Single-Prize Attackers in Standard — Spiritomb and Spell Tag / Malamar
[cardimg name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Hello everyone, this is Grant Manley, once again. The current Standard format has been dominated so far by big Basics and Pokemon VMAX such as [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM168″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card]. This opens up the opportunity for single-Prize attackers to leverage the Prize trade to take advantage of these matchups. [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] has been the most popular option for this so far. However, there are a couple more obscure decks that use single-Prize attackers, which I will cover today. The main appeal for these types of decks is their matchup spreads and anti-meta tendencies. Even a deck like Blacephalon, which is indisputably a mainstream meta deck, has its place solely because it matches up well against most of the bigger Pokemon in the meta due to its ability to trade one Prize for two or three. In a metagame with other single-Prize attacking decks, or even in a vacuum, the Blacephalon deck isn’t great.
At a recent major online tournament, a [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] deck was able to make Top 8 out of over 1000 players. Prior to this, I was not a fan of Spiritomb as I considered it to be a weak archetype. However, Andrew Wambolt’s list seems to be highly optimized, and I decided to give it a try as it was able to make Top 8. I was surprised to find out that not only was the deck good, but it was a lot of fun. Additionally, it’s incredibly involved and skill-intensive. Finally, the Spiritomb deck is actually able to compete with every matchup and win. I’d say it’s even or favorable against every other meta deck. The only downsides to the Spiritomb deck are that its consistency is a bit suspect, and it is somewhat high-maintenance. One might think that the obvious solution to this is to add more draw cards or something like that in order to improve consistency, but when you look at the list, it’s hard to make space for something like that.
Andrew’s Spiritomb Deck List
[decklist name=”tomb” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Tapu Fini” set=”Unified Minds” no=”53″][pokemon amt=”17″]4x [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Jynx” set=”Unified Minds” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Nihilego” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”1″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Phione” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Fini” set=”Unified Minds” no=”53″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]4x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Hustle Belt” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”134″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Ordinary Rod” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”171″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]4x [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”151″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Aurora Energy” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”186″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Black and White” no=”111″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
As I said, I was initially skeptical of the list, but I decided to give it a go. This might be the first time in a while that I’ve ever considered that someone else’s list might be perfect. I normally make at least minor changes to lists I see online. I mentioned consistency issues, but the consistency isn’t terrible or anything. We have eight draw Supporters, four [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card], and four [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card]. The biggest problem I’ve actually run into is finding all the specific Pokemon I need at a given time. For that reason, I’m considering adding one or two copies of [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] to the deck. Aside from [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card], there aren’t any amazing Pokemon search options. So far I’ve been playing this exact list, but I’m going to try cutting a [card name=”Shrine of Punishment” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card] and the Darkness Energy for two Pokemon Communication.
Playing Spiritomb
[premium]
[cardimg name=”Jynx” set=”Unified Minds” no=”76″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Spiritomb is the main attacker, and you usually want to get two of them down early to start building up damage counters on your board. Spiritomb can hit for up to 220 damage, which is enough to take out a [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] in one shot. The only Pokemon that Spiritomb cannot OHKO are Tag Team Pokemon-GX, though it can put them within range of [card name=”Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”1″ c=”name”][/card]’s Beast Game GX. [card name=”Jynx” set=”Unified Minds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] allows for damage optimization, and it single-handedly adds a new dimension of skill and decision-making into the deck. You want at least one Jynx in play at all times, though every once in a while you’ll need both to make a specific combo.
The other Pokemon are strong attackers that take some of the burden off Spiritomb. Since each Spiritomb requires a heavy investment of damage counters in order to make it a threat, it’s difficult to utilize multiple heavy-hitting Spiritomb each game. Furthermore, Spiritomb goes down easily, so the deck requires other attackers. [card name=”Buzzwole” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] obliterates [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card], and is still a solid attacker in other matchups. Whenever an opponent is at four Prizes, look for Buzzwole to attack with instead of Spiritomb. [card name=”Nihilego” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card] is good for one big attack in most games, usually copying a Brave Blade against Zacian V. [card name=”Tapu Fini” set=”Unified Minds” no=”53″ c=”name”][/card] is good against [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card], and it’s worth playing because it swings that matchup from contentious to a near auto-win. Tapu Fini is also useful in the mirror match.
