Exploding Expanded — Trevenant BREAK plus Coalossal VMAX with Electrode-GX

By: Blaine Hill · Posted Posted onDec 16, 2020 at 2:43 PM · 0 Comments

Hello everyone! To spare you of the monotony of endless [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] Dread End and [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] Full Blitz attacks, I’ll be talking about everyone’s favorite Expanded format deck, [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card]! But wait, there’s more! I’ll also be discussing the Expanded format’s soon-to-be darling with an awesome name: Combo [card name=”Coalossal VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]!

Why Expanded? First off, it is a format with a lot of gas in the tank and there is a ton to go over since my last article on it. Second, the Expanded format is so much more fun than Standard now. With the new bans breathing life into the format, there are good ideas around every corner. To top it off, there’s consistency galore in [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card], and more to help your deck operate as planned. To succeed in Expanded, all you need is a good idea, some persistence, and a good battery (c’mon, there’s no reason PTCGO needs that much CPU). 

Trevenant BREAK

Let’s start with a deck that haunts the nightmares of all ex-[card name=”Joltik” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”26″ c=”custom”]Night March[/card] players: Trevenant. Trevenant is a deck that has seen success almost nonstop since its inception in 2014. It’s been through many iterations from the Trevenant / [card name=”Accelgor” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card] deck that won 2014 Worlds in Seniors, but settled down with the release of BREAKpoint to the standard [card name=”Trevenant BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] deck we know and love. The list below certainly is a blast from the past but holds up against the toughest TAG TEAM Pokemon-GX and Pokemon VMAXes in 2020:

[decklist name=”Trevenant” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″][pokemon amt=”15″]3x [card name=”Trevenant BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Phantump” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”64″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM152 ” c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”37″]3x [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Black and White” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Ace Trainer” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”69″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Team Flare Grunt” set=”XY” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Rescue Scarf” set=”Dragons Exalted” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Dragon Vault” no=”20″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Dimension Valley” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]4x [card name=”Horror P Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”172″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Mystery Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”EX Holon Phantoms” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Four Phantump, Four Trevenant, Three Trevenant BREAK, and Two Tapu Lele-GX

[cardimg name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

The goal of this deck is to get a turn 1 Trevenant, so going second is preferable in order to play a Supporter and use [card name=”Phantump” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ascension. In many cases, you can Item lock the opponent before they can play a Supporter, which further cripples their setup. While I expect that the 4-4-3 line of Trevenant is understood, the two copies of Tapu Lele-GX might seem out of place. Why not [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]? The answer is “Occam’s Razor”, meaning the other options aren’t as good. Tapu Lele-GX is versatile as it can be an out to a [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Black and White” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card] or be a [card name=”Team Flare Grunt” set=”Generations” no=”73″ c=”name”][/card]. While Dedenne-GX does allow you to play another Supporter after using its Dedechange Ability, Trevenant doesn’t need a ton of pieces to operate and discarding your entire hand to use Dedechange can be harmful. Crobat V’s Dark Asset Ability doesn’t use your Supporter for the turn either, but it rarely can be utilized for maximum power. There aren’t many ways to play your hand down to draw more cards with Dark Asset. To compound this point, both Dedenne-GX and Crobat V cannot be fetched with [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] and lack Tapu Lele-GX’s Energy Drive attack, which is extremely good and cannot be overlooked.

One Absol and One Tapu Lele

Sometimes the opponent pops off and powers up too many attackers to deal with. Here’s where [card name=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] comes in. Provided there is a Crobat V or Dedenne-GX on the opponent’s Bench, using [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Ace Trainer” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card] along with Absol’s Dark Ambition Ability should stop the opponent dead in their tracks. Unless they draw a [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] or a [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card], there is no way to switch the Active Spot Pokemon to the Bench without retreating normally as [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] blocks Item cards from being played. Eventually, the opponent will attach Energy cards to the Active Spot Pokemon — now’s the time to start using Team Flare Grunt and [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] along with Trevenant BREAK’s Silent Fear to pressure your opponent. After a few turns, there will likely be enough damage in play to use [card name=”Tapu Lele” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card]’s Magical Swap to take all six Prizes. 

