Combo Zacian V — Jirachi Prism Star in Action

By: Caleb Gedemer · Posted Posted onJun 6, 2020 at 10:53 PM · 0 Comments

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

Combo [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] has finally solidified itself as one of the Standard format’s best decks, after a short period of skepticism. [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card], which I wrote about last time, is still a great way to play Zacian V. However, a more streamlined and straightforward way to play Zacian V is with the following combo: [card name=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card], Mr. Mime, and [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card]. These three cards in combination can give you an additional Prize card with minimum effort. From there, you can use [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] to put the Jirachi Prism Star and Mr. Mime back in your hand to do it again! This is effectively two additional Prizes, so much like Altered Creation GX, you can build your gameplan around an estimated two attacks for Knock Outs. This could be two two-Prize Pokemon, or one three-Prize Pokemon and a single Prize Pokemon — whichever route presents itself, this deck is fast, consistent, and packs a punch. A theme emerging in the game, especially in Standard, is the trend of attacking as few times as possible to win. Games are very fast, turn-wise, leaving you little room for error. Intrepid Sword is very good in this metagame because it builds an attacker quickly and draws you additional cards in the process while you’re setting up.

Oranguru and the Primate Wisdom Ability is an amazing consistency crutch for more than saving important cards, it protects you against [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card]. In fact, this deck plays two copies of Oranguru! You can use Primate Wisdom and a draw Supporter or another out to the top of the deck so Marnie doesn’t hurt you as much. This Combo Zacian V deck does this better than any other deck since you will have an Oranguru in play. With the margin for error in the Standard format at an all-time low, it’s good to have built-in protection like this.

You might be asking, do I like this deck more than Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V? I do because it’s straightforward. You have one less hoop to jump through in not needing to use Altered Creation GX and you’re a bit more consistent. Furthermore, your matchup with Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V is slightly favorable, so long as your opponent doesn’t get a first turn GX attack with [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card] shenanigans. Here’s Azul Garcia Griego’s list that I played too in a recent major online event:

Combo Zacian V Deck

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″][pokemon amt=”16″]4x [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x Mr. Mime (DET #11)1x [card name=”Tapu Fini” set=”Unified Minds” no=”53″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mewtwo” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dusk Mane Necrozma” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM124 ” c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ 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=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ 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]3x [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Friend Ball” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”131″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]11x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”11″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Deck Explanations

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Three Jirachi

There aren’t four but it would be nice if there were. Cuts need to be made sometimes and this seemed like a fair choice. With 16 Basic Pokemon in deck and three [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card], you have a 35.02% chance to start with one. This increases to 43.59% if you add another Jirachi without removing a Basic Pokemon, or 44.35-percent if you were to swap one out for a fourth copy. An additional 10% is significant enough to intrigue me, but space is limited. I would never go down further from three but know that this is a card that should be in the deck if possible.

Two Oranguru, Two Mr. Mime, and One Jirachi Prism Star

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

The combo package doesn’t need to be buffed out like this, but it ought to. Prism Star cards are unfortunately limited to a single copy, so [card name=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] is the mandatory exception to this. [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] is important to the deck in so many ways that two copies is great even if you chose not to play two Mr. Mime, which I see as an option. I’ve already talked about Primate Wisdom, but another added benefit is putting a Metal Energy on top of your deck then use Intrepid Sword to attach it to [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card]. This reminds me of a situation that’s worth mentioning:

  • Say it’s your first turn and you have a single Metal Energy in hand and you have exhausted all your remaining plays, but you haven’t used Primate Wisdom or attached an Energy for turn.
  • You have the option to put something else on top of your deck with Primate Wisdom or the Metal Energy itself.
  • If you’re not worried about [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card], I often use this Primate Wisdom to put the Metal Energy on the top to Intrepid Sword it into play.
    • You have a small chance of swapping the Metal Energy into another Metal Energy, in turn accelerating an additional Energy into play guaranteed.
  • By putting a card that you already had in hand you are seeing “one less” fresh card off Intrepid Sword, so this doesn’t decrease your odds of finding additional Metal Energy to attach.

This is a fringe situation that will be important to have in mind when you’re looking to get an attack off as soon as possible. Don’t fall into some logical trap where you convince yourself that you’re increasing your chances of getting other Metal Energy or anything like that; make the safe play and put the Metal Energy you have in hand on top and use Intrepid Sword.

One Mewtwo

This is my least favorite card in the deck, one that I’m not sure needs to be in at all. Mind Report [card name=”Mewtwo” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] acts like a reusable Supporter recovery with [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card], but when you’re playing this combo-oriented deck you’ll be looking to reserve those Items for your combo pieces most of the time. It can be clutch against control/mill matchups, but is often a dead weight in other matches. It’s the card I’m considering taking out the most. You can include a third [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] instead, but with two [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”name”][/card] already in the deck I think you can make this into a free space.

