The Sword Doggo Reigns Supreme – A Look at Standard and Upcoming Qualifiers

[cardimg name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Hello everyone! I am back with another article on the Standard format discussing the upcoming PTCGO tournament qualifier and how I am approaching it myself. I was unable to play this past weekend, which ended up working out due to how things unfolded. The Battlefy servers crashed, resulting in the tournament being rescheduled then pushed back a little further in order to provide the organizers more time to prepare. I think these qualifiers are a great thing for the community, which otherwise have no real outlet for competitive play. It is certainly going to be a lot of fun if nothing else. A lot of players seemed pretty excited about it, including myself, and the event had an absolutely massive player pool. The rules provide a nice twist on the tournament structure that everyone has grown used to. Plus, I think the rules will definitely have an impact on the results of the tournament, more on that later!

I will offer a few tricks for performing better in the upcoming qualifiers, more than just the deck I think is best to use. More importantly, I have been playing with the deck that I consider to be the undisputed BDIF, [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card]. This deck is very strong and the correct choice for upcoming tournaments, but I believe it has made the format a lot less fun to play. Without Zacian V in the format, I could see a lot of decks having competitive potential. The way things shaped up has turned the meta into Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V and the short list of decks that stands a chance against it. With that being said, let’s kick off the article with a look at my favorite list for the BDIF.

[premium]

My Pick for the PTCGO Qualifier – Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V

[decklist name=”ADP/Zacian-V” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″][pokemon amt=”12″]4x [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”38″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Custom Catcher” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Evolutions” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Primal Clash” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Metal Frying Pan” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Cherish Ball” set=”Unified Minds” no=”191″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]8x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card]2x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Why it is My Pick

While I think there are a few good decks at the moment, I believe that Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V is the best pick for upcoming Standard tournaments. This is especially true for the PTCGO qualifier because the rules benefit this BDIF slightly, due to the slight meta shift and low time limit. The deck has a chance to beat absolutely anything and is the most consistent deck in the format. You could run into people aiming to beat Zacian V, but there aren’t many cards that do that consistently. Additionally, you have some room for error due to the very large number of rounds. Over the course of such a long tournament, I expect the most consistent and overall powerful decks to prevail.

Card Choices

Three Jirachi

In the early game, [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] is really nice for finding your search cards and [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card], as you are trying to is achieve a turn 2 Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX’s Altered Creation GX. It maintains its value throughout the game by providing more reach for crucial cards such as [card name=”Custom Catcher” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”name”][/card]. I preached why having four is nice in my last article, so it feels weird to be down to three a few weeks later. The reasoning for this is the increase in popularity of [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card], calling for the inclusion of a third [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card]. A [card name=”Tapu Fini” set=”Unified Minds” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] was considered for the same reason, but I have decided against that.

One Oranguru SSH

[cardimg name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

This has essentially become a staple in this deck, but I wanted to go over [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] because I still see some players questioning its inclusion. It is good for managing your resources and planning ahead for future turns, while getting a little extra reach over the course of a game. It ensures you can save crucial cards such as Custom Catcher, Great Catcher, and [card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card]. In less important scenarios, it can also let you save a Supporter card for the next turn or other situational cards. By save, I mean not having to discard it with [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]. The other Supporter in your deck is Marnie, which won’t discard your cards, but will deny your access to them without the use of Oranguru.

Three Marnie

Marnie has been a strong inclusion in this deck. I decided to include a third copy because it is strong against Blacephalon, which I believe has been growing in popularity. The third copy gives a slight consistency boost and is a good late game disruption. The only thing I dislike about this increased count is that it comes at the cost of removing a fourth Jirachi. Otherwise, I am a big fan of this inclusion.

