Gateway to New Beginnings — Another Week of Standard in Collinsville

By: Caleb Gedemer · Posted Posted onFeb 26, 2019 at 8:46 AM · 0 Comments

I finished Illinois Regionals 5/3/1 after starting 5/1/1; I’ve been having a lot of downward spirals lately. My failures aside, I was at the event and three of my teammates donning the same list made day two. For some, Collinsville was a continuation of a blurry red-eyed-week starting before Australia’s International Championship. For others, it was the culmination of testing for weeks in a new format while garnering information from an event they didn’t’ have to play in — perhaps for an advantage. Either way, a little over a thousand players made the trek to the event, including some foreigners, and duked it out. This Regionals showcased the largest day two of players we’ve ever seen and didn’t come without its share of surprises.

Before

[cardimg name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

[card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] was dubbed as dead by its “master” Zach Lesage himself before the event. It did poorly in Australia and just didn’t stack up to the rest of the metagame even after. However, with the metagame evolving quickly, [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] decks gained popularity extremely quickly and all of a sudden Blacephalon-GX was seen winning a Regionals for the first time this season. It’s crazy the way this worked out, Lesage played the deck even still as he felt comfortable with it and thought the metagame might shape up for it; it did exactly that, and more. Personally, I still considered Blacephalon-GX a deck to worry about heading into the event, but I decided it would be okay to take a loss to it after further deliberation. In the case of Zoroark-GX decks, it’s extremely hard to counter Blacephalon-GX without devoting nearly four slots in your deck to beating it, hence another reason why it’s such a lopsided matchup.

This weekend didn’t come without some other crazy action, [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card] decks popped up to counter Basic Pokemon-based decks. A few notable players used some variant of the deck ranging from stall decks where you would deck an opponent out to just attacking with Vileplume using [card name=”Counter Energy” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] in some cases. Peter Kica also developed a new-age [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] deck, one featuring [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”name”][/card] that also performed very well against Zoroark-GX decks. He took it to a Top 8 after seemingly avoiding Blacephalon-GX and [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] decks (two matchups he deemed unfavorable).

Aside from the new, Zoroark-GX / Lucario-GX / [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] performed well once again, as did [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card] decks, [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Ultra Necrozma-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card], and even a hybrid [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] counter deck featuring [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] to help out against Zoroark-GX. So a few decks were held constant, others adjusted a bit (namely Zapdos in adding Buzzwole), and some newcomers popped up altogether.

After

The final Top 8 standings are as follows:

  • 1. Zach Lesage with [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”name”][/card]
  • 2. Daniel Altavilla with [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card]
  • 3. Riley Hulbert with [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card] / Control
  • 4. Pablo Meza with [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]
  • 5. Francis O’Brien with [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]
  • 6. Peter Kica with [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”name”][/card]
  • 7. Tommy Souramasing with [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Ultra Necrozma-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card]
  • 8. Drew Cate with [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]

Aside from that, in rough estimation based on my observations at the event, there were at least this many of each deck in day two:

  • 1 [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM69″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] at ~1%
  • 1 [card name=”Celebi and Venusaur-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”1″ c=”name”][/card] / Control at ~1%
  • 1 [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM31″ c=”name”][/card] / Spread at ~1%
  • 2 [card name=”Guzzlord-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] Variants at ~2%
  • 2 [card name=”Sylveon-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] / Control at ~2%
  • 4 [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”name”][/card] at ~4%
  • 5 [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] Variants at ~5%
  • 6 [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card] Variants at ~6%
  • 7 [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card] Variants at ~7%
  • 10 [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] Variants at ~10%
  • 15 [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] Variants at ~15%

[cardimg name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”162″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

This is pretty lacking, but with so many players in day two it will be difficult to find everything quickly. This is only 54 entries out of the day two, so I predict a few decks may be understated, namely Pikachu & Zekrom-GX builds; they had more pilots that just seven, I believe. Nonetheless, this is a rough picture of what the day two metagame looked like and as you can see, the most popular deck by the numbers was Zoroark-GX. This said, it becomes easier to understand why Blacephalon-GX did so well when you can see on paper how many great matchups it truly had. Hit a lot of them and you’re golden; that’s what happened.

