Back to Standard — A Crash Course in Preparing for Your Next Event

By: Caleb Gedemer · Posted Posted onMar 28, 2019 at 8:52 AM · 0 Comments

Of the roughly 17 decks in Standard there are only so many that you should concern yourself with in preparation for a tournament. Some decks are more important to prioritize:

Tier One

[cardimg name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

  • [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]
  • [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Ultra Necrozma-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card]
  • [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card]
  • Zapdos
  • Zapdos / Ultra Beasts

Tier Two

  • [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card]
  • [card name=”Lusamine” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] / Control
  • Pikachu & Zekrom-GX Turbo
  • Zapdos / Lycanroc-GX
  • Zoroark-GX / Lycanroc-GX
  • Zoroark-GX / Lycanroc-GX / [card name=”Weavile” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card]

Tier Three

  • [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] / Garbodor
  • [card name=”Celebi and Venusaur-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”1″ c=”name”][/card]
  • [card name=”Gardevoir-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card]
  • Lost March
  • Malamar / Spread
  • [card name=”Tapu Koko” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM30″ c=”name”][/card] / Spread

This article will focus on the tier one decks, their strengths and weakness, and the like. These are the decks you should focus on beating or just play yourself. Knowing a deck is the first step to beating it, so this article will be helpful regardless of if you decide to play one of these. Let’s get started.

1. Buncha Dogs (Zoroark-GX / Lucario-GX / Lycanroc-GX)

This deck has been discussed to death, so I’ll try to skim over it a beat. Here’s the best list for the deck right now and the one I would use at a tournament.

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″][pokemon amt=”21″]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]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]2x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”31″]4x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ 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″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/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=”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″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Devoured Field” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”93″ 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]

Techs for Hire

[cardimg name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

  • [card name=”Sudowoodo” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card]
    • Roadblock can limit the Bench of an opposing Malamar deck while you target Malamar down, giving them less maneuverability to set up more Malamar after you take Knock Outs on them
  • Weavile
    • Weavile is nice to have against Malamar as another Pokemon that can one-shot Pokemon-GX like Ultra Necrozma-GX which are currently difficult to take out with anything other than Dangerous Rogue GX. Even a single Weavile and a [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] can be enough to help in that matchup. Keep in mind you’ll want to switch to [card name=”Unit Energy FDY” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card] if you do this
  • [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card]
    • Normally I would play this Stadium, but [card name=”Devoured Field” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] takes the cake right now since it gives you a chance to beat Blacephalon-GX. It is decent against other decks when you need to Riotous Beating for 130, or 180 with a [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card]

Strengths

  • Lycanroc-GX’s Bloodthirsty Eyes is one of the best Abilities in the game and this deck uses it the best
  • Consistent when set up
  • Fighting Pokemon are good right now with Pikachu and Zekrom-GX doing well

Weaknesses

  • Malamar can be difficult to beat because of how hard Ultra Necrozma-GX can swing for
  • Must devote space to techs and weaken the deck or take annoying losses to fringe decks like Blacephalon-GX
  • Weak to [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card]’s Let Loose, although [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] mitigates that slightly

Counters

  • Buzzwole in Zapdos decks
  • Control decks ([card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] can be played to counter those, though)
  • [card name=”Weakness Policy” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card] in Pikachu and Zekrom-GX (although [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] is a counter to that)

Overall

I love Zoroark-GX and I played this deck in my last Standard-format Regional with a similar list. I lost my win-and-in to miss Day Two, but my teammate Daniel Altavilla placed second with the deck. As you may know, he lost to Blacephalon-GX in the finals. It was something we didn’t expect, and that was unfortunate as we had no counter to the deck. I think moving forward, this deck can afford to spread itself a little thinner and have more answers to fringe meta decks like Blacephalon-GX for instance — it isn’t a huge price to pay. There is some space in this deck but it’s a little more inconsistent than other Zoroark-GX / Lycanroc-GX lists because of the inclusion of Lucario-GX. Lucario-GX is a necessary evil with Pikachu and Zekrom-GX so prominent in the format; you need a better counter to it than Lycanroc-GX itself.

This deck can be tweaked in a few directions, most notably the inclusion of [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”82″ c=”from”][/card] for the Energy denial option and two more unique and strong attacks. Weavile is another direction you can go with, but I believe this list will give you the best overall chance against everything, particularly against Pikachu and Zekrom-GX.

