If you have kept up with my content from articles, to features on meta forecasts, to the IRL footage, you are probably very aware with my opinion on PikaRom. Recently I have been convinced to change my mind. The deck is consistent, hard hitting, and a solid meta-call. Once it became clear to me that ReshiZard actually is not a negative match up, my eyes … Continue reading PikaRom – Cut or Tap’s forgotten archetype
Hey reader! Madison Regionals is coming up very soon and I wanted to update you all with my current lists for my top picks. This article goes over my exact lists for ZoroPersian, Granbull, Nidoqueen Meganium, and Zapdos. Why Granbull? The main issue Granbull has run into in the past was a terrible PikaRom match up, which is still present to a degree. The difference … Continue reading Updated options for Madison
We have already covered Zapdos, Zoroark, and ReshiZard recently, so going into Madison there is not a whole lot of new info to talk about in that department. The meta we predicted was the meta we saw (with the exception of Shedninja) which means all of those articles are still quite relevant. It’s time to talk rogue! Most people think of the Tag Team when … Continue reading Gardevoir GX Swampert: Rogue option for Madison
Coaching Hey viewers, it’s time for another sale on Cut or Tap! Until the end of May our coaching rates will be about half of what they normally are. To be exact, these are the coaching prices for our Late May sale: Phinnegan Lynch: $13.50/hr Carter Barsh: $10/hr Hunter Butler:$10/hr Cameron Shenoy: $10/hr Coaching with anybody from Cut or Tap requires the player to have … Continue reading Late May Stage 2 Membership & Coaching Sales!
My last article covered ZoroKing and Cameron’s latest video went over ReshiZard, meaning the only deck in my top three picks that we haven’t posted about is Zapdos. Not too long ago Cameron and I covered the match ups and list in great detail, but the new meta means everything needs an update. This piece makes an argument for Zapdos, but more specifically this variant … Continue reading Zapdos Buzzwole
In this video Cameron Shenoy explains his Quad Volcanion ReshiZard list in full detail. He covers every card in his refined list, potential cuts and additions, how to play each match up, and the general strategy of the deck. Enjoy! Continue reading Quad Volcanion ReshiZard Full Explanation
Unbroken Bonds gave more possibilities to Zoroark decks than most players acknowledge. Persian GX, Dedenne GX, Lt. Surge’s Strategy, Marshadow, Dewgong, Koga’s Trap, Triple Acceleration Energy, and Mew are all potential additions to the deck. This means figuring out exactly how to build Zoroark for the new format is not an easy challenge to overcome. However, it also means there is potential for Zoroark to … Continue reading Cats and Dogs: Recreating Zoroark for Unbroken Bonds
Zoroark decks with Slowking are predicted to do well against ReshiZard decks because of the huge damage that Psychic can do to fire types. In reality it’s not as simple as that. Check out how ReshiZard can compete even with Zoroark lists that are prepared for the match up! Continue reading Gameplay Analysis Episode 15 – ZoroKing Persian VS Quad Volcanion ReshiZard
Check out the two best of three series with an extra game in this video! Although we go through six games, the footage is only 45 minutes long because of how quickly PikaRom loses or wins these games. Does Zoroark have the power to beat PikaRom without any fighting attacker? Can the new build of PikaRom with a reliance on Basic Abilities deal with Muk? … Continue reading Gameplay Analysis Episode 14 – ZoroKing Persian VS PikaRom Muk
This episode will be in the new Standard + Unbroken Bonds format. Is there anything in the meta that can counter the power of ReshiZard?… Find out how Zapdos deals with this new threat! Continue reading Gameplay Analysis Episode 13 – Zapdos Buzzwole VS Quad Volcanion ReshiZard
This article was initially released back in October of last year, but with not enough detail. That was when I was trying for the first time to make the deck tick after the Hex Maniac ban. ZoroGarb is the deck I am suggesting players pilot for Hartford Regionals this weekend making now a great time to rewrite this piece and post it. Any Expanded meta … Continue reading Expanded Zoroark Garbodor (Rewritten 5/3/19)
Is Blacephalon GX still viable in the new Standard + Unbroken Bonds format? See how it measures up against ZoroRocPersian in this video! Continue reading Gameplay Analysis Episode 12 – Blacephalon Naganadel VS ZoroRoc Persian
Caleb Gedemer and Hale Obernolte have put players Germany competitors in an uncomfortable position. There is a necessity to deal with these denial decks that did well in Denver, but tech’ing for these decks will most likely force your chances of beating other archetypes down. There are a few solutions to this dilemma. The easy fix to this problem is simply finding a new archetype … Continue reading Germany Internationals Top Picks: Malamar, Zapdos Buzzwole, ZoroControl, and ZoroRoc
Hello Cut or Tap readers, my name is Hunter Butler and I have played competitive Pokémon for 12 years! Some of my accomplishments as a master include top 8 at Portland Regionals 2017, 37th at LAIC 2017, top 16 at Worlds 2018, and top 16 at Greensboro Regionals. For my first article here at Cut or Tap I would like to talk about a deck … Continue reading Beach Vibes in Daytona: One Red Hot Rogue and One Cool Summer Swim
This article goes over my current Toad Zoroark list, why the deck is still strong, and how to play the important match ups. Tomorrow there will be another article from Hunter Butler on Blastoise Wails. On my trip to Denver I started the weekend explaining to my friends that I was tired of Expanded and would avoid going to any more Expanded events. By the … Continue reading Toad Zoroark is as strong as it was before the Lusamine ban
Hey everyone! As my first article for Cut or Tap, I’m super excited to bring you all a comprehensive deck rundown and tournament report on the Regigigas/Hoopa stall deck that I used to get 2nd place at this past weekend’s Denver Regional Championship. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I really love the slow, methodical play-style of the deck, and I think that it’s … Continue reading Regionals 2nd Place Regi-Stall tournament report, match up descriptions and List Details
Turned out this list actually had a much bigger impact on Denver than I anticipated. Just wanted to give credit those who deserve it, explain some cards in the list, and talk about the event. Two masters I coach, and a third player that is subbed to cut or tap, all made top 32 or better with the deck. By the way, huge shout out … Continue reading The Cut or Tap Zapdos Variant’s performance at Denver
Initially I planned on doing a simple best of three, but later ended up feeling like more testing was needed. The first game was omitted from the video because the ZoroRoc deck drew pretty poorly and lost the coin flip, making the video rather uninformative and boring. If you hear me referencing the first game in the video, that’s how it went. In this video … Continue reading Video Coaching Ep. 1 (ZoroRoc VS Zapdos Buzzwole)
This is a short post on options for Denver other than Zapdos. If you want to read about Zapdos you can find match up descriptions and other info here. For my exact updated list you can go here. The first deck is of course Zoroark, which has been my first choice for a while. I don’t think people even believe I will play anything else … Continue reading Other options for Denver
As it became more obvious that players are trying to counter Zoroark, it started to become evident than I needed a second option for Denver. I knew that playing PikaRom and Blacephalon was out of the question for me, which meant the only options outside of Zoroark were Zapdos, Ultra Necrozma, or a rogue. Ultra Necrozma match results have been very draw-dependent rather than skill-dependent, … Continue reading The Cut or Tap Zapdos variant