Now

Moving forward the first few weeks of League Cup events are going to be very scattered I think. With Expanded taking over for the next two Regional Championships in the United States it will be hard for many players to test as much Standard as they had been up to this point and until we start to see some League Cup results I predict things will be all over the place. It’s extremely hard to gauge what to play in a format with so many decks, especially some that are dominating against others. I would try to stave away from a deck with a clear auto loss, and maybe even opt for something like [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card] with a [card name=”Jolteon-GX ” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM173″ c=”name”][/card] for the possibility of a [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card] deck.

I want to share my thoughts quickly about [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card], I think the card is unbalanced in Standard and something should be done about it; losing games before you get to do anything is super lame. That aside, the format is super fun and there’s a lot of decks which is always nice to see. I don’t mind seeing a stall deck creep up again when it forces players to counter it and plan accordingly. With so many intriguing lists and even something so written off like [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] winning a tournament, there’s a lot to be excited about moving forward in Standard. We’ve got time, so let’s take a look at each of the Top 8 lists from Collinsville and talk about anything out of the ordinary, interesting, or just downright cool. Let’s go!

[premium]

First: Blowns

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″][pokemon amt=”17″]4x [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Poipole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”55″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Alolan Grimer” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”27″]4x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Erika’s Hospitality” set=”Team Up” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Beast Ring” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Ultra Space” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Heat Factory Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”16″]15x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”15″][/card]1x [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Zach Lesage’s list is far from ordinary when it comes to [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] lists. He mentioned after doing poorly in Australia’s day two that there might be some ways to adjust the list to help out poor matchups and adding [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card] back was certainly one of them. It’s strong against both [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card] as well as [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] lists, especially if you can get it down on your second turn. Having both [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] and Alolan Grimer as ways to find it is really nice and the Ditto Prism Star can become the “fourth Poipole” if you just evolve straight from Alolan Grimer.

I’ve never agreed with Lesage’s Supporter counts in this deck as I’m a firm believer of four [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] in decks that play it, but he always seems to do well with this lineup (previously [card name=”Sophocles” set=”Shining Legends” no=”65″ c=”name”][/card] instead of [card name=”Erika’s Hospitality” set=”Team Up” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card]). I still think I would cut the Erika’s Hospitality altogether, but I understand the logic behind it: have two Supporter cards that are great on your first turn, and two that are great thereafter. As far as everything else the only even potentially questionable thing is the lack of a fourth [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card]. I believe that Lesage has likely played more of this deck than anyone else alive at this point and that being said probably is right about this one, even though I’ve resorted to the fourth in the past for consistency purposes.

One noticeable omission is the lack of a [card name=”Wondrous Labyrinth Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card]. I liked this Stadium in Blacephalon-GX decks quite a bit when Team Up first dropped. It was amazing against Lost March and Zapdos and I wish Lesage would have played it. From his list I would make the following edits:

  • -2 Erika’s Hospitality
  • -1 Energy Switch or -1 Ultra Space
  • +2 Lillie
  • +1 Wondrous Labyrinth Prism Star

Second: ZoroRocCario

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″][pokemon amt=”22″]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=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Riolu” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Rockruff” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”73″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rockruff” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Alolan Grimer” set=”Team Up” no=”83″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”30″]4x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Mallow” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”127″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Judge” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”108″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ 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=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/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″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Counter Gain” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]4x [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Shining Legends” no=”69″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

This is the exact list I played to lackluster results. Other teammates certainly did better with it, so congratulations to them for that. We were inspired by Stéphane Ivanoff’s list from Oceania, changing a few things that didn’t seem necessary. I had been testing the [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] / Control deck I last talked about, but wasn’t doing as well against Pikachu & Zekrom-GX as I had hoped. Thankfully, in going back to Lucario-GX that problem was solved. Lucario-GX is so nice in mirror matches that are unprepared for it as well; it’s just a great addition to the deck.

