Is Tapu Koko VMAX the Key to Stop Lugia VSTAR?
Hello all PokeBeach readers! Here is Gabriel again with another Pokémon TCG article and this time I’m going to talk about another list that aims to get a positive matchup against [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] — this time I’m going to be talking about [card name=”Arceus VSTAR” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] with [card name=”Tapu Koko VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Flying Pikachu VMAX” set=”Celebrations” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card].
[cardimg name=”Tapu Koko VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”51″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
In my previous article I talked about [card name=”Galarian Weezing” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card], which also features Flying Pikachu VMAX as its main attacker, but this time I want to talk about another deck with Flying Pikachu VMAX that stood out a little at the beginning of this format, especially in Online Tournaments, which is the variant with Arceus VSTAR and Tapu Koko VMAX.
This Arceus VSTAR deck with Tapu Koko VMAX is one of the decks with one of the best positive results in the Lugia VSTAR matchup, and that’s something that caught my attention. Tapu Koko VMAX has the Max Shock attack, with the effect of directly Paralyzing the opponent, without having to flip a coin. In theory, the function of the Tapu Koko VMAX is to Paralyze the Lugia VSTAR when they have [card name=”Dunsparce” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”207″ c=”name”][/card] on the field, and if the opponent does not have Bird Keeper, the Lugia VSTAR will not be able to attack and you can follow up with a KO. This advantage of Knocking Out Lugia VSTAR without being attacked even with Dunsparce on the field is just another factor in winning this matchup. In addition, the opponent may second guess powering up another Lugia VSTAR, since it could end up with the same fate.
During my testing while writing this article, I realized that the advantages this strategy seemed to have in theory were not as evident in practice, while some benefits that could not be perceived in theory were much more prevalent. In the end, the list has interesting potential to approach the format, but maybe not in the way you were originally thinking.
In my previous article I talked about [card name=”Galarian Weezing” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Flying Pikachu VMAX” set=”Celebrations” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card], and the main difference between the two lists is that this one uses [card name=”Arceus VSTAR” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card], and the other Galarian Weezing. This difference is striking, however, and completely changes the list, even if the idea, in the end, is the same; attacking with Flying Pikachu VMAX.
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The Deck List
[decklist name=”Arceus / Tapu Koko VMAX” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Tapu Koko VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”51″][pokemon amt=”19″]3x [card name=”Arceus VSTAR” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Arceus V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Flying Pikachu VMAX” set=”Celebrations” no=”7″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Flying Pikachu V” set=”Celebrations” no=”6″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Crobat VMAX” set=”Shining Fates” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”72″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Gardevoir” set=”Lost Origin” no=”69″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lumineon V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”40″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”28″]3x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”201″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Serena” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”164″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Judge” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Raihan” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”150″ 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=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Evolution Incense” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Switch” set=”Black and White” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Big Parasol” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”157″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Choice Belt” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Temple of Sinnoh” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”13″]4x [card name=”Double Turbo Energy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]5x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ amt=”5″][/card]3x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Black and White” no=”111″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
What Makes Up the List
Good Starter, Attacker, and Supporter
Four Arceus V, Three Arceus VSTAR
[cardimg name=”Arceus VSTAR” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”123″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Starting the game with [card name=”Arceus V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] guarantees that you will be able to play for the entire match without having serious consistency issues. In my opinion, Arceus VSTAR is not as powerful as [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card], but it’s still my favorite VSTAR Pokémon. It attacks, gets easy Knock Outs on Pokémon V with [card name=”Choice Belt” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], fetches three Energy from the deck to power up another attacker (consequently filtering three cards from the deck so that you have a better chance of drawing a Supporter), and still has one of the strongest VSTAR Powers in the game. Finally, it’s a 280 HP wall that can withstand attacks and requires a considerable amount of effort from the opponent to be able to KO in one attack.
Arceus VSTAR lost strength in the current format due to Lugia VSTAR as it can easily KO Arceus VSTAR, whether with Lugia VSTAR itself, Amazing [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Shining Fates” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card] with Choice Belt, even with its 280 HP. Despite this, it’s worth starting the game with this Pokémon because of its consistency; it’s more and more common for me to win games with Arceus VSTAR simply because I can make the same moves in every game, while my opponents with Lugia VSTAR fail more and more with their setup.
