The High King Cometh — A Look at Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX / Inteleon
Hello to all PokeBeach readers! Here is Gabriel Pino Semedo again with another Pokémon TCG article and this time I’m going to talk about my favorite deck from the current metagame, [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card].
[cardimg name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
In most of my articles, I end up talking and analyzing about ideas and decks that I find interesting with competitive potential, but this time I want to talk about one of the most popular decks in the format, which has balanced matchups against all other decks in the format like [card name=”Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] and even [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]. I’ve always liked to use decks that could have as many balanced matchups as possible so I don’t have to worry about which matchups I’m going to face. The problem is that using decks like that means you will have an intense tournament, as all the matches will be played. The good part is that in a close matchup, the good player can make a difference if he makes good plays.
One of the cards that makes it possible for Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX to have matchups balanced against the best decks of the format is [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], but in practice, the decks that suffer for this Stadium are prepared with [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card]. Thinking about it, I decided to suggest a more aggressive build without Stadiums that I will present and talk about at the end of the article. For now, let’s analyze my Standard list for Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX.
Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX / Path to the Peak
For me, the ideal deck is the one that manages to obtain balanced matchups against the main decks of the format. Until the previous format we had [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Victini VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”22″ c=”name”][/card] as examples with this positioning in the metagame, and now I think Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX is the closest thing to that. Like Victini VMAX, Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX / Inteleon can also perform Knock Outs on Pokémon-GX and V like [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 Zacian V, or even win games by KO-ing three of these Pokémon. Like PikaRom, Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX can also hinder the opponent, but with Path to the Peak to make the opponent unable to use Pokémon-GX/V with Abilities.
While one of the advantages of Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX is that it doesn’t have any great matchups, one of the disadvantages of the deck is that it doesn’t have any great matchups. All of the main matchups of the format are balanced, ranging from slightly bad matchups (up to 40-60 for the opponent’s deck) to slightly good matchups (up to 60-40 in favor of Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX).
Even with Zacian V / LucMetal and ADPZ picking up on Ice Rider’s Weakness, these matchups are balanced, which shows that Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX can have a stabilized metagame for a long time since it’s difficult or not attractive to counter Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX.
Deck List
[decklist name=”Ice Rider / Inteleon ” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″][pokemon amt=”21″]3x [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”43″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Drizzile” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Sobble” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”41″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”81″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”32″]4x [card name=”Melony” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”146″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Leon” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”154″ 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=”Level Ball” set=”Battle Styles” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Evolution Incense” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Capacious Bucket” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”7″]7x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”7″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Deck List Breakdown
Four Ice Rider Calyrex V, Three Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX
Max Lance will be the attack that will carry the strategy most of the time, so it’s important to build two [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] in a game and start attacking on the second turn. Four copies of [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card] are needed because you need to find one as soon as possible.
It’s worth mentioning the importance of Ice Rider Calyrex V’s Pierce attack, which despite dealing only 40 damage is an attack that can be performed in the first turn as it costs only one Water Energy, and helps set up Knock Outs for Max Lance on the next turn.
Four Sobble, Four Drizzile, Two Inteleon SSH, One Inteleon CRE
[cardimg name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
The [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card] line is increasingly popular in the format, and several other strategies have emerged. We recently had Alex Schemanske winning the Players Cup IV with [card name=”Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] / Inteleon, and even the return of the Caturday deck with a strength never seen before thanks to the Inteleon build — a deck created by Benjamin Pham.
Unlike these other builds that focus on Quick Shooting Inteleon’s Ability to develop a strategy, Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX focuses a little more on Shady Dealings [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ability, as the priority here is to have access to [card name=”Melony” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card] whenever you need it in order to enjoy the full 250 damage done by Max Lance. In addition, the search Ability provides access to other important cards like [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card].
Remember, along with [card name=”Drizzile” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card], both Inteleon provide consistency; the Inteleon line makes the deck less dependent on Dedenne-GX and Crobat V.
It is still necessary to use a copy of these Pokémon for some situations, but thanks to a build not relying on these Pokémon it is possible to explore the potential of a card that came out a short time ago but already one of the strongest cards in the format; Path to the Peak. Thanks to this Stadium and a build suitable for its power, the deck gains a strong resource to deal with the main threats of the format such as [card name=”Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card], [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] / [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card].
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One Mew
Without [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card], Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX becomes a bad matchup, but with Mew, the matchup is balanced as Bench Barrier will protect your [card name=”Sobble” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card] and Drizzile on the Bench. The opponent will try to KO Mew as soon as you land on the field, so the idea is that Mew will stick long enough for your Sobble to turn into Inteleon — even if Mew is Knocked Out the opponent can’t OHKO Inteleon with G-MAX Rapid Flow.
One Dedenne-GX
Even though the deck’s idea is not to use Pokémon-GX and V, it’s still necessary to use at least one copy of these Pokémon, simply because their Abilities are so good.
Drawing cards without needing a Supporter is an excellent effect, and you will eventually need it at some point — whether it’s when you have a bad hand without a Supporter or if you need to make a strong play that you depend on finding multiple cards in the same turn.
