Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX Updated — Still the Best Deck?

By: Caleb Gedemer · Posted Posted onMay 29, 2020 at 9:12 AM · 0 Comments

After experiencing most, if not all, of the decks in this Rebel Clash format, [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] has had a funny way of standing out even with all the new cards. I’ve logged plenty of the games with it, using it almost exclusively to finish games “quickly” on the ladder to get more tournament tickets for the Player’s Cup. First and foremost, how does this deck stack up to [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] — or other Pokemon VMAX for that matter — can it beat them?

Short answer: Yes

Why the Deck Still Stands Up

[cardimg name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

This deck is the most consistent in the format, it has a full playset of [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card], Zacian V to use Intrepid Sword, [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card], and enough draw Supporters to get you through a game. [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] complement that lineup further, as do your deck-thinning cards in [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Cherish Ball” set=”Unified Minds” no=”191″ c=”name”][/card], and even [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card]. This deck operates at its full capacity easily and rarely misses a beat.

Up until now, many lists included a Stadium, usually [card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card] to score Knock Outs on bigger Pokemon-GX in Standard. Now, you don’t have that big of a problem since you can use [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] to get the Prizes you want, when you want them. Furthermore, with larger HP Pokemon running around you have even less opportunity to get fancy with this deck—keep it simple—you want a consistent list that attacks as soon as possible with few hiccups.

Boss’s Orders is the biggest advantage this deck has had in some time. Now you have a perfectly laid out plan to map your Prizes, even more so than you did with turbo lists featuring both [card name=”Custom Catcher” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Pokémon Catcher” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card]. These lists could falter if you lost a Custom Catcher, didn’t draw a pair at the same time, or flipped tails on Pokemon Catcher. Boss’s Orders is a clear avenue to get the Knock Outs you need to win. The list I’ve been grinding with has simplified considerably, removing all techs and maximizing the counts of cards you need to win as much as possible.

The List

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[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″][pokemon amt=”13″]4x [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”37″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ 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=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ 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″ amt=”1″][/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]

Explanations

Four Zacian V

Three is fine, but I want to increase my chances of having it while playing first as much as possible. There’s already four [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card] and then four [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] to get those Quick Bal —naturally drawing a [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] also means you can use Quick Ball for something else, like [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] to sink an Energy into while playing first. This deck wants to play first in almost every matchup—[card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card] is in the deck to give yourself a shot at getting a turn one Altered Creation GX when you do go second, but going first is still more powerful; more “consistent”.

One Oranguru

Some lists have gone ahead and taken [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] out, but it’s still a great consistency card. It’s not some big-time draw power card, it’s there so you can stack a Metal Energy on the top of your deck with Primate Wisdom then use Intrepid Sword it onto a Zacian V. Not only that, but it saves you when you’re forced into an ugly discard and can put a card you want to save on the top of your deck beforehand. I’ve got insane value out of it, and playing without it was not fun.

Four Boss’s Orders and One Great Catcher

[cardimg name=”Eldegoss V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”19″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

I started with an [card name=”Eldegoss V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”19″ c=”name”][/card] and a lower count, two, but have moved away from the Grass-type Pokemon V and up to the max [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] you can play. This means some games you might discard a few Boss’s Orders since there’s so many, but there’s nothing to be afraid of—dump some if you have to—you’ll still have plenty for later. The counterargument to Eldegoss V is that it takes up a Bench space, awards two Prizes, and you might not draw it at the right time. While you may not draw Boss’s Orders at the right time, it doesn’t take up a Bench space.

I’ve liked the four-count; it’s been one of the best additions I’ve made. You have some for early, some for late, and you’re a whole lot more consistent because of it. This deck can’t one-shot everything anymore, so missing Knock Outs like you might have used to is no longer acceptable. [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”name”][/card] is still the best tech card this deck can play, it can seal a game where you must dig for it with a [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] first and don’t have the luxury of using Boss’s Orders for the turn. It’s an instant Knock Out on a [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], pretty sick.

Three Energy Switch and Three Energy Spinner

Energy Switch in any Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX deck might lead you to believe the list is turbo or something, but it’s more of a utility card than anything. Having the option to use your GX attack on your first turn while playing second is strong, even though the odds of hitting it aren’t amazing. It’s also a pseudo Energy acceleration card for once you have used Altered Creation GX, you can send your Metal Energy over to a Zacian V to attack with Brave Blade. Whichever way you look at it, the card needs to be in the deck for more than this: Energy denial is on the rise. No longer is a first turn attachment to Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX safe anymore, you might need to “combo out” a [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] to Zacian V, then Energy Switch that Metal Energy to your guy.