We liked having [card name=”Counter Gain” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] as another way to attack for less Energy and Wondrous Labyrinth Prism Star wasn’t cutting it in testing. Oranguru seemed necessary to counter the control decks that got some hype going into the weekend, namely Vileplume decks, and it was worth it, although not for me personally.

This list was more polished after our changes, but things might need to be tweaked to have a fighting chance against Blacephalon-GX if it indeed rises up again. Sort of an annoying turn of events, but it is what it is. I think i would opt to go back to a version of the deck that has the potential for higher damage output, here is one way you can do that:

  • -1 Oranguru
  • -2 Viridian Forest
  • +1 [card name=”Diancie Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +1 [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +1 [card name=”Devoured Field” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card]

Third: Plume

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Articuno-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”31″][pokemon amt=”13″]2x [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”6″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Oddish” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”4″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Regigigas” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”84″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Shining Legends” no=”55″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Unown” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Shuckle-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”17″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Magikarp and Wailord-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM166″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Articuno-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”31″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”46″]4x [card name=”Steven’s Resolve” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Bill’s Analysis” set=”Team Up” no=”133″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Lusamine” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Plumeria” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Gladion” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Team Skull Grunt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”133″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tate & Liza” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mars” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Copycat” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”127″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”142″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”124″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Wondrous Labyrinth Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”158″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mount Lanakila” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Life Forest Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”180″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”1″]1x [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

This deck’s go a lot going on but the main focus is [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card]. Disgusting Pollen stops Basic Pokemon from attacking altogether when it’s Active and with much of the format playing them it’s a super powerful Ability. The other wall Pokemon in the deck each serve a specific purpose and [card name=”Articuno-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card] is there of course to disrupt a Pokemon that’s got too many Energy on it. [card name=”Unown” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] is another win condition other than running an opponent out of cards if things go off the beaten path a little bit. I don’t have much to suggest for this deck regarding changes, it all looks incredibly thought out and well-polished. Multiple players took it to deep runs and it clearly can run with the best. Articuno-GX is the only thing I might change, I don’t think you even need it anymore. You’re going to win games off of just putting a wall out that your opponent can’t address, nothing more. [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] should still stay as you can clear your board off with [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] in specific situations. I like this one a lot!

Fourth: PikaRom

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″][pokemon amt=”14″]3x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Jolteon-GX ” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Eevee” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Zeraora-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”86″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”47″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”35″]4x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Volkner” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Erika’s Hospitality” set=”Team Up” no=”140″ 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=”Electropower” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”172″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”147″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Thunder Mountain Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”191″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]11x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”11″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Pablo Meza’s list is a continuation of that which some top American and European players used in Australia, but the thing is, I really never liked that list. I prefer a speedier list where you aim to get the first or second turn Full Blitz every time, not messing around with a more intricate version of the deck where you chip away with [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] and then switch into [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card] at some point. However, now, I’m not sure what to think as these lists have been successful in their own right and continue to win.

The idea of these builds is to get the best of both worlds by having a strong OHKO attacker in Pikachu & Zekrom-GX and a solid one-Prizer in Zapdos. I think it tries to do way too much and skimps out on many of the cards that make the deck could. I’m stuck in my ways and still like the turbo version.

Here’s what I’d do:

  • -3 Jirachi
  • -2 Zapdos
  • -3 Volkner
  • -1 Erika’s Hospitality
  • -2 Switch
  • -2 Escape Rope
  • -2 Escape Board
  • -1 Viridian Forest
  • +2 [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +1 [card name=”Zeraora-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +1 [card name=”Rayquaza-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +1 [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +2 [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +4 [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Primal Clash” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +2 [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +1 [card name=”Weakness Policy” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +1 [card name=”Multi Switch” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”129″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +1 [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card]

Fifth: PikaRom

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″][pokemon amt=”12″]3x [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Zeraora-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”86″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”47″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”36″]4x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Volkner” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Erika’s Hospitality” set=”Team Up” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ 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=”Electropower” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”172″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Weakness Policy” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”126″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Thunder Mountain Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”191″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Aether Paradise Conservation Area” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”116″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]12x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”12″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

