Hit, Run, Repeat — Hitmonchan / Wobbuffet in Expanded
[cardimg name=”Hitmonchan” set=”Team Up” no=”74″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
At the end of my last article, I offered my initial takes on the Expanded format after the release of Team Up and the bans of [card name=”Unown” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”90″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Maxie’s Hidden Ball Trick” set=”Primal Clash” no=”133″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Lusamine” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card]. I stated that we may be looking at pure Prize race games between big, aggressive decks such as [card name=”Archie’s Ace in the Hole” set=”Primal Clash” no=”124″ c=”custom”]Archie’s[/card] [card name=”Blastoise” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Rayquaza-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card], and the newcomer [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]. I was also thinking that, if those were the hyped decks, then non-GX decks such as [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] could make a comeback.
Today, I want to expand on this last idea. Non-GX decks seem well-positioned going into Toronto and Greensboro Regionals — perhaps the best they’ve looked since Night March’s hour of glory, back in simpler, Zoroark-less times. [card name=”Alolan Exeggutor” set=”Team Up” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], for example, is basically useless in Standard, but shines in Expanded thanks to [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Double Dragon Energy” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card]. It also has good synergy with the format’s star, [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card].
Although I believe that card has potential, the deck I want to talk about today is based on another non-GX Pokemon that’s completely irrelevant to the Standard format but fares much better in Expanded: I’m talking about [card name=”Hitmonchan” set=”Team Up” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card]. With [card name=”Wobbuffet” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”36″ c=”name”][/card] as its partner, it revives the hit-and-run style of deck, up to the name of its attack.
In this article, I’ll talk about what makes this deck good and worth considering for the upcoming Regionals.
1. The Theory of Hit and Run
Newer players may not be familiar with the hit-and-run style of Pokemon decks, so here’s a refresher: Pokemon that have an attack that sends them back to the Bench are valuable because they allow you to send up another Pokemon to take a hit. This means that, unless your opponent has a [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] or similar effect, your attacking Pokemon will not be Knocked Out — and if they do have a Guzma, then they’re not playing [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card], or some other Supporter. What’s more, you can send a Pokemon that has an Ability that only works while it’s Active. Examples include [card name=”Trevenant” set=”XY” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Shining Legends” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Shuckle-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card]; for the rest of this article, I’ll refer to them as walls.
The most successful hit-and-run Pokemon in recent memory is [card name=”Accelgor” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”11″ c=”name”][/card]. It’s unique, both because it goes back in the deck rather than into the hand or to the Bench, and because it’s one of the few Pokemon with an attack that Paralyses without needing a coin flip. Accelgor was played in a variety of decks, some with walls, and some without. Its biggest achievement was winning the US National Championship in 2013, alongside [card name=”Gothitelle” set=”Emerging Powers” no=”47″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Dusknoir” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card]. Gothitelle was a solid wall because it prevented the use of Items such as [card name=”Switch” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] that could be used to break free of the paralysis. Trevenant replaced it when it was released. A few years later, in Expanded, the best wall to use with Accelgor became Wobbuffet, as Switch wasn’t played but Abilities like [card name=”Keldeo-EX” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card]’s Rush In were. Since the release of Guzma, though, every deck has an easy out to paralysis and Accelgor has fallen into oblivion.
The second most successful hit-and-run Pokemon in recent memory is [card name=”Donphan” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”72″ c=”name”][/card]. Originally a forgotten uncommon, it gained relevance when Furious Fists was released, bringing the Fighting type some support, most importantly [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Furious Fists” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card]. With it and [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], Donphan could deal massive damage, and the deck was briefly a solid contender in Standard. In Expanded, though, it hasn’t enjoyed success at events bigger than League Cups.