[card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] for one has been playing [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] in some lists and there are [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card] builds even playing [card name=”Wait and See Hammer” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”192″ c=”name”][/card]. [card name=”Team Yell Grunt” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”184″ c=”name”][/card] is in other lists, the problem is offset with the option to [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card] and GX attack all in one turn from scratch. The more [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] you play, the more consistent you’ll be and I’ve fallen hard for three. Stellar Wish is a big part of your early consistency, grabbing Energy Spinner is never bad; even in the late game, it thins your deck. Finding your Water Energy early is super important! Speaking of these “combo” turns where you use Metal Saucer, Energy Switch, attach Water Energy, and then use the GX attack—as a general rule of thumb in this format against anything that could be playing Energy denial: Attach your Metal Energy first! You will be punished hard for playing Water Energy then having it be stripped off with a Crushing Hammer, it bites and sometimes you might not even be able to GX attack at all—you don’t want that. Playing more Energy Spinner allows you to keep your Water Energy count lower, while still being consistent in finding the two that you do play. Since your first Energy Spinner (while going first) won’t be finding Water Energy as often with the new workaround to denial, you will need more Energy Spinner for later so the greater count is a lovely addition.

Two Cherish Ball

Some lists haven’t played these, but I’ve found them to work wonders for your consistency. Dedenne-GX is all the better with [card name=”Cherish Ball” set=”Unified Minds” no=”191″ c=”name”][/card] to find it, and extra ways to grab [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] early is never bad. Again, the less you have to use  [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card] for one thing, the more luxurious you’ll find your options to be! The ultimate first turn is getting an Energy on Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX while also using Intrepid Sword. Without a variety of different ways to find these important Pokemon, you won’t get this series of plays off as much; Cherish Ball is an excellent card in this deck and far better than [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] because it also gets Dedenne-GX.

Options

I don’t want to talk about much else because this is the best way to play this deck right now. The one thing worth mentioning is damage manipulation, there are a few ways to do that so let’s discuss them!

  • [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] with/without [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card]
  • [card name=”Lysandre Labs” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”111″ c=”name”][/card]/[card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card]
  • [card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card]
  • [card name=”Vitality Band” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”185″ c=”name”][/card]

None of these are bad, but I don’t think they have a place in lists right now. They are far too dependent on what matchups you hit such that they won’t make enough of a contribution to wins to warrant their inclusion. Formerly, the format included a lot more Pokemon-GX decks, so Shrine of Punishment was better. Pokemon had less HP, so Galarian Zigzagoon could be cute; same goes for Vitality Band. Lysandre Labs and Tool Scrapper aren’t outright damage modifiers, but they can get rid of [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] which can stave off Knock Outs. The big idea here is that [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] can get around any of these things! The more you use Boss’s Orders (this list has four so you can, often), the less you will want these damage modifiers for those fringe situations.

[card name=”Phione” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] is a completely different option that has some of the same merit in mind. Moving around something that’s too big to Knock Out when there are other Pokemon to finish on your opponent’s Bench plays into the “do as little as possible” strategy. This list is meant to be straightforward and to the point, attack as few times as possible and win as quickly as possible—that is the most effective way to play this deck right now. Furthermore, Phione and Tool Scrapper are the only cards I’m considering adding to this list. They both have fringe uses, but they will be better than the rest of the damage modification options more often. If you see baby [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] as a problem I would consider [card name=”Tapu Fini” set=”Unified Minds” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] in addition.

Matchups

Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX Mirror Match: Even

[cardimg name=”Energy Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”162″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

The mirror is influenced quite a bit on who goes first, but there is upside to going second and getting lucky. By lucky, I mean getting the [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card] plus [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] combo off and getting the first GX attack—it’s quite the ask, but if you get it—you get it. Going first, your goal is always the same: get an Energy on your [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] and try to put a [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] in the Active spot. Getting a Jirachi there sets you up for Stellar Wish plays on your second turn, as does it get you an extra card on your first turn. If you have the choice between a Jirachi and using Intrepid Sword while leaving an Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX Active, I would go for the [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] instead, but only in that instance. The number one priority is getting the Energy drop, though. If nothing else, an Energy anywhere is “fine” as you can use Energy Switch and place it onto your GX-attacker the next turn.

Now the matchup goes two ways, if you see multiple two-Prize Pokemon in play (three after Altered Creation GX), take your pick of two and chase those for the win. If only one comes down, you’re going to want to finish the Tag Team Pokemon-GX for four, then a single Prize Pokemon for two. Again, keep it simple: try to attack as few times as possible to win the game. Attacking as few times as possible will keep you on the most optimal line to win with this deck almost always, it’s going to be the most efficient and will make you less weak to [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card]. The longer the game goes, the worse your deck becomes. I wouldn’t call this an aggro deck, but it’s meant to win as early as the fourth turn, sometimes the third if you get the first turn GX attack off.

