Stéphane Ivanoff
@lubyllule.bsky.social
🇫🇷 Pokémon TCG player, 2x International Champion. Expanded format believer.
Top 16 at LAIC with Gholdengo! Munkidori was a late addition and Ciphermaniac was a super late addition (Thursday night 10 PM with no testing) but they worked out well!
Shout-out to the French crew both here in São Paulo and at home for the support!
+300 CP, 860/1000
Shout-out to the French crew both here in São Paulo and at home for the support!
+300 CP, 860/1000
November 23, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Top 16 at LAIC with Gholdengo! Munkidori was a late addition and Ciphermaniac was a super late addition (Thursday night 10 PM with no testing) but they worked out well!
Shout-out to the French crew both here in São Paulo and at home for the support!
+300 CP, 860/1000
Shout-out to the French crew both here in São Paulo and at home for the support!
+300 CP, 860/1000
Top cut of LAIC 2026 via PokéStats
November 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Top cut of LAIC 2026 via PokéStats
Top 16 at LAIC! Full report coming later.
November 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Top 16 at LAIC! Full report coming later.
Just because I'm in day 2 doesn't mean I can't play Expanded in the hotel lobby at 11 PM
November 22, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Just because I'm in day 2 doesn't mean I can't play Expanded in the hotel lobby at 11 PM
LAIC starts in less than an hour. Let's hope everything goes well!
November 21, 2025 at 11:13 AM
LAIC starts in less than an hour. Let's hope everything goes well!
There's an Expanded side event at LAIC on Saturday!
November 20, 2025 at 9:11 PM
There's an Expanded side event at LAIC on Saturday!
I don't think this was clarified before, but this new section in the TCG Tournament Handbook states that when open decklists are used, they will be used for top cut only.
It also states players can only check their opponent's decklist while players shuffle for the first game of the match.
It also states players can only check their opponent's decklist while players shuffle for the first game of the match.
November 7, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I don't think this was clarified before, but this new section in the TCG Tournament Handbook states that when open decklists are used, they will be used for top cut only.
It also states players can only check their opponent's decklist while players shuffle for the first game of the match.
It also states players can only check their opponent's decklist while players shuffle for the first game of the match.
I think including Miriam could help against Item lock (the main issue is not being able to get Pokémon back in the deck), but at the cost of Random Receiver consistency. I'm not sure there's a good way to deal with Special Energy hate, though (Pokémon Ranger isn't enough).
(9/11)
(9/11)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I think including Miriam could help against Item lock (the main issue is not being able to get Pokémon back in the deck), but at the cost of Random Receiver consistency. I'm not sure there's a good way to deal with Special Energy hate, though (Pokémon Ranger isn't enough).
(9/11)
(9/11)
Steelix is not the most competitive deck: as you may expect, it has some weaknesses that this simple list can't really deal with. Item lock is an issue, and so is Special Energy lock like Dominating Echo or even Shadow Mist + Temple of Sinnoh.
(8/11)
(8/11)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Steelix is not the most competitive deck: as you may expect, it has some weaknesses that this simple list can't really deal with. Item lock is an issue, and so is Special Energy lock like Dominating Echo or even Shadow Mist + Temple of Sinnoh.
(8/11)
(8/11)
I included a copy of the Steelix from Mega Evolution, partly because hey, it's the new set, but also because it's a pretty good attacker early game, when you may not have managed to get a lot of cards in hand. (It also has 4 retreat cost so it can be discarded later just like any other card.)
(7/11)
(7/11)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I included a copy of the Steelix from Mega Evolution, partly because hey, it's the new set, but also because it's a pretty good attacker early game, when you may not have managed to get a lot of cards in hand. (It also has 4 retreat cost so it can be discarded later just like any other card.)
(7/11)
(7/11)
(...) or in the late game if your deck size is low. The deck runs Sacred Ash to get more fuel for Steelix's attack, but that can also be used to make Thumpalanche much more easy to hit.
The deck runs Brooklet Hill to find Onix, and that doubles as a way to counter Silent Lab and Path to the Peak.
The deck runs Brooklet Hill to find Onix, and that doubles as a way to counter Silent Lab and Path to the Peak.
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
(...) or in the late game if your deck size is low. The deck runs Sacred Ash to get more fuel for Steelix's attack, but that can also be used to make Thumpalanche much more easy to hit.
The deck runs Brooklet Hill to find Onix, and that doubles as a way to counter Silent Lab and Path to the Peak.
The deck runs Brooklet Hill to find Onix, and that doubles as a way to counter Silent Lab and Path to the Peak.
Steelix can use Double Colorless Energy or Twin Energy to attack. They can also be used by Onix, whose Thumpalanche attack fits incredibly well in this deck (remember that Onix and Steelix are both 4 retreat cost Pokémon)! It can let you get a KO on turn 1 with some luck, (...)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Steelix can use Double Colorless Energy or Twin Energy to attack. They can also be used by Onix, whose Thumpalanche attack fits incredibly well in this deck (remember that Onix and Steelix are both 4 retreat cost Pokémon)! It can let you get a KO on turn 1 with some luck, (...)
The last piece of the engine is Roxie, which provides even more draw power. Thanks to Metallic Signal, it's easy to get Pokémon in hand that you can then discard. Alongside Oricorio and/or Fez, you can accumulate a lot of cards in hand, which translates into OHKOs with Steelix.
(4/11)
(4/11)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The last piece of the engine is Roxie, which provides even more draw power. Thanks to Metallic Signal, it's easy to get Pokémon in hand that you can then discard. Alongside Oricorio and/or Fez, you can accumulate a lot of cards in hand, which translates into OHKOs with Steelix.