Hitmonchan can be seen as a successor to Donphan: it deals 10 less damage and has lower HP, but is a Basic Pokemon, which means it takes far less space in the deck and can attack earlier, meaning it can out-speed some non-GX decks. Thanks to [card name=”Diancie Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], Strong Energy, and Muscle Band, Hitmonchan can deal 90 damage in a single attack, even to non-GX Pokemon. That means it reliably 2HKOs Basic Pokemon-GX ([card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card] can add damage if there’s a [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] on the other side) and can KO most evolving Basic Pokemon. It should be mentioned that [card name=”Korrina” set=”Furious Fists” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] can easily grab Diancie Prism Star and [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card], so the damage adds quickly.
Of course, the attacker is only one part of the deck’s principle: the other is the wall it switches to. Wobbuffet is the main wall Pokemon to use in the Expanded format. It’s a Basic, which makes it easy to grab via a simple [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card]. Most importantly, it shuts off a good number of important Abilities: Zoroark-GX’s Trade, [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card]’s Set Up, [card name=”Blastoise” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card]’s Deluge, Exeggcute’s Propagation, Rayquaza-GX’s Stormy Winds, [card name=”Tapu Koko Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]’s Dance of the Ancients, and dozens more. Having Wobbuffet permanently Active prevents many decks from working properly, which means they can’t deal with Hitmonchan’s speed.
Wobbuffet can even attack if your version of the deck is playing [card name=”Prism Energy” set=”Next Destinies” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] or Psychic Energy. Psychic Assault can be used to 2HKO a Pokemon after Hitmonchan has dealt damage to it. It’s also an attack you can use against opposing walls like [card name=”Xurkitree-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM68″ c=”name”][/card] or even [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card], thanks to Wobbuffet’s Ability. Don’t hesitate to attach to Wobbuffet if you don’t have a more pressing target — it can help you in the long run.
2. Backup Attackers
[cardimg name=”Hitmonlee” set=”Team Up” no=”73″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Despite its great qualities, Hitmonchan’s damage output is still limited. Thankfully, we can use a number of other Pokemon to help in the deck:
The Fighting Types
As expected from any Fighting deck, [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] is a great addition, as it can deal huge damage on the right turn, being able to OHKO even a Pokemon-GX with a few damage boosts.
Another one-Energy attacker that works wonderfully with Hitmonchan is [card name=”Hitmonlee” set=”Team Up” no=”73″ c=”name”][/card]. If you used Hit and Run, Hitmonlee can deal 90 damage to the Bench. This lets it find easy KOs on non-GX Pokemon, and can also snipe a Shaymin-EX on the Bench with the help of Shrine of Punishment damage. It’s good to have Hitmonlee for the turns where you can’t attack the Active Pokemon; for example, when a [card name=”Dawn Wings Necrozma-GX” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] uses Moon’s Eclipse GX.
The Ultra Beasts
With [card name=”Prism Energy” set=”Next Destinies” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], it is possible to include a small Ultra Beast package, like in Standard [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card].
On the right turn, [card name=”Nihilego” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card] can copy an attack to, generally, ensure a KO. Examples include [card name=”Buzzwole-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]’s Knuckle Impact, Diancie Prism Star’s Diamond Rain in the mirror match, many different GX attacks, and so on.
[card name=”Celesteela” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] isn’t the most played Pokemon, but it is another Ultra Beast that can deal massive damage for one Energy on one crucial turn. In the Japanese metagame, Celesteela can OHKO Gardevoir and Sylveon-GX, which is why it was included in the list that made top 16 at the Expanded event at Champions League Chiba. Despite that, it also has potential in non-GX matchups such as the mirror match. Assuming a player takes a Prize every turn, if you take the first prize and can get a second one, you can then use Buzzwole since your opponent has four prizes remaining. They will take their third Prize after you, possibly with their own Buzzwole, which means both players have three Prizes remaining. At that point, Celesteela can come in and take a Prize. Nihilego can then take a Prize on the next turn.
As for the last Prize to take? That’s where [card name=”Kartana-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] comes in! It’s another Ultra Beast that uses one Energy. Of course, it’s a Pokemon-GX, so playing it too soon can turn the Prize race in the opponent’s favor, but, on the last turn, it can get a Prize card even if there are no easy targets left. In addition to giving the deck a GX attack to use, Kartana-GX has another use: its Ability. Specifically, it can remove [card name=”Flash Energy” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”83″ c=”name”][/card] from a Pikachu and Zekrom-GX, giving them their Weakness back and letting Hitmonchan or Buzzwole take a KO.
