Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks — Orbeetle VMAX / Sableye V and ADPZ

Hello everyone! With the end of the Team Up – Darkness Ablaze format nearing, I wanted to write about some initial testing I’ve been doing for our Standard format with Vivid Voltage. Vivid Voltage as a whole has lots of powerful combinations, boosting a few notable powerhouses, but has a few gems that have the power to stand up to the likes of [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] (ADP), [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], and more. One of these is [card name=”Orbeetle VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”21″ c=”name”][/card], which has one of the most exciting Abilities in the set. Today, I am going to talk about both [card name=”Orbeetle VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”21″ c=”name”][/card] and Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] (affectionately abbreviated as ADPZ) in the new Standard format.

At first blush, [card name=”Orbeetle V” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] and Orbeetle VMAX don’t stand out. With 180 HP and 310 HP respectively, this pair isn’t on par with [card name=”Eternatus V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card] and Eternatus VMAX that have 210 HP and 340 HP. Plus, the damage it can deal isn’t something to write home about. Orbeetle V’s Mysterious Wave does 50 + 30 damage for each Energy on the opponent’s Active Pokemon, while Orbeetle VMAX does 50 + 50 damage. Yet, the reason I believe this card stands a chance in the Standard format is due to Orbeetle VMAX’s Ability Eerie Beam. The current format has limited damage modifiers, and we are stuck with [card name=”Vitality Band” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”185″ c=”name”][/card] as the best option for the time being. While Vivid Voltage has [card name=”Leon” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”182″ c=”name”][/card], Eerie Beam’s option to place upwards of six damage counters on your opponent’s Pokemon each turn, per each Orbeetle VMAX in play without attacking, is one of the strongest Abilities in the game and joins the rank of Zacian V’s Intrepid Sword and [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]’s Dedechange. We saw this effect see huge success in the combination of [card name=”Roxie” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”205″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Weezing” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Koffing” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] CEC, even winning the last American Regional Championship in the hands of Hunter Butler in the Expanded format. Being able to have a high HP, Stage-1 Pokemon that has this effect is extremely strong as it can be added to any deck with lots of switching cards and an extra four slots. If your deck needs a few extra damage counters to be viable, I would consider Orbeetle VMAX as a solution. 

And if any deck needs a few extra damage counters, it would be [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card]. Sableye V was a card that caught my eye upon its release in the inaugural Sword & Shield set. With the not-too-bad Lode Search and powerful Crazy Claws attacks, Sableye V didn’t see much success other than being paired with [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] in a [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] deck. It’s a rather maladroit strategy as Crazy Claws was often unable to hit hard. Sableye V needed a stronger partner and Orbeetle VMAX is here to fulfill that role. With my friends on a non-PTCGO tabletop simulator, I tested Sableye V / Orbeetle VMAX to see what the most consistent and powerful deck list would look like; here it is:

Sableye V / Orbeetle VMAX Deck List

[decklist name=”Orbeetle VMAX / Sableye V” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”1″][pokemon amt=”19″]4x [card name=”Orbeetle VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”21″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Orbeetle V” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”20″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”1″ 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]3x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Bird Keeper” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”159″ 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=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”U-Turn Board” set=”Unified Minds” no=”211″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Turffield Stadium” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Black Market Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]6x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Diamond and Pearl” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”6″][/card]4x [card name=”Aurora Energy” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”186″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Three Sableye V, Four Orbeetle V, and Four Orbeetle VMAX

If you had asked me what the number one piece of advice I would give regarding deck building, I would say that obtaining high consistency in achieving your strategy should come first and foremost, rather than any awesome combinations. To get a high consistency in a deck, one must include as many copies as possible of cards that are essential. But it is up to you to decide what is essential. A great example of this is the question of why I have not included the fourth copy of Sableye V. It is because my strategy does not fully rely on Sableye V, but instead on dealing consistent damage every turn with Eerie Beam. 

One Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX

My second piece of advice would be to rethink your strategy and take it from obvious to nuanced as this will help you decide what cards are essential. This deck’s strategy is not to simply Knock Out everything with Crazy Claws, but to take six Prize cards before the opponent. This is why I’ve included [card name=”Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”1″ c=”name”][/card]. Beast Game GX finishes off a heavily damaged Pokemon, allowing us to play more strategically and plan what Pokemon we will be taking Knock Outs on. Oftentimes in the world of two and three Prize Pokemon, the opponent will make us take our last Prize card on one of these, forcing us to take seven or eight Prize cards in total. Beast Game GX allows us to avoid this and take the fewest Knock Outs needed to win. 

Two Jirachi TEU and Two Jirachi VIV

I do like the new Amazing Rare [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card]. It not only looks extremely pretty but can be used to set up in the initial turns. Since it does not put itself to sleep with its Dream Oracle Ability, it can be paired with [card name=”U-Turn Board” set=”Unified Minds” no=”211″ c=”name”][/card] to retreat, not to mention [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] will fetch both cards to your hand thanks to its secondary effect. Yet, the older [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]’s Stellar Wish is a great Ability too. It can be more effective when digging for a Trainer card as it checks the top five cards. I have made a split of Jirachi since it lets me use either where necessary.

Two Galarian Zigzagoon

Although I have ditched the [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] strategy, [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]’s Headbutt Tantrum Ability is the right boost for this deck when we have Eerie Beam. With 2-3 Eerie Beams and 1-2 Headbutt Tantrums, a [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] can do 190 – 310 damage, which is possible to pull off in a turn. 

Four Professor’s Research, Three Boss’s Orders, Two Marnie, and Two Bird Keeper

Being able to draw a hefty amount of cards is necessary to use Eerie Beam over and over. The Supporter count isn’t surprising and does its job well. The extra [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] helps to close out games on 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] that has been damaged a ton throughout the course of the game by Eerie Beam. [card name=”Bird Keeper” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card], though it seems it fulfills what we want each turn in a Supporter (switching our [card name=”Orbeetle VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”21″ c=”name”][/card] and Jirachi around as well as drawing some cards), it doesn’t do enough. I’m currently using only two copies, but down the road I could see myself adding a third.

Four Switch and Four Scoop Up Net

These cards can do nothing other than shine in this deck; they allow Jirachi and Galarian Zigzagoon to be reused and switched and Orbeetle VMAXs to be rotated. If I could play eight copies of each, I would.

Four Quick Ball, Three Pokemon Communication, and Two Turffield Stadium

Fetching Pokemon is a minor issue for this deck as there are 19 Pokemon and only nine Pokemon search options. Jirachi VIV does help with this since it can get any card from the top two, but it doesn’t fully patch the hole. There isn’t room for more than these cards, but I don’t feel the need to cut anything to add more search options.

One Black Market Prism Star

This is the only card I am unsure of in the list. “Passive” Stadiums are on the decline with lots of decks running more and more Stadium cards and [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card] on the rise. Yet, I can’t resist the allure of [card name=”Black Market Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”134″ c=”name”][/card]’s effect. The power to reduce the opponent from taking an extra Prize card is huge and can force the opponent into a seven or eight Prize card game. Yet, Black Market Prism Star only kicks into gear if the opponent cannot place a Stadium card of their own into play before they take a Knock Out, which is looking more likely with each extra Stadium card in others’ decks. I may replace this card with one of the few tech cards below.

Six Darkness Energy and Four Aurora Energy

Since we do not have a heavy inclusion of Dedenne-GX and Crobat V, a high amount of Energy is needed to get an attachment every single turn. I’ve included [card name=”Aurora Energy” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”186″ c=”name”][/card] as a way to attack with Orbeetle VMAX’s G-Max Wave, which is nothing to scoff at. 

[premium]

Techs

Snorlax VIV

This card will surely turn heads. [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card] from Vivid Voltage is a throwback to [card name=”Tropical Beach” set=”Black and White Black Star Promos” no=”BW50″ c=”name”][/card], a rare World’s exclusive card that saw tons of play in decks that required a few extra cards to set up. Here, Snorlax could be used to sit in the Active Spot for the first two turns while you attach some Energy and evolve your [card name=”Orbeetle V” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card]. I didn’t see enough value to throw Snorlax in over a Jirachi, so I kept it out for now. 

