Charizard, Banette, and Friends — The Post-EUIC State of the Meta

Hey PokeBeach readers, Ciaran back again with another article. We just finished our second International Championships of the season in London, and we have a good idea of how the Temporal Forces meta has shaken out. I personally finished 73rd with [card name=”Chien-Pao ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”61″ c=”name”][/card], with a final record of 10–4–1. I had a good time playing my favourite deck, though I wish a couple more matches could have gone my way! We saw Tord Reklev win an unprecedented fifth International with a unique take on [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card]. In the finals, he took down an extremely unique Lost Zone [card name=”Giratina VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card] deck that included both [card name=”Banette” set=”Lost Origin” no=”73″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Banette ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card]. And those weren’t the only interesting decks at the tournament — we saw [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card], multiple Future Box decks, [card name=”Pidgeot ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”164″ c=”name”][/card] Control, [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card], Ancient Box, and [card name=”Arceus VSTAR” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Armarouge” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card] all do well alongside the expected Chien-Pao ex, [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card], and Lost Box decks. Today, I want to spend some time going through the top decks in the format, and where I think they stand going forward.

Charizard ex

Championship-Winning List

[decklist name=”TordZard” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″][pokemon amt=”20″]3x [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Charmeleon” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”8″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Charmander” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”26″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Pidgeot ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”164″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Pidgey” set=”151″ no=”16″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Bibarel” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Bidoof” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”111″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cleffa” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”80″ 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=”Lumineon V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”40″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rotom V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”34″]3x [card name=”Arven” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”166″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor Turo’s Scenario” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”150″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Team Yell’s Cheer” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”Unleashed” no=”82″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Buddy-Buddy Poffin” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”144″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Prime Catcher” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Lost Vacuum” set=”Lost Origin” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Forest Seal Stone” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Choice Belt” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Defiance Band” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Collapsed Stadium” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”6″]6x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”108″ c=”deck2″ amt=”6″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Heading into EUIC, Charizard was the deck to beat. As predicted by many, it had the highest meta share of any deck in the tournament, with roughly one in five players sleeving up the iconic Pokemon. It’s safe to say the deck lived up to the hype, taking two spots in Top 8 and ultimately taking down the event.

Initial results from Japan had us asking whether the deck was better with Pidgeot ex or with [card name=”Bibarel” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card]. Turns out, the answer might be both? Tord Reklev proved once again why he is one of the best deck builders of all time by including both support Pokemon in his winning deck, and I think the inclusion of both cards is genius. While Pidgeot is extremely strong, it can only grab one card per turn. As you transition to the late game, it’s hard to pull off combos with Quick Search alone. For example, if you need to grab a [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”Unleashed” no=”82″ c=”name”][/card], Charizard ex, and [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] to win, but your opponent just played [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”150″ c=”name”][/card], it will be almost impossible to pull it off. With access to both Quick Search and Industrious Incisors, you can see which combo pieces you hit with Bibarel first and then use Pidgeot ex to grab the missing piece. We saw Tord use this exact strategy on his tournament-winning turn! Going forward, I think this is going to be standard for Charizard, and I think it’s going to remain correct to include both of the support Pokemon in the deck.

[cardimg name=”Cleffa” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”202″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Tord also played a copy of [card name=”Cleffa” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”80″ c=”name”][/card], a card that has seldom seen play up to this point. The main reason for Cleffa is to avoid having to put down [card name=”Rotom V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card] in the early game — a massive two-Prize liability, but one that’s normally necessary to set up. Cleffa gives the deck a one-Prize support option. Normally, when you use Instant Charge, you are leaving a weak Pokemon like [card name=”Charmander” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] in the Active Spot. If you’re giving up a Prize anyway, why not sacrifice a setup Pokemon instead? With Rotom in play, you give up a Prize and leave a two-Prize Pokemon in play. Cleffa can also be searched out with [card name=”Buddy-Buddy Poffin” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”144″ c=”name”][/card], which makes it super easy to find in the early game. I don’t think the card is necessary going forward, but it was a cool innovation for EUIC.