[card name=”Professor Elm’s Lecture” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”188″ c=”name”][/card] is inferior to Lillie because Lillie sets you up for a stronger second turn. With [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] offering another reliable way to fetch Pokemon on the first turn other than [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card], it’s imperative that you play the Lillie engine over anything else.

The deck is great when Zoroark-GX sets up, but Marshadow’s Let Loose is the bane of its existence right now. I prefer decks that can attack the first turn unless there’s a lock deck that is hard to beat — I like those too. This deck is solid, it can do well, but I wouldn’t expect dominant greatness with it because of all the unpredictability of Marshadow and general opening turn consistency.

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2. Ultra Squids (Malamar / Ultra Necrozma-GX)

Formerly one of my favorite Standard format decks, the squids have outworn their welcome to me due to consistency issues. I want to be able to play the game more often than not, but I’ve found that this deck has one of the worst comeback potentials when you don’t get going quickly enough. To make matters worse, Zapdos decks can be hard to beat unless your opponent misplays — namely putting multiple [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] down such that you can use Sky-Scorching Light GX for multiple Prize cards to win the game.

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Ultra Necrozma-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”95″][pokemon amt=”19″]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=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Marshadow-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”80″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dawn Wings Necrozma-GX” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”63″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”30″]4x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]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″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/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=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ 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 Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/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=”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]

Techs for Hire

[cardimg name=”Ultra Necrozma-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”95″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

  • [card name=”Gengar and Mimikyu-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card]
    • Horror House GX can slow your opponent down for a turn, potentially stopping them from taking a Knock Out altogether, and you can get back ahead with Poltergeist or another attack. A neat comeback tech, but I prefer [card name=”Dawn Wings Necrozma-GX” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card]
  • [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card]
    • Every deck can use a way to clear off your own Pokemon-GX in Standard, but Acerola is the only surefire way to do it
  • Field Blower
    • A workaround against Weakness Policy in Pikachu and Zekrom-GX decks, you can ensure that [card name=”Marshadow-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] takes one-hit Knock Outs; this card’s value is limited outside of that matchup, so I’m not a huge fan

Strengths

  • Functions as a non-GX deck with only [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] when you need it to, like against Zapdos decks
  • Sky-Scorching Light GX is a busted GX attack and can swing many matchups, its existence has shoved Lost March completely out of the format
  • Unstoppable and plays itself once you get going, attack, rinse and repeat

Weaknesses

  • Lycanroc-GX hurts it
  • One of the most inconsistent top tier decks
  • [card name=”Weavile” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] hurts it

Counters

  • [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card] is trouble in matchups where you rely on [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] to use Distortion Door to keep working as an attacker
  • Playing around Sky-Scorching Light GX can put you into awkward spots
  • Your opponent targeting Malamar with [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] is problematic for this deck, especially as Ultra Necrozma-GX is so reliant on Malamar for Photon Geyser

Overall

Great when it works, awful when it doesn’t. I think the new Pikachu and Zekrom-GX decks with a more balanced approach are more difficult to handle and makes this deck a little worse. Zapdos can be tough against clever players and Zoroark-GX is a consistent pain depending on how hard they go to Knock Out Malamar and stop you from playing your deck as it was designed.

All that aside, it’s a solid deck that has more abysmal matchups now, but remains competitive and a decent choice for someone that isn’t looking to get fancy with a complicated deck or is already comfortable with playing Malamar.

3. Slow Pika (Pikachu & Zekrom-GX / Zapdos)

I thought the fast version of Pikachu and Zekrom-GX was the best way to play it for a while but after Gustavo Wada’s recent success with something similar to the following version, I’ve thought differently. He’s been dominating tournaments and showing that you can have the best of both worlds with a slow and steady approach to the deck, focusing more on Zapdos in the early game.

