Lili Deck - 02

This is my second deck for Lili. It is 3rd card buffing punch deck. This deck isn't as popular in the 1100's as it is in the 1200's (I imagine because it is so good that those who use this deck rise past the 1200, lol). It is very strong (damage wise), fast, and Monte Carlo Snap (imo the best healing card since the Heihachi Update) is all the healing you need.

The Deck

• 3x Broken Heart: 14 Damage, Punch, After the attack: HP ≤ Opp HP: +2 cards & Opp +1 card
• 3x Peacock Waltz: 18 Damage, Punch, Before the attack: Only Punch: 3rd card +16 Hit
• 2x Rompez Fleuret: 20 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Opp cards ≥ 3: Card +25 Hit
• 2x Direct Persuasion: 22 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Cards ≤ Opp cards & Opp cards ≥ 3: +1 card
• 3x Monte Carlo Snap: 16 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Block missed: Card discarded & +27 HP
• 1x Slashing Vine: 14 Damage, Punch, Before the attack: Opp cards ≥ 3: Cards +8 Hit
• 1x Elysee Le Bras Allonge: 20 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Strike: Both -5 cards & Both +4 cards
  
• Power Card: Lili - I: 175 HP First turn: Both +3 Card

I like the SR Power card more but the 175 HP Power card sends the opponent's cards instantly to 3 where this deck is strongest. Also, it's cheaper =]. If you cannot afford the SR Card, feel free to opt for a 3rd Direct Persuasion. Alternatively, 1x Broken Heart and 1x Monte Carlo Snap can be substituted for Allonger Le Bras (40 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Opp cards = 0: Opp +1 card) for a more aggressive play style.

Strategy

This deck is very versatile. It can generate cards extremely fast whether focusing or blocking. Broken Heart and Direct Persuasion provide safe ways to obtain cards while blocking (Broken Heart will not proc if your HP is greater than the opponents but if it is, then you can afford taking risks by focusing). The idea is to allow the opponent to have 3 cards in-order to trigger the effects of Rompez Fleuret, and Slashing Vine. When the effects of these cards are active, your strike
will be very powerful. Peacock Waltz's ability should always be active and provides a very strong buff that cannot be blocked without the assistance of a parry card. Don't be afraid to use Monte Carlo Snap to strike, many players assume that Lili players will use Monte Carlo Snap as a source of healing but remember that over healing will stop the effects of Broken Heart which is key to pushing an smart opponent's cards past 2. I would love to make a flowchart for this, except that I think it would be a lot more complicated than previous ones. All I can say is, know when to play aggressively and when to play defensively. Although this statement may seem very simple, many players cannot differentiate when those times are, I will try to make a post regarding that in the near future.

Very important: don't fire off Elysee Le Bras Allonge as soon as you get it. This card can be used to get more damage, or heal up using Monte Carlo Snaps. Consider playing focus or even block, I am sure the opponent will either play Block or Strike anyway.

Conclusion

I am not a Lili player and I don't intend to ever play Lili however, I do think this type of deck is very strong and not many decks can keep up with it in terms of Healing and Damage. With the change in the 5 card discard rule and HP per turn card nerfs, this deck only becomes stronger. I am thinking of subbing in a 2x Heliotrope (20 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Block won: 3rd card +30 Hit) but am not sure where to put it. With Heliotrope a general strategy can be seen, lower the enemy's HP to 90~100, focus to 5 cards (hopefully your HP is lower than theirs) allow them to build 3 cards OR win a block (the only way to avoid having 3+ cards is to strike) and strike for the rest of their HP.

Small changes can be made here and there depending on the players you fight (I don't think 1100 players think so deeply about not triggering certain card effects) but the general idea of the deck is the same, 3rd card buff punching deck.

Please leave comments, suggestions or anything. I would love to hear the opinion of Lili players.