The final things I want to point out about this list are the copy of [card name=”Team Yell’s Cheer” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”149″ c=”name”][/card] and the two copies of [card name=”Professor Turo’s Scenario” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card]. This package turns control from a nightmare matchup to one you would be happy to sit across from. The deck can use Turo seven times when combined with [card name=”Pal Pad” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card], which should be more than enough to power through any stall decks. While Turo and the Yell’s Cheer aren’t as strong in other matchups, they do provide some utility. Turo can act as a way to heal your bulky Pokemon after they’ve taken damage, or pick up your [card name=”Lumineon V” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Rotom V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card]. Yell’s Cheer can put back valuable supporters like Boss’s Orders in the midgame, but you have to find a turn where another Supporter isn’t necessary, which is quite rare.

In my opinion, the package is a bit overkill and you can devote the spots to better cards. I understand Tord’s thought process, though. He correctly predicted that the top players would play control, and he would most likely play against the archetype if he wanted to grab the title. While the Day 1 meta share for control was only ~5%, the top tables were littered with them, and two even made Top 8. If your goal is simply to have a solid run, I think it’s fine to forego aggressive techs for control since the odds of playing against it even once are fairly low, but if you’re looking to take down a tournament, then having an ironclad answer to the deck might be worth it.

Charizard Control

[decklist name=”Charizard Control” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Rotom V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”58″][pokemon amt=”16″]3x [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3 “][/card]1x [card name=”Charmeleon” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”8″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Charmander” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”7″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Charmander” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”26″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Pidgeot ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”164″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Pidgey” set=”151″ no=”16″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Regieleki” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rotom V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”37″]4x [card name=”Arven” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”166″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Eri” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”199″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Penny” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”Unleashed” no=”82″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Buddy-Buddy Poffin” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”144″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Prime Catcher” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/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″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Technical Machine: Devolution” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”177″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Defiance Band” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Forest Seal Stone” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Collapsed Stadium” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Temple of Sinnoh” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”7″]6x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”EX Emerald” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”6″][/card]1x [card name=”Mist Energy” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”161″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]A super unique control version of Charizard was played by a strong group of North American and Australian players, with Aidan Khus taking the deck to a Top 32 finish. This version of the deck plays a [card name=”Regieleki” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] along with disruption cards like [card name=”Eri” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”199″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Technical Machine: Devolution” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”177″ c=”name”][/card]. Against decks like Chien-Pao ex, you can use Eri to snipe cards like Rare Candy and [card name=”Superior Energy Retrieval” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card], and then use TM Devo to send the [card name=”Baxcalibur” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] back to their hand. With Regieleki, the TM and Eri can be re-used, eventually running the Chien-Pao player out of resources or ways to evolve into Baxcalibur.

The TM Devo is also super strong in the mirror match, and with Regieleki, a similar strategy can be employed. The deck even plays a copy of [card name=”Temple of Sinnoh” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card] to go through [card name=”Mist Energy” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”161″ c=”name”][/card], allowing the deck to guarantee a devolution no matter what. Against [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card], the deck can infinitely recycle [card name=”Penny” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card], though this plan is disrupted by [card name=”Luxray V” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card]. I don’t know if this build will see any more play going forward, but I wanted to bring attention to it, since I think it’s a super unique way to play Charizard!

Lost Zone Giratina VSTAR

Second-Place List

[decklist name=”Banette Tina” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Iron Leaves ex” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”25″][pokemon amt=”19″]4x [card name=”Comfey” set=”Lost Origin” no=”79″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Giratina VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”131″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Giratina V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Banette ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Banette” set=”Lost Origin” no=”73″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Shuppet” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”87″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Sableye” set=”Lost Origin” no=”70″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cramorant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”50″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Iron Leaves ex” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”25″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”28″]4x [card name=”Colress’s Experiment” set=”Lost Origin” no=”190″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/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=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Switch” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Buddy-Buddy Poffin” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”144″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Prime Catcher” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Sword and Shield” no=”174″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Forest Seal Stone” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Temple of Sinnoh” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”155″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Artazon” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”13″]5x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”EX Emerald” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”5″][/card]4x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”EX Emerald” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Jet Energy” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”190″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