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″][pokemon amt=”14″]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]2x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ 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 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=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ 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]2x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Volkner” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”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 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″ 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]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=”11″]11x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”11″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

Techs for Hire

[cardimg name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

  • This list is super teched out; if you want to change something you’re looking at a different version of the deck as this one has pretty much everything you could want

Strengths

  • Can switch strategies quickly from attacking with non-GX Pokemon in Zapdos to a big burst from a Pikachu and Zekrom-GX
  • Decently consistent and when it gets going it’s hard to stop
  • Plenty of tech Pokemon for numerous options in every matchup

Weaknesses

  • Can be hard to determine what Pokemon is best for each situation: do you want to lead with Zapdos or lead with Pikachu and Zekrom-GX? Each game can be different and you need to practice to feel out which openings make the most sense depending on what deck your opponent is using
  • Lots of moving pieces that aren’t as strong in every matchup
  • Without [card name=”Weakness Policy” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card], Fighting decks can blow you out under the right circumstances (regardless if you had Weakness Policy anyway)

Counters

  • Fighting Pokemon in general
  • [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”name”][/card] in Zoroark-GX / Lycanroc-GX decks
  • Not much else because this deck is so diverse and can adjust to what you’re facing, one of the reasons I like it so much

Overall

This deck is super close to being my favorite in the format, it can play a variety of different Lightning-type Pokemon to address certain matchups. The inclusion of Zapdos is particularly great because it plays around your normal disadvantage to Fighting Pokemon and makes it difficult for those decks to be as competitive. Lucario-GX becomes less useful as a tech in Zoroark-GX because of the inclusion of Zapdos, and Tapu Koko-GX can be troublesome with its lack of a Weakness altogether. With so much space to tinker around while retaining the raw power of Pikachu and Zekrom-GX, this deck has everything.

This is one of the best entry-level decks out there right now for someone that’s unsure of what to play for upcoming events and wants to have a chance against everything. With a little tweaking, you can settle for a sixty that’ll have great answers to most decks, if not every deck.

4. Nothin’ But Zap (Zapdos)

The Oceania International-winning deck has had a target on its back since its victory, with decks adding more counters to it and other players deviating from the proven list and adding techs, notably Fighting ones like Buzzwole. While I prefer the Fighting versions a bit more, the straightforward version is strong and offers a better early game than other builds. Here’s a good list:

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″][pokemon amt=”12″]4x [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/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=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”40″]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]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]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 Rope” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ 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″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Thunder Mountain Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”191″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]8x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

Techs for Hire

[cardimg name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

  • [card name=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card]
    • A bit of an underwhelming tech, Dark Ambition can make it different for opponents in the mirror to consistently get the damage boost with Thunderous Assault; so many switching cards are in Zapdos decks now that it barely matters, though
  • Fighting Pokemon
    • This makes this a whole new build, but I’m personally fond of [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Lycanroc-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] in the deck along with [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] to get the Fighting Energy consistently; you can play a couple of [card name=”Beast Ring” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] too for some extra punch
  • [card name=”Zebstrika” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”82″ c=”name”][/card]
    • Sprint offers a counter to [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card], which effectively shuts down your entire strategy by stopping Stellar Wish

Strengths

  • Attacks on the first turn, a huge advantage in any format
  • Extremely low maintenance, only needing a single Energy to attack and occasionally an Item to get a switching effect
  • Nearly all non-GX Pokemon other than [card name=”Tapu Koko-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”47″ c=”name”][/card], so you get the best of both worlds in a deck that does have the option to use a GX attack

Weaknesses

  • Alolan Muk is a terrible issue; it shuts down your whole strategy and makes it hard to do anything productive
  • Many decks have started to tech for Zapdos decks because it was one of the early favorites in the Standard format with Team Up, Absol and Alolan Muk (obviously) being the biggest annoyances
  • Oddly inconsistent sometimes — by this I mean when things go bad, they go really bad; while you can make comebacks with Tapu Koko-GX sometimes, it’s difficult to maneuver games where you fall a few attacks behind, especially against Pokemon-GX-based matchups where your entire advantage is giving up only one Prize to Knock Outs

Counters

  • Absol in anything
  • Alolan Muk in anything
  • [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card] in control decks because you won’t be able to attack; [card name=”Jolteon-GX ” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM173″ c=”name”][/card] is an easy fix to that but I dislike that card in this deck because it offers little value in any other matchup

Overall

Zapdos being the low maintenance deck that it is and having the ability to attack the first turn is attractive to me. Playing it in Australia didn’t go so well for me but it went perfectly for fellow writer Isaiah Williams. He had the better side of the luck that day, and since then I’ve considered Zapdos for each Standard event — just with a degree of pessimism since I had an abysmal run with it, losing two consecutive win-and-in matches to miss Day Two, like in Collinsville.