No Mimikyu CEC

There is a strong argument to include [card name=”Mimikyu” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] CEC for its Shadow Box Ability. Shadow Box can further cripple the opponent, shutting off Abilities like [card name=”Zeraora-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card]’s Thunderclap Zone, [card name=”Honchkrow-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ruler of the Night, and [card name=”Mewtwo and Mew-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”71″ c=”name”][/card]’s Perfection. However, the main reason I would include it is for [card name=”Naganadel and Guzzlord-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card]’s Violent Appetite Ability. Save for Naganadel and Guzzlord-GX, Trevenant stomps [card name=”Roxie” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”205″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Garchomp and Giratina-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card]. There isn’t enough Energy to survive the onslaught of Enhanced Hammer, Ace Trainer, and Counter Catcher plays. Yet, in combination with [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”name”][/card] there are ‘infinite’ uses of Violent Appetite to render all of Trevenant’s attacks useless. While at this point one could bank on decking the opponent out, I’m not sold. Either way, this only applies if the Roxie / Garchomp and Giratina-GX player sees this line of play and it isn’t an immediate death sentence. Mimikyu is the 61st card if I could play it.

Supporter Cards

This deck’s Supporter lineup isn’t too farfetched, there’s consistency mixed with some techs. Three Professor Juniper is the sweet spot for Trevenant as discarding too many resources is a big worry. Two [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] and one [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] is perfect too. N is as disruptive as ever and allows you to make big comebacks late game. Cynthia is best used when your opponent has a dead hand but you don’t wish to Professor Juniper your hand away. Cynthia also allows you to win against any sort of deck out strategy since you shuffle your hand in but not the opponent’s. One Guzma is necessary for being able to trap Pokemon with Absol, one [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] is needed for the [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] (ADP) / [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] matchup, and two copies of Team Flare Grunt do their job of picking away any Energy to attack or retreat.

One Super Rod

Believe me, [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”name”][/card] is better than [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card]! While you can grab more cards with Ordinary Rod, you don’t know what you’ll end up discarding over the course of the game. In some games, it could be two [card name=”Trevenant BREAK” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] and a [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card]. In others, it can be all three Psychic Energy. Super Rod is more flexible and can recycle the maximum number of either Energy or Pokemon. 

Four Horror Psychic Energy and One Mystery Energy

Another great addition to this deck is [card name=”Horror P Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card]. It can speed up KOs against Pokemon with low HP like [card name=”Bunnelby” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”150″ c=”custom”]Mad Party[/card] or [card name=”Ultra Necrozma” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”164″ c=”name”][/card]. Against other decks, it provides some extra juice for Tapu Lele’s Magical Swap. I’ve included a [card name=”Mystery Energy” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] to allow Trevenant to retreat for one Energy, which is nice when you need to attack with Tapu Lele-GX or Tapu Lele.

Trevenant Matchups

There are a ton of viable decks in Expanded, so I’ll try to give an overview for most of them:

Pikachu and Zekrom-GX

The goal here is to prevent [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]’s Full Blitz attack, or stick something to the Active Spot. But this depends if the opponent plays Zeraora-GX. If they do, it’s extremely tough but if you can get enough attacks off and their Energy is spread out, you can use Tapu Lele’s Magical Swap to KO whatever Pokemon has Energy attached. If they don’t play Zeraora-GX, it should be a matter of using Counter Catcher a few times until they can’t retreat. Without Zeraora-GX: 70/30. With: 30/70.

Coalossal VMAX

This matchup is great since [card name=”Coalossal VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]’s Eruption Shot doesn’t OHKO Trevenant BREAK. Thanks to their slower pace, Trevenant has some time to disrupt while picking off any [card name=”Slugma” set=”Kalos Starter Set” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Magcargo” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”24″ c=”name”][/card]. It’s easy to find kinks in the opponent’s board and exploit them via Enhanced Hammer or the Absol and Counter Catcher play. 85/15.

[premium]

Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V

One word: Pokemon Ranger. While this doesn’t solve the matchup on its own, it makes Ultimate Ray do a petty 150 damage. This isn’t enough to KO Trevenant BREAK, plus Pokemon Ranger erases the bonus Prize effect. On the turn that Altered Creation GX comes out, use Enhanced Hammer on the [card name=”Double Dragon Energy” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] and Pokemon Ranger in the same turn, even if you have to make some awkward discards. This should theoretically allow you to lock ADP in the Active Spot for the rest of the game and deny any Ultimate Ray attacks. Zacian V’s Intrepid Sword Ability is a very annoying benefit under Item lock, but Energy denial should prevail. 75/25.

