Lost Box Takes Over Stuttgart! Three Lost Zone Decks for the Current Meta
After being reasonably under-represented in the Paradox Rift format thus far, Lost Zone box variants had a dominant showing at the recent Stuttgart Regionals. At LAIC, Brennan Kamerman debuted an interesting [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] deck featuring [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] and made Top 8. Following that, Tord Reklev made Top 8 at Gdansk Regionals with a madman’s concoction — a [card name=”Kyogre” set=”Celebrations” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] variant featuring [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card], of all things.
[cardimg name=”Jirachi” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”126″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Interestingly, Lost Zone box decks haven’t been played all that much in this format, with these wild decks being the outliers. Lost Zone box is weak against [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card], which has been quite popular. Furthermore, [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card] neutralizes Sableye, so many were left thinking that Lost Zone box’s prime was in the past.
Stuttgart Regionals saw a vanilla Sableye / Radiant Charizard win the entire tournament, along with some interesting Lost Zone box decks in Top 16. A counter-box deck featuring [card name=”Supereffective Glasses” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] among a myriad of different-type attackers was in the semi-finals, and notably, no Sableye. Tord once again brought a crazy deck, swapping out last tournament’s Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR with [card name=”Giratina VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card] along with the accompanying Energy types. This seemingly gives the deck a better shot against Charizard ex, as you have another strong option to one-shot a Charizard ex in the Star Requiem attack.
Today I will be going over all three of Stuttgart’s interesting Lost Box decks. Let’s start with the first-place ‘Sablezard’ list.
Sablezard List
[decklist name=”sabl zard” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Spiritomb” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”89″][pokemon amt=”12″]4x [card name=”Comfey” set=”Lost Origin” no=”79″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”20″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”126″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”89″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”42″]4x [card name=”Colress’s Experiment” set=”Lost Origin” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Raihan” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Klara” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”150″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Battle VIP Pass” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”225″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch Cart” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Battle Styles” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”181″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Fog Crystal” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”186″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Lost Vacuum” set=”Lost Origin” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Hisuian Heavy Ball” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”146″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pal Pad” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”182″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Technical Machine: Devolution” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”177″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Beach Court” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”167″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Artazon” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”6″]3x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”153″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Double Turbo Energy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Playing Sablezard
I’ve never thought Sablezard is all that good, as it often loses to common disruption cards like [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”150″ c=”name”][/card], and is also extremely weak to [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card]. The deck is also fairly weak and inconsistent, however, if you’re going to play the deck, this list is a strong choice. The basic strategy varies slightly from matchup to matchup; against decks with multi-Prize Pokemon, you try to take two Prizes in the early to mid-game between [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] hits, then [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card] cleans up by taking four Prizes in only two attacks. Sableye prepares Pokemon for KO’s from Radiant Charizard if they have too much HP to begin with. This strategy often involves letting your opponent get down to one Prize card and then winning within a strict turn window, which can get sketchy if you have to draw big combos amidst hand disruption. This deck isn’t particularly great at thinning the deck either, lacking options like [card name=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”PokéStop” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card].
[premium]
Against decks with more single-Prize Pokemon, you focus on chaining Sableye. Aside from the early attack or two with Cramorant, you want to be spamming Lost Mine, with the damage adding up. It will eventually lead to a multi-Prize turn, giving you the edge in a single-Prize vs. single-Prize showdown.
[cardimg name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”120″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Against decks with big Evolution Pokemon, the deck plays two [card name=”Technical Machine: Devolution” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”177″ c=”name”][/card], which is a powerful trump card in those matchups. This Pokemon Tool works perfectly with Sableye, as you can simply spread enough damage with Lost Mine to take out all the pre-Evolutions, and then win in one fell swoop with a Technical Machine: Devolution play. Most evolving decks use Jirachi to stop Sableye, however, so you’ll have to remove that first. Using [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”160″ c=”name”][/card] along with Cramorant is an effective means to do so, however, you also want to be aggressive with Cramorant, so you may have to choose between getting a Prize lead and not being able to use Counter Catcher, or going down in Prizes and forgoing your early-game advantage. It is a lose-lose situation. Furthermore, Evolution decks play [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”name”][/card], so they can simply recover their Jirachi. For this reason, it is hard for me to see how this deck was able to make it through a Regional.
This list plays a Jirachi of its own to beat other Sableye and opposing [card name=”Medicham V” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”83″ c=”name”][/card], and The [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] is great against [card name=”Mew VMAX” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] decks because it shuts off their engines. These are low-commitment, high-impact techs, so they make sense to play. Your basic strategy can take care of most situations, and these techs solve some of the potential issues.
