And Now for Something Completely Different–Expanded Discussion

With three Regionals and two Special Events already gone, the SUM-UNB format is in full swing. SPE Singapore had some surprises in store, with [card name=”Greninja and Zoroark-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Nidoqueen” set=”Team Up” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Swampert” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Meganium” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”8″ c=”name”][/card] (a deck that I touched upon here) both reaching the Top 4. This means that it’s the perfect time to…talk about Expanded. Wait, what?

I know that there’s no major event coming up in the Expanded format, and readers attending Madison Regionals might be especially concerned with Standard this week. I’ll alleviate the latter concern by giving my thoughts about the Standard situation and my picks for this weekend. That said, I have several reasons I don’t want to neglect Expanded. Even if the format is not of huge importance to the top level of competition right now, it’s still being played at local events and online, as Expanded tournaments are the best way to farm boosters on PTCGO. It should also be mentioned that when players start training for Expanded events next season, it will be harder to do so if nobody has given a thought about the format in five months and they have to suddenly take into account both Unbroken Bonds and our August set, Unified Minds. Finally, part of my motivation is also ideological: as someone with a background in pure mathematics, I’m interested in knowledge for knowledge’s sake, and if players ever go back to reflect on past formats, I think it would be a shame to have the BLW-UNB format be missing because no one stopped to write about it.
Obviously, I can’t claim to have a perfect understanding of the format. As much as I would love to spend time pitting the various decks of Expanded, old and new, against each other, I can’t afford it. Still, I hope that this summary can help other Expanded enthusiasts explore the format, and act as a strong starting point when time comes to prepare for next season’s Expanded events. I just hope some of them are in Europe this time!

But first, let’s talk about Standard.

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The State of Standard

[cardimg name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

If you’re playing Standard, whether it’s for a major or a local event, you should expect [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card]. The deck has proven its hype was deserved, and will only get more popular now that it won two Regional Championships. Although the [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] version seems to be more popular, I prefer the [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card] variant that won in Santa Clara. If I had to guess, I’d say that it will perform better, at least compared to its numbers. Its reputation for being weak to Let Loose [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card] is overstated; in my opinion, a well-timed Let Loose is an issue for the Jirachi version anyway–and it has the advantage in the mirror match thanks to [card name=”Custom Catcher” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card]. I think [card name=”Flareon-GX ” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM171″ c=”name”][/card] hasn’t been explored much, but it had a lot of success in Japan in Green’s Exploration variants, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it see play.

As strong as Reshiram & Charizard-GX is, though, it also has a huge target on its back and we may see more decks being teched to beat it. Decks like [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] / Ultra Beasts can hold its own against the Fire-type powerhouse, so I think it will be popular in Madison. I also think it may find more success than it did in Santa Clara. Stall was unusually popular in that tournament, and when Stall shines, it generally gets knocked down the next big tournament. With [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”6″ c=”name”][/card] being very present in Day 2, I expect people to counter it–expect a [card name=”Stealthy Hood” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”186″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Arcanine” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”22″ c=”name”][/card] in all Reshiram and Charizard-GX lists so Stall won’t have the same success again. This is a good thing for Zapdos / Ultra Beasts, whose Stall matchup was a big issue.

On the other hand, Zapdos / Ultra Beasts may find trouble in the form of [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card]. If Stall prevented Zapdos from dominating Santa Clara, Zoroark-GX is what stopped Zapdos at the same time, in Sao Paulo. Despite its lack of success in California, the deck has been performing elsewhere and, although it has fallen short of a win so far, I think the deck has the potential to take first place. That said, Zoroark-GX is not an unknown deck and players are preparing for it. With [card name=”Slowking” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] being a popular tech, more and more Reshiram and Charizard-GX players are including [card name=”Eevee and Snorlax-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] as an alternative attacker that can take four prizes against Zoroark-GX. That’s only one more reason for Zoroark-GX players to include [card name=”Dewgong” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card]. Eevee & Snorlax-GX needs time to be charged up, whether it’s through [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Kiawe” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card]. This means that Dewgong can start damaging it on the Bench before Eevee & Snorlax-GX can even attack. Then, if the Reshiram and Charizard-GX player has a [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], Eevee & Snorlax-GX can bring up a Zoroark-GX or [card name=”Persian-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”149″ c=”name”][/card] and KO it, but they can get KO’d; either by Persian-GX’s Vengeance, or the new tech, [card name=”Larvitar” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] equipped with a [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card]. Larvitar works well with the damage from Dewgong’s Dual Blizzard and can also be used in the mirror match and against [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card], so I think it’s worth a spot in Zoroark-GX, although I haven’t tested it as extensively as I wished.

