Roaring Back in Style — Single Strike in SSH-FST

Hello PokeBeach readers! Isaiah here once again, happily writing another Standard format article for you all! Last time, I looked at the brand-new Mew VMAX / Genesect V deck through the lens of my event-winning list. Now, a few weeks after the release of Fusion Strike, there have been several more online tournaments, giving Mew VMAX more time to prove its strength, which it has done in amazing fashion. As of writing this, Mew VMAX / Genesect V is the most popular deck in Standard, with over 300 tournament plays to its name (one of only two decks that can say this!). Of the decks that even have over 100 plays, Mew VMAX / Genesect V has the highest win rate of them all, sitting at a comfortable 54% — and if that weren’t enough, Mew VMAX / Genesect V is currently the only deck in Standard with over 1000 wins, which is especially remarkable considering the deck has existed for less than two weeks. In that time, Mew VMAX has evolved quite a bit, with some lists starting to include [card name=”Rotom Phone” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Galarian Articuno V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card], and more, all to work out the most consistent builds possible.

At the same time, many other players have tried a variety of options to try and take down the growing powerhouse that is Mew VMAX / Genesect V. Some notable options for this include the classic [card name=”Suicune V” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Ludicolo” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card], which is great for taking essential one-hit Knock Outs on Mew VMAX while they typically fill their Bench; [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card], which can have burst-damage options and wall out a Mew VMAX with Zamazenta V’s Dauntless Shield; and many other decks. One option that is at the forefront of the format’s anti-Mew VMAX options is the set of classic Single Strike archetypes, which are the centerpiece of today’s article.

What’s up with Single Strike?

[cardimg name=”Houndoom” set=”Battle Styles” no=”179″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

With Fusion Strike, Single Strike has taken a lot of split paths from the formerly typical [card name=”Single Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Umbreon VMAX” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] builds. While that deck is still strong, a lot of players have turned their attention to the newly released Gengar VMAX. Personally, I much prefer the classic Single Strike Urshifu VMAX builds, but I do think that Gengar VMAX has some potential due to its brute power, efficient attack costs, and the ever-so-amazing Darkness type, even if it’s not my favorite deck. In contrast to Gengar VMAX, though, I absolutely love the Single Strike Urshifu VMAX / Umbreon VMAX lists right now, as they have everything a deck could ever want — and when I say everything, I mean everything.

Dark Signal is highly reminiscent of [card name=”Luxray GL LV.X” set=”Rising Rivals” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card]’s Bright Look, which is one of the best Poke-Powers ever printed; [card name=”Houndoom” set=”Battle Styles” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] continues to provide great Energy acceleration; the deck is easily capable of hitting 220 thanks to [card name=”Single Strike Energy” set=”Battle Styles” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card] alongside the natural power of [card name=”Single Strike Urshifu V” set=”Battle Styles” no=”85″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Umbreon VMAX” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card]; and, most importantly, Single Strike Urshifu VMAX and Umbreon VMAX together produce one of the most powerful type combinations in the game’s history. Looking at the past, Darkness and Fighting first teamed up and saw success at the 2004 World Championships with Tsuguyoshi Yamato’s Team Magma deck, featuring [card name=”Team Magma’s Groudon” set=”EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua” no=”9″ c=”name”][/card]. Fast forward to 2012 and we see a powerful Darkness and Fighting deck take down the World Championships once again, this time a [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Mewtwo-EX” set=”Next Destinies” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Terrakion” set=”Noble Victories” no=”73″ c=”name”][/card] deck piloted by Igor Costa. Now, in 2021, the Darkness and Fighting combination proves to be as formidable as ever thanks to its incredible offensive coverage. With this working in its favor, it should be no surprise that Single Strike Urshifu VMAX / Umbreon VMAX is the second-most popular deck in Standard, with over 300 plays in the two weeks since the release of Fusion Strike, and a win rate of about 51%.

Now that I have addressed the two different types of Single Strike decks, let’s take a look at deck lists for each of them. First, we will look at Gengar VMAX paired with [card name=”Houndoom” set=”Battle Styles” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card].