Grimsley

[cardimg name=”Grimsley” set=”Unified Minds” no=”199″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Another card I’ve been toying around with is [card name=”Grimsley” set=”Unified Minds” no=”199″ c=”name”][/card]. Since you can get full value out of it with Eerie Beam hitting the Bench, Grimsley would make Crazy Claws reach ridiculous numbers, making Pokemon VMAXs toast. Yet, it requires you to find it at the right time and it does use up your Supporter for the turn. The way the deck is built currently, I would use [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] and Boss’s Orders over Grimsley to clean up the game, but I will certainly test Grimsley more.

Rowlet

With Bird Keeper in the list, [card name=”Rowlet” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card] is a useful inclusion to finish off or heavily damage a threat. You can use Bird Keeper and attack for free, letting you attach an Energy to a Sableye V for the next turn. But I’ve chosen Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX over Rowlet for the time being. It can do the same thing but with the added benefit of taking an extra Prize with Beast Game GX.

Leon

In the same vein as Grimsley, [card name=”Leon” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”182″ c=”name”][/card] can boost both Sableye V and Orbeetle VMAX’s damage. Some of the math it can fix is: Counteracting [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card]’s resistance from Orbeetle VMAX, letting Crazy Claws hit 280 damage with three damage counters (a total of 320 damage with the four damage counters already on the Defending Pokemon), and more. I think Grimsley would be more valuable but Leon does have situations where it shines.

Hiding Darkness Energy

You could add one or two copies of [card name=”Hiding Darkness Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card] over some basic Darkness Energy. It can allow Sableye V to move around more fluidly and allows for some plays with Eerie Beam. I am currently scared of [card name=”Giratina” set=”Unified Minds” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card]’s Dimension Breach in combination with [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card], so I’ve kept as many Basic Darkness Energy as possible.

Tool Scrapper

This card is perfect for any deck with [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], as Metal Goggles directly counters both Eerie Beam and Headbutt Tantrum. Depending on where [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] / Zacian V turns out in the new format, I may include [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card] over Black Market Prism Star. 

Matchups

The goal of [card name=”Orbeetle VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”21″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] is to get out 2-3 Orbeetle VMAX by turn 2. Through Eerie Beam and Headbutt Tantrum, you annihilate almost anything in your way with Crazy Claws. The problem comes when you can’t take your Prize cards fast enough and your opponent is on track to take theirs first. This is where Orbeetle VMAX’s HP can come into play. If your opponent is forced to attack twice into an Orbeetle VMAX to take a Knock Out, you should be good to go. You can either take two Knock Outs with your Orbeetle VMAX or you can attack once and clean up with [card name=”Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”1″ c=”name”][/card]. For example, [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] / Zacian V is scary, but with the above strategy, you should be able to come out on top more often than not. 

Orbeetle VMAX / Sableye V is extremely strong and will defeat most fringe decks, but I would want to avoid any Fire-type decks and perhaps Lucario and Melmetal-GX / Zacian V. I really wish [card name=”Coating Metal Energy” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] in Vivid Voltage was altered to work for Grass-type Pokemon instead since Grass-type Pokemon have been limited with the release of [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] in Unbroken Bonds. Yet (sigh) it is not. This means most Fire-type decks have a strong matchup against Orbeetle VMAX and until [card name=”Weakness Policy” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card] is reprinted, there isn’t much to do. Because Crazy Claws and G-Max Wave requires two Energy, being able to take a turn to attach Weakness Guard Energy won’t happen often. You can eke out a win on a few Fire-type decks by outpacing them and winning in under five turns, but I wouldn’t bet money on that. Lucario and Melmetal-GX / Zacian V is a tough matchup as well because of Metal Goggles. Without Tool Scrapper, there isn’t much to do.

Overall, Orbeetle VMAX / Sableye V can and will be a strong contender in the Standard format if the glaring Fire-type weakness can be solved. If not, it is certainly a very powerful rogue deck and I am sure it will find some success. 

