Three Scoops — Lucario-GX with Lycanroc-GX and/or Super Scoop Up

Hey there PokeBeach readers, and welcome back to another article. Today, I’ll be talking about a card that was just released, but has the potential to completely dominate our format: Lucario-GX. This is a card that you absolutely need to be on the lookout for when preparing for tournaments after Portland Regionals, as this card is incredibly strong and matches up well against many of the Zoroark decks in the format. In this article, I’ll be taking a look at three different Lucario lists that I’ve been working on: one with [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card], one with [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”166″ c=”name”][/card], and one with both. Then, I will briefly discuss the deck’s matchups.

A Lucario-GX Primer

Before we talk about my Lucario lists, let’s first take a look at Lucario-GX and what it does for those who do not know yet. Lucario-GX’s first attack, Aura Strike, is the bread and butter attack of the card, and the attack you’ll use most often. Being able to hit for 120 damage for one Energy is incredibly strong, especially considering damage modifiers like [card name=”Regirock-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card]. With these damage modifiers, Lucario can easily hit 170-180 damage for a single Energy, which is enough to Knock Out cards such as [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] in one hit.

Cyclone Kick, which is by no means a bad attack, you probably will not use it often due to the three-Energy requirement.

Finally, Lucario has Cantankerous Beatdown. This GX attack has the exact same effect as [card name=”Tauros-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card]’s GX attack, except it can now be used to hit things for Weakness. Now, if your opponents ever attack into Lucario, they risk being one-shot in return. This attack forces your opponent to have to one-shot Lucario or otherwise lose a Pokemon in retaliation. Cantankerous Beatdown is by far one of the best attributes of the card and one that you, nor your opponent unless they want to lose, should overlook.

Lucario-GX / Lycanroc-GX

It may seem strange to you that I’m not instantly pairing Lucario up with [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM84″ c=”name”][/card] to match up with every other deck in the format, but I’ve decided that I don’t want to have any part of my deck weak to Lucario. That’s how strong I think Lucario is, and it is a testament to its strength in testing. Since I don’t play Zoroark, I’ve chosen what I believe is the second most consistent deck engine in the game: [card name=”Brooklet Hill” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] and a 2-2 [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] line. Lucario benefits from Brooklet Hill as well, making this deck engine even stronger.

[decklist name=”Lucario Lycanroc” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”137″][pokemon amt=”19″]3x Lucario-GX (PRSM #SM100)4x [card name=”Riolu” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Remoraid” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”32″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lycanroc” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Rockruff” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM06″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Regirock-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”43″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”Steam Siege” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”142″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Evosoda” set=”Generations” no=”62″ 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=”Burning Shadows” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Brooklet Hill” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]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] 

4-3 Lucario, 2-2 Octillery

This is the backbone of the deck. A fourth Lucario would be nice to guarantee your evolution, but with two [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”142″ c=”name”][/card] and a [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] I’ve had access to enough evolutions to be comfortable at three.

2-2 Octillery is great for ensuring you constantly have draw power from turn two on. One benefit to Octillery is that it only gives up one Prize if it is Knocked Out, unlike Zoroark-GX.

I would not cut any of these Pokemon, and I consider them essential to the deck and how it functions.

Two Rockruff, One Lycanroc-GX and One Lycanroc from Burning Shadows

[cardimg name=”Lycanroc” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”75″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

I’ve highly considered a 2-2/1 line of Lycanroc and dropping the fourth [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card], but for now, this is what I’m running. Lycanroc is great not only for its Ability, but also for its GX attack. If your opponent plays around Cantankerous Beatdown, you can always Dangerous Rogue and Knock Out any immediate threat if they don’t control their Bench. The baby [card name=”Lycanroc” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] is to deal with quad [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Shining Legends” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] decks; it can one-shot a Hoopa for one Energy. No one likes losing to cheesy decks, so if you have quad Hoopa in your metagame or don’t want to lose to it at Regionals, play this Lycanroc. If not, you can always take this card out for a second Lycanroc-GX, a fourth [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card], or a fourth Brooklet Hill.

Two Regirock-EX

[card name=”Regirock-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card] is important in this deck to hit numbers that you otherwise would not be able to hit. With a [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], Lucario hits for 170 damage. With one Regirock in play, Lucario hits for 180 damage, which is enough to Knock Out Pokemon such as [card name=”Tapu Bulu-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”149″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY173″ c=”name”][/card]. With two Regirock in play, Lucario can one-shot Pokemon with 190 HP such as [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card]. Finally, with [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], you can hit for all the way up to 210 damage and Knock Out Pokemon like [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Espeon-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] for just a single Energy. You can also deal 230 if you have a second Strong Energy, which is enough to Knock Out even [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card].

