Regidrago VSTAR — Not the BDIF in a Vacuum, But the BDIF for a Wide Meta
Hello to all PokeBeach readers! This is Gabriel Semedo, and this time, I’m going to talk about the second of my two deck options for the Latin America International Championships (LAIC): the renowned [card name=”Regidrago VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card]. You can check out my other deck option, the combination of [card name=”Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Terapagos ex” set=”Stellar Crown” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card], in my previous article.
At the time of writing this article, the tournament is coming up soon, so I think it’s remarkable that I’ve managed to reduce my options to two. Sometimes I feel like I’m a little late in my preparation, like I should have already decided on my choice with the full 60 sleeved up. Then, however, I stop and see how the metagame is going. I’d venture to say that I’ve never witnessed a metagame with so many deck options as this. By my count, there are at least 19 decks that could win at LAIC, and I’m not kidding about that. Regidrago, [card name=”Lugia VSTAR” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Raging Bolt ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Charizard ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Iron Thorns ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card], Terapagos, [card name=”Gardevoir ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Dragapult ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card], Palkia / [card name=”Dusknoir” set=”Shrouded Fable” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card], Palkia / Terapagos, Lost Zone, [card name=”Roaring Moon ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Pidgeot ex” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”225″ c=”name”][/card] Control, [card name=”Miraidon ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Gholdengo ex” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”231″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Banette ex” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Klawf” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Gouging Fire ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”38″ c=”name”][/card]. I believe that all of these decks have a real chance of winning the LAIC if the player knows very well what they are doing, and if they have a little luck in their matchups. And in this extensive list, I even failed to mention other decks that were incredible in previous formats, like [card name=”Chien-Pao ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”61″ c=”name”][/card] and Ancient Box. If you include those, the list would be even longer.
In a broad metagame like this, it will be impossible to find the perfect deck, as there will always be bad matchups. I believe the right thing to do is choose a deck that can have a chance against most of these 19 contenders, and if possible get some good matchups against some of them. And that’s why Palkia / Terapagos and Regidrago VSTAR seem so good to me.
Palkia / Terapagos Lists from Brazil and Denmark
Palkia / Terapagos has proven to be a very decent deck in my testing, easily capable of playing against all the metagame’s contenders on equal terms. In my previous article, I did an in-depth analysis of Brazilian Thiago Giovanetti’s list at Joinville Regionals. After my article, at Gdansk Regionals, three players from Denmark implemented an interesting new list. Although the main strategy of both decks is to deal very high damage with Palkia VSTAR, both lists have their peculiarities, geared mainly toward specific matchups you want an advantage in.
[cardimg name=”Jet Energy” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”190″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Thiago’s list lets you attack with [card name=”Iron Leaves ex ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] to Knock Out Charizard ex, and also emphasizes Terapagos ex’s second attack, which prevents damage from non-Colorless Basic Pokémon. This attack ends up being useful against decks like Raging Bolt, Iron Thorns, Ancient Box, Klawf, Gouging Fire, and Miraidon ex.
Meanwhile, the Danes played four copies of [card name=”Jet Energy” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”190″ c=”name”][/card], which, in addition to greatly increasing your ability to attack on your first turn with [card name=”Fan Rotom” set=”Stellar Crown” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Volbeat” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”9″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Illumise” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card], also helps a lot when facing Blocklax, Banette, or Pidgeot Control. And, speaking of the bugs, it’s worth highlighting the creativity of the Danes in using these Pokémon to make the most of Jet Energy. Volbeat lets you set up strongly even going first, but if you go second, the attack is still worthwhile to fill your Bench with [card name=”Origin Forme Palkia V” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”39″ c=”name”][/card] in the case that your opponent is threatening a Knock Out on one of them. Illumise is considered much more of a tech card, but there will be times when its attack will save you from an overwhelming start by your opponent, especially by returning the only Palkia V, [card name=”Lugia V” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Regidrago V” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card] on their field.
In the end, the Danes’ list ends up being a little more consistent, something I like in general, but Thiago Giovanetti’s list has several unique features that can help in a huge tournament with a broad metagame.
Regidrago VSTAR Wins More than Any Other Deck
According to Limitless, Regidrago VSTAR is the deck with the most good results in this format, with some victories and several good placements at Regionals. For the first time in a long time, Charizard ex has lost its throne and is currently only the fourth most successful deck. What explains this?