The Energy count is as minimalist as it gets, which I’m a fan of. [card name=”Double Turbo Energy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] works well with [card name=”Raihan” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card], giving you the option for an early attack with Radiant Charizard. There is one copy of [card name=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] as an additional way to search out Energy, which can also be searched with Raihan for a similar effect as Double Turbo Energy. This deck doesn’t utilize Mirage Gate that well with such few Energy, but since it is sometimes useful and is a generally powerful card, playing one copy is fine. The two copies of Super Rod make the Mirage Gate rather reliable.
[card name=”Klara” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] helps chain Sableye and Radiant Charizard, Raihan enables early Radiant Charizard attacks and pieces together combo plays, and Roxanne gives you some disruption in a pinch, which has great synergy along with Sableye and Counter Catcher. Speaking of Counter Catcher, it is so absurdly strong in this deck. I would probably add a third Counter Catcher — although it is useless early, you can get a ton of value from it in the mid and late-game. It does not seem good with Sableye since Sableye can hit the Bench anyway, but it synergizes because you can trap something in the Active, especially paired with Roxanne, and then snipe around it while your opponent hopefully cannot attack. Of course, that is not your main strategy, and it is mainly for choosing your targets with Radiant Charizard or occasionally finishing something off with Cramorant.
Matchups
Miraidon ex
This deck is strong against [card name=”Miraidon ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card] because [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card] destroys them, and you have plenty of counters to [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card]. A fast [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] can be scary as it forces you to get a quick Radiant Charizard, so if you do get it you are in great shape, however, if Iron Hands manages to fire off two Amp You Very Much attacks, you do ultimately lose.
Gardevoir ex
[card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] is a matchup that is generally good because [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] is so strong against them, but if they play [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card], you will probably lose. Many Gardevoir ex lists do not play Jirachi, but if they do, they also can easily recover it with their two [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”name”][/card].
Charizard ex
[card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] is a pretty bad matchup because most of them play Jirachi. If they know how to play around [card name=”Technical Machine: Devolution” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”177″ c=”name”][/card] and set up Jirachi quickly, there’s not much you can do.
Mew VMAX
[cardimg name=”Fusion Strike Energy” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”244″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
The [card name=”Mew VMAX” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] matchup depends on which version they are playing — the slightly more popular build at the moment is the non-[card name=”Fusion Strike Energy” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”244″ c=”name”][/card] version, which is great for this deck because you can win with [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card].
The Fusion Strike Energy version is a bad matchup, as they can deal with Spiritomb. You definitely can win, but you need a lot to go right, and if they play the matchup correctly, it will be difficult.
Rapid Strike Box
Sablezard can win any matchup against players that do not play against it correctly, except probably [card name=”Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card]. The Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX / [card name=”Inteleon VMAX” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is basically unwinnable.
Snorlax Stall
The [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is great because you play Spiritomb and tons of switching cards. [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card] and Sableye do enough damage to be unbothered by [card name=”Penny” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card]. Regardless, Snorlax cannot do much without access to [card name=”Rotom V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ability.
Giratina VSTAR
The [card name=”Giratina VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is favorable because you are a better version of them in that matchup. They can disrupt your hand a bit more, but you have Jirachi and they usually do not. You can also blow up Giratina VSTAR itself with Radiant Charizard.
Supereffective Glasses Deck
[decklist name=”se glasses” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″][pokemon amt=”12″]4x [card name=”Comfey” set=”Lost Origin” no=”79″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Galarian Moltres V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Raikou V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”48″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tropius” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”6″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Minior” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”38″]4x [card name=”Colress’s Experiment” set=”Lost Origin” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Raihan” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Zinnia’s Resolve” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”164″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Battle VIP Pass” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”225″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”181″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch Cart” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Battle Styles” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Lost Vacuum” set=”Lost Origin” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”160″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hisuian Heavy Ball” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”146″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Supereffective Glasses” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Forest Seal Stone” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Town Store” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”196″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]5x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”158″ c=”deck2″ amt=”5″][/card]2x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Gift Energy” set=”Lost Origin” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Playing the Supereffective Glasses List
This list is compelling and there is a lot to talk about. There are some things I like and things I don’t. Like with Sablezard, I don’t think this deck is all it’s cracked up to be, but the list is. These types of decks have seen play before, and I like to play them when I can. The idea is to tech whatever cards you need to beat the specific top meta decks and the result is an amalgamation of unrelated cards, so you have a lot of useless cards in each game, but you have the right cards to beat what is in front of you. The problem is that there are so many decks in the current format that it is hard to target all or even most of them. Additionally, the decks are so good that they cannot be beaten with a simple tech card or two.