Two Tapu Lele-GX

While other Fighting decks such as [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] usually play only one [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card], I’ve chosen to run two. This is due to the importance of hitting the correct Supporter the turns you need them, including but not limited to Acerola and Professor Kukui. As such, I thought it was important to run more than one Lele so I could have access to these Supporters on demand more than once.

[premium]

Two Acerola

Acerola is great in this deck for resetting your Aura Strike damage after you’ve used up your GX attack. Usually you only use one Acerola per game, so I’ve chosen to run two in order to guarantee I have it on the turn I need it. Acerola is also important in the Zoroark / [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] matchup. Once you’re done Knocking Out their Zoroark, or you are not able to Guzma one or bring it up with [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card], Acerola is a great option to reset Aura Strike. I would consider a third so you could use it more often.

Two Professor Kukui

[cardimg name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”148″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

As I mentioned earlier, Professor Kukui is important for helping Lucario reach damage numbers necessary to Knock Out many important Pokemon in the format. When combined with Regirock, Choice Band, and Strong Energy, Lucario can Knock Out nearly every viable Pokemon in the format.

Three Choice Band and Three Float Stone

I play a heavy line of Tools, and for good reason. Three Choice Band helps ensure that Lucario can hit the damage numbers it needs to, especially to one-shot Tapu Lele-GX.

Three [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] is important in this deck. First, with three Guzma, it is important to have something you can put up with free retreat to satisfy the switching effect of Guzma. Second, it’s important due to the heavy Retreat Costs on Regirock and Octillery. Finally, it is great to put a Float Stone on Lucario in order to retreat into a freshly evolved Lucario, giving you two turns in a row of getting Aura Strike’s full damage output.

Two Evosoda

[card name=”Evosoda” set=”Generations” no=”62″ c=”name”][/card] fits brilliantly in this deck. First, you can use it to evolve your Remoraid and get your consistency engine in play. Second, Lucario’s Aura Strike damage gets proc’d even if it evolves from the deck, so Evosoda acts as another [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”161″ c=”name”][/card] in many situations. Due to the consistency it provides and its synergy with Lucario, I would not consider cutting Evosoda from this list.

Two Field Blower

I’ll be honest, this card hasn’t been particularly good for me in testing so far. Originally it was put in the list to help deal with [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card], but with three [card name=”Brooklet Hill” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] I have not found myself struggling with bumping Parallel. [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] is effective versus [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], but considering that the most popular Garbodor deck by far is [card name=”Espeon-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] / Garbodor, Field Blower does not change that matchup much regardless; you’re probably going to lose either way. Field Blower is also good for discarding Float Stones and Choice Bands from your opponent’s Pokemon. If you don’t find these to be effective for you during testing, feel free to cut them for more consistency or potentially [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”166″ c=”name”][/card] if you can find a few more cuts.

Lucario-GX / Super Scoop Up

The second list for Lucario we’ll be looking at features Super Scoop Up. Super Scoop Up works incredibly well with Lucario, allowing you to re-use Aura Strike without being restricted to using [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”142″ c=”name”][/card] only when your Pokemon has been damaged.

[decklist name=”Lucario SSU” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”115″][pokemon amt=”15″]3x Lucario-GX (PRSM #SM100)4x [card name=”Riolu” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Remoraid” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”32″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Regirock-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”43″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”37″]4x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”Steam Siege” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”142″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”166″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Evosoda” set=”Generations” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/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]3x [card name=”Brooklet Hill” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]4x [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”EX Emerald” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist][cardimg name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”166″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

As you can see, this list is similar to the first list I posted. In fact, there are only six differences, four of which are due to me swapping out the [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] line for the Super Scoop Up. Let’s take a look at the one other change in my list and discuss why I made it:

One Buzzwole-GX and One Tapu Lele-GX Compared to Two Tapu Lele-GX

In my first list, I did not include [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], and instead had two Tapu Lele. I have swapped out a Tapu Lele for a Buzzwole in this list for two primary reasons: The first reason is that I can re-use Tapu Lele’s Wonder Tag Ability with Super Scoop Ups now. As such, I don’t need to play multiple copies of Tapu Lele to have access to multiple Wonder Tags per game. The second reason is due to the lack of Lycanroc. While the main loss of Lycanroc to this deck is its Ability, the other thing you lose is a backup attacker. If you ever attach an Energy to a [card name=”Rockruff” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM06″ c=”name”][/card], it immediately becomes a threat to Dangerous Rogue GX at any point and is something your opponent must respect. Thus, while it is unlikely that you’ll ever get off Knuckle Impact or Absorption GX off with Buzzwole, it still is nice to be able to have another Pokemon that can attack. Plus, with a [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] and one [card name=”Regirock-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card], Buzzwole still does 90 damage to opposing EX/GX’s, making it a formidable threat in its own right.