If you’re in the mood for a more surprising pick, consider [card name=”Gardevoir and Sylveon-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card]. The deck has fallen off the radar because of its lack of success, but I still believe it’s being slept on. The Reshiram and Charizard-GX matchup is an issue, sure, but it’s winnable especially if Reshiram and Charizard-GX players cut [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] from their lists. Besides that, the deck is strong against many of the top decks such as Zoroark-GX, and especially Zapdos / Ultra Beasts which is close to an autowin. It’s possible that I’m missing something that would explain why Gardevoir and Sylveon-GX, a strong deck that performed again and again in Japan, would turn out to be weak in our metagame, but if I’m not, then its time to shine is most likely now.

Finally, there’s another deck that has seemingly disappeared but could make a strong comeback: [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]. The deck hasn’t gained anything new, but [card name=”Ultra Necrozma-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card]’s lack of a damage cap only gets stronger as more and more Tag Team Pokémon are released. The main change I would make compared to last format would be to add back Choice Band and [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], as they make Photon Geyser a KO on Reshiram & Charizard-GX with three Psychic Energy, and on Zoroark-GX with two Psychic Energy. Decks like [card name=”Weezing” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] and Zapdos are bad matchups for the deck but [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] can make them closer, and [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] makes the Pikachu & Zekrom-GX positive.

[decklist name=”Malamar” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″][pokemon amt=”16″]4x [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Inkay” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”50″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Ultra Necrozma-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”34″]4x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Erika’s Hospitality” set=”Team Up” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Switch” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]3x [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]6x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”Call of Legends” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”6″][/card]3x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Adventures in Expanded

What has changed in the Expanded format? For the most part, the Unbroken Bonds cards that are relevant in Expanded are also relevant in Standard, but there are differences. Something like [card name=”Mewtwo” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] could be a decent inclusion in Expanded Zoroark-GX decks, as it acts as a searchable [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card]. In Standard, there’s not enough space on the Bench for that, but in Expanded, with [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] available, it’s easier to spare a spot for it. Another card with potential in the format is [card name=”Honchkrow-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] as the format has traditionally relied more on Special Energy. And [card name=”Lt. Surge’s Strategy” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] is far more threatening, although its most oppressive partners, like [card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card], have been banned already.
Obviously, the reverse–cards that are strong in Standard but not as much in Expanded–is far more common since it’s easier to find a place in a smaller format. There’s one that I want to touch on, though: [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card]. It’s not as relevant in Expanded since there are more and better Abilities available, which means that playing Green’s Exploration requires a more impactful sacrifice. It does have one interesting aspect, though: acting as a [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] counter. Since Garbotoxin removes Abilities, a deck can use Green’s Exploration to search for Field Blower and another card in such a situation. Sure, it’s very situational, but if you’re going to play [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card] anyway just to counter Garbodor, maybe you can use Green’s Exploration instead.

I think we may be seeing less Garbodor in the near future, though. Even if Green’s Exploration doesn’t end up making players abandon Ability Pokémon, the rise of the Ability-less Tag Team Pokémon means that we’re going to see decks that don’t rely that much on Abilities. Plus, [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card]’s 180 damage and 210 HP is quickly becoming not as impressive as it once was. I don’t believe Zoroark-GX is dead–it might never totally be–but it may need to reinvent itself to better deal with the upcoming threats, and that might mean straying away from Garbodor. As for [card name=”Drampa-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] / Garbodor, it always performs better than expected, but everything points towards it losing its relevance.

Fire and Water

[cardimg name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Pikachu & Zekrom-GX made an immediate impact on the Expanded format upon its release. Will it be the same for the new star, [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card]? I believe so. Fire-type decks had success in Expanded a few years ago, but stopped when Zoroark-GX made permanent [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] possible. After the ban of Hex Maniac, the deck didn’t have enough power to contend with the format’s new top decks. However, with Reshiram & Charizard-GX on the scene, Fire-type decks now have a powerful attacker that can OHKO Zoroark-GX and most other threats, so they should be more than able to succeed in the format.
Because Reshiram and Charizard-GX is the important card here, I think its Expanded incarnation will not look too different from Standard, although with Expanded’s consistency options like: VS Seeker, [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], etc. These would be favored to Standard counterparts like [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] as it’s weaker in Expanded due to cards like Garbodor, [card name=”Wobbuffet” set=”Radiant Collection 2″ no=”RC11″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card]. Other inclusions could be [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Volcanion-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card], although we need to see how the metagame evolves to know whether we need a damage-boosting Pokémon and, if so, how many of them.
Another one of Fire-type’s ace Supporters is [card name=”Blacksmith” set=”Flashfire” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card], but Welder is probably better since it also draws cards. I could see a one-of Blacksmith in the deck, but in general, I think Welder will be stronger. You can get Energy in the hand consistently with [card name=”Starmie” set=”Evolutions” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card], which allows the constant use of Welder.