One Dusk Mane Necrozma

This is an absolutely amazing card for this deck to set up Knock Outs on bigger Pokemon like [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]. [card name=”Dusk Mane Necrozma” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM107″ c=”name”][/card]’s Dusk Shot brings a Pikachu and Zekrom-GX from 240 HP to 180 HP remaining if you snipe it on the Bench, or 200 HP remaining if it’s the Active Pokemon. You’ll then be able to one-shot it with Zacian V’s Brave Blade! Rusty Claws is situationally useful against the up-and-coming [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] / Ultra Beast deck, serving as a one-Prize Pokemon attacker for you. Dusk Shot is your “Altered Creation GX” of sorts, giving you a way to deal with larger HP Pokemon without having to use a GX attack first.

Three Acro Bike and One Friend Ball

This might seem wonky, why not four [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card]? Azul and I aren’t sure what’s better! [card name=”Friend Ball” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card] should stay in the deck, it’s that good. However, should one copy of Acro Bike become something else? This has been the split I’ve been running as they both have their purposes. One of the most interesting choices of the past weekend is the Japanese player that won the event opted not to play Acro Bike at all. Their list included [card name=”Sonia” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”167″ c=”name”][/card] as a different approach to getting the combo off, while playing Friend Ball. Perhaps Acro Bike itself should be removed in favor of different options!

One Tool Scrapper

This is a must for dealing with [card name=”Giant Bomb” set=”Unified Minds” no=”196″ c=”name”][/card] in the [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] matchup as well as [card name=”Metal Frying Pan” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] and/or [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] in matchups against Zacian V decks. If you don’t play at least one [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card] you will get rocked when you can’t put out return Knock Outs on opposing Zacian V. Playing two is a consideration, but I would only go that far if you were expecting to face Zacian V in the vast majority of your matches at a tournament.

Eleven Metal Energy

I had a game recently where I had four Metal Energy in the Prize — it didn’t end well! The theory here is the greater the number the better. 11 Metal Energy has been a good resting ground after starting with 12. You want extra copies to increase your odds of drawing them with Intrepid Sword to power up a maximum of three Zacian V (nine Metal Energy). That’s not to mention the potential Dusk Mane Necrozma, or retreating purposes (a go-to in many situations with this deck). Don’t be afraid to retreat, sometimes with [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] attached so that you can use Scoop Up Net whatever you retreat into and reset Zacian V’s Brave Blade for the turn for another attack. [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] complements this Energy count and while you might have a few in reserve at the conclusion of some games, you’ll be happy to have a higher count than not — consistency is king.

Other Deck Options

Mawile-GX

Captivating Wink could be your out to [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card]. [card name=”Mawile-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card]’s Wily Bite is a neat two Energy attack, but the problem with this card for me is the sunk Bench space. With the combo requiring a maximum of three empty Bench spaces from the beginning (Jirachi Prism Star, Mr. Mime, and Oranguru), you might be hard-pressed to make this work. There’s only one [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] in this deck for the same reason. I think I would pass here.

Mew

Bench Barrier [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] improves the Pikachu and Zekrom-GX matchup but I’ve found it to be unnecessary. Plus it’s useless in every other matchup.

Phione

This would be a very nice card for this deck, especially when faced with Dragapult VMAX. That deck doesn’t play many Pokemon-GX (Dedenne-GX is the most common exception) so Great Catcher isn’t good there. Boss’s Orders is usually unrealistic since Dragapult VMAX’s massive 320 HP requires you to keep drawing cards to pump out multiple attackers in a game. [card name=”Phione” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] would be a bit of a compromise, moving a Dragapult VMAX back to the Bench and potentially hooking you up with an easy Knock Out. It also gets around Giant Bomb and [card name=”Horror P Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card]. This is one of the cards I’m eying up most.

Sonia

If you’re looking to use your Supporter on a ready-made combo, Sonia could be for you. Sometimes Energy cards are nice, but that’s been a trap for me in the games where I played Sonia; I’d rather draw more cards (likely getting an Energy card anyway) with a draw Supporter. This should only be played with the ready-made combo in mind, however I am fairly sure it’s better to play more Item draw or Pokemon search like Acro Bike or Friend Ball.

Metal Goggles

This is the card I want most in this deck, as Dragapult VMAX can be very difficult to beat without it. It’s very good in mirror matches, making Tool Scrapper extremely important and changing the dynamic of the matchup in many ways. I want one at least, but two if it can be fit. I’m leaning towards dropping Acro Bike in favor of these and something else, stay tuned.

Shrine of Punishment

The winning list ran a single [card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card] instead of Dusk Mane Necrozma. This is worse, as Dusk Mane Necrozma is dual-purposed as a single Prize Pokemon and a way to set up Knock Outs. On top of all this, it’s “guaranteed” to set up the math you want, whereas Shrine of Punishment needs to stay in play for multiple ticks in most calculations.

Combo Zacian V Matchups

Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V: Slightly Favorable

[cardimg name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Choose to go first in any matchup. This deck, having the potential of getting the turn one Intrepid Sword is too much to pass up on. Here, if your opponent goes second and hits Altered Creation GX (it will take a stroke of luck) then the matchup shifts to their favor. While that is unlikely, you can win if you’re able to attack on your second turn. The game plan is simple: find a way to attack as few times as possible to win the game. I keep saying this in a lot of my articles because it’s important, it’s one of the easiest shortcuts to getting better and taking the proper line of play with a deck like this or with [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card]. The sooner you win, the better. That’s the advantage these multiple Prize-taking decks have in any matchup, that’s what makes them so good!

