Raging Bolt ex Will Remain a Solid Option for Worlds
Hello to all PokeBeach readers! Here’s Gabriel Semedo again with another Pokémon TCG article, and this time, I’m going to talk about [card name=”Raging Bolt ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card], one of the most recent Tier 1 decks to break out in the metagame, and one which, in my opinion, will remain a strong option through the 2024 World Championships.
The current competitive scene is going through a phase without relevant tournaments — the last major tournament was the North America International Championships, and after that, the season ended. With no Regionals, League Cups, or League Challenges in the month of June, the only major reference that players have about the metagame is NAIC, a tournament that took place about a month ago. Worlds, however, will include the Shrouded Fable miniset, which could slightly impact the metagame. Cards like Fezandipiti ex and Night Stretcher have the potential to be included in several decks.
In thinking about the current scene, I decided to write today’s article about Raging Bolt ex, as I believe that despite all probable changes in the metagame leading up to Worlds, the deck will remain a very solid choice to use in the competition.
Charizard ex Will Be Back for Worlds
[cardimg name=”Charizard ex” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”234″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
One of the biggest shocks in the NAIC metagame was the low popularity of Charizard ex. For a number of reasons, players believed it was no longer a good call. One of the reasons was the new decks — [card name=”Dragapult ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] and Raging Bolt ex — would both be hard matchups for Charizard. Furthermore, [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] would have gained more strength, representing yet another tough matchup.
These factors were enough to keep a good number of players away from Charizard ex, but it didn’t keep away some of the game’s big names, including Tord Reklev, Pedro Pertusi, and William Azevedo, who continued to believe in the deck and played it at NAIC. It is true, however, that there was no Charizard ex in the Top 8 or even Top 16 of the competition, something that’s notable since it was common to see at least two Charizard in any Regionals Top 8 until recently.
On the other hand, some decks that couldn’t shine completely due to the presence of Charizard started to appear again. Decks like [card name=”Miraidon ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card] and Future [card name=”Iron Hands ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] are great in a metagame where Charizard ex isn’t popular. And the NAIC’s biggest standout, [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”29″ c=”name”][/card], has a well-balanced matchup against Charizard ex.
Charizard ex is once again a good call for Worlds because the decks that stood out in the NAIC are the decks that have a balanced-or-worse matchup against it. Furthermore, some of the best players in the world have proven that Charizard ex remains as strong as ever, and this will encourage players who were unsure to give the deck another chance.
In thinking about a metagame with Charizard ex strongly present, I recommend Raging Bolt ex, as I believe it has a balanced matchup against Charizard. Among all the aggro decks in the format, which are basically Basic Pokémon decks that aim to hit hard on their first turn, the combination of Raging Bolt ex and [card name=”Teal Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] is the only one that offers a good chance of winning this matchup. Miraidon ex has a bad matchup, Future Hands has a bad matchup, and [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] has a better, but still slightly bad, matchup.
Raging Bolt ex Will Stay Strong
It’s clear that Gardevoir is the best deck in the format, but I’m sure that this metagame will not remain the same for Worlds. Charizard ex has the potential for a strong comeback, Gardevoir will have a target on its back, and Lost Box gains a direct counter in the new Kyurem from Shrouded Fable. Despite all this, I believe that Raging Bolt stands firm as a solid deck capable of doing well regardless of the coming metagame. Of course, Raging Bolt has its bad matchups, but its strength and consistency compensate for several of its weaknesses, and it has a low probability of losing due to bad starting hands.
If you are preparing for Worlds and still don’t know where to start, I would recommend starting with Raging Bolt ex, as I am sure this deck will be successful at Worlds. If you don’t use the deck, you’ll at least face a player using it, so it’s a mandatory deck to study regardless.
