Rolie Polie Golie — Golisopod-GX Unraveled
Welcome back to PokeBeach, everyone! This is my first article since the North American International Championship, where I played the deck I talked about in my last article, [card name=”Espeon-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”61″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]. I took home a Top 16 finish, only losing my last round over the course of two days to finish 9/0/5. I still think that deck is incredible going forward with the release of our August set, Burning Shadows, but today I’ll be chatting with you about something I’m even more excited about — Golisopod-GX. Now, Golisopod is a tricky Pokemon to figure out. We might have to see if we can fully unravel it to truly understand it!
Golisopod
As you can see, this card has three super cool attacks. First Impression is the absolute best part about this card, and that attack is how I plan to build Golisopod-GX going forward. You’re going to want to have a way to switch your Golisopod-GX to the Bench in some way each turn, and that’s where two new cards are incredible in making this combination work.
Acerola – Trainer
Supporter
Choose 1 of your Pokemon with damage counters on it. Return that Pokemon and all cards attached to it to your hand.
You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
Guzma – Trainer
Supporter
Switch your opponent’s Active Pokemon with 1 of their Benched Pokemon. Then, switch your Active Pokemon with 1 of your Benched Pokemon.
You can only play 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
These two cards are both fantastic, and together, they make Golisopod-GX’s first attack absolutely bonkers. I’ll delve into this a bit more later on, but for now, I’ll call out the next two attacks. Armor Press is a solid smack of 100 damage, which can easily go in conjunction for a 2HKO on most Pokemon. The reduction of 20 damage from your opponent’s attacks is just a bonus, but can have its uses. Golisopod’s GX attack isn’t exactly flashy, but it’s a great way to save a damaged Golisopod-GX from an inevitable Knock Out. It cranks up the damage a little bit, too, which can serve as a medium to take some bigger Knock Outs if necessary.
Overall, Golisopod-GX is an amazing Pokemon, and it is going to be a great attacker! There are a few potential partners for the card that become quite apparent: [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card]; [card name=”Flareon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Jolteon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Vaporeon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”22″ c=”name”][/card]; [card name=”Lurantis” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM25″ c=”name”][/card]; or even [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card]. These are damage buffs, or in Zoroark’s case, a backup attacker, which take Golisopod-GX to the next level. I’ll be talking about all the versions of this deck for you shortly, showing you how to play it, and recommending a version to you which I think is better. Let’s team up and see if we can get Golisopod to unravel and show us its secrets!
Decidueye-GX
This is an interesting way to play this deck, where you build up [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card] alongside Golisopod-GX and use Feather Arrow to complement Golisopod’s already strong attacks. First Impression is absolutely incredible when you can use two Feather Arrows a turn to “boost” your damage up to 160 overall, and if you have a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], you’ll be taking OHKOs on just about anything. Both cards work together since you’ll already be playing [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card]!
Eeveelutions
When in doubt as a Stage 1 deck, add Eevee! Well, maybe don’t, but in Golisopod’s case, you definitely should. Starting off with 120 (potential) damage for just a Grass Energy is nothing to scoff at, but when you have the potential to turn that attack into a OHKO machine, by all means, do it. As a quick run through, [card name=”Flareon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] is super against [card name=”Lurantis-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”15″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Metagross-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”85″ c=”name”][/card] builds, [card name=”Jolteon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card] is for [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] variants, and [card name=”Vaporeon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”22″ c=”name”][/card] is incredible against [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Steam Siege” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] decks right now, beating down on their Fire-type Weakness. While some decks are tighter on space than others, with this deck, I’ve found you can easily fit all three Eeveelutions, and with them, shore up some matchups that would otherwise be tough to beat.
Lurantis
I haven’t tried this version of the deck out as much as I have played with the Eeveelutions, admittedly, but I think it’s generally lackluster. While you can take your damage output to new heights, regardless of Weakness types, you sacrifice a more acutely consistent version. Lurantis only adds 20 damage with one on the Bench, two-fold with two, and so on. In order to reach the higher numbers, you need to have multiple copies on your Bench. This said, you’re going to be sacrificing space for important Pokemon like [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] (either card is very important to the deck), depending on which you play, or a space for a backup Golisopod-GX, Tapu Lele-GX, and so on. You almost need two Lurantis out at a time to make the damage boost relevant, which I’m not the hugest fan of, either.
