Reviving Sablezard — Still Viable With New Techs

Hello, PokeBeach readers! I’m back with another Pokemon TCG article, this time focusing on the Lost Box deck [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card], better known as Sablezard. Can one of the first Lost Box variants to achieve competitive success still perform well in the current Standard format?

As we conclude another year filled with tournaments, these days between Christmas and New Year offer a chance to slow down and reflect on the competitive season. It’s a time to correct mistakes, think of new solutions, and identify unknown or forgotten decks that could thrive in the current format. During this period of reflection, Sablezard caught my attention. While it has sporadically produced results in past tournaments, it’s been a while since it consistently matched the success of a Tier 1 deck.

With the introduction of Paradox Rift, some dynamics have shifted in favor of Sablezard, potentially bringing the deck back into the competitive spotlight. At the same time however, new challengers have emerged, threatening to retire the deck unless it adapts to the evolving metagame.

Jirachi and Iron Hands ex Retired Sablezard?

[cardimg name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”248″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

The question arises: Has [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] forced Sablezard into retirement? The answer depends on the deck’s adaptability. If you’re using the previous format’s Sablezard list, Jirachi and Iron Hands ex pose significant threats. However, with the right adjustments, these challenges can be overcome.

To deal with Jirachi, the most effective strategy involves taking a Knock Out with [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card]. You need to use cards such as [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Cross Switcher” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”230″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”160″ c=”name”][/card] to target the Jirachi on your opponent’s Bench. While Cross Switcher stands out for its effectiveness, you need to play the maximum four copies of this Item in your deck. Counter Catcher is a more viable option, despite being slightly less effective.

Dealing with Iron Hands ex demands a swift response, necessitating an immediate return Knock Out as soon as it takes a Knock Out on your [card name=”Comfey” set=”Lost Origin” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card]. Radiant Charizard proves to be a potent solution, capable of attacking in the second turn with [card name=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card], especially if Iron Hands ex is able to pick up two Prize cards in the first turn. Another alternative addition to consider is [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”251″ c=”name”][/card], although its second attack, dealing 220 damage, falls slightly short of Iron Hands’s 230 HP. You would be forced to use its first attack to Knock Out Iron Hands ex, but taking 200 damage as a drawback and getting Knocked Out on your opponent’s turn is another problem altogether.

In this article, I’ll unveil my Sablezard list and explain how it can navigate the current Standard format metagame, offering solutions to counteract these primary threats.

[premium]

[decklist name=”Sablezard” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″][pokemon amt=”11″]4x [card name=”Comfey” set=”Lost Origin” no=”79″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”40″]4x [card name=”Colress’s Experiment” set=”Lost Origin” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Klara” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/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=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch Cart” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Battle Styles” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/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=”Counter Catcher” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”160″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Hisuian Heavy Ball” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”146″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lost Vacuum” set=”Lost Origin” no=”162″ 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″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”9″]4x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Diamond and Pearl” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”108″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Jet Energy” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”190″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]

Card Explanation

You Need Two Cramorant Because Jirachi Stops Sableye

Sableye’s Overpowering Days Are Over

[cardimg name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

If you’re a Lost Box player, you know the frustration and irritation attempting to Knock Out two Benched Pokemon with your [card name=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card], only to be thwarted by your opponent’s [card name=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card]. Sableye encounters a similar challenge facing Jirachi.

Despite Jirachi not enjoying the same popularity as Manaphy in the current metagame, its gradual rise in respect and visibility will prompt more players to opt for this Pokemon, seeking a smoother matchup against any Lost Box variant. Decks that previously struggled against Sableye, such as [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”245″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”223″ c=”name”][/card], can now leverage on Jirachi for an advantageous setup, enabling them to compete effectively with Lost Box without worrying about Sableye.

Adding Jirachi to a deck, while a seemingly straightforward decision, is never easy and doesn’t always yield positive results. Consequently, you may encounter numerous decks that omit this card. Personally, I strive to minimize Jirachi usage whenever possible, primarily due to the necessity of incorporating other essential cards like Manaphy. While preparing for matchups that may not even materialize can be frustrating, the addition of a certain tech card like Jirachi has the potential to catapult you to tournament victory because you took the necessary precautions.

In essence, relying on Sableye remains crucial. If Jirachi attains widespread popularity, the optimal approach is to include just one copy of Sableye in your deck and deploy it strategically when the opportunity arises. Sableye has long been the backbone of Lost Box, with Sablezard being the variant that extensively exploited Sableye’s potential. However, the evolving metagame now necessitates embracing alternative strategies.

Radiant Charizard Proves To Be An Ideal Counter to Iron Hands ex

It might seem unconventional to consider Radiant Charizard as a solution to [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”248″ c=”name”][/card], given that you will only use the Fire-type Pokemon only towards the end of the game. But Mirage Gate introduces a twist, allowing you to easily power up Radiant Charizard’s expensive Energy cost. If Iron Hands ex secures two Prize cards in the first turn, you can potentially land a 250 damage hit with Charizard on the second turn.

