Oranguru! A Primer on Zoro Control and a Busted Counterpick
[cardimg name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
What’s up everyone! This is Grant here once again. Right now is an exciting time for the Pokemon community. Brazil Internationals just wrapped up and Roanoke Regionals is right around the corner. [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] once again proved how powerful of a card it is. After winning in both Standard and Expanded, players are wondering: “How do you beat Zoro Control?” As the saying goes, “if you can’t beat em, join em.” Today I will be going over a slightly modified Zoroark-GX Control list for you. Additionally, I’ll be taking a look at the interesting [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] deck that the recent World Champion, Robin Schulz, made Top 16 with.
In case you didn’t watch much of the event, Team USA showed up to Brazil with an incredibly strong Zoroark Control list, and many players made Day 2 with the deck. In fact, both Caleb Gedemer and Danny Altavilla ended up making Top 8, with Danny taking home the gold. A Brazilian player also made Top 8 with his own take on Zoroark Control, but he was disqualified for cheating after winning his Top 4 match. Zoroark Control is such a strong deck that it was able to take three Top 8 spots as well as the winning title. Whether you like the deck or not, it will definitely be a Standard mainstay for the foreseeable future. In particular, I am looking at Zoro Control and ways to counter it for Roanoke Regionals this coming weekend.
Team USA did a good job with their Zoroark-GX list that I don’t have much to change. My current list is only four cards different.
Zoroark-GX Control
[decklist name=”zorocontrol” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″][pokemon amt=”18″]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]1x [card name=”Magcargo” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”24″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Slugma” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”23″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x Girafarig (LOT #92)1x [card name=”Articuno-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x Ditto Prism Star (LOT #154)[/pokemon][trainers amt=”37″]4x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x Professor Elm’s Lecture (LOT #213) 2x [card name=”Plumeria” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x Faba (LOT #208) 1x [card name=”Team Skull Grunt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”133″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Gladion” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Generations” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Timer Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Max Potion” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”103″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Switch” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pal Pad” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”132″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Lysandre Labs” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”111″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”5″]3x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Next Destinies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
4-4 Zoroark-GX, Three Double Colorless Energy
Like other Zoroark-GX decks, this one packs a full 4-4 line. Unlike other Zoroark-GX decks, you don’t need to attack with Zoroark-GX all that often. In fact, Riotous Beating is used more for removing Energy via KOs. You don’t necessarily win on Prize cards all the time, though you can choose to do so when your opponent’s resources are depleted. The high Zoroark-GX count is so that you can set up two or three quickly and use multiple Trades per turn. The more Trades you use, the more cards you can access. The more cards you can access, the more you can disrupt your opponent and run them out of Energy. That is the strategy of the deck.
I was surprised to learn that the original list only ran three [card name=”Double Colorless” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card], but it makes sense. [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] is the main attacker and it can use any Energy; Zoroark-GX is the one who relies on Double Colorless.
One Magcargo
The purpose of [card name=”Magcargo” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”24″ c=”name”][/card] is that it sets up perfect Trades so you can get whatever card you want. This improves consistency and allows you to find specific disruption cards at specific times.
Zero Alolan Muk
I am confused as to why the deck originally ran [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card]. In theory, it is used to auto-win Granbull, but the deck auto-wins Granbull even without having Alolan Muk. I strongly recommend cutting this card. There is no use for it.
One Ditto Prism Star
You might think that Alolan Muk means you can cut Ditto Prism Star, but you’d be wrong there. Think of this card as a [card name=”Slugma” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”23″ c=”name”][/card] that can be searched out with a turn one Professor Elm’s Lecture. Of course, it can evolve into Zoroark-GX too, but I use it to turn into Magcargo.
Three Tapu Lele-GX
You need consistency in the form of [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card]. You want a turn one Professor Elm’s Lecture, and you usually want a turn two [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card]. Of course, Tapu Lele-GX will sometimes be used mid-game to find various tech Supporters. You can remove it from play via [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card]. It isn’t much of a liability and this deck sometimes has consistency issues. You could go down to two Tapu Lele-GX and still win Brazil, but I prefer three.
One Articuno-GX
[card name=”Articuno-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card] is used for its GX attack. It’s useful for when an opponent loads a lot of Energy onto something while you are still trying to set up. Examples would be Blacephalon-GX using [card name=”Kiawe” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card] and Gardevoir-GX. You might use this against [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] as well.
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Two Oranguru
[cardimg name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
This ape is the deck’s main attacker. By the time your game is over, your opponents will get sick at the sound of the words “Resource Management.” This is the attack that you will use over and over to recover disruption cards until your opponent is completely out of things to do. This makes for some long and grindy games, but the strategy is undeniably effective.
One Girafarig
How the original list doesn’t run Girafarig mystifies me. This card allows you to destroy any deck that gets cards back from the discard pile. Examples would be Gardevoir-GX with Twilight GX, Solgaleo-GX, [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Metagross-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”85″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Mt. Coronet” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Lusamine” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] loops, and any opposing Oranguru. You can also use it to flex on [card name=”Alolan Exeggutor” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”2″ c=”name”][/card] should you face any.