The second deck I would like to discuss is one that I’m sure all readers are familiar with if you’ve played in the last year: Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX and Zacian V. The deck oozes consistency and raw power, which has grown with the new cards released and will continue to do so with Rusted Sword from Shiny Star V! I wanted to share some key upgrades the deck received with Vivid Voltage, so here’s my list:

ADPZ Deck List

[decklist name=”Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX / Zacian V” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”195″][pokemon amt=”13″]4x [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”195″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”220″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Mawile-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”141″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Aegislash V” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”126″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Eldegoss V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”19″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”36″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Leon” set=”Vivid Voltage” 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=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Cherish Ball” set=”Unified Minds” no=”191″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]8x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”Diamond and Pearl” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card]3x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Card Choices

Four Zacian V and Two Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX

Again, consistency is first when building a top-performing deck. There have been some ADPZ lists running around with three [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card], but I refuse to consider it. Two copies of ADP are just enough, as you need only one copy per game.

Three Dedenne-GX, One Crobat V, and One Eldegoss V

Keeping in line with the social norms, I have kept the trifecta of [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], [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]. These guys are the kings and queens (not sure what gender to label these guys) of consistency. I’ve cherished Dedenne-GX more than the other two as it can be searched by [card name=”Cherish Ball” set=”Unified Minds” no=”191″ c=”name”][/card] (pun intended). 

One Mawile-GX and One Aegislash V

[cardimg name=”Mawile-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”141″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

The addition of [card name=”Mawile-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card] has become something of a symbol of ADP decks, at least to me. The purpose of this card is to use its Captivating Wink Ability to place two-Prize Pokemon onto your opponent’s Bench. Then, by using [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”name”][/card] to gust the newly placed opponent’s Pokemon into the Active Spot, the ADPZ player takes three Prize cards (through Altered Creation GX) to win the game. These pure statistical plays help contribute to the hate that ADP has suffered, to the point where players are calling for an ADP ban. Mawile-GX is the essence of this idea that all ADPZ players must do to win is get lucky and Knock Out Dedenne-GX and Crobat V from the Bench, which some feel is a very cowardly way to win. 

I think [card name=”Aegislash V” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card] will be in the same boat. With its Sonic Edge attack, Aegislash V can hit right through [card name=”Altaria” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”49″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card], two previous trouble spots for ADPZ. Most players dislike the addition of Aegislash V into the Standard format because it boosts an already disliked deck. However, this doesn’t mean Aegislash V isn’t amazing for ADPZ. It simply adds more power to arguably the BDIF. 

Two Leon and No Tool Scrapper

There isn’t much to say in the Supporter section except for the brand-new [card name=”Leon” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card]. Leon lets [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] hit for 210 damage, which is relevant damage against [card name=”Heatran-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] and a few Pokemon V. Leon allows Zacian V to hit for 290 damage after Altered Creation GX, which is almost unheard of for a two Prize Pokemon! Once the new Rusted Sword Pokemon Tool is released, Zacian V will be able to hit an insane 320 damage! I do hope that TCPi does makes a decision on what to do about the inherent power of Zacian V: Whether to embrace it or reject it. However, for the time being, Leon lets Zacian V hit through [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card]’s Full Metal Wall GX and Metal Goggles for a clean OHKO against Lucario and Melmetal-GX / Zacian V decks. This eliminates the need for [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card] as Leon can fill that role and more. I’ve included two copies of Leon for consistency, as we do discard a lot of cards with [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] and Dedechange.

Four Energy Switch, Two Cherish Ball, Two Air Balloon, and Three Viridian Forest

With the power of ADPZ, I am not a fan of the risk that the [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] variant has. I prefer to go full throttle towards a turn 1 Altered Creation GX. Thus, I’ve emphasized some of the pieces that are needed to do so like the full four copies of [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card]. An extra [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] has been very useful if the other was discarded by Tool Scrapper. An additional [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] is nice to have when [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card] comes into play against [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card].

Overall, the benefits of Aegislash V and Leon will be seen immediately once the set releases on November 13th, but for now, we will have to wait and see what happens with the future of the deck against some new combinations inside Vivid Voltage.

Wrap Up

As always, thank you to everyone who supports PokeBeach! You are the reason why we can write and share what we’ve learned through playing the game we all love. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, leave them below and I will get back to you after the tone.

Love,

-Blaine

[/premium]