Players Cup III Qualifiers — Optimizing LMZ and Eternatus VMAX!
Hello PokeBeach! This is Grant Manley back after a bit of a hiatus, and there’s no better time to return than in the midst of the Players Cup III qualifiers! If you’re unfamiliar with the online event, check out this article from Isaiah! The Players Cup III is completely free and anyone in the world can play! At the very least, the qualifiers offer some valuable testing experience for the current Standard format.
I didn’t end up playing in the first Players Cup, but I did make Top 16 North America in the second one, and I’m doing well in qualifiers so far for this third one. There’s a few weeks left for qualifiers, and so I wanted to share some of what I’ve learned about the current Standard format.
It seems that for now, the qualifiers give you a fairly accurate share of the meta, as well as the stray non-competitive or rogue deck here and there. I’ve been tracking my games and my points, and it does seem fairly representative of how an actual tournament would be in terms of meta and competition. The qualifiers are a bunch of tiny tournaments, but by playing in a lot of them it seems that things even out.
Currently I’ve played 10 events with [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], 10 with [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card], and 11 with [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] (LMZ). Eternatus VMAX has averaged me 2.8 points per key, Pikachu and Zekrom-GX with 2.1 points, and LMZ with a clean 3 points. To put this into perspective, 100 points is almost certainly going to be enough to qualify for the main event based on past data, so even if I kept up PikaRom’s 2.1 winrate it would be good enough. Three points per key is incredibly strong. If someone was able to average three across all 50 keys, they would probably end up as top five in the world. With my limited sample size, LMZ is my best deck so far.
I’m definitely going to keep playing Eternatus VMAX and LMZ for my remaining 19 keys, and those are the decks I’m going to talk about today. These are two very different decks with their own styles, but I see two key differences in terms of the meta. First is matchups. Eternatus VMAX has better matchups, and is overall less dependent on the matchups it faces. LMZ is slightly riskier in that respect. This statement will make more sense when we look at my deck lists. Second, Eternatus VMAX is far more vulnerable to [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card]. It can still do fine against decks with Crushing Hammer, it’s just that it’s much weaker when compared to LMZ specifically. LMZ is already a slow deck with tons of Energy, so it doesn’t particularly care about Crushing Hammer.
Essentially, LMZ is more reliant on luck when it comes to matchups, and Eternatus VMAX is more reliant on luck against Crushing Hammer.
Eternatus VMAX
[decklist name=”etern” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″][pokemon amt=”19″]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]4x [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Team Up” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”111″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”32″]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]3x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”147″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Great Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”164″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”182″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”9″]9x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”XY” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”9″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
[cardimg name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
My current deck list is one card different from the list I played in the Players Cup II, making Top 16 North America and losing by getting unlucky against a much less consistent Eternatus VMAX mirror. Aside from [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card], which are necessary against LMZ, this list is focused on pure consistency and aggression. Hitting for 270+ damage on turn 2 is insane in any context and this deck is the only one that can do so. This deck is busted and has a good shot at winning every single matchup. It baffles me that people still play Eternatus VMAX lists other than this one. I see them get punished for it every single time.
This deck’s only weakness is bad luck against Crushing Hammer, which tons of decks play. However, due to the immense pressure this deck applies, the opponent doesn’t have much time to find Crushing Hammer, plus they must hit heads. [card name=”Eternatus V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card]’s Power Accelerator can mitigate this weakness to an extent. [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] help as well. Over a large enough sample size of games, it’s inevitable that you’ll get screwed over by Crushing Hammer, but I’ve found the threat to be somewhat exaggerated. It’s not a huge deal overall.
The general consensus on Eternatus VMAX is to either play the Poison version with [card name=”Toxicroak” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] or take the loss to [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card]. Many players choose the latter because they realize the value of consistency in a deck like this, where you simply blitz your opponent and overwhelm them with the sheer power of the most powerful deck in the game. I was in the same boat, but I came up with a way to reliably beat LMZ without sacrificing too many deck spots. The entire poison package comes out to about 12 cards, and it causes a sharp reduction in consistency in exchange for some more power and the ability to annihilate Zamazenta V. In my opinion, that trade off isn’t worth it.
