On the Dark Horizon – A Look at Post Rotation

By: Jimmy Pendarvis · Posted Posted onSep 3, 2020 at 9:28 PM · 0 Comments

Hello PokeBeach readers! It is nice to be able to write again, especially because it is time for the annual rotation! This is where older sets get rotated out of the Standard format, and if you didn’t already know, everything prior to Team Up is on the chopping block. Additionally, [card name=”Bellelba and Brycen-Man” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”186″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Mismagius” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card] have been banned due to what everyone assumes are potential combos in the future involving either of these cards. While Bellelba & Brycen-Man was not used much outside of control decks prior to the release of Darkness Ablaze, it had potential to be used as a defense mechanism against the infamous [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], a deck expected to compete at the highest level. Mismagius on the other hand, while used in [card name=”Garchomp and Giratina-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Naganadel and Guzzlord-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] in previous metagames, had not seen play in quite a while. While it may have an effect in the future due to more cards being released, that ban does not have an impact on the current metagame in the slightest. With all that being said, I am here to fulfill my promise of some post rotation content for you all! In my last two articles, I covered Darkness Ablaze and the impact I expected it to have on the Standard format, both before and after the rotation. Some of that information will definitely be beneficial to anyone looking to get a start on trying out the new decks and adjusting to the new format, so I would recommend giving those a look if you haven’t already. Otherwise, I am going to spend this article talking about the previously mentioned Eternatus VMAX, along with a few notes on the format as a whole. Without further adieu, let’s kick things off with a look at the gigantic Pokemon everyone is talking about.

[cardimg name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Eternatus VMAX

As everyone already knows, Eternatus VMAX is an absolute powerhouse that was released in Darkness Ablaze. Before being legal for play, it was predicted to be the deck to beat and absolutely dominant. While many decks are predicted to act similarly to that due to the hype around new cards, Eternatus VMAX showed potential right off the bat. In player’s testing, both prior to and post rotation, I think everyone would have to agree that Eternatus VMAX was one of the best decks. The first opportunity any Darkness Ablaze card had to prove itself was at a large online event that was held for the pre-rotation format. While Eternatus VMAX did not win, many players trusted their tournament life in the deck, and it made it all the way to top eight. As far as after the rotation goes, Eterantus VMAX does not lose much of anything and all the decks around it get at least a tad weaker. This puts the deck in a great position as it competes for the title of best deck in format.

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[decklist name=”Eternatus” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″][pokemon amt=”18″]4x [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Eternatus V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”116″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”111″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Unified Minds” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”31″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Switch” set=”Evolutions” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Dangerous Drill” set=”Team Up” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]7x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”168″ c=”deck2″ amt=”7″][/card]4x [card name=”Capture Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Card Choices

Four Eternatus V and Four Eternatus VMAX

This might seem fairly standard to everyone as this is the main attacker, and with [card name=”Eternatus V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card] it does seem to be the standard line, but in previous VMAX decks we have often seen a 4-3 line or even a 3-3 in some cases. With this deck, you will definitely never cut one of the Eternatus V because you want as large of a bench as possible. Additionally, you want to find one on turn one and attach an energy to it, as that is the only way to attack on turn two. It is not unreasonable to remove a VMAX from the deck, but with all of the discarding effects in this deck and the necessity to find an Eternatus VMAX on turn two, I do not want to do that quite yet. That change should likely only be made if space is becoming a huge issue.

Four Galarian Zigzagoon

This little fella can mean the difference between a KO or falling just short, especially when able to be used multiple times. With four of these in your deck, along with four [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card], you will have the opportunity to close the gap on the heftier Pokemon you face. Even if not being used for incredible value, this deck needs a large bench to operate, and happens to be limited to working with Dark Pokemon only. [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] is a great option for filling your bench like you need to, and has the opportunity to be beneficial as stated.

Hoopa (DAA) and (Hoopa UNM)

Every Eternatus VMAX list includes the staple Eterantus V, [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card], and Galarian Zigzagoon at the max count of four. From there, options exist when it comes to rounding out your basic Pokemon lineup. In this list, the remaining basic slots are used for these two [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”111″ c=”name”][/card], which are fantastic single prize attackers. I like them because I think they have the opportunity to have a large impact on the game, whereas the other basics players are using seem more likely to just sit on the bench and have a minimal impact doing so. If these Hoopa were not in the deck, they would likely be used as space for support Pokemon such as [card name=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card].

