Blacephalon-GX Post-Rotation — All You Need to Know

Mind Blown can one-shot anything. Using [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] has been a key part of the metagame since its release, but with the rotation set to happen, many folks have been uncertain about its future. So what changed? On the surface, the deck lost: [card name=”Alolan Muk” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”58″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Shining Legends” no=”45″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Tapu Lele-GX” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”60″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Shining Legends” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card]. That’s not that much in comparison to some other decks, but it’s still a relevant loss. Now there is a new threat on horizon: Tapu Fini. The main problem is its second attack:

[W][W][C] Nature Wave: 100 damage. If your opponent has any Ultra Beasts in play, the cost for this attack is [C].

For such a cost, any deck could play it if it wanted and as a non-GX it will be awkward for a Blacephalon-GX deck to address it properly. Its 120 HP makes it worse, not allowing [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”name”][/card] to one-shot it with Turning Point unless the Blacephalon-GX has three Prizes remaining, and even Blacephalon-GX needs to use Blown with three Fire Energy for one Prize. In any case, the hype around Blacephalon-GX has faded more and more into mediocry in recent times. With this in mind, it’ll be interesting to see if any decks actually end up playing the new Tapu Fini and if they don’t, the good old cake pop could have a field day.

“New” Options

New Naganadel-GX

The new Naganadel-GX is nice for Blacephalon-GX decks as a support Pokemon. I’ve been playing three copies, not to get three out, but to get one down and to discard the other two to draw cards. This is likely better than [card name=”Persian-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”149″ c=”name”][/card] which is much harder to find and requires you to play Cherish Ball. Using [card name=”Ultra Space” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] fills the void Ultra Ball left behind and it is a good idea to use it to its full potential by playing a searchable consistency card like this Naganadel-GX. Ultra Conversion helps you fly through your deck and find [card name=”Beast Ring” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] on the turns you can use them, and it can even thin your deck of things you don’t need anymore in the late game like extra Blacephalon-GX. While it can’t attack without using [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], its Ability alone is reason enough to play it.

Ninetales

While not a Unified Minds card, [card name=”Ninetales” set=”Team Up” no=”16″ c=”name”][/card] should be added to Blacephalon-GX as a gust effect and extra support for getting Fire Energy into the discard pile. This was previously unplayed because Guzma existed. Blacephalon-GX doesn’t have the most space for [card name=”Custom Catcher” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] and playing Ninetales instead is a nice way to be able to gust multiple times in a game! Discarding Fire Energy isn’t a bad thing either because it works in tandem with Naganadel to Charging Up the Energy back into play.

Various Musings

I started testing Blacephalon-GX with: [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], Persian-GX, and Cherish Ball. First of all, Cherish Ball is only strong to fetch either of the aforementioned Pokemon. It’s not necessary to find Blacephalon-GX since, with four of the them, you’ll be drawing into them often enough naturally, even if you don’t you have Ultra Space for a guaranteed search if you need it. Cherish Ball clogs up the deck and this deck doesn’t want to put easy Prizes like Dedenne-GX down on the Bench. By putting one down, you take away a spot from a Naganadel so you can more easily take Knock Outs. I’m not a huge fan of Persian-GX because you only get amazingly good use out of it one, maybe two times a game if you even manage to set it up. Now here’s my list:

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[decklist name=”Blacephalon-GX” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″][pokemon amt=”19″]4x [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Poipole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”55″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x Naganadel-GX (Unified Minds)1x [card name=”Vulpix” set=”Team Up” no=”15″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ninetales” set=”Team Up” no=”16″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”25″]4x [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/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=”Beast Ring” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Ultra Space” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Heat Factory Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”16″]15x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”15″][/card]1x [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

Explainations

Four Blacephalon-GX

I’ve seen some lists go down to three because that’s usually how many you attack with in a game. The problem with this is that you’ll start with it about 10% less of the time. You’re looking at 42.55% with three (ten Basic Pokemon total), but when you add the fourth copy you have a decent 51.38% chance (now with 11 Basic Pokemon.) Getting a first turn Burst GX while playing second is fantastic; even if you play first, you can use Mind Blown on your second turn. Starting with [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] is almost always your optimal play. so giving yourself the best odds to do so makes sense.