Four Acro Bike

This card provides a nice cushion in the early game and makes it less likely for you to whiff a turn 2 Altered Creation GX, which is the early game goal of this deck. Throughout the game, you will be able to dig through your deck and search for important cards with all of your draw power, with [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] providing extra reach when doing so. Other players have decided to remove Acro Bike in favor of techs or Suppoters, but I disagree. Having more Supporters becomes unnecessary at a certain point, as you can only play one per turn. Supporters and techs are also way worse when going first or needing more draw power in the early game. One thing I might consider is removing the fourth Acro Bike for a fourth Jirachi, but I am not sure how much I like that change.

Two Energy Spinner and Two Cherish Ball

I messed around these counts a lot when tweaking my list. I went down to one on both of them at separate times, and could see the difference over the course of a few games. Removing an Energy Spinner felt bad enough but it also requires you to fit another Water Energy. This can be done by skimping on Metal Energy and going down to nine, but that is not a great answer either. I like the two Energy Spinner as it boosts consistency and increases the frequency of excellent starts. Two [card name=”Cherish Ball” set=”Unified Minds” no=”191″ c=”name”][/card] increases your draw power outs on turn 1 by a bit and increases the chances of you getting an energy on an [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] turn 1, which should be your main aim. I would not recommend messing with these counts right now.

One Great Catcher

I would never remove this from the deck, but I would consider adding a second copy depending on the meta. I don’t think it is worth it right now because I expect a lot of mirror matches and Blacephalon. You can protect your single copy with Oranguru and save it for the right time. This is a count to monitor, but for now I am confident that one is fine.

Potential Inclusions

No Mill Tech

This means no [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”from”][/card], no [card name=”Cryogonal” set=”Unified Minds” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card], and no extra Energy cards. The reason why I am strongly against this is due to how I expect the meta to unfold. I expect no [card name=”Cinccino” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card] Mill decks and little to no [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] due to the 25 minute time limit. Those slower decks won’t be able to finish games in time consistently, so you should be in the clear if you win the first couple rounds. Additionally, you already have a decent shot at beating both of them.

Against Mill, if they are unable to repeatedly clear your energy at the beginning of the game, you are in decent shape to pick up a win. A majority of the deck’s losses to the Mill matchup occur because you can’t keep Energy in play and none of the considered techs are guaranteed to bail you out. In this matchup, the Oranguru just makes sure you don’t lose to a wall of [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card] preventing you from taking your last Prizes, as without being able to recycle [card name=”Custom Catcher” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] there is little you can do if the game gets to that point. The Cryogonal would be good for limiting Lillie’s Poke Doll from coming into play, and would stop the opponent from removing your Energy cards and thinning out their deck with search cards. The additional Energy cards, Water Energy most likely, would make a turn 2 Altered Creation GX attack more likely and help to deal with incoming [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] plays. As for Galarian Obstagoon, you can win this matchup with no techs as well. None of the above techs are a perfect answer to Galarian Obstagoon, but the Oranguru or Cryogonal would help your chances. Oranguru would let you reuse Custom Catcher to target Pokemon on the Bench and take enough Prize cards to win the game. Cryogonal can be used after Altered Creation GX with [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] to cripple the opponent and slow them down to take six Prize cards before they fully set up. This strategy also saves you Custom Catchers for later use. One small note is that the inclusion of Cryogonal should mean the inclusion of a third Water Energy to ensure the Crygonal can actually be used consistently.

More Consistency / Different Consistency

I stress consistency to other players and try to optimize it in my own decks. This has become more important for the upcoming qualifiers because there are 20 rounds! Setting up every game vs setting up in most games is going to have a large impact on your record. This will be evident for a lot of players who don’t take consistency as seriously as they should. In my list, I have decided to keep [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] around, which some players might disagree. I consider Acro Bike to be extra reach whenever you draw them and improve your overall early game. The thing I don’t like in my list is that I had to go down to three [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card], something I try to avoid in all decks that I include Jirachi. I found other consistency slots to be more valuable overall. The point of this section is to ensure you take consistency seriously, and I encourage you to toy around with it yourself. If you feel you could fit more consistency and improve the deck, go for it. If you feel that a different consistency package could improve the deck, go for it too.