Besides those two changes, the deck lists are similar. While the first version has more pressure thanks to Lycanroc, the second list is able to stream attacks with Lucario better while not relying as much on hitting Regirock, Choice Band, and [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] thanks to the snipe damage of Buzzwole.

Finally, let’s take a look at a list that tries to take the best parts of both lists and combine them.

Lucario-GX with both Lycanroc-GX and Super Scoop Up

[decklist name=”Lucario Lycanroc SSU” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”155″][pokemon amt=”18″]3x Lucario-GX (PRSM #SM100)4x [card name=”Riolu” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Remoraid” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”32″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lycanroc” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Rockruff” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM06″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Regirock-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”43″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”34″]4x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”Steam Siege” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”161″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”166″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Evosoda” set=”Generations” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Brooklet Hill” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]4x [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”EX Emerald” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

As you can see, including both Super Scoop Up and Lycanroc into this list is a lot harder than simply swapping between the variants. In this list, I’ve had to drop the Buzzwole, both Acerolas, and the two [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] to make room for the Lycanroc, Super Scoop Ups, and a fourth Brooklet Hill to help get my extra Pokemon lines in play faster.

Which List Should I Play?

Now that we have talked about three different variants of Lucario, you are probably wondering which list I think is the best. While I think all three lists are good, I prefer the variant that has both Lycanroc and Super Scoop Up. I like having both options in my list, even if it costs me some consistency to do so. If you value your consistency more than I do and are okay sacrificing one of the two options, then one of the first two lists is better depending on how you want to play the deck.

If you choose to play one of the non-hybrid versions, you have to keep in mind their different matchups as well as personal preference of how you like to play the deck. The Lycanroc version of the deck is much more aggressive, giving it stronger matchups against Stage 2 decks such as [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] and [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], as well as a better [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Shining Legends” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] matchup due to playing the baby [card name=”Lycanroc” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card]. On the other hand, the Super Scoop Up variant is better against decks that trade two shots such as [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card], Buzzwole / Lycanroc, [card name=”Greninja BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card], and opposing Lucario decks. Overall though, I would have no issues taking any of these three lists to a tournament and playing them.

Matchups

Now that we have looked at some of the different ways Lucario decks can be built, let’s take a look at Lucario’s matchups in the format. For this section, I’ll be basing my matchups off of the third list, as that list is the one I have put the most time into and know the best. With that being said, Lucario has only been legal on PTCGO for a little over two weeks, so I have not had time to test every matchup. As such, I will only be writing about the matchups I have tested and can explain well.

Gardevoir-GX

[cardimg name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

While this certainly is not the most important matchup in the format, it is the matchup I have tested the most, so I will be starting out this section with Gardevoir.

This is a close matchup that I’d favor slightly for Lucario due to Gardevoir’s inherent inconsistencies being a Stage 2 deck. In this matchup, your goal is dependent on your opponent’s board state. If they only get out one [card name=”Remoraid” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card], bring it up as soon as possible in order to remove their consistency engine from the field. After you have removed Octillery from play, try to [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card] your opponent to disrupt their hand. However, if you notice them struggling to set up Gardevoir and/or only have one-to-two [card name=”Ralts” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Kirlia” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card], target down the Gardevoir pre-evolutions and try to prevent them from getting multiple Gardevoir into play.

The way Gardevoir wins this matchup is by setting up one giant Gardevoir on the Bench with lots of Energy in order to one-shot a Lucario and bypass Cantankerous Beatdown. If you ever see them trying to load up a big Gardevoir, be sure to target it down. Don’t be afraid to two-shot it; if you do, they are forced to either [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”164″ c=”name”][/card] their Gardevoir to prevent it from being Knocked Out the next turn while discarding their Energy; or they attack with the big Gardevoir and sacrifice it, along with all of the Energy attached to it. Either way, it’s not a situation Gardevoir wants to be in.

One tactic you can use if they do not have multiple Gardevoir set up is to Dangerous Rogue their Gardevoir and immediately take care of their threat. However, I would only do this if your opponent cannot respond with a Knock Out the next turn. Giving up the option to Cantankerous Beatdown as well as two return Prizes when they have multiple threats is not ideal.

The issue in this matchup comes if you cannot stop Gardevoir from setting up. If their set up is not disrupted and they are able to get multiple Gardevoir plus Octillery into play, you have little hope of keeping up with their onslaught, as you only have one use of Cantankerous Beatdown. If you can prevent this, you should be golden.

Zoroark-GX / Golisopod-GX

This matchup is highly favored for Lucario; the deck is basically designed to counter everything [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM84″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”129″ c=”name”][/card] can do. Your ideal six Prizes in this matchup should be as such: two on a Zoroark-GX, two on either a second Zoroark or a Tapu Lele, and the last two on a Golisopod or another Lele or Zoroark if your opponent mismanages their Bench.