The inclusions that allow this deck to beat Zamazenta V are [card name=”Sableye V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card], Ordinary Rod, and both Tool Scrapper. Another key Pokemon is [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”111″ c=”name”][/card]. All of these cards are useful in other games too. I’d say that Sableye V is the most versatile, as it is at least fuel for Dread End or [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card]. Tool Scrapper is probably the most specific, but it is incredibly strong against Tag Team Pokemon-GX with [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card]. Ordinary Rod is nice for getting back [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card], and in the mid- to late-game, can increase the odds of drawing specific cards by refilling the deck. This is an overlooked consistency boost that comes in clutch, aside from being atrociously strong in the LMZ matchup specifically (by recovering Sableye V and Darkness Energy).
By playing the deck this way, we can capitalize on the strengths of [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] without sacrificing consistency or matchups.
The [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Team Up” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] used to be considered an offbeat tech, but now everyone has caught on. I don’t get why people are playing three of them; I find it kind of funny. Yveltal is a pivot off [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card], which is particularly useful against paralysis or deck thinning for Crobat V. It works well with Hoopa. Yveltal’s attacks are interesting and they have value in niche situations, as well as against [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card].
The quirkiest thing about this list is definitely the lone copy of [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”182″ c=”name”][/card], but there is a method to my madness. This deck is all about speed and aggression. Between the three Supporters that this deck plays, [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] is by far the worst. To me, Pokegear 3.0 is a lot stronger than Marnie, but we have to play sufficient counts of Marnie so that we can at least draw some cards. Although playing Pokegear 3.0 adds a small bit of risk to the deck, the extra out to [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] and more importantly, [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] makes it worth it. I’ve won quite a few tournament games because of Pokegear 3.0 being an out to Boss’s Orders, and I have yet to get punished for this deck building decision. Maybe I’m lucky to never whiff a draw Supporter off Pokegear 3.0 when it really matters, but I think that’s because the deck is absurdly consistent. I’ve certainly whiffed off Pokegear 3.0 before, but I’ve never lost a game because of it.
In my experience, the value that Pokegear 3.0 adds is more than worth the small risk it incurs.
[premium]
Playing Around Reset Stamp
Nobody likes being hit by a [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] to one in a game they’re about to win. Against Tag Team Pokemon-GX specifically, they can occasionally make an incredible comeback off a Reset Stamp. Use [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] to play around this whenever possible. For example, against [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card], you can hit their [card name=”Mewtwo and Mew-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”71″ c=”name”][/card] for 240 damage plus two Galarian Zigzagoon Headbutt Tantrum Abilites. The next turn, finish it off with another Galarian Zigzagoon and attack to end the game by taking tons of Prize cards at once. If you’ve already KO’d a [card name=”Boltund V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”67″ c=”name”][/card], which you probably have, this strategy plays around the possibility of getting hit by a Reset Stamp to one.
Another option for this is Tool Scrapper. Against Tag Team Pokemon-GX with Big Charm attached, you can easily set up a Tool Scrapper KO. Of course, this strategy only works if they don’t have ways to heal their Pokemon. Playing around Reset Stamp is definitely situational, but it’s something that a lot of players overlook. The strategy will definitely come into play a few times over the course of many games.
Matchups
[card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] — Slightly Favorable
Pikachu and Zekrom-GX — Favorable
Eternatus VMAX — Even to Slightly Unfavorable if they play Hammers
[card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card] — Favorable
[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] — Slightly Favorable
[card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] — Slightly Unfavorable
Eternatus VMAX is not the most thought-intensive deck. You can throw the deck at the wall and it wins more often than not. The matchups aren’t too nuanced, as the deck only has one mode. Attack fast and do big damage.
One tip for the mirror — if you go second, you can force your opponent to take their first KO on a single-Prize Pokemon. Attack twice with Eternatus VMAX, without evolving any backup Eternatus V yet. When they KO your first Eternatus VMAX, you can clear off all two-Prize Pokemon such as Crobat V, preventing them from winning with a Boss’s Orders. Then evolve any remaining Eternatus V. If you’re on the opposite side, be aware of this and pre-emptively KO a Crobat V with Boss’s Orders if you see your opponent trying to set up this play.
