The Goon Squad is Here — Obstagoon for Standard

[cardimg name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Hello everyone! This is Grant Manley with another article for you. The title says it all. This article is going to be all about [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card].

Galarian Obstagoon is incredibly strong in Standard right now. Obstruct invalidates many meta decks, leading to a slew of auto-wins amongst the most popular decks. Being a Darkness-type, Galarian Obstagoon can easily team up with other Darkness-type attackers to take advantage of [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card]’s Weakness. I recently played Galarian Obstagoon in a large online tournament. While I did alright on Day 2 I definitely think I could have gone further with a few adjustments. My friend, Chip Richey, suggested Galarian Obstagoon for the tournament, and we tested and worked on a list beforehand. He also made it to Day 2. Today, I’m going to discuss our list, potential optimizations, and a detailed look at Galarian Obstagoon’s matchups. While some matchups are auto-wins, others are interesting and nuanced. Here’s the list we played in the tournament.

[decklist name=”goons” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″][pokemon amt=”16″]4x [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Galarian Linoone” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Yveltal-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”79″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”36″]4x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Rosa” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”204″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”180″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Counter Gain” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Evolution Incense” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]8x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Diamond and Pearl” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

List Breakdown

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This deck is based around [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card]’s Obstruct, which makes it invincible against all Basic Pokemon. Since most decks only have Basic Pokemon as attackers, Galarian Obstagoon is a hard counter to all of these decks. Supporting Evolution Pokemon, such as [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Ninetales” set=”Team Up” no=”16″ c=”name”][/card] do not pose much of a threat either. All that’s left is to deal with decks that use Evolution Pokemon to attack, namely Pokemon VMAX. Galarian Obstagoon and [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]’s Abilities, while not of much use against auto-win matchups, open up options to deal with other threats. With these damage-placing Abilities, along with [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] to reuse them, it’s easy to manipulate the damage on our opponent’s side.

Supporting Attackers

[cardimg name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

[card name=”Yveltal-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card] and Sableye V are our aces against Pokemon VMAX, which would otherwise steamroll Galarian Obstagoon. Yveltal-GX and [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] are two powerful Pokemon that take advantage of this damage counter manipulation. They both happen to be Darkness-types, so they easily fit into this deck. Yveltal-GX’s Doom Count GX instantly KO’s any Pokemon with four damage counters on it. These four counters are easy to set up, so Yveltal-GX can take a free KO against anything, and it only takes one Energy to do so. Sableye V is more versatile as a card than Yveltal-GX, but it serves a similar role. Sableye V’s Crazy Claws deals more damage for each damage counter already on the opponent’s Active. Again, this deck can easily set up the necessary damage to allow Sableye V to KO any threat.

The Importance of Rosa

Another major part of why this deck works is because of its reliance on [card name=”Rosa” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”204″ c=”name”][/card]. After using Rosa a lot all weekend, it got me thinking that it might be an underutilized card, and I’m starting to think of other uses for it. Rosa enables the combos that this deck needs. It can get you to a Galarian Obstagoon with ease. Even after [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] disruption, which normally cripples combo and Evolution decks, it’s easy to find a Rosa (or at least a [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card]) after a use of Stellar Wish or two. This allows the deck to continue functioning even against hand disruption.

What Makes Up the Deck

Let’s look at some of the specific card choices.

Four Jirachi

[card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] is a staple for consistency in many decks now, and Galarian Obstagoon is no exception as it helps with the early-game. Stellar Wish also increases the odds of drawing into Rosa and other combo pieces that we need to evolve into Galarian Obstagoon. Using multiple Stellar Wish while setting up is how the deck is able to function. Jirachi is also crucial for helping the deck recover off an opposing Marnie. Finally, Jirachi works well with [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card], which this deck would already play four of anyway.

One Mew

[card name=”Cramorant V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card] is now played in most Fire-type decks, and it would be more annoying to deal with if it wasn’t for [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card]. Galarian Obstagoon’s invincibility goes away if it is forced to the Bench, so an opponent could send your Active to the Bench with something like [card name=”Phione” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Ninetales” set=”Team Up” no=”16″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] and then finish it off with Cramorant V’s Spit Shot. Even if they didn’t do that, they could still pick off any stragglers that were on our Bench. Mew is also useful against [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card] so they cannot use Boss’s Orders and snipe off the fully-powered [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] with Tag Bolt GX. They would have to use Boss’s Orders to first take out the Mew, and then potentially do it again if Mew came back via [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card]. They would then be forced to use Boss’s Orders a third time in order to make the Tag Bolt GX play happen. Mew is also great against some other random decks such as [card name=”Inteleon VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card]. Also, don’t forget about Psypower! This is a great option for setting up math, especially for our two-prize attackers.

