Players Cup III — An In-Depth Look Into Eternatus VMAX

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

Hello to all PokeBeach readers! I’m here again with another Pokemon TCG article about [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], the deck I’ve been enjoying the most lately and one of my main options for the next phase of the Players Cup III.

Since Eternatus VMAX was released, some deck variants have emerged such as the interesting Poison Eternatus VMAX (Poisonatus), which features [card name=”Galarian Slowbro V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Toxicroak” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] to deal extra damage with the Poison Special Condition. But even the more traditional version focused on basic Pokemon like [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Team Up” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] can have a wide variety of tech cards such as [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Turbo Patch” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Dangerous Drill” set=”Team Up” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Power Plant” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card]. This is because Eternatus VMAX has some free spots to explore these cards without compromising consistency. I noticed there is no consensus among players in online tournaments as to what would be the best tech options for Eternatus VMAX, unlike with [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] where all players understand that Crushing Hammer is the best tech for that deck.

The purpose of my article today is to share my experience with Eternatus VMAX and analyze the best options for composing the deck. I will discuss the Eternatus VMAX deck list that I have prepared for use in the second phase of Players Cup III. I believe that the deck is the best option for the tournament, especially considering the upcoming arrival of Shining Fates to the format.

Breaking Down Eternatus VMAX

To better analyze an Eternatus VMAX deck, we first need to define its skeleton list — to figure out the essential cards to execute the main strategy of the deck. By knowing how to identify the skeleton list, we have more freedom to customize the deck without affecting the deck’s consistency.

A good tip to know if your skeleton list is well made is to fill in the extra spaces with useless or almost useless cards, then test the deck to see if it is working. If the deck is working minimally well, then it means that your skeleton list is perfect.

[decklist name=”Eternatus VMAX Skeleton List” amt=”52″ caption=”Open Slots: 8″ cname=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″][pokemon amt=”18″]4x [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Eternatus V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”116″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Team Up” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”24″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”EX FireRed and LeafGreen” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Great Ball” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”52″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]10x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Diamond and Pearl” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”10″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

There isn’t an exact skeleton list for Eternatus VMAX and this can vary from player to player, but this is the list I used to create any variant of Eternatus VMAX. It is possible to remove some cards from the skeleton list, but it is necessary to replace those cards with other cards that have a similar effect; at least for the metagame. It is possible that in a future metagame cards like [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card] aren’t necessary, so the skeleton list could have [card name=”Hiding Darkness Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Dark City” set=”Unified Minds” no=”193″ c=”name”][/card] instead. Take note that the Poisonatus variant does not use Galarian Zigzagoon, but instead plays Galarian Slowbro V and Toxicroak to add damage via Poison.

What are the Best Options for Darkness-type Basic Pokemon?

There are some options that we can consider for Darkness-type Basic Pokemon that aren’t Pokemon-GX / Pokemon V. I believe that the minimum number of Basic Pokemon that an Eternatus VMAX list needs is 14 Pokemon, so that you are able to get eight Pokemon onto the Bench on your second turn with reasonable consistency.

Hoopa UNM

I see this [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Unified Minds” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] as a good option to deal with [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] as it does not have a Grass-type Weakness. However, Hoopa UNM’s attack depends on the opponent’s list and field. Hoopa UNM is the best option you want a Pokemon exclusively to deal with Decidueye, but in general I prefer [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] UNB for that problem. Besides being a good attacker against Decidueye and [card name=”Altaria” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”49″ c=”name”][/card], Spiritomb UNB has the potential to help in many other situations, which I will discuss further below.

Hoopa DAA

This version of [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”111″ c=”name”][/card] has a better attack. However, Hoopa DAA has a Weakness to Grass-type, which means it is poor against Decidueye. In most other cases Hoopa DAA will be better, but in the current metagame this [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] deck does not have enough turns to power up any Pokemon other than Eternatus VMAX. With a fast and aggressive metagame, in addition to [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] being so impactful and popular, it is difficult to find a turn to attach an Energy to Hoopa DAA. Keep in mind that Eternatus VMAX can deal with all Pokemon in the curent meta, except Decidueye and [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card]. We need to focus our Darkness-type Basic Pokemon to deal with these two Pokemon.

If you choose to attach an Energy to Hoopa DAA early game, it will mess up the rest of your match. If your opponent hits Heads on Crushing Hammer or uses [card name=”Team Yell Grunt” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”184″ c=”name”][/card], it means that you will have no way to attack with Eternatus VMAX next turn. For Hoopa DAA to be efficient, I believe the list will have to play cards to put more Energy in the field such as [card name=”Turbo Patch” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card].

