Lull Before London, Part I: List Updates for Shining Legends and Crimson Invasion
With two major Standard format Regional Championships in the books, now is the perfect time to think about how utterly insane our format is about to become in the next month. There is a perhaps intentional lull in Standard events, at least until the European International Championship. Yet by that point we will have two important sets legal: Shining Legends and Crimson Invasion.
I’ve had a chance to review PokeBeach’s scans and translations of both sets, and it’s been a very long time since I’ve seen so many good cards released so close together. We’ll need a method to tackle the new format, which is why I’ll be dividing this series into two parts. In today’s part, I’ll be focusing on how three current top tier decks change, as well as how another doesn’t change at all. In part two I will focus on changes to the actual metagame, offering some lists for new decks as well as predictions about the new Tier 1.
Old Versus New
[cardimg name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Whenever a major expansion is released and an important tournament is on the horizon, players always debate whether the new cards will emerge as part of the best deck, or if the old decks will continue to reign supreme. Although the answer usually falls somewhere in between, the entire Sun and Moon block has shown us to trust new stuff more than usual. In each of the last three sets, we have seen a new card emerge as the center of a Tier 1 deck: first [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card]; then [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]; and then finally [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card].
Consider today’s article a focus on the “old”; a presumption that old decks will be the best-positioned to win the International Championship. That may not be true, but it’s certainly the easiest and most comfortable way to dive into big changes!
What is Tier 1?
Listed below are the four decks I currently consider Tier 1. I’ll be offering fully fleshed-out lists for each, as well as explaining in detail why I think each deck deserved to be in Standard’s Tier 1 prior to Shining Legends and Crimson Invasion.
- [card name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card]
- [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card]
- [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”129″ c=”name”][/card]
- [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]
Don’t be sad if your favorite pet deck isn’t on here! There are about half a dozen other great decks that could win on any given day, which is why my discussion covers far more than just these four decks.
Enhancements from Shining Legends and Crimson Invasion
In the past I’ve written large, in-depth reviews about sets. Since we’ve got a two-part series with a ton of ground to cover, today I’ll only be highlighting cards that add something to every deck, or to select preexisting archetypes. I will not be addressing cards I feel will be centerpieces to new decks for now, but you can certainly look forward to that in a couple of weeks!
One last note: There are some cards that have potential to create new decks and enhance old ones. These could potentially pop up in today’s article – or maybe in Part II? – but are a lot more likely to pop up in part two. They could of course pop up in both articles!
Shining Legends
Shaymin
As part of a long line of “revenge” Pokemon that started with [card name=”Bouffalant” set=”Black and White” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card], Shaymin gives Grass decks a cheap, non-EX tool to deal massive damage out of thin air. It doesn’t fit that elegantly in most decks, but it could certainly have a home in [card name=”Vikavolt” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM28″ c=”name”][/card] variants. Regardless, it has tons of potential to shore up shaky Garbodor matchups.
Entei-GX
I tricked you! While Entei-GX is certainly an interesting card, I’m only talking about it here because I don’t really think it has a home yet in Volcanion. [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card] is more than enough for targeting Benched Pokemon, meaning Brave Blitz-GX doesn’t add much value to Volcanion. Its damage totals are also all very awkward, requiring one too many Steam Ups from Volcanion-EX to be effective. Perhaps Entei-GX has a better home in Expanded, where 150 HP snipes are more relevant.
Manaphy
Healing on bulky Water Pokemon is already annoying, so even “more” healing will prove to be an outright pain. Like Entei-GX above, two or three Manaphy on the Bench with an attacking Active [card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card] might have a better home in Expanded, but even in Standard it looks pretty neat. Add a copy or of [card name=”Lana” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] or two on top of that, and you’ve got a very resilient deck.
Shining Mew
Essentially anything that runs Psychic or [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] could potentially afford to play a Shining Mew. Although new decks — I’ll cover those in Part II — have a lot more to gain from Shining Mew than older decks, I wouldn’t be surprised to see archetypes like [card name=”Drampa-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] teching it, or even previously retired concepts such as [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card]. The 30 HP is abysmal and might stop some people from running it altogether, but any deck that is locked onto single-Energy attachments could benefit greatly from this card.