Zoroark
This card is a neat way to supplement Golispod’s move set. [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card]’s Mind Jack is always very potent, and it keeps opponent’s Bench sizes in check. Golisopod is a very efficient attacker, and with Zoroark, you can finish Knock Outs as a non-EX/GX Pokemon. Sometimes with some Pokemon, it’s just a matter of finding a solid attacking partner, and Zoroark might be that guy in this deck’s case!
Acerola, Guzma, and the Epitome of Switching
To consistently do 120 damage with Golisopod’s First Impression attack, you’re going to need to find a way to switch it out each turn. Acerola in combination with [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] is my favorite way to do this, and it adds to the deck’s strategy, too. Whenever your opponent damages a Golisopod-GX for less than a Knock Out, you can simply use Acerola to pick it up immediately, promote another one, and hit for 120 while playing down the one you just picked up back on your Bench.
Guzma is a new-age [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card] print, with a small benefit — or drawback, depending on your situation. Playing Guzma down can score you a quick Prize or two, and it even comes with the add-on of making you switch your Pokemon. In doing so, you’ll be fueling First Impression as well, and buffing your one Grass Energy attack up to the whopping 120 mark that I’ve grown so fond of.
Aside from these two options, there are other cards that can help you switch around. In the list I’ll be showing you shortly, I have Acerola, Guzma, [card name=”Olympia” set=”Generations” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Primal Clash” no=”127″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Switch” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card]! If you can, you can even retreat your Active Pokemon to fuel the damage. I’m simply enamored with this super cost-efficient attack, and very excited to use this deck even more than I have already.
My Favorite
Right now, I’m definitely the biggest fan of Golisopod-GX with Eeveelutions. I like the one-shot threat that the Eeveelutions bring to the deck; notably, without them, you offer up a bad matchup to Volcanion decks. Volcanion figures to be one of the best decks going forward with the release of Kiawe, so I’d be a fool not to expect it, and prepare for it properly. Playing Eevee also allows you to play more cards without clogging your deck with a thicker line of [card name=”Lurantis” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM25″ c=”name”][/card]. Overall, I believe the Eeveelution route gives you more options, and space, to build a better more well-rounded deck.
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The List
[decklist name=”Golisopod” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Golisopod” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”9″][pokemon amt=”17″]4x Golisopod-GX (Burning Shadows #17)4x Wimpod (Burning Shadows #16)1x [card name=”Vaporeon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”22″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Jolteon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”26″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Flareon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”13″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Eevee” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”63″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM31″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”32″]3x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x Guzma (Burning Shadows #115)2x Acerola (Burning Shadows)1x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Olympia” set=”Generations” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”132″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Primal Clash” no=”127″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]7x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”7″][/card]4x [card name=”Double Colorless” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Card Choices
Four Wimpod, Four Golisopod-GX
Four Wimpod is a must, and its amazing Ability, Wimp Out, lets you freely retreat to the Bench on your first turn. Four Golisopod-GX is a little less important, and I’ve been thinking about taking one out in favor of another consistency card, perhaps, like a [card name=”Heavy Ball” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card]. Three, however, is something you need to have, for prizing insurance.
Two Tapu Lele-GX, One Oranguru
[cardimg name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
These are the support Pokemon of the deck, and while I love to have as much draw power as possible, these are really all you need. Bench space can also be tight, sometimes, so ensuring that you’re not over-investing in unnecessary setup Pokemon is crucial. [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] is fantastic in the late game, as this deck relies on spamming Acerola and other switching cards to ensure that First Impression does 120 damage. Without a solid way to draw cards after a low [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card], you can get stuck, but Oranguru will save you if you play one.
Two Eevee, One Flareon, One Jolteon, One Vaporeon
You’re going to want two [card name=”Eevee” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] so you can stagger one in case your Eeveelution gets Knocked Out; then you can pull it right back with a [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card]! Having one of each Eevee depends on what you expect, but I like having all three so that no matter what Pokemon Weaknesses you play against, you’ll have an advantage.
One Tapu Koko
I am playing a [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”name”][/card] right now to finish off Knock Outs. You can either use it early on, or in the late game to make sure that your Golisopod’s First Impression attack did the job right.
Three Professor Sycamore, Three N
For draw Supporters, I’ve found that in most decks you really only need three [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card], and three [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card]. As with anything, more would be nice, but I would like to fit other important cards, so finding space is essential.
Two Acerola, Two Guzma
You need a way to make First Impression do 120 damage starting off, and as I’ve talked about a lot now, these cards are here to help you do that. I like having two of each to increase odds of finding them, and also so that you don’t have to burn [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”110″ c=”name”][/card] getting them back.
