Searching for Light — Standard Developments for Madison

[cardimg name=”Xatu” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”56″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Standard format, with Forbidden Light, is a relatively new format with much still yet to be discovered. Thus far, one thing is discernible: Rock-Paper-Scissors format is back. For some it’s time to gamble, roll the dice, and see what happens. Making a solid choice for any upcoming Standard events is going to be difficult until we see the results of a major Regionals. So many new decks seem to pop up with success each weekend so it can be tempting to settle for less or play a “fun” deck while ignoring what may be better overall and even sitting right in front of your face.

Post-Forbidden Light Metagame

Buzzwole-GX: Downward Trending Outlook

This deck beats [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] and all the random nonsense that isn’t Zoroark-GX. The only problem is that [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] is a horrible matchup for [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], and it very consistently beats it. Malamar has taken Standard by storm, which pushes it to the back quite a bit. Playing Buzzwole-GX is quite risky right now with the way the format is rapidly changing; I don’t recommend it very highly.

Malamar: Neutral Trending Outlook

Get yourself a solid deck that does what it wants almost every game and takes very few bad matchups, get yourself a Malamar. I have been recommending this deck to many people in conversation as I think it gives you the most even chances of doing well. It’s not something that’s going to do amazingly well and pop off like Buzzwole-GX, but it’s something that can just slide by into day two. Malamar can certainly still beat Zoroark-GX decks, although it’s much more difficult than Buzzwole-GX decks.

Zoroark-GX: Upward Trending Outlook

Trading isn’t dead yet, but Buzzwole-GX presents a very challenging situation, posing questions that are hard to answer going into an event. While playing Zoroark-GX, you need to reliably make it past the first couple rounds to avoid Buzzwole-GX as Malamar should weed those decks out. Buzzwole-GX is still a winnable matchup, especially with the proper techs. Playing a lot of Zoroark-GX myself over time, I’ve found that a [card name=”Mew-EX” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] alongside two [card name=”Mewtwo” set=”Evolutions” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] is the best way to go into it these days. [card name=”Eneporter” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card] is a cute tech to boost the damage output of Mewtwo, food for thought.

Coping in a Luck-Based Format

A common theme recurs for me in this format: luck-based elements often decide the game. It’s very easy to develop a frustrated, pessimistic outlook in times like this. Many of us are deep in a chase for Championship Points this late in the season, so it’s important not to lose focus. Remember, at the end of the day, the game still awards the better player on average, control what you can control and do your best. If you don’t find playing Pokemon fun, well, then maybe there are greener things on the horizon for you. A goal is a goal, no matter how irritating it can be to achieve sometimes. Do your best and get after it, luck may decide your fate, but don’t let it decide your mentality.

What Do I pick?

I like to lump the three top decks into categories, Buzzwole-GX being a “high roller”; Malamar being a “safe play”; and Zoroark-GX being a “calculated risk”. I generally gravitate to safe plays, although that is certainly open to change depending on my Championship Point-situation. Need the last few for an invite? Then Malamar is a fantastic play for events I would say; make the best choice for you.

My Choices

I’m between Malamar and Zoroark-GX right now. I tried Turbo [card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card] out at the first Mexican Special Event to awful results; I don’t think it beats Buzzwole-GX consistently. I’ve been meddling with Zoroark-GX, trying to find a winning combination, but nothing has been eye-poppingly strong just yet. Malamar is just a solid deck. It’s boring, “slow”, and just does what it’s supposed to. [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] can speed it up a little bit, and gives you the opportunity to smooth over bad starts when you can’t set up all the Malamar you need to. Anyways, I prefer Zoroark-GX of the two, so I’m focusing on making it work. I won’t be playing Lapras-GX, at least I hope not. I don’t like playing Buzzwole-GX in a field of Malamar, a very poor matchup. Similarly, I just got back from Virginia Regionals where I played Zoroark-GX, a deck with a huge target on its back in a field of Buzzwole-GX, and I did not have a great time, taking two losses to the muscular mosquito itself. In any case, I prefer to be safe rather than going all in with a deck that can be punished by a particularly popular bad matchup.

The Answer?