Gengar VMAX / Houndoom / Inteleon

As I said earlier, I think Gengar VMAX is the weaker of the two decks that I will be talking about today, but that does not mean it’s a bad deck. In fact, it’s quite a good deck! The most notable upside to Gengar VMAX is that it represents the best of both Single Strike worlds, offering both the typing of [card name=”Umbreon VMAX” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] and the damage output of [card name=”Single Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card]. Putting both of these on one card creates a monstrous powerhouse that can blow through many of the top attackers in the format.

In addition, Gengar VMAX takes way fewer resources to attack than other Single Strike Pokemon do. As a result, Gengar VMAX can play the [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card] engine, which opens up some crazy options when Quick Shooting and Shady Dealings join the power of Single Strike. This list is based off of one used by Azul Garcia Griego to win a recent online tournament.

Deck List

[decklist name=”deck” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Houndoom” set=”Battle Styles” no=”96″][pokemon amt=”22″]3x Gengar VMAX (FST #157)4x Gengar V (FST #156)2x [card name=”Houndoom” set=”Battle Styles” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Houndour” set=”Battle Styles” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”43″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ 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][/pokemon][trainers amt=”29″]4x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Cheryl” set=”Battle Styles” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Level Ball” set=”Battle Styles” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ 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]1x [card name=”Energy Search” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”161″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Urn of Vitality” set=”Battle Styles” no=”139″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Single Strike Scroll of Scorn” set=”Battle Styles” no=”133″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”9″]4x [card name=”Single Strike Energy” set=”Battle Styles” no=”141″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Hiding Darkness Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”175″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Card Inclusions

Gengar VMAX Line

We run a very traditional four Gengar V and three Gengar VMAX for the same purpose as always: consistency. In this deck, Gengar VMAX is the main attacker, and we should be using it almost all the time. While Fear and Panic is a solid attack that typically offers easy two-hit Knock Outs thanks to damage boosts from [card name=”Single Strike Energy” set=”Battle Styles” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card], we will mostly be using G-Max Swallow Up thanks to its massive damage output. With 250 base damage, it has enough raw firepower to take a one-hit Knock Out on most Pokemon V. With a single copy of Single Strike Energy, G-Max Swallow Up can take that Knock Out even if they have a [card name=”Cape of Toughness” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”160″ c=”name”][/card] attached. And in the next major HP bracket, G-Max Swallow Up can still hit the big numbers, albeit with a slightly heavier commitment of three Single Strike Energy to hit 310 or four to hit 330.

This brute power is the root of the deck’s allure, especially when compared to decks like [card name=”Single Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Umbreon VMAX” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card], which rely more on taking one-hit Knock Outs on Pokemon V and two-hit Knock Outs on Pokemon VMAX. Another attacking option that should not be overlooked is Gengar V, which can do 190 with its Pain Explosion attack — an amazing number for a two-Prize Pokemon, as it lets you trade evenly with Pokemon V that you could otherwise struggle with, such as [card name=”Suicune V” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card].

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Thick Inteleon Line

Unusually for Single Strike archetypes, we play a thick Inteleon line in this deck. When I was initially looking at Azul’s build, I was a little confused by the inclusion of the Inteleon line. However, it makes much more sense if you think of this as a Gengar VMAX / Inteleon deck that plays [card name=”Houndoom” set=”Battle Styles” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card], rather than a Gengar VMAX / Houndoom deck that plays Inteleon. As always, [card name=”Drizzile” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card] and the Sword & Shield [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card] act as the most powerful way to search for Trainer cards in the format, which gives you a variety of options in any situation: pivot cards like [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card]; [card name=”Urn of Vitality” set=”Battle Styles” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] when you need it; and much more.

However, one of the most important parts of the Inteleon line in this deck is the other [card name=”Inteleon” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”43″ c=”name”][/card] for its Quick Shooting Ability. Remember the math I talked about with needing three or even four Single Strike Energy to take major Knock Outs on Pokemon VMAX? Well, Inteleon alleviates a lot of this stress, allowing you to hit 310 with only two Single Strike Energy and a Quick Shooting — a much easier goal, putting the deck on par with other powerhouses in the format, and even outclassing some attacking options like [card name=”Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card].

