Almost Charlotte — Two Decks for Standard

By: Zachary Lesage · Posted Mar 15, 2018 at 10:32 PM · 0 Comments

[cardimg name=”Psyduck” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”28″ align=”right” c=”custom”]How will I be able to pick my deck?[/cardimg]

As I am writing this article, my mind is hyper-focused on the upcoming Charlotte, NC Regionals this weekend. I am sure that most of you reading this article either are playing in the event, know someone who is playing in the event, or will be watching the Twitch stream from home this weekend.

With that being said, we need to be able to prepare for this event and we need to pick a deck to play, learn how to play it, and have a bit of luck on our side to prosper. In this article, I want to explain how I am picking my deck choice for this event, go over lists for [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM69″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM62″ c=”name”][/card], and share some strategies about those decks. As always, I put in the effort to put all of my ideas and theory to the test to provide you with a valuable article. So without hesitating, let’s jump into how I am picking my deck for Charlotte:

Picking a Deck

My thoughts on this subject have bounced around for various tournaments and I decided on a slightly different method for my deck choice in Charlotte. Now before I get into the exact method of picking my deck for this event, it is necessary to go over the different methods to picking a deck for an event — here they are:

Picking the perceived best deck in format (i.e. Zoroark-GX)
Countering the perceived best deck in format (i.e. Buzzwole-GX)
Picking a deck that has mostly 50-50 matchups across the board (i.e. [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card])
Picking a deck that is inconsistent, but is extremely powerful (i.e. [card name=”Greninja BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card])
Picking a deck that is brand new to catch players off guard (i.e. [card name=”Rampardos” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”65″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Talonflame” set=”Steam Siege” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card])
Picking a deck that you are comfortable with, but might not be the best deck
Picking a deck that you are not comfortable with, but is likely the best deck

While there may be more methods of picking a deck or slight variations to the methods listed, that list is sufficient for most. For me, my deck choice isn’t unique, but I am fine with that because I know how to play my deck.

In an unlikely turn of events, I had the opportunity to meet up with my long-time friend Raymond Cipoletti, an ex-Pokemon player and current professional Hearthstone player, and he brought some important insight. We randomly met up in Toronto with a clash of my League Cup and his Hearthstone tournament so we decided to kick it for a few hours. After a few hours of discussion, I ultimately asked Ray what I should play for Charlotte — Buzzwole-GX / Garbodor or Zoroark-GX / [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card]. This question may seem awkward at first, but I am always interested in hearing from a fresh perspective and Ray offered me some compelling advice.

In the most basic way, Ray asked me which deck I would rather play versus a professional player. My answer immediately was Buzzwole-GX / Garbodor; it was that simple. His premise was that if you played a Zoroark-GX deck that you could play well, but not as well as another player, it was simply a bad choice. While I do think Zoroark-GX decks are strong, I have played them less than Buzzwole-GX decks and would not play as optimally as I would with a Buzzwole-GX deck. In the end, I decided to go with the deck that I was most comfortable with instead of playing the perceived best deck in format.

Overall, I was happy that I had picked my deck early enough before the event and that I could use that time to decide on the last few spots of my list. Luckily for me, I recently played in a League Cup in Niagara Falls, ON where I was fortunate enough to win the whole event with Buzzwole-GX / Garbodor. I will share the list I am currently planning to play for the event below:

Buzzwole-GX / Garbodor List

[decklist name=”Buzzwole-GX/Garbodor” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM69″][pokemon amt=”14″]4x [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM69″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]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]1x [card name=”Carbink BREAK” set=”Fates Collide” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Carbink” set=”Fates Collide” no=”49″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Sudowoodo” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”67″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mewtwo” set=”Evolutions” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”32″]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/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]1x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”14″]10x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”10″][/card]4x [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist][premium]

A Brief ‘Bink Explanation

While you may be wondering why this section is short, I recently wrote about a similar list before the 2018 Oceania International Championships in Sydney, Australia here! The biggest difference between these lists was me replacing the Lycanroc-GX line for a [card name=”Carbink BREAK” set=”Fates Collide” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] line. While there were other slight cosmetic changes to the list since the release of Ultra Prism and some modular updates, the above deck and the deck that I wrote about before Australia are cut from the same cloth. I have enjoyed the use of the Carbink BREAK because it allows me to make some boastful plays. Let’s look a bit more into how this can play out in a realistic setting:

[cardimg name=”Carbink BREAK” set=”Fates Collide” no=”51″ align=”right” c=”custom”]Shine bright like a diamond…[/cardimg]

Opponent: Starts a [card name=”Zorua” set=”Shining Legends” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card], plays down a [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card], uses Wonder Tag to search for a [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”name”][/card], plays the Brigette to search for a Zorua, Zorua, and a [card name=”Wimpod” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”16″ c=”name”][/card]. They attach a basic Grass Energy to the Wimpod. They pass their turn.
Turn One: Start a [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM69″ c=”name”][/card], bench a [card name=”Carbink” set=”Fates Collide” no=”49″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] for another Buzzwole-GX. Attach a basic Fighting Energy to your Active Buzzwole-GX, use a [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] to attach a basic Fighting Energy to your Benched Buzzwole-GX, and play a [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] to discard a few [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] from your hand. Bench a [card name=”Trubbish” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card]. Use Jet Punch to Knock Out a Zorua and hit a Wimpod for 30 damage on the Bench.
Opponent: Evolves two Zorua into two [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card], uses Zoroark-GX’s Trade Ability twice, they whiff evolving their Wimpod into a [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM62″ c=”name”][/card], they use Riotous Beating for 120 damage.
Turn Two: Play a Tapu Lele-GX from your hand and use Wonder Tag for a [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], evolve Trubbish into a [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], attach a [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] to Garbodor, play an [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card] for a Carbink BREAK, evolve Carbink into Carbink BREAK, use Guzma to bring up the damaged Wimpod, attach a Strong Energy to Carbink BREAK, use Diamond Gift to Knock Out the Wimpod and attach two Strong Energy to your undamaged Buzzwole-GX.
Opponent: Plays [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] to de-activate Garbotoxin on Garbodor, use Zoroark-GX’s Trade Ability a few times, and plays a Guzma to bring up the damaged Buzzwole-GX, and they Riotous Beating to Knock Out the Buzzwole-GX.
Turn Three: Send up Garbodor, attach another Float Stone to Garbodor, use a Max Elixir to attach a basic Fighting Energy to Buzzwole-GX, and play an [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] to draw four cards. Play down a [card name=”Mewtwo” set=”Evolutions” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card], attach a basic Fighting Energy to Mewtwo, and use Absorption GX to Knock Out the Zoroark-GX
Opponent: *Luckily* gets another Field Blower to de-activate Garbotoxin on Garbodor, uses Zoroark-GX’s Trade Ability twice, plays down a [card name=”Mew-EX” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card], attaches a [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Shining Legends” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card] to Mew-EX, and plays N. Attaches a Float Stone to their Active Zoroark-GX, retreats into Mew-EX, and they use Mew-EX’s Versatile Ability to copy their Zoroark-GX’s Riotous Beating attack to Knock Out the Buzzwole-GX.
Turn Four: Play an Ultra Ball to discard useless cards out of your hand for a Tapu Lele-GX, play down Tapu Lele-GX from your hand and use Wonder Tag to search for a [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card], play the Cynthia from your hand and get a fresh hand, attach a basic Fighting Energy to Mewtwo, use Mewtwo’s Psychic attack for the Knock Out on Mew-EX. You win the game!

While this situation may have a few unrealistic elements such as hitting every Max Elixir and the fictional opponent missing a key Evolution after using Trade a few times, this is a realistic scenario.

As written, Carbink BREAK can allow Buzzwole-GX to jump back into a game or set up a board state that can be difficult for your opponent to overcome. At my recent League Cup experience in Niagara Falls, ON, I played the exact list as posted above to eventually win the League Cup. During the tournament, I played many games that played out similarly to the above scenario and in some cases my list performed better than those scenarios.

Overall, the list is simple, consistent, and has proper answers to most decks in the format. I do think the deck is in a losing position if facing [card name=”Espeon-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM35″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card], but that deck is underplayed in comparison to Zoroark-GX variants.

