Goodbye GXs – A Look at the Post-Rotation Metagame
Hello everyone! This is Grant Manley once again. Today I’m going to be covering the post-rotation Standard format, which I’ve already been playing quite a bit. Rotation is coming up in just a few days, and we’ll be saying goodbye to every Pokemon-GX, Tag Team and otherwise, that we’ve come to know and love. Soon, the Standard format will completely centralize around Pokemon VMAX and the things that can beat them.
Format Overview
The new Standard format isn’t too bad. There’s lots of exploring to do and some clearly viable strategies right off the bat. The main issue is that winning the opening coin flip in this format is a huge advantage. The more you play, the more apparent this becomes. Aside from a few exceptions, such as Shadow Rider Calyrex’s [card name=”Cresselia” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] having incredible utility for the player going second, going first puts you way ahead of your opponent right from the onset. Examples of decks that push this to the extreme are [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card]. They have the potential to set up a few low-maintenance pieces on Turn 1, and then pop off and decimate an opponent’s board state on Turn 2. There are plenty of other decks that can push this Turn 1 advantage, too.
[cardimg name=”Cresselia” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”64″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Going first is such a big deal because the games are shorter and most Pokemon give up more Prize cards per Knock Out. Getting the first attachment and the first Evolution — meaning the first opportunity to attack with a Pokemon VMAX — sets you far ahead. Furthermore, aside from Cresselia’s Crescent Glow, there’s no meaningful attack that can be used on Turn 1, which means that going second has no real upside. The only balancing factor here, and I use that term loosely, is that the player going first can’t play a Supporter card on that turn, meaning they’re reliant on their opening hand to have a couple of outs to useful Basic Pokemon.
The second main issue with the format is that [card name=”Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] gatekeeps several decks, much like [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] did. G-Max Rapid Flow and Medicham V prevent several decks and strategies from ever existing competitively. [card name=”Malamar” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Cherrim” set=”Battle Styles” no=”8″ c=”name”][/card] are examples of neat decks that would otherwise have a fair shot in the meta if it wasn’t for Urshifu. The fact that Urshifu is so prevalent in the meta, combined with the fact that it snipes down small Pokemon so efficiently, ensures that single-Prize decks will probably never exist until it’s gone.
Even against other decks, Medicham V is broken and should be banned. Furthermore, assuming it were banned, if a Bench Barrier Pokemon with low-HP like [card name=”Mew” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM215″ c=”name”][/card] were printed, it would help make the format a lot healthier. Mew had low HP, so Urshifu could easily take it out later on with some Inteleon (or with Boss’s Orders), but it functioned to help low-HP decks set up and survive the early game, which they can’t do now. However, even if Mew was still around, Medicham is essentially an auto-win button against it, so we would need that ban for Bench Barrier to even do anything. Wishful thinking, I know, but these two changes to the format would go a long way in making it more diverse and fair.
The Tier 1 dynamic in this format is interesting. [card name=”Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] is indisputably the best deck in format. Notably, [card name=”Galarian Moltres V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] are the cards that are most often used to beat it. Furthermore, [card name=”Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] is an insanely powerful and oppressive deck, but it loses to Shadow Rider. There’s essentially a matchup triangle at the top, but instead of three decks, it’s two decks and a handful of counter-cards to the top deck. And of course, both Shadow Rider and Urshifu have their own unique interactions with the rest of the meta decks.
Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX
Speaking of Shadow Rider, here’s my current list for this beast of a deck:
[decklist name=”src” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Cresselia” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”64″][pokemon amt=”16″]4x [card name=”Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Shadow Rider Calyrex V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x Shadow Rider Calyrex V (PRSWSH #SWSH131)2x [card name=”Alcremie VMAX” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”23″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Alcremie V” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”22″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Shining Fates” no=”44″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Cresselia” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”64″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x Galarian Articuno (SWSH7 #63)[/pokemon][trainers amt=”31″]3x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Fog Crystal” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Evolution Incense” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Great Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Training Court” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”13″]13x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”XY” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ amt=”13″][/card][/energy][/decklist]Shadow Rider Calyrex has a lot going for it. An unlimited damage cap, a great second-turn starter in Cresselia, and an incredibly favorable matchup against the second-best deck, Urshifu. Furthermore, it can deal with most of the other decks in the format, and it has a fighting chance against even the cards that are supposed to counter it. If you’ve played at all since Chilling Reign‘s release, you already know how and why this deck is so good.