Slim Houndoom Line

As I said, I think it’s much better to look at this deck as a Gengar VMAX / Inteleon deck than a Gengar VMAX / [card name=”Houndoom” set=”Battle Styles” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] deck. That being said, though, Houndoom is still extremely important to the deck’s success. One of the biggest flaws with Gengar VMAX is that its attack is a little difficult to power up, and its only good option for Energy acceleration is Houndoom. While it’s unfortunate that Houndoom forces you to deal with a Stage 1 in addition to the Pokemon VMAX and Stage 2 lines you already play, it’s well worth not only the Energy acceleration, but also the damage buffs you gain in the form of Single Strike Energy.

Cheryl

One of the more bizarre techs in this deck is the single [card name=”Cheryl” set=”Battle Styles” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card]. It doesn’t matter in most games, but when it does, it can be game-changing. There’s no big secret behind the inclusion — as a card, it just has one job, and it does that job very well.

Single Strike Scroll of Scorn

[cardimg name=”Single Strike Scroll of Scorn” set=”Battle Styles” no=”133″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

I’m not typically a huge fan of [card name=”Single Strike Scroll of Scorn” set=”Battle Styles” no=”133″ c=”name”][/card], but I think that it makes a ton of sense in this deck. With the Inteleon line, it’s much easier to find your Scroll when you need it, and when you do get to use it, the combination of Single Strike Energy and Quick Shooting allows you to hit massive numbers.

As a tip, on a turn you want to use Single Strike Scroll of Scorn, you can use Houndoom’s Single Strike Roar to damage your own Pokemon and effectively add 40 more damage to your output.

Energy Lineup

The Energy lineup in this list is a bit weird. [card name=”Single Strike Energy” set=”Battle Styles” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card] at four makes enough sense, but what about three Darkness Energy and two [card name=”Hiding Darkness Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card]? The former has a super straightforward purpose, being a basic Energy card that you can search with [card name=”Energy Search” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”161″ c=”name”][/card]. Hiding Darkness Energy is a little more complicated, but all it comes down to is that free retreat is always good. Giving Gengar VMAX free retreat gives you the option of retreating and then playing [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] (or just retreating into a second Gengar VMAX) to maintain a steady stream of attacks. Additionally, Hiding Darkness Energy can give Gengar VMAX some defense in Single Strike’s historically difficult [card name=”Leafeon VMAX” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”8″ c=”name”][/card] matchup.

Single Strike Urshifu VMAX / Umbreon VMAX

Here we have the more complex Single Strike option: Single Strike Urshifu VMAX / Umbreon VMAX. This deck, unlike Gengar VMAX, uses multiple attackers, some of which evolve from others, to work its way through each game with the best Prize trades it can. Now, I should clarify, the deck is not that hard to play — in fact, the strategy is very simple — but with one of the most versatile groups of attackers in the game right now, it can certainly look intimidating. Still, that group of attackers has proved its strength, elevating this deck to the top of the format.

Deck List

[decklist name=”deck” amt=”60″ caption=””undefined][pokemon amt=”18″]4x [card name=”Houndoom” set=”Battle Styles” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Houndour” set=”Battle Styles” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Umbreon VMAX” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”215″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Umbreon V” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Single Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”86″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Single Strike Urshifu V” set=”Battle Styles” no=”85″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]4x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Urn of Vitality” set=”Battle Styles” no=”139″ c=”deck2″ 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]3x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Great Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”164″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Tool Jammer” set=”Battle Styles” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Tower of Darkness” set=”Battle Styles” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”9″]4x [card name=”Single Strike Energy” set=”Battle Styles” no=”141″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Capture Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Card Inclusions

Houndoom Line

In the more usual tradition of Single Strike, we play the full four [card name=”Houndour” set=”Battle Styles” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] and four [card name=”Houndoom” set=”Battle Styles” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] in the interest of making sure we get the two to three copies we need in play as soon as possible.

Three Single Strike Urshifu V, One Single Strike Urshifu VMAX

Ever since [card name=”Single Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Umbreon VMAX” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] hit the mainstream in Standard, the ideal line of [card name=”Single Strike Urshifu V” set=”Battle Styles” no=”85″ c=”name”][/card] and its corresponding Pokemon VMAX has been up for debate. Some players insist on four Single Strike Urshifu V and two VMAX, while others play just two of each. In this list, we meet somewhere in the middle: three Single Strike Urshifu V and just one VMAX. This line is chosen because, despite the deck being Single Strike Urshifu VMAX / Umbreon VMAX, the Basic Single Strike Urshifu V is by far the most important attacker in the deck. Knuckle Impact’s 180 is the perfect amount of damage when paired with a few Single Strike Energy; it’s just enough to hit most of the important Pokemon V in the format. In situations where these one-hit Knock Outs can’t happen, but you absolutely must take a Knock Out that turn, that’s when you drop Single Strike Urshifu VMAX. It can take a one-hit Knock Out on a Pokemon VMAX with ease, providing you with a massive swing in the Prize trade.

