Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks — Revisiting Two Powerful Decks

By: Blaine Hill · Posted Posted onOct 30, 2020 at 3:56 PM · 0 Comments

Hello everyone! After a long break from Pokemon thanks to COVID-19 and the wild world of online education, I’ve finally been able to jump back into giving you amazing content. Today, we’re going to cover two of the Standard format’s most potent decks and the two decks I would pick for the Players Cup II: [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card]. Both of these decks, while not taking center stage in tournament success, are in a perfect position to take down a huge part of the meta.

Green’s Exploration / Reshiram and Charizard-GX

Green’s Exploration decks have fallen in popularity since the beginning of the Darkness Ablaze format since the heavy hitters like [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] / Zacian V decks have been outpacing them so far, and that’s not even counting the new Supporter rule or cards like [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card]. While the odds may be stacked against a Green’s Exploration deck, the card is still extremely powerful. The ability to fetch two of any variety of Trainer cards is huge when paired with a powerful Fire attacker, specifically Reshiram and Charizard-GX.

[cardimg name=”Charizard and Braixen-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM230″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

But why Reshiram and Charizard-GX? Why not [card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Charizard and Braixen-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”22″ c=”name”][/card]? Both of the latter choices are tough sells for me. Centiskorch VMAX pretty much has to evolve to its VMAX and it has only G-Max Centiferno to choose from there. The deck runs into issues with being able to threaten only one attacker at a time (for the most part), allowing your opponent to anticipate what is coming and gust out your Centiskorch VMAX before it gets a chance to attack. Charizard and Braixen-GX only functionally has Brilliant Flare (let’s not talk about the GX attack — Altered Creation GX compared to Crimson Flame Pillar GX is like the original Star Wars trilogy vs the Disney era trilogy, dogs versus cats, Coca-Cola versus Pepsi, you get my point…), dealing 180 damage as an attack in a format with HP in the 300s, which is simply not enough. Furthermore, Charizard and Braixen-GX also needs 4 Energy to power up Brilliant Flare, which is a terrible Energy to damage ratio. There are simply more effective attacks out there for the Energy.

Reshiram and Charizard-GX, however, has Flare Strike, dealing 230 damage for four Energy, and Double Blaze GX that can hit 300 damage with its kicker. Yet, the attack I’d like to reintroduce you to is the lowly Outrage, which, for only two Energy, deals 30 damage plus the amount of damage on Reshiram and Charizard-GX already.

With [card name=”Heat Fire Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”174″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] boosting HP, it can take two or even three attacks to Knock Out Reshiram and Charizard-GX, posing a huge problem for the opponent. Do you attack and risk a high powered Outrage? Or do you use [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] to avoid that threat? This is the golden dilemma for Greens Exploration / Reshiram and Charizard-GX that the other Fire attackers don’t have: the ability to threaten tons of damage no matter whether the opponent attacks you or not.

In general, many matchups follow this gameplan: using [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card], you power up your Reshiram and Charizard-GX. After buffing it up, you try to take 3-4 Prize cards through your Volcanion and Reshiram and Charizard-GX and take your final Knock Out with another Reshiram and Charizard-GX on your Bench onto a Crobat V or Dedenne-GX.

The List

[decklist name=”Green’s ReshiZard” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″][pokemon amt=”7″]4x [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”25″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”39″]4x [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Lt. Surge’s Strategy” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma and Hala” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”193″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”182″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Fire Crystal” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Giant Hearth” set=”Unified Minds” no=”197″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Training Court” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”14″]10x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”116″ c=”deck2″ amt=”10″][/card]4x [card name=”Heat Fire Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”174″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Here’s my reasoning behind the cards in the list:

Four Volcanion, Four Quick Ball, Four Switch

While I did praise [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card] for being so powerful, the glue of this deck is in Volcanion. Flare Starter is the juice for the smoothie, while High-Heat Blast is great against Altaria and [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] and softens up Pokemon VMAX. We always choose to go second with this deck to fully utilize Green’s Exploration and to get a maximum Flare Starter off, so we run four copies of Volcanion, [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card].

