Regidrago VSTAR is the Most Hyped Heading Into Worlds
Hello to all PokeBeach readers! This is Gabriel Semedo again with another Pokémon TCG article and this time I’m going to talk about [card name=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card]! Regidrago VSTAR is currently the most hyped deck heading into Worlds, mainly because, besides being a great deck, it has good matchups against [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card].
From NAIC to Worlds, it would seem that the main change in the metagame would be the arrival of Shrouded Fable, but I believe that the biggest shift in the meta has actually been the definitive recognition of Regidrago VSTAR as one of the best decks currently. Many believed that the deck would only get good when the new [card name=”Kyurem” set=”Shrouded Fable” no=”47″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Haxorus” set=”Shrouded Fable” no=”46″ c=”name”][/card] arrived, but it was discovered that the deck was already very good all along; there are many Regidrago VSTAR decks winning Cups and Challenges around the world right now.
Regidrago VSTAR’s first major appearance was at NAIC with Jacob Eye’s Top 16, without Shrouded Fable, and its second major appearance was recently at a bootcamp in Japan with Tord Reklev and some of the best players in Japan with Shrouded Fable legal. Many Japanese players picked Regidrago VSTAR and it became clear that besides being a great deck, Gardevoir ex and Charizard ex have major problems in the matchup, which effectively guarantees Regidrago VSTAR an invitation to join the “Tier 1 club”.
In today’s article, I want to analyze in more detail the Regidrago VSTAR list that I currently consider ideal for use in Worlds, because since NAIC the Regidrago VSTAR lists have been undergoing several experiments, in addition to explaining in more detail all the various other Pokémon and Trainer that can be included in the list.
Regidrago VSTAR’s Place in the Meta
[card name=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] has a very clear goal in the meta, which leaves it vulnerable to some things.
In my view, Regidrago VSTAR behaves like an anti-meta deck, that is, the list needs to adapt a lot to beat specific metagame decks, such as [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card], something that consequently reduces the real strength and consistency for other matchups such as [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Raging Bolt ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card]. There are even techs for these matchups, like Haxorus and [card name=”Noivern ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”153″ c=”name”][/card], but if they aren’t very effective, it’s not worth using.
It is not possible to resolve a Tier 1 matchup with just one specific attack, you will probably need more cards. To consistently beat Lugia VSTAR, you will need Haxorus, [card name=”Temple of Sinnoh” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card]. To beat Basic Pokémon decks you need Noivern ex, [card name=”Scoop Up Cyclone” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Thorton” set=”Lost Origin” no=”167″ c=”name”][/card].
If for each problem you have to invest more than one card, it will not be possible to complete the deck in sixty cards, so you need to choose carefully which decks Regidrago VSTAR needs to beat.
[premium]
Cards like the second copy of [card name=”Dragapult ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card], Kyurem, [card name=”Canceling Cologne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Hawlucha” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card] are all dedicated mainly to beating Charizard ex and Gardevoir ex, while the rest of the deck tries to meet all the other needs of the metagame, but even then it is not possible to cover all the threats. One of the worst situations that comes to mind is the fact that Regidrago VSTAR lists use no Stadiums and no way to remove Stadiums, which means that if the opponent plays the new [card name=”Neutralization Zone” set=”Shrouded Fable” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] Stadium, Regidrago VSTAR can no longer deal damage.
Finally, control decks can be a problem. This is the type of deck against which you would like to use 70 cards. There are several interesting options, and a lot of good cards had to be left out of the list, plus the consistency resources are in the minimum quantity necessary precisely to make room for the techs and so on. Leave the deck with one of the highest power levels in the format. The problem is that with resources only available for the format’s conventional matchups, it is easy for control decks to eliminate their few retreat and mobility options.