(4/11)
(4/11)
This lets you use Nest Ball and Quick Ball as your engine, since all the Evolution Pokémon, including Steelix itself, can be found with Genesect ex. The deck also runs Oricorio-GX and Fezandipiti ex to turn these Balls into more draw power.
(3/11)
(3/11)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
This lets you use Nest Ball and Quick Ball as your engine, since all the Evolution Pokémon, including Steelix itself, can be found with Genesect ex. The deck also runs Oricorio-GX and Fezandipiti ex to turn these Balls into more draw power.
(3/11)
(3/11)
The main attacker is Steelix, which deals damage by discarding 4 retreat cost Pokémon. The deck uses Genesect ex's Ability to grab a bunch of Evolution 4RC Pokémon (I put 12 Copperajah because it's the funniest choice but you have a lot of options, it doesn't matter) to fuel the attack.
(2/11)
(2/11)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The main attacker is Steelix, which deals damage by discarding 4 retreat cost Pokémon. The deck uses Genesect ex's Ability to grab a bunch of Evolution 4RC Pokémon (I put 12 Copperajah because it's the funniest choice but you have a lot of options, it doesn't matter) to fuel the attack.
(2/11)
(2/11)
Expanded Deck of the Month #47: Steelix
(As I explained recently, I'm now doing one thread per month, it should be a more sustainable rhythm)
Steelix is a fun deck with a unique engine. It's not broken by any means, but it's a one-Prize attacker with decent HP.
Thread ⬇️
(1/11)
(As I explained recently, I'm now doing one thread per month, it should be a more sustainable rhythm)
Steelix is a fun deck with a unique engine. It's not broken by any means, but it's a one-Prize attacker with decent HP.
Thread ⬇️
(1/11)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Expanded Deck of the Month #47: Steelix
(As I explained recently, I'm now doing one thread per month, it should be a more sustainable rhythm)
Steelix is a fun deck with a unique engine. It's not broken by any means, but it's a one-Prize attacker with decent HP.
Thread ⬇️
(1/11)
(As I explained recently, I'm now doing one thread per month, it should be a more sustainable rhythm)
Steelix is a fun deck with a unique engine. It's not broken by any means, but it's a one-Prize attacker with decent HP.
Thread ⬇️
(1/11)
anyway it's expanded time!!
November 2, 2025 at 3:09 PM
anyway it's expanded time!!
Top 64 at Gdansk regionals with Cosmic Gholdengo! Good deck, except when it bricks.
Pretty happy with the list, Erika wasn't needed this weekend though since all the Absol cut Cornerstone for disruption (which doesn't beat Gholdengo anyway).
+120 CP, 560/1000
Pretty happy with the list, Erika wasn't needed this weekend though since all the Absol cut Cornerstone for disruption (which doesn't beat Gholdengo anyway).
+120 CP, 560/1000
November 2, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Top 64 at Gdansk regionals with Cosmic Gholdengo! Good deck, except when it bricks.
Pretty happy with the list, Erika wasn't needed this weekend though since all the Absol cut Cornerstone for disruption (which doesn't beat Gholdengo anyway).
+120 CP, 560/1000
Pretty happy with the list, Erika wasn't needed this weekend though since all the Absol cut Cornerstone for disruption (which doesn't beat Gholdengo anyway).
+120 CP, 560/1000
Graphic via PokéStats
November 2, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Graphic via PokéStats
Expanded side event at Gdansk regionals!
October 31, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Expanded side event at Gdansk regionals!
As always, thanks to my sponsor @dragonshield.bsky.social for the sleeves. Orchid is one of my favorite colors of theirs!
(Pic from my stream match)
(Pic from my stream match)
October 27, 2025 at 1:07 AM
As always, thanks to my sponsor @dragonshield.bsky.social for the sleeves. Orchid is one of my favorite colors of theirs!
(Pic from my stream match)
(Pic from my stream match)
Top 256 at Lille regionals with Cosmic Gholdengo.
Squandered a 7-1 start, which feels terrible. If I hadn't slow played myself out of a possible win in round 9 yesterday I would have dodged the "Pult and control bracket" and maybe things would have gone better. Oh well!
+60 CP, 440/1000
Squandered a 7-1 start, which feels terrible. If I hadn't slow played myself out of a possible win in round 9 yesterday I would have dodged the "Pult and control bracket" and maybe things would have gone better. Oh well!
+60 CP, 440/1000
October 26, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Top 256 at Lille regionals with Cosmic Gholdengo.
Squandered a 7-1 start, which feels terrible. If I hadn't slow played myself out of a possible win in round 9 yesterday I would have dodged the "Pult and control bracket" and maybe things would have gone better. Oh well!
+60 CP, 440/1000
Squandered a 7-1 start, which feels terrible. If I hadn't slow played myself out of a possible win in round 9 yesterday I would have dodged the "Pult and control bracket" and maybe things would have gone better. Oh well!
+60 CP, 440/1000
Our unofficial Expanded League Cup is running with 30 players (and that's with many Expanded fanatics busy playing day 2)!
October 26, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Our unofficial Expanded League Cup is running with 30 players (and that's with many Expanded fanatics busy playing day 2)!
We are getting ready for the Unofficial Expanded League Cup! Go to table 1089 to register, and ask for a deck if needed! Julien (long hair bearded guy in the pic) is running the event :)
October 26, 2025 at 8:41 AM
We are getting ready for the Unofficial Expanded League Cup! Go to table 1089 to register, and ask for a deck if needed! Julien (long hair bearded guy in the pic) is running the event :)
It feels nice to be on page 1 of standings again!
October 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
It feels nice to be on page 1 of standings again!