Three Tag Call, One Guzma and Hala, One Cynthia and Caitlin, One Mallow and Lana

The [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] engine works wonderfully in here, allowing for a plethora of great Supporter outs as well as searching for Reshiram and Charizard-GX. [card name=”Guzma and Hala” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”193″ c=”name”][/card] is used to fetch our “buffing tools” Heat Fire Energy and Big Charm. [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] is great to help defend against any [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], similar to [card name=”Lusamine” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] in previous Green’s Exploration / Reshiram and Charizard-GX lists. One issue I’ve run into is [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] using [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”111″ c=”name”][/card] to gust and poke your Reshiram and Charizard-GX for a bit of damage, so I’ve included [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card] to reset that.

One Lt. Surge’s Strategy

[cardimg name=”Lt. Surge’s Strategy” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”178″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

While we aren’t running [card name=”Magneton” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Lt. Surge’s Strategy” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] is tremendously valuable for turns two and three, when our initial Volcanion is Knocked Out. It can help smoothen out our game plan if we were unable to play a Supporter on a previous turn. I often grab it with Cynthia and Caitlin to reuse it too if I am not too afraid of Marnie.

Four Heat Fire Energy, Two Big Charm

Being able to withstand a fully powered Dread End from an Eternatus VMAX or a Brave Blade after an Altered Creation GX (with some [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] pings) are why this deck shines. It is not unreasonable to have a Reshiram and Charizard-GX with 320-340 HP, making it a basic VMAX in most cases – with Outrage!

One Tool Scrapper, one Reset Stamp, One Scoop Up Net

We run some disruption cards here since, in the late game, it can be beneficial to reduce your opponent’s options in case you don’t hit every cylinder. [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card] is amazing against [card name=”Cape of Toughness” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”160″ c=”name”][/card] and opposing [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card]. It is the most cuttable card though, so if you don’t run into those, you can replace it. [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] does its job and can be searched with Green’s Exploration, so not much explanation there. [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] may look odd, but it is great to remove an odd [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] from play so you can force your opponent to take eight Prize cards. It is extremely necessary for the [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] matchup so you can prevent an Ultimate Ray onto it for two Prize cards after Altered Creation GX and four Prizes from a Reshiram and Charizard-GX.

One Energy Spinner, One Fire Crystal, Two Giant Hearth, One Training Court

Having to find constant Fire Energy is the bane of [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card]; either not being able to play Welder without Fire Energy or only attaching one Fire Energy is not how you are successful with Green’s Exploration / Reshiram and Charizard-GX. I included two [card name=”Giant Hearth” set=”Unified Minds” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card] to combat the resurgence of [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card], and also included a [card name=”Training Court” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] since we can run out of Fire Energy in our deck in the later stages of the game. One [card name=”Fire Crystal” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card] hasn’t bitten me yet, but I could see the merit of a second copy. I like to think Training Court fills that role though. I haven’t been impressed with [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] but there are times when it’s absolutely necessary (when a Chaotic Swell is in play or you need to set up for Welder on the following turn/turn two).

Optional Fighting Package

[decklist name=”Green’s ReshiZard fighting” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″][pokemon amt=”8″]4x [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”25″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Marshadow and Machamp-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”82″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”39″]4x [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Lt. Surge’s Strategy” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma and Hala” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”193″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”182″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Fire Crystal” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Giant Hearth” set=”Unified Minds” no=”197″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Training Court” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Martial Arts Dojo” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”13″]9x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”116″ c=”deck2″ amt=”9″][/card]2x [card name=”Heat Fire Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”174″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”XY” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

After playing the above list, I wasn’t 100% confident in my matchup with [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]. Then my friend Drew Cate suggested adding a Fighting package with [card name=”Marshadow and Machamp-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”82″ c=”name”][/card] to ensure that matchup while also helping versus [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]. While the Fighting package does hurt your consistency to achieve a turn one Flare Starter and to find your buffing pieces, it does wonders against Eternatus VMAX and Pikachu and Zekrom-GX. Being able to threaten Hundred-Blows Impact and even Acme of Heroism GX forces Eternatus VMAX and Pikachu and Zekrom-GX to play around Marshadow and Machamp-GX, letting you execute your strategy of steamrolling with Volcanion and [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card].
[premium]
[cardimg name=”Martial Arts Dojo” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”179″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