My list is based off my friend Chip’s list, with which he placed second at the Full Grip 1k event. However, I’ve changed a few things around. You may notice that this list is a little light on Stadiums, and is therefore weaker against Path to the Peak. There are good reasons for this, though. First of all, Path to the Peak isn’t too prevalent right now. The main deck that makes use of it is [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card], which Shadow Rider is more than capable of stomping anyway. The other reason is that Stadiums can can really clog up the deck. [card name=”Training Court” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] is a useful Stadium for Shadow Rider to have access to, but too many of them hurt its consistency.
Another choice that this list makes is running two copies of the promo Shadow Rider Calyrex V. The version from Chilling Reign has two useful attacks, but they’re both highly situational. It makes sense to run a 2/2, so you have access to the promo’s useful attacks from time to time. It can be great going second if you whiff the Turn 1 Cresselia, since you can still accelerate an Energy without it. You can also retreat-lock Pokemon, such as [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] in the mirror, to buy yourself a turn to accelerate Energy and find resources. It’s certainly a decent two-Prize attacker.
[cardimg name=”Alcremie VMAX” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”23″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Running a 2-2 line of [card name=”Alcremie VMAX” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”23″ c=”name”][/card] might look a bit excessive, and it’s certainly not mandatory, but I believe it’s worthwhile to consistently have access to it in matchups where it’s needed. Alcremie VMAX is a powerhouse of an attacker that can OHKO opposing Pokemon VMAX much more easily than Shadow Rider itself can, and its Adornment attack piles tons of Energy into play when required. Its non-Darkness Weakness also comes in handy against [card name=”Galarian Moltres V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card]. It’s slightly useful at worst, and game-changing at best. Trying to play with a 1-1 line opens up two deck spaces, but it makes it highly inconsistent, and you could get punished for it when it matters most.
Next, I choose to run four [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] and no [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card]. Switch is more powerful than Air Balloon, but it’s also a lot more situational. There are very few relevant effects and situations where you’ll need Switch over Air Balloon, so I prefer the consistency of Air Balloon over the outs to odd scenarios that Switch provides. You can’t retreat Alcremie VMAX for free, but it should usually be attacking if it’s ever in the Active Spot anyway.
Finally, there’s two [card name=”Great Ball” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card]. Great Ball is included solely to bolster consistency, specifically in the early game when Shadow Rider needs the most help. You could play additional draw Supporters, but Supporters often clog up the hand later on, or any time you want to use Crobat.
This deck is the best and there’s no two ways about it. Learning the matchups and tweaking the list is certainly worth your time if you are trying to win tournaments in this format. It’s a bit high-maintenance, so its greatest weakness often ends up being itself. Sometimes it will falter in the early game and fall behind. Still, Shadow Rider is frighteningly consistent for how powerful it is.
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Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX
[decklist name=”rs ursh” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”88″][pokemon amt=”22″]3x [card name=”Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Rapid Strike Urshifu V” set=”Battle Styles” no=”87″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”43″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/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]2x [card name=”Passimian” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Shining Fates” no=”44″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x Medicham V (SWSH7 #083)[/pokemon][trainers amt=”30″]1x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]3x Raihan (SWSH7 #152)3x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Shining Fates” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Evolution Incense” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/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]2x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Primal Clash” no=”127″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Telescopic Sight” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”160″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Energy Search” set=”Majestic Dawn” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tower of Waters” set=”Battle Styles” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]4x [card name=”Rapid Strike Energy” set=”Battle Styles” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”XY” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
This is my current list for [card name=”Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card]. Despite being weak to Shadow Rider, Urshifu manages to be one of the top decks in the format. Medicham V is broken, as is G-Max Rapid Flow. My favorite thing about this deck is that it rewards skill and decision-making with the plethora of options and control it allows the player. With open-ended Abilities from both [card name=”Drizzile” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card], the player is usually in control of the direction their game takes, and they are given the opportunity to be adaptable if things get off to a rocky start. My least favorite thing about Urshifu is that it gatekeeps the meta and has highly favorable matchups against several lower-tier decks such as [card name=”Malamar” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] and Rayquaza VMAX / Flaaffy. However, this is even more of a good reason to play the deck!