Shining Jirachi
[cardimg name=”Espeon-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”117″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
No, this card isn’t the same as [card name=”Espeon-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]! Although it only devolves your opponent’s Active Pokemon, it deals damage and removes all evolution cards, which means bulky, powerful, and slow Stage 2’s lose a lot of momentum and can easily be looking at a sudden KO. Jirachi is a solid inclusion in techier [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] variants because with a single [card name=”Po Town” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] evolution or a [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM31″ c=”name”][/card] Flying Flip, Jirachi could potentially Knock Out [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] through devolution. That alone could tilt the matchup, so I’d encourage you to get at least one of these guys.
Marshadow
Keep a very close eye on Marhshadow because its Ability could potentially change the way some decks are built. It functions as a non-EX method of draw power, slightly inferior to [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card], but it also functions as disruption to your opponent’s hand at any point in the game. Since you’re using this mostly for the Ability, it could splash comfortably into any list.
Spiritomb
Cursed Vortex is a great Ability, as it is passive Retreat-lock for the entire game. While it could go nicely into any of top tier decks, your long term goal with such a card is to force opponents to waste [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] until eventually a Pokemon incapable of Attacking is stuck with no way to Retreat until. You would then win the game through decking the opponent out.
This card is weird and should be played only in specific metagame situations, but if it’s played with a lot of Energy removal and of course several of your own Guzma copies, it could be a serious threat or even force people to play less commonly-used cards like [card name=”Olympia” set=”Generations” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card].
Zoroark-GX
In Japan, Zoroark-GX is clearly dominating thanks to a pool of useful rotated cards like [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card]. International Standard unfortunately does not have nearly as many useful cards for the Zoroark-GX-centered deck, but its Exchange Ability is still promising in BKT-on. When combined with [card name=”Mallow” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card], you effectively get to search for cards from your deck — wow!
The main problem with this card is resisting the urge to splash it into decks where it isn’t needed. In preparing this article, I was actually tempted to put Zoroark-GX into my Volcanion over [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM13″ c=”name”][/card] and other cards; however, my better judgment prevailed, because I knew that inefficient but “cute” ideas are almost always bad ideas. Likewise, I’d encourage you to think carefully before changing up archetypes just for the Exchange Ability.
Hoopa
Except for a different Weakness and a Resistance, Hoopa is a word-for-word Basic reprint of [card name=”Alolan Ninetales” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”28″ c=”name”][/card], released just two sets later. Hoopa is much easier to splash into decks because you aren’t forced to run an [card name=”Alolan Vulpix” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”21″ c=”name”][/card], yet it still suffers the same problem: almost every deck has a good non-GX response, although Golisopod and [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] variants will manage poorly without Garbotoxin online. All in all I would refrain from using Hoopa just yet, but keep a close eye on it when revising your favorite deck.
Damage Remover
Why would you want to move damage instead of Heal it with [card name=”Potion” set=”Evolutions” no=”83″ c=”name”][/card]? Well, I have one name for you: [card name=”Drampa-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”142″ c=”name”][/card] In the past you had to place awkward damage onto your own Pokemon with effects like [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], Po Town, and [card name=”Team Magma’s Secret Base” set=”Double Crisis” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] if you wanted to activate the damage bonus on Berserk. Now you can just let your own Drampa get hit and then immediately follow up with the biggest Berserk you can afford. Also, don’t count out [card name=”Tauros-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”144″ c=”name”][/card] for a second. Mad Bull-GX is a fantastic Attack, but the one thing that has held it back since release is how easily an opponent can play around it. Now that Damage Remover is legal, you can effectively juggle damage on Tauros-GX, score a mean Mad Bull KO, and never let yourself become too vulnerable.
Warp Energy
Finally, Warp Energy is a great relic of the past, but it’s always a great struggle to find the right deck for it. That’s because using your attachment for a Switch effect and nothing more oftentimes does you little good. At first you may think Warp Energy is a great inclusion in Golisopod; however, it’s actually unnecessary and inefficient when compared to all the [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], Guzma, and [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”142″ c=”name”][/card] you’re already running. Warp Energy honestly makes more sense as an insane combo-streamer in a deck like [card name=”Greninja BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card], where you could at least activate three Giant Water Shuriken in a single turn.
Crimson Invasion
[premium]
Alolan Marowak
I feel like all I’m doing for Volcanion is cutting down its dreams for neat new changes, but I’ve got to highlight this card because it’s another red herring. The Fire Dance attack is in many ways a superior, non-GX version of [card name=”Turtonator-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card]’s Nitro Tank-GX. Nevertheless, its damage attack is not nearly as good as Turtonator’s Bright Flame, especially in Standard. There’s no elegant way to charge up an Alolan Marowak, and you can’t hope to deal as much as Turtonator could. Again, I know it might be tempting to mix up the Volcanion formula, but Alolan Marowak is probably not the way to do it.