Phermosa and Buzzwole-GX’s Beast Game GX does 50 damage and takes an extra Prize card against anything it knocks out. [card name=”Beast Energy Prism Star” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] adds 30 damage to this, making it an option that can end games suddenly. Spiritomb’s attack is actually the perfect partner for Beast Game GX. Not only does Spiritomb deal a ton of damage, but it’s also easy to manipulate how much damage Spiritomb does. If you set up a Beast Game GX KO against a Tag Team or a VMAX, that only leaves two Prizes left to take, which can easily be found with [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”name”][/card] against [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card]. Usually, though, Beast Game GX will instead be used to take a KO for two Prizes against smaller Pokemon such as Jirachi or [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card].
In some games, Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX’s value comes from its other attributes. It’s a bulky, 260-HP Tag Team Pokemon-GX that can deal snipe damage with Jet Punch or deliver a big hit with Elegant Sole. While it’s uncommon to use anything other than Beast Game GX, I have used these other attacks to create unconventional win conditions. Even aside from its useful but gimmicky GX attack, Pheromosa and Buzzwole-GX is still a solid card.
The other Pokemon offer utility in their own ways. [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] can spread damage counters and blocks snipe attacks such as Tag Bolt GX and [card name=”Cramorant V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card]’s Spit Shot. [card name=”Phione” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] compounds early pressure, as Spiritomb can start attacking as early as turn 1. Phione also combos with [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] to deal with [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card]. Dedenne-GX offers a powerful draw option off Quick Ball (and by extension, Stellar Wish), which can be used to find combo plays that would otherwise be unreachable.
Spiritomb’s Matchups
Zacian V / Jirachi Prism Star – 60-40
This matchup is slightly favorable for [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card]. While Zacian V has the edge in the consistency department, it matches up poorly against Spiritomb’s arsenal. It’s important to avoid playing down Pokemon-GX in this matchup, as that will negate the advantageous Prize trade that Spiritomb would otherwise have. Spiritomb can usually find a OHKO against a Zacian V somewhere along the line, as can Nihilego. The other two Prizes can be a Dedenne-GX snipe, a Beast Game GX KO, two small KO’s while Zacian V is setting up, or a 2HKO against another Zacian V. They will try to use [card name=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] to even the prize trade, but the entire combo involving that card is difficult to pull off multiple times against Spiritomb’s [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] usage.
Pikachu and Zekrom-GX – 60-40
Pikachu and Zekrom-GX’s consistency and early aggression keep this from being a landslide for Spiritomb. Buzzwole is huge in this matchup. Mew is only needed if there is an imminent threat of Tag Bolt GX, otherwise reserve the Bench spot for something more useful. Nihilego will often copy Tag Bolt GX for a solid 200 damage. Great Catcher is used to finish off a damaged Tag Team Pokemon-GX or to wipe out Dedenne-GX for an easy two Prizes. If you’re forced to use Dedenne-GX in this matchup, don’t forget about the option of using Tingly Return GX off the opponent’s [card name=”Thunder Mountain Prism Star” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”191″ c=”name”][/card].
Dragapult VMAX – 55-45
Spiritomb can easily OHKO a [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card]. However, Max Phantom’s spread damage is extremely disruptive, usually taking out a [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] and a Spiritomb at the same time. This deck is forced to find the combo of Spiritomb, [card name=”Hustle Belt” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”134″ c=”name”][/card], Jynx, and [card name=”Rainbow Energy” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”151″ c=”name”][/card] in order to OHKO a Dragapult VMAX out of nowhere. Dedenne-GX will often play a role in making this combo happen, and it’s not a huge liability in this matchup. All of the alternate attackers will not do much in this matchup; it’s all about Spiritomb here. Be careful and conservative about benching Spiritomb until it’s time to go on the offensive.
Blacephalon – 85-15
This matchup is a joke. With Tapu Fini, Spiritomb, and Buzzwole, this deck trades one-prize attackers against Blacephalon with ease. Great Catcher and Boss’s Orders can take out any two-prize Pokemon, and you want to avoid benching your own Pokemon-GX.
Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX — 35-65
[cardimg name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Spiritomb takes advantage of the fact that [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] is losing popularity in the current format. The Zacian V version is now almost completely replaced by Zacian V / Jirachi Prism Star, and the Spiritomb version sees a bit of lingering play but now has to compete with this Ultra Beast version of Spiritomb. However, should you find yourself against Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX, the matchup is winnable but definitely unfavorable. Altered Creation GX invalidates the premise of this deck and evens up the Prize trade. At the same time, they’ll either be using single-Prize attackers (such as Spiritomb or Jirachi Prism Star) to straight-up win the Prize trade, or high-HP attackers (such as Zacian V) that require a lot more effort to deal with. Draw well, hope they draw poorly and take out as many multi-Prize targets as possible.