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[cardimg name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

[card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card] is my top pick for Madison, Wisconsin Regionals as I’m writing this. I had an epiphany during the Mexican event, realizing that Zoroark-GX gives you the most consistent way to beat random decks, while still giving yourself decent matchups across the board. Most of its matchups are 50-50, something I always look for in a deck for big events. Evenly-matched decks play well in my hands and I think they give you a chance to win against anything with the right moves! The Buzzwole-GX matchup is close, I have been playing a Mew-EX and two Mewtwo. Why is this the best Zoroark-GX deck? It’s simple: it gives you the best chance to beat [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] of any of them. Golisopod-GX swings for a one-hit Knock Out against [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], and the Psychic techs handle Buzzwole-GX. Obviously this isn’t a perfect combination, but it gives you a better, more efficient gameplan than my baby, Zoroark-GX / Lycanroc-GX, ever could.

I like to put my opinion into words by saying: Zoroark-GX / Lycanroc-GX has the highest skill ceiling of any Zoroark-GX deck, but the lowest floor. The “floor” is low because there is so much room for error, or cripplingly bad draws. Lycanroc-GX takes multiple Energy, giving your opponent more time to KO your Pokemon, and more cards you need to hit to even attack. In any case, I hope you understand the point I’m trying to make. If you ever have a question about something I’m trying to say just reach out on the Subscriber’s Hideout, it’s a great resource for clarity!

For all these reasons and more, this deck is hot on my radar as one-Energy attackers are a big deal at the moment. I’ve been grinding the Buzzwole-GX matchup out profusely to confirm my findings, and it’s been seemingly even from everything I’ve collected. This deck is an incredible way to give yourself an opportunity to win against any deck in the format, and again, my top choice. Let’s look at my list, talk about the cards, matchups, and other card options:

[decklist name=”Zoroark-GX / Golisopod-GX” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Mew-EX” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”46″][pokemon amt=”19″]4x [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Zorua” set=”Shining Legends” no=”52″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Wimpod” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”16″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Mewtwo” set=”Evolutions” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM31″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew-EX” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”35″]4x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/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=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Evosoda” set=”Generations” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”6″]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Shining Legends” no=”69″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

Four Zorua and four Zoroark-GX

Maximum consistency is how Zoroark-GX gets a natural advantage in every game it plays. It only makes sense to give yourself the biggest line you can play to get as many extra cards as you can with Trade.

Three Tapu Lele-GX

Improving your mid-game with a flurry of Supporters outside of Brigette is crucial to consistency as well. Playing three [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] is very nice to bolster your first turn [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”name”][/card] odds.

Two Wimpod and two Golisopod-GX

This is the thinnest line of [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card] you can play. I don’t mind playing two [card name=”Wimpod” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”16″ c=”name”][/card] at all, although there is merit to three as it gives you better chances to have a Wimpod on your Bench ready to evolve immediately after you use an [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] to pick up a Golisopod-GX.

Two Mewtwo and one Mew-EX

These three cards need to be played to give yourself the best chance of beating Buzzwole-GX decks. It’s a sad inclusion of three sometimes useless cards in various matchups, but committing to beating the overall best deck in the format with [card name=”Mew-EX” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Mewtwo” set=”Evolutions” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] is a safe investment. Mewtwo is very strong against a variety of other decks too, such as [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] when it’s powering up a [card name=”Necrozma-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card].

One Tapu Koko

Flying Flip sets up many numbers for this deck and zero retreat cost makes [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”name”][/card] a very valuable pivot for activating the damage boost on First Impression from Golisopod-GX. Two Flying Flip uses places 190 HP Pokemon-EX/GX in range of a First Impression or Riotous Beating Knock Out with a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] attached! This is incredible, and your main means of beating popular decks like [card name=”Dusk Mane Necrozma-GX” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”90″ c=”name”][/card] and/or [card name=”Ultra Necrozma-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card].

Four Brigette

Popping a first turn Brigette with this deck is very strong. Your winning percentages shoot up, so giving yourself the best odds of hitting a Brigette right away is a very good idea, and the reasoning behind this count.