Trust in Flying Pikachu VMAX for the Hard Work
Two Flying Pikachu V, Two Flying Pikachu VMAX
The biggest proof that Flying Pikachu VMAX is one of the best ranked Pokémon in the format is that even Lugia VSTAR is still good paired with Flying Pikachu VMAX. Some of the best players in the world used Lugia VSTAR / Flying Pikachu VMAX in the Oceania International Championship (OCIC), aiming to win the mirror match and improve the matchup against Lost Box and [card name=”Regigigas” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card].
One of the best ways to respond to the format’s main strategies is Flying Pikachu VMAX, and I’ve talked about this in previous articles. Another important thing I’ve also said is that Flying Pikachu VMAX is only truly strong with the help of [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Temple of Sinnoh” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card], plus [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”150″ c=”name”][/card]. Lugia VSTAR can even be a more powerful partner than Arceus VSTAR for Flying Pikachu VMAX in terms of Energy, as you can use [card name=”Speed L Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”V Guard Energy” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] and can attack one turn earlier, as in the version of Arceus VSTAR you need to attack with Arceus VSTAR first to then attack with Flying Pikachu VMAX. The advantage of Arceus VSTAR, however, is being able to use Temple of Sinnoh and rely on the VSTAR Power to make stronger plays.
Tapu Koko VMAX Can Be Clutch in a Specific Situation
One Tapu Koko V, One Tapu Koko VMAX
[cardimg name=”Tapu Koko VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”51″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Honestly, [card name=”Tapu Koko VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] is a much better Pokémon in theory than in practice. When you think about this card, you envision the scene of Tapu Koko VMAX doing 180 damage, Paralyzing Lugia VSTAR, your opponent spends the turn without attacking and you play again. In practice, it’s difficult for you to achieve this, and even if you do, it won’t mean you’ll win the game. Even so, this is a real situation that can happen in the matchup against Lugia VSTAR and that is a good strategy to aim for.
One of the things I liked the most is that [card name=”Tapu Koko V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”72″ c=”name”][/card] has a free Retreat Cost and that makes it a good Pokémon to start the game since you can promote [card name=”Arceus VSTAR” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] on the first or second turn without using [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card]. Its attacks were rarely used, but it is worth remembering that Thunderous Bolt does 200 damage and can KO other Pokémon V, especially if it has a [card name=”Choice Belt” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card]. The idea of Tapu Koko VMAX is to exploit one of the weaknesses of the [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] deck, which is the lack of resources to deal with paralysis. A Tapu Koko VMAX with [card name=”Big Parasol” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”157″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Radiant Gardevoir” set=”Lost Origin” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card] is an invincible Pokémon against Lugia VSTAR even if the opponent has [card name=”Bird Keeper” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] to get rid of the paralysis.
In practice, however, I seldom used Tapu Koko VMAX in this matchup and the reasons for winning or losing were down to other strategies.
Honestly, if the goal is to improve the matchup against Lugia VSTAR, [card name=”Aerodactyl VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] is better than Tapu Koko VMAX. In other matchups, Tapu Koko VMAX is not relevant, with [card name=”Flying Pikachu VMAX” set=”Celebrations” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] and Arceus VSTAR being better attackers.
A Solid Counter to Mew VMAX
Two Crobat V, One Crobat VMAX
In the previous article, I talked a lot about how [card name=”Crobat VMAX” set=”Shining Fates” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card] is a much better Pokémon than [card name=”Drapion V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card] for the matchup against [card name=”Mew VMAX” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card], mainly because every Mew VMAX player who wants to win a big tournament needs to know how to deal with Drapion V — it can be present in any deck. One of the reasons Mew VMAX is still so relevant in the format, doing well in the biggest tournaments in the world is precisely because players assume they can beat Mew VMAX with only a copy of Drapion V. Every good Mew VMAX deck uses [card name=”Judge” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”235″ c=”name”][/card] plus Path to the Peak to hurt the opponent’s consistency and prevent Drapion V from having its Ability activated.