Zero Sableye
This [card name=”Sableye” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] is completely useless. It sometimes wins games faster, but it only does that in games that you are already going to win. It is the definition of a “win more” card and you should not consider playing it.
Two Rainbow Energy
This card lets you choose between the deck’s three GX attacks. You may not think much of Tapu Cure GX, but Michael Pramawat found a way to effectively use Rainbow Energy on stream during Brazil’s International. Rainbow also has some synergy with Acerola by allowing you to remove Lele from your board.
One Faba
I went crazy when I saw that the original list didn’t have Faba. If you run Faba in a mirror match where your opponent doesn’t run Faba, you win 100% of the time. You also use it against any deck that has a way to recover Special Energy, which is mostly other decks with Oranguru or Gardevoir-GX.
It can also take some of the strain off [card name=”Lysandre Labs” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”111″ c=”name”][/card] by offering a way to bump both Stadiums and Tools, though that is only a minor selling point.
One Team Skull Grunt
The original list ran two [card name=”Team Skull Grunt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”133″ c=”name”][/card], one Acerola, and one [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card]. This doesn’t make sense because Acerola and Guzma are more important than Team Skull Grunt. Additionally, you have [card name=”Gladion” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] to get it from your Prizes. You can mimic the effects of Acerola and Guzma with various Item cards, but that doesn’t make them less important than Team Skull Grunt. It is an integral card to the deck, so you want to keep one copy.
Two Max Potion
I run an extra copy of [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] in my list. I can’t say that this is correct, but it is working for me and I feel that it is better than only running one. It is a powerful card that gets used often. I’d say that Max Potion is the 60th card, and that the other 59 are objectively correct.
Matchups
The nice thing is that [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] Control has answers to most matchups. It does struggle against decks that are able to flood Energy onto the board. Fortunately for the Americans who went to Brazil, decks such as [card name=”Vikavolt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card], Gardevoir-GX, and Metagross-GX were few and far between. However, with Girafarig, you are able to beat these decks. Malamar, Metagross-GX, and Gardevoir-GX all become winnable because Girafarig puts their Energy cards into the Lost Zone. Unfortunately, Vikavolt remains an auto-loss.
Blacephalon-GX is favorable. If the Blacephalon-GX player only has Naganadel in play, you can loop healing cards to ensure that they are never able to take a KO. If they play down Blacephalon-GX, you can keep Energy off of it via [card name=”Plumeria” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card]. You can use Articuno-GX if you need to. Keep in mind that Naganadel can hit for 110 damage with [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], so don’t leave a Rainbow Energy damage counter on [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card].
Your plan will be to drag Blacephalon-GX into the Active spot and to never let it hold onto a Fire Energy. Once Bursting Burn damage racks up, heal Oranguru with Max Potion or [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card]. If your opponent plays down [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card], try to keep either one of those in the Active position. You will eventually run your opponent out of Energy and win the game. They can keep Energy on Naganadel, but that isn’t a problem.
Blacephalon-GX lists will likely start including [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”129″ c=”name”][/card], but I don’t think that this is the hard counter it’s hyped up to be. While Energy Switch does help against Zoroark-GX, they can only take one or maybe two Prize cards per Energy Switch that they are able to use effectively. This does not equate to an auto-win for Blacephalon-GX.
Another deck consideration is Granbull. Keep in mind that this deck cannot OHKO Zoroark-GX. You want to use Zoroark-GX to KO Magcargo whenever you can. Heal Zoroark-GX as needed and remove any Energy that your opponent attaches. Granbull doesn’t run many Energy, so it won’t take long for them to run out. It helps to keep their Oranguru in the Active position. Granbull is an easy matchup, even without Alolan Muk.
Against other decks, you run them out of Energy and use the normal Oranguru loop strategy.
Gardevoir-GX
Another interesting and unexpected deck that a couple European players showed up with was [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card]. Robin Schulz started 6-0 with the deck and finished in the Top 16, and another made it to Day 2 as well. What fascinates me about this iteration of Gardevoir-GX is the consistency engine that it uses. Here is my current Gardevoir-GX list.
[decklist name=”gardevoir” amt=”51″ caption=”” cname=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″][pokemon amt=”23″]3x [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x Kirlia (LOT #140)4x [card name=”Ralts” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x Alolan Ninetales-GX (LOT #132)3x [card name=”Alolan Vulpix” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”21″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Swampert” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”35″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Mudkip” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”32″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x Solgaleo-GX (PR SM104)1x [card name=”Cosmog” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”64″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”26″]4x Professor Elm’s Lecture (LOT #188)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″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”EX Holon Phantoms” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Timer Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Brooklet Hill” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]6x [card name=”Fairy Energy” set=”XY” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”6″][/card]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”103″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Boost Energy Prism Star” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
With cards from Lost Thunder, Gardevoir-GX lists run an engine that relies on Professor Elm’s Lecture. What’s cool is that Professor Elm’s Lecture grabs [card name=”Alolan Vulpix” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”21″ c=”name”][/card] and other Basic Pokemon. Alolan Vulpix can grab Alolan Ninetales-GX and another Evolution Pokemon, and Ninetales then grabs [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”129″ c=”name”][/card] and/or [card name=”Timer Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”134″ c=”name”][/card]. This engine is used to set up [card name=”Swampert” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card], which offers incredible draw power for the remainder of the game. I think this draw engine opens the door for other Stage 2 Pokemon to be played at a high level of competition. While I use the same engine as Robin, my list is a little different.