With the rotation of [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], it looked like Giratina was destined to fade away from the format, but instead it ended up taking second place at one of the year’s biggest tournaments! I want to focus on the second-place list, and the massive innovation of the split Banette line. While Giratina boasts a positive Charizard matchup, it has a really poor Chien-Pao matchup. The Banette ex helps to solve the matchup by introducing an Item lock option. A majority of Chien-Pao lists don’t play [card name=”Arctibax” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”59″ c=”name”][/card], relying solely on Rare Candy to evolve into Baxcalibur. If you are able to Item-lock them before they get set up, then they never get the chance to use Baxcalibur. Even if they do, it’s still okay, since Item lock can run the deck out of Energy. It takes five Energy on a Chien-Pao ex to knock out Banette ex, and once the Energy hit the discard, they can’t come back unless a card like Superior Energy Retrieval or [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”name”][/card] is used. If you just recycle the Banette ex after it gets Knocked Out, then it will be safe from ever being Knocked Out again!

The nice thing about this line is that there is another useful Banette. The Lost Origins version of the Pokemon can send itself to the Lost Zone to get a Supporter from your discard pile back. Getting a Supporter is great, but getting to put two additional cards in the Lost Zone can accelerate the deck’s strategy immensely. A turn-two Puppet Offering can unlock [card name=”Mirage Gate” set=”Lost Origin” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] way ahead of schedule, allowing the deck to take big Knock Outs very quickly with Giratina VSTAR. The other thing I like about this card is that you can just leave it in play as protection against late-game disruption. If your opponent plays [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”name”][/card] or Roxanne, you have a guaranteed way to grab a [card name=”Colress’s Experiment” set=”Lost Origin” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card] to dig for a game-winning play. If your opponent ever plays Boss’s Orders on Banette, then they are ignoring your attackers, which is also a win for you!

Going forward, I expect Giratina to see more play. It had a very loyal player base in our pre-rotation format, and now it has a proven result and list out there. The deck also has a good matchup into the most popular deck (Charizard), plus a strong Chien-Pao ex matchup if Banette ex is included.

[premium]

Chien-Pao ex

My List

[decklist name=”Ciaran Pao” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″][pokemon amt=”15″]2x [card name=”Baxcalibur” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Frigibax” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Bibarel” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Bidoof” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”111″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Chien-Pao ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”261″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”248″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Iron Bundle” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”56″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”36″]4x [card name=”Irida” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”147″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Ciphermaniac’s Codebreaking” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Buddy-Buddy Poffin” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”144″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Hisuian Heavy Ball” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”146″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”Unleashed” no=”82″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Superior Energy Retrieval” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Earthen Vessel” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Prime Catcher” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”PokéStop” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”9″]8x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”EX Emerald” no=”103″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card]1x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”EX Emerald” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]Chien-Pao was second in popularity and had the second-most conversions into Day 2, but wasn’t able to take any spots in Top 8. There was a lot of Chien-Pao hate at EUIC. Still, overall, the deck performed pretty well. I personally played against seven decks packing Eri, but we also saw players playing cards like Technical Machine: Devolution, [card name=”Maximum Belt” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card], and Banette ex to slow down things down for Chien-Pao. I still think Chien-Pao is the best deck in the format when it sets up, but it feels like the format is very hostile to it right now. Even with [card name=”Ciphermaniac’s Codebreaking” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card], the deck struggles with getting a consistent setup, and it’s hard to go fifteen rounds without losing a few to bricks and bad matchups.

I think the deck is a solid play going forward, but you need to be well practiced with the deck and okay with losing some rounds due to poor setup. The list above is what I played at EUIC with a [card name=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card] added in place of [card name=”Canceling Cologne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card]. I found that Cologne isn’t really needed in this format. Instead, the deck can just use [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] to create favourable Prize trades. When combined with [card name=”Iron Bundle” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card], the deck has a pretty easy time taking a two-Prize Knock Out every turn.

Future Hands

Juho’s List

[decklist name=”Juho Future Box” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″][pokemon amt=”11″]4x [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Iron Crown ex” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”81″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Miraidon” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew ex” set=”151″ no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”34″]4x [card name=”Arven” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”166″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Shining Fates” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Techno Radar” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”180″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Electric Generator” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”79″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Prime Catcher” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Future Booster Energy Capsule” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”164″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Heavy Baton” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Technical Machine: Crisis Punch” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”90″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Town Store” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”196″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”15″]14x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”EX Emerald” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”14″][/card]1x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”EX Emerald” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]Heading into the tournament, I’d say the deck I was most uncertain about was Future Box. The deck is extremely simple to play, so I expected to see a lot of it, but it’s also super linear, so I expected top players to stay away from the deck. The deck ended up performing extremely well, having a great conversion rate into Day 2, and it even had two Top 8 finishes! My favourite Future Hands list from the event is this one, from LAIC Champion Juho Kallama.