Four Poipole, Four Naganadel, Three Naganadel-GX, One Ditto Prism Star

Poison Spit [card name=”Poipole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card] is the best version (just one [card name=”Poipole” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] with Eye Opener one isn’t terrible, I prefer four of these.) It sets up Knock Outs after Poison damage ticks. If you’re using Eye Opener with Poipole, you’re probably losing the game anyways. Poison could win you a game, whereas the other one probably won’t. Having four [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”name”][/card] is important in this format because you’ll draw into them early and often. Having an extra gives you better odds of drawing into it naturally, as you want to play three of them in a game. This makes up for some of the losses most decks take in the consistency department from the rotation. Three Naganadel-GX is so you have some fodder for its  Ultra Conversion Ability after you set your first one up. The one [card name=”Ditto Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] acts as a “fifth” Poipole, although you can use it to get Ninetales out also if you happen to Prize or discard your [card name=”Vulpix” set=”Team Up” no=”15″ c=”name”][/card], which can be hard to find sometimes. Having more ways to draw into the Basic Pokemon you need to set up is good in this format. For that reason alone, Ditto Prism Star is worth playing, not to mention that you might want two Naganadel-GX up some games and three regular Naganadel, requiring another base to evolve upon.

One Vulpix, One Ninetales

[cardimg name=”Ninetales” set=”Team Up” no=”16″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

This list plays no way to search out either of these Pokemon. That’s fine because these are pieces you want towards the end of the game once you’re all set up. That said, you can bide time while you’re waiting to find them. With so many draw cards in this deck, including but not limited to your Supporters and [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card], you’re bound to draw into either at some point and get to gusting up juicy Pokemon in no time. Having an edge like this in the Prize trade is important in this format so that you never fall behind. With so many three Prize Tag Team Pokemon-GX out there, you can win the game in as few as two turns off two Knock Outs!

One Mew

The best deck in the format right now is [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]. I wrote about it here and still like the deck! It’s consistent and it would normally give Blacephalon-GX a bunch of problems without a direct counter to it. Having a [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] with Bench Barrier gives you the option to find it early with [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] and prevent Tag Bolt GX from giving your opponent the edge in the Prize race. Tag Bolt GX can go as far as to play around [card name=”Beast Ring” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] entirely. Without Beast Ring your deck loses a ton of steam. Mew is a must in this format for Pikachu and Zekrom-GX decks alone, especially for this deck that can be utterly demolished without being able to use Beast Ring.

Four Lillie, Four Cynthia, and Two Welder

Using [card name=”Lillie” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card] is great in this format, don’t listen to anyone that tells you otherwise. Drawing up to eight cards on your first turn is as good as ever and there are many cards in this deck that can be played immediately to decrease your hand size to something more maneuverable. Four [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] is for the middle of the game when you need a new hand and don’t want to draw just a couple cards off Lillie. In the new format, [card name=”Erika’s Hospitality” set=”Team Up” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] is better than it has been in the past, but I don’t think it’s good enough to replace either of these mainstay Supporters. If your opponent knows you’re relying on Erika’s Hospitality, they can play less Pokemon down and prevent you from getting more cards. I could see running one in place of a Cynthia, but I would always run four Lillie to maximize your chances of actually getting good value out of it on your first turn. Playing a lower count of Lillie makes no sense because you have a lower chance of drawing it on your first turn when it’s the best Supporter you can play in this deck! Two [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] is enough; a third would be nice, but Welder should be in this deck in general because it gives you more ways to power up Blacephalon-GX; even without Beast Ring and competing with the bulky HP of Tag Team Pokemon-GX, which look to be even more popular in the post-rotation Standard format.

Four Acro Bike

Why these? It’s the best Item-based draw card in this format, ahead of [card name=”Order Pad” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”131″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Judge Whistle” set=”Team Up” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card]. Order Pad would be decent in this deck if you could fit it, granting you more outs to Beast Ring, but Acro Bike edges it out in the early game because it thins your deck and can get Fire Energy into the discard pile for Charging Up. You need to find a lot of Basic Pokemon on your first turn and while Order Pad can grab a Mysterious Treasure to do that, it takes a Mysterious Treasure out of the deck that you could have drawn from your Supporter for the turn. Acro Bike also can draw you into a Supporter card, something that Order Pad cannot. Acro Bike helps you find Basic Pokemon by drawing you extra cards before or after your Supporter and without Poipole to evolve, this deck loses a lot of its gusto.

Two Ultra Space

I could see playing more [card name=”Ultra Space” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], but with it being limited to a once-per-turn effect, Acro Bike beats it for some of the space in this deck. If a spot turns up, I would add a third, but for now two has been fine. Remember, you still play [card name=”Heat Factory Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] as well, so you’re not always going to want to have an Ultra Space in play in the first place. Ultra Space is to grant you more outs to nearly all the Pokemon in your deck and help you get out as many Naganadel as possible. Moreover, it’s nice to have an Ultra Conversion fodder-finder, you can search out another Ultra Beast, discard it, and draw three with Naganadel-GX!