The Others
With its Memories of Dawn Ability, [card name=”Mew” set=”Fates Collide” no=”29″ c=”name”][/card] can copy the previous Pokemon’s attacks as a Psychic type. It doesn’t benefit from Diancie Prism Star or Strong Energy, but against Psychic-weak Pokemon it can have uses, despite its frailty. Be careful, you can’t use Hitmonlee’s Special Combo after Mew uses Hit and Run — it only works if Hitmonchan was the one to attack.
I’ve also been trying out [card name=”Oricorio” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card] in the deck. With its Fighting Resistance, it can actually tank some hits, whether in the mirror match or against Buzzwole-GX. In both cases, it can also deal some good damage in return with a Muscle Band or [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card]. Oricorio’s other use is to use Supernatural Dance against discard-based decks — that is, Night March and [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card], should they be played. Oricorio can take multiple Prizes in one turn in these matchups and is therefore a reliable win condition.
Finally, [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] makes sense as a one-Energy attacker in a deck that wants to retreat Wobbuffet into another Pokemon. It can deal damage early in the game, even if it doesn’t benefit from [card name=”Electropower” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card] like in a dedicated deck. Compared to Hitmonchan, it doesn’t need Diancie Prism Star to OHKO a Basic Pokemon, but it also doesn’t retreat into Wobbuffet. This means that, in some matchups, you don’t want to use it at all. That said, with its Fighting Resistance it can be good in the mirror match.
[premium]
3. A Wall for Every Occasion
I’ve extolled Wobbuffet’s virtues above, but it’s not the only Pokemon to send out after attacking. There are other Basic Pokemon that can be used as walls:
Hoopa
The star of Standard stall decks, [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Shining Legends” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] can also stop many attackers in Expanded.
A difference, though, is that there are more ways to counter it in the bigger format. In addition to [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] can also shut down Abilities. While the former is only played in combination with Zoroark-GX, the latter is making appearances in Archie’s Blastoise, Pikachu and Zekrom-GX, and maybe some other decks. If you think the opponent might be playing Silent Lab, be prepared to lose your Hoopa. It generally isn’t a big deal but it’s good to be ready for any eventuality.
Shuckle-GX
[cardimg name=”Shuckle-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”17″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
This is another wall that protects itself. Unlike Hoopa, which can almost always be Knocked Out by at least one Pokemon in the opposing deck, [card name=”Shuckle-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card] can wall entire decks by itself. Non-GX decks such as Night March, [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card], Lost March or Hitmonchan can be walled by Shuckle-GX. As long as you manage to KO the Pokemon they attach Energy to every turn, Shuckle-GX can’t be KO’d, forcing the opponent to Guzma around it every turn.
Goomy
An alternative to Shuckle-GX, [card name=”Goomy” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] doesn’t take Shrine of Punishment damage and only gives up one Prize, but is easier to KO as one-Energy decks will only need two Energy to attack it instead of three.
Still, if you’re more worried about [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Shining Legends” no=”69″ c=”name”][/card] decks than the mirror match, Goomy is a good solution.
Aegislash-EX and Xurkitree-GX
Both these Pokemon are good answers to decks abusing Special Energy.
[card name=”Aegislash-EX” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”65″ c=”name”][/card] is better because [card name=”Xurkitree-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM68″ c=”name”][/card]’s Weakness is more common, and Fighting Pokemon can already deal good damage even with just basic Energy — Buzzwole is the epitome of this, being able to OHKO Xurkitree-GX with Sledgehammer.
However, Xurkitree-GX has a usable GX attack, so, if you don’t fear Fighting stuff, it’s the better option.
4. List
Here’s my current list. I want to emphasize that I’m still working on it at the time I’m writing this, so it’s not optimal, but I think it has a good shot in this metagame.