Crobat VMAX stands out even more against Mew VMAX decks without [card name=”Meloetta” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Fusion Strike Energy” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”244″ c=”name”][/card], as the version with only [card name=”Double Turbo Energy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] has more difficulty Knocking Out Crobat VMAX and uses only Mew VMAX as an attacker. In other words, you only need two Crobat VMAX attacks to win the game.
Another good advantage of Crobat VMAX is that it evolves a frail benched [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] into a 300 HP Pokémon and a good attacker. It is a card that increases the offensive and defensive power of the deck.
Focus on the Power Plays
One Lumineon V
One of the things I noticed the most in all my time playing Arceus VSTAR is that it is essential that you make the strongest moves possible, even if you have to bench easy targets for the opponent to Knock Out such as [card name=”Lumineon V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card], Crobat V, or [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]. The strongest moves involve three distinct elements of the game; an attack, a Stadium, and a Supporter, but when combined they cause problems for the opponent.
Lumineon V has the task of finding the right Supporter for the right moment. On the second turn of the game when the opponent has only a [card name=”Lugia V” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card], you can use Lumineon V combined with Starbirth to get the Supporter and the necessary parts to get the KO. In the endgame, Lumineon V can find [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”150″ c=”name”][/card] to combine with [card name=”Temple of Sinnoh” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card].
Using Lumineon V gives you a little more consistency using Supporters with a single copy, like Judge, [card name=”Serena” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”164″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Raihan” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card], and Roxanne.
A Defense Boost For Lugia VSTAR and Mew VMAX
One Radiant Gardevoir
[cardimg name=”Radiant Gardevoir” set=”Lost Origin” no=”69″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Thinking about the metagame, [card name=”Radiant Gardevoir” set=”Lost Origin” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card] is useful for matchups against [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] and Mew VMAX. With Radiant Gardevoir on the field, it becomes more difficult for these Pokémon to KO your Pokémon VMAX. In practice, Radiant Gardevoir helps less than it seems in theory, but it is important to reduce the output that these two powerful decks have in order to win. Any opportunity Lugia VSTAR or Mew VMAX has, no matter how small, can be enough to take down a good defense. Making the opponent have to attach an extra [card name=”Powerful Colorless Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”176″ c=”name”][/card] or play an extra [card name=”Power Tablet” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”236″ c=”name”][/card] can be the difference between victory and defeat.
One of the benefits of using Radiant Gardevoir that I decided to explore is the fact that it is a single-Prize Pokémon with a reasonable attack, and is capable of KOing [card name=”Miltank” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card]. This is a deck without any response to deal with Miltank and in the metagame, there is popularly the [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Celebrations” no=”19″ c=”name”][/card] Control deck that includes Miltank. Because of this, I see it as necessary to have some way of dealing with Miltank, even if it is a bad and lackluster response. In other matchups, consider Radiant Gardevoir as a possible attacker, as this Pokémon can be useful to take KOs on single-Prize Pokémon or to finish off a Pokémon V.
Adjust Some Maths With Headbutt Tantrum
One Galarian Zigzagoon
For a long time I was preferring Powerful Colorless Energy over Galarian Zigzagoon for the possibility of doing 220 damage and KOing Pokémon V like Lugia V, but as I said, the main focus of this deck is to make the power plays and Galarian Zigzagoon has one distinct advantage; you can find it with [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”237″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”150″ c=”name”][/card], meaning eight more changes to draw into it.
Galarian Zigzagoon can be useful for other situations involving Flying Pikachu VMAX and Tapu Koko VMAX. It can help a lot in the matchup against [card name=”Mew VMAX” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] to mean the difference between a Knock Out, or not.
Always Disrupt the Opponent’s Hand
Three Marnie, One Judge
This deck is all about attacking, not being attacked. Against Lost Box, whenever the opponent uses [card name=”Colress’s Experiment” set=”Lost Origin” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card], you’ll love to play [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield Black Star Promos” no=”SWSH120 ” c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Judge” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”235″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”150″ c=”name”][/card] to turn their ten-card hand into a hand with less than five cards. The same concept goes for Lugia VSTAR. If you are second in this matchup, your ideal turn will be using Marnie plus [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], and if your opponent fails to get [card name=”Archeops” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card] onto the field, the matchup is in your favor.