[premium]
[decklist name=”Raging Bolt / Ogerpon” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Raging Bolt ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”123″][pokemon amt=”12″]4x [card name=”Raging Bolt ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Teal Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”25″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Greninja” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Sandy Shocks ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew ex” set=”151″ no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Squawkabilly ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”36″]4x [card name=”Professor Sada’s Vitality” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”182″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Pal Pad” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”172″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”84″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Hisuian Heavy Ball” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”146″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Pokémon Catcher” set=”Emerging Powers” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Prime Catcher ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Earthen Vessel” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Energy Retrieval” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”160″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Superior Energy Retrieval” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Switch Cart” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Bravery Charm” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”PokéStop” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]6x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”6″][/card]3x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Four Raging Bolt ex
It is important to play four copies of Raging Bolt because you always need to have two on the field throughout the game. If a Raging Bolt is Knocked Out, you want to have another one on the bench to promote so you can avoid spending a Switch Cart or paying the Retreat Cost. Once a Raging Bolt is Knocked Out, play another one on the next turn if possible. [card name=”Professor Sada’s Vitality” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] onto two Raging Bolt ex is powerful, though not essential. Remember that each Energy on the field means 70 more damage for Bellowing Thunder.
Another advantage of playing four copies is the fact that Raging Bolt ex is a good starting Pokémon. It has 240 HP, a hard number to reach on one’s first turn. There are few decks that can pull off a turn-one OHKO, and those that can, need to pay a price for it. Furthermore, the first attack can save you when you have a bad hand, whether at the beginning of the game or after an [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”name”][/card] at the end.
Four Teal Mask Ogerpon ex
Normally, you want to have at least two Teal Mask Ogerpon ex on the field, but there are several times when you need three, especially if you need to take two high-damage KOs in a row. Another advantage of having three Ogerpon on the field is being able to split Energy between them so they all have the same KO value for the opponent.
This is another good Pokémon to start with, because it only has one Retreat Cost and its own Ability allows it to attach the Energy to pay it.
It’s also worth noting its attack, as it deals reasonable damage and easily Knocks Out Charizard ex.
One Radiant Greninja
This Pokémon helps the deck in two ways. The first is by discarding Energy, which is essential for your Sada game plan. The second way is, obviously, by drawing cards.
It’s important that Radiant Greninja stays on the field, as you want it on the Bench for when your opponent plays Iono or [card name=”Unfair Stamp” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card]. If it gets Knocked Out, try to bring it back with [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”name”][/card]. The deck plays a lot of [card name=”Energy Retrieval” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card], so it is possible to use the Ability almost every turn.
One Mew ex
Another good draw option, and a more direct counter to Iono and Unfair Stamp. Unlike Radiant Greninja, you don’t want [card name=”Mew ex” set=”151″ no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] on the field from the beginning. You can only play it down when necessary, as it is a very valuable target for the opponent.
One small advantage of this Pokémon is the free Retreat Cost, which makes it a little less undesirable to start the game with. It can also save you Energy when playing [card name=”Prime Catcher ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”name”][/card].
It is very important to highlight that Mew ex is used to KO [card name=”Mimikyu” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”37″ c=”name”][/card]. Theoretically, the deck has [card name=”Sandy Shocks ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card] to deal with Mimikyu, which might or might not be sufficient, depending on the context. With Mew ex, though, this task becomes easier.
One Squawkabilly ex
[cardimg name=”Squawkabilly ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”264″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
You should only bench this Pokémon if it will clearly benefit you a lot immediately. What would these benefits be to make it worth it?
In matchups like Gardevoir ex or something with Iron Hands ex, you need to be careful. 160 HP with a Weakness to Lightning is an incredible target for Iron Hands ex, and [card name=”Scream Tail” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] (in Gardevoir ex) is another huge problem. If you go first, you only play Squawkabilly ex if your hand is completely unplayable. If you go second, only bench it if you can get a Knock Out worth two Prizes, or if you want to get that Knock Out that you know will really hurt your opponent — for example, in matchups against Gardevoir ex where they only have a single Ralts on their Bench. It’s okay to accept an average first turn as Raging Bolt ex, as the constant draw power of Teal Mask Ogerpon and Radiant Greninja will help you out a lot later in the game.
Ah, and it’s always worth remembering Squawkabilly ex’s attack, which deals 20 damage and attaches two discarded Energy to a Pokémon on the Bench. It’s clearly an attack you don’t want to have to use, but in practice it’s helped me a few times. Basically, it helps to achieve a big Knock Out on the next turn, and if Squawkabilly ex is Knocked Out, well, at least it strengthens your Iono. It can be seen as a comeback feature for games with bad starts.