Four Quick Ball and Four Pokemon Communication

I have already talked about the significance of finding an Eternatus V on turn one, a task that is a tad more difficult when going first. Having eight Pokemon to search out makes this task a whole lot easier, so that is a great reason right off the bat to justify this heavy lineup. The importance of filling your bench up as soon as possible is also something that should be clear to everyone, as Eternatus VMAX does more damage when that is the case, which these search cards also assist with. [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] can also help get clunky Pokemon out of your hand in order to draw more cards with Crobat V.

Two Reset Stamp

Honestly, [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] is not going to stand out in a lot of matchups. A lot of decks don’t need much once they have a board, but that is not the case for one deck in particular, [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card]. Blacephalon is without a doubt going to be one of the best decks in the new format, as it does not lose much, and also does not have a particularly bad matchup either. This deck has a bunch of tools to assist in the matchup, but it still might won’t be enough to win every time. It has single prize attackers, which can be used in conjunction with Galarian Zigazagoon in order to take KOs. It has [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] and Reset Stamp to limit the opponent’s options throughout the game, and it has [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card] as the Stadium of choice to add to that factor as well. Overall, Reset Stamp is going to be an average card, but it shines against one of the deck’s otherwise worse matchups.

Two Chaotic Swell

Chaotic Swell was just gone over a bit in the Reset Stamp section, and the benefits mentioned there really cover the entirety of the reasoning for this card. While it does having more importance in some matchups, mainly against decks using [card name=”Giant Hearth” set=”Unified Minds” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card], the upside of this card is to keep Stadium cards out of play. There just isn’t a great Stadium card to have in play for this deck, so it is best to just limit the opponent’s options and try to keep all of them out of play. The reasoning for the inclusion of this card is not anything special, as Chaotic Swell being included is the same for all decks.

Potential Inclusions

Black Market Prism Star

[cardimg name=”Black Market Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”134″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

This Stadium card is one that everyone had in their original lists, and one that can have a big impact at the right point in the game. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t really work out the way that everyone would hope. When used early, the opponent has some time and a lot of resources to be able to remove it from play. In the late game you can sometimes stick them with it at the right time and steal a game, but other times they find their out or just [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] around [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] for game. The games where this happens to occur does not seem to outweigh the consistent protection that Chaotic Swell provides. During the time in which the meta develops and more information is learned, I could see this card making its way back into the deck, but it was not convincing enough to make it into my first iteration of this list.

Fourth Boss’s Orders

You will never really be using four Boss’s Orders in a game, but you want to find it early a lot of the time, and it is often very good in the late game as well. You really just want to have it when you need it, because the whole game can change in that moment one way or another. If you find yourself struggling to do this, adding a fourth copy of Boss’s Orders is not a bad idea whatsoever. It has been in and out of this list since it was originally created, and plenty of other decks are maxing Boss’s Orders at the moment too.

Things I am Not Sure About

Capture Energy

Where this might come in as an issue is if [card name=”Dangerous Drill” set=”Team Up” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] becomes more popular, because then over 25% of your Energy is removable by the opponent, which is not worth the upside that [card name=”Capture Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] brings to the table. Without that worry, Capture Energy is a pretty easy inclusion. You need to fill up your bench, and Capture Energy is a great way to do that without spending additional resources. These are currently just a free consistency/speed boost.

Dangerous Drill

This card was brought up when it was revealed that Dark Pokemon were going to see a resurgence, in the form of Eternatus VMAX of course. The card has not gotten a whole lot of attention so far, as it it does not have as many crucial targets as one might think. This leads it to being somewhat of a situational card for sure, so it could end up being removed from the deck if I find myself not getting a whole lot of value out of it. It is in the deck for a few reasons, as it does have a wide range of targets despite not aiming for something in particular. In the mirror match, it can really punish a Capture Energy attachment on a bench Pokemon, this can cause the opponent to miss an attack regardless of what stage of the game you are in. When dealing with a [card name=”Cape of Toughness” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”160″ c=”name”][/card], sometimes [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] can get you through the HP gap, but otherwise Dangerous Drill is a great way to knockout the threatening Pokemon. Lastly, despite having multiple Chaotic Swell, Dangerous Drill gives you the an extra opportunity to deal with an opposing Stadium card.

