A Testing-Backed Unified Minds Set Review
Hello everyone! This is Grant Manley here once again. Today I will be going over the new set. However, unlike most set reviews, which are mostly speculation, I have been testing with some of the new cards in the post-rotation format in preparation for Worlds. Therefore, I have a pretty good idea of what cards will be good and how they will be used. Of course, I have not played with every single card in the new set, but nevertheless I think this set review will have more value than most.
If you’re only here for deck discussions and refined lists, don’t worry! I will also be briefly covering what I believe to be the best version of Dark Box as well as my current top pick for Worlds; they will just be tied into the set review. Additionally, my past two articles cover six of the most promising decks that I have been testing the most.
If there are any cards I don’t mention in this article, I don’t consider them to be relevant at all in the upcoming meta.
I won’t be explaining what each card does, only its place in competitive play. If you don’t know what a card does (it’s a big set, after all), clicking on a card’s name will take you directly to a page with that card’s translation. Alternatively, you can find translations for every card in the set on this page.
Rowlett & Alolan Exeggutor-GX
The best way to describe Rowlett & Alolan Exeggutor-GX is “interesting.” It is being tossed around as an idea in Expanded because you can set up [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] and Item lock your opponent on your first attacking turn, but then you lack Energy acceleration and have to spend another turn attacking to set up something like [card name=”Venusaur” set=”Shining Legends” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] or the new Tsareena. The harsh reality is that you’ll still get rolled by fast Tag Teams that are just better. I actually think this card has more potential in Standard than Expanded because the power creep is less apparent when the new stronger cards have less of the tools that Expanded offers.
However, I have not tested this card in Standard because it’s still terrible. I’m almost certain this card would need to be paired with the new Tsareena and Weakness Guard Energy. You could also tech [card name=”Sceptile” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] to auto-win [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card], which would otherwise be an auto-loss. Tsareena would allow you to chain attackers and even retreat out of harm’s way, but the deck would be fun-tier at best and would still be outclassed by most other Tag Teams.
Verdict: This card is terrible in both formats and I’m only mentioning it because it is interesting and talked about.
Froslass
Froslass is one of those cards that is clearly designed to counter something specific. It is brutally effective against [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] and as collateral can bring down [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] as well. Even against cards it doesn’t counter, it can still deal 140 damage for just one Energy. Widespread usefulness is a powerful trait to have for counter cards like this one.
I consider Froslass to be a very solid card that hasn’t found a home yet. I tried out a post-rotation version of [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card] / Beasts with [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] and Froslass, but it had too much going on and didn’t work well. Froslass is very much an anti-meta card that can be played when the meta defines itself a little more, and if said meta favors it. I expect this card to perform well at some point in the future, as it’s too strong to ignore. As for Worlds, we might not see much of it just yet. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it pop up though.
Verdict: This card will do well on the competitive stage at some point, either when someone finds a good use for it or when the meta favors it.
Carracosta
This card is being talked about a little bit. Fossil Pokemon admittedly have a decent engine to work with, though I personally don’t consider the archetype to be very good. Carracosta is Fossil deck’s attempt to improve the [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] matchup. While I haven’t put any time into the deck myself, as someone who plays a lot of Malamar, I can say I’d be terrified of facing down Aerodactyl-GX backed by Carracosta. Carracosta shuts down Malamar’s [card name=”Spell Tag” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”190″ c=”name”][/card]s and [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card]s. You could pair it with the regular [card name=”Aerodactyl” set=”Team Up” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] and go with a Prize trade route, or you could go with Aerodactyl-GX and force all Basic Pokemon to have extra Energy in order to attack.
Carracosta has the added benefit of completely ruining [card name=”Shedinja” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] strategies as well as getting around other powerful Tools like Giant Bomb. Carracosta’s popularity will likely depend on the success of Fossil decks as a whole, as Carracosta cannot be easily teched into other decks. I predict that it will see small amounts of fringe play. Carracosta is the type of card that might see one or two Regional Day 2 results in its time.
Verdict: Not an amazing card, but it may see fringe success.