Panda - Now You're Endangered

As seen in the latest Online WW Championship rankings, Panda is up there along with Paul and here's why: Trout Sweep. This card combined with Panda's monstrous base damage forces the opponent to focus against a Panda with 5 cards and risk a potential One hit KO (or the worse case, 135 HP). If you don't like to leave your entire health bar to a coin toss and choose to block, you may lose 15 HP, and sometimes, that 15 HP (or more depending on how many Trout Sweep the panda has) could mean death by the last 3 cards of Panda. That being said, here is the Panda deck a friend of mine used to get to the top 50 of last week.
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Trout Sweep

• 3x Trout Sweep: 20 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Dual Block: Opp -15 HP
• 3x Bear Slash: 10 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Block missed: P cards + 8 Hit
• 3x Salmon Swipe: 18 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Block Card +20 Hit
• 1x Killing Uppercut Grizzly Claw: 30 Damage, Punch, After the attack: This card hits: Keep card & Card -30 Hit
• 1x G-Clef Cannon: 40 Damage, Punch, Before the attack: Opp Strike & Opp cards = 1: Opp +50 HP
• 1x Salmon Hunter: 60 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Focus & Opp HP ≤ 80: -30 HP
• 1x Rabid Bear: 55 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Focus & Opp cards ≤ 1: -40 HP
• 1x Grizzly Claws: 25 Damage, Punch, Before the attack: Opp Strike: +20 Protection
• 1x Ultra Kuma: 40 Damage, Punch, After the attack: Block: Cards +10 Hit & +40 Protection
• Power Card: 210 HP

Strategy: Focus till 3 cards if Trout Sweep is not part of the 3 cards, press Strike and repeat, else Focus till 5 cards, Press Block. Flip a coin, heads press Block, tails press Strike. Repeat flipping coin till 0 cards then repeat from beginning.

The probability of drawing at least 1 Trout Sweep is 76%. The Minimum damage a set of 5 cards can do is 135 HP, but that is with 3x Trout Sweep. According to the Tekken Twitter, Trout Sweep is on the watch list for changes. I am not sure about the Pauls and Pandas out there but, I am looking forward to a Tekken Card Tournament where I never have to see my health bar drop from 100% to 0% in a couple turns.

Paul - Balance Update 02

Paul

Anyone playing the Online WW Championship seeing a lot of Pauls lately? I for one see a Paul every 3 fights (my rating is currently 1280s). Wondering why there are so many Pauls? My guess is because ever since May 21st, Paul has received 3 boosts to 3 cards that make it very likely that he can Strike you with 5 cards when you are at full HP and there is literally nothing you can do about it. Those 3 cards would be, Double Strike (Damage increased to 55 from 40), God Hammer Punch (damage increased to 15 from 4, this card is significant because of it's ability: Strike : Opp -1 Parry) and Phoenix Wings (damage increased to 60 from 50). Still not convinced? Let me put together a quick Paul deck that has the potential to One Hit KO any character despite their power card (this includes a 255 HP Nina with 255 HP)

• 3x Shoulder Tackle: 50 Damage, Punch, After the attack: This card blocked: -20 HP
• 3x Double Strike: 55 Damage, Punch, Before the attack: Focus Opp HP ≤ 90: -20 HP
• 3x Flash Elbow: 50 Damage, Punch, Before the attack: Opp Block: -10 HP
• 3x Phoenix Wings: 60 Damage, Kick, After the attack: Cards ≥ 3: -20 HP
• 1x Thruster: 75 Damage, Punch, After the attack: This card appears Cards ≥ 2: -30 HP
• 1x God Hammer Punch: 15 Damage, Punch, Before the attack: Strike: Opp -1 Parry
• 1x Kongo Blast : 5 Damage, After the attack: Strike: Opp -2 Parry
• Power Card: 165 HP, First turn: +1 card, 1st card + 15 Hit

Strategy: Focus till 5 cards, press Strike

As you can see, with the exception of God Hammer Punch and Kongo Blast, every card does a nifty 50 damage or higher. As a Yoshimitsu player with a pitiful 160 Health (apparently this is 2nd lowest possible Health for Gold Power cards, 155 HP from Law is the lowest) my chances of survival are slim to none even if I know they are going to focus till they have 5 cards.

Fortunately I think Pauls reign of terror will end by June 11 during Balance Update 03. But in the mean time, you may ask, how do you battle this deck? My answer is simple, dodge any incoming Paul matches (lol). Unfortunately, according to the Tekken Twitter and Facebook page, this option may not be available in the next few days and when that happens, just sit tight till Balance Update 03 and all your frustration against Paul will be rectified as you watch all the QQ from the Tekken Facebook and Twitter Page.