[decklist name=”Hitmonchan” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Shuckle-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”17″][pokemon amt=”14″]4x [card name=”Wobbuffet” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”36″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Hitmonchan” set=”Team Up” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Hitmonlee” set=”Team Up” no=”73″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Nihilego” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Kartana-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”70″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Shuckle-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”17″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Diancie Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”37″]4x [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Korrina” set=”Furious Fists” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Teammates” set=”Primal Clash” no=”141″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Energy Loto” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”9″]4x [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Furious Fists” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Prism Energy” set=”Next Destinies” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
The Pokemon and Energy line have been working fine, but the Supporters are where the list can most be improved.
[cardimg name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”116″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
[card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”84″ c=”name”][/card] is great in such a fast deck, and every resource apart from the Prism Star cards can be retrieved if they’re discarded.
[card name=”Teammates” set=”Primal Clash” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card] is great but you don’t have a way to search it, so I’m playing two copies in order to access it early in the game. Once the first copy has been played, you can use [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] to reuse it. [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] works similarly.
Three [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] helps Hitmonchan attack for more damage quickly. It might be worth playing [card name=”Adventure Bag” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”167″ c=”name”][/card] in the deck instead of a [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card]. This way, we still have a high chance of finding a Float Stone early in case we start with something that isn’t a Hitmonchan, and we can also find Muscle Band faster.
The lone copy of [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] is there for the 10 extra damage against Pokemon-GX, but could maybe be cut. Still, with [card name=”Korrina” set=”Furious Fists” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] in the deck, it’s fine to play single copies of Item cards.
[card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card] is not that impactful so I only play two copies, but I wouldn’t go any lower for two reasons. First, you still need Stadiums in order to counter opposing ones. Second, the chip damage can allow for 2HKOs, put Shaymin-EX in range of [card name=”Hitmonlee” set=”Team Up” no=”73″ c=”name”][/card]’s Special Combo, and break the [card name=”Focus Sash” set=”Furious Fists” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] on a [card name=”Lucario-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM100″ c=”name”][/card] or Buzzwole-GX.
With no [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] in the deck, [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] is important in order to draw cards. That’s also why there are three copies of [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card]: they help not only to search Oranguru, but also to discard unneeded cards in order to draw more with Instruct. Sometimes, this can make the difference between drawing a Supporter to get out of a dead hand, and not.
5. Other Options
I mentioned all the attackers and walls that can fit into a [card name=”Hitmonchan” set=”Team Up” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Wobbuffet” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”36″ c=”name”][/card] deck, but there are other cards that could also make the cut.
Professor Kukui
Having another way to increase damage seems good, but there’s no way to search out [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card]. When I had it in the deck, I ended up not using it too much for this reason. If you play it, you probably need to run two copies of it in order to find it earlier.
Mr. Mime
I’m not sure how the Archie’s [card name=”Blastoise” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card] matchup goes yet, but [card name=”Mr. Mime” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”47″ c=”name”][/card] can protect your Bench from [card name=”Magikarp and Wailord-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM166″ c=”name”][/card]’s Towering Splash GX, so this inclusion might be necessary. It also blocks [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]’s Tag Bolt GX as well as Hitmonlee’s Special Combo.
Enhanced Hammer
I’ve mentioned how [card name=”Kartana-GX” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card] could be used to remove [card name=”Flash Energy” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”83″ c=”name”][/card] from a Pikachu and Zekrom-GX. The issue with that is the obvious downside of benching a 170-HP Pokemon-GX against Pikachu and Zekrom-GX. [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] provides a simpler way to remove the Energy. Again, with Korrina and Teammates, finding it is not especially difficult.
Field Blower
One of the most universal tech cards, I chose not to include it because it didn’t seem necessary, but it can be used to counter Stadiums and Focus Sash. Shrine of Punishment is the better way to break Focus Sash against Pokemon-GX, but [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] works on non-GX Pokemon as well.
