A New Bag — The Best Flavors from Forbidden Light and Lucario-GX in Expanded
[cardimg name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”144″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
The past few months of competitive Pokemon have become staler than week old tortilla chips. Ultra Prism and the release of the [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”name”][/card] promo have minimally shaken things up, but the most viable archetypes haven’t changed since November. It’s a good thing Forbidden Light is about to drop and bust open a brand new bag of chips. To get the best flavor out of this new set, I’ve written a short review of what I think are the best cards in the set, the most underrated cards in the set, and the pitfalls. This review is followed by one of my favorite decks in the Expanded format: Lucario-GX / [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card].
Best Cards (Guacamole)
Malamar
Like its Lightning and Metal predecessors in the form of [card name=”Eelektrik” set=”Noble Victories” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Bronzong” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”61″ c=”name”][/card] respectively, Malamar is set to make a big impact in this set. Energy acceleration is typically the most important factor in determining an archetype’s potential, and this effect has made a huge splash in the past. The most obvious partner for this card is Ultra Necrozma-GX that is coming out in this set, however I don’t really think that is the optimal partner as it requires two different types of Energy to be effective. [card name=”Necrozma-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] only requires Psychic Energy and is therefore a much more effective partner.
Diancie Prism Star
Zygarde-GX, [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], and Lucario-GX are predicted to be extremely strong in this upcoming set, and Diancie Prism Star further bolsters the early game pressure put out by the quick Fighting-type decks. As [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM84″ c=”name”][/card] remains the most consistent and powerful deck in the format, Diancie Prism Star’s relevance cannot be understated.
Mysterious Treasure
I feel this set was well designed as the boost to Fighting archetypes is incredibly curbed by Malamar and Mysterious Treasure. While Mysterious Treasure is not [card name=”Dive Ball” set=”Primal Clash” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card], it does give the option for Psychic and Dragon decks to reduce their search cost by a single card. Mysterious Treasure in these decks can replace [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card] as a four-of staple and make it a supplemental search card. In Malamar-based decks it might be better to still play heavy counts of Ultra Ball as you play out of your discard.
Beast Energy Prism Star
Although this is limited to a one-of in any deck, it alone can turn the tide of the game in any deck featuring Ultra Beasts as the main attacker. Like [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], Beast Energy Prism Star takes single-Energy attacks over the threshold to put pressure on the other side of the table. As strong as it is, it is still a Special Energy, so it’s weak to decks featuring [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] that makes it irrecoverable by sending it to the Lost Zone.
Zygarde-GX
Since Furious Fists, Fighting-types have received an incredible amount of support. Zygarde-GX cannot abuse [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] as other Fighting decks can, but it has self acceleration and a GX attack that ensures that it will be able to live long enough to swing a second turn. Since Diancie Prism Star, [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] are available in the format, Zygarde-GX’s swings are nothing to scoff at. I think the best way to play this deck is with heavy counts of [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card], Zoroark-GX and [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card].
[premium]
Most Underrated Cards (Ghost Pepper Salsa)
Buzzwole
Fighting decks in the recent formats have been dying for a card like this: a Basic non-EX/GX Fighting attacker with a single-Energy attack to deal with [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Shining Legends” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card], but also to play the seven-Prize game. What makes this card remarkable is how it forces your opponent to play around it. Most Fighting archetypes revolve around a GX main attacker. So during the course of the game, you put your opponent in quite the predicament. They can go around your powered-up main attacker and purposefully put themselves in a seven-Prize game situation without eliminating a threat, or they can take out the powered-up threat which will be immediately replaced by a one-Prize attacker that’s hitting an equivalent to Lucario-GX’s damage. Either choice takes them down the seven-Prize-game alley.
Noibat
[cardimg name=”Ghetsis” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”101″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
When I first read Noibat‘s second attack, I thought it had to be mistranslated. This attack has severe ramifications, especially in the Expanded format. This attack is probably more of a Zoroark-GX counter than anything else as it instantly removes [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Red Card” set=”XY” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] and even a [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card]. Destructive Sound also has a leg up over [card name=”Ghetsis” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card] as it isn’t your Supporter for the turn, so it can be combined with an [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] to punish an opponent’s premature advantage.
Eneporter
I don’t think this card completely replaces Enhanced Hammer, but it has the potential to be much more annoying. As Puzzle of Time and [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] can recycle discarded Special Energy, Eneporter can put the Special Energy on a Pokemon that has no business having it attached such as [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] with a [card name=”Float Stone” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]. To make the Energy recoverable from the discard, the Float Stone must first be removed and Octillery then has to retreat.