More than Stellar Crown, I believe that the main reason for Charizard ex’s downfall is the constant creation and adaptation of decks with the aim of beating the BDIF. The rise of decks like Dragapult, Palkia, Banette ex, and even Regidrago VSTAR has given Charizard ex a lot of problems. Furthermore, there are control decks designed specifically to beat it. Another point that I consider important is the fact that several of the best players in the world have simply stopped using the deck. With at least 18 other good deck options in the metagame, they realized they could make a better choice without as many targets on its back. Without Charizard ex as the absolute BDIF, the metagame opened up again, as several decks that had horrible matchups against Charizard have started to reappear. Terapagos ex is a deck that stands out well in a world without Charizard ex. Miraidon, Gouging Fire, Raging Bolt, and Roaring Moon are also decks that are very grateful for Charizard’s removal from the spotlight.
The metagame has become very open, and with so many decks standing out, there’s hardly even a point to inserting tech cards to win one or two matchups. In the end, the solution is to make the most consistent list possible and have a little luck with your pairings. However, Regidrago VSTAR is something of an exception, as its attacks are already ideal techs for the format. If you have a deck that can use Dragapult ex’s attack better than the Dragapult ex deck itself; and you can use [card name=”Kyurem” set=”Shrouded Fable” no=”47″ c=”name”][/card]’s attack, which is a stronger attack than a VSTAR Power, and you can use Giratina VSTAR’s attack, which is perfect against all VSTAR decks in the format, you already cover a good part of the meta.
You might notice that Dragon-type decks in this format don’t usually have bad matchups; they usually lose to themselves. Raging Bolt doesn’t have a bad matchup; it usually loses to [card name=”Iono” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”185″ c=”name”][/card] to one plus a Knock Out on a [card name=”Fezandipiti ex” set=”Shrouded Fable” no=”38″ c=”name”][/card]. Dragapult ex usually loses due to not being able to set up. Regidrago VSTAR doesn’t lose to Iono or to its own setup, but rather because Regidrago VSTAR is relatively fragile. The matchups in which the opponent can Knock Out Regidrago VSTAR with one attack are the most difficult. With luck you can set up two Regidrago for consecutive turns, but the third is impossible. That’s why Radiant Charizard is so important to the deck’s strategy. To get a good matchup against a Dragon-type deck, you’ll benefit from finding a structural weakness in the deck. Simply going head to head with them is usually a good way to lose.
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With it in mind that Regidrago VSTAR loses more easily to decks that can OHKO it, it’s easier to develop a game plan. For example, against Lugia VSTAR, you cannot under any circumstances let your opponent set up [card name=”Cinccino” set=”Sword and Shield Black Star Promos” no=”SWSH009″ c=”name”][/card], as it’s easily capable of OHKOing Regidrago VSTAR.
Anyway, after all this introduction, I want to get to the main topic of this article — Regidrago VSTAR’s matchups. I’ve already written an article talking about the deck, and at this point in the format you probably already know very well how it works, so now is a good time to take a step back and better understand all the matchups.
[decklist name=”Regidrago VSTAR” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Squawkabilly ex” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”223″][pokemon amt=”20″]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]3x [card name=”Teal Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”25″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Dragapult ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Kyurem” set=”Shrouded Fable” no=”47″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Giratina VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”131″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Noctowl” set=”Stellar Crown” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hoothoot” set=”Stellar Crown” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cleffa” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”150″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew ex” set=”151″ no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Fezandipiti ex” set=”Shrouded Fable” no=”38″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Squawkabilly ex” set=”Paldean Fates” no=”223″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”30″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”201″ 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]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Earthen Vessel” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”82″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Switch” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Canceling Cologne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Super Rod” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”188″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Prime Catcher ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ 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=”Jamming Tower” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”153″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]7x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”7″][/card]3x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”108″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Regidrago VSTAR (50–50)
This matchup went very differently when everyone used [card name=”Hisuian Goodra VSTAR” set=”Lost Origin” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card], but now that the most successful lists don’t, the plan is to simply KO the opponent’s Regidrago VSTAR with Giratina VSTAR. Previously, Goodra prevented this, meaning you had to use [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Prime Catcher ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”157″ c=”name”][/card] to Knock Out Benched Pokémon.
Lugia VSTAR (40–60)
Many will say that this matchup is even worse for Regidrago, something like 30–70 or 20–80 in favor of Lugia, but from my experience with the version of the deck from Worlds 2024, I can tell you that it is a bad matchup, but not as bad as it looks. The first thing is to have [card name=”Temple of Sinnoh” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card]. Without this card, the matchup is 30–70 or more in favor of Lugia.