The perception that Radiant Charizard exclusively attacks at the end of the game stems from player habits. While waiting until the end of the game appears optimal, you should not restrict itself to that timeframe. The challenge lies in attacking with Combustion Blast early on, especially when your opponent has only picked up a few Prize cards. Iron Hands ex’s Amp You Very Much attack to pick up an extra Prize card in the early game is generally disruptive against most decks, but with [card name=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] you can easily accelerate Energy to Radiant Charizard and take the return Knock Out using a single-Prize Pokemon.

Radiant Charizard emerges as a natural response to your opponent’s aggressive strategies. If, in the future, another Pokemon is released capable of claiming four Prize cards in the first turn, Radiant Charizard stands ready to punish such threats even more effectively.

Relying solely on Radiant Charizard to address all format-related issues does pose a drawback: susceptibility to being sent to the Lost Zone with [card name=”Lost City” set=”Lost Origin” no=”161″ c=”name”][/card] in play. Identifying decks capable of playing this Stadium card becomes crucial. Currently, Lost City isn’t pervasive in the Standard format, though it may feature in some Charizard ex and [card name=”Mew VMAX” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”269″ c=”name”][/card] decks. Against both of these decks, we have specific techs to win these matchups, mitigating Lost City’s impact. Generally, Lost City doesn’t present a significant issue, given its relative lack of popularity in the current tournament scene.

Roaring Moon ex Eliminates Any Significant Threat

Whenever I’m asked about Roaring Moon ex, I always give the same answer: I really like Roaring Moon ex as a card, but I don’t like the Roaring Moon ex deck.

Regardless of the variant, a Roaring Moon ex deck grapples with the issue of being excessively linear and fragile. A well-constructed Pokemon deck typically features a diverse array of attacks, a variation of both single Prize and two Prize Pokemon, a variety of Supporters, and, ultimately, all of these cards need to work consistently.

Turning attention to the Roaring Moon ex card, I have nothing but praise. It boasts two above-average attacks that prove crucial when used at the right moment. Roaring Moon’s formidable attacks have the power to handle nearly any Pokemon your opponent throws at you, introducing strategic possibilities that were previously absent in this deck. When faced with a lone Charizard ex on the field at the end of the game, and you can’t do anything else previously with only Sableye or Radiant Charizard, Roaring Moon ex stands ready to effortlessly Knock it Out.

In general, Roaring Moon ex serves as an effective attacker with robust HP, addressing several challenges in the metagame that a straightforward Sablezard deck might struggle with. Similar to a Roaring Moon deck, a Sablezard deck follows a linear structure with only three attackers, all of which are fragile with low HP. Roaring Moon ex presents itself as a valuable addition, offering a sturdier attacker with high HP capable of withstanding simpler attacks and features two potent attacks absent in the pre-Paradox Rift version of the deck.

It’s noteworthy that the Darkness-type Roaring Moon ex proves instrumental in handling Mew VMAX and Gardevoir ex. One of Gardevoir ex’s primary strategies against Sablezard involves attacking with Gardevoir ex itself, exploiting Sablezard’s inability to Knock Out Gardevoir in a single attack. With Roaring Moon ex, you can now respond effectively when faced with an opponent playing Gardevoir ex.

Klara Remains Integral To Sablezard

[cardimg name=”Klara” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”194″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

In a time when [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”name”][/card] was absent from the Standard format, [card name=”Klara” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”194″ c=”name”][/card] stood out as the best option for recovering Pokemon and Energy cards from the discard pile, despite being a Supporter. Remarkably, in the context of Sablezard, this card is still good today, and I’ll explain why.

Within the Sablezard strategy, three essential Pokemon consistently take on attacking roles: [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card]. In theory, you will attack with Cramorant in the early game, Sableye in the middle, and Radiant Charizard in the late game. However, in practice you will need to attack more than once with these Pokemon, compelling the need to cycle through them. Failing to do so leaves you with fewer than six attacking Pokemon to pick up all of your six Prize cards. Since they are all single Prize Pokemon, the opponent theoretically needs to take six Knock Outs, unless they play Iron Hands ex.

Klara’s advantage lies in her ability to return important resources to your hand, ensuring an immediate solution for the turn. In the worst-case scenario, retrieving a Cramorant from the discard pile allows for continued free attacks. Sablezard, already a fragile deck willing to take the game from a losing position, crucially requires the ability to attack and inflict damage each turn, with Klara contributing to this consistency. Additionally, Klara’s compatibility with [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”186″ c=”name”][/card] significantly enhances the likelihood of you not missing an attack.

Klara frequently secures attacks for the subsequent two turns, allowing the return of two Pokemon and two Energy cards, such as two Sableye and two Psychic Energy.

Super Rod is Also Crucial, Especially for Mirage Gate

Iono and Roxanne, Options for Every Situation

When faced with the dilemma of choosing between [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”269″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”188″ c=”name”][/card] as your Supporter card of choice in the Lost Box, the answer lies in recognizing their distinct attributes, each excelling in specific situations. In general, I prefer to use Iono due to her significant draw power in the early game, while acknowledging that Roxanne has its own merits.