Rowlet and Alolan Exeggutor-GX / Vileplume

While Item lock does hurt [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] a lot, it’s negated by your opponent’s low Energy count. If you can, eliminate whatever Pokemon has Energy attached or the Irritating Pollen [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card]. With Vileplume out of the way, you can use Enhanced Hammer and [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”EX FireRed and LeafGreen” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] for [card name=”Team Flare Grunt” set=”Generations” no=”73″ c=”name”][/card]. Often, [card name=”Rowlet and Alolan Exeggutor-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”1″ c=”name”][/card] is too slow to deal with so much damage from Trevenant’s Silent Fear. 75/25

Roxie / Garchomp and Giratina-GX

Deny their Energy! Use [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] on their Double Dragon Energy to deny them a chance to attack. There’s the Absol and [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] play too if you need it, but most times you won’t. You need to be aware of [card name=”Noivern-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]’s Sonic Volume, but if you manage your resources and preserve a Pokemon Ranger for the turn you need it, you will be fine. 80/20 (depending on the Naganadel and Guzzlord-GX issue above).

Bunnelby Control

This is the best matchup for Trevenant. Since there isn’t any way for the opponent’s [card name=”Bunnelby” set=”Primal Clash” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] Control to do anything under Item lock, use Trevenant’s Silent Fear and KO the [card name=”Cinccino” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card] to win. 95/5.

Turbo Dark

If the opponent plays [card name=”Weavile-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”132″ c=”name”][/card] and/or [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card], there’s almost nothing you can do as Trevenant. Turbo Dark beats up Trevenant the same way Trevenant beats up Bunnelby Control. If the opponent does have a bad start, I would try to use [card name=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] to lock something in the Active Spot and hope that I can get enough Silent Fears off to use [card name=”Tapu Lele” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card]’s Magical Swap. 5/95.

Dragapult VMAX / Garbodor

In a similar vein to Coalossal VMAX, [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] is a sluggish deck by nature. If you can set up your Item lock before any Pokemon Tools come into play on a [card name=”Trubbish” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card], the matchup becomes close. If they do get Garbotoxin online, it’s very tough to fight back against Dragapult VMAX’s Max Phantom attack shredding through multiple Trevenant. Since there are few Energy in Dragapult VMAX / Garbodor lists currently, locking something in the Active Spot is the right strategy. 35/65.

Ultra Necrozma

Depending on the list, this matchup is favored. Like the Dragapult VMAX / Garbodor matchup, it depends if Garbotoxin comes into play. Otherwise, there aren’t enough [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] and Double Dragon Energy for Ultra Necrozma to attack. A slow, methodical death by Silent Fear is to follow. 55/45.

Mew / Cramorant V

This is another matchup that [card name=”Horror P Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card] puts work in. If the opponent tries to stagger [card name=”Mew” set=”Fates Collide” no=”29″ c=”name”][/card] and retreat, you can use Absol. Else, this is a matter of maintaining the Item lock until the opponent whiffs an attack. [card name=”Cramorant V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card]’s Beak Catch is extremely annoying since it can be used for no Energy by Mew with [card name=”Dimension Valley” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] so preserve [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Ace Trainer” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card]. The opponent’s most valuable resource is Mew itself. Take KOs on Mew so the opponent can no longer attack for one Energy attachment. 75/25.

Trevenant is the right pick for this Expanded format. It is easy to play, favored against the top decks, and is as consistent as possible without hurting the disruption element. 

Combo Coalossal

But if a slow, methodical deck isn’t your speed, I have a great second option: Combo Coalossal! Combo Coalossal was born out of the pairing of [card name=”Electrode-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”48″ c=”name”][/card] with Coalossal VMAX, since Electrode-GX’s Extra Energy Bomb Ability only excludes Pokemon-GX or Pokemon-EX, but not Pokemon V. However, after crafting the most consistent version of this idea, I felt there was room for a little extra spice. Here’s what I mean:

[decklist name=”Combo Coalossal” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Electrode-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”48″][pokemon amt=”19″]3x [card name=”Electrode-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”48″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Voltorb” set=”Evolutions” no=”39″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Coalossal VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Coalossal V” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x Mr. Mime (DET #11)1x [card name=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Diancie Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”31″]2x [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Black and White” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Big Parasol” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”157″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Gold Potion” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]4x [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Furious Fists” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Stone Fighting Energy” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”164″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”EX Holon Phantoms” no=”110″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Three Voltorb, Three Electrode-GX, Three Coalossal V, and Two Coalossal VMAX

[cardimg name=”Coalossal VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”99″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

This is the heart of the deck. Even though we want to get an Electrode-GX into play as soon as we can, going second is the best choice. Having access to a Supporter is great to set up. The ideal first turn is to get two [card name=”Voltorb” set=”Evolutions” no=”39″ c=”name”][/card] out (in case one gets targeted by [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card]) and a [card name=”Coalossal V” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card]. On the next turn, after using [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] to discard Energy, use Electrode-GX’s Extra Energy Bomb Ability to attach several [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Furious Fists” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Stone Fighting Energy” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”164″ c=”name”][/card] to the Coalossal V or [card name=”Coalossal VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]. Rarely are two Extra Energy Bomb Abilities used, since giving four Prizes to the opponent is unheard of. Make sure you don’t become overzealous in evolving your Voltorb. 

Something else I want to mention is that you don’t always have to evolve your Coalossal V. Boulder Crush with some Strong Energy and [card name=”Diancie Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] gets the job done without giving up three Prize cards.

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

While Extra Energy Bomb allows your opponent to go down to four Prizes, you should be able to win with [card name=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] and Mr. Mime! Traditionally, Coalossal VMAX decks run [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] for its Primate Wisdom Ability to guarantee an Energy hit with Eruption Shot. But for the measly price of two extra cards, we can have the power to use the combo of Oranguru, Mr. Mime, and Jirachi Prism Star. Although I use this in only ~30% of games, the value to cost ratio is through the roof. If the opponent knows your list, it forces them to play around it. Don’t try to preserve combo pieces if you are digging for an attack. Whiffing the combo is bearable but whiffing an attack is fatal.

One Diancie Prism Star

Diancie Prism Star is here both for its Ability and its attack! Diamond Rain with three Strong Energy can KO a [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] against [card name=”Rowlet and Alolan Exeggutor-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”1″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card]. As a strong single Prize attacker, it can KO [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] too. If I know I won’t be needing a second Coalossal VMAX, I will use Electrode-GX’s Extra Energy Bomb to power up Diancie Prism Star. Of course, this is all without talking about its Princess’s Cheers Ability. Doing an extra 20 damage is relevant against a few things, namely for Coalossal VMAX —with four Strong Energy and Diancie Prism Star, G-Max Boulder does 340 damage! 

One Dedenne-GX, One Crobat V, and One Tapu Lele-GX

Unlike [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card], this deck contains the consistency trifecta (barring [card name=”Eldegoss V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”19″ c=”name”][/card]). Each of these cards have their merits, so I’ve included one of each. If I were to add a fourth, it would be a second Dedenne-GX. For the early turns, I find myself valuing Crobat V to preserve an Electrode-GX or similar important piece in my hand.

Supporter Cards

This deck includes an amazing Supporter lineup. There’s one of each Supporter you could want, and they’re easy to find with Battle Compressor and [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”EX FireRed and LeafGreen” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card]. Although we play [card name=”Electrode-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”48″ c=”name”][/card] (meaning the opponent only needs to take two KOs on two, two Prize Pokemon), there is heavy healing because it is rare that the opponent can constantly stream attackers and Guzma. If we can heal our gigantic Coalossal VMAX, we get more value! The healing is important against single Prize decks like [card name=”Ultra Necrozma” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”164″ c=”name”][/card]. Remember, Jirachi’s Ability needs a free Bench spot to gain the extra Prize, so [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] is good to free up one spot.

There’s no [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] in this list because you don’t need it! Combo Coalossal squashes [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] because it outspeeds it. You often KO ADP, then use Jirachi Prism Star to take another three Prizes to close the game on a Zacian V. It’s rare for a deck to outspeed ADP / Zacian V, but with Electrode-GX a turn 2 G-Max Boulder for 280 damage is the rule rather than the exception. 

Another funny note: The bonus Prize effect of Altered Creation GX doesn’t matter because of Extra Energy Bomb. Unless the opponent KOs Coalossal VMAX, they will have to take two KOs to take their four Prizes. 