Keldeo-GX
Keldeo-GX has enormous potential. [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Shining Legends” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] is a much weaker version of Keldeo (albeit being a single-prizer) and has seen lots of play since its release. Keldeo’s Pure Heart Ability is actually rather powerful going into the new format. To go along with it, Keldeo also packs an attack that OHKOs common non-GX attacking Pokemon such as [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Zapdos” set=”Team Up” no=”40″ c=”name”][/card]. Against real threats, Keldeo can also pop its GX attack.
Like most Safeguard Pokemon, Keldeo’s role falls into the anti-meta category, meaning it will see the most success in defined metagames. However, [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] paired with [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] is receiving tons of hype and Keldeo doesn’t have many good options to beat it. You could potentially play the new Hoopa with [card name=”Lysandre Labs” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”111″ c=”name”][/card], but even that isn’t a guaranteed win and relies on pairing into very specific decks.
On its own, Keldeo does well against Fire decks and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX, which automatically makes it decent at least. Unfortunately, most of the stuff you’d want to pair with Keldeo rotates out, whether it be offensive Water support or complementary defensive wall Pokemon. This means that Keldeo lacks a strong deck to go with it and must be relegated an anti-meta card.
Verdict: Keldeo is the best card so far. Like Froslass, it will see play and success. It’s just a matter of time before the meta works out for it. I would not be surprised to see someone do well at Worlds by either finding a Malamar counter or by avoiding that matchup altogether.
[premium]
Tapu Fini
Once again, we find ourselves looking at a niche anti-meta card. Tapu Fini was obviously made as a hard counter to [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card]. It easily fits into any deck, which makes it an enticing tech. Perhaps something like PikaRom, whose Blacephalon matchup isn’t clear cut one way or the other, can include a copy of Tapu Fini.
Personally, I think Tapu Fini’s downsides make it not worth playing for Worlds. It is useless against any matchup that isn’t Blacephalon, and I don’t expect Blacephalon to be a top-three deck in the first place. Additionally, the only ways to search out Tapu Fini are via [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Pokémon Fan Club” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”133″ c=”name”][/card]. While these options aren’t bad, they aren’t incredibly reliable for such a situation-specific Pokemon.
It’s also worth noting that a single copy of Tapu Fini doesn’t auto-win the Blacephalon matchup on its own. For example, Green’s Reshiram & Charizard-GX is still unfavored against Blacephalon and has no reliable way to search out Tapu Fini, so the card isn’t worth playing in that particular deck.
Verdict: Tapu Fini will see play and success when (or if) Blacephalon becomes a top-three deck.
Raichu & Alolan Raichu-GX
Raichu & Alolan Raichu-GX is an amazing card thanks to all of the existing Lightning support. This card is an automatic one-of or two-of in all Pikachu & Zekrom-GX decks. I personally only play the one copy because Paralysis loop is not a consistent strategy in this format. All of the Tag Team decks will, or at least should, have answers to Paralysis because this card is expected to be a huge player in the Worlds format. That said, you still have the one copy to swoop in and Paralyze an unsuspecting Tag Team when the situation calls for it. Dark Box in particular is vulnerable because it relies on Dark City and [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Shining Legends” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] to move its Pokemon.
Raichu & Alolan Raichu’s GX attack is incredible as well. It is rather easy to power up thanks to [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card]’s Full Blitz and the addition of Tag Switch. With just one [card name=”Electropower” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card], Lightning Ride GX hits for 280, which is enough to OHKO every relevant Tag Team. This will be Lightning’s GX attack of choice more often than Tag Bolt, though that is matchup dependent. I fully expect at least one Pikachu & Zekrom-GX deck packing Raichu & Alolan Raichu-GX to make Top 16 at Worlds, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see two or three in Top 8.
Verdict: Raichu & Alolan Raichu-GX is one of the best cards in the set. Expect one or two in every Lightning deck.
Eelektross
Eelektross has not been talked about at all aside from a list that Peter Kica posted on Twitter. This card is demanding of Energy, which means it will probably only be used in Pikachu & Zekrom-GX decks following a Full Blitz.