Diantha
My favorite way to play [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] is with [card name=”Teammates” set=”Primal Clash” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card]. That’s why I’ve never really taken it outside of the Expanded format. Gardevoir-GX is still the best standalone card in the format, featuring its own Energy acceleration, an overpowered attack, hefty HP, excellent typing and even resource recovery. Gardevoir-GX’s biggest weakness is when it is KO’d without a backup attacker already in place. As Diantha is the perfect Supporter to mitigate this weakness, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Gardevoir-GX took back its spot in the limelight.
Lysandre Prism Star
There are quite a few archetypes that play heavily out of the discard pile. Lysandre Prism Star takes those cards for quite a ride. For example, Malamar can only accelerate through the discard. If you’re playing [card name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card] correctly and have at least five Fire Pokemon out, you can severely limit your opponent’s acceleration, giving you the edge you need to steal the game.
Biggest Pitfalls (Bean Dip)
Ultra Necrozma-GX
As I mentioned before, this card definitely has a lot of damage potential, but the need for a second type of Energy makes the deck clunkier than its [card name=”Necrozma-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] counterpart. Both of these cards have potential for damage but where it counts; Necrozma-GX hits 190 for 3 attachments and Ultra Necrozma-GX hits 180 for three attachments but requires a Metal Energy.
Greninja-GX
[cardimg name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
When the [card name=”Crobat” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] line was released in Phantom Forces, it had an immediate impact on the format, giving way to [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] / Bats and [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] / Bats that held a spotlight in the meta for quite a bit.
This Greninja-GX line will not be nearly as impactful for several reasons.
The biggest reason is power creep. Pokemon-GX these days have too much HP to be affected significantly by the measly non-recurring damage. Secondly, Crobat was a one-Prize loss with a one-Energy attack. Skill Dive has won me countless games, and Greninja-GX’s attacks are just too unusable. Thirdly, Greninja-GX has a Retreat Cost and Froakie needs an attachment to give it free retreat. The mobility of the Crobat line was instrumental to its success as it removed the need for Float Stones.
Beast Ring
I do think this card is really good, and definitely belongs in Ultra Beast decks. However, when building decks with Beast Ring, you should keep in mind that this strategy can be played around. If Beast Ring is the primary Energy acceleration in your deck, your opponent can take their sweet time to set up, and line up three OHKOs in a row to sweep the game. This card is better when used in conjunction with some sort of Item search such as [card name=”Korrina” set=”Furious Fists” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] or Teammates.
New Garchomp
Like the [card name=”Garchomp” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”99″ c=”from”][/card], this Garchomp is a complete waste of effort. Even with [card name=”Lucario” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”67″ c=”name”][/card] acting as a [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] every turn, sustaining the combination including a specific draw Supporter and two separate Energy attachments can be difficult. The tedious requirements aren’t the biggest weakness of the combo, it’s actually not being able to use [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] and swing for 200+ damage simultaneously.
Bonnie
On paper it sounds great. You don’t need any cards to set up your attacker, because it is invulnerable (mostly); so you just need to use Trade to draw into a Bonnie. You can even play a playset of [card name=”Scorched Earth” set=”Primal Clash” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] to help pay the cost of a Stadium every turn that this combo requires, but honestly, it’s just not consistent enough. I’d rather pour more card counts into consistency, rather than have a barrier-type of attack that is easy to play around.
Lucario-GX / Landorus-EX
It’s been a while since I’ve written an article, and a lot has changed since I have. In my last several articles I was hailing the Expanded format as one of the most diverse and healthy formats we’ve had for quite a while. That all changed when Riley Hubert showed up to Dallas Regionals and shattered the format to pieces with [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM84″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Red Card” set=”XY” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card]. The list has seen quite a few changes since its debut and has gripped hard to its claim of best deck in the format, being overwhelmingly present in Expanded Regionals Top 8s and even taking home two trophies. In my testing I’ve come to believe that it is the pick for any Expanded Regional, as it can put up a dominating fight against its hardest of counters. I don’t think this deck is going anywhere soon; Pokemon announced no changes to the banned list as of 4/21/18 and Zoroark-GX will continue to dominate.
Utah Regionals is just around the corner. I’ve been testing heavily for it, and I’m pretty split between just giving in and playing the crowned BDIF, and playing one of my new favorite decks: [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”name”][/card]. In my articles, I’ve never really liked writing about the most dominant, oppressive deck in the format and this article will be no different. Lucario-GX / [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] is equally as fun as it is competitive. This deck can go toe-to-toe with the best in the format as it relies off of repeated uses of [card name=”Korrina” set=”Furious Fists” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] to deliver an unrelenting onslaught of Lucario-GX.