Three, N, One Professor Sycamore, One Cynthia

I like this Supporter count but I wish I could have another [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card]. Two [card name=”Evosoda” set=”Generations” no=”62″ c=”name”][/card], mentioned later on, makes up for it to a certain degree but Item to Ability-based draw isn’t exactly a completely fair exchange. Another Cynthia would be very nice, you don’t need it, though. [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] takes priority in this lineup because it’s incredible in Zoroark-GX decks. You can set yourself back a little bit, to which you can recover because of Trade, all the while putting your opponent further and further behind. [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] is still a staple for this deck because it allows you to thin out useless cards and dig deeper than your other Supporters can.

Three Guzma

This is a fine number of [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card]. Of course four would be nice, but it’s luxurious and you have [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] to either reuse gust effects or obtain when down on Prizes, respectively.

One Professor Kukui, one Mallow, and one Acerola

[cardimg name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

[card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] is experimental at this point, as some of my friends have been vouching for it very favorably. The idea is to reduce the number of Flying Flip uses to Knock Out popular targets. The need for extra damage comes up a lot in this format, so just having the option of 20 more damage is super nice; Puzzle of Time can always retrieve it too. Using Professor Kukui more than once is not out of the picture. [card name=”Mallow” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”127″ c=”name”][/card] is a staple in [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] decks, getting you any two cards of your choice in combination with Trade. The possibilities with it are endless! Acerola is really nice for this deck to avoid Knock Outs. Two would be cool as well, because with the double count you can use Puzzle of Time to retrieve both at once, buying you two more avoided Knock Outs.

Four Ultra Ball

[card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card] buys you an out to Tapu Lele-GX and Brigette, making it a great choice to play four. They are the pinnacle of consistency and get you the cards you want quickly.

Four Puzzle of Time

Recycling your Supporters and Energy, it’s all fine and dandy! Denying Knock Outs and keeping yourself doing more for less is the name of the game. These are the perfect pair with Zoroark-GX and Trade.

Two Float Stone

Giving yourself even more pivots to get a Golisopod-GX into the Active position from your Bench is incredible. Not only that, but [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] makes your [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] matchup better by providing you with more ways to get Mew-EX or Mewtwo into your Active spot to start attacking opposing threats.

Two Field Blower

Three [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] would be nice for extra defense to [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card], but concessions have to be made. I’m not opposed to flipping a Parallel City in exchange for another Field Blower!

Two Evosoda

Getting your Evolutions out quickly is going to speed things up for you and get the Trade uses churning. You can never have enough Pokemon search, especially in a deck that starts turning and burning once it gets Zoroark-GX out!

Two Choice Band

The perfect count for this deck, it still makes many important numbers happen. Remember that [card name=”Golisopod-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card] can Crossing Cut GX for 180 with a Choice Band attached.

One Counter Catcher

This card has felt like [card name=”Multi Switch” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”129″ c=”name”][/card] in does in Zoroark-GX / Lycanroc-GX for this deck so far. When it works, boy, does it ever! It wins games, and I don’t want to take it out at all.

Three Parallel City

This is what sets this list apart from other ones, a heavier Parallel City count is still amazing in this format! Whenever you are limiting your opponent’s Bench, remember that damage from your Golisopod-GX is limited so watch out, be sure to use a Field Blower first to discard your own Parallel City if you need the full damage output.

Four Double Colorless Energy and two Grass Energy

A full set of [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Shining Legends” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card] is optimal, but two [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] is a new fix. I’ve cut one to make room for more techs, and it still works amazing. I think you can definitely operate with just two, so I wouldn’t put the next one in unless something drastic changes. Mallow can always find Grass Energy if you desperately need it.

Options

Oranguru

Resource Management is a strong attack that wins mirror matches if used wisely. [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] also helps you out against odd decks like control builds by getting your resources back to launch more attacks, or it helps against [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Shining Legends” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] decks by getting around Scoundrel Guard!

Eneporter or Enhanced Hammer

This card is super cool. [card name=”Eneporter” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card] lets you move a Special Energy to a Buzzwole-GX, or anything for that matter, and make it easier to Knock Out with either Mewtwo or [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card]. It can effectively be an [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card], another option, in nearly every situation since your opponent will more than likely have a bad attacking option in play at all times like [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card], Tapu Lele-GX in Fighting decks, etcetera.