The strongest draw Supporter you can use in the format is Marnie, as she lowers her opponent’s hand and takes away important cards that can spoil her strategy. If your opponent has four or more cards in their hand, they are more likely to have the cards they need than if you don’t use Marnie. Of course, this all depends on your interpretation of your opponent’s hand; if your opponent takes a normal turn with an Energy attachment, Supporter for the turn, and some Pokémon Setup, they will end the turn with important cards they need. Even if they end the turn with three cards in hand, those cards can be [card name=”Lost Vacuum” set=”Lost Origin” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] and a Supporter. In a way, the cards left in the hand are the ones that will lead to another good turn.
Two of the Best Draw Supporter
Two Professor’s Research
When you don’t need to disrupt your opponent’s hand or when you need an important card, then the Supporter with the highest draw power in the game comes into play. Only two copies of this Supporter are included in this list — it’s a list that only uses Supporters and [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] for Draw Power, discarding the classic “[card name=”Bibarel” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card]” from the World Championship 2022 deck. It’s a slower, but consistent list that manages to get set up, attacking, and using Supporter every turn.
During a match played against a metagame deck such as Lugia VSTAR, the Supporter you play needs to impact the opponent’s play. Marnie and [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] directly affect the opponent’s hand and field, while [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card] is a Supporter that only improves your game, but does not affect the opponent’s game at all. That luxury of simply focusing on your setup is something you’ll only get once or twice a match, so the average use of this Supporter is once a game. On other turns, you will use Marnie, Judge, Boss’s Order, [card name=”Raihan” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card], or Roxanne.
Hunt Down Knock Outs with Boss’s Orders and Serena
Two Boss’s Order, One Serena
For a long time, I kept the second copy of [card name=”Serena” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”164″ c=”name”][/card] and I liked having four cards with a gust effect, but more and more I see it as vital to use Marnie and Roxanne. With less and less Pokémon V in the format, Serena ends up being underused, and when used, half the time you’re using its draw effect, but Professor’s Research and Marnie have better draw power.
Against single-Prize decks like [card name=”Regigigas” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] and Lost Box, Marnie and Roxanne are more important than Boss’s Orders. Only in situations where you assess that using Judge is not worth it, then use Boss’s Order to KO a higher value Pokémon for the opponent.
I Hate Raihan, But it’s Almost Mandatory
One Raihan
Raihan is a Supporter that I barely use, and when I am forced to use it, the turn will not be as strong as it should be. Let me explain…
[cardimg name=”Raihan” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”202″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
When you go second in a match, you need to play two [card name=”Arceus V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] and attach a basic Energy to one of them, as most likely the Arceus V with Energy will be KO’d in the next turn. [card name=”Mew VMAX” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] are decks that consistently manage to do this with a bit of luck. The only way to come back from a play like this is with Raihan on the other Arceus V so you can attack with [card name=”Arceus VSTAR” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] and power up [card name=”Tapu Koko VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]. The problem is that Raihan does not disrupt your opponent, and because of that, they will probably have a move good enough to KO another Pokémon V on their next turn, not least because they drew two Prizes in the last turn.
When I start the game going second, I do everything to mean I won’t need to use Raihan on the next turn; I use [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] to disrupt their hand, I try to find [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] to try to prevent the Abilities, and I dig for [card name=”Double Turbo Energy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] to set up my second attacker and ensure a strong second turn, with the ability to use Marnie again if needed. If none of that is possible, then use Raihan and try to turn the tables with [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”150″ c=”name”][/card] plus Path to the Peak or [card name=”Temple of Sinnoh” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card].
On this specific list, I like Raihan a little more because it helps establish [card name=”Crobat VMAX” set=”Shining Fates” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card] and Tapu Koko VMAX — both Pokémon need two Energy of the same type. Another possibility is to use it for [card name=”Radiant Gardevoir” set=”Lost Origin” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card], with the possibility of recovering the single Psychic Energy from the discard.