In practice, Lugia VSTAR is not always able to set up [card name=”Archeops” set=”Silver Tempest” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card] on their second turn, and in these cases, the game starts to swing back toward Regidrago. Another important point is that you will never be able to win the game by Knocking Out three of your opponent’s Pokémon V or ex. Forget about this, and accept that you will need to win the game by Knocking Out at least two single-Prize Pokémon. You have Temple of Sinnoh to deal with [card name=”Legacy Energy” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”167″ c=”name”][/card], but your opponent will be careful to use Legacy Energy at the right time, and they will also force you to KO Cinccino as much as possible. Whenever you have the opportunity, eliminate [card name=”Minccino ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] and Cinccino from the field, as they are the ones who cause most of Regidrago’s defeats.
Raging Bolt (30–70)
Many players stop using Regidrago VSTAR because of this matchup. It is indeed a bad matchup, and there is no way to make it favorable without ruining Regidrago entirely. However, there is a solid game plan that can be applied to steal some victories.
[cardimg name=”Cleffa” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”202″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
In this matchup, you will use your single-Prize Pokémon more than in any other matchup. They are the ones who can make the Prize difference necessary for victory. On your first turn, you want to find [card name=”Cleffa” set=”Obsidian Flames” no=”202″ c=”name”][/card] and push it to the Active Spot, so you start the game by forcing your opponent onto an odd Prize count. The opponent can use [card name=”Iron Bundle” set=”Paradox Rift” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card] to dodge your Cleffa, so try to add a [card name=”Hoothoot ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Radiant Charizard” set=”Pokemon GO” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card] to the Bench to eliminate this possibility.
Another fundamental point is to always start with two Regidrago V, no matter whether you go first or second. Raging Bolt can KO anything on any turn; it all depends on the player’s luck. Our objective is to mitigate the worst-case scenario.
One thing I tend to do a lot is start the game with an Energy on Radiant Charizard, rather than attempting to set up Regidrago V. As I know Raging Bolt is perfectly capable of KOing anything on the Bench, I assume that one of my Regidrago V will be Knocked Out, so my preference is to play Iono to set my opponent to four cards and use Radiant Charizard for a Knock Out. Thanks to the Energy I attached on the previous turn, I only need to attach this turn and use one Energy Switch for an Energy off [card name=”Teal Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] to attack with it. This forces my opponent onto odd Prizes.
By forcing odd Prizes and using Iono whenever possible, I usually see a solid chance for victory. Finally, save [card name=”Jamming Tower” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”153″ c=”name”][/card] for the right moment, especially now that Raging Bolt uses up to four [card name=”Bravery Charm” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card]. Noctowl will help you find it, as well as find the Temple of Sinnoh against Lugia.
Charizard ex (60–40)
Against Charizard, Knock Out the Duskull so you have greater control over Charizard ex’s damage output. However, this rule matters less and less with [card name=”Thorton” set=”Lost Origin” no=”167″ c=”name”][/card]’s increasing popularity, as a Dusknoir can easily be brought out of nowhere.
Dragapult ex’s and Kyurem’s attacks can be devastating for Charizard, but I always prefer to cautiously use Dragapult’s attack most of the time, as Charizard ex’s comeback power is great. If you do a Kyurem attack and don’t manage to recover from the next KO quickly, Charizard will recover first and win the match. Now, if you have made a perfect setup without major resource losses and can attack with Kyurem without having to spend your VSTAR Power, then you can use Kyurem’s attack without fear, as you will be able to set up another Regidrago VSTAR quickly.
Of course, it’s worth remembering that the Teal Mask Ogerpon ex is best for Knocking Out Charizard ex with one attack. Ideally you want two Ogerpon on the field with one Grass Energy on each, so that even if the opponent Knocks Out one of them, you will always have a response prepared.
Iron Thorns ex (80–20)
I believe that if you know how to play this matchup and have [card name=”Canceling Cologne” set=”Astral Radiance” no=”136″ c=”name”][/card] in your deck, it’s very favorable for Regidrago. Without Canceling Cologne, this matchup is 50–50. I’m going to go over the game plan as if you didn’t have Canceling Cologne, because until the Cologne arrives in your hand, you need to make do however you can.
First of all, it is important to attach an Energy card every turn, and you want to divide your Energy between your attackers. With every Pokémon you start to set up, your opponent will play Boss’s Orders and damage it. After you’ve managed to put some Energy on the field — after the opponent has used all the [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Judge” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”176″ c=”name”][/card], and Boss’s Orders possible — then it’s time to combine these Energy on your best on-board attacker with the help of Energy Switch. Regarding attackers, Ogerpon is decent, and with four or five Energy it can already Knock Out Iron Thorns ex with one attack, but Regidrago VSTAR is still a little better, especially if you have the Cologne to use your VSTAR Power.