Registeel
Registeel is a great, bulky card, and may have something to add to Metal decks. However, in both [card name=”Metagross-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Solgaleo-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card], I wonder if you’d want to attack with it in place of Alolan Vulpix or [card name=”Rayquaza” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card]. I believe it’s mostly redundant in Metagross, but at least a useful supplement in Solgaleo lists.
Kartana-GX
Kartana-GX‘s Blade GX is a groundbreaking move that grants you a free Prize card with no strings attached. In an aggressive concept like [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card], this is an easy finisher when you’re struggling to close out a game. Also, just as important is the fact that Kartana-GX will become a crucial sudden death champion, where you need to draw a Prize quickly and cheaply.
Oh, and did I mention discarding Special Energy for free is an incredible Ability? Or that Gale Cut with a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] OHKOs every Fairy Pokemon in Standard? The strategic and tactical depth to this little guy is insane, and in my eyes it’s an easy inclusion to a lot of old lists.
Counter Catcher
[cardimg name=”Skyla” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”122″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Counter Catcher is a hard card to manage in Standard, particularly because all of the good search aside from [card name=”Skyla” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] has rotated. Counter Catcher is mostly not worth running in place of a [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], though if you’re already running [card name=”Skyla” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], you might consider a single copy. It also seems really decent in [card name=”Greninja” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card], a deck naturally prone to fall behind, although I’d hate to make that deck even more inconsistent than it already is.
Peeping Red Card
Unlike the original [card name=”Red Card” set=”Generations” no=”71″ c=”name”][/card], Peeping Red Card’s strength depends entirely on your opponent’s hand size being small. At the start of a game it’s not uncommon for players to go down to a small hand size, and it’s almost always guaranteed to be a [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card]. Use Peeping, however, and you can immediately ruin your opponent’s hand. It also works well in stopping an opponent from making a late game comeback — an effect that’s both useful in and detrimental against [card name=”Greninja” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card].
Gladion
Like every other card that lets you look at or replace your Prizes, Gladion is surprisingly deep in what it does. Most people may think it lets you figure out your Prizes and then get back a card you need; however, most of the value in using a Gladion is obtained by figuring out your Prizes beforehand.
For example, if you run a 2-1 [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] line, you just played a [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”161″ c=”name”][/card], and learned that your Octillery is prized, you can still search out your key Basics, and then later use a Gladion to retrieve your Octillery for a smoother setup. You’ll need to do an even better job of deducing your Prizes turn one, or else you might misplay and use a useless Gladion. That said, it’s simply incredible, and makes sense in many, many decks.
Nihilego-GX
If you want to attack a lot with Nihilego-GX, you might consider making a new deck out of it. However, it’s included in today’s article specifically for its incredible Status-inducing Ability. Now [card name=”Darkrai-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] can effectively use Dead End-GX, and in every other deck it can function as a surprise extra 10 damage. This damage means a lot when attempting to KO bulky Stage 2 Pokemon-GX like [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Metagross-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”85″ c=”name”][/card].
Miltank
Moo Moo Drop is a situational yet potentially rewarding Ability in the right deck, as it can reset all the hard work your opponent took setting up your Pokemon for a later KO. I actually really like this card in tanky Stage 2 decks such as [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Metagross-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”85″ c=”name”][/card] because it provides a reliable method of huge healing.
Dash Pouch
Dash Pouch also has positive uses for Gardevoir-GX since you’ll usually be able to attach all of those Basic Fairy right back, although it’s harder to justify running over [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card]. The same issue applies for Volcanion: you can always retreat and then get back all of your Fire Energy for Steam Up, but you could be losing a spot for a [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] or a [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]. It’s hard for me to want to run this card over either, although again if you’re running [card name=”Skyla” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], it makes more sense.
Lusamine
With the exception of [card name=”Po Town” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], Stadiums aren’t as essential in this format as they are in Expanded It’s also important to remember that every time you play Lusamine, you’re missing out on an opportunity that turn to do something proactive, such as draw cards or Knock Out something with [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card]. Still, I would consider this Supporter in some decks specifically because it is your only universally reliable Supporter replenishment in the game.
Counter Energy
The question you should be asking with this card is… What non-GX, non-EX cards make sense with this card? To be honest, you’ll mostly see only new decks pop up around this card, although don’t count out mutations of the already-existing [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]. In such a list you could run four Rainbow, four Psychic, and then four Counter Energy to have a perfect balance for aggressive starts and come-from-behind wins.
