Professor Colin 🐟 TRC
@CaveTcg
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A Pokémon TCG fanatic since 2004 specializing in retro formats. Professor since 2018. Cancer Researcher/Genetic Engineer. Member & ally of alphabet army 🏳️🌈
Joined January 2021
*Laughs in retro collector
No we don’t have a problem. Yes we can quit anytime we want. No I don’t need to see a therapist, no I don’t need to fix my car.
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PSA that @JohnHealey_tcg and others who act this way are not welcome in a pokemon community that aspires to uphold decency and be family friendly.
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Toxic cards. Game would be so much more enjoyable and less random without them. Who agrees?
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So many positives from Charlotte, but I have to mention one negative 😕 . I’ve noticed an uptick in players using hypersexualized images of women as Vstar markers. This is very unfortunate & not fit for our game. And we wonder why a lot of women are uncomfortable at events.
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@JohnHealey_tcg Then call them a piece of shit, don’t use slurs, dumbass. There see? I’m using your logic. Here’s more: you’re a nazi-sympathizing r*pist defender who also supports a multi-felon but also condemns people for being felons. You are not a victim, you are the bully. Better?.
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Just saw a kid at Mall of America get really excited thinking he was gonna get some Prismatic Evolutions. “Finally!” he said smiling. Then his dad saw the price (ETB $199) and said “maybe another time.”. @PokemonTCG you are ruining the game for the kids you made it for.
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Love you @T_Blatt but ngl, I’m sick of the constant cycle of the same Pokemon every era. Eevees, Charizard, Garchomp, Darkrai, Mewtwo, Gardy, etc somehow “need” a card (or 7) every era, while some Pokemon have 1 printing EVER. Makes the game so stale.
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I witnessed a man pray to the Arceus today, but it did not answer him. (You’ll get the next one I’m sure J, keep bringing that positive energy)
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I hope my fellow retro deck collectors realize just how awesome 2022 EUIC format will be to build as a gauntlet. Can't wait to see what NAIC brings to the table!
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Signs of a good format whether you like it or not:.1. Strong evolution decks.2. 2 or 3-shot format.3. Viable mill/stall options.4. Viable comeback cards.5. Strong single-prizer decks.6. Use of every card type in the game.7. Healthy access to discard and deck.SWSH-PAF had it all.
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Pic inspired by @FloydMayweather & @TrainerJEvans. Collection inspired by hard work from @rileywrentcg & I. This started in ‘12, reconnecting to my childhood sifting through old lists I kept in 3-ring binders. Now I’m past 250 retro decks. So proud to be part of this community 🫶🏻
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I’m really hoping we get a TCG special set for Arceus: Legends with a similar Middle-Ages Japan art style to what we got in the HeartGold & SoulSilver sets. Do you guys think we’ll get something like this? -CF
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Might not be retro decks, but I'm thankful to be playing any Pokemon here at Uni. Shout-out to UCL Pokemon Society for hosting events to teach players the TCG, it was a lot of fun! -CF
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Guys what are we pointing at here? Wrong answers only
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If meta decks had fun names:. -Zardzilla (Charizard).-Saturn (Twin Roaring Moons).-Chien POW! you’re dead.-Demon Dragon Dinos (ancient box).-Two Turn Tang (Dialga/Metang).-Big Buck Futures (Hands/Crown).-Air Traffic Control (Pidgeot Control).
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@JHonraedt @JohnHealey_tcg Exactly. Like I personally disagree with the hat’s political connection and symbolism, but point is I would also criticize a Kamala/Walz ‘24 shirt being worn, for ex. Also, my point here is don’t be so comfortable using slurs, even online 🙃.
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We've officially been on Twitter for 1 yr! 🥳 Being in the retro & Pokemon community as a whole has been and continues to be a blessing! We've met some amazing players and hope to meet more in 2022. To celebrate here's a throwback to our first ever deck post, 04 Walreign 🦭 -CF
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@NickkPoke @JohnHealey_tcg No what’s wrong is that people have forgotten that while we have the right to be an asshole, that does not mean we should be one.
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@HeidiBachram You’re seriously equating eurovision votes with the will of the people? Sounds like an awful lot of propaganda to me.
