Kai Tanaka
Deck guides and meta
Kai Tanaka is the byline for deck guides and meta analysis. Each guide starts from public tournament results and Bandai's card text, averages the lists, and gives every card a reason. The voice is analytical and direct, and hype needs evidence.
- Lists averaged from public tournament results, sample size stated
- Card text quoted from Bandai's official card list
- Opinions marked as ours, with the reason
88 articles by Kai Tanaka
Toploaders vs Card Savers vs One-Touch Holders (2026)
Toploaders vs card savers vs one-touch holders: toploaders handle shipping, card savers are what PSA wants for grading, holders protect a real chase pull.
· 14 min read
OP-17 Newgate Deck Guide: Trash-for-Power Red Leader
OP-17 Newgate deck guide: live decklists show real results but not a settled tier, so this breaks down the trash-for-power ability and build plan.
· 14 min read
Mega Lucario ex Deck Guide: 3,971 Matches, 49% Win Rate
Mega Lucario ex deck guide for Pokemon TCG Pocket: now a B-tier deck at 48.9% win rate over 3,971 matches. Attack math, support cards, matchups, updated.
· 13 min read
Pokemon TCG Pocket Meta Tier List: Altaria Espeon Leads
Pokemon TCG Pocket meta tier list: Mega Altaria ex Espeon now leads A-tier at 51.9% WR, Lucario has fallen out of A-tier. Full breakdown, 44,741 matches.
· 10 min read
Pokemon TCG Pocket Guide 2026: Rules, Decks, and Meta
Pokemon TCG Pocket guide 2026: the free mobile card game explained. Rules, deck building, the Team Rocket's Ambition set, meta decks, and Pack Points.
· 14 min read
OP-17 Meta Tier List: September 2026 Pre-Ban Snapshot
OP-17 meta tier list from September 2026: Mihawk leads the pre-ban snapshot, with Blue Rocks and Purple Kaido below. Track dated S-A-B-C tiers.
· 10 min read
Riftbound Kennen Deck Guide: Tier 2 After Stacked Deck Ban
The Riftbound Kennen deck is Tier 2 after Riot banned Stacked Deck on September 18. Post-ban results, what changed, and how the combo plan plays now.
· 15 min read
Riftbound Guide 2026: How to Play, Domains, Deck Building
Riftbound guide 2026: Riot's League of Legends TCG explained. Rules, all six Domains, deck building, the live Vendetta set, and the post-ban meta.
· 17 min read
OP-17 Luffy Deck Guide: Black's New Cost-12 Blocker Plan
OP-17 Luffy deck: his leader ability gives cost-12+ Characters Blocker, and cheap Giants like Rodo gain +12 cost to qualify. Sample list inside.
· 14 min read
Riftbound Radiance Release Date: Set 5 Ships October 23
Riftbound Radiance release date is confirmed for October 23, 2026, with 9 new Legends and 180 cards. Here's what's changing and why it matters now.
· 5 min read
Riftbound Vendetta Set Guide: Legends, Mechanics, Release
Riftbound Vendetta set guide: 166 cards, 9 Legends, live worldwide since July 31, 2026. Vendetta's rivalry theme, new mechanics, and the roadmap ahead.
· 11 min read
OP-17 Xebec Deck Guide: Blue Rocks Pirates Build 2026
OP-17 Xebec deck after the Mihawk ban: the average of 109 tournament lists, why the reveal hits 98% of the time, and the Black Luffy problem.
· 13 min read