Lucario and Melmetal-GX / Zacian V
[decklist name=”lmz” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″][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=”38″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ 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]1x [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ 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=”Celestial Storm” no=”147″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Stealthy Hood” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”186″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”14″]10x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”XY” no=”139″ c=”deck2″ amt=”10″][/card]4x [card name=”Coating Metal Energy” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
[cardimg name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
LMZ is one of the more strategic decks in the current format, though that isn’t saying much considering the alternatives are brain-dead decks like [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] and Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX. It’s also the slowest deck, so if you’re tired of the hyper aggression in the Standard format then this might be the deck for you.
The only interesting thing about this list is the two copies of [card name=”Stealthy Hood” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”186″ c=”name”][/card]. Stealthy Hood turns the Poison Eternatus VMAX matchup from an auto-loss to a near auto-win. Not only does it stop [card name=”Galarian Slowbro V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ability, but it also nullifies [card name=”Toxicroak” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card], which means Poison only does normal damage to your [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card]. In qualifiers, I’m 5-0 against Poison Eternatus VMAX thanks to Stealthy Hood. That’s five of the 11 LMZ events that I would have otherwise been gatekept by Poison Eternatus VMAX. I added it up, and the Stealthy Hood inclusions have gotten me 9 points so far that I otherwise would not have. That is insane value.
Stealthy Hood can be useful against other Pokemon, but [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] is usually better. I’ve only ever used Stealthy Hood against Poison Eternatus VMAX, and I usually stick the extra Tools on [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card]. Stealthy Hood can be attached to Lillie’s Poke Doll to block [card name=”Phione” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] as well.
I also play three [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card], which is more than normal. I see it as an extremely important consistency card. It offers more outs to an early Lucario and Melmetal-GX while having other uses. Having those search options for [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card] is amazing, especially against decks like [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] and Eternatus VMAX. It can also become a draw card by searching the one copy of [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card]. I think this deck may want another Cynthia and Caitlin, but I’m not sure what I’d swap out.
Matchups
The matchups for [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] can sometimes be less straightforward than Eternatus VMAX, so I’ll go over them in a little more detail.
Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V — Slightly Favorable
I’ve only played against four Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian V (ADPZ) in qualifiers so far, and the score runs out to 2-2. I think this matchup is noticeably in LMZ’s favor, but ADPZ applies a lot more pressure than other decks, which makes it a volatile matchup. LMZ is forced to speed up its game in this matchup (along with some others like Centiskorch VMAX). The best time to use Full Metal Wall GX is right after they used Altered Creation GX, but the most important thing is to get your GX attack off early on no matter what.
The biggest factor in this matchup is [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card], and it really only matters if they draw it at the right time. The ADPZ player would like to have their Tool Scrapper available in the late-game, but they have no control over when they draw it and may have to discard it early. The same applies if they run [card name=”Leon” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card]. That said, a lot of lists play neither as LMZ isn’t too extremely popular in the qualifiers as far as I can tell.
Another important gameplay tip is to make sure all Zacian V in play have Metal Goggles attached at all times. The same goes for Zamazenta V if one of those is forced into play by your starting hand or an opposing [card name=”Mawile-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”227″ c=”name”][/card]. With Metal Goggles and Full Metal Wall GX active, they cannot OHKO your Zacian V. This is the key to winning the matchup. Strictly limit your Bench so they cannot take a free three-prize KO.
Eternatus VMAX — Very Favorable
Against the Poison version, use Stealthy Hood. Otherwise, Metal Goggles is the way to go. In any case, Zamazenta V destroys this deck as long as you play somewhat carefully. Don’t overbench, and keep both Zamazenta V alive at all cost. At the very least, make sure they both don’t go down. Eternatus VMAX lacks the resources to beat Zamazenta V combined with Mallow and Lana, so this is LMZ’s best matchup.
Of course, against the Eternatus VMAX list I discussed above, it’s a little bit of a different story. However, nobody is playing that list now so the matchup in general remains in LMZ’s favor.
Pikachu and Zekrom-GX — Favorable
Make sure to keep an eye on [card name=”Boltund V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”67″ c=”name”][/card] in this matchup as it’s the most threatening attacker. Zacian V can conveniently OHKO Boltund V, and I suggest you do that whenever there’s an opportunity to. Aside from Boltund V, they’ll likely find an opening to take a KO with a GX attack. Your job is to make it as difficult as possible for them to take enough KO’s by constantly switching Pokemon to the Bench and healing with Mallow and Lana.