[card name=”Mew ex” set=”151″ no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] and Cleffa are very good in the matchup. Cleffa will offer you enormous consistency in a matchup where you cannot use Ogerpon and [card name=”Squawkabilly ex” set=”Paldea Evolved” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] to draw cards, and will also offer the opponent a useless Prize that will further strengthen your Iono. Mew ex can withstand an attack, and has free retreat.
Finally, if you manage to set up Noctowl, that helps a lot. It can get you Canceling Cologne and another Trainer to help your consistency, which is otherwise severely hampered by Iron Thorns’s Ability.
Blocklax (50–50)
Regidrago VSTAR can cope in the most diverse situations, and this was the main motivation for today’s article. Against Blocklax, all you need to do is attack as much as possible with Dragapult ex and, to finish, Kyurem.
Canceling Cologne is essential to Knock Out [card name=”Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card]. [card name=”Switch” set=”Scarlet and Violet” no=”194″ c=”name”][/card] and Prime Catcher get you out of the lock. Jamming Tower gets rid of [card name=”Handheld Fan” set=”Twilight Masquerade” no=”150″ c=”name”][/card] and Temple of Sinnoh gets rid of [card name=”Mist Energy ” set=”Temporal Forces” no=”161″ c=”name”][/card]. And of course, Regidrago’s VSTAR Power you want to save as much as possible, to be able to return whatever two pieces are necessary to close out the game.
If the opponent is using the [card name=”Rotom V” set=”Lost Origin” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card] version of Blocklax, then your game plan is always to Knock it Out however possible. Use Iono to keep their hand size down.
Terapagos ex (50–50)
Whoever starts has a clear advantage in this matchup. If Regidrago VSTAR attacks first, it can Knock Out two Pokémon, which are two fundamental pieces for the opponent to develop their board. Duskull and Pidgey are Knocked Out by Dragapult ex’s attack. Depending on the opponent’s setup, Kyurem’s attack is devastating, and it will take the opponent at least two turns to recover.
If Terapagos ex starts and sets up well, the game becomes complicated, especially if the opponent is using [card name=”Bouffalant” set=”Stellar Crown” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card], in which case not even Giratina VSTAR’s attack can Knock Out Terapagos ex.
The opponent’s best move is to Knock Out your Regidrago VSTAR with Dusknoir plus Terapagos ex, so the way to prevent this is to keep Duskull off the field as long as possible.
Palkia / Dusknoir (60–40)
In my opinion, this matchup is slightly favorable for Regidrago VSTAR once you understand that you can only put up to two Pokémon on your Bench until the opponent’s Palkia VSTAR attacks. The reason for this is because Palkia VSTAR can only do 200 damage, and this means that with the first attack none of your Pokémon will be KO’d.
If you start the match and attack with Dragapult ex on the second turn, you have a clear advantage, and all you need to do is develop your setup as normal. The problem is when you don’t start. In that case, you need to be cautious initially and set up with just three Pokémon on the field. Even if your opponent sets off two Dusknoir and attacks you, they cannot Knock Out two Regidrago V, so you will be able to evolve into Regidrago VSTAR and start exchanging attacks. Remember that Giratina VSTAR’s attack is very good too, and one-shots Palkia VSTAR.
Final Thoughts
In what for me is the most open metagame in the game’s history, I came to the conclusion that there is no right meta call, as any deck you choose will have good matchups and bad matchups across the board. In the last month, several decks came to my attention as real possibilities for LAIC.
The most different deck that caught my attention was Banette. For a short period this deck could have been considered LAIC’s meta call. However, in Gdansk it gained popularity that I wouldn’t have liked it to have gained, and the metagame has already started to adapt to it. Palkia / Terapagos with four Jet Energy is a clear example of this. Raging Bolt is a good matchup if the opponent doesn’t know how to play the matchup, but if they learn the matchup, it’s close to 50–50.
In the end, my advice for the metagame surrounding LAIC is to choose the deck you like the most, as long as it has a decent matchup spread among the format’s main 19 decks. I see Regidrago as having a slight advantage over the others, but the advantage is so small that this alone does not justify the choice. Your gameplay with the deck you choose, and your knowledge of the metagame, will be always be the most important factor.
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