Max Cure — Slow and Steady Gardevoir VMAX
Hello PokeBeach readers! It’s an exciting time with region qualifiers of the Players Cup II behind us and Vivid Voltage about to be released. In this article, I am going to be going over a card that most people have ruled out as “unplayable” or too weak. I am here to prove that Gardevoir VMAX is a strong card with potential, as well as go over some deck building strategies to show how I can take “bad cards” to top finishes at regional events.
At first glance, Gardevoir VMAX is not appealing. It has a low damage output and it isn’t easy to set up. But Gardevoir VMAX does have 320 HP, which means it cant be OHKO’d by any deck in the format other then [card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card]. Something else to note is that Gardevoir VMAX has a Metal-type Weakness, so in normal circumstances a [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] can KO it. However, my deck list for Gardevoir VMAX will include four [card name=”Weakness Guard Energy” set=”Unified Minds” no=”213″ c=”name”][/card] because a deck cannot thrive in this current meta if it loses to Zacian V.
The strategy behind Gardevoir VMAX is to use its large amount of HP to the best of its ability. In addition to 50 damage healing from Gardevoir VMAX’s Max Cure attack, the deck includes Suspicious Food Tin, [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Victini” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card] to consistently heal any and all damage done to Gardevoir VMAX. This allows Gardevoir VMAX to win every Prize trade through healing while being able to consistently 2HKO the entire format. Lets go over the deck list.
Slow Gardevoir VMAX Deck List
This version of the deck is similar to how [card name=”Primal Groudon-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] used to be played. You build up your attacker on the Bench, while letting your opponent Knock Out some single-Prize Pokemon or [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card] .
[decklist name=”Gardevoir VMAX” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”M Gardevoir-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”156″][pokemon amt=”11″]2x Gardevoir VMAX (CPA #17)3x Gardevoir V (CPA #16)3x [card name=”Victini” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”30″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Eldegoss V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”19″ 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]3x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ 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=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Black and White” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x Suspicious Food Tin (CPA #66)3x [card name=”Evolution Incense” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Power Plant” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]8x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card]4x [card name=”Weakness Guard Energy” set=”Unified Minds” no=”213″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Card Choices
Two Gardevoir VMAX
Now it may seem strange to only run two copies of the main attacker in a deck because most decks run three or four. In this deck, the focus is to never let Gardevoir VMAX get KO’d after it is set up. With that game plan in mind, you should only need one Gardevoir VMAX in play. This allows more room for other tech options.
Two Crobat V and One Eldegoss V
As much as I would prefer not to play these cards, they are needed to keep this deck consistent. I chose to play two copies of [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] instead of a split between Crobat V and [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] because this deck runs [card name=”Power Plant” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card]. Plus, this deck doesn’t want to discard too many cards. [card name=”Eldegoss V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”19″ c=”name”][/card] helps the deck in multiple ways. It can return a [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] to hand, but most importantly it can return Mallow and Lana, technically turning [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card] into a way to search out healing. While I do think this deck would be stronger if it could avoid playing any two-Prize Pokemon, I feel it is a necessary evil in the current format to help with its consistency.
Three Victini
[cardimg name=”Victini” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”30″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
A great healing option for this deck, Gardevoir VMAX can thrive in this format when you combine [card name=”Victini” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card] with [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card] to move Gardevoir VMAX to the Bench to heal 140 damage. As a single-Prize Pokemon, Victini is good because you can put multiple copies on the Bench without worrying they will be targeted by a [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card]. For this reason, Victini is better then [card name=”Indeedee V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card], because while Indeedee V does have a better Ability it gives up two Prizes. In the current format, multiple two-Prize Bench sitters will lose you games.
Four Professor’s Research and Three Marnie
This may seem like a low number of Supporter cards, but this deck doesn’t need so many once it sets up. You use a draw Supporter for the first couple of turns, then look to play Mallow or Lana to heal up your Gardevoir VMAX or use Boss’s Orders to take an important KO. If I were to add more draw Supporters, I would choose [card name=”Bird Keeper” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card]. Bird Keeper has some added value in this deck as it moves Gardevoir VMAX to the Bench, allowing you to activate Victini’s Ability and get off some extra healing. If you feel the deck doesn’t have enough draw Supporters and you do want to add Bird Keeper, I suggest cutting Power Plant first.
Two Mallow and Lana
This deck’s main focus is to heal. Mallow and Lana not only does that job but allows us to activate Victini as well. Mallow and Lana is the most important card in the deck as it provides the largest amount of healing. Additionally, it helps the deck flow smoothly by giving us another switching option. I have considered adding a third copy of Mallow and Lana or adding a [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card]. The latter doesn’t only retrieve Mallow and Lana, but adds a small boost in draw power. I currently don’t play these additions because the deck is tight on space, but keep in mind — the more you are able to heal, the stronger this deck gets.
