Buzzvember — Buzzwole Testing Results
Buzzwole, Buzzwole, Buzzwole! Today’s article is all about [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] decks: various versions I’ve tested, my impressions of the decks, and even some game-play advice. Ever since Crimson Invasion‘s release on the Pokemon Trading Card Game Online, I’ve been testing like crazy with everyone’s favorite Ultra Beast, and feel it has great potential for the upcoming Standard format European International Championship. I also have a fun Expanded format idea, which could be a decent choice for the San Jose Regional Championship at the end of November.
Buzzwole in Standard
[cardimg name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ align=”right” c=”custom”]Let me punch you![/cardimg]
Except for the Psychic Weakness, everything about this card is great! It has above-average HP, an efficient first attack, and two other attacks that can easily OHKO your opponent’s Active Pokemon. Without a doubt, this card is one of the stars of the new set, both for enhancing old concepts (e.g., Garbodor variants and [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card]) as well as being the center of its own new deck. Furthermore, Buzzwole-GX plays an important role in Standard by supplying several decks a cheap and efficient spread attack. It isn’t a format-breaking card, but it deserves a seat at the table among Standard’s best.
Here are some of the Standard versions of Buzzwole-GX I’ve been testing the most since Crimson Invasion‘s release on November 3rd, as well as a couple ideas others have posed to me and my initial impressions.
Buzzwole / Max Elixir
This was originally the first list I posted in the second part of my “Lull Before London” series, the main idea being to charge up a [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] and then score multiple Knock Outs. My testing results with this concept have been sub-par: past the first [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], it’s hard to keep up momentum, and you either fizzle out slowly or just get Knocked Out with a low chance of securing the win.
Below is a slightly revised version of the list I posted. For an overall idea of basic inclusions and quantities, see my first write-up on Buzzwole in Lull Before London. However, for every list in today’s article, I’ve included some comments on the most unusual or questionable calls I might have made:
[decklist name=”Buzzwole/Max Elixir” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″][pokemon amt=”13″]2x [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Trubbish” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Zygarde-EX” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM13″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”34″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Shining Legends” no=”63″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Center Lady” set=”Generations” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”13″]9x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”9″][/card]4x [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Card Explanations
One Oranguru
It’s slightly non-intuitive to run a Pokemon for its Ability in a list including Garbotoxin, but there are lots of spots where [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] irons out bad hands.
Four Float Stone
Despite Standard’s emphasis on setting up, it truly is a fast format, and every game where you miss a [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] really, really hurts.
Four Choice Band
I originally ran a split between [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card], but for consistency’s sake I am now emphasizing on the big damage. This is a “work-in-progress” element of the deck; I don’t know the best count and have found both to be decent.
Buzzwole / Carbink
Unlike the [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] version, my opinion of this version has grown. It’s more or less the same idea as the above, only now you’re running a [card name=”Carbink BREAK” set=”Fates Collide” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] line in order to accelerate the Energy with its Diamond Gift Attack. I think this might be better than the above list because you can reuse Diamond Gift multiple times, and because it doesn’t strengthen an opposing Trashalanche [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card].
[decklist name=”Buzzwole/Carbink” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Carbink BREAK” set=”Fates Collide” no=”51″][pokemon amt=”14″]2x [card name=”Carbink BREAK” set=”Fates Collide” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Carbink” set=”Fates Collide” no=”50″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Carbink” set=”Fates Collide” no=”49″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Zygarde-EX” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM13″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”34″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”Steam Siege” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”161″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”142″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1 x [card name=”Skyla” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1 “][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Fan Club” set=”Generations” no=”69″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Scorched Earth” set=”Primal Clash” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]8x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card]4x [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Unusual Inclusions
Two Carbink BREAK, 2/1 Carbink Carbink Line
I run a thick [card name=”Carbink BREAK” set=”Fates Collide” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] line to be sure we can get it into play , and to reduce the risk of important cards being in the Prizes. Presently I use two [card name=”Carbink” set=”Fates Collide” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card] and one [card name=”Carbink” set=”Fates Collide” no=”49″ c=”name”][/card]: #50 for its Safeguard from Pokemon-EX and 90 HP; #49 for its Energy Keeper Ability and a noticeably stronger Attack. Testing has shown this to be a fine split, but neither Ability is that good: Safeguard’s only relevant use is against [card name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card], and Energy Keeper only blocks the discarding of Basic Fighting in this deck. That means your [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] , which are special Energy, are still fair game for [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Kartana-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card].
Two Scorched Earth
I’ve gone back and forth between these and [card name=”Brooklet Hill” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card], but for now I like Scorched Earth because it helps get even more Energy into the Discard Pile for Diamond Gift. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a bit more disruption, you could cut these and a few other cards to fit in [card name=”Po Town” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Espeon-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card], which we’ll discuss later.