Zapdos has solid matchups against most decks and can outplay opponents. It starts things up quickly and in bad matchups you can outpace someone because you’re so much faster. After being the first majorly successful deck at the Oceania Internationals, it’s a tad scary to play the deck for tournaments since it has a target on its head. With easy techs to beat the deck, it’s pretty volatile.

The deck has many close matchups and that won’t be changing anytime soon. If you want a deck that does what it wants nearly every game and doesn’t have a ton of weaknesses other than direct counters, this is the one for you. While Alolan Muk is extremely debilitating, you can Knock Out [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Alolan Grimer” set=”Team Up” no=”83″ c=”name”][/card] before it can evolve, preventing the use of Alolan Muk.

Overall, the deck is solid. It lacks the surprise factor it had in Oceania though and doesn’t offer much of anything new unless you completely change up the deck (such as adding Fighting Pokemon).

5. Zappy with Beasts (Zapdos / Ultra Beast)

The best way to play Zapdos now, in my opinion. The Ultra Beast Pokemon in the deck are amazing! Buzzwole is a solid counter to Zoroark-GX and I especially like the inclusion of Zebstrika in these lists to give you more options against an Alolan Muk, previously the bane of existence for Zapdos / Jirachi.

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Zebstrika” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”82″][pokemon amt=”15″]4x [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/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=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Nihilego” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Zebstrika” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”82″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Blitzle” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”81″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ 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]4x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/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 Rope” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/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″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/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]

Techs for Hire

[cardimg name=”Nihilego” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”106″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

  • This deck is already super teched out; you could run [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card] for additional damage

Strengths

  • More of a late game with [card name=”Nihilego” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card] adding extra oomph when you need to close things out
  • Stays a Zapdos deck but adds in nice techs to cover your weaknesses
  • Zebstrika as a counter to Alolan Muk

Weaknesses

  • Slightly less consistent than regular Zapdos because you add in other attackers and [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card]

Counters

  • Playing around Nihilego’s Nightcap and/or Buzzwole’s Sledgehammer
  • Taking out Zebstrika and dropping Alolan Muk
  • [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card] can stop you from attacking altogether

Overall

An improved version of the deck we all know and love, this has it all with a bunch of flavorful techs to make things better. A list like this is much harder to play around than a regular Zapdos deck since there are so many more things to worry about.

I’m really liking the heavier Ultra Ball and [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card] counts in these Zapdos decks lately. I think it makes them more consistent and the early game better since you have some disruption to stick your opponent with and get off to early leads.

I think I would take this deck to a Regionals right now if I had to pick something.

6. Whacky Smackey (Hoopa / Regigigas Stall)

[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=”Magikarp and Wailord-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM166″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lugia-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”159″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Articuno-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”31″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”45″]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=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ 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]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″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Counter Gain” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/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=”2″]1x [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Double Colorless” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

This is my other favorite deck right now, taking a chip off the old control block. [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card] is very strong in this format, albeit a little less powerful with the addition of [card name=”Jolteon-GX ” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM173″ c=”name”][/card] to many Lightning-type decks. [card name=”Lugia-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] can use Lost Purge GX to send those pesky Jolteon-GX[card name=”Jolteon-GX ” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM173″ c=”name”][/card]to the Lost Zone and you’ll win with Vileplume, but getting to that point can be tricky.

Other than that, the rest of your matchups are extremely favorable and even Malamar can’t handle this deck — since you can block their Stadium cards out until you can lock in a [card name=”Life Forest Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”180″ c=”name”][/card] and repeatedly heal your Vileplume against a barrage of Malamar’s Psychic Sphere attacks.

In any case, this deck is fun to play and offers a different win condition in a format that’s overrun with decks duking it out in Marshadow Let Loose wars. If you’re looking for something different and want to have a little more control over your game, this one is for you.

Conclusion

Next time I’ll be back before Denver Regionals, bringing you a look at a deck I’m really liking. We’ll leave that a surprise, but it’ll be back to one of my tried-and-true deck profiles.

Thanks for reading y’all, hit me up in the Subscribers’ Hideout if you want to chat. Take care!

Peace,

Caleb

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