Hi there. In this post I cover the Pokemon TCG starter decks from Japan. These two are based on Marnie's Grimmsnarl and Steven's Metagross.
Marnie's Impdimp is the Basic Pokemon of the Marnie's Grimmsnarl evolution line. It has 70 HP, one retreat cost and Grass weakness. The Corkscrew Punch attack for one Dark Energy is not great for 10 damage. The Flich first attack is okay in the early game as you draw 1 card for one Colourless Energy.
Marnie's Morgem is the Stage 1 evolution of Marnie's Impidimp. The Corkscrew Punch requires two Dark Energy to do 60 damage. The attack is okay.
Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex was teased last year in August 2024 at the Pokemon World Championships. The Punk Up ability is a very good Dark Energy acceleration for Marnie's Pokemon.
The Shadow Bullet attack requires 2 Dark Energy to do 180 damage plus 30 damage to 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokemon. You are not likely to one hit knockout many Pokemon ex (except Psychic types) but Shadow Bullet is a decent attack for two hit knocking out 180HP+ Pokemon.
Marnie's Morpeko is a Basic Dark Pokemon with zero retreat cost, 70HP, Grass weakness and one attack. The Spiked Wheels attack requires three Colourless Energy for 20 base damage. This attack does 40 more damage for each Dark Basic Energy attached to this Marnie's Morpeko. Three Dark Energy would be 140 damage. To reach 220 damage Marnie's Morpeko would require 5 Dark Energy on this.
In Marnie decks I think 2 copies maximum are good. To hit for big damage you do need a lot of Dark Energy on it. Marnie's Grimmsnarl would be the Dark energy acceleration of choice to power up Marnie's Morpeko.
Illustration Rare of Marnie's Morpeko
In this deck product from Japan there is also an illusration rare card. Here is Marnie's Morepeko as an illustration rare.
Spikemuth Gym is a stadium made for Marnie's Pokemon. Once during the player's turn that player can search their deck for 1 Marnie's Pokemon and put it into their hand.
Being able to get a free Marnie's Pokemon search once per turn is pretty good. No need for an Ultra Ball to get a Marnie's Pokemon. Ultra Ball requires discarding two cards for a Pokemon search while this stadium has no cost for searching any of Marnie's Pokemon.
If the opponent also plays Marnie's Pokemon then the mirror matchup could be faster in pace. Both players can setup fast.
Steven's Beldum is a 70 HP Metal Basic Pokemon. The attack is not great for its damage output.
Illustration Rare Of Steven's Beldum
Steven's Metang is a 100 HP Stage 1 Pokemon with two retreat cost, resistance from Grass and Fire weakness. It evolves from Steven's Beldum (not any Beldum).
The Metal Slash attack does 70 damage for the cost of one Metal Energy and one Colourless Energy. Its drawback is that this Pokemon cannot attack the next turn.
Steven's Metagross ex is final evolved form of Steven's Beldum. This one has a whopping 340 HP, three retreat cost, Grass resistance and Fire weakness.
The Metal Stomp attack requires one Metal Energy and two Colourless Energy for 200 damage. A somewhat generic attack.
The Exboot ability is quite powerful in terms of energy acceleration. Once during your turn you may search your deck for a Basic Psychic Energy card and a Basic Metal Energy card. Then you can attach them to your Psychic or Metal Pokemon in any way you like. Notice how you do not have to attach these two B
Steven's Carbink is a 80 HP Basic Psychic Pokemon with two retreat cost and Metal weakness.
Granite Cave is a stadium card designed for Steven's Pokemon only. This stadium is quite powerful as Steven's Pokemon on both sides take 30 less damage from attacks from the opponent's Pokemon (after Weakness and resistance).
Steven's Metagross ex already has a lot of HP with 340 HP. Have this Granite Cave in play makes Steven's Metagross even more tanky. It would be super difficult to one hit knockout this Metagross. (Maybe Roaring Moon ex is a counter to this?)
Energy Recycler makes a return as an I regulation mark card. The last legal Energy Recycler card was from the E regulation format.
With Energy Recycler you shuffle up to 5 Basic Energy cards from your discard pile into your deck. This is similar to Super Rod but Super Rod does any combination of up to 3 Pokemon and Basic Energy cards. Energy Recycler does Basic Energy cards only.
Thank you for reading.
