GLC Hitmonbros Deck

Tzubi is a high-placing tournament challenger in the Gym Leader Challenge format having placed top 8 in the first Gym Leader Challenge 1K and near the top in several other events with inventive deck choices. Here he teaches us how to play the Hitmonbros, an archetype that has been around since the beginning of GLC, but one that he has a unique outlook on.

Unique cards

Acro bike, Bicycle, Trainers Mail, Trekking Shoes, Pokéstop, and Rose Tower are what makes the deck work. Fighting's lack of good support Pokémon meant I had to find another way to have some consistency. Pokéstop makes you build your deck in a certain way so that you can maximize its effectiveness, which leads to the inclusion of additional recovery cards like Pal Pad and Buddy Buddy which are uncommon in Gym Leader Challenge. It also let's you play Pokémon Catcher over Boss since it is another item card.

Philosophy

As the name says, this deck was built in a turbo way, so you want to go fast. You want to get damage on the board as early as turn one, then pick apart your opponents board by either sniping their bench or KOing their attackers. The deck is all about timing and tempo, so it's very important to know when to combo and when not to combo.

Matchups

• Fire/Grass/Colorless/Lightning: Focus on getting the Hitmon combo off as much as possible. This will slow down their setup and they won't be able to string attackers.
• Dark is a bit tougher because they have access to Guzzlord. As soon as you see Guzzlord you KO it or put some damage on it so you can KO it easier later. You can afford for them to get one red banquet off, but two guarantees a loss. The best response to red banquet is Sudowoodo so you match their tempo. Otherwise you just focus on the combo in the rest of the matchup.
• Metal: You combo them to get a few prizes and damage on board. Then you can finish off their attackers with Sudowoodo or Terrakion. If they play Aegislash KO that asap.
• Dragon: This match is weird since they don't play many low HP Pokémon, so you want to get Terrakion or Sudowoodo going pretty quickly. Terrakion with belt or sash usually let you get ahead. Otherwise you combo their support Pokémon.
• Psychic: KO Dragapult before it becomes Dragapult. Silent Lab stops bench barrier and Machoke stops the placement of damage counters. Otherwise combo their support Pokémon.
• Water: Against Kyogre you want combo their setup Pokémon so you can deny the amazing surge. This is done by getting Machoke setup or by KOing their support pokemon. The most important card is probably focus sash in this matchup. To prep for the first surge you put sash on Machop if you cant get Machoke and you can guarantee Machoke the following turn. If you can't Machoke, you have to respond with a Terrakion KO on Kyogre, or you go Sudowoodo and amazing surge them back while staggering your bench. Between Sash, Counter Energy, and Raihan you can potentially amazing surge them twice with Sudowoodo.

Early Game

Go 2nd if you can and get off turn 1 hit and run, then you combo off their support Pokémon. If you go 1st, Tyrogues bratty kick is a good option, and I would usually get out and attach to Terrakion or Sudowoodo so that you have more options on your next turn.

Late Game

You are usually either clearing their boards with Hitmontop or sweeping with Terrakion/Sudowoodo. In some situations, you go into a stall type of situation so you can delay the game and get an extra turn of attaching energy to your big attackers.

Other Options

• Cards like Cyllene and Recycle are interesting because they let you reuse some of your many one of items.
• Kukui, Grant, and Poke Power could be good includes as well. They allow your Hitmonchan to OHKO evolving basics or let your Terrakion OHKO big stage 1 and 2 Pokémon.
• Otherwise the Machamp from the new Lost Origin set is a must include once that set releases.

Deck List

##Pokémon - 8

• 1 Hitmonchan TEU 74
• 1 Hitmonlee TEU 73
• 1 Hitmontop UNB 101
• 1 Machop GRI 63
• 1 Sudowoodo BKP 67
• 1 Terrakion VIV 92
• 1 Tyrogue UNB 100
• 1 Machoke GRI 64

##Trainer Cards - 43

• 1 Lusamine CIN 96
• 1 Level Ball BST 181
• 1 Tate & Liza CES 166
• 1 N FCO 105
• 1 Guzma & Hala CEC 193
• 1 Trainers' Mail ROS 92
• 1 Bicycle PLS 117
• 1 Rescue Stretcher GRI 130
• 1 Brooklet Hill GRI 120
• 1 Buddy-Buddy Rescue BKT 135
• 1 Switch PRC 163
• 1 Robo Substitute Team Flare Gear PHF 102
• 1 Korrina FFI 95
• 1 Marnie SSH 200
• 1 Escape Rope BUS 163
• 1 Cynthia UPR 119
• 1 Focus Sash FFI 91
• 1 Float Stone BKT 137
• 1 Silent Lab PRC 140
• 1 Professor's Letter XY 123
• 1 Colress PLS 118
• 1 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189
• 1 Fighting Fury Belt BKP 99
• 1 Acro Bike CES 123
• 1 Guzma BUS 143
• 1 Ultra Ball BRS 186
• 1 Pal Pad SSH 172
• 1 Muscle Band XY 121
• 1 Peony CRE 197
• 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
• 1 PokéStop PGO 68
• 1 Lillie's Poké Doll CEC 197
• 1 Trekking Shoes ASR 156
• 1 Quick Ball SSH 216
• 1 Tag Call CEC 206
• 1 Pokémon Catcher SSH 175
• 1 Rose Tower DAA 169
• 1 Field Blower GRI 125
• 1 Nest Ball SUM 123
• 1 Raihan EVS 202
• 1 VS Seeker PHF 109
• 1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
• 1 Air Balloon SSH 213

##Energy - 9

• 1 Strong Energy FCO 115
• 1 Counter Energy CIN 100
• 6 Fighting Energy Energy 6
• 1 Stone {F} Energy VIV 164