[cardimg name=”Technical Machine: Crisis Punch” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”90″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Juho focused on pure consistency with a little bit of spice. The deck has a very simple game plan: take as many Prize cards as you can every turn. In order to do that, you just need to set up multiple Iron Hands ex. This deck features tons of four-ofs to help us consistently set up the Hands. My favourite tech card of any deck this weekend is the one-of [card name=”Technical Machine: Crisis Punch” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”90″ c=”name”][/card] in this deck. When I tested Future Hands, the one problem I found was that the deck struggled to take the last two Prize cards. Normally, your opponent will play a disruption supporter like Iono and attack with a large-HP Pokemon such as Charizard ex. Iron Hands maxes out at 260 damage (four [card name=”Iron Crown ex” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Future Booster Energy Capsule” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”164″ c=”name”][/card]), so it can’t Knock Out bulky Pokemon VSTAR and ex. Juho solved this problem with TM Crisis Punch, giving the deck a way to one-shot almost anything in the format. The damage from the TM can be buffed by Iron Crown ex, raising your damage cap to 360! The card comes with a caveat — your opponent has to be at one Prize card remaining — but that happens in a lot of your games. You always open with [card name=”Miraidon” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], and once that gets Knocked Out, your board is usually only two-Prize Pokemon. As long as Miraidon gets Knocked Out, you are guaranteed to force your opponent down to one Prize during the game, unlocking the Crisis Punch.

Once card I would have liked to see in Juho’s list is Iron Bundle. It is searchable off of [card name=”Techno Radar” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”180″ c=”name”][/card] and almost guarantees you will take a two-Prize Knock Out every turn. However, Juho made it all the way to Top 8 without it, so maybe it isn’t necessary.

Going forward, I think this deck will see increased play. Not only is it simple to play, it actually has a decent matchup spread. A word of caution, though: the deck has a poor Charizard matchup. While the matchup isn’t unwinnable, it is extremely difficult for it to get through multiple Charizard ex. If you’re able to dodge Charizard, or just draw well, the deck can go on quite the run, so definitely look to try it out!

Ancient Box

Gabriel’s Seniors-Winning List

[decklist name=”Ancient Box” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Koraidon” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”119″][pokemon amt=”13″]4x [card name=”Roaring Moon” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Koraidon” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Flutter Mane” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”78″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”39″]4x [card name=”Explorer’s Guidance” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”147″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Professor Sada’s Vitality” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Penny” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Earthen Vessel” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”186″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Pal Pad” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”182″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Superior Energy Retrieval” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ancient Booster Energy Capsule” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”159″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Awakening Drum” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”141″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”PokéStop” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]6x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Call of Legends” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”6″][/card]2x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”EX Emerald” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/energy][/decklist]Going into EUIC, Ancient Box had very little hype. Many people, myself included, found the deck quite underwhelming. The Fernandez brothers, Gabriel and Vini, were able to innovate the archetype alongside their fellow Brazilian players to get some solid placements across Masters and Seniors, with Gabriel taking the tournament down in the younger division.

This deck aims to take advantage of single-Prize Pokemon to force favourable Prize trades, while having the option to implement soft disruption with [card name=”Flutter Mane” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card]. Many decks in the format rely on Evolution or low-HP Basic Pokemon (e.g. Charizard, Chien-Pao, Lost Zone decks), which this deck is able to take out quickly as soon as turn one. Once the deck has a Prize lead, it’s very hard for other decks to overcome it. You’re free to focus on two-hit Knock Outs on bulky Pokemon ex and VSTAR while also taking consistent Knock Outs on other single-Prize Pokemon. Later in the game, you can also look to finish things up with a big Knock Out using [card name=”Roaring Moon” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card], but a lot of investment has to be put in to get there.