I see this card as a promising one-of tech in Pikachu & Zekrom-GX to improve the mirror match. Since Eelektross retreat locks the Defending Pokemon, you can use it to soften up a Tag Team in case you miss a KO on it. Since Lightning decks rely on [card name=”Zeraora-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”201″ c=”name”][/card] to move their Pokemon, they must flip heads on Super Scoop Up — if they even play it. On top of all that, they still have to deal with this Eelektross that is a functional attacker and only yields one Prize.
Although Eelektross is intended for only one matchup, it can still be useful as a powerful and bulky one-Prize attacker against anything. This card can sometimes be useful against Malamar, though you’ll have to watch out for [card name=”Spell Tag” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”190″ c=”name”][/card].
One thing to keep in mind is that Eelektross loses a lot of value if it looks like Pikachu & Zekrom-GX lists will run [card name=”Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card]. Although I think Switch is bad in Pikachu & Zekrom-GX, some lists may still run it.
Since it is a Stage 2, you will get it into play exclusively via the Ability. Don’t bother playing its pre-Evolutions.
Verdict: Eelektross is a good Pikachu & Zekrom-GX mirror tech that is worth considering as a 1-of for Worlds.
Xurkitree
Xurkitree is a solid card. It will see play in the same kinds of one-Prize attacker decks that used [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] for its Sledgehammer. While Xurkitree cannot abuse the Fighting support that Buzzwole got, it can use Lightning cards like [card name=”Electropower” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”172″ c=”name”][/card] which are even better.
However, Xurkitree is not good in Pikachu & Zekrom-GX. Zapdos is a better single-Prize attacker. Although Zapdos is weaker than Xurkitree on its peak turn, Zapdos can take KO’s as early as turn one and its usefulness is not relegated to a specific turn. In a deck like Pikachu & Zekrom-GX that uses one-, two-, and three-Prize attackers, there is no guarantee that you’ll even be able to use Xurkitree because your opponent may skip over their three-Prize turn.
Verdict: As far as I’m aware, Xurkitree doesn’t have a home in the current Standard format, but it’s a good enough card that it will see success at some point in the future.
Mewtwo & Mew-GX
Just like Raichu & Alolan Raichu-GX, Mewtwo & Mew-GX is a highly anticipated Tag Team that is obviously going to be incredible. People have already built and tested decks based on the card itself, and it has had some success in Japan’s tournaments. Additionally, Mewtwo & Mew is a solid tech in other decks that use Pokemon-GX. I’ve seen a lone copy of the card in decks like Malamar, Pikachu & Zekrom-GX, and Dark Box. If you want to know how I play Mewtwo & Mew, check out my last article where I go over my list for the deck.
Mewtwo & Mew-GX will see play at Worlds, both as its own deck and as a tech in other decks. I don’t personally see much value in the card as a tech in Malamar and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX, but I do like it in Dark Box because that deck already plays multiple 1-of Pokemon-GX. Dark Box can get more value out of Mewtwo & Mew-GX’s Ability because it allows more uses of the 1-of Pokemon; it’s almost like a [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card]. Mewtwo & Mew-GX will likely see play in Expanded as well, though I doubt many people have tested it out in that format yet.
Verdict: Mewtwo & Mew-GX is one of the best cards in the set and I daresay in the game. I expect this card will be a competitive mainstay in both formats for the foreseeable future.
Espeon & Deoxys-GX
Espeon and Deoxys-GX is one of the more underrated cards of Unified Minds. On the surface, it looks like a mediocre attacker that might be able to see play in Malamar, but it doesn’t immediately jump out as anything special. While its first attack is a bit weak for a Tag Team, the GX attack is deceptively useful.