Spiritomb UNB

[cardimg name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

For me, Spiritomb UNB is the best non Pokemon-GX or Pokemon V attacker available in the format for Eternatus VMAX. In addition to being a good attacker against Decidueye, this Pokemon can deal up to 160 damage with one Energy to knock out [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]. If you choose to add [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] into your Eternatus VMAX deck, remember that you can attach this Tool onto Spiritomb and increase its attack to up to 250 damage.

Absol TEU

In the previous Standard format, [card name=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] TEU’s Ability was famous to disrupt the popular [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] with [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] combo. In the current Standard format, Absol can mess with [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] and [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] decks that need to retreat a lot, but these decks play four copies of Switch so Absol may not be efficient. If you choose not to play Spiritomb or Hoopa on your list and accept an almost autoloss match against Decidueye or Zacian V / [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card], then I recommend playing at least two copies of Absol to improve your matchups against Pikachu and Zekrom and ADP / Zacian V.

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What are the Best Techs?

Crushing Hammer

It is difficult not to add one of the most impactful cards of the Standard format right now. This card is able to unbalance any matchup, but mainly ADP / Zacian V and the mirror match. There is no great synergy between [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] and Eternatus VMAX — the only reason for including this tech is because Eternatus VMAX is a strong, consistent deck with plenty of room to add Crushing Hammer.

Turbo Patch

One way to protect yourself from your opponent’s Crushing Hammer is to try to put back the Energy that was discarded using Turbo Patch. I’m not a fan of Turbo Patch because Eternatus VMAX does not need to attach extra Energy cards if you can make the attachments for the turn, plus [card name=”Eternatus V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card]’s Power Accelerator attack can be considered a “soft counter” to Crushing Hammer. Another point against Turbo Patch is that it cannot be used to attach Energy onto a Pokemon VMAX, in addition to being a situational coin flip card. There will be times when using a Turbo Patch will save you the matchup, such as powering up other Pokemon that are normally difficult to power up in a match like Sableye V, but this is uncommon.

Weavile-GX

This tech is an idea that I have been testing on my Eternatus VMAX list to combat Crushing Hammer. The idea with [card name=”Weavile-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”132″ c=”name”][/card] is to be able to move the Energy cards placed on the board using Eternatus V’s Power Accelerator, especially in the first few turns when a Crushing Hammer can be devastating. The goal is to be able to attack with Eternatus VMAX with greater consistency in the second turn even if the opponent is able to hit a Crushing Hammer. The addition of Weavile-GX also improves the Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX matchup a little more.

Weavile-GX with Red and Blue?

I’ve seen some lists playing the Supporter [card name=”Red and Blue” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”202″ c=”name”][/card] to evolve Weavile-GX and put extra Energy on the field to protect themselves against Crushing Hammer. Although the idea is very interesting, I find it very difficult to make this Supporter work consistently. In the end, this tech is more likely to hinder than to help, but it is a cool idea.

Scoop Up Net

This was one of the first techs to appear in Eternatus VMAX lists but gradually disappeared. I like [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] as you’re able to use [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ability more often, which can significantly help to knock out a [card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card] with one Dread End attack. Scoop Up Net also serves as an alternative [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card] to remove non Pokemon-GX / Pokemon V from the Active Spot. If you expect a metagame focused on Pokemon VMAX, maybe Scoop Up Net is a more consistent option than the [card name=”Galarian Slowbro V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] with [card name=”Toxicroak” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] combo in the Poisonatus variant. I prefer to bet on Scoop Up Net instead of Poisonatus.

Big Charm

This Tool is one of the techs that I consider less “necessary” to the deck, since [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] already has 340 HP. However, Big Charm can make a difference in several situations.

Against Pikachu and Zekrom-GX, it is quite possible that the opponent needs three attacks to knock out a Eternatus VMAX with Big Charm attached, as Pikachu and Zekrom-GX has great difficulty to reach 370 damage in two attacks. Plus, it does not play [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card]. Against Centiskorch VMAX, the opponent will need nine Fire Energy to Knock Out Eternatus VMAX in a single attack. Against ADP / Zacian V, the idea is to attach Big Charm onto [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] to prevent it from being Knocked Out by ADP. Against [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card], you attach Big Charm to Spiritomb to avoid it being Knocked Out and further increase Spiritomb’s damage output.

My Eternatus VMAX Deck List

[decklist name=”My Eternatus VMAX for PC3″ amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″][pokemon amt=”21″]4x [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Eternatus V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”116″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Team Up” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”29″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Great Ball” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”52″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Dangerous Drill” set=”Team Up” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Power Plant” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]10x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Diamond and Pearl” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”10″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

My list was designed to further improve consistency and prepare against the worst matchups for the deck, which are Decidueye and [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card]. Even after dedicating a few cards to this list to try and beat those decks, those games remain unfavorable but at least there is chance to win.