The List
[decklist name=”Regidrago VSTAR” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″][pokemon amt=”19″]4x [card name=”Teal Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”25″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Regidrago V” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Dragapult ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Hisuian Goodra VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Raging Bolt ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”123″ 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]1x [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Kyurem” set=”Evolving Skies” no=”116″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hawlucha” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”31″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ 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″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Turo’s Scenario” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Earthen Vessel” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”132″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Superior Energy Retrieval” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Canceling Cologne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Prime Catcher ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]7x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”Crown Zenith” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”7″][/card]3x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”108″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Cards Explanation
Four Teal Mas Ogerpon ex
[cardimg name=”Teal Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”211″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
One of my final questions to close my [card name=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] list was whether I should include a [card name=”Hisuian Heavy Ball” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card] or the fourth copy of [card name=”Teal Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card].
In the end I preferred Teal Mask Ogerpon ex, because with the fourth copy, I reduce the chances of starting with some unwanted Pokémon, of which there are a few (such as Kyurem, [card name=”Raging Bolt ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Hawlucha” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card]. There are even games where you won’t want [card name=”Mew ex” set=”151″ no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Squawkabilly ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card]. Teal Mask Ogerpon ex is a great Pokémon to start a game with, as its Retreat Cost is only one and its Ability allows you to reach that cost without sacrificing your attachment for turn, plus, you don’t leave a [card name=”Regidrago V” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card] in the firing line if you don’t go first.
Three Regidrago V, Three Regidrago VSTAR
The list is designed so that you can get up to two Regidrago VSTAR onto the field, which means you can be left without a good attacker before the match is over. Radiant Charizard arrives late in the game to provide a great attacking option for a very low cost; the focus of the Regidrago VSTAR deck is to try to resolve the match at the beginning, in the first three or four turns of the game, because if the match goes on for a long time or the opponent can KO two Regidrago VSTAR in a row, the deck has no further resources to continue.
Two Dragapult ex
[card name=”Dragapult ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card]’s attack is so strong that you want to use two copies of this card just to make sure you can use this attack every game. This attack’s main focus is to Knock Out two of the opponent’s Pokémon at once, one of which is a 60HP or 70HP Pokémon on the opponent’s Bench. For Pokémon with 70 HP, Hawlucha is required. In matchups against [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card], this attack is essential to Knock Out Charmander and Ralts even with [card name=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card] on the field.
Even in matchups against big Basics decks, this attack is useful as it allows you, for example, to Knock Out an opponent’s Mew ex and put damage on a Teal Mask Ogerpon ex or Raging Bolt ex to be able to KO it in the future with [card name=”Hisuian Goodra VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card]’s attack.
Hisuian Goodra VSTAR
This is another mandatory Pokémon in a [card name=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] list because this attack allows you to get Knock Outs while your Regidrago VSTAR reduces the 80 damage done do it, meaning that the opponent has to deal 360 damage to get the KO, something that is rarely possible. Only a [card name=”Chien-Pao ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”61″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Raging Bolt ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] could achieve such a feat. There is also the possibility of the opponent using [card name=”Iron Bundle” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card] plus [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”132″ c=”name”][/card] or something similar, but these moves always require a lot of effort.
In matchups against big Basics like [card name=”Miraidon ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card] or Raging Bolt, this attack is essential to achieve Knock Outs and try to stay alive in the return. Hawlucha plus Hisuian Goodra VSTAR scores KOs on [card name=”Teal Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Fezandipiti ex” set=”Shrouded Fable” no=”38″ c=”name”][/card].
One Raging Bolt ex
One of the main disagreements I still see in Regidrago VSTAR’s lists is about Raging Bolt ex versus [card name=”Giratina VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card], and in my opinion, Raging Bolt ex is slightly superior.
There are a few small advantages and disadvantages between these two cards and I think now is a good time to highlight them all.
For starters, Raging Bolt ex is a Basic Pokémon and Giratina VSTAR is an Evolution Pokémon, which in most cases is an advantage as you don’t want to have a Raging Bolt ex on the field unless you are facing a quad [card name=”Iron Thorns ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card]. Well, I tested this matchup and realized that using Raging Bolt ex to draw cards and discard your Pokémon is very good in a matchup in which your consistency drops by half because you can’t use any Abilities.