One Boss’s Orders

[card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] is useful for a couple of reasons. It can be used to get a preemptive hit against a threat such as [card name=”Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Ninetales” set=”Team Up” no=”16″ c=”name”][/card]. If you’re able to take out the Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX with Doom Count GX or Crazy Claws before it gets to do much, that can make a game against Pikachu and Zekrom-GX much easier. Boss’s Orders can also be used to close out a game. Once this deck takes three or four Prizes, Boss’s Orders with Doom Count GX can swiftly take a few more Prizes. Boss’s Orders can also be reused with [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card]’s Lode Search, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Two Professor’s Research and Four Cynthia

This deck does need some good, old-fashioned draw power from time to time. [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] was a consideration, but I like [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] a bit more. Cynthia is used when we have part of a combo in-hand. Putting cards like that on the bottom of the deck can be annoying. Although we also put useless cards on the bottom, Cynthia also draws one more card than Marnie. The hand-disruption effect of Marnie provides little value to this deck. In most matchups, all we are concerned about is setting up and executing our game plan. If the deck is able to do that, it can stand up to anything. [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] is a bit more situational than Cynthia, as this deck doesn’t always want to throw away its entire hand, but it’s still too powerful of a card to ignore. There are definitely enough times where Professor’s Research is the perfect Supporter for the situation.

Four Scoop Up Net

[cardimg name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

[card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] is the perfect card for this deck. It allows us to reuse Stellar Wish. It stacks damage with [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] to set up for a Crazy Claws or Doom Count GX. It can even scoop up a Galarian Obstagoon for an extra use of its Ability. Finally, Scoop Up Net easily enables the lone Galarian Obstagoon board, which beats decks such as [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] variants. It replaces the [card name=”Virizion-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card] that some Obstagoon decks used to play.

Four Switch

[card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card] is important for a few reasons. It acts as an escape option whenever one of our two-Prize attackers finds themselves Active. It also enables multiple Stellar Wishes per turn, which is even stronger combined with Scoop Up Net, especially when you’re looking for a particular card. Switch is also an important counter to the Paralysis inflicted by Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX or even [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], as well as [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card]’s Bursting Burn.

Two Pokemon Communication, One Evolution Incense

While this split doesn’t have particular reasoning behind it, it ended up being the perfect balance. [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] can grab Basic Pokemon which helps with the early-game. Later, [card name=”Evolution Incense” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] doesn’t require a trade-in of a Pokemon, which this deck doesn’t have an abundance of to begin with.

Two Lillie’s Poke Doll

[card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card] is a card that this deck would like more of. It acts as fodder to set up behind. If the opponent KO’s it, they activate [card name=”Rosa” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”204″ c=”name”][/card]. If they don’t, they’re giving us more time to set up. Lillie’s Poke Doll is also an easy pivot when switching out of Special Conditions, and it can remove itself from play to create a lone [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card]. Lillie’s Poke Doll is never bad to have, but it’s not always the most useful thing in the world either, hence the count of two.

Two Counter Gain

[card name=”Counter Gain” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] is usually only a one-of in Galarian Obstagoon, but I found it to be so important in testing that I added a second one. The second one is insurance against prizing one, but it can also be useful if the first one is removed by [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card]. Counter Gain allows us to start using Obstruct out of nowhere, and with only one Energy card. The second copy increases the odds of drawing it or finding it with Stellar Wish, but if that doesn’t happen, Rosa can grab it as well.

One Ordinary Rod

[card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card]’s only specific use is recovering [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] from time to time. Aside from that, it’s here because it is versatile and can be used to match the situation. You’ll end up using Ordinary Rod in at least 50% of games.