I play Espeon & Deoxys-GX in my current Malamar list. Sometimes I use the first effect of the GX attack to place 10 damage counters, and sometimes I take an extra turn to power up the second effect for 20 damage counters — it just depends on the situation. I included this card to finish off the mirror match by taking multiple Prize cards at once after a full game of Spell Tag and Distortion Door pings, but it ended up being useful in other matchups as well. In particular, it can finish off damaged Pokemon against Pikachu & Zekrom-GX and be used as a beefy attacker against Reshiram & Charizard-GX sometimes. I’ve been testing and refining Psychic Malamar a lot lately, and it’s my current top pick for Worlds. Here’s the list:
[decklist name=”mally” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Espeon-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM35″][pokemon amt=”20″]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]4x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Gengar and Mimikyu-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”164″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x Espeon and Deoxys-GX (UNM #72)1x [card name=”Nihilego” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Espurr” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”79″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mimikyu” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”32″]4x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Spell Tag” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”190″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”147″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]8x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
This is basically [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] Spam: the deck, but with a toolbox of tricks for various reasons.
[card name=”Mimikyu” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM99″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Nihilego” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Gengar and Mimikyu-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] are low-Energy attackers that help against Reshiram & Charizard-GX, one of the deck’s toughest matchups. They all can be used in other matchups and situations as well.
[card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] is good against Pikachu & Zekrom-GX and any other snipe deck such as Mewtwo & Mew-GX with the new Naganadel-GX.
[card name=”Espurr” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card] is basically [card name=”Custom Catcher” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] but is more consistent and takes three fewer deck spaces.
This deck sometimes has slight consistency issues with its heavy reliance on [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card], so I am considering adding [card name=”Erika’s Hospitality” set=”Team Up” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”182″ c=”name”][/card]. I think the Garchomp & Giratina-GX version of this deck is just as good, but I prefer this version more.
Verdict: Espeon & Deoxys-GX has a niche but potent use. I play it in Malamar but not everyone will.
Latios-GX and Jirachi-GX
Excuse my laziness here, but I am actually putting these two together because they are both good in any and all Mewtwo & Mew-GX-based decks.
As far as I’m aware, these cards are amazing with Mewtwo & Mew-GX but not in any other deck. I tried Latios-GX with Malamar. Sounds good, doesn’t work. Latios-GX seems like a great tech for Reshiram & Charizard-GX, but [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] with [card name=”Choice Helmet” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] destroys it. Latios is great with Mewtwo & Mew-GX because both of its attacks help against Tag Teams. Jirachi-GX lets the deck beat Malamar and [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”name”][/card].
For a more detailed explanation as to why they’re good, refer to my last article.
Verdict: Both of these cards are excellent with Mewtwo & Mew-GX. They will see play in that archetype. They are both promising and will likely see use in other decks in the future.
Beheeyem
Beheeyem is seeing some hype and there are various lists going around. I think Beheeyem requires too much effort for too little return. 90 damage a turn, even with Item lock, is weak; and I haven’t seen a compelling build for it yet. Beheeyem needs to be combined with some sort of wall like [card name=”Mareep” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Goomy” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card], Aerodactyl-GX, or Keldeo-GX, while also needing a stable draw engine to chain Beheeyem attacks. As far as what that stable draw engine is, your guess is as good as mine. [card name=”Pidgeotto” set=”Team Up” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] doesn’t draw enough. [card name=”Zebstrika” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”82″ c=”name”][/card] forces important discards and doesn’t allow for an infinite, or anything close to it. The new Naganadel-GX is too high maintenance.
There’s an off chance that a Beheeyem or two shows up in Day 2 of Worlds. Aside from some crazy broken Japanese list, I would be surprised if Beheeyem even cracked Top 32.
Verdict: I’m hating on Beheeyem and do not believe in it. I could be proven wrong on this one, but I don’t see this card doing well in the foreseeable future.
Aerodactyl-GX
I’ve mentioned this card a few times already, which is funny because I don’t think it’s good at all. I’ve only mentioned it as a potential partner for other cards that I don’t think are good. Aerodactyl-GX definitely has a great Ability. Its GX attack is alright, but its main attack is horrible.
Aerodactyl is seeing a bit of talk as a tech in Malamar decks. It’s a Stage 1 though, so in my opinion it’s much worse than [card name=”Marshadow and Machamp-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”82″ c=”name”][/card], although the latter is a Tag Team that can give up three Prizes. In Malamar, you have to search out [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] and the Aerodactyl itself, a task which isn’t always easy when you’re relying on Pokemon Communication to find both of those quickly.