Giratina VSTAR has a better cost-benefit ratio for Knocking Out Pokémon with up to 280HP, but the discarded Energy goes to the Lost Zone and this becomes a problem from the second attack onwards. Raging Bolt ex would discard twice as much Energy to do the same Knock Out on a 280 HP Pokémon, but the Energy goes to the discard and can be recovered with [card name=”Superior Energy Retrieval” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Professor Sada’s Vitality” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card].
Giratina VSTAR can’t Knock Out [card name=”Dragapult ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card], while Raging Bolt ex can theoretically do any amount of damage. In fact, this damage ceiling of 280 can cause a series of problems, and the metagame is capable of defending itself from this. For example, [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card] will likely start using [card name=”V Guard Energy” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] again to prevent this. Raging Bolt’s attack cannot be defended with just a slight damage reduction.
Raging Bolt ex is also better for KOing low HP Pokémon. It is not always possible to discard Dragapult ex, so sometimes you attack with whatever you have and sometimes it happens that you only have Giratina VSTAR or Raging Bolt ex in your discard. In these cases, Raging Bolt ex is better, as its attack costs the opponent’s HP value; if it’s a 70HP Pokémon, just discard one Energy, whereas Giratina VSTAR always has to send two Energy to the Lost Zone regardless of how small the opposing Pokémon is.
One Kyurem
Kyurem was initially seen as another hard counter to Lost Zone box, but now it’s the Pokémon that can often destroy matchups in Stage 2 decks. If the opponent has [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] or Gardevoir ex and doesn’t play [card name=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card], they will lose practically the entire field. Even with Manaphy on the field, the opponent is not 100% safe, as [card name=”Canceling Cologne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] brings the possibility of making the move even with it on the field.
Just the fact that the opponent has to respect this Pokémon and bench Manaphy is already worth it, but if the attack works according to plan then the game is already halfway there. The only problem with Kyurem’s attack is having to discard all the Energy from [card name=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] and because of this, there is the possibility of the opponent making an incredible comeback, especially using [card name=”Unfair Stamp” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”188″ c=”name”][/card] as a response. Attacking with Kyurem is not always the best option even if you have all the conditions to do so; sometimes the way is to start with a [card name=”Dragapult ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card]’s attack and use Kyurem to finish it off later.
One Radiant Charizard
[card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card] seems like an obvious inclusion in the list, but when you test the deck you realize that it’s more difficult than it seems to use this Pokémon, as the deck does not have many switching cards. There is only one copy of [card name=”Switch” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”194″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Prime Catcher ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Professor Turo’s Scenario” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] to switch out Radiant Charizard if you need to attack more than once.
In matchups against [card name=”Raging Bolt ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Miraidon ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card], and other decks focused on Basic Pokémon, Radiant Charizard is essential as it plays the role of the single-Prize Pokémon, making the opponent have to achieve an extra Knock Out to win. The sooner you can bring in Radiant Charizard, the better; if the opponent takes two Prizes, it’s worth attacking with them for the cost of three Energy, even if you use [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card] to help power it up. Bringing it in a turn earlier increases the chances of your opponent being forced to Knock it Out.
One Hawlucha
I thought [card name=”Hawlucha” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card] was just another situational tech card that gets in the way more than it helps, but it’s actually a mandatory card if you want to beat Charizard ex and [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] consistently. Hawlucha’s damage is the difference between letting it Knock Out Charmander or Ralts or not. Knocking Out the Pokémon means that you will no longer have Charizard ex or [card name=”Kirlia” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card] on the field, which in practice means another turn for your opponent trying to set up and another attack turn for you.
It’s possible to win these matchups without Hawlucha, but with it, you greatly reduce the chances of even the best player in the world beating you, as you won’t give your opponent the opportunity to play if they can’t evolve their Pokémon.
Another fundamental point of Hawlucha is that with it you can Knock Out [card name=”Teal Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] and Fezandipiti ex with the attacks of Dragapult ex and [card name=”Hisuian Goodra VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] — another small detail that makes all the difference because without this damage the game becomes much more complicated.