I’ve built the list to focus heavily on G-Max Rapid Flow. This leads to card choices like the second [card name=”Passimian” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Telescopic Sight” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”160″ c=”name”][/card], as well as three copies of Raihan. A gameplan focused around G-Max Rapid Flow is the best and only way to take down Shadow Rider. Moreover, the attack is useful to some extent in every matchup, so there’s not much of a downside to building a deck around it.
Although Galarian Moltres V seems like an enticing partner for Urshifu, since it naturally counters Shadow Rider, you’d have to forego the Inteleon route altogether, and all of the benefits therein. Urshifu / [card name=”Octillery” set=”Battle Styles” no=”37″ c=”name”][/card] / Moltres is an archetype that’s alive and well, but it’s one I have no experience with, so I won’t be talking about it in depth. I have tried Moltres with the Inteleon version, and it’s just not consistent enough. Interestingly, the aggro G-Max Rapid Flow strategy is what proves most consistent against Shadow Rider. With Moltres, it’s nearly impossible to find the requisite Darkness Energy quick enough, and to do so twice since the first Moltres will inevitably get Knocked Out.
I’ve also played around with Path to the Peak in this deck. The idea is that you can beat Shadow Rider by locking their Abilities, and maybe even stick them with a dead hand with Marnie. This simply doesn’t work, though. Shadow Rider doesn’t need much to take down Urshifu, and it also has counter Stadiums. Playing Path to the Peak cuts into either consistency or the G-Max Rapid Flow combo pieces, and either way it does the deck no favors.
Aside from the inclusions I mentioned to help more consistently use G-Max Rapid Flow, this is more or less a standard Urshifu list. There are only four switching cards, which is sufficient for using Gale Thrust a few times in a game. The preferred one is Escape Rope, as G-Max Rapid Flow does the most damage to benched targets. Escape Rope can force your opponent’s Active back if that’s what you want to hit into. There’s only one Boss’s Orders for this reason, and since you won’t need it too often, but it’s still there since it’s such a strong card. Only one Air Balloon since Urshifu often prefers to hold Telescopic Sight, and [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card] is nowhere to be seen in the meta.
[cardimg name=”Passimian” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”88″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Three Raihan may look excessive, but it’s extremely important to have at very specific times. You won’t have many opportunities to use Raihan in each game, and you need it during the turns after your opponent takes a Knock Out. Running three copies makes it more likely you’ll have it on those specific turns. This is especially important against Shadow Rider, since it’s the deck that applies the most pressure and can most easily OHKO Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX. Sometimes having a Raihan at the right time makes the difference between winning and losing.
Much of the same can be said for [card name=”Passimian” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card], and it’s also a solid single-Prize attacker. Don’t forget that Fling can do 80 damage for just one Fighting Energy! One of your two Passimian dying to activate Raihan is no big deal, but playing a single copy and not having access to it at all times can be a huge issue. Passimian doesn’t stack, but a single one buffs G-Max Rapid Flow’s damage up to 180 along with Telescopic Sight. This helps piece together Knock Outs against Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX (among other things), since one of your Rapid Flows may end up hitting for only 90 into an Active Pokémon’s Resistance.
The only real flaws with Urshifu are its limited damage cap and weakness to Shadow Rider. Other than those, the deck is precise, brutal, fun, and skillful. It doesn’t lose much from the rotation and is certainly a dominant force in the new format. It can handle just about everything and can still beat Shadow Rider every once in awhile.
Turbo Zacian
Turbo Zacian is my pet deck for the time being. It’s strong, but it’s extremely reliant on luck. If you like high-roll decks where you don’t have to think too much, this is the one for you. Although these types of decks aren’t usually my style, it’s my own creation so I’d like to share it with you all. This deck goes about 50-50 against Shadow Rider and slightly favorable against Urshifu. Here’s the list:
[decklist name=”turbo z” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″][pokemon amt=”10″]4x [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Galarian Articuno V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”35″]3x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”132″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Turbo Patch” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”172″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Sword and Shield” no=”174″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Pal Pad” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”172″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Rose Tower” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”15″]15x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”XY” no=”139″ c=”deck2″ amt=”15″][/card][/energy][/decklist]Turbo Zacian is meant to spam Brave Blade and collect six Prizes as quickly and efficiently as possible, usually using multiple Boss’s Orders along the way. It’s fast, powerful, and not too complicated besides some sequencing here and there.