[card name=”Martial Arts Dojo” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card] is also a card that shines in [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card] / Reshiram and Charizard-GX. A few notable Americans such as Rahul Reddy ran the tech at Worlds 2019 in order to reach 270 damage with Flare Strike on a Reshiram and Charizard-GX. Here, it helps Revenge to hit 160, which is a Knock Out on Eternatus VMAX after a poke from a Volcanion or a OHKO on [card name=”Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card]. Although daunting and I doubt this will happen often, if you can reach six Fire Energy on a Reshiram and Charizard-GX and a Fighting Energy, with Martial Arts Dojo you can reach 340 damage with Double Blaze GX, which can take out any VMAX.

[card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] is another necessary evil in the Fighting Package. Although it hurts to not be able to Giant Hearth, Viridian Forest can be used in a pinch and isn’t so bad overall. It allows a Marshadow and Machamp-GX to be powered up extremely quickly through Welder and attachment for turn to use Revenge since the Fighting Energy can now be found through Green’s Exploration.

I briefly tested a [card name=”Karate Belt” set=”Unified Minds” no=”201″ c=”name”][/card] in place of the Training Court to see whether that would improve the consistency of powering up a Marshadow and Machamp-GX, and it worked wonderfully as you could search it out with Green’s Exploration. However, the ever-present threat of [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] is one I couldn’t ignore so I swapped back. Training Court also helps as a pseudo-Giant Hearth when necessary too, fetching Fire Energy, making it more valuable in my eyes. If you find a cut somewhere else, consider including Karate Belt to power up your Marshadow and Machamp-GX a little easier.

Matchup Thoughts

At the time of writing, there’s a nice variety of decks performing well in online tournaments. I won’t run through all the matchups of all viable decks, but here are some pointers for piloting the deck:

  • Eternatus VMAX: try to get damage onto your opponent’s Eternatus VMAX as soon as possible, even if it is a small amount. Outrage usually caps at 300 damage if the Eternatus VMAX deck is not the Poison variant, so a quick High-Heat Blast can be beneficial; [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card]’s High-Heat Blast plus a Flare Strike is exactly 340 damage (but if you’re running the Fighting package use that).
  • Pikachu and Zekrom-GX: try to force your opponent to three-shot your Reshiram and Charizard-GX. Load up as many Heat Fire Energy cards as possible onto one Reshiram and Charizard-GX so two Full Blitzs or a Full Blitz and a Tandem Shock don’t knock you out. Your damage output is much higher than the opponent, and your Welder should counteract the Crushing Hammers, provided you don’t get too unlucky. Of course, if you’re running the Fighting package, this matchup is a lot easier.
  • Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V: use [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] on Volcanion and Outrage away. You should get four attacks off during the course of the game not including Flare Starter, so make them count! I usually take four Prize cards on a couple of [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] and find the last two from either an [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] or gusting a [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] to take my last Knock Out with Double Blaze GX for 200.
  • Lucario and Melmetal-GX / Zacian V: target each and every [card name=”Bronzor” set=”Team Up” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] you see if your opponent runs the [card name=”Bronzong” set=”Team Up” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card] variant. If you can take out a Bronzor before it evolves into Bronzong, you can KO the other Bronzong with Double Blaze GX, and run through the rest of the deck with Outrage. If your opponent does not run the Bronzong variant, give yourself a pat on the back for an easy matchup and Outrage away (Fire does melt metal after all!).
  • Dragapult VMAX / Clefable: don’t bench two Volcanion and value your [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] since you will need to reattach many times.
  • Single Prize decks or decks with Altaria: try to use Volcanion to trade attacks and make him beefy with [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Heat Fire Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”174″ c=”name”][/card] so they have to take three whole turns to take a Knock Out.
  • Mewtwo and Mew-GX / Welder: it’s a bad matchup. Without [card name=”Power Plant” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card], there are many ways to take an OHKO on your beefy Reshiram and Charizard-GX: [card name=”Charizard-GX” set=”Hidden Fates” no=”9″ c=”name”][/card]’s Flare Blitz GX, [card name=”Incineroar-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card]’s Darkest Tornado GX, and more. Try to use Volcanion and [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] so they do not get a [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] and Knock Out on a Benched Reshiram and Charizard-GX before you get to attack with it.
  • Blacephalon / Welder: In the same vein, is also a terrible matchup as there is not much of a way to tank a Fireball Circus unless your opponent prizes six Fire Energy.