One Sandy Shocks
A deck like this, entirely focused on two-Prize Pokémon, needs to have a single-Prize attacker so you can play the seven-Prize game. It also makes your Iono stronger. Sandy Shocks can take Knock Outs on Pokémon with up to 90 HP, which helps in matchups like Charizard ex, Gardevoir ex, and Dragapult ex. The second attack helps with Knock Outs on [card name=”Cinccino ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Bibarel” set=”Crown Zenith GG” no=”GG25″ c=”name”][/card].
Four Professor Sada’s Vitality
You don’t want to use Professor Sada’s Vitality every turn, but you always want to have the option to. Basically, whenever you need to take a big Knock Out or you run out of Energy to use Bellowing Thunder, you need to find a Sada.
Two Iono
I really like Iono for its initial draw power, as it’s not always possible to play Sada’s Vitality on the first turn. Furthermore, it is another Supporter that can be found with [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”186″ c=”name”][/card]. In some matchups, such as Ancient Box, you need to use Iono more than once to try to make the opponent miss an attack, because if you don’t employ any disruption at all, Ancient Box’s advantage skyrockets.
Two Boss’s Orders
I really like [card name=”Pokemon Catcher” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] and Prime Catcher, but they’re not enough gust coverage by themselves. Pokémon Catcher is a flip card and Prime Catcher is a card you almost always want to save for later if you can. Sometimes you just need the reliable certainty of [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card].
Three Pokégear 3.0
This deck only works because of Professor Sada’s Vitality, so you need three Pokégear 3.0 to draw into Sada as reliably as possible.
One Pal Pad
At least one [card name=”Pal Pad” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”182″ c=”name”][/card] is required because the four copies of Professor Sada’s Vitality are not enough for an entire game. You don’t always need all four copies, but you do need to reliably draw into them. Returning Supporters to the deck after thinning it out is also good practice to mitigate the damage from a late-game Iono.
One Prime Catcher
There are some good ACE SPEC options for this deck, but I believe none of them is better, at least for now, than Prime Catcher. This is a deck that depends on Sada’s Vitality, but would like to have access to the effects of Boss’s Orders and Iono on occasion, as disruption wins games. That gives us two good ACE SPEC choices, Unfair Stamp and Prime Catcher. I like the idea of Unfair Stamp if you increase the number of Pokémon Catcher, but the problem with Unfair Stamp is that it only works when one of your Pokémon is Knocked Out, and Raging Bolt ex is not Knocked Out so easily. On the other hand, Prime Catcher works at all times, and pairs well with the out-of-nowhere aggression of the deck.
Two Pokémon Catcher
It does the same job as Prime Catcher, just on a coin flip. There aren’t that many opportunities to use Boss’s Orders with this deck, so having the effect on an Item is great.
Four Nest Ball
In this deck, using four [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”84″ c=”name”][/card] is just like using four [card name=”Master Ball ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”153″ c=”name”][/card], as it gives you unimpeded access to every Pokémon on the deck. Nest Ball has practically the same value as an ACE SPEC! These small advantages of a deck like this typically go unnoticed, but they make the deck better than it seems.
Two Ultra Ball
The discard effect is important to throw Energy into the discard pile for Sada’s Vitality, and also to burn cards from the hand to draw more with Mew ex.
One Hisuian Heavy Ball
Radiant Greninja is always sorely missed when it’s not on the field, but [card name=”Hisuian Heavy Ball” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card] can also be used to search for other one-of Pokémon, such as Mew ex, Squawkabilly ex, and Sandy Shocks.
The list has twelve Basic Pokémon, which means that there is a good chance of finding some Pokémon in the Prizes, and the vast majority of them are almost always useful to have in play.
Two Switch Cart
The deck needs to have some mobility. [card name=”Switch Cart” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] is used to keep your Energy on the field so you can discard more with Raging Bolt.
Three Energy Retrieval
I have a training partner who is testing four copies of Energy Retrieval in his list and is really enjoying it, but unfortunately I haven’t found the space for it. This card is nothing but benefits, because with Energy in your hand, you can do everything the deck needs.
This card have a huge effect at the end of the game, because returning two Energy cards to the hand can mean drawing three cards with Radiant Greninja and Ogerpon, potentially getting you what you need to close out the game.
One Superior Energy Retrieval
It may seem unnecessary to return four Energy cards to the hand at once, but with two uses of Ogerpon’s Ability, one use of Radiant Greninja’s, and your attachment for the turn, your four Energy are already gone.