Now without hesitation, I will go over some slight metagame shifts that have happened since the results of the 2018 Collinsville Regional Championships in February:

New Twists in Standard

[cardimg name=”Counter Energy” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”122″ align=”right” c=”custom”]What will be popular in Charlotte?!?![/cardimg]

It is no surprise that Zoroark-GX decks have taken over Standard and Expanded, but that doesn’t mean that new takes on decks won’t pop up as we approach Charlotte. At Collinsville, we saw Ian Robb win the event with a Zoroark-GX / Golisopod-GX / [card name=”Lurantis” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM25″ c=”name”][/card] deck, Pearce Blend place highly with a Zoroark-GX / [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] deck, and Igor Costa tech in a [card name=”Counter Energy” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] and a [card name=”Sudowoodo” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”67″ c=”name”][/card] into his deck to try and counter other Zoroark-GX decks. While these decks and techs have been making waves through League Cups, my goal is to think a few steps ahead of the metagame to make a splash this weekend. From information that I have gathered from global League Cups and other major events, the tops decks heading into this weekend are as follows:

Zoroark-GX / Golisopod-GX
Zoroark-GX / Lycanroc-GX
Zoroark-GX / [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card]
Buzzwole-GX / Lycanroc-GX
Buzzwole-GX / Garbodor
[card name=”Ho-Oh-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM57″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Kiawe” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card]
Golisopod-GX / Garbodor

Looking at this spread of decks, I think cards such as Sudowoodo, [card name=”Mew-EX” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card], Garbodor from BREAKpoint, Garbodor from Guardians Rising, [card name=”Reshiram” set=”Shining Legends” no=”14″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Clefairy” set=”Evolutions” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Mewtwo” set=”Evolutions” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] will all be strong tech choices to counter the perceived metagame. I have tested all of these cards extensively and have concluded that Zoroark-GX / Golisopod-GX can include many of these tech cards while keeping favourable matchups in this perceived metagame. This is my current iteration of Zoroark-GX / Golisopod-GX:

Zoroark-GX / Golisopod-GX List

[decklist name=”Zoroark-GX/Golisopod-GX” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″][pokemon amt=”19″]4x [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Zorua” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM83″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Wimpod” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”16″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Reshiram” set=”Shining Legends” no=”14″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew-EX” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]3x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mallow” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”127″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Shining Legends” no=”69″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

In this section of the article, I won’t go over every single card in the deck because some cards in this deck, such as [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card], are played in most Standard decks across the board. However, I will go into detail with the important cards and niche cards in the list.

Four Zoroark-GX, Four Zorua, Four Puzzle of Time, Three Field Blower, and One Mallow

At this point in our Standard format, this line-up is consistent with how a [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] deck should be ran. Zoroark-GX has a strong Ability, Trade, which allows you to draw the cards you need by using that Ability on many Zoroark-GX per turn. Additionally, Zoroark-GX is a strong attacker with its attack, Riotous Beating, which should two hit almost any Pokemon in Standard. Zoroark-GX decks play [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] because Trade allows you to access the option to play two Puzzle of Time more often than other decks. There is also strong synergy between using Trade to discard cards, using Puzzle of Time to get back cards, and skillfully developing a strategy to defeat your opponent with said cards.

In order to use Zoroark-GX’s Trade Ability in every matchup, the deck needs [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] to discard a Pokemon Tool attached to a [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] to stop Garbotoxin from working. Finally, [card name=”Mallow” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”127″ c=”name”][/card] has synergy with Trade: you place whatever two cards you want from your deck on top of your deck and draw both with Trade. Between using all of these cards, Zoroark-GX can be filled with different techs to take on different matchups, play aggressively, and make your deck more consistent.

Two Golisopod-GX and Three Wimpod

In most Zoroark-GX decks, there is a subsidiary Pokemon line-up that is meant to benefit the deck in some matchup or versus some tech card. In this variant of the deck, we are using [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM62″ c=”name”][/card] to counter [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] and because it is an efficient attacker overall. In most matchups, you can use Golisopod-GX the same way you would use a Zoroark-GX. First Impression can hit for a cool 120 damage, similar to Riotous Beating with a full Bench.