This list is slightly closer to the ideal one in my mind, but still off. The Pokemon lineup is fine for the most part but I just can’t get behind [card name=”Volkner” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card] in this deck. There are enough draw Supporters in the format to dig for more than just one card you want. [card name=”Aether Paradise Conservation Area” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card] seems weak with so many replacement Stadium cards out there, so I think [card name=”Wondrous Labyrinth Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] would be a better second Stadium if you really wanted another. I do dig the [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] lineup and [card name=”Weakness Policy” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card], those Harleys sure are nice. My ideal Pikachu & Zekrom-GX changes are above, so I won’t do it again, but I recommend trying these hybrid versions of the deck out yourself in comparison the the “gas” version and seeing which you prefer.

Sixth: BuzzCario

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”undefined” cname=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″][pokemon amt=”14″]3x [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Riolu” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Diancie Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”36″]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”147″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Beast Ring” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Brooklet Hill” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]9x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”9″][/card]1x [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

This deck’s a bit of a new innovation and I’ve never tested it. [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] is just a strong card and while it can’t do that much damage in the Standard format, that’s where [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] comes in. You can use it to just keep on attacking with the Buzzwole-GX and the Lucario-GX is mainly a counter to [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card] while it’s still strong against Zoroark-GX, but perhaps win-harder. This deck struggles with Blacephalon-GX, Malamar, and Zapdos so I’m not a huge fan, but other than that it does have strong matchups. I’d do a few things to the list before I start testing it:

  • -1 Cynthia
  • -1 Nest Ball
  • +1 [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +1 [card name=”Beast Ring” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card]

Seventh: UltraMar

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Gengar and Mimikyu-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”53″][pokemon amt=”17″]4x [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Inkay” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”50″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Ultra Necrozma-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Marshadow-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”80″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Gengar and Mimikyu-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”53″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”32″]4x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/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=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”147″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ 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=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]7x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”7″][/card]3x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

This is one of my favorite lists from the cut, there’s just not a card I can disagree with. It’s got a lovely mix of everything and the right counters are maxed and ones that don’t need to be aren’t. This is the exact [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Ultra Necrozma-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] list I would use in Standard going forward, it’s just got it all. The key cards are [card name=”Marshadow-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] for additional support against [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card] and Zoroak-GX, [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] for the [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] matchup, and Switch for extra consistency in getting your Ultra Necrozma-GX using Photon Geyser more consistently than it would with just Escape Board.

Eighth: ZapBuzzRachi

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″][pokemon amt=”14″]4x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Jolteon-GX ” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Eevee” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Wobbuffet” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”47″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Nihilego” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”37″]4x [card name=”Volkner” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Electropower” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”172″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”147″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Thunder Mountain Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”191″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”9″]5x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”5″][/card]4x [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

I like the blend of Zapdos and Buzzwole, but I’d do it a little different than this. While [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] is fine and dandy it isn’t as easily accessible like Fighting Energy itself is with [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card], and I believe that’s the right way to play this deck in the future. Everything else is fine, except for again, [card name=”Volkner” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card]! Why do people like it so much? I cease to see it, there’s just too many ways to draw cards in the format that are already reliable and it’s just not necessary in my opinion, I would pass on the card altogether. Here’s what I’d do and feel really good about it:

  • -1 Wobbuffet
  • -1 Nihilego
  • -1 Eevee
  • -1 Jolteon-GX
  • -4 Volkner
  • -4 Rainbow Energy
  • +1 [card name=”Rockruff” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +1 [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +2 [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +1 [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +2 [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +3 [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card]
  • +2 [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card]

Conclusion

There we have it, another Regional Championship in the books. Now it’s time to fly over to Expanded and begin some work on some decks. I suspect [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card] will be absolutely fire with [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] in the deck, so that’s one of the first things I’ll be trying. Thanks so much for reading, don’t forget to ask me anything in the Subscribers’ Hideout! Until next time, take care, and good luck in your endeavors!

Peace,

Caleb

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