LMZ takes advantage of Pikachu and Zekrom-GX’s relatively low damage output by punishing it with defensive effects. Zacian V does tons of damage and it doesn’t take a lot of damage in return. This matchup isn’t hard to play, but sometimes they will punish a slow start with too much early pressure.
Centiskorch VMAX — Unfavorable with Giratina, Slightly Favorable Otherwise
Unfortunately for LMZ, the [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] version of [card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card] featuring [card name=”Giratina” set=”Unified Minds” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] is a reasonably popular variant of the deck. Giratina hard counters [card name=”Coating Metal Energy” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card], which is LMZ’s only hope in the matchup. Another reason this matchup is difficult is because it forces LMZ to play faster, much like ADPZ. If left unchecked, Centiskorch VMAX will pile too much Energy into play and become unstoppable.
Zacian V with Coating Metal Energy is a great option here. It OHKO’s [card name=”Centiskorch V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] before it evolves, and it usually won’t go down in one hit. Of course, whether or not you draw Coating Metal Energy in time is completely up to luck, which is why I maximized my odds by playing four copies. If a Centiskorch VMAX becomes too threatening, Zamazenta V can check it, though it’s still vulnerable to [card name=”Heatran-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card]. Oftentimes the Centiskorch VMAX player will be forced to move Energy off Centiskorch VMAX onto Heatran-GX in order to deal with Zamazenta V. Zacian V can then OHKO the Heatran-GX, which results in a tempo shift back into LMZ’s favor. Aside from Giratina, the matchup largely depends on when you draw your Coating Metal Energy, and when they draw their [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card].
LMZ Mirror — Even
The mirror is a resource war and I believe it slightly favors the better player. It’s important to activate Full Metal Wall GX as soon as possible. The more Energy you’re able to discard with it, the better. Ideally, you’ll discard two Energy off an opposing Zacian V while it’s getting set up, but that won’t happen all the time. We don’t play Tool Scrapper, the opponent might. The extra layer of defense that Full Metal Wall provides is essential for keeping Zacian V alive.
As a rule of thumb, I play patiently and conservatively, and I never leave a damaged Pokemon in the Active Spot.
Blacephalon — Even (Depends on the Opponent)
I always beat [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card], but my gut tells me that’s because I haven’t played against any good players. Either that or they end up bricking. The combination of [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] and Coating Metal Energy carry this matchup. After the defensive boosts, it’s very difficult for them to find enough Energy to KO three Pokemon. They should reserve [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card]’s Double Blaze GX for its six Energy effect, but many players fail to realize this.
Furthermore, Blacephalon players play way too aggressively, throwing away resources then getting punished for it later. Setting up with [card name=”Cramorant V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card]’s Beak Catch seems like the best way to apply pressure, as this is one matchup where they can afford to take it a little slower and plan things out.
Time your Marnie plays when they’re threatening a KO or after an important Beak Catch. None of our attackers are ideal. Lucario and Melmetal-GX and [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] don’t require a recharge after attacking, but they can’t KO two-Prize Pokemon like Zacian V can. You’ve got to consider Outrage too, so sometimes it’s best to poke a Reshiram and Charizard-GX with Steel Fist before attacking into it with Zacian V.
Conclusion
These two decks that are completely unlike each other, yet I believe them to be the best decks in the game now. I plan on using my remaining keys to play these decks in the Players Cup III qualifiers and I encourage you to try them out as well. The blind speed and power of [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] gives you everything you want in a Pokemon deck, while [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]’s strategic and defensive play makes it difficult for opposing decks to deal with. Eternatus VMAX fears [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] but slaughters Centiskorch VMAX, while LMZ is the complete opposite. Both decks have strong matchups overall, which is why they’re so successful.
That’s all I have for today; thanks so much for reading! I’m excited to be back with you all. Maybe I’ll come up with a more interesting and unconventional deck to talk about. Right now I’m just going with tryhard mode for Players Cup III, so bear with me for a little while longer. I really do believe I’ve cracked the lists and optimized them for both Eternatus VMAX and LMZ, so give them a shot!
[/premium]