[premium]
Buzzwole / Garbodor / Po Town
I anticipate that this will be the definitive [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]-centered deck headed into the European International Championship. The [card name=”Po Town” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Espeon-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] combo, which has essentially made every “bad” matchup for Garbodor lists winnable, is now even stronger here! This is thanks to Jet Punch and Po Town damage actively setting up devastating devolutions. [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] also provides incredible flexibility because we can include non-Fighting attackers like Garbodor. On top of all that, I’m sensing a lot of low-key hype for this deck — the same sort of low-key hype that preceded many emerging new decks.
So it’s good, synergetic, and hyped. Now let’s look at my list, briefly discuss some unusual choices I’ve made, bounce back some other options, and then finally address some deeper game play elements behind the deck.
[decklist name=”Buzzwole/Trashalanche/Po Town” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Zygarde-EX” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY151″][pokemon amt=”15″]2x [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Trubbish” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Zygarde-EX” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Espeon-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”Steam Siege” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”161″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”142″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”147″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Po Town” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]4x [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
[cardimg name=”Zygarde-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”54″ align=”right” c=”custom”]I am still a thing…[/cardimg]
Unusual Inclusions
Keeping the Zygarde-EX
Yes, I seem to like [card name=”Zygarde-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card] as an alternate attacker, don’t I? Here its first attack is arguably strongest thanks to the high Stadium count, but it remains to be a useful alternate to Buzzwole, especially when up against Garbodor variants, which it excels against.
No Oranguru
Why would a list that’s structurally similar to the [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] build not run [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card]? That’s because since this deck places a lot more importance on low-cost attacks, you simply don’t have the need to chain multiple cards all at once. That means there’s no need to fish for [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] and you have the luxury of being able to wait to play other cards.
Other Options
Kartana-GX
[card name=”Kartana-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] in theory would be helpful because it provides Metal typing, an instant Prize GX attack, and an Ability to keep your toughest matchups in check. I might actually switch out the [card name=”Zygarde-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card] for it, but without Double Colorless Energy to make attacking with Kartana-GX easier, I don’t feel its attacking prowess is enough against [card name=”Alolan Ninetales-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”22″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] to justify the change.
More Basic Fighting Energy / Special Charge
Righteous Edge, [card name=”Kartana-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] give us headaches, so a slight adjustment to the Energy lineup could be good. [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] will get you your discarded [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] back, while a fifth Basic Fighting will simply take pressure off of your Special Energy attachments.
Game Play Advice
Since this list is much less straightforward than the brute force lists discussed previously, I thought it would be helpful to include some recommendations when using the deck:
- Unlike the previous lists, Absorption GX is not too relevant. Without a way to accelerate your Energy attachments, it’s harder to access the attack’s maximum damage output. That doesn’t mean it lacks relevance; in fact, you will occasionally use Absorption GX when you can safely attach three Energy to the same [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] and KO a threat. However, your main goal with Buzzwole is just to spread damage -– [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] is still there to score your late game OHKOs, so don’t overextend just to be able to use Absorption GX.
- With [card name=”Mr. Mime” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] making a comeback due to Bench damage cards such as [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”name”][/card]and [card name=”Alolan Ninetales-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”22″ c=”name”][/card] becoming more popular, you need to focus on making [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]’s Garbotoxin available to you as soon as possible. Be careful with the timing of your [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] attachments to Pokemon other than Garbodor, but also don’t be afraid to drop a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] onto Garbodor if it means securing a fast Garbotoxin. In case they somehow force your Garbodor into the Active position, you can always [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] out of it.
- The current Energy lineup makes sequencing your Energy attachments fairly important. You will generally prefer to attach Fighting Energy to your [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] when going first because you’ll need to save your [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] for [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card], and your [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] when you need the extra damage. For now I’m relying on careful playing, but if the Special Energy hate is too much, you might consider making space for a fifth Fighting or Special Charge, as we discussed above.
Other Buzzwole Options
[cardimg name=”Rayquaza” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”106″ align=”right” c=”custom”]All of the Energy![/cardimg]
These are the less-developed ideas I’ve brainstormed with friends and have not had the chance to test, but wanted to bring to your attention.
Buzzwole-GX / Rayquaza / Tapu Koko
This concept is an idea brainstormed with my good friend Ryan Soles, and it combines everything we’ve been attempting in the previous lists. We have Energy acceleration from [card name=”Rayquaza” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card]; additional spread Damage from [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”name”][/card]; and with minimal space investment, the dreaded [card name=”Po Town” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Espeon-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] combo. Our current theory is to run four of each main attacker, Garbotoxin [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] for [card name=”Mr. Mime” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card], and a Fighting Energy / Double Colorless Energy split.
