Update Dump and Expanded Fun — Lists Aplenty and Unique Options

[cardimg name=”Alolan Exeggutor” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”2″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

I’ve gone over two of my top options for Anaheim Regionals this weekend in past articles, so I want to try something a little unorthodox: talk about some updates to top decks, and introduce two cool new ones that aren’t as competitive as the rest, but hold their own and are incredibly fun to play. Expanded is home to a wide variety of decks, of varying degrees of viability. Here is a complete list of what I think “exists” out there.

• [card name=”Alolan Exeggutor” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”2″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Blastoise” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM69″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Drampa-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Greninja BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Jumpluff” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”14″ c=”custom”]Lost March[/card]
• [card name=”Pumpkaboo” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”44″ c=”custom”]Night March[/card]
• [card name=”Primal Groudon-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Rayquaza-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Sableye” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”62″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] / Zoroark-GX
• [card name=”Stoutland” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Raichu” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Trevenant BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card]
• [card name=”Unow ” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”90″ c=”custom”]Unown DAMAGE[/card]
• [card name=”Unown” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”91″ c=”custom”]Unown HAND[/card]
• [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] / Control
• Zoroark-GX / [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”name”][/card]

First, Some Fun

Alolan Exeggutor

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Mr. Mime” set=”Generations” no=”52″][pokemon amt=”13″]4x [card name=”Alolan Exeggutor” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”2″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Sudowoodo” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Seviper” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”50″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mr. Mime” set=”Generations” no=”52″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”36″]4x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Teammates” set=”Primal Clash” no=”141″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Energy Recycle System” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dowsing Machine” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]6x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”6″][/card]1x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Tropical Shake does 120 at most, but in Expanded you can top that off with [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Virbank City Gym” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card] for an additional 30 damage from Poison. There’s more — [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] can give you 50 damage more (200 overall now), and finally [card name=”Seviper” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card] can tie off a Zoroark-GX with the finishing 10 damage. A non-EX/GX deck like this doing that much damage for such little cost is really good, and makes for a fun deck in Expanded, something a little different than the rest of the field.

You’re bad against control decks since they can run you out of Grass Energy, Trevenant BREAK is tough since it can take out your Exeggcute before they get to evolve, but against almost every other deck you have a chance at the least. Non-EX/GX builds like Night March might have the upper hand with their ability to attack for one-hit Knock Outs from the first turn onwards and since you have to evolve to your main attacker it can be more tricky. In any case, this deck is a real powerhouse and makes for a super fun way to stay competitive in Expanded without conforming to the norm.

Cofagrigus

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″][pokemon amt=”16″]4x [card name=”Cofagrigus” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”100″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Yamask” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM152 ” c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”35″]3x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Teammates” set=”Primal Clash” no=”141″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lusamine” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Spell Tag” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”190″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Dimension Valley” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”9″]5x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”5″][/card]4x [card name=”Mystery Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

[cardimg name=”Cofagrigus” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”100″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Very similar to [card name=”M Gardevoir-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card], Spirit Juggling might look like it hurts you at first but upon further examination it pairs quite well with [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”custom”]Giratina[/card]. You can discard the Giratina over and over and rack up damage on an opponent’s Bench with Distortion Door. All of this is made possible in Expanded with [card name=”Dimension Valley” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card], letting [card name=”Cofagrigus” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] attack much more efficiently. Once you have those Giratina in the discard pile (look for [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] early) you can rinse and repeat, hitting for on average 130 every Spirit Juggling attack until you win.

This deck is really bad against Zoroark-GX, which might be the only thing holding it back from being competitive. Against standard powerhouse Pokemon-EX/GX decks like Blacephalon-GX you can eventually hit the right numbers for one-hit Knock Outs with Distortion Door and then you’ll be rolling. The thing about Zoroark-GX is that it rips through your attackers easily and with such high HP it can be hard to take a Knock Out on, its Psychic Resistance making matters worse. Ability lock in Expanded like [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] further complicates this deck, although it has solid matchups against most non-EX/GX decks, including Trevenant BREAK.