Pokemon Line

I decided to compose my Pokemon line with three Spiritomb to be able to deal with Decidueye and [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card]. I added Two [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Team Up” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] because of its free Retreat Cost and it helps against Decidueye and [card name=”Bunnelby” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”150″ c=”custom”]Mad Party[/card]. The sole copy of Sableye V is included to Knock Out Zamazenta V.

Two Dangerous Drill

[cardimg name=”Dangerous Drill” set=”Team Up” no=”138″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

The main function of [card name=”Dangerous Drill” set=”Team Up” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] is to remove the [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] from [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] from Zamazenta V against Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX. But Dangerous Drill can also remove Special Energy and Stadium cards, such as [card name=”Speed L Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card] against [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Giant Hearth” set=”Unified Minds” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card] against Fire-type decks like Centiskorch VMAX and Tempo [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card].

Two Power Plant

In this Eternatus VMAX variant, I see [card name=”Power Plant” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card] as one of the best Stadium options. The metagame is favorable for using Power Plant as it can severely damage popular decks that depend on Pokemon-GX Abilities. Pikachu and Zekrom-GX decks normally play only one [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card] and uses [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Mewtwo and Mew-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”71″ c=”name”][/card], ADP / Zacian V uses Dedenne-GX and [card name=”Mawile-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card], while Tempo Reshiram and Charizard-GX uses Dedenne-GX and [card name=”Oricorio-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card], in addition to relying on Giant Hearth to search for Fire Energy.

Another Stadium worth mentioning is [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card]. This Stadium has synergy with this deck because you can keep playing Energy cards each turn, plus it is perfect for [card name=”Eternatus V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card]’s Power Accelerator attack — very important in this current metagame where [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] is prevalent. Another advantage with Viridian Forest is you can discard any card you don’t need from your hand, which helps you draw more cards with Crobat V. The problem with this Stadium is that it is very good, so unfortunately the opponent will end up taking advantage of Viridian Forest too. Pikachu and Zekrom-GX will find it easier to discard Lightning Energy for [card name=”Tapu Koko Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ability, ADP / Zacian V will find it easier to search for Water Energy or use [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card], while Fire-type decks like Tempo Reshiram and Charizard-GX and Centiskorch VMAX will continue to have access to the Fire Energy in their deck. In the end, Viridian Forest helps the opponent too much, and does not compensate for the added consistency it brings to Eternatus VMAX.

Alternative Poison Eternatus VMAX Deck List

[decklist name=”PoisonNatus” amt=”60″ caption=”undefined” cname=”Galarian Slowbro V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”99″][pokemon amt=”21″]4x [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Eternatus V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”116″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Toxicroak” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”124″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Croagunk” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Galarian Slowbro V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”28″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Piers” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Great Ball” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”52″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Dark City” set=”Unified Minds” no=”193″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]7x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Diamond and Pearl” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”7″][/card]2x [card name=”Capture Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Hiding Darkness Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”175″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

The biggest differential [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] has compared to other top metagame decks is the slight advantage it has against ADP / Zacian V. If I decide to play an Eternatus VMAX deck, I want to ensure that my deck list is able to Knock Out ADP by turn 2. That’s the main reason why I don’t like the Poisonatus variant so much.

For the second phase of the Players Cup III, we will have Shining Fates, a mini set with a card that promises to make a big impact — the Rusted Sword. This Tool card, when attached to Zacian V, adds 30 damage to Zacian V’s Brave Blade attack. With this Tool, the ADP / Zacian V deck will have a much easier time to Knock Out Tag Team Pokemon-GX plus significantly improve the Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX matchup. However, Rusted Sword will not make any difference against Eternatus VMAX.

If this scenario happens, then it is likely that ADP / Zacian V players will add one to three copies of a card useless against Eternatus VMAX, plus it will discourage players from choosing Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX (a bad matchup for Eternatus VMAX). If my theory plays out, I believe it will be worth taking [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] off my list and adding [card name=”Absol” set=”Team Up” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] to disrupt ADP / Zacian V and Pikachu and Zekrom-GX decks which need to constantly retreat their Pokemon.

Conclusion

Eternatus VMAX is one of the best decks of the format and I see the metagame becoming a little more favorable for it when Shining Fates gets released, but it is just a theory. Another possible scenario that could happen is more decks add Crushing Hammer, knowing that ADP / Zacian V will become stronger and consequently Eternatus VMAX as well. These two decks will suffer a lot if Crushing Hammer becomes widespread in this Standard format.

For today it’s all folks, I hope you enjoyed and see you next time!

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