Three Umbreon V, Two Umbreon VMAX

The [card name=”Umbreon VMAX” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] line in this deck is far less controversial; we go with the standard three [card name=”Umbreon V” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card] and two [card name=”Umbreon VMAX” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card]. Our two Umbreon VMAX do suffer from having mediocre damage output, often requiring three Single Strike Energy to make a huge play, though they are champions of the two-hit Knock Out game. Most important, however, is Dark Signal, which lets us drag up Pokemon that are easy to Knock Out, such those with damage already on them, or the more frail Pokemon V.

Crobat V

Our one [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] is nothing special; it just provides an extra means of draw power in the early game when you need to set up your Houndour. It’s also an extra resource when you’re digging for the game-winning [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card], or the critical [card name=”Urn of Vitality” set=”Battle Styles” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] to get the Energy together for an attack. As always, it makes sure we can dig for what we need, and helps us never miss a beat.

Three Air Balloon

Three [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] is a bit higher than is typical for this deck, which usually runs two Air Balloon and a [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card]. The reason for the change is simply because it is not practical to expect Switch on the turns you want it, and it often ends up being nothing more than a bad Air Balloon. Sure, on the turns you want it and hit it, Switch can be really good, but realistically, playing three Air Balloon is better for the sole purpose of making sure you never get the wrong one.

Tool Jammer

I’ve gone back and forth a lot on whether it is better to play [card name=”Tool Jammer” set=”Battle Styles” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card], but as they generally do the same thing, it doesn’t actually matter that much. I chose Tool Jammer because it removes solely the effect of the Pokemon Tool and not the whole thing (which would let the opponent simply attach a new one). This is especially valuable against [card name=”Jolteon VMAX” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] and its [card name=”Elemental Badge” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card], as that matchup can easily go sour out of nowhere, favored or not.

Tool Jammer and Tool Scrapper are also equally capable of take a Knock Out on a heavily damaged Pokemon with [card name=”Cape of Toughness” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”160″ c=”name”][/card] on it, which lets you catch up on a Prize trade that may be going poorly. The biggest advantage to Tool Scrapper over Tool Jammer, though, is that it is much more flexible. It affects Benched Pokemon, it can be played at any time, and it can be used when there is an Air Balloon on your Active Pokemon. Tool Jammer can do none of these, and as a result, with upsides and downsides to each, I genuinely believe that the choice here is strictly personal preference.

Darkness Energy

The one Darkness Energy may seem out of place, but it’s actually very important. First off, the reason we play a ninth Energy at all is because it helps to power up our attackers with non-Single Strike Energy so we can save our Single Strike Energy for Houndoom’s Single Strike Roar. As for why we choose Darkness Energy over a Fighting Energy that can be searched with Laser Focus? Well, that’s because of [card name=”Dusknoir” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”71″ c=”name”][/card], which has been growing in popularity lately. If you play against a Dusknoir deck, you have no way of doing meaningful damage unless there is a second Fighting Energy in your deck — or unless you play one Darkness Energy. If we play a Darkness Energy, we can attach it to an Umbreon V, double Single Strike Roar (because Single Strike Energy still retain their name, even if they only provide Colorless Energy!), and Dark Signal or Boss’s Orders Dusknoir and Knock it Out, giving us the ability to attack again.

Conclusion

Single Strike decks, both Gengar VMAX and [card name=”Single Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Umbreon VMAX” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card], are excellently positioned in the metagame thanks to their typing and their massive damage ceiling. Additionally, they have a powerful Energy acceleration option in Houndoom to ensure that they meet the Energy costs needed to use their massive attacks to run through the opponent.

With that, this article draws to a close. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out in the Subscriber’s Hideout, on Twitter (@ICheville), or on Facebook (Zaya Lee)! Until next time!

– Isaiah

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