Your Last Power Play
One Roxanne
When your opponent manages to take three Prizes or more, it means that the match is coming to an end — with one or two more Knock Outs they will be able to take the final Prizes of the game. Normally you have two more turns, so if in those final two turns you still don’t have a clear path to victory, you’ll have to resort to your last and strongest move, which is Roxanne plus a Stadium card.
This move can be used against the main decks in the metagame, and against all of them this move will be strong. Lugia VSTAR, Mew VMAX, [card name=”Regigigas” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card], and Lost Box don’t have a Pokémon or resource similar to [card name=”Bibarel” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], something that offers you draw power even without cards in your hand. Against Lugia VSTAR, Roxanne plus Temple of Sinnoh can give you the time you need to win, while against Lost Box it’s strategic to keep Path to the Peak on the field whenever possible to prevent the opponent’s [card name=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] from drawing cards.
Nine Pokémon Search Cards
Four Quick Ball, Four Ultra Ball, One Evolution Incense
This is the default number I use for all my Arceus VSTAR rosters, and it’s something I haven’t touched in a long time. I believe it is the ideal count. If I had to improve something in this area of the deck, I would only invest in [card name=”Trekking Shoes” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card], as this Item would improve the consistency of the deck in general, whether looking for Pokémon to find the Stadium card, [card name=”Double Turbo Energy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card], or the appropriate Supporter for the turn.
A Vital Switching Card
One Switch
[card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card] is an extremely useful card when starting the game with Radiant Gardevoir, [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Lumineon V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]. The deck has seven good starter Pokémon (opening with [card name=”Arceus V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Flying Pikachu V” set=”Celebrations” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Tapu Koko V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”72″ c=”name”][/card] is ideal), and five bad starters. That’s almost 50%, meaning you’ll end up needing the Switch a lot during a competition.
Big Parasol is Better Than Ever
One Big Parasol
[cardimg name=”Big Parasol” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”157″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Unsurprisingly, [card name=”Big Parasol” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”157″ c=”name”][/card] has the power to stop Amazing [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Shining Fates” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card]’s attack — the strongest attack used in the metagame — in addition to preventing [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] from placing 12 damage counters. My observation here is about using only one copy instead of two. The reason for using only one copy is that you only need one Big Parasol per game, and there will be some times when Big Parasol will come in handy. Many times against [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] you win the match because you started the game well or because the opponent couldn’t deal with Path to the Peak. You don’t always need Big Parasol because you won’t always have the moment when an Amazing Yveltal appears to Knock Out your [card name=”Flying Pikachu VMAX” set=”Celebrations” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card], eliminating your chance of victory for good. Even if the opponent does use [card name=”Lost Vacuum” set=”Lost Origin” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card] and KOs your Flying Pikachu VMAX, you still have [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”150″ c=”name”][/card] plus [card name=”Temple of Sinnoh” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card] to recover from the damage done.
Big Parasol is a good Pokémon Tool to have in your deck both for Lugia VSTAR and for several other small cases in the format, such as [card name=”Regice” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”37″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Articuno” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”36″ c=”name”][/card], but in the end, it’s another good card to try to stop Lugia VSTAR, as well as several others in the deck. It’s not worth using two copies because there’s no guarantee that your Flying Pikachu VMAX with Big Parasol will actually secure you the win overall.
One Choice Belt
The deck’s attackers don’t hit that hard. [card name=”Arceus VSTAR” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Tapu Koko VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card], and Flying Pikachu VMAX can’t even KO a [card name=”Lugia V” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card], but with [card name=”Choice Belt” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], Arceus VSTAR can make that happen. The amount of games I won just because the opponent managed to find only one Lugia V is greater than it seems. When Knocking Out the first Lugia V, the opponent can only return to the game if they bench another. If you repeat the KO and open with a four-Prize advantage, it is almost impossible to lose the game.
Choice Belt settles a lot of scores and makes your Pokémon capable of Knocking Out a lot more Pokémon V.