It’s still an in-progress concept — that is, I’ve haven’t played a single game with it. In theory, though, it should at least be as competitive as the first two lists we discussed today, and might even be better than the Trashalanche / [card name=”Po Town” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Espeon-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] variant.
Lycanroc-GX
Either by finagling the Carbink list skeleton or running a whole new list with [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Shining Legends” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card], you can actually create a new [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] variant with [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card]. Its Ability is as good as [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], it hits harder than [card name=”Zygarde-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card] while having the same Weakness, and Dangerous Rogue GX is much more accessible than Buzzwole-GX’s Absorption GX.
Gengar from Generations
Since its release back in BREAKthrough, I’ve loved [card name=”Gengar” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] — just never enough to use it in an event. Any attack capable of an automatic KO is worth my attention, but it’s hard to trigger Creep Show’s requirement. Additionally, if your opponent’s Active Pokemon is already damaged, why not just finish the job with more damage instead of a fancy effect on a Stage 2?
Well, now that Jet Shoot is in the format, Creep Show becomes a lot more reliable, although the Energy requirements are still a bit difficult to achieve.
Should You Even Run Buzzwole-GX in the Standard Metagame?
You know why the card is good, and by now it should be clear I’ve been trying hard to make [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] work. But with so many big tournaments on the way, the best thing I can do in an article about a new card is offer you dispassionate analysis about the decision to run Buzzwole-GX in a tournament. This is a much harder choice to commit to upon release than [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] was upon Guardians Rising‘s release, or [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] upon Burning Shadows‘ release. However, I think it is worth the risk for a couple important reasons.
[cardimg name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ align=”right” c=”custom”]Am I the absolute best?[/cardimg]
First, let’s talk about Buzzwole-GX’s place in the current Standard metagame. The current metagame immediately prior to Crimson Invasion is some combination of Gardevoir-GX, [card name=”Vikavolt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Alolan Ninetales-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”22″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Metagross-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”85″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Greninja BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] variants. In actual games played, the vast majority of these matchups are 50/50 or positive — a great sign for a brand-new deck. However, you could argue that Garbodor and even Ninetales have the upper hand against Buzzwole-GX, and both of those decks will be important no matter where you play.
Due to this matchup spread, Buzzwole-GX fits into the format rather than break it outright. It’s not a bad thing simply to “fit into the format,” seeing as how most tournaments are won by meta decks against meta decks. This would make you what one of my local rivals in Houston calls a “meta slave”: Someone who is unconcerned about crazy new ideas but instead is happy with decks that perform well, even if the games and matchups are close. Buzzwole-GX fits into this mold nicely.
Secondly, let’s talk about why running Buzzwole-GX makes sense over the wide variety of other decks I’ve just listed. Despite all being pieces in the metagame puzzle, most of these decks have far less stable matchups than Buzzwole-GX does. For example: [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] usually takes a hard loss to [card name=”Metagross-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”85″ c=”name”][/card]; both Gardevoir-GX as well as Metagross-GX take hard losses to [card name=”Greninja” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] and its Shadow Stitching; and Greninja will usually be plagued by [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Vikavolt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Tapu Bulu-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM32″ c=”name”][/card].
Buzzwole-GX might be able to make a fist, but it doesn’t play “rock-paper-scissors.” That means it has few to no auto-losses, making it a surprisingly stable deck choice. You also won’t be reading too many absurd “bad beats” stories with Buzzwole decks, since it’s a Basic Pokemon that runs off of single-Energy attachments. Pretty sweet, huh?
Overall, Buzzwole-GX is a fine play, and not as risky as you’d expect for a new deck. Much of the hate and skepticism for this card is probably just fueled by people having been spoiled by how broken, format-warping, and influential the three expansions prior to Crimson Invasion were. [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] isn’t going to be unfair but it’s still gonna punch you with its burly, muscular arms.
Buzzwole in Expanded
In Expanded, [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] has already been able to do most of the things Buzzwole-GX can do in Standard. Landorus-EX has a better Weakness for the Expanded metagame, a Resistance, and an arguably more accessible second attack. Also, considering that Trashalanche [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] as well as [card name=”Pumpkaboo” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”44″ c=”name”][/card] are Tier 1 threats, I don’t see Buzzwole-GX being its own deck right now.
However, Buzzwole-GX can act as support for Landorus-EX in a certain famous deck, which has until now fallen into obscurity.
Buzzwole / Landorus / Crobat
[decklist name=”Buzzwole/Landorus/Crobat” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″][pokemon amt=”17″]2x [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”34″]4x [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Black and White” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ghetsis” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”EX FireRed and LeafGreen” no=”100″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Focus Sash” set=”Furious Fists” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Noble Victories” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”9″]5x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”5″][/card]4x [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Furious Fists” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Strategy
Use [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] depending on the matchup; augment Buzzwole-GX’s and Landorus-EX’s Bench damage with the Abilities of [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card].