Lucario and Melmetal-GX / Zacian V

I also wanted to speak about the winning archetype from Players Cup I: [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] / Zacian V, which is by far my favorite meta deck. As a classic defensive deck, the goal of the deck is to tank hits, while getting two Brave Blade attacks off per Zacian V. Lucario and Melmetal-GX’s Full Metal Wall GX plus [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] can take your Zacian V’s HP to 280 effectively for only two Prize cards by reducing damage. [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card]’s Dauntless Shield’s Ability is stellar against both [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] while Bronzong walls all Fire Pokemon from damaging it.

Even though this deck defeated all the competition at the first Players Cup, it seems to have flown under the radar for most of this meta. I believe that it is much stronger than almost all of the meta decks (let’s be honest, Zacian V is good), and I wouldn’t be surprised if it makes a splash again at the second Players Cup.

While not as off-the-wall as Green’s Reshiram and Charizard-GX, here’s what I have for Lucario and Melmetal-GX / Zacian V:

 

[decklist name=”LucMetal” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″][pokemon amt=”12″]4x [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Bronzong” set=”Team Up” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Bronzor” set=”Team Up” no=”100″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”36″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/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]3x [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]12x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”12″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Let’s discuss the cards I’ve chosen for this list:

Two Lucario and Melmetal-GX, Four Zacian V

[cardimg name=”Bronzong” set=”Team Up” no=”101″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

We need only one Lucario and Melmetal-GX per game, so running two copies is just the right amount. However, we want to use Intrepid Sword in the initial turns and have four [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] to maximize those odds. Also, thanks to our damage reduction, we can hide a damaged Zacian V on the Bench, making more copies necessary to keep using Brave Blade.

Two Bronzor, Two Bronzong

I would not play Lucario and Melmetal-GX / Zacian V without Bronzong. It is honestly that good. It can take a matchup like [card name=”Charizard and Braixen-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”22″ c=”name”][/card] from highly unfavorable to highly favorable. It is great against [card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card], and any [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] floating around (wink wink). If you are playing against said Fire decks, consider getting off a Full Metal Wall GX even if it means giving up three Prize cards (this is very situationally dependent). A [card name=”Bronzong” set=”Team Up” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card]  with Full Metal Wall and a Metal Goggles can take an extra hit from [card name=”Cramorant V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card] and once that Cramorant V goes down, there’s nothing to touch you. Alternatively, use [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card], Zacian V, and a [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card] to take a surprise OHKO onto the Cramorant V. Two Cramorant V is extremely tough to deal with, but with the popularity of Lucario and Melmetal-GX falling, I don’t see the second copy being included in many lists.

Three Tag Call, Two Mallow and Lana, One Cynthia and Caitlin:

Similar to Green’s Exploration / Reshiram and Charizard-GX, the [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] engine works wonderfully here, allowing us to get our Lucario and Melmetal-GXs as well as a switching effect. [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card] should be valued highly since they both heal as well as reset Brave Blade’s effect. [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] acts as a draw out as well as a consistency boost for late game.

Three Boss’s Orders, Zero Great Catcher

Surprisingly, this deck can take Prize cards on [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] quickly. However, it is usually a better plan to play the long game and attack your opponent’s threats before they can attack you. Three copies of [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] are necessary to do this and [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”name”][/card] is losing utility with every Sword and Shield expansion, so I decided to exclude it. I often use Cynthia and Caitlin to get back a Boss’s Orders to prep for any [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] or Reset Stamp.