Cinccino Disruption – 70-30
With the early pressure applied by Spiritomb and Phione, in addition to the full count of Marnie, [card name=”Cinccino” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card] decks have a hard time establishing much of anything. Keep in mind that Cinccino’s Energy Assist can easily take out Spiritomb, so you need to build up multiples.
Malamar Deck List
[decklist name=”mally” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″][pokemon amt=”18″]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=”Mimikyu” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Trevenant and Dusknoir-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM217″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”34″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Spell Tag” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”190″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Switch” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”147″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Lana’s Fishing Rod” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”195″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]7x [card name=”Psychic Energy” set=”XY” no=”136″ c=”deck2″ amt=”7″][/card]1x [card name=”Recycle Energy” set=”Unified Minds” no=”212″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
[card name=”Spell Tag” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”190″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] has seen no attention whatsoever since Rebel Clash dropped. This is because Dragapult VMAX came out and instantly became popular. And Malamar is bad against Dragapult VMAX. I couldn’t think of a way to make this matchup favorable for Malamar, so I’m accepting the unfavorable matchup and pinning it on cheesing with the hand disruption package. Aside from that bad matchup, I think Malamar has a lot going for it right now. If you’ve played any Malamar this season, you’ll notice that this list has a few notable changes from previous iterations.
Changes to Malamar
I’ve abandoned the small consistency increase of [card name=”Acro Bike” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] in exchange for some more niche utility Items like [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card]. Furthermore, I now favor [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] over [card name=”Cynthia” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card], though I’ve upped the overall Supporter count to make up for the loss of Acro Bike. [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] replaces [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”name”][/card], though this is a debatable choice, and Great Catcher is certainly a reasonable option. Finally, [card name=”Trevenant and Dusknoir-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM217″ c=”name”][/card] is my Pokemon-GX of choice.
Breaking the Malamar List Down
Two Mimikyu
[cardimg name=”Mimikyu” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM99″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
[card name=”Mimikyu” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM99″ c=”name”][/card] is more energy-efficient than [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card], and it’s often more powerful as well. It’s even better against [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] now that the [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] version has fallen out of favor and Zacian V is the deck’s only attacker. Mimikyu is also great against [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] unless they’re attacking with [card name=”Boltund V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”67″ c=”name”][/card]. If the opponent tries to play around Mimikyu, we still have other powerful attackers. Mimikyu is solid against Dragapult VMAX as well. After the use of a Spell Tag, we can snipe off something like [card name=”Jirachi” set=”Team Up” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] by copying Max Phantom.
One Giratina
You could definitely play a second Giratina, but it’s not necessary because Giratina can recover itself over and over. The only reason to play a second one here would be to circumvent the chance of a lone copy being in your Prizes, but I am accepting that risk. The deck isn’t helpless without it anyway. Giratina is useful against [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] and Boltund V, as well as any time an opponent tries to play around Mimikyu’s Copycat.
One Mew
[card name=”Mew” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] has always been great in Malamar because it prevents sniping around Spell Tag, especially since [card name=”Cramorant V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”155″ c=”name”][/card] came out. Mew’s Psypower attack is decent as well, and it has synergy with Spell Tag.
One Blacephalon
Fireworks Bomb is normally a slightly stronger version of Psypower, which is already decent, but it becomes a broken attack if your opponent is at three Prizes. It can take out multiple smaller Pokemon at once, or it could set up KOs for our other attackers. There’s rarely a reason not to use [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card], and opponents are usually forced to play into the three Prize turn because this deck will only have one Prize Pokemon in play.
One Trevenant and Dusknoir-GX and Two Reset Stamp
Both of [card name=”Trevenant and Dusknoir-GX” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM217″ c=”name”][/card]’s attacks pair amazingly well with hand disruption. Using Night Watch after Marnie will leave an opponent with few options, and Night Watch after a late-game [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] will completely delete the opponent’s hand. Additionally, Pale Moon GX, after a late-game Reset Stamp, is strong and it can generate otherwise-impossible comebacks, particularly against [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card]. The combination of Reset Stamp and Trevenant and Dusknoir-GX is ridiculously powerful, and can be used in any matchup.
Two Tool Scrapper
[card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card] has a lot of value in a deck like [card name=”Spell Tag” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”190″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card], where each damage counter is meticulously planned and placed. This is because defensive Tools such as [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] are on the rise. Drawing Tool Scrapper at the right time can be equated to placing three damage counters on the opponent’s field, which is an insanely broken effect for an Item. In particular, removing a [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Metal Frying Pan” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] from Zacian V allows Mimikyu to take a OHKO by copying Brave Blade. Without Tool Scrapper, we’d have to rely on Spell Tag, which is not as reliable as it used to be with most decks running [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] and Tool Scrapper.