Tournament Results

In the tournament, Chip and I both went 9-4 in Day One. I went 5-2 in Day Two, and he went 4-3, ending up at 14-6 and 13-7. These results are not terrible, but I feel I could have done better. I think the deck is a bit more skilful than it looks, as I played slightly suboptimally in some matches and was punished for it. The list felt great overall. One thing that I found myself wanting was a Stadium counter. I think [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card] would be the most convenient option for this, but [card name=”Training Court” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] might be more powerful.

Against smart [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] opponents, they were able to leverage [card name=”Thunder Mountain Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”191″ c=”name”][/card] for the entire game. While the matchup is favorable, it’s still losable. I ended up playing against seven Pikachu and Zekrom-GX decks and ended 5-2. With a way to bump Thunder Mountain Prism Star, that record would undoubtedly be 7-0. Perhaps this addition would be unnecessary if I played perfectly though, it’s hard to tell. Without access to Thunder Mountain Prism Star, Pikachu and Zekrom-GX has a harder time leveraging a variety of attackers. Pikachu and Zekrom-GX would now require six Energy in order to use Tag Bolt GX, [card name=”Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card] takes three, and a two-Prize Pokemon such as [card name=”Boltund V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”67″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] (which they use for early pressure and to force a [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] to one) takes two more Energy. Finally, [card name=”Eldegoss V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”19″ c=”name”][/card], a crucial piece in the matchup, takes two more Energy, though Eldegoss V itself is unaffected by Thunder Mountain Prism Star.

In short, without Thunder Mountain Prism Star, Pikachu and Zekrom-GX players cannot play the game as efficiently as they would like, and it makes the matchup easier.

Matchups

Pikachu and Zekrom-GX – Favorable

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

A smart opponent makes this matchup interesting. Their optimal GX attack is Tag Bolt GX, and they should be using [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] aggressively. Eldegoss V can use Float Up for theoretically infinite uses of Boss’s Orders, and it can even OHKO a [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]. Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX’s Tandem Shock is their only way to deal with a lone [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card]–they can punish a lone Galarian Obstagoon strategy with [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] and use Tandem Shock, stopping your from getting an Obstruct in. The best course of action is to try and take out the Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX as fast as possible, even if it means sacrificing a few Prize cards. Once that happens, a lone Galarian Obstagoon wins the game if their GX attack is already used up. If they haven’t yet used their GX attack, they will be forced to use Tingly Return GX in one last-ditch effort.

You also want to limit your Bench, but don’t avoid playing down Pokemon all the time. We don’t want them to get the maximum value out of Boss’s Orders, but we also don’t want to get punished too hard by Reset Stamp and Tandem Shock. It’s a delicate balance, and it can come down to luck in the end. [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] on Galarian Obstagoon is a strong option to deal with Tandem Shock, but it can easily be negated if the opponent happens to have access to [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card].

Sometimes, an opening for [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Yveltal-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card] to swoop in will present itself. Don’t count on that to happen, as Galarian Obstagoon is the primary strategy, but keep an eye out for it at all times.

Blacephalon – Auto Win

[card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] decks don’t run any way to remove our [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] from the board, so we want to get that in play as soon as possible to negate [card name=”Cramorant V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card]. Aside from that, their only out to winning is via [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card]’s Bursting Burn, which is easy to deal with, especially because they don’t run hand disruption. Build your hand full of switching options while setting up in order to deal with Bursting Burn. Don’t forget about their [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] or Burst GX, and enjoy your easy win.

All Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX – Auto Wins

The [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] version has only one out to a lone Galarian Obstagoon, and that’s [card name=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card]’s Perish Dream. Switch out of that, KO the Jirachi Prism Star, set up a lone Galarian Obstagoon, and the game is over. Similarly, [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] only has [card name=”Jynx” set=”Unified Minds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card]’s Attract Smack and [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]’s Tingly Return GX as outs. All three of these matchups are as much of an auto-win as you can ask for.

Dragapult VMAX – Slightly Favorable

The disruption version of [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] with [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] is more difficult, but it’s still manageable. The normal version of Dragapult VMAX is favorable for Galarian Obstagoon. It’s ideal to grab Sableye V and attach an Energy to it as soon as possible. Crazy Claws easily takes out the first [card name=”Dragapult V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] or Dragapult VMAX, and Yveltal-GX’s Doom Count GX can take out another one even if they’re able to immediately respond to the Sableye V. You can do this in reverse order, but it’s better to go for Sableye V first. After Yveltal-GX attacks once, it becomes useless and is now stuck in the Active. Additionally, since Sableye V requires two Energy and Yveltal-GX only takes one, it’s harder to make Sableye V later in the game amidst hand disruption and [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card]. Yveltal-GX can easily come out of nowhere and attack from only a [card name=”Rosa” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”204″ c=”name”][/card] play.