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Tiering It Up

If we look at the list of viable Expanded decks and tier them with some rationale, we have the following list:

Third Tier

• Alolan Exeggutor
  • Tropical Shake isn’t powerful on its own but with Hypnotoxic Laser and Virbank City Gym you can reach new heights that can one-shot popular Pokemon; Seismitoad-EX is weak to Grass, too
    • Exeggcute can get hit with Jet Punch into oblivion, or you can just fail to do enough damage quickly enough; this deck sometimes feels like too cute of a strategy
• Blacephalon-GX
  • With [card name=”Blacksmith” set=”Flashfire” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] you can Mind Blown even easier in Expanded and destroy Pokemon-EX/GX decks; non-EX/GX decks are super difficult, though
    • Losing to nearly every non-EX/GX deck you face feels really bad, there’s little to nothing you can do about it
• Lost March
  • I’m really not convinced this is any better than Night March even with new techs like [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”custom”]Ditto Prism Star[/card], [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card], or even Exeggcute for its synergy with [card name=”Lost Blender” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”181″ c=”custom”]Lost Blender[/card] after you use Propagation; it’s just a more difficult strategy to pull off than Night March
    • It just feels like a more draw-dependent Night March, relying on using Evolutions or drawing into things at the right time to make Lost Blender fire off for full effect
• Primal Groudon-EX
  • Surprisingly resurfacing in Portland, I don’t really see Primal Groudon-EX as a top-tier deck, but rather one that was positioned beautifully for a great run at that event (many Seismitoad-EX decks); it’s very weak against non-EX/GX decks and the Zoroark-GX / Control deck ruins it as well with [card name=”Articuno-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card]
    • I hate the slow grind of this deck. I’ve played it for a Regionals before, way back, barely missing day two, but it was mentally excruciating and felt too fancy; I feel like there are decks that will do the same thing just with less brainpower required and less frustration from missing Energy
• Rayquaza-GX
  • Expanded is home to many powerhouses, this one included, but they just cannot compete against non-EX/GX decks. Of the powerhouse decks I believe Blacephalon-GX to be the best, but all of them leave some things to be desired
    • This is the ultimate coasting deck, so if you don’t want to test and just roll up with a deck that can blast opponents for a ton of damage, play this; but you’re going to lose to too many non-EX/GX decks so don’t plan on making day two
• Sableye / Garbodor
  • Another control deck, this one has a more powerful lock once it sets up with [card name=”Hiker” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”133″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Trick Shovel” set=”Flashfire” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card] to see upwards of seven cards and control all of them, but Zoroark-GX is just stronger in that it thins your deck out and can take a few hits; this deck is weak against strong starts and Item lock
    • [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] gets three cards and with Trade you can usually draw them right back on your next turn; three is larger than two, hmm…
• Stoutland / Raichu [cardimg name=”Stoutland” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”122″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg] 
  • Yet another control deck, this one is much more unique than the others, but the concept is still the same with [card name=”Lillipup” set=”Black and White” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] to Pickup Items; Evoshock keeps your opponent down for the count, but this strategy is incredibly hard to set up and Garbodor, [card name=”Red Card” set=”XY” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card], and Blastoise with two [card name=”Keldeo-EX” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”49″ c=”name”][/card] are hard to beat
    • Control is just better with Zoroark-GX, Stage 2 concepts in Expanded are super gimmicky and get wrecked by Item lock which is prevalent; this deck almost outright loses to Trevenant BREAK which should be moderately popular
• Unown DAMAGE
  • Similar to the broken [card name=”Shiftry” set=”Next Destinies” no=”72″ c=”name”][/card] deck from way back, this deck is largely a gimmick but insanely frustrating to lose to, you can’t really do anything to avoid it other than targeting the [card name=”Reuniclus” set=”Black and White” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] if your opponent is playing that version, or Blastoise if they’re using that version; I don’t think these decks work enough of the time to see any competitive success
    • If you want to be a true gambler, play this deck; it has larger upsides than its counterparts, but won’t give you very good chances at success
• Unown HAND
  • As a tech in Zoroark-GX / Control decks it’s fine, but as a deck of its own with something like Sableye or Stoutland to stop Supporter cards from being played, that’s a whole different story; these win conditions are even harder to pull off than the DAMAGE ones, and I would avoid them altogether — it just takes too long to win
    • Avoid this deck at all costs, even though it does exist; existing is the only thing it does well