There is one clear obstacle to Reshiram and Charizard-GX’s success in Expanded, though: Archie’s [card name=”Blastoise” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”31″ c=”name”][/card]. Unlike in Standard, where [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Quagsire” set=”Dragon Majesty” no=”26″ c=”name”][/card] suffers from consistency issues, there’s a well-established Water-type deck in Expanded, one that enjoys both popularity and success. What’s more, Archie’s Blastoise gained two new cards in Unbroken Bonds.
A new offensive powerhouse comes in the form of [card name=”Blastoise-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card]. It is a sturdy attacker that can OHKO anything given enough Energy. It will replace Kingdra-GX thanks to its higher damage output. What’s more, should you be Ability-locked, Blastoise-GX can use its GX attack to fill the board with Energy. This gives Archie’s Blastoise another way to combat Garbodor.
The other more questionable, but more interesting inclusion is [card name=”Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”1″ c=”name”][/card]. Just like how [card name=”Magikarp and Wailord-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM166″ c=”name”][/card] can be a strong finisher, so can Pheromosa & Buzzwole-GX. It can take four Prizes in one turn by Knocking Out a Pokémon with Beast Game GX, as long as it has eight Energy attached. Archie’s Blastoise has proven that it can attach eight Energy to a Pokémon, so that’s not unrealistic. Of course, you need to play a Grass Energy in the deck for that purpose, but since [card name=”Superior Energy Retrieval” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”103″ c=”name”][/card] can get it back, it doesn’t change the deckbuilding process.

Here is a sample list :

[decklist name=”Blastoise UNB” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Blastoise” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”31″][pokemon amt=”14″]2x [card name=”Blastoise” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”31″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Magikarp and Wailord-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM166″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Blastoise-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”35″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Volcanion Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”31″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Eevee and Snorlax-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”1″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Onix” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”35″]2x [card name=”Archie’s Ace in the Hole” set=”Primal Clash” no=”124″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Black and White” no=”101″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tate and Liza” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Fisherman” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Trainers’ Mail” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Superior Energy Retrieval” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”103″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Order Pad” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”131″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]10x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”10″][/card]1x [card name=”Grass Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Pretty in Pink

As powerful as Reshiram & Charizard-GX is, it may not be the most impactful Tag Team in the Expanded format: I believe that honor goes to Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX. Since I claimed the card was powerful in Standard and that hasn’t been demonstrated yet, I should explain why I have such a high opinion of the deck in Expanded: it comes from its results in Japan. The deck got two spots in Top 8 at the Expanded (Extra, in Japanese) Champions League in Chiba, and was the second most represented archetype in Top 32, after [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] variants. This was before [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card]’s release in the Japanese set Double Blaze. Even after, Fire-type decks had few results, whereas Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX won the only Expanded City League in the BW1-SM10 format (the Japanese equivalent to our current Expanded) and is currently doing well.

What makes Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX good in Expanded is [card name=”Aromatisse” set=”XY” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card]. Fairy Song allows the deck to accelerate Energy, and Aromatisse can move these Energy around. Not only does that make it easier to save Energy and use Magical Miracle GX when you want to, but it also works perfectly with [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card]. Combine it with Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX’s natural tankiness with [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] and it is near impossible to KO.

As a disclaimer, the Japanese Expanded metagame is different from ours since their format uses some cards that are banned in our format like: [card name=”Ghetsis” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card]. In particular, the presence of Hex Maniac means that Japanese players won’t play as many Abilities as we do, which may explain why these Ability-light decks perform so well. It’s possible that in our metagame, decks like Shock Lock and Archie’s Blastoise will perform better. Still, I think Gardevoir and Sylveon-GX will remain strong. Here’s a starting point for it:

[decklist name=”Gardeon UNB” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Aromatisse” set=”XY” no=”93″][pokemon amt=”9″]4x [card name=”Gardevoir and Sylveon-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Spritzee” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”141″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Aromatisse” set=”XY” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”39″]4x [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Emerging Powers” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Stealthy Hood” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”186″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Adventure Bag” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”167″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Wondrous Labyrinth Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”158″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Power Plant” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]4x [card name=”Wonder Energy” set=”Primal Clash” no=”144″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]8x [card name=”Fairy Energy” set=”XY” no=”140″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card][/energy][/decklist][cardimg name=”Gardevoir and Sylveon-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”205″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Most of it is adapted from Japanese lists, but I decided to add [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card], despite playing some Abilities. The idea is that, early in the game, Green’s Exploration can help us set up–typically, getting [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card] for Aromatisse. Once Aromatisse is in play, it’s a dead card, but we don’t need it anyway. Its other benefit is to fight [card name=”Garbodor” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]. If we’re Ability locked, then we can use Green’s Exploration for [card name=”Stealthy Hood” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”186″ c=”name”][/card], which we can then attach to Aromatisse. This means that the Ability lock will only affect our opponent, but we can still move Energy around to heal and even use Magical Miracle GX with no chance that the opponent will use Abilities like: Trade, Set Up, or Wonder Tag to draw out of it.
Stealthy Hood also gives the deck an out to Shock Lock, since a Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX with Stealthy Hood can’t be Paralyzed by [card name=”Raichu” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”41″ c=”name”][/card]. This is not a great solution and more techs will be needed if Shock Lock keeps doing well.

I have included three Stadiums that can see play in the deck. The generic, annoying Stadium to play is [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card], and it can also be used to get rid of your own [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card] in play. On the other hand, [card name=”Power Plant” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card] gives us more ammo against Zoroark-GX, among others. Should these kind of decks be dominant, then it would make sense to add more copies of this card.

A sort of odd addition is [card name=”Wonder Energy” set=”Primal Clash” no=”144″ c=”name”][/card]. It is in the deck because it might as well be, but if Special Energy hate becomes common, it can be replaced with basic Energy. A benefit of adding more basic Energy to the deck is that you can play Max Elixir, but I don’t think the extra Energy acceleration is necessary. You can also take another road and include [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Prism Energy” set=”Next Destinies” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] and add other attackers. A card that has seen some success in Japan is [card name=”Jolteon-EX” set=”Generations” no=”28″ c=”name”][/card], but [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] is a common inclusion in Western lists so I’m not extremely confident about it.

The Dark Side

There’s another Tag Team Pokémon that hasn’t attracted a lot of attention in Standard but could prove very strong in Expanded: [card name=”Greninja and Zoroark-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card]. It’s the new incarnation of Turbo [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], one where the main attacker has 250 HP and deals even more damage. The extra HP is crucial because it lets Greninja and Zoroark-GX survive, among others, Riotous Beating.

[decklist name=”Turbo Dark UNB” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Greninja and Zoroark-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”107″][pokemon amt=”11″]2x [card name=”Greninja and Zoroark-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Giratina-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Latias and Latios-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”Black and White Black Star Promos” no=”BW46″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Darkrai-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”88″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew” set=”Fates Collide” no=”29″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”35″]3x [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Red’s Challenge” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”184″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Dark Patch” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”124″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”14″]4x [card name=”Double Dragon Energy” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]10x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Diamond and Pearl” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ amt=”10″][/card][/energy][/decklist][cardimg name=”Greninja and Zoroark-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”107″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

Greninja and Zoroark-GX is the main attacker, but you can use other Pokémon as backup attackers. Cards like [card name=”Mew” set=”Fates Collide” no=”29″ c=”name”][/card] can be used as a non-GX user of Dark Pulse, but the real draw of the deck is the inclusion of Dragon-type Pokémon. Using [card name=”Double Dragon Energy” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] counts as two Dark Energy so it quickly boosts Dark Pulse damage, and it can power up several strong attackers. Use [card name=”Latias and Latios-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] to accelerate Energy early in the game with Aero Unit GX, letting Greninja & Zoroark-GX deal huge damage as soon as turn 2. The other Dragon-type attacker is [card name=”Giratina-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], which can win some matchups by itself with Chaos Wheel. Against [card name=”Zoroark-GX” set=”Shining Legends” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] decks, if they don’t play Pokémon Ranger, you can stop them from ever attaching Energy again. You can use [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”124″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card] to remove Energy already in play before that.
As for support Pokémon, [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] is still viable seven years after its release! Dark Cloak is still an amazing Ability and can support the deck, although in order to use Latios & Latias-GX, I’ve included [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] anyway to help it get to the Active position on turn 1; and for situations where Darkrai-EX is not in play or its Ability isn’t working. You can use [card name=”Darkrai-GX” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card] to get more Energy back from the discard pile, and you can use its GX attack thanks to [card name=”Hypnotoxic Laser” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card]. Being able to KO a Pokémon, no questions asked, is always strong; but it’s especially powerful against Tag Team Pokémon, which are increasing in popularity. Finally, this is an aggressive deck, so you need a lot of draw power early on. Using [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] does that, and it lets you discard Darkness Energy where you can get them back with [card name=”Dark Patch” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] or Aero Unit GX, so it’s perfect here.