The True Power of the Deck
Three Path to the Peak, Two Temple of Sinnoh
While Lugia VSTAR players have to worry about the high number of mirror matches and some Lost Box and Regis, other decks have to worry about Lugia VSTAR. My idea with Arceus VSTAR is to explore a strategy that Lugia VSTAR lists, in general, use a few cards to prevent, which are disruptive Stadium Cards.
[cardimg name=”Temple of Sinnoh” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”214″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
I believe in the strength of Stadiums to try to stop Lugia VSTAR and other decks from the format, and so far I’ve been happy with the results. Depending on Stadiums is risky — it requires training to understand the right moments to play Stadiums, and even then it is not guaranteed to work. My win rating against Lugia VSTAR is greater than 50%, but it’s far from a comfortable matchup.
The count of three [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] and two Temple of Sinnoh is perfect for me and has worked for a long time. If you use more than five Stadiums, your deck will be more inconsistent and you won’t even have game turns to play that many Stadiums. Once you increase the number of Stadiums, first think about improving access to these Stadiums. [card name=”Trekking Shoes” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] is an Item that illustrates what I mean; against Lugia VSTAR, Path to the Peak is good for the first turns of the game, while Temple of Sinnoh is better for the end. When your opponent is already at full strength on the field, Temple of Sinnoh is the only card that can lower the absurd offensive power of this deck.
Thirteen Energy
Four Double Turbo Energy, Five Lightning, Three Darkness
Some rules need to be followed if one day you intend to change the deck’s Energy count. Four [card name=”Double Turbo Energy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] is essential so that you can find it in the first or second turn without having to use Starbirth. The more you can take away from Starbirth, the better. If you can attack without using Starbirth and save that VSTAR Power for later, even better.
[card name=”Crobat VMAX” set=”Shining Fates” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card] needs at least three Darkness Energy to run reasonably consistently. If you don’t want to have a headache, then four copies is a safe choice, however, with three Energy you can get by in most games if you are a little careful. The same rule goes for [card name=”Flying Pikachu VMAX” set=”Celebrations” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card], you need at least three Lightning Energy to attack consistently, even though it only requires one Lightning — remember that it’s your main attacker and cannot fail once. Because of that, four Lightning Energy is a safe choice. [card name=”Tapu Koko VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] needs two Lighting Energy, so playing with five allows you to use Flying Pikachu VMAX and Tapu Koko VMAX at the same time.
Final Thoughts
Testing [card name=”Arceus VSTAR” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] with Tapu Koko VMAX was important to realize that statistics don’t always show reality. The numbers say that the Arceus VSTAR deck with Tapu Koko VMAX has one of the most positive matchups against Lugia VSTAR, but when you go to test it in practice, Tapu Koko VMAX has little direct impact on the matchup, as it seems in theory. What actually wins this matchup is Flying Pikachu VMAX, [card name=”Big Parasol” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”157″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card], and your Stadiums.
[cardimg name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
The biggest benefits of including Tapu Koko VMAX in the deck is having one more Pokémon with a free Retreat Cost, one more solid Lightning-type attacker, and more Lighting Energy in the deck. In the end, the list works because it indirectly became more consistent in the objective of attacking with [card name=”Arceus V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] in the first turn, by gaining one or two more Pokémon with a free Retreat Cost (most lists use Two Tapu Koko V and Two Tapu Koko VMAX) and for having a tankier attackers.
Tapu Koko VMAX is a slightly better attacker than Flying Pikachu VMAX and can escape some issues that Flying Pikachu VMAX suffers from. Tapu Koko VMAX has 10 more HP, and this with [card name=”Radiant Gardevoir” set=”Lost Origin” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card] means that [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] cannot KO it, even with four [card name=”Powerful Colorless Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”176″ c=”name”][/card] and a [card name=”Choice Belt” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card]. Lugia VSTAR with [card name=”V Guard Energy” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] is not KOed by a Flying Pikachu VMAX with [card name=”Double Turbo Energy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] hitting for Weakness, while Tapu Koko VMAX can get the Knock Out even with Double Turbo Energy. In the end, it’s small details, but in the Pokémon TCG details can make a huge difference.
That’s all for today guys, I hope you enjoyed it, and see you next time!
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