Second Tier

• Buzzwole-GX
  • Somewhat weaker in Expanded with other strategies being faster and less dependent on Max Elixir in the early turns, Psychic Pokemon keep your Weakness in check
    • Bad against non-EX/GX decks; to combat that you can play more baby [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card], but then you’re skipping out on the best card in the deck and hurt your chances against other decks, it’s a hard deck to build perfectly and also draws unplayable hands full of Energy more often than I would like
• Garbodor / Drampa-GX
  • Not as powerful as it once was, gets rolled by control decks but retains solid matchups against Blastoise and Trevenant BREAK when speaking of the top decks
    • A ghost of what it once was, originally a counter deck to Zoroark-GX, which now is quite literally the bane of its existence; Zoroark-GX has fallen out of favor now as a big-time attacker and more of a control-based deck that pounds Garbodor decks, [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] can put Items back into the deck and avoid Trashalanche altogether
• Greninja BREAK [cardimg name=”Greninja” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”40″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
  • Always a dark horse in Expanded, Greninja BREAK does amazing when it draws well; if not, then it’s going to be a hot mess; Ability lock is always a dominant force in Expanded
    • Super inconsistent so you can just lose to yourself, or if your opponent draws well enough under Ability lock you can still lose, so it’s too big of a glass cannon for me to bear to play anymore
• Night March
  • [card name=”Zebstrika” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”82″ c=”custom”]Zebstrika[/card] makes the deck a whole lot better and defends you against [card name=”Karen” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY177″ c=”name”][/card]; other control concepts still remain and can disrupt your Energy and make it hard to keep up
    • Weak to control decks and Ability lock, I’m still a fan of this deck with the new inclusion of Zebstrika but it’s less appealing than Zoroark-GX / Control is for me
• Seismitoad-EX / Zoroark-GX
  • Inferior to the standard Zoroark-GX / Control deck now, [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”custom”]Faba[/card] gives this deck a real hard time and Oranguru can recycle it, making your Seismitoad-EX an awkward option that can backfire and get trapped
    • Item lock is still amazing and presents a different aspect of control but you can just play a single Seismitoad-EX in Zoroark-GX / Control and accomplish much of the same thing without a huge commitment to a Faba-weak concept
• Zoroark-GX / Exeggcute
  • Formerly the face of Expanded, without [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] you need to run Garbodor or even [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card], both of which do get a little stronger with Ditto Prism Star out and about but the main problem of the control decks remains making it hard for you to even attack
    • Faba wrecks this deck, so if you want to lose to control super badly, play this deck

First Tier

• Blastoise
  • Fast, powerful, can blow anything up and is extremely consistent with [card name=”Order Pad” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card]
    • Prone to almost immediate losses with variance and poor hands; Item lock hurts, as does Ability lock and [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”custom”]Trashalanche[/card]; a true all-or-nothing deck with very little opportunity to balance any of that out with skill
• Trevenant BREAK
  • Gains [card name=”Morty” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”186″ c=”name”][/card] to disrupt decks even harder following Knock Outs, can hold its own against most decks and Item lock is generally a foolproof strategy with few ways to counter it
    • Similar to Blastoise in that it doesn’t have much skill involved so if you draw poorly or face a Zoroark-GX deck that runs hot you will lose and not be able to do much about it; awkward starts are very common in this deck and extremely frustrating
• Zoroark-GX / Control
  • Arguably the best overall deck in Expanded, Trade unlocks wonders in the world of control decks, giving you access to all of your deck all at once and a huge slew of Expanded-only degenerate cards to ruin your opponent like Delinquent
    • I can’t say a single bad thing about this deck other than that it can be extremely challenging to play and that the mirror match will be one of the worst times of your playing career

