Legal Sets
Official Rules
- •60-card decks exactly
- •Maximum 4 copies of any card with the same name (Basic Energy exempt)
- •Must include at least 1 Basic Pokémon
- •First player does not draw a card and cannot play a Supporter on Turn 1
- •Pokémon-ex give up 2 Prize cards when knocked out
- •Level X Pokémon level up from the matching Pokémon in play
- •Last format with both EX-era and Diamond & Pearl cards legal together
- •2008 World Championship in Orlando, FL — Klaczynski wins his second title
Format Overview
The HP-On format was dominated by one archetype: Gardevoir/Gallade, known as 'GG' or 'Plox.' Gardevoir's Psychic Lock attack shut down the opponent's Poké-Powers while its Telepass Poké-Power reused their Supporters. Gallade provided a secondary attacker that flipped Prize cards face down for massive damage. The combination of disruption and raw power made it the format's best deck for nearly the entire season.
Claydol from Great Encounters was the universal draw engine — its Cosmic Power Poké-Power drew 2 cards per turn in virtually every deck that wasn't specifically built to avoid Poké-Powers. This made Cessation Crystal (which shut down all Poké-Powers and Poké-Bodies) one of the format's most important cards, spawning an entire sub-archetype of 'Crystal/Beach' disruption decks.
At the 2008 World Championship, Jason Klaczynski won his second title with 'Psychic Lock' — his Gardevoir/Gallade build that included Dusknoir as bench disruption and Jolteon Star as a surprise damage boost. It was a masterclass in deckbuilding and play. The format also saw diverse top finishes from Blissey Control, EmpoZong (Empoleon/Bronzong spread), BanBliss (Banette/Blissey anti-meta), and Esa Juntunen's innovative Glaceon Lock.
Key Cards
Top Decks (10)
Psychic Lock (Gardevoir/Gallade)
1st Place — 2008 World Championship (Masters)
Klaczynski's second World Championship title. Gardevoir's Psychic Lock shuts down Poké-Powers while Telepass reuses opponent Supporters. Gallade flips Prizes for massive damage. Dusknoir provides bench disruption. A masterclass in format dominance.
Blissey Control
2nd Place — 2008 World Championship (Masters)
Hyper-aggressive disruption with only 10 Pokémon. Cessation Crystal shuts down Poké-Powers, Crystal Beach neutralizes Special Energy, and Energy Removal 2 strips resources. Blissey's massive HP absorbs hits while Holon Energy FF provides Fire typing. Castaway enables the tool + energy lock every turn.
Gardevoir/Gallade/Breloom
1st Place — 2008 US Nationals, T4 Worlds Masters
The US Nationals winner added a 1-1 Breloom tech to punish Pokémon with free retreat costs in mirror matches. Cresselia LV.X recovers Prizes. Pachirisu and Phione give multiple starter options. Proved Plox could be teched to handle its own mirror.
EmpoZong (Empoleon/Bronzong)
T4 — 2008 World Championship (Masters)
Empoleon's Dual Splash puts 30 on two benched Pokémon. Bronzong's Cursed Alloy places damage counters when opponents use Poké-Powers — punishing the format's ubiquitous Claydol. Cessation Crystal provides an alternative lock. Excels at playing from behind with Scramble Energy.
Empotech
1st Place — 2008 World Championship (Seniors)
Official 2008 World Championship Deck. Empoleon spreads damage while a heavy Claydol line (3 copies) provides massive draw consistency. Dusknoir disrupts the opponent's bench, and Cessation Crystal shuts down Poké-Powers. Mew ★ δ and Tauros cover specific matchups.
BanBliss (Banette/Blissey)
Shuppet's Ascension evolves into Banette instantly. Banette's Ghost Head trades 1-for-1 against 2-prize Stage 2s by placing damage counters on itself. Blissey handles matchups Banette can't. Crystal Beach and Cessation Crystal provide disruption. An anti-GG meta deck.
Glaceon Lock
T8 — 2008 World Championship (Masters)
Absol discards cards from the opponent's hand. Once Glaceon LV.X hits, its Chilly Breath shuts down all Poké-Bodies on evolved Pokémon. Team Galactic's Mars, Cessation Crystal, Crystal Beach, and Energy Removal 2 create a suffocating lock. Juntunen famously ended Brosseau's 15-0 run.
Intimidation (Scizor/Toxicroak)
1st Place — 2008 World Championship (Juniors)
Official 2008 World Championship Deck. Scizor punishes Special Energy users (dealing extra damage per Special Energy on the Defending Pokémon). Toxicroak provides Psychic-type coverage with poison. Cessation Crystal + Crystal Beach shut down Powers and Special Energy.
Bliss Control (Seniors)
2nd Place — 2008 World Championship (Seniors)
Official 2008 World Championship Deck. Same Cessation Crystal + Crystal Beach + Energy Removal 2 lock engine as Khan Le's Masters build. Chatot serves as the only draw Pokémon. Heavy on disruption tools, light on Pokémon.
Leafeon / Magmortar
Magmortar handles Gardevoir/Gallade with Fire-type advantage. Leafeon provides Water resistance for Empoleon matchups. Leafeon LV.X's damage reduction makes it surprisingly tanky. Crystal Beach and Energy Removal 2 strip opponent resources. A versatile Stage 1 toolbox.
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