[card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] covers a lot of bases here; if you get it going fast enough and take four Prizes with it, you beat all single-Prize decks. Unfortunately, decks that are weak to Iron Hands ex are still prepared to face it and can deal with it a non-zero percent of the time. It is hard for this deck to use Iron Hands ex more than once, as it requires two [card name=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] and sometimes a gust effect.
[cardimg name=”Supereffective Glasses” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”152″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Playing both [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Galarian Moltres V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] seems redundant at first glance, but the reality is that they have a variety of different uses in different situations. This deck has only two Stadiums, so it cannot reliably use Roaring Moon ex for the punch, but you still have Frenzied Gouging to delete threats with high-HP. Galarian Moltres V is much easier to use, and more reliably takes out Darkness-weak threats. Furthermore, it is an option for [card name=”Forest Seal Stone” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card], of which the only other one is [card name=”Raikou V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”48″ c=”name”][/card]. Speaking of Raikou V, I don’t see it being all that useful, but perhaps you need more than one Forest Seal Stone user and perhaps Raikou V is the best option. There aren’t many Lightning-weak Pokemon in the meta outside of [card name=”Pidgeot ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”164″ c=”name”][/card], but even that can be KO’d with Iron Hands ex’s Arm Press (or Amp You Very Much with [card name=”Supereffective Glasses” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card]). It seems like Raikou V is rarely necessary, though it is comparably easy to use as a strong attacker. It’s also good against [card name=”Miraidon ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card], surprisingly.
[card name=”Tropius” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card] is an effective [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] killer, and [card name=”Minior” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] offers a reliable counter to opposing Iron Hands ex. Both of them, of course, require Supereffective Glasses.
Five Darkness Energy looks excessive to me, and the [card name=”Gift Energy” set=”Lost Origin” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] seems random, but I think it is good. It can come in clutch in the late-game, and you will often see it at some point. Since you don’t need it until later, its difficulty to find is somewhat irrelevant, but you simply put it on the Pokemon that is most important to have next turn, or on your Active (depending on the matchup), and it gives you tons of cards and helps against hand disruption.
[card name=”Raihan” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] is great for these Energy-hungry attackers and helps you make combos, and [card name=”Zinnia’s Resolve” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”164″ c=”name”][/card] is fundamentally a bad card, and I would not play it. [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”160″ c=”name”][/card] is great here, but unfortunately, it is too situational to justify playing more than one copy of. Supereffective Glasses tremendously helps your matchups against Charizard ex and Iron Hands ex — it can also let Iron Hands get some funny plays here and there. [card name=”Town Store” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”196″ c=”name”][/card] functions as additional outs to the Supereffective Glasses, [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] counter, as well as a consistency out to Forest Seal Stone. It may not be my good friend [card name=”PokéStop” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card], but I think Town Store makes more sense for this version of the deck.
Matchups
Miraidon ex
Miraidon ex struggles against Lost Zone box in general, but this matchup may be a bit closer than you would think. There’s no [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Kyogre” set=”Celebrations” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card], which are strong against Miraidon ex. [card name=”Minior” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] at least deals with [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card], but if they got the attack with Iron Hands ex, it is an even trade. You’ll have to trade with two-Prize Pokemon such as [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Raikou V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”48″ c=”name”][/card], as [card name=”Minior” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] is ineffective against all of their main attackers. Save [card name=”Lost Vacuum” set=”Lost Origin” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card] to deal with [card name=”Bravery Charm” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card] unless you have to bump Path to the Peak. Don’t forget that you can also use Amp You Very Much, which may come up against [card name=”Squawkabilly ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Lumineon V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Flaaffy” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card].
Gardevoir ex
Against [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card], you should be able to get at least one Amp You Very Much and one gust-KO on Gardevoir ex with a Darkness-type. This opens the door for a clean 1-1-2-2 line, which is an effective way to win. An early [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card] is usually good for a Prize or two, but attacking with Cramorant is not attacking with Iron Hands ex. This matchup seems about even because of the [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”name”][/card] spam. We don’t have [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card], but we have other strong options (though they are higher-maintenance).
Charizard ex
[cardimg name=”Tropius” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”195″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
The [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is good because they have few ways to attack besides with Charizard ex, and then you blow it up with [card name=”Tropius” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”7″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Supereffective Glasses” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card]. You can also snipe [card name=”Pidgeot ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”164″ c=”name”][/card] off the Bench, and Roaring Moon ex offers an additional way to one-shot Charizard ex.
This deck is probably the most effective at one-shotting Charizard ex in the entire game.
Giratina VSTAR
The [card name=”Giratina VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card] matchup, as well as other Lost Zone decks, are tough. You rely heavily on Iron Hands ex, and you don’t have good options against them.