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Getting this mat means a lot to me. Five years ago I was supposed to receive this mat at a Professor seminar, then covid happened and you know the rest. Hoenn has always been my favorite region, and I can happily say it was worth the wait to play some 2004 on this baddy 😁
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Me dusting off the old scramble switch in my 2013 pooka big basics deck
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I am all for increasing player knowledge and love for retro formats (i.e. having casters play retro on stream), which is why I can’t wrap my head around the 2004 retro tournament at San Antonio being no proxies 😥 I get there are reasons but for a side event and for 2004…c’mon.
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To celebrate the release of Roaring Ski-I mean Evolving Skies, we’re showcasing this incredible turbo deck, 2013 RayEels! A fan favorite for many reasons, this deck was the epitome of how BW changed the game. Were you a RayEels fan back in the day? Are you now? -CF
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Had an incredible weekend in Baltimore ! Thank you to:.1. All our players! Your sportsmanship shines through!.2. @GamingGen for hosting and inviting me to staff.3. My fellow Professors who help guide me and bring out the best in me!
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Back home from London, completed my Master's degree and am happily playing retro again (even if it's just test hands 😅). Amped to see my local community loving retro too! -CF
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Early flight to NAIC 🥱 I could only fit 20 or so of these in my luggage, but it was really cool to lay all of them out last night and see how far my collection has grown! (Don’t judge the deck boxes, I’m poor). Next stop: Columbus!! - RW
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Well it only took 6 years but I am finally attending worlds as a TCG Judge! 😮💨 In my heart I felt it coming but I am honored regardless, still taking it in 🌺🌴🐠🍍
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Oh so you thought I was kidding when I said I’d build that Aggro Caterpie deck @ToineLay showed off yesterday? You think this is some kind of joke? Like Caterpie doesn’t deserve a deck? I’ll have you know I take my meme decks extremely seriously, Caterpie FTW! 🐛🔥 -CF
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After 6 years together my wife attended her first prerelease and played and won her first ever game of Pokemon!! ☺️❤️❤️ she’s been supportive of my hobby since day one!
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With the announcement of V-Union today, let’s share our favorite decks that contain their predecessor: Pokemon Legends! Rayquaza and Deoxys in one card was just unfair, and to me it feels like one of the best not just competitively, but for collectors too! Ozone Buster FTW! -CF
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Me knowing this will make a great retro gauntlet deck someday
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We recently reached 200 followers! We are so happy to be a part of the Pokemon retro community! Our goal has always been to make retro more accessible to newer players and explore rogue strategies, we hope we’ve done that for you all and thanks for following us on this journey!
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Here at the Retro Cave, we stand with our LGBTQIA+ members and friends! So in honor of 🏳️🌈Pride🏳️🌈 we bring you this classic 2013 rainbow deck from the mind of @Pooka311 ! What are some of your favorite rainbow decks? Show em’ off with PRIDE below!👇🏻 - AG
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After failing 7 attempts over 6 years, I’ve finally been accepted to staff an International Championship in NAIC. School and work always got in the way of being able to staff a solid season and I’m grateful to be in a place in life where that’s finally possible. Ty @day2events
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When you’re moving for grad school and you can’t take your retro decks with you 😢😞🪦.Until next year my old friends. -CF
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@NickkPoke @JohnHealey_tcg Embarrassing to ask other adults to behave like adults and therefore not use slurs?? Freedom of speech doesn’t mean we get to go around being horrible to everyone around us correct?.
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This is nice ☺️ (first time using my old decks in 6 months)
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Orlando appreciation post!! As always I am so thankful to work as a Professor at any Regionals, but this one was special! My last Regional of the year and we finished it off with a bang! Ty to all my fellow @Overload_Events staff and Professor community! On to NAIC and Worlds? 🤞🏻
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I’m so excited to have this newest addition to my collection complete, ‘05 Blaziken! That’s right, more fire chickens! 🐥🔥If my favorite Pokemon is in a deck, I gotta build it. What Pokemon makes you ignore all financial responsibility to build a deck? 😅 -CF
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Who else has fallen in love with @enjoifriend’s GLC format? Take a look at this sweet Psychic spread concept created by our very own @chanceswafford and @averysgeorge! Similar in spirit to retro, we think this format has a bright future, and recommend giving it a try!