I think Aerodactyl is better off using the Fossil engine in its own deck, as I said earlier, I don’t think the archetype is poised to do anything huge right now.
Verdict: Similar feelings as Beheeyem. The card is bad but it’s definitely something that I could be proven wrong about.
The Dark Stuff
In this set, Pokemon is essentially creating an archetype out of nothing. This time it’s with Dark types. The new relevant Dark Pokemon are Darkrai & Umbreon-GX, Mega Sableye & Tyranitar-GX, and Weavile-GX. It also comes with the Dark City Stadium. All of these Pokemon are going to be used together in the new Dark Box deck. Darkrai & Umbreon-GX is a solid attacker with a crazy good GX attack. Mega Sableye & Tyranitar-GX destroys Pokemon-GX that aren’t Tag Teams like Blacephalon-GX and [card name=”Zeraora-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card], and its GX attack can steal games with the mill effect once in awhile. Weavile moves the Energy around, which allows you to swap between attackers, usually with Dark City, or easily power up newly-Benched attackers.
These Pokemon are commonly paired with [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Darkrai Prism Star” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] to accelerate Energy. This archetype is undeniably powerful and will enjoy some popularity in the post-rotation format. I would not be surprised to see Dark Box in Top 16 of Worlds.
My version is a bit different from normal though, so take a look!
[decklist name=”dark” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″][pokemon amt=”16″]2x Weavile-GX (Unified Minds)2x [card name=”Sneasel” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”86″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Incineroar-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”167″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Litten” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”27″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x Umbroen and Darkrai-GX (UNM #125)1x Mega Sableye and Tyranitar-GX (UNM #126)1x [card name=”Greninja and Zoroark-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”200″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x Mewtwo and Mew-GX (UNM #71)1x [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Alolan Ninetales-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”205″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Alolan Vulpix” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”30″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”32″]4x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Professor Elm’s Lecture” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”188″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”182″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Primal Clash” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Shining Legends” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x Cherish Ball (Unified Minds)3x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Rare Candy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”142″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Energy Recycler” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x Dark City (Unified Minds)[/trainers][energy amt=”12″]12x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”XY” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”12″][/card][/energy][/decklist][cardimg name=”Incineroar-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”97″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
My friend Blaine Hill suggested [card name=”Incineroar-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”167″ c=”name”][/card] and we went from there. This deck looks clunky but it is surprisingly consistent. I rely on [card name=”Professor Elm’s Lecture” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”188″ c=”name”][/card] to set up most of the Basic Pokemon, and then use Cherish Ball and [card name=”Alolan Ninetales-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”132″ c=”name”][/card] to further set up from there. The thin line of Incineroar is fine because everything is easily searchable. Incineroar’s Scar Charge accelerates Energy extremely well, which allows this deck to easily make use of all of the expensive attacks. Incineroar also adds value to [card name=”Greninja and Zoroark-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card], making it an absurdly powerful attacker by late game that can OHKO anything without using a GX attack. Incineroar is straight up better than [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”name”][/card] as Energy acceleration and its GX attack can be useful as well. With Scar Charge, [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card], and the single copy of [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], the deck thins itself out well and doesn’t need too many draw Supporters.
Verdict: Dark is a solid archetype. It will see play at Worlds, most commonly with Naganadel.
Hoopa
Hoopa, just like Tapu Fini, is a specific counter to an existing archetype. However, Hoopa is seeing more hype because it’s supposedly great against Malamar, which is projected to be more popular than Blacephalon.
Personally, I don’t think Hoopa is efficient. It usually trades one for one against Malamar, and it can only trade favorably if you manage to avoid Spell Tag two turns in a row, which probably won’t happen. It is also difficult to search out, although it can easily be included in any deck. In my opinion, Hoopa is nothing more than a mediocre one-Prize attacker that doesn’t actually counter Malamar.