In the Sablezard deck, the opponent typically only picks up one Prize card per turn, given the minimal use of Pokemon, excluding [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”251″ c=”name”][/card]. This setup provides the luxury of time and some control to observe when the opponent will be reduced to just three Prizes, allowing you to play Roxanne to effectively disrupt their hand. In scenarios where the opponent reaches this threshold, Roxanne emerges as an unparalleled Supporter, shifting the game’s to your favour. Not only does playing Roxanne reduces the opponent to just two cards, but it also allows you to draw six cards at the same time. The notable distinction between Roxanne and Iono lies in the quantity of cards drawn, six in the former’s case, whereas Iono tends to offer a comparatively lower draw power in the late game.

Iono holds the advantage of being a valuable Supporter at the early part of the game. Towards the end, playing Iono can reduce the opponent’s hand to just one card, doubling the likelihood of preventing them from acquiring necessary cards. This contrasts with Roxanne, which makes the opponent to draw two cards no matter how many Prize cards remain.

The optimal strategy involves having a copy of each, providing coverage for a broader range of potential plays.

Counter Catcher Isn’t the Best Choice, but It Gets the Job Done

I admit that the ideal preference would be to utilize [card name=”Cross Switcher” set=”Fusion Strike” no=”230″ c=”name”][/card] in this deck. Having this Item allows for a conventional approach using [card name=”Colress’s Experiment” set=”Lost Origin” no=”190″ c=”name”][/card] to set up your strategy, allowing you take important Knock Outs without losing out on Prizes. Without Cross Switcher, the deck loses some offensive power and lacks an optimal method for dealing with Jirachi in the initial turns of the game. However, forgoing Cross Switcher provides four valuable deck spaces to invest in cards essential for the metagame. Instead of four copies of Cross Switcher, I opted for two [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”160″ c=”name”][/card] and two copies of [card name=”Technical Machine: Devolution” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”177″ c=”name”][/card].

Counter Catcher proves valuable in matchups where your opponent is more aggressive in picking up Prize cards, helping to keep the match balanced as you take Prizes in return. In matches where you hold a lead in the Prize race, you usually won’t have to chase opponent’s Pokemon on the Bench. While Counter Catcher is an excellent card that addresses various situations, its limitation lies in its unpredictability. If the need arises to Knock Out a Pokemon on your opponent’s Bench, and you can’t use Counter Catcher because you’re ahead on Prize cads, Boss’s Orders becomes the next best thing. This Supporter is included in the deck precisely for such situations.

Charizard ex Hates Technical Machine: Devolution

[cardimg name=”Technical Machine: Devolution” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”177″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

One of the reasons prompting me to revisit Sablezard is its proficient use of the new Technical Machine: Devolution Tool, particularly in tandem with Cramorant and Sableye to spread damage across the your opponent’s board. As mentioned in previous articles, I regard Charizard ex as the best deck in the current Standard format. Consequently, any deck you choose to play at a tournament play should, at the very least, have a balanced matchup against Charizard. This conviction led me to invest not only in one but two copies of Technical Machine: Devolution to improve the deck’s performance in this particular matchup.

In fact, I believe that that a sole copy of Technical Machine: Devolution is insufficient. There’s a possibility that your opponent keeps one or two copies of [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”256″ c=”name”][/card] in their hand to play after you manage to devolve their Pokemon. You may also be forced to send it to the Lost Zone via Comfey or Colress’s Experiment. To better guarantee you have this Tool card when you need it, it’s better to have two copies. Given the importance of this card in the Charizard ex matchup, it is worth dedicating specific cards to that.

This Tool card is important in the Gardevoir ex matchup as well. But in this case you will need to deal and spread a lot of damage with Cramorant and Sableye so you can take multiple Knock Outs in a single turn, preventing your opponent from making a comeback by evolving their surviving [card name=”Kirlia” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Ralts” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card].

Final Thoughts

I currently have a student from Brazil who plans to participate in a Regional Championships event in the United States early next year. Thanks to him, I delved into researching off-the-radar decks that still have the potential to surprise the metagame. After extensive research and testing, I came up with the Sablezard deck list presented here.

The primary goal of this research was to identify a deck capable of beating [card name=”Charizard” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM158″ c=”name”][/card] while maintaining viability against the broader metagame, even if most matchups proved challenging. Initially, the deck faced setbacks against [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”248″ c=”name”][/card], almost leading me to abandon it. But with continued training and patience, I discovered that it was possible to stop this Pokemon through necessary adaptations, particularly leveraging on [card name=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card].

I am genuinely impressed with the Sablezard deck list I’ve compiled, and I believe it has the potential to disrupt the metagame. However, should Sablezard regain popularity, the emergence of more [card name=”Lost City” set=”Lost Origin” no=”161″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card] in decks is to be expected. Ultimately, whether it remains a strong metacall depends on ongoing developments. For now I believe so, but the metagame changes very quickly.

That’s all for today guys, and I hope you found it insightful. Until next time!

[/premium]