One Professor Kukui, One Olympia, One Hex Maniac, One Brigette
Here we have our tech Supporters. Each has its own individual purpose. You’re not going to be using each of them every game, so one copy is a perfect count. [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] is to boost your damage with a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] up to 170 overall. Some important Pokemon out there have 170 HP, so getting there is crucial. If you still need more damage, [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”name”][/card] can finish things off with Flying Flip.
[card name=”Olympia” set=”Generations” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] is another way to switch your Golisopod-GX around to refuel First Impression. [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] is for matchups like [card name=”Vikavolt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card], where you want to get ahead on Prizes by stopping your opponent from executing his or her strategy. Lastly, [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”name”][/card] is just a standard setup card that you can fetch with [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] on your first turn to get all the Basics you’ll need in a game down at once.
Four VS Seeker, Four Ultra Ball
These cards are crucial inclusions in any deck, and I wouldn’t go lower than four on either.
Two Float Stone, Two Choice Band
For now, this is the Tool lineup I have. I have all sorts of ideas about the Tool arrangements, but after testing, I’m still not entirely sure which is optimal. Four [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] has potential, as could more [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card]. Additionally, I’m not even sure if you need Choice Band at all! A healthy 2-2 split has been fine, and both cards do have their uses, so for now, this is the way I’ll be playing it.
One Switch, One Escape Rope
Sometimes you don’t have the opportunity to play a Supporter that switches you around. That said, having the option to play an [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] and still draw a switching card is great. You can hit either of these from drawing cards, and then play one or the other to make First Impression do 120.
One Rescue Stretcher
[cardimg name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Nearly every deck needs some kind of Pokemon recovery, and this one is no exception. Especially with the Eeveelutions, you’re going to want a way to recover them in case your opponent decides to KO the one you have in play to counter his or her deck. Two could be solid, but one is really all I’ve found that you need.
Three Forest of Giant Plants
[card name=”Forest of Giant Plants” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] isn’t required in this deck, but it lets you put Golisopod-GX back into play immediately after putting it back into your hand with Acerola. Forest also allows you to evolve Wimpod immediately after benching it. Three has been a fine count — not too many, not too little. Unlike with a [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] deck, for instance, you don’t need to find them right away; they’re more for the utility of using Acerola.
Seven Grass Energy, Four Double Colorless Energy
Seven Grass Energy is the perfect number for this deck, since you only need one when fueling any of Golisopod’s attacks. Seven will last you the course of a game, even if you have to discard one or two. [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”90″ c=”name”][/card] in this deck is still very good, even though you’re mainly going to be using First Impression. Sometimes you don’t have the opportunity to switch around, and then Armor Press becomes good. You’re always going to want to use Crossing Cut GX in a game, and all you need is a Grass Energy and a Double Colorless Energy to use it, so you’re going to want a full set of four.
Other Options
Octillery
As I’ve played, in the late game, sometimes [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card]’s Instruct isn’t enough. Getting the extra two cards that [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]’s Abyssal Hand yields can be just enough to hit the cards you’re looking for, like [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”110″ c=”name”][/card] for Acerola, in many cases.
Heavy Ball
Both Golisopod-GX and Wimpod have a Retreat Cost of three, so [card name=”Heavy Ball” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] is a cool way to fetch them out of your deck. Normally, I haven’t been the biggest fan of “Ball” cards lately, since [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]’s Trashalanche is such a threat, but this deck does very well against Garbodor since First Impression can immediately take it down in one hit for just a single Grass Energy. The extra consistency of Pokemon search could be very nice in this deck.
More Float Stone
While [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] should probably still be played, an alternate way of switching your Golisopod-GX around to fuel First Impression can come from simply using [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] to retreat to a different Golisopod-GX. This can save you from using an Acerola too early, but still avoiding a Knock Out, as well. I have yet to test a version with four Float Stone, but I could see it being very useful, and strong.
Matchups
Garbodor / Drampa-GX | Favorable
[cardimg name=”Drampa-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”142″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
[card name=”Drampa-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] cannot take a OHKO on a Golisopod-GX, even with [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] and a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card]! [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] with a Choice Band cannot take a OHKO on Golisopod-GX either, provided you keep your Item count at eight or less. Limiting your Items played with Golisopod-GX is pretty simple, since you can OHKO a Garbodor with First Impression for just a single Energy, and Drampa isn’t much of a threat, either, since you’ll be taking it down in two hits and you can heal with Acerola.
I suggest trying to take it as slow as possible. You don’t have to do much to set up, and the minute you start attacking, you’ll be fine. Berserk can take down anything not named Golisopod-GX in one hit, sure, but as long as you establish a Golisopod-GX chain at some point, healing with Acerola, you’ll be in great shape to win.