Verdict: Hoopa is a decent but highly overrated card. I don’t recommend playing it, but it will see a bit of play.
Mawile-GX
Mawile-GX is a weird card that doesn’t have an obvious partner right now. Its Ability and both of its attacks are interesting, but no one is talking about the card because no one knows what to make of it. I could see this card becoming relevant at some point in Standard or Expanded, but as for now it’s just something to keep in the back of your mind.
Verdict: Nobody knows how this card will be used. I’m sure it will see fringe play and success at some point in the upcoming season because it isn’t bad.
Whimsicott
If you read my last article, you may be puzzled about the lack of the new Whimsicott in my [card name=”Whimsicott-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] build. This is intentional, as the new Whimsicott is a lot worse than it looks. The Whimsicott deck doesn’t need to use the new Whimsicott’s Ability, and all Cottonee are required to become Whimsicott-GX to make the opponent fight through as many of them as possible. Additionally, Whimsicott-GX’s Toy Box GX alleviates the need for the new Whimsicott. That said, the new Whimsicott could easily see play as a 1-of in decks that run [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card], especially in Expanded.
Verdict: Whimsicott is an interesting card with a strong Ability. It may see fringe play but nothing more than that.
Garchomp & Giratina-GX
For more detail on this deck, refer to an article I posted earlier this month. I went into detail about Garchomp & Giratina-GX paired with Malamar, its most obvious partner. This deck will definitely see play at Worlds. It’s extremely strong and gets to take advantage of [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] and Spell Tag as well. I fully expect at least one Malamar variant to make Top 8 at Worlds, though I do not know if it will be using this Tag Team.
Verdict: Garchomp & Giratina-GX is an insanely strong card with three great attacks. It will see mainstream play and success with Malamar, though it’s still anyone’s guess which Malamar variant will be the most popular.
Dragonite-GX
Dragonite-GX is getting some hype as a copy target for Mewtwo & Mew-GX. It is a strong inclusion in Mewtwo & Mew Toolbox decks so that you can OHKO most Tag Teams. Some people are playing it in Dark Box as well, but in the Incineroar version Greninja & Zoroark-GX works just fine as a high-damage attacker.
I do not think a standalone Dragonite deck with the new non-GX Dragonite is worth playing. While it does have access to [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card], the deck is high maintenance, and it’s much easier to use Dragonite as a tech for Mewtwo & Mew-GX.
Verdict: Dragonite is a great tech to consider in any deck playing Mewtwo & Mew, and it’s almost an auto-inclusion in decks based around Mewtwo & Mew-GX. Dragonite-GX will see a little bit of competitive play. Don’t bother with a Dragonite-based deck.
Naganadel-GX
Naganadel-GX has a lot going for it. The Ability is great, though it requires a whole deck to be built around it; the GX attack is neat; and the snip attack is incredible albeit expensive.
People are trying out all kinds of ways to use Naganadel-GX. While the card has proven to be surprisingly bad in Blacephalon-GX decks, it’s absolutely amazing with Mewtwo & Mew. Mewtwo & Mew can easily take advantage of Venom Shot. It efficiently closes out games and can absolutely destroy people who aren’t playing [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] to protect their Bench. This card should be a staple in Mewtwo & Mew-GX-based decks, and some people will probably run Beast Box with it as well.
Verdict: This card has niche uses, but it’s extremely strong. I’m sure it will hold on to some degree of relevance for its entire existence in Standard.
Blue’s Tactics
I haven’t exactly figured this card out yet. Blue’s Tactics is almost a new game mechanic. It essentially allows you to end your turn with a Supporter after attacking. This seems bad at first glance, because you want to use Supporters to facilitate your board and enable your attack of choice. In some games though, there are turns where you don’t need to play a Supporter, and drawing up to eight cards is a really strong effect. Most draw Supporters are included to help decks set up in the early game though, which Blue doesn’t help with at all, so it might just end up getting ignored in favor of Supporters that help early on. This card might see play in Expanded because situational Supporters are easier to access at the right time.
Verdict: Blue’s Tactics is a unique new card that is going largely unnoticed. I think it could see some fringe success in the future and might be good in Expanded.