One Exeggcute, Four Ultra Ball, Four Quick Ball, and Four Battle Compressor:

This consistency makes me so happy. With [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card] is a free search for any Basic Pokemon, and [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card] is a ‘Quick Ball’ for any Pokemon. Battle Compressor performs flawlessly, being used to discard Energy for Extra Energy Bomb, Supporters for VS Seeker, or thin out useless cards like an extra Electrode-GX line after you’ve used one Electrode-GX’s Extra Energy Bomb Ability. 

Two Field Blower, Two Float Stone, One Big Parasol, One Rescue Stretcher

The addition of [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] is for [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]’s Garbotoxin, to stop the [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Aegislash-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”65″ c=”name”][/card] combo, and anything else. It is a versatile card that provides some buffer for random matchups. [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] is standard and is necessary for Guzma plays. [card name=”Big Parasol” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”157″ c=”name”][/card]’s purpose is to block anything and everything. If you can get it down, it blocks Trevenant’s Silent Fear, Ultra Necrozma’s discard effect, [card name=”Darkrai-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card]’s Dead End GX, [card name=”Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card]’s Tandem Shock Paralysis, and more. There is merit to a second copy of Big Parasol, but for now I don’t see the need. [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] is better in this deck since we have Energy recovery with Electrode-GX.

One Silent Lab and No Martial Arts Dojo

The deck includes [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] for Aegislash EX’s Mighty Shield Ability and [card name=”Wobbuffet” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”36″ c=”name”][/card]’s Bide Barricade. Remember, Jirachi Prism Star works under Silent Lab (it technically isn’t in a player’s hand or discard pile). Another tech I wanted to include was [card name=”Martial Arts Dojo” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card], but its benefits are few. The main two reasons to include it are in order to OHKO an opposing Coalossal VMAX with multiple Stone F Energy or to OHKO [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] as due to its Fighting-type Resistance, you need Martial Arts Dojo. I ended up cutting it for Silent Lab. 

Gold Potion or Computer Search

Now we get to the spiciest card: [card name=”Gold Potion” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card]! I haven’t decided whether Gold Potion or [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] is better. On one hand, Gold Potion is devastating if the opponent pokes at a [card name=”Coalossal VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] with several Stone F Energies without taking a KO on it. Healing with Gold Potion allows you to play a different Supporter than [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card] as well. On the other hand, we have the best search card printed with Computer Search. Computer Search is useful at all stages of the game and can be a pseudo-Gold Potion by fetching Mallow and Lana as well as grabbing anything else you need. I’m torn between the two and I’ll be testing the deck with each. 

Combo Coalossal Matchups

The strategy of Combo Coalossal is straightforward with a few exceptions: Attack and heal! 

Here are some notes that I want to share:

  • Against Rowlet and Alolan Exeggutor-GX / Vileplume, make sure to power up [card name=”Diancie Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card]. 
  • Against Dragapult VMAX / Garbodor, watch your Item count so that [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]’s Trashalanche attack won’t 2HKO Coalossal VMAX with healing. 
  • Against [card name=”Bunnelby” set=”Primal Clash” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] Control, use Electrode-GX’s Extra Energy Bomb twice since [card name=”Articuno-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card]’s Cold Crush GX will discard a ton of Energy. You can use [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] to disrupt them, leaving them with two hand cards.
  • Against [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card], they might try to use [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Vikavolt V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card]’s Paralyzing Bolt to prevent you from using VS Seeker. Play around this as needed by preemptively using VS Seeker. 
  • Against [card name=”Roxie” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”205″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Garchomp and Giratina-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card], Big Parasol blocks Garchomp and Giratina-GX’s GG End GX, but that doesn’t mean you’re home free. Power up a second Coalossal VMAX in case they manage to use GG End GX. They could target your two Prize Pokemon on your Bench, as [card name=”Naganadel and Guzzlord-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card]’s Chaotic Order GX is another option for them.

And that’s about it! Use Coalossal VMAX’s G-Max Boulder two or three times to bring home that beloved victory screen on PTCGO. Trevenant and Combo Coalossal in the Expanded format are tons of fun and I hope you guys end up trying them out for yourselves.

If there are any questions or comments, drop those below and I will answer as soon as I can!

Until next time,

-Blaine

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