One Mew ex
There are lists not using [card name=”Mew ex” set=”151″ no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] and instead using Fezandipiti ex, and others that use both, but in my list, I’ve stuck with Mew ex. I think Fezandipiti ex is very good and even works well in the list, but from my testing, it didn’t help me as much as I would have liked.
The main difference between Mew ex and Fezandipiti ex, in relation to strategy, is that Mew ex can help you in the setup process for the first turns while Fezandipiti ex only gets in the way — Mew ex’s free Retreat Cost and Ability to draw cards are useful when you are doing an explosive setup that involves using and discarding several cards from your hand. It’s easy to empty your hand to draw cards and this makes a difference when it comes to being able to attack with [card name=”Dragapult ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] on the second turn.
Fezandipiti ex works best for when you have already done or need to redo your setup, that is, from the middle to the end of the game. In this part of the game you already need to have done almost all of the [card name=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] strategy.
There is also still the possibility of attacking with Mew ex if necessary, mainly to deal with some strange things like [card name=”Mimikyu” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card], but now [card name=”Canceling Cologne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] is your best way to resolve these issues.
One Squawkabilly ex
The Regidrago VSTAR deck has a very crude setup system, which involves a lot of cards being discarded in an unwanted way. You utilize [card name=”Squawkabilly ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card], and Regidrago VSTAR’s Legacy Star to carry out your setup and after that, you have to establish a strategy for victory with the remaining cards.
In addition to unwanted discards, Squawkabilly ex clogs up the Bench, but it is thanks to this Pokémon that a seemingly inconsistent deck manages to function. I use Squawkabilly ex more than I would like, and I almost always find myself needing to use this Pokémon to be able to attack with what I want on the second turn. The pressure caused by Regidrago VSTAR is so great that the opponent sometimes doesn’t have time to punish you with a Squawkabilly Knock Out. Even in the matchup against Gardevoir ex, where [card name=”Scream Tail” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] easily Knocks Out the parrot, if the opponent is unable to set up, they don’t have Scream Tail!
Low Supporter Count
The number of Supporters in this deck is smaller than in a conventional list, as the idea is precisely to win games in a few turns. In the first two turns, you want to use only Professor’s Research, and in the remaining turns you use [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”132″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Professor Turo’s Scenario” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] depending on the circumstances of the match.
High Pokémon and Energy Search
Too many Supporter cards hinder a turbo strategy because you can only use one per turn, but Item cards you can use at will.
The [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”84″ c=”name”][/card] is perfect for searching [card name=”Regidrago V” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Teal Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card], while the [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] finds [card name=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] and discards the Dragon Pokémon that attack. [card name=”Earthen Vessel” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] finds the Energy and also helps to discard Pokémon.
It is because of these great Items that it is possible to execute the deck’s strategy so well — in two turns, you’ve already taken all the Pokémon and Energy you need from your deck!
Four Energy Switch
[cardimg name=”Energy Switch” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”212″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Teal Mask Ogerpon ex has a great Ability that is rarely seen in the game, but thanks to [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card] its Ability has gone up a notch as it opens up many more possibilities, such as making a Pokémon work that until then were impossible to make work.
Without the Teal Mask Ogerpon ex plus Energy Switch combo, Regidrago VSTAR would not even exist at a competitive level.
All this to now finally talk about the importance of this Item for Regidrago VSTAR, but in fact, Energy Switch can realize other possibilities for the deck, such as attacking with [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card] ahead of time or even powering up a Teal Mask Ogerpon ex with several Energy. In the absence of Regidrago VSTAR, it’s possible to improvise attackers with Energy Switch.
One Switch
One of Regidrago VSTAR’s weaknesses is its lack of mobility, and opponents knowing this will exploit this in one way or another. The opponent already knows that Regidrago VSTAR will come strong in the second turn, and they know that they will need to buy time somehow. Two of Regidrago VSTAR’s attacks involve discarding Energy, and this leaves you with useless Pokémon on the field that can hinder you if they are Active and you have no resources to use or replace them.