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Four Lillie’s Poke Doll
This Item card acts as a wall for the deck while you’re setting up. Gardevoir VMAX requires three Energy attachments and there is no way in this list to accelerate Energy. [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card] gives the deck a chance to set up, while not letting your opponent take a massive lead. Lillie’s Poke Doll acts as a free retreating option too — as Gardevoir VMAX needs to switch to the Bench often, you can use Lillie’s Poke Doll’s effect to switch back into Gardevoir VMAX by putting it to the bottom of your deck. Lillie’s Poke Doll also has the niche use of preventing a deck out, especially as you may have fewer cards in deck the longer the game goes. Lillie’s Poke Doll gives you an edge over the opponent if they are trying to stall you by not letting you get the final KO.
Four Suspicious Food Tin
This card takes this deck from mediocre to a real contender. While it does have the downside of discarding an Energy, it shouldn’t matter due to the nature of the deck not needing more then one Energy attachment a turn. Suspicious Food Tin is the last healing card in the deck, so I’m going to go over the numbers you’re able to heal. In an ideal situation, this deck can play [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card], use a few Victini Abilities, and use a Suspicious Food Tin. That alone will heal Gardevoir VMAX for over 220 damage! Add on the healing from Gardevoir VMAX’s Max Cure attack and you’re healing for almost 300 damage, which is more damage then either [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] can dish out.
Four Quick Ball and Three Evolution Incense
When it comes to search options, this deck doesn’t have many options. Quick Ball is great for Basic Pokemon in this deck, but it does feel lackluster having to run [card name=”Evolution Incense” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] to find one Pokemon. However, there isn’t a better option in the Standard format unless you want to waste a turn playing something such as a [card name=”Poké Kid” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card]. [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] is an option, but the deck doesn’t have enough Pokemon to make that a consistent choice. Unfortunately, [card name=”Evolution Incense” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] is the only real option to keep this deck consistent.
Two Big Charm
An easy inclusion in this deck, [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] keeps Gardevoir VMAX out of any Pokemon’s OHKO range so you can heal any damage coming your way. Big Charm is great because you can attach it to [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Eldegoss V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”19″ c=”name”][/card], a big difference in matchups like [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card]. Then, you can use your healing on those Pokemon and force your opponent to find a new plan.
One Air Balloon
This card is in the deck to give one of your Bench sitters free retreat. You won’t always have access to Lillie’s Poke Doll, so having a free retreat option helps the deck run smoothly. Air Balloon could be replaced by an actual free retreat Pokemon. Some good options include [card name=”Cleffa” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Happiny” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”161″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Azurill” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card], each of these Pokemon provide a semi useful effect that could come in handy but won’t matter in most games. I’d say Cleffa is the best of the three because you can use it in the early stages of the game while you’re walling behind your Lillie’s Poke Doll, providing a small consistency boost as well as getting that free retreat option this deck needs.
Two Reset Stamp and Two Power Plant
The [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Power Plant” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card] combo has been around for a bit over a year now and has seen success in every format. In the current Standard format, many decks are reliant on [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] so this combo remains as strong as its always been. These cards are a package deal in my opinion. If I were asked to cut either of them, I would cut both as they are lackluster by themselves. This deck runs Reset Stamp and Power Plant because of how slow it is. Your opponent usually goes ahead, so its nice to have an option to slow them down in the midgame, allowing you to get in a few attacks while they are stumbling. If I were to cut them, the first card I would add is Bird Keeper. As I mentioned earlier, Bird Keeper has a ton of upside as a switching option and provides extra draw power.
Four Weakness Guard Energy
Gardevoir VMAX’s Metal-type Weakness means you can’t get away without playing [card name=”Weakness Guard Energy” set=”Unified Minds” no=”213″ c=”name”][/card] because this format is dominated by Zacian V and other Metal-type attackers. If this deck didn’t need Weakness Guard Energy, it could run [card name=”Capture Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] or a few copies of [card name=”Draw Energy” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”209″ c=”name”][/card] to boost consistency.
Potential Inclusions
Ordinary Rod
This card fits well in this deck, with the discarding from [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card] combined with the Energy removal of Suspicious Food Tin. [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] has a nice spot in this deck because you have to discard a large amount of Energy, so finding them in the late game may cause problems. I currently don’t run this card, but in past iterations of the deck it feels more like a luxury then a necessity. It is worth considering especially if you are worried about decks with [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Emerging Powers” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] or other Energy removal options.