Options

More consistency would be nice as I’ve made mention to already. More copies of some of the non-maxed counts like Ultra Space are a good idea if there’s a card you don’t like and want to switch out. The [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Persian-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”149″ c=”name”][/card] / Cherish Ball lineup is another option, one that I dislike and feel that Naganadel-GX is better than. Speaking of Naganadel-GX, there’s a [card name=”Naganadel-GX” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”56″ c=”name”][/card] with Stinger GX, too! Stinger GX can allow you to just take one Tag Team Pokemon-GX Knock Out to win the game, but I haven’t liked it in testing because things like Pikachu and Zekrom-GX can use Reset Stamp and then take out the Naganadel-GX, moving down to a single Prize and deactivating Beast Ring, forcing you to find a whole lot to win the game on your next turn. A Mewtwo and Mew-GX in this deck gives you an out to Tapu Fini if you want to play that and it has 270 HP–way more than [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card]. It’s a Tag Team Pokemon-GX, so it gives up three Prizes after a Knock Out, but that’s the only downside. You could try [card name=”Custom Catcher” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”171″ c=”name”][/card] in this deck, but I don’t like it in comparison to [card name=”Ninetales” set=”Team Up” no=”16″ c=”name”][/card]. Other Stadiums like [card name=”Lysandre Labs” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”111″ c=”name”][/card] are alright in this deck, but I wouldn’t play anything like that over more Ultra Space. Remember, Reset Stamp is never a bad idea in any deck, but this deck aims to win the game in as few turns as possible so I don’t think it adds much to the equation. Using [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”182″ c=”name”][/card] is another way to increase your odds of hitting the first turn Lillie. Another mid-game option to power up Blacephalon-GX without Welder is [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”129″ c=”name”][/card]. You can use [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] to find [card name=”Poipole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”55″ c=”name”][/card], something I’ve messaged around with but not liked that much. Finally, a non-GX attacking option other than [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”name”][/card] is alright, [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Turtonator” set=”Dragon Majesty” no=”50″ c=”name”][/card], and maybe something I’m missing could be an idea here. I’ve also seen a lot of community-posted lists playing [card name=”Switch” set=”Evolutions” no=”88″ c=”name”][/card]. Not sure why, but that’s an option too I guess!

Playing the Deck

Setting up as many Naganadel as possible is your first step. That’s pretty simple to say, but harder to do! Sometimes you can draw poorly and things spiral out of control. Blacephalon-GX is a super linear deck and not much of your early turns change game to game. Get a Blacephalon-GX down and start attaching Energy to it and get as many Naganadel down as possible so you can consistently churn out damage with Mind Blown. Thinning out dead cards like the Mysterious Treasure you don’t need anymore and pieces of Pokemon like the Naganadel-GX after you have one out is a good idea so you can hit as many Beast Ring as possible on the turns you can use them. I like to get a Naganadel-GX out early so you can start using Ultra Conversion to draw through your deck and thin dead cards while you’re at it. Map out your Prizes and look towards getting a Ninetales down so you can gust up multiple-Prize Pokemon to accelerate your game plan. This deck doesn’t require much planning, but to play it to the fullest, you want to map out your Prizes to the best of your ability. Burst GX speeds things up and allows you to have some more control over what Prizes you take when. Give it a go and see what you think!

Matchups

The format has whittled down to a few major contendors, decks that are seen by most as the best decks and ones you should expect to play against the most. These decks are: Darkness Toolbox, [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Shedinja” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] Control. While there are other decks that are close behind, these are the main ones. Some of these other decks include the following: [card name=”Alolan Exeggutor” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”2″ c=”name”][/card], Mewtwo and Mew-GX Toolbox, Naganadel-GX Toolbox, [card name=”Unidentified Fossil” set=”Team Up” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card] Toolbox, and [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] Toolbox. Of these decks, Blacephalon-GX decks don’t pair well against non-GX builds because you rely on your Blacephalon-GX, a two Prize Pokemon, to do big damage. Naganadel is decent to attack with in matchups where it can one-shot, like against a Spiritomb deck, as it only has 60 HP. However, against something like Alolan Exeggutor, your opponent can two-shot you and you have to burn four Fire Energy with Mind Blown for a one-hit Knock Out against a one Prize Pokemon; pretty rough.

• Darkness Toolbox: Even
• Malamar: Even
• Pikachu and Zekrom-GX: Even
• Reshiram and Charizard-GX: Even
• Shedinja Control: Slightly Favorable

I want to keep these matchups short and sweet because there isn’t much manueverability in a Blacephalon-GX deck for outplaying an opponent. It’s a deck that if it sets up well, it will win, and [card name=”Beast Ring” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] hits matter quite a bit . I’ll skim over the matchups instead.