Flutter Mane is a great Pokemon to start with, as it shuts down the early game of many of the format’s most popular decks. Lost Zone decks aren’t able to use [card name=”Comfey” set=”Lost Origin” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card], which forces them to rely on cards like Colress’s Experiment and [card name=”Lost Vacuum” set=”Lost Origin” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card] to get cards into the Lost Zone. Against Chien-Pao ex, it shuts off Shivery Chill, which is a very important source of consistency for their strategy. With four copies, it won’t be uncommon to start with.

Like Future Hands, this deck has the possibility of struggling against Charizard if they play Professor Turo’s Scenario or [card name=”Collapsed Stadium” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card]. These cards enable them to take a damaged Charizard ex off of the board, effectively negating one of your turns. If this happens, then you need to find a way to take a two-Prize OHKO to fix the Prize trade. Normally, this can be achieved by targeting a Rotom V, but if it never hits the board, then the game can get dicey.

There was also an Ancient Box deck that made Top 8 solely focusing on Roaring Moon and [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card]. This deck uses [card name=”Dudunsparce” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”129″ c=”name”][/card] as a draw engine and [card name=”Dunsparce” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] as a free-retreat pivot. It similarly focuses on favourable Prize trading, but has the option of using Roaring Moon ex to take out bulky Pokemon like Charizard ex. I have actually played this deck a decent amount, and have been loving it so far. I plan on writing about it in the future, so look out for that!

Control

Alessandro’s List

[decklist name=”Pidgeot Control” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Mawile” set=”Lost Origin” no=”71″][pokemon amt=”13″]2x [card name=”Pidgeot ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”164″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Pidgey” set=”151″ no=”16″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Chi-Yu ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”40″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Noivern ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”153″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Noibat” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Bouffalant” set=”Lost Origin” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rotom V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”58″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Luxray V” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”50″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mimikyu” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mawile” set=”Lost Origin” no=”71″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”42″]4x [card name=”Arven” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”186″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Penny” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Eri” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”199″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/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=”Thorton” set=”Lost Origin” no=”167″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Roseanne’s Backup” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cyllene” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”182″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Pal Pad” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”172″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”EX Sandstorm” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Hisuian Heavy Ball” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”146″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Switch Cart” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Bravery Charm” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Forest Seal Stone” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Hero’s Cape” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Defiance Band” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Technical Machine: Devolution” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”177″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Artazon” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”5″]2x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”EX Emerald” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Double Turbo Energy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Mist Energy” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”161″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]The last deck I want to take a look at today is Pidgeot ex Control. I personally think this is the strongest deck in the format when piloted by a strong player. While the deck list can look like a mess, it has an answer to almost everything in the format. I wanted to focus on Top 4 list by Alessandro, the creator of the deck, because he had some really cool inclusions.

I personally like Pidgeot Control better than normal Snorlax because the deck is harder to counter and has multiple disruptive strategies. This deck list actually doesn’t include Snorlax at all, instead relying on [card name=”Mawile” set=”Lost Origin” no=”71″ c=”name”][/card] to trap Pokemon in the Active Spot. Luxray V allows you to snipe powerful Trainer cards out of your opponent’s hand, and then adjust your strategy according to what resources have been taken away. This version of control does require a lot more skill to pilot, but the ceiling is much higher than Snorlax, in my opinion.

[cardimg name=”Thorton” set=”Lost Origin” no=”195″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

One cool inclusion I wanted to point out is [card name=”Noivern ex” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card]. Its first attack prevents it from being damaged by Basic Pokemon. This can completely wall decks like Future and Ancient Box. While it seems hard to set up, since your opponent can just gust up [card name=”Noibat” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card], the deck has a perfect solution in [card name=”Thorton” set=”Lost Origin” no=”167″ c=”name”][/card]! This Supporter lets you swap a Pokemon in play with a Noibat in the discard pile, and then evolve right away as long as the previous Pokemon had been in play for at least one turn. This allows the deck to instantly pivot to this strategy whenever it wants!

Going forward, I expect to consistently see this deck competing for Top 8 spots. Not only does it have a super solid matchup spread, but the list can be adaptable depending on what the metagame looks like at any given time. This is a deck I personally plan to put much more time into going forward!

Concluding Thoughts

Hopefully you enjoyed hearing my thoughts on the state of the format. EUIC was a lot of fun, and I got to face a good variety of different decks. I think the game is in a really healthy spot right now with so many archetypes to choose from. There are so many decks you can take to a tournament and do well with, and even several I didn’t have time to mention!

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