[decklist name=”lucario/lando” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″][pokemon amt=”14″]3x [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Riolu” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Landorus-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”89″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Regirock-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”43″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Sudowoodo” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”38″]3x [card name=”Korrina” set=”Furious Fists” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”XY” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ 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=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor’s Letter” set=”XY” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Scoop Up Cyclone” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Brooklet Hill” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]4x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”Diamond and Pearl” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Furious Fists” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Since the spoilers of the card was released, Lucario-GX was paraded around as the slayer of Zoroark-GX and the savior of the Standard format. However, because of its Psychic Weakness, this deck becomes extremely vulnerable to [card name=”Espeon-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”61″ c=”name”][/card] and other Psychic-types in the Standard format, meaning that this deck is typically paired with Zoroark-GX over [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card].
While this argument is strong, I don’t believe it holds up too well in practice. Espeon-GX needs two attachments and a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] to OHKO either Lucario-GX or Buzzwole-GX, and Trashalanche is dependent on your Item usage. Lucario-GX can easily overpower Espeon-GX / [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] making it not so poor of a matchup — I estimate 40-60. This is due to synergy of Jet Punch, [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], and Regi Power along with the consistency afforded to Fighting-types by [card name=”Brooklet Hill” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card].
When I was looking at archetypes to start testing with for Utah Regionals, Lucario-GX landed at the top of the list solely because of Korrina. Korrina provides incredible consistency acting as a slightly less powerful Teammates that doesn’t have the stipulation of being KO’d the turn before. With Korrina, cards that are typically impotent in a low-draw-power deck like this end up being able to turn games around.
Four Riolu UPR and Three Lucario-GX
[cardimg name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
If you’re up to date on Pokemon literature, I’m sure you already know that Aura Strike is an incredible attack with an extremely high damage cap for one Energy. But Cantankerous Beatdown-GX and Cyclone Kick are what make this card whole. Your opponent is pressured to OHKO [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”name”][/card] any time your GX marker is still facing up. This creates a situation where your opponent has to try to avoid two-shotting your Lucario-GX, but every turn Lucario-GX is left to fight, another attachment can be made to power up Cyclone Kick, putting your opponent in a catch-22.
The four [card name=”Riolu” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] are necessary as you want to be able to put it down turn one as consistently as possible. The Ultra Prism one is preferred because Detect has more utility than anything else printed on any other Riolu.
You will typically need only two Lucario-GX throughout the course of the game, but because of the nature of prizing, you want to make sure you always have one.
Two Landorus-EX
Whenever I share this list with my fellow writers/teammates, they’re always surprised to see Landorus-EX over Buzzwole-GX. While it’s true Buzzwole-GX’s Knuckle Impact and additional 10 HP make it the superior choice, its Psychic Weakness is undesirable. Landorus-EX has a Water Weakness, which is great because there aren’t too many Water attackers in Expanded.
Three Korrina and Four Trainers’ Mail
[card name=”Korrina” set=”Furious Fists” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] is what makes this deck incredible in Expanded. As I mentioned before, it can be used as a pseudo-[card name=”Teammates” set=”Primal Clash” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card]. Because you prefer to use Korrina over any other Supporter, four [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] is great to use to dig deeper into your deck. When Zoroark-GX Red Cards you turn one, you want as many outs to Korrina — or any Supporter — to continue your game. Furthermore, Trainers’ Mail gives you more outs to find [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] so that you can Korrina for the second one. Trainers’ Mail’s synergy with Korrina is the oil that keeps the engine running.
Scoop Up Cyclone, Four Puzzle of Time, One Acerola
I rarely use an Ace Spec that isn’t either Computer Search or [card name=”Dowsing Machine” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] in the Expanded format. However, because we have excellent search capabilities with Korrina and recovery options with Puzzle of Time, [card name=”Scoop Up Cyclone” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] has more utility. This allows you to recycle your Lucario-GX when your opponent is trying to stall you out. [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] has the same purpose, but is recoverable by [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] instead of just Puzzles.
One Shaymin-EX and One Tapu Lele-GX
Because you want to have as many [card name=”Regirock-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card] on your Bench as possible, lower counts of support Pokemon are fine.
Hex Maniac
There are a lot of annoying Abilities in Expanded like Safeguard, Trade, and Energy Evolution. [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] gives you the breathing room to take out your opponents.
Two Cynthia, One Colress, One N, One Professor Sycamore
You want to Korrina most of the time, but for the times you don’t, you don’t really need to thin out your deck. I have two [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card], one [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] and one [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card] just for turn one support consistency. [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card] is too powerful in a [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] format to not play.