The Current Standard Metagame and How it Changes for the PTCGO Qualifier

[cardimg name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

While I don’t think the Standard metagame has changed much since my last article, I do think that things are going to be different in these online tournaments for a variety of reasons.

• The time limit plays a huge factor, as 25 minutes is very little time allotted for a Pokemon TCG game compared to a sanctioned tournament. Due to the time limit, I believe slower decks are essentially obsolete because no player wants their game to end in a double game loss. To me, this means that Mill decks such as [card name=”Cinccino” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card] and defensive decks such as [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] will not see much play. Decks that end games quickly such as [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] will be very popular. Plus, they happen to be two of the best decks in the format.
• The tournament format is something we have never seen before, 20 best of one rounds in one day. This means that inconsistent decks will really struggle as they will have to setup 20 times in order to win all of their games. Even the most consistent decks can brick, but decks that would normally be a reasonable pick in a best of three might not be as good here. This hurts [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] a bit in my mind, and is another ding for Galarian Obstagoon. I am sure there are other decks that this applies to, but my main point has been made. 20 rounds means you are more likely to run into a few different decks, which makes teching harder. You can improve your overall win percentage by focusing on consistency, but hurt yourself if one tech would have helped vs a large enough number of your rounds.
• Another aspect of this tournament that is different is the open decklist feature. Unlike every sanctioned tournament in the history of the game, decklists in this tournament are not private. Deck building is still important of course, but this puts tech cards in an interesting position. Stuff that requires a surprise factor in order to provide value is no longer a smart consideration, such as [card name=”Bellelba and Brycen-Man” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”186″ c=”name”][/card] some players were using as a Mill counter. In my opinion this tech was never great, but it is now obsolete considering the opponent will be aware of its presence. There aren’t a ton of techs that function like this, but it puts pretty much every tech in an interesting spot. Cards like [card name=”Tapu Fini” set=”Unified Minds” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Girafarig” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] and similar techs will be exposed before they come out. For the most part, I think this is just something players will have to accept and move forward without letting this change their deck building process.
• I think that the meta itself has not changed much outside of Mill and defensive decks. This will mean little to no Mill techs if players choose to make the same read as I am, which means more room for other techs or increased consistency. Outside of those slight changes, decks will look similar to the best performing decks at recent major events.

Tips and Tricks for Online Tournaments

There was a brief period where I took a break from the Pokemon TCG to play other competitive collectable games, to which I played a few online tournaments. Here are some tips and tricks on how to handle something like this a bit better!

• Make sure you take advantage of knowing your opponent’s decklist, as all decklists are public. This ensures you won’t be preparing for cards that don’t exist, this is especially true when you can keep track of the cards your opponent has already used.
• Try to remain focused on the tournament and the games you will have to play. Multitasking is not something you would do in a real tournament and it can take a toll on you over the course of 20 rounds.
• Treat the tournament like you would a live one. Just because you are at home doesn’t mean you don’t need to sleep as much or you can play when you’re not well-rested. You only play your best when you feel your best!

Conclusion

That wraps up today’s article! Honestly it felt a little different to write this article because everyone’s main focus seems to be the online tournaments, which is something I would not have expected to happen. I am excited and I hope this article will assist all of you in becoming more prepared and enjoying the tournament a little more. I am excited to see how things turn out, and I am confident that the next PTCGO qualifier attempt will turn out better than the first one. I should be able to play now that it has been rescheduled, which is great because of the limited Pokemon action currently available. If you did not know about these qualifiers or are currently undecided, I recommend giving it a try! There is no risk in competing and it could be a fun or rewarding Pokemon experience.

I hope everyone enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it. I will be back again next month and until then, I will be trying to enjoy the game and perform well in the qualifiers I am able to play in. I wish all of you good luck in doing the same. Peace.

–Jimmy

[/premium]