This deck is capable of getting a Turn 1 Brave Blade about 30 to 40 percent of the time when it’s forced to go second, and boy does it feel good when you pull that off. That said, going first is always better, as you’ll get a Turn 2 Brave Blade virtually all the time. This puts immense pressure on opponents and usually allows the deck to steamroll them. If you’re forced to swing into a VMAX, this deck has no way to OHKO them, so [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] is a good 2HKO option. Attacking with Zamazenta forces the opponent to have Boss on their turn, or else give you a free attack. You don’t care if something attacks into Zamazenta for a 2HKO because then you’re winning the Prize trade. Its Ability is also useful in many situations, and it’s saved me plenty of times. That said, it’s not worth running more than one. The one copy survives long enough on its own, and I’ve never wished I had a second one.
[cardimg name=”Turbo Patch” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”172″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
The high counts of Metal Energy are important in this deck to ensure a steady stream of attackers. You always need several Metal Energy early on to pitch with Reconstitute or Quick Ball, so as to get value out of Metal Saucer and Turbo Patch as you draw them. Metal Saucer is the most important card for this deck, so any wasted opportunity to use one will result in a large loss of tempo. Turbo Patch supplements the deck, but it’s obviously not to be relied upon. Think of it as bonus Energy acceleration that sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. It’s a small boost to consistency.
[card name=”Rose Tower” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] doubles as additional draw power and a counter to Path to the Peak. It works nicely alongside Galarian Articuno V, which the deck already makes use of for the extra draw and synergy with Metal Saucer.
[card name=”Pal Pad” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card] might look a little out of place, but it’s useful to recover Boss’s Orders, which is a card this deck heavily relies upon. Going through too many Bosses in the early game might mean you struggle to finish off VMAX decks in the late game. Thanks to this deck’s draw power and copies of [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Sword and Shield” no=”174″ c=”name”][/card], though, it’s easy to find the recovered Supporters to close out those games.
Other cards such as [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Battle Styles” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Pokémon Catcher” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] have also been tested but proven unnecessary. I feel that this list is optimized or close enough to it. It’s able to compete with every other relevant deck, and goes favorable against the likes of Urshifu and Ice Rider. I definitely recommend trying this deck out.
Other Decks
Decks like Malamar, Rayquaza VMAX, and Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX sit solidly in Tier 2 for the time being. Malamar and Rayquaza have glaring issues against Urshifu, and Ice Rider struggles against Shadow Rider. They’re all great and powerful decks that can still do well, but their problems hold them back from Tier 1.
There’s also other variants of Shadow Rider out there. Some still play [card name=”Galarian Zapdos V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card] along with [card name=”Aurora Energy” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”186″ c=”name”][/card]. It’s an efficient attacker against most other decks, and also counters [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] should it show up on any given day. I’ve seen some lists with [card name=”Horror P Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Necrozma V” set=”Battle Styles” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card]. Necrozma is a powerful two-Prize attacker and Horror Energy fixes numbers in several situations while also fueling Max Geist.
I’ve already mentioned the Moltres variant of Urshifu that makes use of Octillery for consistency instead of Inteleon. It seems to be a strong contender in the format, but again, I haven’t yet played with it myself.
Finally, there are other options worth exploring — Zacian / Inteleon, Glaceon VMAX, and [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card], to name a few.
Conclusion
That’s all I have for today. I wanted to share my preliminary findings and testing in the post-rotation format to help you all prepare for it. I hope this article was of some use and interest to you! Shadow Rider is the top dog, or horse, if you will. Urshifu isn’t far behind despite its glaring weakness to Shadow Rider. The Turbo Zacian deck is incredibly strong too. Although it leaves a lot to chance, it wins more than it loses. Spam Brave Blade and pray, and usually things will work out.
Till next time!
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