Keep in mind that if the opponent attacks with [card name=”Dragapult V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card], Obstruct will OHKO it after the three damage counters from Untamed Shout, so you can preserve the heavy hitters for later. This isn’t always an available option, but it’s something to be aware of.

Welder Toolbox – Favorable

This matchup is favorable, but it still can be lost. The opponent will rely on early aggression, [card name=”Ninetales” set=”Team Up” no=”16″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Cramorant V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card]. [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] is our primary strategy, but I have won games by going in with Sableye V. If the opponent aggressively uses Energy for Ninetales and Cramorant V, Sableye V has an opening to come in and take multiple Prize cards. If the opponent has no Energy on board, they won’t be able to deal with Sableye V immediately, barring a potential Double Blaze GX. Most versions of this deck no longer play [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”194″ c=”name”][/card], but even if they do, they will be forced to take out the Sableye V and will be unable to use Double Blaze GX’s shred effect to deal with Obstruct.

Place at least one damage counter on [card name=”Vulpix” set=”Team Up” no=”15″ c=”name”][/card] or Ninetales when you’re able to, because it’s crucial that Obstruct OHKO’s Ninetales. Once the Ninetales are down, Obstruct wins the game. [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] is important in this matchup as well. The opponent cannot target down the Mew and the Galarian Obstagoon pieces at once. At best, Mew is protection from Cramorant V. At the least, it’s a distraction from the real threat: Galarian Obstagoon. Boss’s Orders isn’t exactly reliable, but if there’s ever an opening to pick off a Ninetales with Boss’s Orders, go for it, as Ninetales is the biggest obstacle in this matchup.

Other VMAXs Decks – Slightly Unfavorable

[cardimg name=”Toxtricity VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”71″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

I played against [card name=”Inteleon VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Toxtricity VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”71″ c=”name”][/card] in the tournament, and I narrowly lost to both of them. A smart opponent won’t evolve to Pokemon VMAX right away, in order to force us to sink resources into building a Galarian Obstagoon that will be immediately wiped out by a Pokemon VMAX. They want to attack with their two-prizers so that our two-prizers will only take two Prizes instead of three. The way to go about the matchup is to go in with Obstruct as soon as possible, which immediately forces them to evolve to Pokemon VMAX. We can then take out the Pokemon VMAX with one of our two Prize Pokemon (probably [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card]). Doom Count GX easily takes two or three Prizes. If there’s another Prize to be taken, we’ve got to find it somewhere with the damaging Abilities or Boss’s Orders. Since this matchup requires both of our two-Prize Pokemon, the opponent will be able to take Prizes at an alarming rate. On non-attacking turns, try to push [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card], and be mindful of the opponent’s remaining Prize count.

Control and Mill – Unfavorable

I was accepting this as a bad matchup going into the tournament, so I didn’t bother testing against it. The strategy that I’ve come up with is to rely on Sableye V’s Lode Search to access infinite [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card], and Supporters. Galarian Obstagoon and [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] can spread damage without activating an opponent’s [card name=”Lt. Surge’s Strategy” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card]. After many uses of Lode Search, we can take multiple Prizes at once against their lower-HP Pokemon such as [card name=”Cinccino” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card]. In the same turn, we can use [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] and Crazy Claws to take out [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] for two Prizes. I could see this strategy potentially working against Mill, but I imagine it would be more difficult against Control decks that can disrupt our hand.

Conclusion

[card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] is an incredibly powerful deck going forward. In the recent online tournament, I feel that the conditions were favorable for Galarian Obstagoon to succeed, and I feel that I fell a bit short of doing as well as I could have. Galarian Obstagoon has amazing matchups and the deck is reasonably consistent. The weak Control matchup is unfortunate, but having such strong matchups across the board more than makes up for it. Give it a try! It’s something different and interesting, and it’s got what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Thanks for reading!

–Grant

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