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Was inspired by a post by @TPO3_ highlighting the lack of Dusk Ball in SWSH. Here's one of the few decks I've used it in to great effect, '10 Arceus. My build is much more "all in" than @chanceswafford's, using ball cards to max out the odds of a turn 1 Ripple Swell. -CF (1/2)
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POV: you are approached with a challenge to a retro battle by this Seto Kaiba wannabe. You get to choose the year. What deck are you bringing?
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Reposting this beauty now that I have all HGSS energies in it and they make this deck pop! Can you imagine if these energy had Charizard on them? 😰 would be all time fan-service! Which HGSS energy is your favorite and also, which Colorless Pokemon should’ve gone on DCE? 🧐 -CF
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The Retro community when it was announced that PTCG Live will not support the HGSS era cards:
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Didn’t do super well in the LAIC prof cup but had a lot of fun!!! Gonna be a great event!
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So happy to final see 04 on stream I’m gonna cry 😭 but also @hegstertcg I will borrow you a real Blaziken deck next time please we cannot rep my fire chicken with WC cards 😩
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@NickkPoke @JohnHealey_tcg Right and I’m saying your stance is nonsensical because it implies words have no meaning. If you don’t understand this the 4th time idk what to say.
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@NickkPoke @JohnHealey_tcg Words have meaning dude this isn’t hard. We use them for a reason. By your logic, words are empty shells with zero purpose so therefore the fact they exist is a miracle cuz according to you they have no reason to exist.
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We are playing a game of cards involving Pokemon where everyone is in the same place!! We made it! 🥳.#liverpool
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Into Toronto soon, started the day with some 7am retro 😌
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☕️🚨HOME-BREW ALERT🚨☕️ We present to you ‘07 ShockTar! Utilizing the short-lived Shockwave counter, this deck is able to snipe KOs on anything with the counter. Potion and Buffer Piece keep your Ttar fresh to spread as many counters as possible. The results may shock you 😦 - AG
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Today we’re giving a huge thank you and shoutout to all of our followers here in the Retro Cave! We recently reached 150 followers and we couldn’t be happier with the community interaction this page has brought us. Here’s to growing the retro game now and in the future!
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Wanted to show off this masterpiece of a deck today, the most foiled out deck I have ever assembled and the one I am most proud of in collecting, ‘06 LBS! So thankful to have this deck, and so thankful for my entire collection! I wanna see your crowned jewels, show ‘em off! -CF
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I distinctly remember being in game 3 of an intense win-and-in at Philly Regionals 2018, and hearing my phone buzz every 30 seconds in my backpack, but I didn't wanna reach for it cuz I could get DQ'd 😆 -CF
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@NicholasMoffit2 I got a 35 on the ACT, never took the SAT, but then you should know good test scores do not equal a “wider view point” or great critical thinking skills.
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Happy Earth Day! To honor Earth we bring you a Pokemon that is Earth itself in Torterra from 2010 Flyterra! This version inspired by David Sturm’s list maximizes Spiritomb and adds Nidoqueen to slow down the game. An underrated member of the format! -AG
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I'm not sure I should be so ready to throw my money away but where else am I gonna play big in person retro? 🥲 -CF.#retromememonday
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Literally one session with this dude and next thing you’re winning with Bidoof Lock or somethin’
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This Champion’s Festival nonsense is exposing the real issue which is not being able to use cards of any language in events where CP is involved. In the States 1/2 the country speaks Spanish but can use English cards only?? Explain tPCI.
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I’ve watched Ross Cawthon’s 2011 finals match 251 times and I still have no idea where I’m moving all those damage counters each turn. 🤯 -CF.#retromememonday
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@SilentRenegade_ @KatyPTCG @Mike_Pianka @Pokemon Always the AI/anime/comic book pfp blue check worms with dumb “badass” names like silent renegade that thinking bullying people and marginalizing others makes them look cool.
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There is already quite some leeway in what is used as a vstar marker but frankly I think it’s pointless, players are and can be given free markers all the time and I think it would be best to require everyone use official markers.