The opening Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX can be hit with [card name=”Dusk Mane Necrozma” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM107″ c=”name”][/card] first, forcing a gust effect from your opponent to potentially take three Prizes of their own on the next turn. From there, you want to combo and take four Prizes off the Tag Team Pokemon-GX. If you miss, you have a chance to do the combo on a two-Prize Pokemon to win the game, this will likely be made for you in a [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card]. In either case, going for the Dusk Mane Necrozma onto the Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX is going to be your opening. But if that goes completely awry you can do a few other things.

One of the most impactful decisions I’ve made with this deck is leaving a Zacian V in the Active Spot when you expect an Ultimate Ray from Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX. It is common for the Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V player to miss a pre-built Zacian V from [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] and/or Intrepid Sword, so they might have to use Ultimate Ray. That said, they cannot one-shot your Zacian V and that will give you an extra turn for your game plan if you miss a beat. Alternatively, leaving a single Prize Pokemon up has much of the same effect, since they won’t be able to take four Prizes in one turn, they’ll have to take two more Knock Outs. If you left Zacian V on the Active Spot, it sets them back further as from there you can put up a one-Prize Pokemon and get an additional setup turn if things go south. Try not to put Dedenne-GX into play in this matchup if you can help it! Once they’ve taken a Prize, as long as they’re at four or more, Dedenne-GX is safe to put into play, it will be the same thing as if they were to take two single Prize Pokemon. Overall, I have been fairly confident in this matchup each time I’ve played it, to positive results.

Baby Blacephalon: Even

This deck includes [card name=”Tapu Fini” set=”Unified Minds” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] to better the [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] matchup. It offsets the Prize trade for your opponent and gives you an out to win. If they ever put a single two-Prize Pokemon into play (which is likely) then you must combo twice, then take a Knock Out on that two-Prize Pokemon to win. Going for a double combo on two two-Prize Pokemon is pretty unlikely, so I would only do that as a last resort. Getting multiple combos off in this matchup is the only way you’re going to win, so strive to master making it happen! Leave a single-Prize Pokemon in the Active if you miss a Knock Out or can’t do anything significant on your turn.

Dragapult VMAX: Even

The hardest matchup winds up close to evenly matched. Take out a [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] with the combo and a [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] if it hits the field, or a single-Prize Pokemon and the combo on that as well. Try to play around [card name=”Giant Bomb” set=”Unified Minds” no=”196″ c=”name”][/card] if you can and don’t create multiple Knock Outs for your opponent if you can help it. Some lists don’t play Giant Bomb so that might not matter, but you have to be wary of [card name=”Horror P Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card]. Try not to put extra single-Prize Pokemon into play, but remember that you need to set up. [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] will be one of your opponent’s favorite snipe targets, so use [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] on it if you can before that happens. [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] on a Zacian V is good, because you can reset your attack for only one Energy discarded and get back to business. [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] can crush you late game if they play it, so try to thin junk out if you can. [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] hurts early as well, so make full use of [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card]’s Primate Wisdom to safeguard draw Supporters and the like if you can. I have played this matchup too much and I’m still learning. If there’s only one thing you can test against, choose this matchup.

Pikachu and Zekrom-GX: Slightly Favorable

This is a deck that will usually have multiple two-Prize Pokemon in play so go after those. The big problem here is Tag Bolt GX getting value, so prioritize using Dusk Mane Necrozma to snipe [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] as soon as you can. Once it’s damaged you can one-shot it with Brave Blade and eliminate the threat. You can do the one Tag Team Pokemon-GX Knock Out and a combo Knock Out on a two-Prize Pokemon to win, or combo twice on two two-Prize Pokemon. I’ve found the former happening more than the latter. Most lists aren’t playing Jirachi anymore so you won’t have a combo there and a combo on a three-Prize Pokemon, your win condition is closer to the aforementioned Prize maps. A slow start will hurt, so aggressively set up your Zacian V on the first turn. Prioritize getting Oranguru to use Primate Wisdom and put a Metal Energy to the top of your deck so you can Intrepid Sword it into play.

Conclusion

I like this deck very much; [card name=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] combo plays are so fun and an interesting way to win games! Below is my “updated” list, one that I’ve been playing around with. It addresses some of the issues I’ve talked about in this article. Anyways, hit me up in the Subscribers’ Hideout if you want to talk about Pokemon. Take care and be safe!

 

[decklist name=”.” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″][pokemon amt=”16″]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=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x Mr. Mime (DET #11)1x [card name=”Tapu Fini” set=”Unified Minds” no=”53″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dusk Mane Necrozma” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM124 ” c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ 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=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ 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]2x [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Friend Ball” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”131″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]11x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”11″][/card][/energy][/decklist]–Caleb

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