Prop 15/3 (Base-Gym) - Deck Profile - Haymaker (Variants with Evolutions)

Update 2024.10.10: This blog has migrated to https://retrotcgs.com/wotc-retro-pokemon/ .

Please find my most up-to-date Prop 15/3 lists in the metagame page and my active lists page. Thanks!

(NOTE: More commentary on lists and gameplay to come in the future! Update 2024.09.28: added another Dodrio and Wigglytuff list.)

A lot has been said about the original Pokemon Trading Card Game "best deck in format": Haymaker.

Prop 15/3 finds variations of the classic Base Set (and later formats) archetype in a viable metagame position (with personal experience and top finishes in the Brew City Showdown 2024), as Wigglytuff and Dodrio pair extremely well with Big Basics in a Trainer-restricted format. The Haymaker approach has a high chance of playing a solid game and taking knock outs through the beginning turns of the game (even when it is missing access to the 15 Trainers that give the format its name). This deck profile will (initially) look at the different ways that Haymaker-style decks can be constructed (and then expand to take a deeper dive into the archetype as updates come)!

What makes a Haymaker deck in Prop 15/3? 

Big Basics and Adjacent Mon

I see them predominantly as decks with at least 6 Big Basics (with consistently higher damage output, so not including Kangaskhans or Lickitungs), maybe some deep Stage 1 evolution lines (with 1-2-energy-cost attacks or an important Pokemon Power) and use of Gust of Wind and Super Energy Removal to hinder the opponent from overwhelming the Haymaker deck's attackers. Often, the deck will include two different types of Big Basics to cover more Weakness and Resistance. With the 15 Trainer limitation, it seems unlikely a Prop 15/3 Haymaker deck would include no Stage 1 Pokemon; decks with more Evolutions (or Aerodactyl) will skew to playing more consistency-based Trainers than combat/disruptive Trainers. 

Strong Stage 1s

Generally, I assume most decks to play 3 Professor Oak, 2 Computer Search, 2 Item Finder, 2 Gust of Wind and 2 Super Energy Removal. Playing more consistency Trainers, such as Secret Mission, Misty's Wrath, Pokemon Trader, Nightly Garbage Run, will be necessary to support more evolutions. With Haymaker decks having less consistency-based Trainers, they can more easily play roleplayers like PlusPower, Defender, Scoop Up, Super Potion, Pokemon Center and many more! (Read more on how Trainers may be used in Prop 15/3 here)

With the thought I see the different general approaches to the deck as follows:

• Traditional Haymaker - Only Big Basics - I haven't seen a version of the traditional Haymaker in Prop 15/3 due to the Trainer limitation, but I could imagine a 3-Energy-type variation with only Basics (and maybe some Scoop Ups)
• Wigglymaker - Wigglytuff and Big Basics - PlusPower as a 1-of is recommended to support OHKOs with Wigglytuff
• Dodriomaker - Dodrio and Big Basics - Retreat often to line-up perfect attackers
• Double-Stage1-maker - Big Basics backed by two Stage 1 lines; assume to often be Dodrio and either Wigglytuff or Clefable - Combines the previous two versions' strengths at the cost of playing more consistency Trainers and/or having more awkward draws of the evolution lines
• Triple-Stage1-maker - Big Basics backed by three Stage 1 lines; assume to often be Dodrio, Wigglytuff, Clefable - Again, more Pokemon-based strength at the cost of even more consistency Trainers and/or awkward draws of the evolution lines; this plays like a Haymaker only some of the time
• Aeromaker - Big Basics backed by Aerodactyl - Trades three Trainers spots and a combat-oriented Stage 1 for the Aerodactyl lock; Rocket's Sneak Attack, Lass and/or Chaos Gym may be used to help maintain the lock
• DarkDragonmaker - Big Basics backed by Dark Dragons and some amount of Stage 1 lines; Wigglytuff has synergy with Dark Dragonite - Plays a toolbox strategy with the core Haymaker cards (and can assemble Stage 1s very quickly); this plays like a Haymaker only some of the time

With all of the Trainer and Pokemon options to explore Haymaker strategies, it's best to take a list, play some games and change cards as you see fit! Here are some drafts of the different varieties (with some lists based on those in Brew City Showdown!):

Wigglytuff

Dodrio

Initial version 10th Place Brew City Showdown (Aug. 11, 2024)

WigglyDodrio

Initial version "Electric Slide" 4th Place Brew City Showdown (Aug. 11, 2024)

UPDATE (2024.08.28):
+1 Brock's Zubat (24), +1 Computer Search, +1 Super Energy Removal.
-1 Ditto, -1 Item Finder, -1 Super Potion.

UPDATE (2024.08.28): Additional list

The following build is a contender for the best deck in the format, with a very versatile spread of Trainers.

Faemaker

Initial version 2nd Place Brew City Showdown (Aug. 11, 2024)

Triple Stage 1

Version 6th Place Brew City Showdown (Aug. 11, 2024)

Aeromaker

Fightning-Lightning version 7th Place Brew City Showdown (Aug. 11, 2024)

DarkDragonmaker

Dark Dragons open up a tech Dragonite to pair Step In with Dodrio's Retreat Aid. This strategy synergizes with Clefable, Hitmonchan and Rocket's Zapdos to hit hard with only a single energy attachment required!

Initial "turbo" version Pokemon 1999 league (March 2024). This variant's Magmars offer a Big Basic that can contest 70-to-80-HP Mon and retreat affordably into Wigglytuff when enough damage has been done.