Using Golisopod’s Crossing Cut GX with a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] can take down a [card name=”Drampa-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] that gets out of hand in one use, too, which can be a failsafe when you need it. Since you’ll be switching out to a different Pokemon, you won’t be threatened with a Knock Out in return, and that’ll allow you to trade attackers with an advantage.
Gardevoir-GX | Even
This matchup is very back and forth. Golisopod-GX obviously cannot one-shot a full HP Gardevoir-GX, while Gardevoir’s Infinite Force can OHKO a Golisopod-GX. As the Golisopod-GX player, you’re not going to attach more than a single Grass Energy to an attacking Golisopod-GX. That way, Gardevoir-GX will need a whopping six Energy on it to one-shot you in return to your First Impression for 120.
This match is a trade of attacks, and you’re going to want to basically outlast your opponent. Acerola is going to be clutch to heal damage from attacks that didn’t quite make it there, and if you can take Knock Outs on Kirlia and Ralts before they Evolve, that’ll be awesome, too. Avoiding multiple Gardevoir-GX from getting in play is very beneficial, because then it’ll be much harder for your opponent to take OHKOs on your Pokemon.
While I’m not entirely sure of its usefulness, Muscle Dumbbells in this matchup could be incredible, since you can withstand stronger Infinite Force attacks from opposing Gardevoir-GX. After your opponent attacks, then you can do the usual Acerola to big up your Golisopod-GX to “heal”, and get that switch effect off.
Golisopod-GX | Even
The mirror match is very dependent on the version your opponent is running themselves. For the purposes of promoting the Eeveelution version, I’ll be talking about opposing Golisopod-GX decks as if they aren’t playing Eeveelutions themselves. [card name=”Flareon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] is going to be huge against any Golisopod-GX mirror, regardless of what they’re playing. Hitting for Weakness on your opponent’s Golisopod-GX is going to be giving you OHKOs, and you’ll get ahead in the Prize trade.
If your opponent is playing Flareon themselves, you’ll be forced to trade Prizes. Whoever takes the first two Prize Pokemon will likely win, since he or she will be ahead for the rest of the game. [card name=”Lurantis” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM25″ c=”name”][/card] versions can get to one-hit Knock Out numbers too, but that’s harder to pull off.
To counter your opponent’s Flareon if you fall behind, you can use a Guzma to pull it Active and then take a Knock Out on it. That play isn’t advisable, though, if your opponent has a backup Eevee waiting, and to piggyback from that, you yourself should always have a Flareon, as well as another Eevee in play to counter if your opponent ever decides to take a Knock Out on the Flareon. This matchup is just back and forth, and hopefully you’ll come out on top!
Noivern-GX | Slightly Favorable
Golisopod-GX is so low maintenance that Item-lock doesn’t hurt it very much, and Special Energy lock does next to nothing. If Noivern-GX is playing [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card], you can just limit your Items like always, and you’ll be fine. A Noivern-GX has to attack a whopping three times with Distortion, and that’s with a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], to Knock Out a full HP Golisopod-GX, so you’ll be able to get in plenty of cracks with First Impression, or your other attacks.
Acerola can bail you out to heal damage whenever needed, too, so you shouldn’t have too much of a problem taking a few hits. Make sure not to play down any Pokemon that aren’t necessary, which means pretty much anything besides Golisopod-GX and maybe a [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card]. Noivern-GX can lock those Pokemon Active, and you’ll be stuck while your opponent builds a more powerful field of attackers.
Armor Press is underrated in this matchup, since it forces a Noivern-GX player to four-shot you with Distortion, even with a Choice Band. If you can get that attack off, you’ll be in a great place. If the Noivern-GX deck plays Energy disruption, it can be pretty annoying, but at the same time, you play plenty of Energy to refuel if needed.
Turbo Darkrai-EX | Slightly Favorable
[cardimg name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”74″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
I think this matchup is slightly favorable because you’re going to be doing far more damage than your opponent at the beginning of the game with First Impression. If you get a chance to use Crossing Cut GX, you’ll be taking two Prizes for sure with a [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] Knock Out, and you’ll even get to save your Golisopod-GX. Armor Press has its uses, too, since you can boost yourself to effectively “230” HP, and that should be good to withstand powerful Dark Pulses for more turns than normal.
If you can use Flying Flip twice, which is very possible if you go straight for a [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”name”][/card], you can take OHKOs on all of your opponent’s Darkrai-EX with First Impression and a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], so that should be your first plan of attack.