In order to get more Energy in play during the game, I’ve added the usual Dark Patch and Max Elixir. It must be mentioned that Dark Patch is kind of redundant with Latios & Latias-GX, and it’s possible that it proves better to remove either Latios & Latias-GX or, as blasphemous as this sounds, Dark Patch itself. The argument against removing Latios & Latias-GX is that you need a Dragon Pokémon in play to hold Double Dragon Energy. Then again, you could remove Double Dragon Energy altogether and include more Darkrai-GX instead.
Most other cards are self-explanatory, but [card name=”Red’s Challenge” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”184″ c=”name”][/card] is unusual. Its role is to discard Energy while getting a key card–typically a Double Dragon Energy, but it can be [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] or Enhanced Hammer depending on the situation. Finally, Parallel City is, I think, the best Stadium to play, especially combined with Chaos Wheel, but it may not be needed.

Groudon’s Little Brother

Finally, here’s a concept that I love, but haven’t had a chance to try yet. Shuto Itagaki, Top 8 competitor at Worlds 2018 and Junior World Champion 2012, made Top 4 at the Expanded Champions League in Chiba with a [card name=”Regirock” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY49″ c=”name”][/card] deck, while one of his teammates got Top 16 with it. Michael Catron has since used the same concept to make top 16 in Hartford. The idea is to use Regirock as sort of mini-[card name=”Primal Groudon-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] that can use the combination of [card name=”Focus Sash” set=”Furious Fists” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Last Chance Potion” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”135″ c=”name”][/card] to never get Knocked Out. With Unbroken Bonds, the deck gets a huge boost thanks to [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card], which can easily get the two Items necessary to the combo. Green’s Exploration is also fantastic in a deck with [card name=”Tropical Beach” set=”Black and White Black Star Promos” no=”BW28″ c=”name”][/card], since you can turn its searching power into draw power.

[decklist name=”Regirock UNB” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Regirock” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY49″][pokemon amt=”8″]4x [card name=”Regirock” set=”XY Black Star Promos” no=”XY49″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Virizion” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”12″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Cobalion” set=”Steam Siege” no=”74″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”41″]4x [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Teammates” set=”Primal Clash” no=”141″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”N” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”96″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Juniper” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Faba” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Center Lady” set=”Flashfire” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Focus Sash” set=”Furious Fists” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Last Chance Potion” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”135″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Robo Substitute” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor’s Letter” set=”XY” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Potion” set=”Kalos Starter Set” no=”37″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Switch” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Counter Gain” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Counter Catcher” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Scramble Switch” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”129″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Tropical Beach” set=”Black and White Black Star Promos” no=”BW50″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]4x [card name=”Strong Energy” set=”Fates Collide” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Fighting Energy” set=”EX Ruby and Sapphire” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Counter Energy” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”100″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

This list is closely adapted from Shuto Itagaki’s original deck. Thanks to [card name=”Counter Energy” set=”Crimson Invasion” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Counter Gain” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card], it’s faster than it looks to set up a Regirock. It’s ok to give up a Prize or two in the process, and might even help in the long run: Counter Energy can also be used for alternate attackers. You use [card name=”Virizion” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card] with [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] against Archie’s Blastoise, whereas [card name=”Cobalion” set=”Steam Siege” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card] can OHKO Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX.
Between [card name=”Potion” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”127″ c=”name”][/card], Last Chance Potion, and [card name=”Pokémon Center Lady” set=”Generations” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card], the deck has all sorts of healing options depending on the damage on Regirock. This way, even if the opponent doesn’t remove Focus Sash by dealing less than 110 damage, you can still fully heal and therefore reactivate Focus Sash.
Using [card name=”Robo Substitute” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] is here to gain you time. Since the opponent will be unable to bring up Regirock, they’ll have to deal with Robo Substitute at some point. This lets you play [card name=”Teammates” set=”Primal Clash” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card] without giving up a Prize card. Robo Substitute can also be grabbed through Green’s Exploration. Similar to Primal Groudon-EX, Regirock plays many one-of Items that it can grab with [card name=”Korrina” set=”Furious Fists” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card]; but Green’s Exploration can also get a Supporter for the next turn, making it that much relevant and a real improvement to the deck.

Conclusion

That’s all from me this week! Thank you for reading, even if Expanded is not your preferred format or main concern right now. Don’t worry, next time, we’ll go back to Standard. In the meantime, best of luck to all of you!

–Stéphane

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