List Updates

Here are updated lists for some of the decks that haven’t been talked about here for a while, ones that I think are more competitive than others or ones I’m still thinking about for my deck decision for upcoming Expanded events.

Blastoise

[decklist name=”blastoise” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Keldeo-EX” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”45″][pokemon amt=”14″]2x [card name=”Blastoise” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”16″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Articuno” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”17″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Volcanion Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”31″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lugia-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”159″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Kingdra-GX” set=”Dragon Majesty” no=”18″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Keldeo-EX” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”36″]2x [card name=”Archie’s Ace in the Hole” set=”Primal Clash” no=”124″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Fisherman” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Superior Energy Retrieval” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”103″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Order Pad” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”131″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]10x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”10″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

One Lugia-GX [cardimg name=”Lugia-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”159″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Lost Purge GX is insanely powerful, sending Pokemon loaded with Water Energy to the Lost Zone in mirror matches, [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] with Garbotoxin to the Lost Zone against decks playing it, and more! [card name=”Lugia-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] is something I’m super excited about and it has been very good in almost every matchup, especially for the surprise factor.

One Kingdra-GX

Maelstrom GX destroys non-EX/GX decks like Lost March, Night March, and [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card], giving it better value than ever before in this deck with some of those builds gaining popularity. It’s strong against control decks since Hydro Pump is a better Secret Sword, so I would highly recommend playing this as a powerful second [card name=”Archie’s Ace in the Hole” set=”Primal Clash” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] target. Against decks where Maelstrom GX goes in I would opt to just Archie’s out the [card name=”Kingdra-GX” set=”Dragon Majesty” no=”18″ c=”name”][/card] first, use the attack, then go for Blastoise.

One Faba

Formerly [card name=”Xerosic” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] would have held this spot, but Faba is objectively better. It can take a Stadium away, and sends cards to the Lost Zone where they cannot be retrieved.

Seismitoad-EX / Zoroark-GX

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”undefined” cname=”Archen” set=”Plasma Blast” 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=”Dark Explorers” no=”70″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Sudowoodo” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Archen” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”53″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”36″]2x [card name=”Lusamine” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Fan Club” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”133″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Team Skull Grunt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”133″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Team Rocket’s Handiwork” set=”Fates Collide” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Plumeria” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Karen” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY177″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Gladion” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”124″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dowsing Machine” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”6″]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Shining Legends” no=”69″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

One Archen

A way to avoid running out of cards, you aim to deck yourself out with this deck, then Trade away [card name=”Archen” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card], put it back with the Ability, rinse and repeat. Once you get that low on cards you can spam [card name=”Plumeria” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] for zero cost with Archen and [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”name”][/card] as well. [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] doesn’t do that much damage in this deck and often times you’re using it just to stop Items, so having a way to avoid running out of cards and losing the game is needed.

One Faba

Welcome to Expanded, home of Zoroark-GX / Control-style deck mirror matches. That said, one of the ways to win those matchups is with a Faba, using it to get rid of your opponent’s [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Shining Legends” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card] for good. It’s super toxic, but necessary to ensure that you don’t lose to the same effect from the other side.