Three Tapu Lele-GX and Three Brigette

Every Zoroark-GX deck needs a way to get out their Basic Pokemon. This deck plays a thick [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”name”][/card] line to improve our odds of getting a turn one Brigette astronomically. During the late game, I sometimes use Tapu Lele-GX to fill my Bench for Riotous Beating and I discard the extra Brigette out of my hand with Trade.

One Reshiram

[cardimg name=”Reshiram” set=”Shining Legends” no=”14″ align=”right” c=”custom”]Hello, Golisopod-GX![/cardimg]

[card name=”Reshiram” set=”Shining Legends” no=”14″ c=”name”][/card] is where the deck gets spicy! Reshiram is a strong Golisopod-GX counter because it is difficult to Knock Out with either First Impression or Riotous Beating. Additionally, Outrage can do 100 damage to an opposing Golisopod-GX if you have a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] attached because of Weakness. If you are able to pull off the Outrage + Choice Band strategy, you can follow it up with a First Impression or Riotous Beating to do 220 damage total.

One Mew-EX

[card name=”Mew-EX” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] is the best counter to [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM69″ c=”name”][/card] because you can copy attacks using its Versatile Ability to Knock Out a Buzzwole-GX. In most circumstances, it is ideal to copy Golisopod-GX’s First Impression attack or Zoroark-GX’s Riotous Beating to do a presumed 240 damage due to Weakness. The above list does run a single [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], making it possible to copy a slew of attacks that you may find sitting across from you at Charlotte.

Two Parallel City

In a format that is dominated by Zoroark-GX, it is a strong idea to limit your opponent’s Bench to avoid their Riotous Beating from doing much damage. While the other side may reduce damage from your Golisopod-GX, you can still do the required amount of damage to two-shot an opposing Zoroark-GX by attaching a Choice Band to do 130 damage with First Impression. In some cases, such as when facing a [card name=”Ho-Oh-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM57″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Kiawe” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card] deck, it can be ideal to reduce your Bench with [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] to reduce damage from the Ho-Oh-GX.

Additionally, Parallel City can be used as a pseudo-healing card to discard some of your heavily damaged Pokemon in play to avoid your opponent from drawing some deserved Prize cards.

Two Acerola and One Max Potion

As I am sure you have read over and over in this section, Zoroark-GX decks rely on two-shot attacks to get the job done, and [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] is a strong way to counter that strategy. In a similar function, [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] can play out like an Acerola, with only the minor hindrance of discarding an Energy card. Positively, Max Potion is not a Supporter card and can be played after playing a card such as Cynthia or Brigette during your turn.

One Rainbow Energy

[card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] is played in this deck to diversify the options in the deck, such as being able to use Tapu Lele-GX’s Tapu Cure GX attack. Alternatively, Rainbow Energy can be used to purposely put damage on one of your Pokemon so you can use Acerola right away as a pseudo-retreating method.

Until Next Time!

I hope that you have enjoyed my current thoughts on the Standard metagame and that my article has provided some valuable insight as we head into Charlotte, NC Regionals. I will be personally attending Charlotte Regionals and I am stoked to play in another Standard Regionals because I can’t seem to grasp the Expanded format right now! If you aren’t attending a major event soon, I recommend hitting up your local League Challenges and League Cups to get some more tournament experience under your belt until you can attend a Regionals.

If you see me at a local League Cup in the Toronto area or I am playing beside you in a Regionals, feel free to say “hey!” I am more than a guy behind a screen and love meeting up with anyone who reads my articles. I will be attending every single major event that is possible for me to attend for the rest of the season, including events in Europe and South America, so I am excited to meet many of you readers for the first time! Also, if you are ever looking to reach out to me for some more insight or want to follow my personal Pokemon journey, you can follow my Twitter account to see what is going on in my world. I regularly post deck lists, my personal tournament reports, links to my latest articles, and deck profile videos.

As always, thanks for supporting PokeBeach and for reading my articles! It means the world to me to have an opportunity to share my thoughts, deck lists, and strategies to a great audience!

Zach

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