Target Whistle
[cardimg name=”Target Whistle” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”106″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Now we’re getting into some weirder stuff! [card name=”Target Whistle” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card] can bring back a weak Pokemon from the discard. Unlike in a deck like Night March, you’re not going to bring back a Pokemon-GX to KO it immediately, but sometimes you just need to take an easy Prize, even if it’s on an [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”name”][/card].
You can also use Target Whistle to bring back a Pokemon with a good attack in order to copy it with [card name=”Nihilego” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card]. I actually decided to test the card after losing a close game to a [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] deck that used Moon’s Eclipse GX while taking their fourth Prize. Had I played Target Whistle, I could have brought back [card name=”Mewtwo-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”39″ c=”name”][/card] from their discard and copied Psystrike GX to KO [card name=”Dawn Wings Necrozma-GX” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] through Moon’s Eclipse’s effect.
Obviously, that is a highly situational scenario, and, in practice, I found no use for Target Whistle more often than not. Still, it’s a cute option.
Dimension Valley
Since Shrine of Punishment didn’t bring a lot of value in some matchups, I was wondering if another Stadium could be used in its place.
[card name=”Dimension Valley” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] has some merit, as it allows Wobbuffet to attack for only one Energy.
It makes more sense if you have other Psychic-type attackers, such as [card name=”Oricorio” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card]. Tool Drop [card name=”Trubbish” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”65″ c=”name”][/card] could also fit into the deck in that case, but we can’t fit [card name=”Garbodor” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] unless we change the Energy lineup, and at this point I think the deck is getting too clunky.
Parallel City
If you’re not convinced by Shrine of Punishment, and you fear Dimension Valley is too out there, then [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] is the safe choice of Stadium. It’s useful against basically every deck, although the deck that fears it most, Zoroark-GX, is already a good matchup.
Pokemon Ranger
With [card name=”Lusamine” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”96″ c=”name”][/card] banned, [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] loses a lot of its relevance, especially since Pikachu and Zekrom-GX is a huge issue for the deck. Despite that, I won’t call Seismitoad-EX a thing of the past, since it’s the one card, even more than [card name=”Primal Groudon-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] or Vespiquen, that always finds a way to come back when it’s been presumed dead. If you’re afraid of Seismitoad-EX, then [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] is a good addition to the deck.
It’s also your best bet against [card name=”Giratina-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], since you’re otherwise helpless against Chaos Wheel if you have no Energy already in play.
6. Matchups
I don’t have enough games with the deck to be sure of myself about every matchup, but here’s how the deck feels against some of the format’s most popular decks:
Zoroark-GX Decks
I have had no issues with Zoroark-GX decks, both [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] and Control variants. Hitmonchan can easily KO [card name=”Zorua” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”70″ c=”name”][/card], and Wobbuffet prevents Zoroark-GX’s fast setup. This means you generally take a Prize lead before they can do anything, and then you still have Buzzwole to take more Prizes.
Note that Wobbuffet is preferable to walls like [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Shining Legends” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] because, even if Zoroark-GX can’t KO Hoopa, giving them access to Trade means they can start doing Zoroark things — maybe removing your Energy and [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card]’ing you into a bad hand. With Wobbuffet Active, it’s much harder for them to access their resources.
All in all, if there’s a strong pitch for Hitmonchan as a deck, it’s that it beats Zoroark-GX.
Pikachu and Zekrom-GX
[cardimg name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
This is another favorable matchup. You can generally 2HKO Pikachu and Zekrom-GX with Hit and Run, and Wobbuffet slows them down by preventing the use of [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Tapu Koko Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]. Even if they take the first Prize, the Prize trade should be in your favor.
Flash Energy is the main issue here, but you can use Guzma to target the Pikachu and Zekrom-GX without one; most lists only play two or three Flash Energy, so there will often only be one in play. If the opponent puts all their Energy on one Pikachu and Zekrom-GX, you can use Kartana-GX’s Slice Off to remove the Flash Energy in order to KO it.
[card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] is also a huge asset — try to keep it for the big Sledgehammer turn.