Related Promos
Xurkitree-GX
Similar to Kartana-GX, Xurkitree splashes wonderfully into anything running [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], particularly [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card]. Its applications are different, though, since you’re using it to increase Prize counts as well as to disrupt the opponent. For attacking purposes, Xurkitree is much harder to use than Kartana, but can be situationally better in sudden death. This is especially true when there is an unresolved third game because you can increase your opponent’s Prize cards while simultaneously decreasing their outs to a win, making your close victory all but assured.
Pheromosa-GX
Fast Raid is cute but too weak to matter, and Cruel Spike is mostly just a mediocre stall tactic. However, like [card name=”Necrozma-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”134″ c=”name”][/card] before it, you’ll most likely be playing Pheromosa-GX for its incredible GX attack, Beauty GX. [card name=”Vikavolt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] has desperately wanted something capable of closing out games against high-HP threats like [card name=”Metagross-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”85″ c=”name”][/card], but now you have a method of OHKO’ing almost anything in the game. This is of course also a great inclusion in Venusaur variants, but as I mentioned above, we’ll be saving the new decks for next time.
Updates to Tier 1
[cardimg name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY173″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Volcanion
Why it’s Tier 1 in BKT – BUS
Fast and consistent, Volcanion benefits greatly from the loss of cards like [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card]. It’s also one of the least-altered archetypes post-rotation.
Changes
I decided to lead with Volcanion because… there really aren’t changes. You may want to cut a Fire Energy for Gladion, but if you’ve gathered anything from my discussions on Entei-GX, Zoroark-GX, and Alolan Marowak, it’s that you really want to avoid perverting Volcanion’s consistency.
(Need a reference for a good Standard-legal Volcanion? Check out Igor Costa’s winning list from Hartford here!)
Gardevoir
Why it’s Tier 1 in BKT – BUS
The reigning world champion and the biggest damage in the format, [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] has a lot of good matchups and may perhaps be the most well-rounded Stage 2 deck in the format. In addition, it survives the loss of [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”110″ c=”name”][/card] thanks, in part, to its Twilight GX .
Changes
[decklist name=”Gardevoir-GX” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Sylveon-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”140″][pokemon amt=”21″]3x [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Gallade” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”84″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Kirlia” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Ralts” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Sylveon-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Eevee” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Remoraid” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”32″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x Miltank (CRI)[/pokemon][trainers amt=”27″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”Steam Siege” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”161″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”142″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x Gladion (CRI)4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”Primal Clash” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]8x [card name=”Fairy Energy” set=”Generations” no=”83″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Card Explanations
You can find many of the same general explanations in this list as in my last article. In this article, I’ll only be discussing major changes.
2-2 Sylveon-GX
At the point I wrote my previous article, I was at an introductory point to the format. After messing around with a variety of decks, I’ve come to like [card name=”Sylveon-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] as a consistency crutch more, as it helps set up multiple Stage 2 Pokemon reliably and quickly thanks to the Magical Ribbon Attack searching for three cards each turn. I also think that headed into Internationals, Sylveon-GX’s Plea-GX will be a major player against the many new decks we will see.
For instance, if your opponent spent two turns charging up dangerous new attackers via Shining Mew, you could just Plea GX them into your opponent’s hand, effectively setting them back two or more turns. Or how about that Guzzlord-GX with the five Energy cards on it? Plea GX that, too! Overall, it’s a versatile card that only stands to help you more as the format progresses.
Also, you may have noticed the Prize-swapping Gladion in my list, yet still be wondering why I run such a thick Sylveon line. That’s because Sylveon’s benefit is heavily reliant on the thick line. If you don’t start [card name=”Eevee” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card] or consistently have the ability to switch into it by turn two, Magical Ribbon becomes drastically weaker. Furthermore, if you run only one Sylveon-GX, you’ll not only Prize it often, but have it appear in your opening hand very rarely. In short, Gladion’s presence in the list can’t correct the issues you’d experience when running a thin Sylveon line, so for now I would advise against lowering it.
One Miltank
Earlier we addressed how Miltank‘s Abiliity works wonders for bulky Stage 2 Pokemon like [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card]. In a list with Sylveon-GX, though, it’s even better. That’s in large part because Miltank “combos” are easier to fulfill when Magical Ribbon constantly guarantees access to [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], and Basic Energy to attach from your Hand.