Max Potion

More healing options is nice for this deck, [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] or another [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] are both fine options. Max Potion is nice because it doesn’t cost your Supporter for the turn, but you then will need to recover an Energy or find another one. Either way, it’s a solid inclusion!

Matchups in Short

Buzzwole-GX – Even

[cardimg name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Eliminate [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], if you can, before it strikes. You can handle Buzzwole and Buzzwole-GX with [card name=”Mew-EX” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Mewtwo” set=”Evolutions” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]. Golisopod-GX can handle a Lycanroc-GX if one presents itself, just be sure to have a follow-up Wimpod if a Golisopod-GX does get Knocked Out. You do not have a great answer to a Lycanroc-GX besides Golisopod-GX, so you want to be defensive about your Golisopod-GX. Starting with Mewtwo is amazing because it buys you time and your opponent either has to play around it with gust effects or soak some big damage from a Psychic. Mew-EX is a quick way to score one-hit Knock Outs, and you can chain it with Puzzle of Time to get it back. Two Float Stone gives you a great way to get those Psychic guys into the Active, so I recommend playing both. Professor Kukui helps you reach one-hit Knock Outs with Mewtwo if need be, pushing Psychic to one-shot numbers if a Buzzwole-GX has two Energy and your Mewtwo has a Choice Band.

Malamar – Slightly Favorable

Parallel City is your best friend in this matchup. Targeting down [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] right away is the play, but if you can’t, then two Flying Flip from Tapu Koko puts [card name=”Necrozma-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] into one-hit Knock Out range, but if that doesn’t work, you can use Mew-EX or Mewtwo to potentially one-shot it also. [card name=”Dawn Wings Necrozma-GX” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] is a non-factor as you can blow it out with [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] due to its Weakness to Darkness-type Pokemon. If Moon’s Eclipse GX comes into play, you can use [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] to get around it you end up being behind on Prizes again after the exchange. If you’re looking for numbers to remember, Necrozma-GX needs four Psychic Energy to take a one-hit Knock Out on both Golisopod-GX or Zoroark-GX. Armor Press doesn’t affect any Prismatic Burst math, so don’t be under that impression. Your opponent can get a lead with a quick Malamar setup and aggressive Necrozma-GX Knock Outs on your Pokemon. Try to play around Black Ray GX if you can. But if you can draw it from your opponent, then you at least deactivate the option of Moon’s Eclipse GX, a nice exchange even if your Pokemon-EX/GX get softened up by 100 damage apiece. Targeting the Malamar with a Parallel City in play is your best bet, you can handle bigger threats with [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] boosting your damage to one-shot potential and Mew-EX to take one-hit Knock Outs on Psychic-weak Pokemon.

Zoroark-GX – Even

Mirror matches can be tough, but three Parallel City helps you out tremendously. Target whatever your opponent has that isn’t Zoroark-GX like a [card name=”Ralts” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Rockruff” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM120″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Wimpod” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”16″ c=”name”][/card] This is because those Pokemon will give you troubles later down the road. Once you clear those, you can use Acerola to lock your opponent out of the game by denying Knock Outs. In this sort of a matchup, you’re pretty similar to Zoroark-GX / Lycanroc-GX in that if you execute your strategy in the mirror match you should win; you can get blown out if you don’t, though. [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] can be hard to find, so save a spot on your Bench so you can Tapu Lele-GX to Wonder Tag for a Guzma quickly if need be.

Conclusion

As I am writing this I am sitting in-between rounds at a League Cup. I played Zoroark-GX / Golisopod-GX and will be heading into cut soon. My record of 4/0/1 at the moment includes multiple victories over the super popular Malamar deck, and a win over Zoroark-GX / Lycanroc-GX as well, a deck that could be seeing a resurgence too. I have yet to face a Buzzwole-GX / Lycanroc-GX deck yet, but when I do, I will be prepared with Psychic techs. I’m trying a [card name=”Latios” set=”Shining Legends” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card] and an Eneporter out today, maybe they will help me in the matchup! I’m pretty confident in this deck headed into Madison, Wisconsin Regionals, and it is my top choice right now. Good luck in any events you’re attending in the future, and that you very much for reading. Let me know if you have any questions of any kind in the Subscriber’s Hideout.

~Caleb

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