If you want to make the matchup even better, you can add an Enhanced Hammer to the list to help remove Flash Energy.
That said, even a Pikachu and Zekrom-GX with no Weakness can be dealt with — don’t hesitate to use Wobbuffet as an attacker. To give a possible example, Hit and Run with Strong Energy, Diancie Prism Star and Muscle Band deals 90 damage. Add two turns of Shrine of Punishment and Pikachu and Zekrom-GX has taken 110 damage. Wobbuffet’s Psychic Assault then deals 120 damage and a last tick of Shrine will KO Pikachu and Zekrom-GX.
Archie’s Blastoise
I want to come clean on this — I didn’t find the occasion to test this matchup. At the time of writing, it’s my priority, so, when this article is published, if you want to know more, feel free to ask me in the Subscriber’s Hideout.
My main worry is whether you can deal enough damage while the Blastoise deck uses first [card name=”Archie’s Ace in the Hole” set=”Primal Clash” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card], then Guzma to break Bide Barricade and attach Energy. [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] can be an issue as well, although some Archie’s Blastoise are cutting it for [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card].
Rayquaza-GX
Once again, Wobbuffet is a great wall. Because it blocks Stormy Winds, it means [card name=”Rayquaza-GX” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] sets up much slower. Hitmonchan can take 2HKOs in this matchup, and some Pokemon like Shaymin-EX make easy targets.
I consider this matchup favorable, although Rayquaza-GX’s speed can overwhelm you if you have a bad starting hand.
Trevenant
I haven’t played this matchup, but I’m pretty sure it’s unfavorable. Between the Item lock and the Fighting Resistance, Hitmonchan can’t deal enough damage, and both Tree Slam and Silent Fear should break the deck.
If you’re worried about this matchup, you can add [card name=”Latias-EX” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”85″ c=”name”][/card] to the deck. This should turn it into an auto-win, as long as they don’t play [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card].
Non-GX Aggro Decks
I include the mirror match, Night March and [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] in this category.
Basically, you want to trade Prizes as efficiently as possible. The player taking the first Prize has an advantage, but cards such as [card name=”Shuckle-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”17″ c=”name”][/card], Oricorio, Enhanced Hammer, and so on can help improve your odds.
Fighting Decks
[cardimg name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
There are various Fighting decks, but I’ll group them in one category to make things simpler.
Against Pokemon-GX, you’re generally okay. Hitmonchan trades well with Buzzwole-GX as it can 2HKO it, Buzzwole can OHKO it on the Sledgehammer turn, Shrine of Punishment adds damage, and Nihilego can make a big swing. What’s more, with Wobbuffet blocking the opposing [card name=”Diancie Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], it can be hard for Buzzwole-GX to take a KO early on, leaving them to 2HKO Wobbuffet.
Against Fighting decks that focus more on non-GX Pokemon, especially Buzzwole, the matchup is unfavorable. You have to trade Prizes, but the problem is that Buzzwole has a lot of HP for a non-GX Pokemon and, unlike against something like Night March, they have [card name=”Beast Ring” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] to deal with Shuckle-GX. However, against a Buzzwole / Garbodor deck, Shuckle-GX is once again a good wall since these decks generally play almost all Special Energy and no Beast Ring, and the Prize race is winnable once again.
7. Conclusion
That’s all from me this week — thanks for reading! [card name=”Donphan” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”72″ c=”name”][/card] was a deck I enjoyed a lot a few years back, and I even played [card name=”Palkia-EX” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] / Trevenant at some point (it was decent before [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Flashfire” no=”90″ c=”name”][/card] was printed in Flashfire) so I’m having a lot of fun playing this Hitmonchan deck!
I think it’s a good contender for the upcoming Regionals, but, given that the metagame is still hazy, I might be wrong — we might actually see even more unexpected decks hit the field.
I will be in Toronto this weekend, my last incursion in North America before the International Championship. If you see me, don’t hesitate to say hi! Otherwise, see you next week for more Expanded explorations.
[/premium]