects, and it even appears in one stall deck.
- Hitmonchan: While common in aggro decks, it also shows up in Big Stepper decks, so its presence alone doesn’t always signal aggro.
- Mewtwo: Although usually found in aggro decks, Mewtwo also shows up in some stall variants thanks to its flexibility.
- Wigglytuff and Clefable: Both have 70 HP and two retreat costs, making them key aggro staples that deliver high damage.
- Seeing Jigglypuff or Clefairy on the field is a strong indicator that you’re up against an aggro deck.
Free Retreaters in Aggro Decks
When identifying aggro decks, pay attention to their free retreaters:
- Aggro decks typically run one of two free-retreat Pokémon. These usually have 70 HP, similar resistances and weaknesses, and can quickly switch between attackers.
- However, keep in mind that Scyther can also appear in stall decks—if you spot Scyther with psychic energy, that might signal a stall strategy.
- Dodrio sometimes shows up in Big Stepper decks, though that’s less common.
- Typically, aggro decks run two main attackers along with one tech Pokémon to help with maneuvering.
Identifying Aggro Decks in Matches
Recognizing an aggro deck during a match is crucial. Here’s what to watch for:
- Spotting Pokémon like Electabuzz, Wigglytuff, and Clefable (or their basics) is a strong sign that you’re facing an aggro deck.
- While some rogue decks do exist, most follow these familiar patterns.
- Pay close attention to the types of energy they attach—it offers clues about what weaknesses they plan to exploit.
- For example, if you see Electabuzz with a fighting energy, Hitmonchan is likely coming next.
- If Clefable is on the field, be prepared for some surprise attacks.
- Also, identify which free retreater they’re using. If you have Electabuzz and they’re running Dodrio, gusting it out can swing the game in your favor.
Popular Aggro Deck Variants
Let’s break down some of the most popular aggro deck variants and what makes them tick:
WigmMar
- Stands for Wigglytuff-Magmar.
- This deck features Jigglypuff, Dodrio, and Magmar as the core trio.
- Wigglytuff plus PlusPower can hit for 70, enough to one-shot most big basics.
- If you see Jigglypuff with an energy attached, be ready for a quick Wigglytuff evolution and a potential knockout.
- Dodrio cycles attackers efficiently, while Magmar’s smoke screen can stall and poison key threats.
DFW
- Dodrio-Fighting-Wigglytuff.
- Similar in layout to WigmMar, but it swaps Magmar for Hitmonchan.
- Hitmonchan is excellent for targeting weaknesses in Pokémon like Wigglytuff, Clefable, Kangaskhan, Chansey, and Lickitung.
- However, Hitmonchan struggles against Pokémon with resistance like Dodrio, Scyther, and some birds like Articuno.
- When you see Jigglypuff with a fighting energy attached, it usually means you’re facing DFW instead of WigmMar.
DFP
- Dodrio-Fighting-Psychic.
- Adds Mewtwo into the mix along with Hitmonchan and Dodrio.
- Mewtwo’s energy retrieval attack gives this deck a lot of flexibility.
- Mr. Fuji is often included to recycle Mewtwo and its energy back into the deck.
- Mr. Mime helps wall against high-damage attackers, adding a defensive layer.
- Mew is a counter to opposing Mewtwos, while Gastly can also recover energy.
- Overall, this deck is more technical and features more nuanced strategies than some of the other aggro builds.
Less Popular Aggro Builds
While less common, these decks are still worth knowing about:
Fable Maker
- A Clefable-based deck with Haymaker elements.
- Metronome lets Clefable copy attacks, but it can struggle against certain Pokémon like Ditto and Doduo.
- Clefable has weaknesses to common walls like Hitmonchan.
- Promo Electabuzz appears in this deck because its coin-flip attack can help deal with Doduo.
- Although not widely played, if you see Clefairy on the field, it’s probably Fable Maker.
Trad Maker
- This build uses Scyther instead of Dodrio.
- It’s a flexible deck that can incorporate a variety of big basics.
- Often runs Ditto for extra versatility.
- Slightly harder to retreat compared to Dodrio decks, so it relies on Scoop Ups and extra energy.
- Unlike Dodrio decks, it lacks a retreat discount, which can affect maneuverability.
Final Notes
That wraps up the overview of aggro decks in the Base-Fossil format. Stay tuned for upcoming posts where we’ll dive into the other archetypes.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or requests, feel free to drop them in the comments below. Also, consider joining the Discord community—it’s a fantastic place to share ideas and get support from other players.
If you’re not on TCG1 yet, now is the perfect time to jump in and start grinding—don’t be afraid to lose a few games along the way, as that’s the best way to learn.
I hope to see you in the community—keep grinding and enjoy the game!
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