Darkness Toolbox

Against Darkness Toolbox, you have a bit of trouble with Mega Sableye and Tyranitar-GX and its Greedy Crush. It one-shots a Blacephalon-GX and gets to take an extra Prize, but it takes a lot to set up to get to that point. That’s where the even designation comes in, you have a shot if you can outspeed your opponent. Ninetales is nice to gust up a Weavile-GX and one-shot it, removing the threat of a big Greedy Crush to get ahead. Otherwise, if you fear the worst, you can avoid putting a Pokemon-GX down until your opponent takes two Prizes, then go for a Beast Ring turn that puts you in the lead. That’s difficult since you only have four Naganadel and your opponent will Knock Out two of them, but that’s one of the crafty ways you can win. Be warned that Greedy Crush can play around Beast Ring, provided your opponent takes a one Prize Knock Out before a Pokemon-GX Knock Out for three Prizes.

Malamar

Malamar is a basic Prize trade, sometimes your opponent will be playing [card name=”Dawn Wings Necrozma-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM101″ c=”name”][/card] and have a GX attack that puts them far ahead, unless of course you have Ninetales down, but they can do that very early and get a lead. Otherwise, you’re more than likely to be facing a Garchomp and Giratina-GX which is beatable. It comes down to some of the tech inclusions on your opponent’s side, like if they have [card name=”Spell Tag” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”190″ c=”name”][/card] then they can use a non-GX based front with [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] to do 130, 40 from Spell Tag, and 10 more from a Distortion Door to finish a Blacephalon-GX Knock Out all for just one Prize. Garchomp and Giratina-GX has 270 HP, so you’ll need to Mind Blown six Fire Energy to take it out. That’s doable and if you can trade two Blacephalon-GX for two Tag Team Pokemon-GX you’ll win every game. This matchup comes down to who sets up faster and the quality of that setup. As always, try to do as little work as possible to take all your Prizes, such to speed the game up as much as you can.

Pikachu and Zekrom-GX

[cardimg name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

This matchup is even because they can speed off before [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] is able to be played, or if you have a shaky setup. I’ve played this matchup the most and I am confident it’s even. You can one-shot as always, but if your opponent ever gets to Tag Bolt GX to play around Beast Ring, you’re going to lose. Make sure you get Mew down at least before your opponent can use Tag Bolt GX, so if you see it coming, play around it. Go for a Pikachu and Zekrom-GX Knock Out, a Burst GX, and a [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Zeraora-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] Knock Out to win, or just two Tag Team Pokemon-GX Knock Outs.

Reshiram and Charizard-GX

The matchup with Reshiram and Charizard-GX is similar, but your opponent doesn’t apply as much pressure as quickly, unless they get lucky. As long as you don’t fall super far behind, you’ll always be on an even playing field in this matchup because it will come down to if you hit the pieces to Knock Out the second Tag Team Pokemon-GX (or a Pokemon-GX after you use Burst GX and take one three Prize Knock Out.) Using Naganadel-GX is important to get down for Ultra Conversion in a matchup like this where if you can take two Reshiram and Charizard-GX down you’ll win the game. Your opponent doesn’t have a way to play around Beast Ring, so it’s possible you get to make a massive checkmate turn happen if afforded the opportunity.

Shedinja Control

This is a slightly favorable matchup because of [card name=”Ninetales” set=”Team Up” no=”16″ c=”name”][/card]. The Nine Temptations Ability will be able to take you all your Prizes if you’re careful with it. You have fifteen Fire Energy so that’s six Nine Temptations if you want it, but you can’t really do that without being locked out of the game and losing all your Energy. Burst GX gets you one Prize and you’ll hopefully take at least one non-Shedinja locked Knock Out before the lock begins. Then you’ll have ample uses of Nine Temptations to finish up the rest of the job! Be careful, don’t put anything unnessessary into play, I would do two [card name=”Naganadel” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”108″ c=”name”][/card] and one [card name=”Blacephalon-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”52″ c=”name”][/card] for your Active attacker, aside from the Ninetales you need for your Bench. The challenging part of making this all work will revolve around how many Energy you need to discard, versus the number you’ll need to send to the Lost Zone with Mind Blown. Using Naganadel to use Turning Point on your three Prize turn is good to conserve Energy and with [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] you can Knock Out softer Pokemon on your opponent’s Bench, saving Energy from being sent to the Lost Zone. Be careful and you should win, barring bad Prizes with the Ninetales line or a bunch of Fire Energy in them!

Conclusion

Blacephalon-GX is as powerful as ever and its matchups are nice. Even to favorable ones against the field is super attractive, but the only thing that concerns me is the amount of luck that goes into swinging those into your favor. This deck is a great option for anyone with limited testing, or for someone that’s played a lot of Blacephalon-GX in the past before the rotation. Check it out and try it out for yourself! Thanks for reading, hit me up in the Subscribers’ Hideout, and take care!

Peace,

Caleb

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