One Gladion
[cardimg name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”148″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
The above example in the card description with Gladion and [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] is 100% relevant here However, Gladion is a great card to include in any Stage 2 list because you have greatly increased odds of prizing multiple relevant cards. Without Gladion, prizing two Ralts and then seeing the other two Knocked Out early game could ruin your day, but a well-timed Gladion can save your Stage 2 line, functioning as insurance for bad Prizes.
Golisopod
Why it’s Tier 1 in BKT – BUS
Despite not being the fastest or biggest-hitting Pokemon in the format, [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card] is easily the most efficient this season. By “efficient” I mean Golisopod uses the fewest resources to achieve its 120 Damage First Impression… a measly two Pokemon and one Energy! Efficient attackers are great because by running fewer spaces to make the deck work, you open your list up to more draw, more search, and more tech options. It should then come as no surprise that Golisopod’s best partner is still the Garbodor brothers from BREAKpoint and Guardians Rising, two equally efficient cards (although more conditional than Golisopod).
[decklist name=”Golisopod/Garbodor” amt=”60″ caption=”undefined” cname=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM13″][pokemon amt=”19″]3x [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Wimpod” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”16″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Trubbish” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Fini-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”133″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM13″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x Kartana (CRI)[/pokemon][trainers amt=”30″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”Steam Siege” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”142″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”161″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]4x [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”Generations” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Card Explanations
The list is also very similar to the one I posted in Beginning with BREAKthrough — 90% similar, in fact. If you’d like a starting point on the reasoning behind my choices, I’d encourage you to check out my section on Golisopod / Garbodor there.
2-2/1 Garbodor Line
[cardimg name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
One idea I liked from Peter Kica’s Top 8 Golisopod list was to run a thinner line on Garbodor in order to fit techs.
One Tapu Fini-GX
Included in both the Europe-winning [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card] list and again in Peter’s list, [card name=”Tapu Fini-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”39″ c=”name”][/card] serves as a superb option to reset an opponent’s superior board state. That means shuffling back in fully-charged [card name=”Ho-Oh-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card], and much more. It’s a versatile card and is a key player in preventing comebacks.
One Kartana-GX
As I discussed above, Kartana-GX makes for an incredible inclusion in this list because you already run tons of [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card]. Additionally, everything about Kartana helps prevent your opponent from making a comeback, particularly with Gardevoir. Even if you already used [card name=”Tapu Fini-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”39″ c=”name”][/card]’s Tapu Storm GX attack, you can still harness Kartana-GX’s Ability and Metal-type against Gardevoir decks.
Professor Kukui
I like [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] in the most recent version of the deck because it combos nicely with every tech attacker. Most importantly, it permits Trashalanche to score important surprise Knock Outs, but it’s also helpful in letting Kartana-GX threaten a OHKO on [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card].
Unlike the other three changes, the Kukui is much more theoretical, so if you’ve got a new idea you want to test, I’d consider this the first cut.
Garbodor
Why it’s Tier 1 in BKT – BUS
Although it barely made my Tier 1 list, and might actually make more sense to categorize as a Tier 1.5 deck at the moment, I decided to include it anyways in order to make up for no Volcanion updates. I’m also really excited about the many tools in [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]’s increasingly growing arsenal, which is why it’s still worth discussing a deck like Garbodor.
[decklist name=”Garbodor” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″][pokemon amt=”15″]2x [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Trubbish” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Drampa-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”142″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x Shining Jirachi (Shining Legends)[/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”Steam Siege” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”142″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”161″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”161″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x Damage Remover (Shining Legends)3x [card name=”Po Town” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]5x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”5″][/card]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”166″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
List Explanations
We obtained the groundwork for Garbodor almost as soon as the card came out, although players around the world have sought to make bigger and better improvements to the original formula.
4-2/2 Garbodor Line
Ability-lock is now more important, and will stay important as we’ve seen decks like [card name=”Greninja” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] and Volcanion emerge in popularity and prestige. However, two Trashalanche [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] on top of [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] should be more than enough to carry you through the average game; you could attack with as many as six Trashalanchers!
Three Tapu Lele-GX
[cardimg name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
In most decks, three [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] is the nicest balance between space and added consistency. In this format, Garbodor epitomizes this balance, which benefits greatly from high counts of search and draw, but rarely sees a fourth copy make a big difference. As long as Garbodor is good and legal, I doubt I will deviate from this count.
Two Drampa-GX
Our list runs lots of damage modifiers, so it should not surprise you that I run at least two [card name=”Drampa-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card]. I am actually tempted to increase the count due to how reliable Berserk is now, but for now I’m keeping it at two since we have a lot of space concerns we’re juggling. For almost all purposes, though, two should be reliable enough to grant you a turn two 150 with Berserk.
