Hey trainers! As promised, this week we’re discussing a classic topic. Coke or Pepsi, apples or oranges, sweet or savory… meta or non-meta decks.
I’ve been asking the question of should you play meta or not since I started, and have gotten nearly equal answers on either side of the discussion. Let’s break it down so you don’t have to ask as many times as I have. At the end, I’ll also get into why I think this is something to consider as you’re learning the game for yourself.
First, what is “the meta?” Very broadly speaking, the meta in a TCG is what is currently the most efficient and consistent competitive deck in standard and tournament formats. In other words, it’s the most popular deck with the most wins/points earned at the moment.
This gets figured out by tracking what decks are earning tournament points (or “crazy fun bucks” as I call them), and what percentage of the games played are wins. You can find this out in the same place you look for deck lists, good ol’ limitlesstcg.com. That info looks a little something like this:
At the number one slot is a straight Dragapult deck, which has earned 2,227 points between all the times that deck has been played at tournaments, and won nearly 50% of those matches played.
“Josh, this seems simple. I too want to win half of my matches.”
Believe you me, so do I. And yet, I do not play meta decks. Although now, thanks to a few underdog wins, Team Rocket’s Honchkrow gets seen every now and then.
In my opinion, it’s more important right now to learn the game and master a deck rather than pick a deck other people have decided is the best to play. Learning how a deck is built, the synergies between cards, the timing of when to switch from offense to defense… that and more are all things I need to know regardless of what deck I’m playing.
Second, a big part of why the meta is working is popularity. The reason we see Dragapult decks everywhere is because since people win with it, more people play with it, and therefore the cycle continues. As of writing this article, the thought I keep having is to build an anti-Dragapult deck to have for challenges and cups, and count on everyone else sticking to the tried and true.
The last point I’ll make is the most simple: janky fun is where I enjoy the game the most. Playing a weird pokemon that someone has to read, or scooping up a 3 prizer thanks to my bully birds, is pure fun, and that’s the most important part for me to keep playing the game.
Full disclosure: I have ADHD and part of that manifests as HATING being told what to do. So I recognize a big part of this is me being stubborn. Well, that and loving a good underdog story. I’m definitely losing matches I could be winning if I stuck to meta, but goshdarn it I just find the “Metagross” (Metagross - 178/162) and like to have fun.
So, fellow trainers, that’s why I argue Team Janky Fun is the best starting point. For me, if I’m not having fun, I’m not going to continue to learn. Get in the comments and let me know if you think sticking with the meta is the best way to start your path, or do you think I hit it on the Nosepass?
Let’s have fun,
Josh H.