There is a question of whether it is better to use [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] — I see some players favoring Crobat V and others who prefer Dedenne-GX. The advantage of Crobat V is that it’s not targeted by [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”name”][/card], has 20 additional HP, and allows you to draw cards without having to discard your hand, but I prefer Dedenne-GX precisely because it allows you to discard cards from hand to always draw six cards.
In my opinion, Dedenne-GX is better as the effect of Dedechange allows you to draw more cards as well as discarding Water Energy to play with Melony.
Four Melony, Two Professor’s Research, Two Marnie
[cardimg name=”Melony” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”146″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Melony is the main Supporter of the deck and you will use it an average of three times per game. This is because the deck’s main attack, Max Lance from [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card], needs to discard two Water Energy to deal 250 damage. Thanks to the Inteleon line bringing consistency to the deck, the weak effect of drawing three cards becomes sufficient draw power for the deck.
These next two are the most popular Supporters in the game, and there’s a reason.
[card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] is ideal for renewing your hand and continuing your setup. You’ll feel the need to use this Supporter when you don’t need to, or cannot use Melony.
[card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] is ideal to be used together with [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] to decrease the opponent’s hand and make it so they don’t have resources for a good move on their turn.
Two Boss’s Order
I would like a third copy of [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] but, unfortunately, the deck doesn’t have space. It’s not a problem to find Boss’s Order with Drizzile or Inteleon’s Shady Dealings, but sometimes you want to be able to use Boss’s Order more often, especially against single-Prize decks like Caturday.
One Leon
With [card name=”Leon” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card], Knocking Out [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] becomes a much simpler and faster task, but you’ll soon realize that this card is useful for many more situations…
Thanks to Leon, [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card], and Max Lance, any Pokémon in the game can be KO’d. This detail can reduce the need to use Boss’s Orders as if you can simply KO the Active Pokémon no matter what it is, you won’t need to gust around it.
Pokémon Search
In addition to occupying eleven slots on the list, the Inteleon line also requires a high Pokémon search-card count to function consistently. This list has twelve Pokémon search cards, but as we focus on [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card] to help with consistency, the lists that focus on the Quick Shooting Inteleon need to use even more Pokémon search cards to compensate for consistency.
One Air Balloon
This deck has only one card in the entire deck with an effect to help retreat or switch Pokémon — until the past format, it was common for the BDIF to use four copies of [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card] plus two or three copies of [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card]. Because of this, it was never a problem to retreat Pokémon. With the change in format, retreating Pokémon becomes not as necessary, as without [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] there are no top-tier decks utilizing Special Conditions or effects that would prevent Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX from attacking.
Being able to gain deck space due to a format change is exciting, but it’s important to be aware of new changes — if all decks of the format decide to adapt to this change and decrease switching cards, it won’t be long before players come up with new ideas and cards to exploit this possible new weakness in the format.
One Scoop Up Net
The effect brings two benefits to the deck; the first is to be able to remove all single-Prize Pokémon in the deck from the Active Position (remember that the deck only has one Air Balloon, so it’s always positive to have one more way to ensure you have Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX in the Active Position). The effect I like the most, however, is being able to reuse the Abilities of [card name=”Drizzile” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card] and both Inteleon.
With [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card], you can further explore the strengths of the Inteleon line. Against [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Shining Fates” no=”8″ c=”name”][/card], the Scoop Up Net can bring a huge advantage by preventing the opponent from being able to Knock Out either of your Inteleon.
Three Path to the Peak, One Marshadow
[cardimg name=”Marshadow” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”81″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Along with the power of [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] and the Inteleon line, [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] is simply too strong a resource not to be used. Thanks to the effect of this Stadium, the strongest decks in the format loses a lot of strength — this is a meta-deck’s kryptonite.
Against [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], Path to the Peak has the power to disable [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ability, making it possible to deal damage with Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX. Against [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], the opponent is forced to play with only five Pokémon on the Bench by disabling the Eternatus VMAX Ability, as well as blocking Crobat V’s Ability to draw cards. Against Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX the opponent cannot use Underworld Door — that means no draw engine and no accelerating Energy, causing a huge delay in setup. Against [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Galarian Moltres V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card], the opponent can’t use [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Eldegoss V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”19″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Mawile-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card], Zacian V, or Galarian Moltres V’s Abilities — enough said.
I could write a long list about the impact of Path to the Peak on the format, but of course, opponents will have the resources to defend against such a powerful card. The best cards to defend against Path to the Peak currently are [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card], and to bump Chaotic Swell you’ll need Marshadow not to waste two copies of Path to the Peak.
One Reset Stamp
If used at the right time, [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] has always been an extremely impactful card, but with Path to the Peak in the field, the effect of this card becomes much stronger. Without being able to use Dedenne-GX or Crobat V to draw cards, Pokémon search cards such as [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] are no longer outs for your opponent to draw cards and find resources.