If they First Impression your Lucario, use Cantakerous Beatdown and Knock Out the Golisopod in return. If they are able to set up another Golisopod behind that one, try to one-shot it with [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], two [card name=”Regirock-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card]. If you cannot do this, do not be afraid to take cheap Knock Outs on multiple Zoroark. If your opponent over benches and puts down multiple Zoroark, pounce on this and try to use either [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] to get their Zoroark into the Active and one-shot them. However, it’s not always easy for your opponent to set up more than one Golisopod-GX, since they only run a 3-2 line.

The only thing you need to be wary about doing in this matchup is over-attaching to your Lucario in case of a [card name=”Mewtwo” set=”Evolutions” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]. Try to limit your Energy to one, or two at most in order to satisfy the Energy requirement for your GX attack; without a Choice Band, Mewtwo only does 80 damage to a Lucario with one Energy attached. [card name=”Mew-EX” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] is not much of an issue for Lucario, as you just one-shot it with Aura Strike the turn you evolve.

This is definitely one of Lucario’s best matchups, and one I would always want to see in a tournament.

Buzzwole-GX / Lycanroc-GX

This matchup can be a little tricky. [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] is not a huge issue for this deck, as [card name=”Riolu” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] has 70 HP and is not threatened by a turn one Knock Out nor can it be sniped twice by Jet Punch for a Knock Out like other Basics. Plus, Cantankerous Beatdown usually dissuades your opponent from putting too much chip damage onto Lucario — as soon as it has 60 damage on it, Lucario can one-shot anything on their board with Cantakerous Beatdown if it has a Strong Energy or a Choice Band attached. If the chip damage ever puts you in range of a Knuckle Impact or Dangerous Rogue Knock Out, healing with Super Scoop Up can be crucial.

The real issue in this matchup is Lycanroc. Lucario absolutely needs to have a Bench with multiple Pokemon on it. You need at least one Octillery, one Riolu for the next Lucario to evolve into, and you will most likely have either [card name=”Rockruff” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM06″ c=”name”][/card] and/or one-to-two Regirock in play to help you with either damage modification or giving you Bench pressure. This means the deck is threatened heavily by Dangerous Rogue GX. My plan in this matchup is to always target down the Rockruff with Energy as soon as they come into play. While your opponent can build up a Buzzwole-GX in the back to Knuckle Impact while you do this, as long as you can return the Knock Out with Strong Energy, Choice Band, and either two Regirock or Professor Kukui, you should be in a fine position.

Overall, I’d say this matchup is slightly favorable as long as you play around the Lycanroc option of your opponent. However, if you play into this or you are not able to deal with their threat, then this matchup becomes abysmal.

Quad Hoopa

[cardimg name=”Hoopa” set=”Shining Legends” no=”55″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

This is a deck that saw some play at Charlotte Regionals, but then exploded on the scene in Portland with a Top 8 placing. This matchup is quite annoying, but with the baby [card name=”Lycanroc” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] it should not be an issue at all. However, if you do not play the baby Lycanroc, the best way to deal with these decks is to try to two shot Hoopas with [card name=”Riolu” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] and Rockruff with a Strong Energy or multiple Regirock. If you are scared of this deck or expect it to be in your metagame, I would suggest teching for it with the baby Lycanroc; it turns an unfavorable matchup into a near auto win.

Espeon-GX / Garbodor

This is the worst matchup out of all of the decks I have tested against, and it is not at all close. [card name=”Espeon-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] absolutely throttles this deck. While they cannot one-shot Riolu with Espeon’s first attack, Espeon can still deal 120 damage to Lucario for one Energy and a Choice Band due to Weakness while leaving you Confused. That means that you are not even guaranteed to get your GX attack off to return the Knock Out, unless you use Lycanroc’s Ability to bring something else up and then Guzma to bring the Espeon back into the Active. On top of that, if Espeon has a Choice Band attached, Psychic OHKOs a Lucario with an Energy attached. Unless you are not able to completely stymie their set up, you’re more than likely going to be one-shot.

Finally, Lucario is reliant on Octillery’s Ability for its consistency. Since the list with both Lycanroc and [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] does not play [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card], as soon as they get Garbodor into play, your consistency goes out the door. Due to all of these factors, this is almost certainly Lucario’s worst matchup and one I’d pray to avoid at a tournament.

Conclusion

Thank you so much for reading my article on Lucario! I know there has been a lot of Lucario content published already, but I hope that my article was able to provide something different than everything else already out there. If you liked what I had to say, please let me know in the Subscriber’s Secret Hideout! As always, you can follow me on Twitter @OrgansmanTCG. Good luck at any tournaments you might be going to in the next month or so, and I will see everyone in Toronto!

Until next time,

Eric

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