Acerola is going to save you from 2HKOs before Dark Pulse is doing enough damage to take OHKOs, so be aware of how much damage your opponent is doing at all times. The biggest key to this matchup is using Tapu Koko early, and then even using [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] to get it back and reuse it, if needed.
Vileplume / Decidueye-GX | Slightly Favorable
[card name=”Flareon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] burns Decidueye-GX to a crisp! While it doesn’t mean you win automatically, by any means, you’re going to be favored just because of that. You can do 240 damage with a single Grass Energy straight away with Flareon in play, and [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card] decks just don’t have a way to recover from a fast Knock Out like that.
Item-lock can hurt you considerably, but you have lots of ways to still draw cards, and hopefully get those all-important Golisopod-GX into play, along with Flareon. If your opponent plays [card name=”Espeon-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card], they’ll need 80 damage on Golisopod-GX before using Miraculous Shine, which is quite a bit, overall.
If you can take a Knock Out on the [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card], that can be very helpful, since without Item-lock in play, this matchup is a complete blowout at your opponent’s expense. Golisopod-GX just has too much HP and too strong of an attack with Flareon in play for your opponent to compete effectively.
Volcanion | Slightly Favorable
At first, this matchup was something that drove me away from Golisopod-GX as a deck. After testing, though, I found that you have a slight advantage in the matchup, even! Vaporeon is incredible, and can make you take a one-hit Knock Out on just about anything youe opponent has in his or her deck. Now, a newfound problem is Ho-Oh-GX, since it has a Lightning Weakness. No problem, though, since you can get Jolteon out as well.
Once you start trading Knock Outs, this matchup is a piece of cake, so long as you can establish the Jolteon and Vaporeon. First Impression will consistently take down anything your opponent offers up, so you can rest easy knowing that sometimes Weaknesses can be deceiving.
Even if Ho-Oh-GX becomes a problem, you can use Guzma to switch up other Water-weak Pokemon and take multiple Prizes from those. Golisopod’s GX attack is particularly useful in the Volcanion matchup, since it effectively gives you “another attacker” since you can sacrifice something since you have to switch out with a different Pokemon.
Zoroark | Slightly Favorable
In this matchup, your opponent won’t be able to do much if you limit your Bench. Mind Jack won’t be hitting for much, and First Impression can take a OHKO on a [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card], anyways. Using [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”name”][/card]’s Flying Flip can be important, though, to help take down a [card name=”Drampa-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] later in the game, or to set up Knock Outs on a [card name=”Zoroark BREAK” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card].
Some Zoroark decks seem to be moving towards a more “hybrid” version that plays [card name=”Flareon” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card], and in that case, this matchup gets flipped around. Flareon will really wreck your Golisopod-GX, unless you can seriously limit your Bench. Acerola, as always, is fantastic to use since you can heal off the chip damage that your opponent has inflicted upon you, and you can keep your Golisopod-GX moving.
If your opponent plays a [card name=”Turtonator-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”18″ c=”name”][/card], which is uncommon, that can be a bit of an issue, too. Shell Trip can do 100 damage to a Golisopod-GX with a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], and from there, you’ll be in an awkward position of if you should even attack and take the 80 damage that gets inflicted upon you. You’re probably going to have to, but then your opponent will have an incredibly easy Knock Out. Hopefully that doesn’t happen and you’re able to out speed your opponent like this deck so easily can most games in this matchup.
[cardimg name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Direction of the Format
I’ve been saying this a lot to just about anyone I talk to, but the game is moving into a format where Energy efficiency is the biggest thing, with low-cost attacks and trying to do more for less. If everything pans out the way I see it, it’s going to be a slugfest between top decks, and things like Acerola and [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] might end up being crucial in scoring wins. Many of the top decks right now establish their board position naturally, with Gardevoir-GX just needing a couple Gardevoir in play, Golisopod-GX barely needing anything to set up, Volcanion having Kiawe, and so on. While things might not be aiming so much for OHKOs anymore, the speediness of decks will keep everyone on their toes.
Conclusion
Golisopod-GX is a load of fun, and with Acerola, you might never even get Knocked Out. The deck has lots of options, and you can build it in a variety of ways to shore up bad matchups. This is my early favorite coming out of Burning Shadows, and might even become a top play of mine for Worlds! Be sure to mess with things in the list I shared today, since it’s by no means a finished product. Make sure you ask me anything you like on the PTCG Subscribers’ Hideout about this deck, as I’m happy to help. Until next time, readers, have a good one!
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