Seven Water Energy, Three Capacious Bucket
One of the Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX’s successes is that it needs little Energy, and can count on a great Item like [card name=”Capacious Bucket” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] to search for two Water Energy. For only ten spots this lineup ensures the deck’s power is consistent and sustainable.
Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX / No Stadium
The force and impact caused by Path to the Peak is indisputable — when the opponent does not find a card to remove Path to the Peak from the field and needs to use Dedenne-GX to find a Supporter and develop their board, the opponent’s strategy ends up being completely destroyed.
The big problem with all this is that the decks that suffer for Path to the Peak are prepared, investing in copies of Chaotic Swell and Marshadow to prevent this Stadium from sticking and making a big impact.
In the end, Path to the Peak turns out not to be as impactful as it could be in theory.
As much as [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card] is a perfect deck to enjoy the power of [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], perhaps a smart (and also risky) idea would be to choose to play from without any Stadiums or Marshadow; as opponents invest up to five deck spaces just to have the resources to defend themselves.
Not using Stadiums and, instead, using these spaces to invest in consistency or in a more offensive strategy can mean getting better use of the cards and, at the same time, making the opponent have practically useless cards in the deck.
[cardimg name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Much is said about the synergy between Path to Peak and Ice Rider Calyrex / Inteleon, but the fact that Path to the Peak doesn’t hurt the Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX consistency can already be considered a great advantage. If there is no Stadium in the current metagame capable of causing an Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX headache, then it means that an Ice Rider roster does not need to dedicate any deck space to resolve this issue, allowing the deck to invest in other resources and if worry about the plays that really matter to win.
It’s inevitable that some matchups get tougher without Path to the Peak; [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] becomes almost an auto-loss without the Stadium or [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card], but on the other hand, the list ends up getting more consistency and better matchups against other decks, such as the mirror.
Deck List
[decklist name=”Ice Rider / Inteleon (No Stadium)” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″][pokemon amt=”21″]3x [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”43″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Drizzile” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Sobble” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”41″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”32″]4x [card name=”Melony” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”146″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Leon” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”182″ 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=”Level Ball” set=”Battle Styles” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Evolution Incense” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Capacious Bucket” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Primal Clash” no=”127″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Echoing Horn” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”7″]7x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”7″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Deck List Breakdown
Second ‘Quick Shooting’ Inteleon
This is one of the cards that I miss in the previous list, but for lack of space, I had to take it out. The second copy of [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card] fits well with this more aggressive build, as the previous list needs to prioritize [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card].
With two Quick Shooting Inteleon, [card name=”Leon” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card], it is possible to deal 320 damage to the opponent’s defending Pokémon, which is capable of Knocking Out some Pokémon VMAX like [card name=”Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] and Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX itself.
Escape Rope
Although you don’t truly need to retreat your Pokémon during the game, it’s dangerous to use only one copy of [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] for this. [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Battle Styles” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] brings one more card to the deck enabling you to switch your Active Pokémon, potentially when affected by some Special Condition such as paralysis or sleep.
Echoing Horn
The effect of this card is a great match for this aggressive build that aims to get quick KOs on Pokémon-GX and V, as well as increasing the damage of Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX’s Ride of the High King attack by putting an extra Pokémon on the opponent’s Bench.
Great Catcher
[cardimg name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Another card that makes perfect sense with this build, especially paired with the [card name=”Echoing Horn” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card]. Against Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX the Great Catcher + Echoing Horn combo can bring victory by exploiting one of the deck’s few weaknesses; [card name=”Gengar and Mimikyu-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card].
Gengar and Mimikyu-GX is one of the biggest strengths of Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX, but at the same time, it can be one of the biggest weaknesses — at least against Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX. With only 240 HP, Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX’s Max Lance attack deals enough damage to Knock Out this Tag Team with one attack. With Echoing Horn, it is possible to bring Gengar and Mimikyu-GX back to the field and with Great Catcher for a repeat Knock Out.
Since this version doesn’t have Path to the Peak, it’s necessary to find another interesting strategy to get some advantage in this matchup, especially if this strategy has synergy with the general idea of the build.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a player who doesn’t mind training hard and is willing to have tight and tiring games throughout a tournament, then Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX is the ideal deck for you. It’s my favorite deck of the format as I don’t have to worry about matchups, I only need to worry about making the right plays and getting the best chance of winning. Unfortunately, there will be times when your best move will be to use Path to the Peak and hope that the opponent can’t remove it. Against Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX, Path to the Peak will likely be the card that can save you.
In theory, [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] is the answer to many problems regarding Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX matchups, but in practice, it doesn’t work the way it should. If you are experiencing this, I suggest you try the version without Path to the Peak. By admitting that your opponent can win the Stadium war, you have a much more consistent deck focused on exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses in another way — with Echoing Horn and Great Catcher to exploit easy rewards.
I see [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] as being present in the metagame for a long time, as it’s a deck with few weaknesses and surprising power. It ends up not attracting attention, with the eyes of players turning to other decks such as Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX or Urshifu VMAX Rapid Strike.
It’s all folks for today, I hope you enjoyed it and see you next time!
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