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Just a taste of the decks featured at the Draft The World Tournament! What a historic event for PTCG, can’t wait to see what future DTWs bring, hopefully some 2004? 👀. What was your favorite deck featured at the event? -CF
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Excited to say I’ve been invited to staff EUIC as a TCG masters judge, and hopeful that this opportunity will lead to the chances I’ve been waiting for for a long time :) can’t wait to get to work, and of course, see my old stomping grounds ☺️🇬🇧
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To all our followers in the States, happy Independence Day!! Hope everyone had a spectacular weekend! To all our other followers, comment your country and we’ll be sure to honor your national holiday as well. Spread the pride and love! .❤️🤍💙
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Deck Lab time! ‘07 Scythe! This variation by Colin Fischer of Kevin and Erik Nance’s list swaps Jirachi for Delcatty, adding consistency cards and Holon Lass for efficient, early energy discards. We’re loving the setup speed so far! What are your thoughts on this unique deck?
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People act so happy and hopeful about Path being rotated but those of us who’ve played long enough know full well they droppin some other kinda ability lock in like 2 sets, just the way of the world.
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The ultimate proxy choice for the 400 Rocket’s Admins I need has finally arrived….#retromememonday
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This deck took me almost two years to make thanks to the pandemic, but it’s finally done! ‘08 Leafeon Magmortar is as fun as it sounds and although Eevees are overused in the TCG, this one feels a bit unique in a way. Besides, who doesn’t love Eevee @T_Blatt? -CF
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Back with a classic, ‘04 Swampert! This homebrew version cuts cards like Friend Ball and Crystal Shard for healing options in Pokemon Nurse and late game big knockouts with Pokemon Reversal! Considering swapping Underground Expeditions for switch cards! What’re your thoughts? -CF
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I tend to avoid making binder collections (if you hadn’t noticed we tend to stick to building decks here), but I found these old pack wrappings while cleaning out my old room and I had to put them on display! My favorite has to be the “terrified” HGSS base Ampharos 😍 -CF
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The best feeling in the world is completing 3 decks that have been 45/60 for like a year, after a long day of searching through bulk bins and old binders from 3-4 different stores in the middle of nowhere 😁 miss those days 😔
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😷 🙏🏻 Let’s do our part to bring back IRL retro (and I guess standard’s okay, too) 🙏🏻 😷 #RetroMemeMonday #MaskUp
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Happy Pokemon Day everyone!! Today is about everything Pokemon, but here's a taste of some of the eras we've loved over the years in the TCG! 😁.#PokemonDay2022
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I think we take it for granted when there’s a good Eeveelutions deck in the format. I love how each iteration of Eeveelution is a different style of card from the last. ‘16 Plume Box showed off two very unique ones! What’s your favorite Eeveelutions deck from Evolving Skies? -CF
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Dang Pokemon trainers had zero fear back in the day apparently 👀.P.S. the people with no playmats at Regionals are secretly 1000 IQ
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“Hi I’ll take one Blastoise ex reprint please.”.“Sir this is a Starbucks.”.“Sorry, one Venti Blastoise ex.”.“*sigh* you want a Castform with that?”
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Introducing our next member, @averysgeorge! I’ve been playing competitively since 2016, but lately my focus has shifted to expanding my retro collection. My favorite deck is Gengar, which has so much versatility and suits my play style, and my favorite card is Umbreon ex
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Repping Ray gang with my Ray of sunshine ☀️ at the Professor Conference today in MPLS ⛵️so thankful to have an event like this in my backyard!
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Today we present to you this glorious deck forgotten by many, ‘04 Wailord! Who remembers fighting gigantic Wailord in Pokemon Coliseum? This deck mirrors that feeling, as your opponent tries desperately to fight through fossils only to be met by a nigh unstoppable whale! 🐳
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I’ve always been fascinated by this deck, Crowned Tiger, piloted by Tsubasa Nakamura back at ‘09 worlds. Many pass this off as a sub-optimal Junior’s list, but I’d like to give more credit to a creative take on the SP box archetype. 🇯🇵 players should never be counted out. -CF
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Today we bring you 2010 Garchomp! (No, not that one). This build, piloted by Drew Guritzky to a Top 32 finish at Worlds, utilizes the SV Chomp’s duo of useful attacks and the annoyance of its Dragon Intimidation body to great success. A fun, hidden gem of the format!- AG
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