Baby Blacephalon: Slightly Unfavorable

This matchup is unfavorable because of the inevitable Prize trade, not your Zacian V and its Weakness to Fire; don’t get these things confused! Tapu Fini makes the matchup a little better, it works like a comeback card, but it doesn’t make it fully favorable in my testing. The plan here is much of the same as in the mirror: get an attachment on your Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX and this time putting a single prizer in the Active, so a Jirachi, is important. You don’t want them to get a “free” Knock Out for multiple Prizes. Use [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] as early as you can to try to steal their tempo, if you can get them to miss a Knock Out on your Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX after you use the GX attack, you will be favored to win. An alternate win condition exists if your opponent plays two two-Prize Pokemon down. This is the main thing they want to avoid and if they do it, then you’re going to go after those two and win the game. Do not be tempted into taking one out if there’s only one in play, at that point, it’s usually going to be best to eliminate what they have the most Energy on. Playing Reset Stamp could improve this matchup a little as well, but I think it’s best to be consistent and hope they sputter out; Reset Stamp doesn’t improve it to the point where it warrants inclusion. Reset Stamp and Tapu Fini? It’s still going to come down if you have a smooth start and the gas to get through a few turns without being blown out. When [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] runs hot, it’s hard to beat with any deck.

Dragapult VMAX: Even

You have a small window in this matchup, unlike others, to stumble a bit. However, this list is built to avoid doing that at all costs! Same thing as usual, shoot for the second turn GX attack, but first turn if possible when going second. However, you’re going first in any of these discussed matchups! Here, [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card] could spell your doom, but remember it’s a bit slow for an opponent to use consistently. Often they will need to play draw Supporters to even attack; the point remains, Mallow and Lana could put you off of a Knock Out, potentially. Taking down a [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] will award you with four Prizes on Altered Creation GX and then a [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] or some other one Prize Pokemon (turned into two) will win you the game. In this matchup, you want to avoid putting down your own little guys as much as possible. These will put your opponent ahead on Prizes eventually, from their end they will likely go after your Tag Team Pokemon-GX for three, a [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] for two, and then a random single Prize Pokemon.

If you can avoid putting Dedenne-GX down, they’ll be forced to fell a [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card]. It’s 220 HP are hard to reach for Dragapult VMAX and its meager damage output, so retreating to a full HP one and cycling between them is an effective counter-strategy in that instance. This is a matchup with the potential to be playing Energy denial so remember to lead with your Metal Energy on an [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] instead of Water, you don’t want it to get discarded with [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card]. This same sentiment goes for mirror matchups—some are going for denial (or it could even be a [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM192″ c=”name”][/card] build). The times you don’t win this (the other half of the coin) are when they have a rocking awesome start and get ahead, allowing them to either heal or use [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] to manipulate the Prize trade. I feel comfortable in this matchup most times.

Pikachu and Zekrom-GX: Even

[cardimg name=”Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”221″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Another even pairing in my testing. Your game plan depends much on the attackers they choose, the scariest of which is [card name=”Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card]. They will gain tempo if they’re able to score one-hit Knock Outs, otherwise, you should be smooth sailing. Go for the Altered Creation GX and then choose your Prizes, [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] can be one-shot as long as it doesn’t have a [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] on it. If it does, avoid it, go for something else. There should be plenty of targets as your opponent’s entire deck is full of two prizers, [card name=”Boltund V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”67″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Zeraora-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] to name a couple. You can go for two two-turned-three Prize Pokemon or a Pikachu and Zekrom-GX and a single Prize Pokemon. The games you lose are where they get an early advantage with a turn one Full Blitz into a Tag Bolt GX on the second turn and the like. A [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] would lock this matchup up for good, but I have felt comfortable with it in my extensive games. You can lose, but it’s fair enough as-is.

Conclusion

This deck isn’t flashy and come to think it, I don’t know if it ever has been. Is it the best deck anymore? Probably not, but it’s still tier 1! It has even matchups against the best decks, with the exception of [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card], which you can still win. I feel more comfortable with this deck than anything and for upcoming online tournaments, this is what I’m leaning towards. If not, I think I would go with Blacephalon itself. Either way, it’s still a strong deck and it is best to run a streamlined list like this built for consistency. Thanks for reading, take care, keep being safe.

–Caleb

Follow me on Twitter @shredemerptcg.

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