Twelve Metal, One Ordinary Rod

This deck can run out of Energy by the late game after many [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card], so to lessen the blow I included an [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] to recover some. Ordinary Rod can also act as a third Bronzong or an extra [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card].

Non-Bronzong Package

 
[decklist name=”LucMetal” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″][pokemon amt=”8″]4x [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”40″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/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=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Bird Keeper” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”159″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/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]3x [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]12x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”12″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

If you do decide to remove the Bronzong line, I suggest adding more mobility and consistency. With lots of heavy Metal Pokemon, retreating is rarely an option except for Zacian V (which you want Energy on so you can Brave Blade). And even though there are four copies of Switch, you may not find them when you need them. An [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] and a [card name=”Bird Keeper” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] are both good options for more switching, with a copy of Cynthia and Caitlyn to get the Bird Keeper or the Mallow and Lana back. With the rise of the [card name=”Vikavolt V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Amoonguss” set=”Unified Minds” no=”14″ c=”name”][/card] rogue, including a second Bird Keeper over the Air Balloon might be best as well. I also wanted another Marnie as two copies may not be perfectly reliable to play it when you need to.

Matchup Thoughts

[cardimg name=”Toxicroak” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”124″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

  • Eternatus VMAX: run the board with Zamazenta V. If the opponent is running the Poison variant with [card name=”Toxicroak” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card], preserve your switching effects to remove Special Conditions. Don’t be afraid to set up a [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] however, since the pressure of Brave Blade may cause the opponent to stumble. I would avoid playing [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card]down.
  • Pikachu and Zekrom-GX: use all your damage reductions! After a Full Metal Wall GX and [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], Full Blitz does a laughable 90 damage! This is a highly favored matchup and should be as simple as announcing Brave Blade a couple of times. Be aware of Tandem Shock though since you don’t want to get stuck with paralysis.
  • Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V: it boils down to whether the opponent runs [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card]. Prioritize Full Metal Wall GX, even if you do not get the bonus effect, since Full Metal Wall GX and Metal Goggles reduces the opponent’s Altered Creation-GX-boosted Brave Blade to 200 damage, which is 20 damage short of OHKO’ing your Zacian V. Furthermore, Metal Goggles protects your Zacian V from [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]’s Headbutt Tantrum, which is a great side effect.
  • Mirror Match: you want to preserve your Zacian Vs. Use your Lucario and Melmetal-GX to poke at the opponent and clean up with your Zacians V. It’s close and it depends on many factors like healing cards and gust cards. If you can ever take out your opponent’s Zacian V with Boss’s Orders, do so.
  • Dragapult VMAX / Clefable: this matchup should be a breeze. Metal Goggles prevents Max Phantom’s damage counter spread, and Lucario and Melmetal-GX resists Psychic, not to mention Zamazenta V. Use Steel Fist to damage the first [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] and finish it off with a Brave Blade if you want to go down the non-Zamazenta V route, otherwise, Zamazenta V should be able to take care of business.
  • Mewtwo and Mew-GX / Welder: you will not want to use Lucario and Melmetal-GX early. Try to force the opponent to go through three Zacian V, and you will usually come out on top. If you see a [card name=”Victini V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card], target it immediately as it can be an easy way to take Prize cards for your opponent. Otherwise, [card name=”Mewtwo and Mew-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”71″ c=”name”][/card] will have a tough time taking OHKOs without a GX attack. If you see a huge Mewtwo and Mew-GX with lots of Energy, I would consider using Full Metal Wall GX to discard them, hopefully stranding the opponent.

Conclusion

To summarize: [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] is an impressive contender that can hang with the meta; it allows you to outplay your opponent with Green’s Exploration being a big part of the skill ceiling. Lucario and Melmetal-GX / Zacian V is also strong since it abuses the damage output of Zacian V and tries to get huge value out of a single two-Prize Pokemon. I urge all to give these decks a shot and they might exceed your expectations.

And that’s what I have for this time! Let me know in the comments what content you wish to read more on or ask any questions about what is in the article! I always love to read what you guys have to say and give any advice I can.

Love,

-Blaine
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