4-1-3 Gardevoir-GX
[cardimg name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
The thick Gardevoir-GX line makes sense because it is your main attacker. Gardevoir-GX packs an amazing Ability, a powerful attack, and a GX attack that recovers ten cards. Thanks to the consistency engine, there’s nothing holding Gardevoir-GX back.
2-0-2 Swampert
While I already outlined how your early-game setup goes, Swampert keeps the deck moving throughout the mid and late game. It is also a strong secondary attacker when used with [card name=”Super Boost Energy Prism Star” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card]. It can OHKO Blacephalon-GX, it can run through most non-GX Pokemon, and it doesn’t go down easily.
1-0-1 Solgaleo-GX
I thought this card wasn’t worth including, but it is strong in the deck. When Gardevoir-GX gets damaged, you can retreat it, use [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card], and then use Turbo Strike to recharge it. Solgaleo-GX also destroys Granbull and any opposing Alolan Ninetales-GX. Its Ability takes away Weakness which isn’t too relevant for the deck, but it may come in handy if you run into a rogue deck like quad [card name=”Registeel” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card].
3-3 Alolan Ninetales-GX
The third Alolan Ninetales-GX is the 60th card here. If you find that you want to add another consistency card, another Max Potion, or anything else, you can get away with cutting one Alolan Ninetales-GX.
As I’ve already explained, Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Ninetales-GX form the backbone of the consistency engine. Additionally, its GX attack gives you an edge against [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] and Blacephalon-GX.
Two Brooklet Hill
There is an argument to be made for [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] instead, or potentially other cards altogether. I prefer [card name=”Brooklet Hill” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] because it finds [card name=”Mudkip” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] and Alolan Vulpix, it can replace other harmful Stadiums as [card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card], and it can potentially be used multiple times before being bumped. It adds consistency by providing more outs to search for Alolan Vulpix.
Matchups
I haven’t played as much with [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] as I have with [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card], but I can give you a general feel for its matchups.
Gardevoir-GX is heavily favored against Zoroark-GX Control, which is a huge plus in my book. It can OHKO Zoroark-GX, accelerate Energy, and Twilight GX replenishes Energy cards and [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] if needed.
Gardevoir-GX is generally favored against Blacephalon-GX as well. Your first KO will be the easy pickup with Sublimation GX. Somewhere along the line, Gardevoir-GX should be able to pick up another KO or two. Additionally, Swampert can OHKO a Blacephalon-GX if you find your Super Boost Energy and manage to set up three Stage 2 Pokemon.
Again, thanks to Sublimation GX, the traditionally unfavored Buzzwole / [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is now in Gardevoir-GX’s favor. However, it is by no means an auto-win. You are going to go with your normal strategy against Buzzwole. Dangerous Rogue is hard for this deck to play around, but it is something to keep in mind. You don’t have the option to take a OHKO with Swampert like you do against Blacephalon-GX, but it’s harder for BuzzRoc to accelerate Energy and take OHKO’s against Gardevoir-GX.
I think Granbull is a favorable matchup, but I haven’t tested it enough to say for sure. Granbull is the main reason for including Solgaleo-GX, as it mows through Granbull after Granbull and makes their life difficult when used with Max Potion. In the meantime, Gardevoir-GX is accumulating Energy. Each Gardevoir-GX should take two Prize cards, as Granbull cannot OHKO Gardevoir-GX. Swampert can trade one for one with Granbull, but I would avoid putting Swampert in harm’s way in this matchup, as the return for attacking with it is little; afterwards, you will immediately lose Swampert to an All Out.
Conclusion
I am eagerly anticipating Roanoke Regionals. I am expecting it to be a chaotic tournament. I think there may be a few Granbull, a few Zoroark Control, a lot of Blacephalon-GX with [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”129″ c=”name”][/card], some Buzzwole, and even [card name=”Rayquaza-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] decks. I have no idea if Gardevoir-GX will be popular. We saw some weird disruption decks crack Day 2 in Brazil, so we may see some Americans try to pick those up. A few players may still try to run decks like [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card] / Alolan Ninetales-GX and Lost March, but I think they will have a rough time. Don’t forget about Zoroark-GX / Lycanroc-GX either. ZoroRoc seems to be in poor position right now, but people may still run it because it nabbed several Day 2 spots in Brazil.
I am not sure what I’ll be playing, but Gardevoir-GX is currently my top pick. Fortunately for Gardevoir-GX, Metal is in a bad spot with all of the Blacephalon-GX.
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