Two Psychic Energy

Another Faba counter, Psychic Energy give you a way to safeguard your Energy and attack without the fear of losing your Energy to the Lost Zone. You can build a Quaking Punch with two Psychic Energy or opt to use it with [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] to Resource Management with little risk. A problem that can arise is Plumeria discarding your basic Energy, then [card name=”Girafarig” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card] using Get Lost to put that Energy in the Lost Zone, never to return. These matchups become a huge headache and having all the options you can get your hands on to counter them is a must.

Trevenant BREAK

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″][pokemon amt=”16″]3x [card name=”Trevenant BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Phantump” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”64″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Necrozma-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”63″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”34″]2x [card name=”Morty” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”186″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tate & Liza” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Red Card” set=”Generations” no=”71″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Rescue Scarf” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dowsing Machine” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Dimension Valley” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]5x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”5″][/card]4x [card name=”Mystery Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Shining Legends” no=”69″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

One Octillery [cardimg name=”Morty” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”212″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

[card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] gives this deck some new life with cool new options, one of them being [card name=”Octillery” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]. You can Abyssal Hand for some extra pop to keep drawing cards, one of the issues this deck can run into. As a non-EX/GX Pokemon it’s not really a problem to have on your Bench like [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card], and it works well with this build in particular with the Morty and [card name=”Red Card” set=”Generations” no=”71″ c=”name”][/card] combination, allowing you to play a disruption Supporter and still get some draw for the turn with the Ability.

One Alolan Muk

Item lock and Ability lock is super punishing, and this never-before-seen combination is deadly with Ditto Prism Star. You can drastically improve your formerly poor matchup against [card name=”Blastoise” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card] with the Power of Alchemy Ability, as well as turn off ways to get the cards your opponent wants such as [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] and Tapu Lele-GX.

Two Morty

This toxic Supporter is truly unfair in this deck, allowing you to punish your opponent with a Red Card, and then grab two cards from that hand and put them back into your opponent’s deck. Thinking about taking a Knock Out on a Trevenant BREAK? Think again…

Zoroark-GX / Exeggcute

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″][pokemon amt=”22″]4x [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Zoroark” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Zorua” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”70″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Trubbish” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”67″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Klefki” set=”Steam Siege” no=”80″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”34″]3x [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Brigette” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Bursting Balloon” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Level Ball” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Black and White” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dowsing Machine” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”4″]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Shining Legends” no=”69″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

One Giratina

Distortion Door can unlock some easier Knock Outs by damaging your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. It’s kind of like “another Exeggcute”, but doesn’t have such little HP, making it better besides the fact that it doesn’t help with your Trade Abilities. I really like this inclusion and would put in even more, but with [card name=”Sudowoodo” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] limiting Bench sizes in so many decks I don’t think that’s a great idea and would refrain from that.

Ditto Prism Star

Like another [card name=”Trubbish” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”67″ c=”name”][/card] and another [card name=”Zorua” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] all at once, I really like this in this deck. You could even run an [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card], so depending on the matchup you could use that instead of Garbodor to regain access to your entire [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] Bench. Ditto Prism Star is such a nice space-saving card to include in decks that want to do a whole lot but are limited on space.

Pokemon Ranger

I don’t always like this card in the deck but it does pay to be prepared for lock decks like [card name=”Giratina-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Mismagius” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card], or Seismitoad-EX if they pop up. I think the biggest problem right now is the tech inclusion of Seismitoad-EX in Zoroark-GX / Control and with [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] you can combat your opponent catching you off guard with a Quaking Punch. It’s nice to have insurance against the unknown.

Conclusion

As of now I am playing Zoroark-GX / Control for California Regionals with weekend. I am also considering Night March, but I think I’m pretty set on the former. I hope this article was a good way to showcase each deck in simple fashion, giving you a better read of what to focus on and what some of the strengths and weaknesses of each deck look like. Expanded still has some fun options, so if you’re into that be sure to check out Alolan Exeggutor and Cofagrigus. Good luck at upcoming events, hit me up in the Subscribers’ Hideout if you have anything you want to talk to me about.

Peace,

Caleb

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