One Jirachi Shining Legends
I play Jirachi over [card name=”Espeon-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”61″ c=”name”][/card] because it’s less risky, and you see the benefits of a Devolution KO much quicker. Unlike Espeon-EX, which requires a ton of Pokemon to get damaged in precisely the right way throughout an entire game. Jirachi, by contrast, will oftentimes get the KO after a single Flying Flip from [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”name”][/card].
One Tapu Koko
Variants of Garbodor go back and forth on running this card, but I have it because of how the metagame has trended towards cards it can be good against — namely [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Greninja” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card]. And like I mentioned above, it combos wonderfully with Jirachi.
Four Guzma
In my last article, I mostly trended towards a count of three [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], but in space-friendly decks like Garbodor, I’ve come to love a full play set. Against matchups that could potentially overwhelm you such as [card name=”Greninja” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card], it’s incredibly helpful to have an assured out to that last prize. When your opponent plays an [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] in the late game and curses you with a one-card hand, would you rather be hoping to hit a Guzma for game with two floating around in your deck… or one? The answer is clearly two due to the better math, so I’d stick with four for now.
Four N, Four Sycamore
You can read my previous article for a deeper explanation on this count, but it really amounts to a simple concept: since [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”110″ c=”name”][/card] is no longer in Standard, play more draw cards.
One Acerola
I’ve wanted reliable healing in modern [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] builds for a while, so it’s a surprise to see so few lists actually run [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card]. In my opinion it should not be a major inclusion as it’s rarely useful more than once per game. Acerola can also be redundant with healing via Tapu Cure GX. Nevertheless, I’m convinced Acerola will save you in several close games, especially against mirror matches.
Oh, and did I mention it offers awesome combos with Damage Remover?
One Brigette
You’ll frequently see people online argue whether it’s superior to run one or two [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”name”][/card]. I’ve seen both counts succeed at the highest levels of play, but my general answer to this question is that it depends largely on the deck. In a setup-heavy concept like [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card], I like it considerably more, but in a more self-sufficient list where everything is a lethal attacker (example: this deck), you can afford prizing Brigette.
Maxed Tool Counts
This is actually a mainstay of the NAIC Champion Tord Reklev’s Garbodor lists, which I’ve come to like a lot. This theory is even more practical now that late game [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] are a much bigger threat than before, and due to the fact that you’ll want a Garbotoxin activated as soon as possible.
One Damage Remover
As discussed above, Damage Remover offers both healing and a new way to trigger quick Berserk. I might actually want to increase the Damage Remover count at a later time because of how good it can be. I also want to visit the idea of two Damage Removers and a [card name=”Tauros-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] for surprise Mad Bull-GX strikes out of thin air.
Po Town
Despite Damage Remover being an incredible turn two trigger for Berserk, [card name=”Po Town” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] will remain your go-to for fast Berserks because you’ll always be evolving. However, Damage Remover makes Po Town even better because sometimes you want to get damage off of your Garbodor and put it onto a less essential Pokemon such as a [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”name”][/card].
Five Psychic, Four Double, Three Rainbow Energy
[cardimg name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ align=”right” c=”custom”]Join us for part two soon![/cardimg]
Finally, I have emulated a common Energy structure for Garbodor / Drampa because it gives us a good mix of safely-attached Basic Energy, [card name=”Double Colorless” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] for our biggest Basic attacks, and [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] as a third way of activating Berserk. Rainbows are also oftentimes necessary to activate a Berserk through Damage Remover, and can play an even more important role if you decide to run Tauros-GX.
Did you like the idea of Kartana-GX in here, too? If so, all it takes to fit is cutting a Psychic and Damage Remover — assuming you’d prefer not to play the Damage Remover combo. Let me know in the comments!
Conclusion
Thanks for reading the first in this two-part series! Some preexisting decks may change much more drastically than others, and some not even featured may become much deeper strategically — I’m still a big fan of Pheromosa-GX in [card name=”Vikavolt” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM28″ c=”name”][/card]. Yet between the old and the new, I’m really looking forward to seeing some ingenuous ideas triumph in London.
Tune in next time when we’ll be going over mostly new decks! If there was a stone left unturned, expect to see me deal with it in part two. This is an ambitious new take on the idea of big set reviews, but you can be sure I’ll do my best to help you through both Shining Legends and Crimson Invasion.
[/premium]