Cards I did Not Mention

These are cards I did not mention because they are not in the deck already, and I don’t have any urge to include them. I am mentioning them here because I have seen them included in other people’s lists and I wanted to go over why I don’t see the value in them at this point in time.

Piers

This card is not necessarily a bad card honestly, as it is playable when looking at it by itself. The issue for [card name=”Piers” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] is that there are simply better options that take its place, Marnie and [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card]. Piers is a pretty slow card that does not offer something great enough to replace drawing seven cards or drawing five cards and limiting the opponent’s resources. Using Piers essentially forces you to use [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] to draw cards in that given turn, which you already have the option to do when using either of the more optimal Supporters. While the verdict seems to be up in the air still, I am confident Piers will not be used in Eternatus VMAX once lists are more refined.

Absol

This card was very good prior to the rotation, but just doesn’t have the same effect now, and that is due to the rotation of [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card]. [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM161″ c=”name”][/card] running around on an Escape Board is definitely why Absol previously brought a fair share of value to the table, but it loses all of that with Escape Board gone. Jirachi will no longer be retreating, it will be evacuating the active spot with [card name=”Switch” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] or Scoop Up Net. In fact, no Pokemon or deck in general is looking to do a lot of manual retreating at the moment. Everyone is looking to move themselves from the active with Switch or Scoop Up Net, retreating is a huge inconvenience that is used as a last resort.

Notes on the New Format

  • Escape Board rotating could mean less Jirachi based decks, as four Scoop Up Net and four Switch is a large commitment to our little star friend. This is two extra slots than previously “required” as decks without Scoop Up Net would often use four Switch and two Escape Board.
  • A lot of speedy Trainer cards are gone, meaning decks previously using [card name=”Order Pad” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Primal Clash” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] will have to dig through their deck in another way. Probably via the use of Crobat V and [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card].
  • Lightning decks are in a rough spot, mostly due to the loss of [card name=”Electropower” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Thunder Mountain Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”191″ c=”name”][/card].
  • It will be interesting to see how [card name=”Vikavolt V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] performs moving forward, the Trainer lock is very strong but it lost a lot of the tools it was messing around with prior to the rotation.
  • [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] & [card name=”Palkia-GX” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card] [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] is a gatekeeper deck that will likely be the “test” of any other contender, as a lot of decks will struggle to beat it.
  • Eternatus VMAX does not seem like it will be absolutely dominant like some players suspected, but it is a solid deck that will remain in tier one.
  • Blacephalon is the best  [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] deck, but other Welder decks will be playable as well.

Helpful Information from the Large Pre-Rotation Tournament

  • Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX/Zacian V was incredibly popular and saw a fair share of success, I am confident this will carry over into the new format.
  • Vikavolt V was very popular and performed well as well, but it loses quite a bit of tools to the rotation. Despite this, I think it has some potential.
  • Blacephalon did not shine at all due to the high presence of Vikavolt V, but otherwise had great matchups. I expect it to perform better in the new format.
  • Eternatus VMAX was played a decent amount, and also saw some success. It did not blow anyone out of the water, but it still showed it can compete with the best.
  • Mill decks proved to be quite tricky to handle, but they are no longer a concern as a ton of relevant pieces for each one rotated.

Updated Tier List

As I said in my last article, where I also provided an early tier list, this is a rough sketch and will take time to smooth out. I do, however, feel like I am even closer to correct with this one than the last one. With time, the tier list becomes more concrete.

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

Tier 1

  • Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX / Zacian V
  • Blacephalon
  • Eternatus VMAX

Tier 2

  • [card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card]
  • Welder Box

Tier 3

  • [card name=”Dragapult V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card]
  • Vikavolt V

That updated tier list is going to wrap things up for me here today, and I think it is a great place to stop because it will be updated yet again in my next article. I want to keep it updated because it does change as the format develops and things are more concrete, which is part of the fun of a new format or rotation! We happen to have both right now, which is allowing for a pretty refreshing time in Pokemon at the moment. It would be a lot more hype if real life tournaments were able to be held, but those are not happening for a great reason and the cards will still be here when it is safe to do so again. In better news, there are plenty of online events and opportunities to get your Pokemon on in, from competitive tournaments to cube drafting with friends. I hope everyone can enjoy some of these between now and my next article, which will be next month. I also hope that everyone reading this got something out of this article, if you have any questions feel free to comment down below. Otherwise I will see you next month with some more Pokemon content!

Peace,

–Jimmy

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