Format Convergence – On ADP’s Dominance in 2020 Standard

Hey everyone! I’m happy to be back here with another article. Since my last article, the Player’s Cup II has kicked off, and just like many people predicted, [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] has dominated the event in pretty much every way. Players have found even more ways to further optimize decklists and exploit the card’s power as much as possible, now to the point that pretty much every deck is at least a slightly favorable matchup. Never before in my Pokemon career has a format been so centralized around one card; not even the [card name=”Mewtwo-EX” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card] wars of 2012 States or [card name=”Seismitoad-EX” set=”Furious Fists” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] dominance of 2015 Spring before the ban of [card name=”Lysandre’s Trump Card” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]. Not even dedicated hard-counter decks have been able to pull off a highly-favorable Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX matchup, the card is just too strong and opens up too many options for the player to take advantage of.  Thus, I almost feel like there are really only three options in regards to the Players Cup II right now: play Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX (and probably have no fun), try to counter Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX (and probably lose to everything else if you can even beat Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX in the first place, like my [card name=”Whimsicott-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] deck from the last article), or don’t play at all. The sad truth is I am probably going to take the third option. I have enough other things to worry about with the beginning of my college career and I’d much rather put all of my time and effort into Pokemon when the format is more fun. However, I am still working with some highly successful testing groups right now, and I can share the latest information on new lists we’ve been building and they have been playing to a lot of success in online tournaments.

I will say it pains me to write about this deck. I just feel as if ADP is so much better than everything else in the format right now that I would be doing the readers a disservice to write about anything else. Every single deck I have built right now other than ADP cannot beat AADP consistently, and every deck I have tried to build as a pure ADP counter not only fails in that objective, but loses to everything else.  So, here I am, sharing with you my latest list for what I believe is the most dominant deck of all time. Nothing defines the format like this card does, and nothing makes me want to play less than seeing Altered Creation GX announced in every game and watching players mindlessly throw [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] on the table to pick off the [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] that this format forces you to play. I expect we will look back on this deck in 10 years and realize that ADP would still be an overpowered card in a format with 500 HP Basics.

[decklist name=”ADP” amt=”60″ caption=”Imagine playing any other 60 cards in 2020…” cname=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″][pokemon amt=”11″]3x [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mawile-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”141″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Oricorio-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”38″]4x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Pokémon Catcher” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”126″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Cherish Ball” set=”Unified Minds” no=”191″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”11″]8x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card]3x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist] 

I truly believe this list is within 5 cards of what everyone should be playing if they expect to win games. Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX’s ability to set up extremely fast and pull off an Altered Creation GX almost immediately ensures that no deck has time to set up a winning strategy against it.  Below, I’ll go into all of the card choices and how they help this deck win a vast majority of its games, regardless of opponent.

3 Zacian V, 2 Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX

[cardimg name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

The two best Pokemon printed in my entire career combine here to create a truly unstoppable force. Since Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX is only really used in the early game, you can get away with playing two copies and still reliably set up. Similarly, I considered playing 4 [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card], but in a format like this, you will rarely ever need more than two and I play enough other consistency options to go without the extra out to Intrepid Sword. Beyond possibly testing a third Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX or adding a [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card], I don’t think this count should ever change. These five cards are absolute staples in this format and no deck should expect to be successful without them.
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3 Dedenne-GX, 1 Crobat V

This list aims to maximize consistency, so I’ve upped the normal 2-1 count to 3-1 in order to have more consistent dig options later in the game. Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX’s best win condition is consistently attacking for bonus Prize cards every single turn, so consistently hitting [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card] and cards like [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] to power up more attackers is paramount. I would definitely consider changing to a 2-2 split for the ability to use both Crobat V and Dedenne-GX in the same turn twice in a game, but the discard power of Dedenne-GX is definitely valuable in a deck like this and I like the count how it is. Consistency is king when you’re in a format where the game ends in 4 turns, so max out on it by playing extra support Pokemon.