Snorlax Block
The [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is free thanks to the many switch cards and Minior. It might be the most lopsided matchup in the game.
Mew VMAX
The [card name=”Mew VMAX” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] matchup seems alright, as you have a strong way to KO everything in their deck. You do need a lot of cards to keep the combos coming, so it is definitely possible to lose.
Rapid Strike Box
The [card name=”Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is tough, but winnable. Roaring Moon ex is strong against them, and you may even get some cheesy Amp You Very Much plays.
Tord Pile
[decklist name=”tord pile” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Lumineon V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”40″][pokemon amt=”13″]4x [card name=”Comfey” set=”Lost Origin” no=”79″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Giratina VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”131″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Giratina V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Kyogre” set=”Celebrations” no=”3″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lumineon V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”40″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]4x [card name=”Colress’s Experiment” set=”Lost Origin” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Battle VIP Pass” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”225″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch Cart” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Energy Recycler” set=”Battle Styles” no=”124″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Battle Styles” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Hisuian Heavy Ball” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”146″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”196″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pal Pad” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”182″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Forest Seal Stone” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”PokéStop” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”14″]4x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”158″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Jet Energy” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”190″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
What’s Different About Tord’s List?
[cardimg name=”Kyogre” set=”Celebrations” no=”3″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
At first glance, this seems similar to the last deck as it also has [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card], but that is where the similarities end. Tord is packing all of the most powerful Pokemon in the format and cramming them all into one deck. As always, Iron Hands ex is great against single-Prize Pokemon. Roaring Moon ex takes out anything that is unreasonably big. [card name=”Kyogre” set=”Celebrations” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card], a card I’m always partial to, has fallen off in effectiveness lately, however, Aqua Storm is still a ridiculous attack that can be set up to deal 500 damage across two benched Pokemon, which is an epic way to win games from behind. [card name=”Giratina VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card] comes in as a secondary nuke option, as it helps against [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] in particular. And of course, you still have the powerful Lost Zone box staples of [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card].
This deck is definitely spread very thin and aims to pull off a few very impactful attacks to win each game. I feel like this list knows more what it is doing than the last one, though the last one is better against Charizard ex. I’m not sure how I feel about the [card name=”Jet Energy” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”190″ c=”name”][/card], they don’t seem that great and don’t mesh well with [card name=”PokéStop” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card]. Jet Energy doesn’t work well with most of the attackers due to their [card name=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card]-compatible Energy costs, with the exception being Iron Hands ex (and Giratina VSTAR, to a lesser extent), however, you may desperately need Jet Energy instead of [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Battle Styles” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] when you are planning to use Amp You Very Much.
As wacky as the Pokemon and Energy lineup is (maybe one or two too many Darkness Energy), the Trainer roster is fairly standard for a Kyogre deck. The lone [card name=”Forest Seal Stone” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”196″ c=”name”][/card] work alongside the [card name=”Lumineon V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] and Giratina VSTAR. You don’t need Star Requiem in a lot of matchups, after all.
Matchups
Miraidon ex
The [card name=”Miraidon ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is fine thanks to Kyogre. Iron Hands ex is scary, as usual, but you can respond to it with Roaring Moon ex or Giratina VSTAR. Again, Iron Hands demands an immediate response, so it can sometimes be responsible for a quick loss.
Gardevoir ex
Your game against [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] is the same as the previous deck, but instead of [card name=”Galarian Moltres V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] you have [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card], which of course is strong in a different way.
Charizard ex
The [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] matchup still seems sketchy, though you do have Roaring Moon ex and Giratina VSTAR’s Star Requiem to deal with it.
Mew VMAX
The [card name=”Mew VMAX” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is good, as [card name=”Kyogre” set=”Celebrations” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] thrashes that deck.
Snorlax Block
The [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is also free thanks to all of the switching cards. [card name=”Giratina V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] is your best attacker in that matchup, but if your Grass Energy is prized, you will have to improvise (and could possibly lose).
Giratina VSTAR
The [card name=”Giratina VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card] matchup is slightly favorable. You have Iron Hands ex, Kyogre, and more speed. They have hand disruption and are less vulnerable to bad Prizes. You have a lot of one-ofs and are spread more thin.
Rapid Strike Box
[card name=”Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX” set=”Battle Styles” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] is a bad matchup.
Summing Up
Thanks for reading! These Lost Zone box decks are all interesting ones to come out of Stuttgart Regionals! If you’ve been wanting to try out Lost Box in the Paradox Rift format, the good lists are finally starting to take shape, so now is the time to play it. I look forward to playing some more with these decks.
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