Card Choices
Four Zubat, Three Golbat, Two Crobat
“Pyramid” lines are normally a poor way to run Stage 2 Pokemon, but in this list it works because the line’s purpose is entirely for support. You could increase it to 4-4-3, but I like the extra space I save. Additionally, we run Free Flight [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] because it gives us free Retreat!
Two Buzzwole-GX and Two Landorus-EX
The core of our deck, we run two of each of these big Basics for Weakness coverage. Either way, we’ll be hitting for a clean 30 to the Active and 30 to the Bench each turn. Additionally, I run zero [card name=”Lucario-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card] because I would rather be using Jet Punch. If you find in testing that you disagree with me, however, it’s an easy cut to make: just remove an [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] or a Buzzwole-GX. Note that this line is flexible, and that depending on your metagame you could easily play more or less of either big Basic. But considering almost every metagame features some combination of Night March and [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card], it appears to me that two Buzzwole-GX and two Landorus-EX would be a safe bet no matter where you played.
[cardimg name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ align=”right” c=”custom”]I am played everywhere![/cardimg]
Three Tapu Lele-GX and One Oranguru
Even in Expanded, [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] remains our list’s set up and consistency. The [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] also makes for a nice anti-[card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] inclusion, which is arguably more important in a list like this, which requires chaining multiple evolutions, activating Abilities, and dropping Energy all in the same turn.
Four Professor Sycamore, Three N, and One Colress
Eight draw Supporters is ideal for a deck like this, which needs to both chain multiple cards in the same turn as well as conserve resources in the early game. The “fourth [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card]” you see in Standard lists is replaced with a [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card], leaving us with a total of four straight draw Supporters and four draw Supporters which require you to shuffle your hand back into your deck — or “shuffle draw.”
One Acerola and One AZ
Both of these cards are great for keeping your big Basics alive, but I run one [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] instead of two [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] because I need some way to get back [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]. By returning a fully evolved Crobat to your hand, that’s five more damage counters you can put into play.
One Guzma and One Lysandre
You would think in a deck with four free retreating Basics I would run two [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], but I’ve settled on this split because of the potential conflict between Guzma, Free Flight Zubat, and [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] shutting off our Free Flight. Getting rid of Poison is nice, though, so a change to two Guzma is one of the things I could support.
One Brigette
Despite this deck not having as much of a heavy setup as other [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] builds, [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”name”][/card] is still helpful to get us plenty of [card name=”Zubat” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] into play. And the more Zubat you have in play early, the more Abilities you’ll be using.
One Ghetsis
Sometimes Ghetsis can wreck an opponent’s hand, shuffling in all of their search Items and essentially giving you a free win. It’s particularly good here because with a bulky attacker like Buzzwole-GX or [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card], the cost of using your turn one Supporter for Ghetsis instead of Brigette is not bad.
One Hex Maniac and Two Silent Lab
[card name=”Mr. Mime” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] is not quite as significant yet in Expanded as it is in Standard, but Bench protection is still enough of a pain for us to justify so many counters against it. [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] also doubles as secondary disruption alongside Ghetsis.
One Super Rod and One Rescue Stretcher
[card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] is an effective method of getting “free” damage via [card name=”Golbat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]’s Abilities. However, a low-Energy deck like this benefits from a method of replenishing Energy, which is why I run a [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”name”][/card] in place of just two Rescue Stretcher.
Five Fighting Energy and Four Strong Energy
As long as we get a single Energy onto Buzzwole-GX or Landorus-EX, our deck can function fine. Unlike the Standard lists of Buzzwole, you can really get a lot of mileage out of a single attachment in this deck!
Some Final Thoughts on Buzzwole / Landorus / Crobat
Unlike the Standard versions of Buzzwole I’ve been testing, my results with this deck in Expanded are tougher to read. On one hand, I don’t have a very high win percentage with this list; on the other hand, I find it justified because my testing results have been against nothing but good players using top tier lists of upper-tier decks. At any rate, Buzzwole-GX gives this concept a major boost, perhaps propelling it into the higher tiers of the Expanded metagame.
Conclusion
There are many ways to play the beefiest, bulkiest, brawniest bug in the world of Pokemon. I’m most optimistic about running it with [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Po Town” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], but there really are a wide variety of archetype options for you to test, improve, and consider for Regional and International events. Despite not really breaking either major format, Buzzwole-GX is still an incredible addition, and will be a major threat very soon.
Have a Buzzwole idea you want my opinion on I didn’t talk about? Comment below and maybe we can get a discussion going!
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