1 Oricorio-GX

Speaking of extra support Pokemon, I decided to include an [card name=”Oricorio-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] as an extra draw option for turns when you have one of your Pokemon Knocked Out. This format is all about keeping tempo with your opponent and Oricorio-GX offers this deck yet another option to respond to every single KO. If you are playing the mirror match and your opponent takes a big KO on your Zacian V, the extra three cards from Oricorio-GX makes it much easier to respond with a KO of your own and keep the Prize card lead. I like this inclusion a lot in this list and it really helps with keeping tempo and winning fast.

1 Mawile-GX

This card is actually crazy. If anyone tries to keep their Dedenne-GX and Crobat V in their hand or go lone [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] against you, simply drop [card name=”Mawile-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”141″ c=”name”][/card], play a Boss’s Orders, and cash in your free Prize Cards. Not only did you just take half of the Prize cards required to win, but you crippled your opponent’s next turn by sticking a draw option onto their bench before they could use it! When this card first appeared in lists, I was skeptical, but throughout my testing Mawile-GX has proven to be one of the best inclusions and can single-handedly turn matchups around. Oh, and did I forget to mention it has a really good attack? This card is wild and I might even consider a second.

4 Professor’s Research, 4 Boss’s Orders

Ah, this is the Supporter count that defines why this deck is so crazy. Assuming you can play a Supporter card every turn, you are either A: digging deep into your deck and likely powering up more attackers after a strong [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] or B: taking some cheap Prize Cards off of one of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. There is no need to do anything else with this deck; Boss is the preferred Supporter every turn when you aren’t digging for something and Research is the best draw Supporter in Standard. I guess [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card] could be a consideration, but even a card as powerful as Marnie doesn’t provide enough value when you are digging for early game Altered Creation GX and taking multiple Prize cards every single turn.  Just play extremely aggressively with this Supporter count and the wins will come your way.

4 Quick Ball, 3 Cherish Ball

Four [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card] is pretty much an auto-inclusion in every deck nowadays, but I decided to boost up to three copies of [card name=”Cherish Ball” set=”Unified Minds” no=”191″ c=”name”][/card] in order to improve consistency. Cherish Ball can search for Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX, Dedenne-GX, and Mawile-GX, so it has plenty of targets and can be helpful in all stages of the game. I prefer this engine over [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card] because it is simply much faster and more consistent even if it doesn’t have as many options at its disposal. Win early and win often with this card count because you will draw better than your opponents on average.

4 Metal Saucer, 4 Energy Switch

These cards are the key to hitting a T1 Altered Creation GX. Since [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] gets you a Metal Energy onto a Benched Metal Pokemon, you can immediately [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Stormfront” no=”84″ c=”name”][/card] that Energy onto your Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX and simply attach a Water for the T1 Altered Creation. I’ve been preaching that Energy Switch was strong in this deck since Zacian V was released in Sword and Shield, and it’s even better nowadays. Metal Saucer also helps a lot with powering up attackers in the late game since you can get more Metal Energy onto Zacian V / Mawile-GX and pull off more consistent attacks even under pressure from your opponent. If you want your list to get that Altered Creation on your first/second turn and be extremely good at setting up more attackers in the late game, stick with this full count.

3 Switch, 3 Air Balloon

Most lists tend to run a 4/2 split of [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card], and I might want to go back to that if this doesn’t work out as planned. However, in early testing, I’ve liked the extra Air Balloon and feel that it helps a lot with mid and late game mobility since we don’t run any other Tools in this list. Everything in the deck except [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] gets free Retreat with an Air Balloon attached and ADP only has one Retreat, so I’ve found this to be almost as useful as hard Switch and it doesn’t get burned/you don’t have to find it at the right time. The only issue with this would be resetting Zacian V’s attack consistently, but that hasn’t been an issue in my testing. The fourth Switch may find its way back into the list at some point, but so far I’ve really enjoyed playing with this count and I think it could be better.