Rotom
[cardimg name=”Rotom” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”86″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
This card acts an Energy accelerator and provides a small consistency boost in its first attack. I have tried some versions of the deck with [card name=”Rotom” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] but they all felt fairy clunky and underwhelming. However, if I were to run a Rotom list I would include cards like Dedenne-GX and [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] rather then the Power Plant and Reset Stamp package. This would allow the deck to get Energy into the discard pile quickly and use Rotom on turn 1 or 2, setting up your Gardevoir VMAX for an early attack. Another card to consider in a Rotom build is [card name=”Guzma and Hala” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”193″ c=”name”][/card]. This would allow you to get Rotom into the Active Spot with Air Balloon, as well as triggering multiple discard effects, including Viridian Forest, to get Psychic Energy into the discard pile. I feel Rotom does not provide the deck with enough speed to be worth the space, but it is strong if you can find a consistent build that can hit the Rotom on turn 1 every game.
Turbo Patch
Like Rotom, [card name=”Turbo Patch” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card] is trying to make the deck attack on turn 2 rather then turn 3. My main argument against Turbo Patch is that it has some anti-synergy with any Pokemon VMAX, because you can only use it on Gardevoir V instead of Gardevoir VMAX. In a fast build of this deck that uses [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] as a consistency engine, Turbo Patch could be viable as it would be easier to find and doesn’t take up too much space. A faster paced build with Turbo Patch would allow you to run a copy of [card name=”Mew V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card] to give yourself a chance against [card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card]. Turbo Patch does act as a nice counter to Crushing Hammer in the early turns of the game, but I would rather run Rotom if that is your main concern because I can use Rotom on Gardevoir VMAX. Turbo Patch is high risk, low reward card because you’re only attacking one turn sooner, plus the deck space could be used for more healing or consistency.
Potion
I have taken [card name=”Potion” set=”Black and White” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] in and out of the list. While healing 30 damage may not seem like much in combination with the rest of the healing cards in this deck, it can make a big difference. Sometimes in the early game, it can be hard to use Suspicious Food Tin without missing an attack. Potion can mitigate that by healing some damage and taking your Gardevoir VMAX out of KO range. Potion is a card I would like to include in the deck, but I haven’t found the space for it yet. If I were to make changes, Potion would be at the top of the list of cards to include.
Stealthy Hood / Big Parasol / Sitrus Berry
The addition of [card name=”Stealthy Hood” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”186″ c=”name”][/card] would be a tech against [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]. Stealthy Hood would negate any [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] damage they try and deal to Gardevoir VMAX before they start attacking with Eternatus VMAX. I don’t currently run Stealthy Hood but in an event where I expect a large amount of Eternatus VMAX, I would find something to cut to add one. The next Tool card I want to mention is [card name=”Big Parasol” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”157″ c=”name”][/card]. This card would be included for [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM192″ c=”name”][/card] to prevent them from discarding all the Energy that you took three turns to attach. I don’t think this card is worth including in the current build as there is no effective way of dealing with [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card], but in other versions including Rotom or Turbo Patch, Big Parasol can be can be a great inclusion to smooth out that matchup once you include a Zamazenta V counter. The final Tool card I think worth mentioning is [card name=”Sitrus Berry” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”182″ c=”name”][/card]. Sitrus Berry is similar to Potion, but the main perk behind this card is that you can attach it so it will remain in play if your opponent were to play [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card]. Alternatively, you wouldn’t need to discard it if you were to play a [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card]. I have been weighing the benefits of Sitrus Berry over Big Charm; I think Big Charm is better but I will try Sitrus Berry to see if it has any more merits.
Indeedee V
As I mentioned earlier, [card name=”Indeedee V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] is not currently in the list for the sole reason of it being worth two Prizes. However, in either the Rotom or Turbo Patch builds I feel there is an argument to include Indeedee V. Like Mew V, Indeedee V is a great attacker against Centiskorch VMAX so setting it up in one turn with Rotom or Turbo Patch can catch your opponent by surprise and take a big KO. Indeedee V acts as a better [card name=”Victini” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”30″ c=”name”][/card] as you can heal your Gardevoir VMAX in the Active Spot — as long as you can avoid it being targeted by [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card]. While I don’t think Indeedee V will replace Victini in this deck, I could imagine a split of two Victini and one Indeedee V to have a bonus secondary attacker that is not only good against Centiskorch VMAX, but also Zamazenta V.
Conclusion
My main goal with this article was to show a new archetype that is a bit unconventional and uses cards people have deemed bad or underwhelming. I want to show how seemingly bad cards can be used to their full extent to make a deck that can compete with the top tier meta decks. Gardevoir VMAX in my opinion is a solid Tier 2 option going into this format and any events with it. If you can dodge Lucario and Melmetal-GX, the deck will thrive and should put up some good performances.
If you liked this article or want to learn about some other decks in the format, make sure to check out my previous article on [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] and why I believe it is a good sleeper pick moving forward in the Standard format. Do check out the other articles written by my fellow writers; there is a ton of great content here on PokeBeach. If you have any questions about the deck or about my deck building processes, feel free to leave them down bellow and I’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.
Until next time,
-Michael
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