In matchups where you know this can happen, such as [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] who uses Scream Tail a lot, save [card name=”Switch” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”194″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Prime Catcher ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Professor Turo’s Scenario” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] as much as you can to avoid moments like this.
One Night Stretcher
Night Stretcher and Kyurem are the only Shrouded Fable cards on the list. This Item made the list because it allows you to pick up exactly the Pokémon card or Energy you need and put it in your hand. Often all you need is a Fire Energy or returning that Radiant Charizard from the discard to end the game. The deck needs a lot of resources at the beginning and a few resources at the end, so Night Stretcher can supply it well.
One Super Rod
I decided to keep a hybrid option capable of returning Pokémon and Energy as the first turns of these decks are very unstable. You don’t have much control over what will be discarded — it could be a lot of Energy and important Pokémon, or it could be nothing.
I also like the fact that it returns Energy to the deck at the end of the game — it helps a lot when on the receiving end of a [card name=”Roxanne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”150″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”name”][/card].
One Superior Energy Retrieval
There are times when only [card name=”Superior Energy Retrieval” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] will solve your Energy needs 100%. A [card name=”Raging Bolt ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] attack can involve the disposal of a lot of Energy, and to recover from this or even achieve another attack of that level, a strong Item like Superior Energy Retrieval is needed to hit 280 damage (four Energy) at once.
One Canceling Cologne
The only way to stop Kyurem from unleashing its broken attack is with [card name=”Manaphy” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card], and the only way to stop Manaphy is by playing [card name=”Canceling Cologne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card]. The possibility of attacking with Kyurem and beating the strongest decks in the game is real and to become competitively viable Canceling Cologne is necessary. It will not always be possible to perform the Kyurem plus Canceling Cologne combo, but in any case, the opponent will have to respect this move and will have to play around it.
Apart from the combo with Kyurem, Canceling Cologne is useful for dealing damage to [card name=”Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Mimikyu” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card], and allows you to use Ability on turns in which [card name=”Klefki” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Flutter Mane ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Iron Thorns ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] are in the Active Spot.
One Prime Catcher
The main topics of discussion when choosing the ideal ACE SPEC for [card name=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] are [card name=”Prime Catcher ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Scoop Up Cyclone” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”162″ c=”name”][/card], but for me Prime Catcher is superior.
Prime Catcher is effectively a [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Brilliant Stars” no=”132″ c=”name”][/card] and a [card name=”Switch” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”194″ c=”name”][/card] all in one for a deck that has little space for these resources but needs them. Without Prime Catcher, you will probably still need another copy of Boss’s Orders and another copy of Switch, which means cutting something else.
Scoop Up Cyclone can be interesting for removing some unwanted Pokémon from the field or even using [card name=”Hawlucha” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ability more than once, but in the end, I believe that these benefits are small compared to the importance of Prime Catcher’s effects.
Seven Grass and Three Fire Energy
Jacob Eye’s original NAIC list had nine Grass Energy, and now current lists use only seven. Discovering that the deck can work well even with two fewer Energy gave the deck two extra spaces to add more tech cards and increase the deck’s power level.
The idea of the deck is very simple; set up two Regidrago VSTAR, and if you need another third attacker, [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Teal Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card]. If things go very differently, there will be a lack of Energy.
Final Thoughts
[cardimg name=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Regidrago VSTAR has everything it takes to be one of the main decks in Worlds, but as time goes by the deck loses more and more of its surprise factor. In this entire period from NAIC to Worlds there was time for Regidrago VSTAR to be a great discovery, and then gain the status of being one of the best decks in the format, but perhaps by Worlds it will have already been widely studied and the lines to win will have already been prepped for.
From an anti-meta, Regidrago VSTAR has become a meta deck in itself, and it is no longer a surprise to anyone that the deck exists. Because of Regidrago VSTAR, I believe that by Worlds the metagame will change even more; I believe we will see a drop in decks like [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] and even a possible increase in decks that have a naturally good matchup against Regidrago VSTAR, such as [card name=”Raging Bolt ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card].
That’s all for today guys, I hope you enjoyed it, and see you next time!
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