3 Pokemon Catcher, 1 Great Catcher

More toxic cards! [card name=”Pokémon Catcher” set=”Emerging Powers” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”name”][/card] both contribute to the strategy of exclusively taking cheap Prize cards off the Bench if you cannot take a valuable KO on the opponent’s Active Pokemon. Pokemon Catcher gives you a free 50-50 shot at pulling up whatever you want without burning your Supporter, and Great Catcher is able to pull up a Dedenne-GX for only the low price of two cards in your hand. I might consider a fourth Pokemon Catcher or second Great Catcher, but so far these work well in tandem with the four Boss’s Orders. You have the ability to gust something up pretty much every turn between these and Boss, so abuse that to the best of your ability and steal a lot of games off of Dedenne-GX and Crobat V.

2 Energy Spinner

The two [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] are helpful extra outs to either Metal or Water Energy. Going second they are even stronger as you can combine the three Energy searched with a Dedechange and more than likely draw into a T1 Altered Creation. I am considering a third copy of these instead of the third Water Energy, but as you will see later I’m still a fan of three Water because I play even more outs to Energy in the early game. These two slots are solid and I think they provide a lot of value to the deck, albeit not doing anything crazy.

1 Tool Scrapper

This is really just here to remove pesky Tools like [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Metal Frying Pan” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] that can ruin your day when you may have had a KO set up.  Since this deck has a bit of free space to work with, I decided [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”name”][/card] was a solid inclusion to play, but is definitely a flexible spot depending on the meta you expect.  It does what it’s supposed to do well, but it’s nothing special so I can see why someone would want to remove it for even more consistency.

2 Viridian Forest

[cardimg name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]

We play even more Energy search!  The two copies of [card name=”Viridian Forest” set=”Team Up” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] are insanely powerful for finding either Energy and also for discarding Metal Energy that you may want to get back with Metal Saucer. If you find one of these turn one, you are more than likely going to be successful in pulling off Altered Creation GX. However, you have to be careful playing down Viridian Forest as it will likely provide similar if not more value to your opponent. Only drop one if you need it to pull off a critical attack, otherwise don’t bother with it. Nevertheless, Viridian Forest is an extremely strong inclusion and I love it in this list.

8 Metal, 3 Water

I know most lists only tend to play two Water Energy, but I feel as if a third is justified for the extra consistency value it provides. You almost never have to worry about prizing all your Water Energy with this list and you also have a much higher chance of opening it without needing to use Energy Spinner or Viridian Forest. I think this does a lot for improving your Altered Creation odds and also supports late-game Ultimate Ray plays if need be, so I decided to include a third.

Well, that wraps up the coverage of what is in my opinion the undisputed best deck in the game. This deck is so powerful that I barely feel like I’m playing Pokemon anymore and I would almost rather do schoolwork than bash my head against my screen while my opponents beat me before I can even start setting up.  Feel free to read my last article if you want explanations as to why Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX should be banned, but while it is still in Standard, don’t bother playing anything other than this.

Conclusion and Closing Thoughts

Yes, that was a slightly exaggerated take on my thoughts regarding Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX / Zacian-V as a deck. While I don’t actually believe the deck spells doom for Pokemon TCG as a whole, I do genuinely feel as if it is so powerful that anyone looking for success should be playing ADP. Yes, soft-counter decks exist, like [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”203″ c=”name”][/card], but these decks literally only exist to stop Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX.  Before I wrote this article, I spent hours trying to find a cool deck that I thought had a realistic shot against Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX and I couldn’t.  So, I chose to encapsulate all my anger surrounding Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX as a card into this list and write about it instead.  It works hard to abuse the card as much as possible and win games faster than they should ever be won. Please, if you are at TPCi and are reading this, this deck is making the game less fun.

That’s all for today’s article. I’ll be back writing again in mid-October, hopefully with some sort of deck that I think can handle Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX well. In the meantime, I think the best strategy is to just abuse Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX in your qualifying tournaments.  I know it sucks, but it’s the best way to win.  As always, feel free to ask me any questions on my Twitter (@C4_TCG) or on Facebook.  Looking forward to writing to you guys soon, hopefully on a more fun and interesting deck.

–Charlie
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