Tool Scrapper also gets rid of [card name=”Escape Board” set=”Ultra Prism” no=”122″ c=”name”][/card] on opposing Jirachi, which makes the hand disruption combo more effective. The opponent may get to use Stellar Wish, but it’s now that much more difficult to move the Jirachi out of the Active.
Malamar’s Matchups
Zacian V / Jirachi Prism Star – 75-25
This version of [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] lacks any strong attacker besides Zacian V, which gets destroyed by [card name=”Mimikyu” set=”Sun and Moon Black Star Promos” no=”SM99″ c=”name”][/card]. Furthermore, it’s difficult for them to maximize the number of times they get the [card name=”Jirachi Prism Star” set=”Celestial Storm” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] combo while also playing around Blacephalon. If they get the combo for their first KO, which is possible, then we can put all four Spell Tag counters on Jirachi Prism Star and KO with either Fireworks Bomb or Psypower plus Giratina’s Distortion Door Ability. If for some reason we do not activate Spell Tag, they have to immediately get the combo for their next KO, or else we use Fireworks Bomb’s full effect to take out the Jirachi Prism Star. It’s difficult for them to get the Jirachi Prism Star combo for both their first and second KO’s, especially against constant Marnie usage. And nearly every time they attack with Brave Blade, they lose a Zacian V with three Energy and may struggle to replace it.
Pikachu and Zekrom-GX – 65-35
This matchup has always been good for Malamar. [card name=”Giratina” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] and Mimikyu trade favorably, Blacephalon and Boss’s Orders can pick off damaged Pokemon on the Bench, and Mew stops Tag Bolt GX.
Dragapult VMAX – 30-70
[cardimg name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Dragapult VMAX tears through this deck and has so much HP, so it’s difficult to deal with. With Malamar being gunned down, we’ll need to utilize the Energy-efficient Mimikyu, which can also snipe [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] to slow down the opposing spread damage. You’ll need to find a way to set up two Malamar so that Trevenant and Dusknoir-GX can start attacking out of nowhere. If we preemptively play down Trevnant and Dusknoir-GX, it will take spread damage, putting it within 2HKO range of Max Phantom. A clean Trevenant and Dusknoir-GX will require three Max Phantom attacks to take down, and it can dish out a lot of disruption with Pale Moon GX and Night Watch combined with [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card].
Blacephalon – 80-20
This matchup is extremely favorable. Giratina, our own Blacephalon, and [card name=”Spell Tag” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”190″ c=”name”][/card] make this one easy. Mew blocks Spit Shot, and Reset Stamp can halt a turn or two from them during the late game.
Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX – ???
I haven’t played this matchup recently. Spell Tag invalidates [card name=”Spiritomb” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] against that version, so that’s something. Mimikyu is great against Zacian V, though the Prize trade can still go either way because of Altered Creation GX. Like the Spiritomb deck I talked about earlier, [card name=”Malamar” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card] takes advantage of the fact [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] is not as popular as it used to be.
Cinccino – Depends
The strategy for this matchup is to attack with Night Watch as soon as possible. Combined with constant Marnie usage, we are trying to shut [card name=”Cinccino” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”147″ c=”name”][/card] out of the game and limit their options. This will sometimes work, and it sometimes won’t.
Conclusion
If you’re a little tired of the same big Basic decks over and over, give these decks a try! Malamar may have a relevant bad matchup in Dragapult VMAX, but it’s still well-positioned overall. Spiritomb has an insane matchup spread, though I feel that Malamar is a bit more consistent.
I enjoy the Spiritomb deck. It’s fun, thought-intensive, and it has, at least, a reasonable matchup against everything. If you haven’t played it yet, definitely give it a shot. I think the deck might be optimal as is, so shoutout to Andrew Wambolt for making such a clean list and playing it well at a major tournament. As I mentioned earlier though, I’m going to try out [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”name”][/card] to hopefully smooth out some of the consistency imperfections, as the deck relies on getting specific Basic Pokemon at specific times. You run out of [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card] fast!
As for Malamar, I played it at dozens of Cups and Challenges early in the season. I also did somewhat well at a Regional and an International with it. Malamar always seems to be a decent option, and I wanted to give it some deserved attention for the current format. It’s consistent and always seems to find a way to win. If there is some way to shore up the [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card] matchup that I’m not thinking of, Malamar could become nearly unstoppable.
Thanks for reading everyone! I am missing in-person tournaments, but I still play online here and there. There’s always online tournaments being run, and it’s interesting to see how the meta can develop through these alone. It’s cool that more players get the opportunity to play competitively now, but I definitely can’t wait to get back to Regionals and the like.
–Grant
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