[cardimg name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Honorable Mentions
Muscle Band
Because there are so many single-Prize Pokemon like [card name=”Trubbish” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Riolu” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] that Landorus-EX can prey on, a single copy of [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] can go a long way. I could just be results oriented, but I found that the opportunity cost of 10 damage on two-Prize Pokemon was too high to offset the occasional extra 20 damage.
Focus Sash
Making Lucario-GX invulnerable makes Cantankerous Beatdown that much more potent. However, I mostly found myself wanting Choice Band to just take the KO in the first place. Also, both [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] are prevalent, making this Tool a waste of space.
Wide Lens
The most aggravating feeling as a Zoroark player is losing two [card name=”Zorua” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] on the first turn to a Hammerhead or Jet Punch. This is too situational, keeping it from making the list.
Matchups
The matchups I chose to feature are based off the results in the latest Expanded Regional in Stuttgart, Germany, in no specific order. I would expect the Utah Regional meta to heavily reflect this meta. I don’t go over the Night March matchup because it’s pretty unwinnable.
Zoroark-GX
This matchup is what [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”name”][/card] is made for. You want to play around the Hex Maniac / [card name=”Red Card” set=”XY” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] combo by ensuring you have a follow up Riolu and that you don’t burn through your draw outs too early. For instance, a lot of players never let Trainers’ Mail sit in their hand and play it as soon as they see it. They also tend to [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card] away their other Ultra Balls where this card could easily grab a [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] in the late game. Conserving these cards gives you better draws when hit by this Red Card combo or simply an N.
While [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM84″ c=”name”][/card] can OHKO Lucario-GX every turn, [card name=”Sudowoodo” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] makes it harder to pull off so they need to Hex Maniac every turn instead of using Ghetsis or Guzma. Aside from that, it doesn’t take much game skill to OHKO a Fighting-weak main attacker with Aura Strike.
Drampa-GX / Garbodor and Sableye / Garbodor
These decks are the reason why I chose Landorus-EX over [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]. Hammerhead is much more annoying than Jet Punch if you’re patient enough. This matchup is a game of attrition; you control the output of Trashalanche, so with Hammerhead you chip away at your opponent’s HP to get that W. With two [card name=”Regirock-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card] and a [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Furious Fists” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card], you’re smacking for 70 damage which is enough to KO a Trubbish. With [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card], it becomes 90 which means that any Garbodor hit with the Bench damage is in danger of being KO’d.
Whether you’re playing against the [card name=”Drampa-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Sableye” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”62″ c=”name”][/card] version, Hammerhead is the most effective attack, but because Sableye pressures you with milling, you always want to be swinging at the Garbotoxin to keep your Regi Power active. This gives you more outs to take KOs without having to rely on Strong Energy every time.
Wailord-EX and Sylveon-GX
[cardimg name=”Wailord-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”147″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
This is another game of patience. In this matchup, Hammerhead is your friend because the chip damage makes it so that your Lucario-GX can sweep up their damage soakers. A whiffed [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] easily becomes another two Prizes you can take.
One thing to note is that the damage cap in this deck by Lucario-GX is 210, putting [card name=”Sylveon-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] in turn-two OHKO range if they fail to bench a second [card name=”Eevee” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card]. Hex Maniac is good against both decks because of [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Shining Legends” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Xurkitree-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM68″ c=”name”][/card] and Energy Evolution.
Gardevoir-GX
Although the deck had only one showing in the Top 32, I still think that day one will feature several [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] players because it has such a dominating matchup against Zoroark-GX.
Like many other matchups, starting with Landorus-EX is your best bet. You have the ability to easily OHKO [card name=”Ralts” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] turn one with Hammerhead, and the 30 chip damage puts Gardevoir-GX within Aura Strike range. Making sure that no Ralts evolves to a Gardevoir-GX unscathed is what will win you this game.
Buzzwole-GX / Lycanroc-GX
I feel like this is the only deck that I don’t want to start with Landorus. With Strong Energy, two Regirock-EX and [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], Aura Strike hits a perfect 190 to OHKO Buzzwole-GX. As Buzzwole-GX requires three Energy to be effective against Lucario-GX, taking these OHKOs eliminates the threat of Absorption GX or Knuckle impact and seals the game in your pocket.
Conclusion
I haven’t decided between the BDIF and Lucario-EX / Landorus-EX, so Utah Regionals might turn out to be boring or extremely exciting depending on this choice. Regardless of how I feel about Utah, I believe that Forbidden Light is going to make both of our formats healthy again, and the Pokemon TCG will reclaim the health and diversity featured earlier this season. If you have any questions, feel free to comment on this article or contact me directly here or on Facebook.
~Ahmed
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