Though [card name=”Superior Energy Retrieval” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] is a very good card, it can’t be used at just any time. It’s bad at the beginning of the game, great in the middle of the game, and at the end of the game it can sometimes help and sometimes hurt.
One Super Rod
Radiant Greninja and Mew ex are common targets to return to the deck, either because they were Knocked Out or because they got discarded with [card name=”PokéStop” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card]. Super Rod allows you to be a little more aggressive with discards. It is possible to play Ultra Ball, Superior Energy Retrieval, [card name=”Earthen Vessel” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card], PokéStop, and Squawkabilly together without major losses. Another important point on the Super Rod is that it returns Energy to the deck, which means a greater chance of draw power off an Iono.
Two Bravery Charm
Without [card name=”Bravery Charm” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card], you can’t win some matchups. Ancient Box doesn’t have much difficulty reaching 240 damage, but it does have trouble reaching 290. Bravery Charm gives Raging Bolt ex higher HP than a Pokémon VSTAR.
Unfortunately, [card name=”Lost Vacuum” set=”Lost Origin” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Jamming Tower” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”153″ c=”name”][/card] easily eliminate all the benefits of Bravery Charm, so you need to be careful when attaching it. Only attach when you realize it will be effective or you think you’ll be safe. Try to pair the attachment with an Iono.
One PokéStop
[cardimg name=”PokéStop” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”68″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
The list I’ve been using manages to be consistent without depending too much on PokéStop, and for me, that’s a very positive point. It’s great when it works, but it leaves much to the kind of bad luck that can ruin games. I’ve seen players well on their way to victory lose games due to PokéStop.
On a large scale, PokéStop certainly helps more than it hinders. However, it’s not healthy to leave the deck dependent on a card that has such a strong chance of punishing you, and that’s why I prefer other consistency cards.
In the current metagame, there’s not much need for Stadiums, as there are not many Stadiums that can hinder you. Jamming Tower hurts the most, but even so the deck can perform normally — it just won’t have the benefit of Bravery Charm. And another possible problem with using too many copies of PokéStop is the fact that the opponent can use it too, and in matchups like Lost Box and the mirror, that can be just as devastating for you.
Twelve Basic Energy
Most lists play seven Grass Energy, but I’ve managed to adapt well to just six. I prefer to use the space to go up to three copies of Energy Retrieval, and I think there are more benefits to doing it this way.
As for Fighting and Lightning Energy, three copies of each is a safe number to play; you’ll be okay even when two copies of either are in the Prizes.
Possible Inclusions from Shrouded Fable
Fezandipiti ex
This Pokémon will be a great inclusion in this deck as its Ability is strong and matches the deck’s mechanics. It will perform a very similar function to Mew ex, but from what I’ve tested, it helps a lot more, so I would cut Mew ex to put Fezandipiti in for Worlds.
Night Stretcher
Night Stretcher would be an interesting replacement for the Super Rod, though I like the effect of Super Rod as well. The fact is that the deck hasn’t much need to recover Pokémon. At most, you end up recovering Greninja or Mew ex if they happen to fall inopportunely into the discard pile, and for this, Night Stretcher is better, as the Pokémon goes directly back to the hand.
Regarding Energy, Super Rod has the advantage of returning up to three Energy to the deck, but returning energy directly to the hand is interesting, too. After an Unfair Stamp or Iono from the opponent, it is better to draw Night Stretcher than Super Rod. However, to preemptively reduce the effect of an Iono, it is better to use Super Rod, since returning three Energy increases your chances of drawing them later.
Final Thoughts
Raging Bolt ex will be a good choice through Worlds because it has a simple, strong, and consistent strategy. No matter the opponent’s deck, if they miss a beat, they will be severely punished. Even a Charizard ex can be taken down without much difficulty.
Of course, Raging Bolt has its weaknesses, too, and I didn’t talk much about them in this article. The two main ones are decks focused on single-Prize Pokémon, such as Ancient Box, and cards like Iono and Unfair Stamp, since the deck doesn’t have Bibarel or a powerful draw Supporter like [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Shining Fates” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card]. Even so, these are problems that can be overcome — there is nothing in the metagame that Raging Bolt cannot deal with.
That’s all for today. I hope you enjoyed it, and see you next time!
[/premium]