Cherish Ball
Cherish Ball is clearly one of the best cards in the set, and possibly in the Standard format as a whole. However, it’s a little more deck specific than it initially seems — it’s not great in Malamar, and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX prefers [card name=”Electromagnetic Radar” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card]. Cherish Ball is a strong search option in this format where Pokemon search options are few and far between. It’s amazing with [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card], Mewtwo & Mew-GX, Dark Box, and more. Perhaps the best thing about Cherish Ball is that it can also turn into a “draw six” card by searching out [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card].
Verdict: Cherish Ball is an incredible new staple that will see lots of play in both formats.
Giant Bomb
Verdict: Giant Bomb is bad and over-hyped. It’s easy to play around and is very situational. Don’t play it — not even in Pikachu & Zekrom-GX.
Giant Hearth
Like Fire needed more support! Giant Hearth is insane. [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] was already decent for Fire decks. Giant Hearth also makes [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] even more busted than it already was. I don’t think this card is that great in Blacephalon unless you’re playing it with [card name=”Ninetales” set=”Team Up” no=”16″ c=”name”][/card], which is reasonable. Giant Hearth is useful in Reshiram & Charizard-GX, and it’s absolutely bonkers in my version of Mewtwo & Mew-GX.
Verdict: Great card for Fire decks, that’s all there is to say.
Great Potion
Great Potion is great. It’s phenomenal in Reshiram & Charizard-GX, and may see play in some Dark Box decks. I would not be surprised to see some Dark Box builds favor Great Potion over [card name=”Super Scoop Up” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card], though I think Super Scoop Up is a little bit better right now. Great Potion will also be used in any bulky tank decks that may show up in the future, such as [card name=”Gardevoir and Sylveon-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card]. I don’t think Great Potion will see any play in Expanded because of all the great healing options in that format, but it helps fill the void in Standard left by the rotation of [card name=”Max Potion” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Acerola” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card].
Verdict: Great Potion is a strong card in Standard that helps high-HP Tag Teams. I’d be surprised to see much of it in Expanded.
Hapu
Hapu is an interesting draw Supporter that has been experimented with in a few decks. It can be alright in Malamar although I don’t personally play it. Overall, I think Hapu is a bit weak and I wouldn’t consider it in most decks. I do think Hapu is solid in some Mewtwo & Mew builds though, I just don’t play it in mine because I rely on [card name=”Janine” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”176″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Venomoth-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”193″ c=”name”][/card].
Verdict: At the end of the day, Hapu is a draw Supporter that gets you two cards. I don’t like it at all, but some decks will try to make use of it.
Karate Belt
Verdict: Karate Belt could definitely see some play in Expanded with all of the Fighting-type support in that format. Fighting is pretty bad in Standard right now though.
Pokemon Research Lab
Pokemon Research Lab gives some much needed help to Fossil Pokemon such as [card name=”Aerodactyl” set=”Team Up” no=”130″ c=”name”][/card] and Carracosta. As I said earlier, I don’t think the Fossil archetype is good enough just yet, and this card’s success is bound to the deck’s potential as a whole.
Verdict: As part of the Fossil package, Research Lab will see fringe play in those kinds of decks. I doubt it will see any major success anytime soon.
Reset Stamp
As for what is probably my hottest take of the article, I think Reset Stamp is terrible and extremely degenerate. It is a purely luck-based card that is extremely situational. By playing Reset Stamp, you are hoping that you will magically not see it until the end of the game, that your opponent’s board is weak and their deck isn’t sufficiently thinned out, and that your opponent will draw poorly off it. This is a bit different for decks that can search out Reset Stamp on demand with something like [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card] or even [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM161″ c=”name”][/card], but I still am not a fan of the Stamp even in decks that can utilize those cards.
Reset Stamp will see tons of play because most people do not have the same opinion on it, so it’s definitely something to be prepared for. In fact, one of the main reasons why I like Malamar so much right now is because it does not care about opposing Reset Stamps. On the other hand, the only thing keeping me from playing Reshiram & Charizard-GX, which I think is otherwise broken, is the real possibility of it getting crippled by opposing Reset Stamps.
Verdict: Reset Stamp can and will see play in every archetype, but not every single player is using it in their particular list. I don’t like the card because I believe it’s too situational and relies on luck.
Stadium Nav
Stadium Nav is seeing play in Pikachu & Zekrom-GX to find [card name=”Thunder Mountain Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”191″ c=”name”][/card], but I think this is pointless with the existence of [card name=”Tapu Koko Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]. I would always rather play [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] to find Tapu Koko (which serves a similar purpose) while also adding overall consistency to the deck.
I think Stadium Nav is best used in something that runs multiple different Stadium cards. The best example of this would be Reshiram & Charizard-GX, but that actually isn’t the case because that deck already runs [card name=”Green’s Exploration” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card] to find specific Stadiums. Perhaps if something like [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] / Reshiram & Charizard-GX or Blacephalon-GX were to use a list with multiple different Stadiums, they could take advantage of Stadium Nav.
Verdict: This card isn’t amazing but will see a little bit of play.
Tag Switch
Tag Switch is excellent in Pikachu & Zekrom-GX, though I wouldn’t play more than two because [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”129″ c=”name”][/card] is more versatile for facilitating early Full Blitzes. However, Tag Switch is valuable because it can easily create GX attack plays such as Tag Bolt GX or Lightning Ride GX. Reshiram & Charizard-GX doesn’t need this at all because it has [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card], and Dark Box already has Weavile-GX. The only other deck I see potentially using Tag Switch right now would be some variants of Mewtwo & Mew, but it doesn’t seem to be a popular inclusion at the moment.
Verdict: Tag Switch is amazing in Pikachu & Zekrom-GX but I don’t expect to see it with anything else.
U-Turn Board
U-Turn Board is a pretty bad card right now. Most of the time, [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] is only played alongside Jirachi. Even in decks that don’t play Jirachi, Escape Board is arguably better because it offers an out to Raichu & Alolan Raichu-GX‘s Paralysis. The only niche for U-Turn Board would be in a deck in which all of the Pokemon already get OHKO’d by Raichu & Alolan Raichu-GX, and that doesn’t run Jirachi. I suppose Beheeyem will use the card to turn some of its walls into a pivot, and maybe a copy of U-Turn Board could go into [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Shedinja” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card]?
Verdict: This card is bad. Escape Board is almost always a better option.
Recycle Energy
Recycle Energy is a neat card but its partners seem limited. [card name=”Oranguru” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”114″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Shedinja” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] can make use of this card. It also pairs well with the new Aegislash, which I didn’t already mention because there’s no way it will ever see competitive success. I’m sure there are things I’m not considering with it, because it’s not a card I’ve looked into much. For all I know, it could be involved in some crazy Expanded combo.
Verdict: Recycle Energy is a neat option for Oranguru loop decks, but, other than that, to be determined.
Weakness Guard Energy
Weakness Guard Energy is a great card to have in existence. It will function similarly to [card name=”Weakness Policy” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card] in Standard, though I imagine Weakness Policy itself is much better in Expanded. Funny enough, the projected popular attackers such as [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card], Garchomp & Giratina-EX, etc. all have Weaknesses to uncommon attacking types. [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card], while weak to Dark, will usually get OHKO’d regardless of said Weakness. This means that Weakness Guard Energy isn’t receiving any immediate hype. I am sure this card will have a place as the meta develops a little bit more and when counters to top decks start getting played a bit more.
Verdict: This is a cool card to have but will probably not see much play at Worlds. It will definitely see some play as time goes on.
Conclusion
That brings us to the end of the set! I hope this set review was informative, as it has more testing behind it than normal set reviews. I hope you enjoy the two lists I presented as well. I think both Malamar and Dark Box can make use of some powerful yet obscure cards that have been going under the radar thus far. This new set is huge and has a ton of unique cards as well as some insane new Tag Teams. Unified Minds combined with the rotation is sure to shake up the game as we know it.
Thank you so much for reading!
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