Players Cup III — My Top Four Decks for the Tournament
Hello to all PokeBeach readers! I’m back for another Pokemon TCG article. This time I’m going to talk about my four favorite decks to use in the qualifying phase of the Players Cup III, where each player can play up to 50 Pokemon TCG Online mini tournaments.
For the past two weeks, I have been playing several online tournaments and have been able to test various decks to play in the Players Cup III. I’ve shortlisted four decks that I liked the most and intend to use during the first stage of the tournament. In this article, I will explain why I’ve decided on these four deck archetypes and analyze the lists I’m playing with.
Eternatus VMAX
[cardimg name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
My fourth favourite deck in the current Standard format is [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card]. My list is a variation on the one used by Gabriel Massaroth to win a recent online tournament. Gabriel’s deck focused on beating [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] (ADP) / [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card], but accepting an almost autoloss from [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] and Zacian V / [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card].
The biggest difference in my list is the ease of using [card name=”Eternatus V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”116″ c=”name”][/card]’s Power Accelerator attack to energize another Eternatus V. The list was built to increase the chances of carrying out this attack in the first turn. One of the most important cards in the current format is [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”name”][/card] — one of the best ways to mitigate the effect of that card is by attacking with Power Accelerator in the first turn, so you have the possibility to attack with Eternatus VMAX on your second turn if your opponent hits a Crushing Hammer on one of your Eternatus V.
This is the right deck if you don’t expect to face Decidueye / Galarian Zigzagoon or Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX. It also takes an even matchup against [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] and Centiskorch VMAX decks.
Eternatus VMAX / Pokemon Catcher / Energy Spinner Deck List
[decklist name=”Eternatus VMAX” amt=”60″ caption=”Eternatus VMAX” cname=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″][pokemon amt=”21″]4x [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Eternatus V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”116″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Team Up” no=”95″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Hoopa” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”111″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”31″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]1x [card name=”Bird Keeper” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”159″ 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=”Great Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”164″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Pokémon Catcher” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”175″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Power Plant” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”8″]8x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”Call of Legends” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”8″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Four Yveltal
The idea of using four copies of [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Team Up” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card] is to increase the chances of being able to use Eternatus V’s Power Accelerator attack in the first turn. Yveltal’s free Retreat Cost makes this Pokemon excellent to start the game with as we don’t need to use [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card] to retreat.
Four Energy Spinner
The addition of [card name=”Energy Spinner” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”170″ c=”name”][/card] is another interesting idea from Gabriel. If you use it on your first turn going second, you can search up to three Energy cards, which guarantees more than enough Energy to power up two Eternatus V with Power Accelerator. The second advantage is that Energy Spinner is an Item that can be easily discarded from the hand, so you can draw more cards with [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card].
Four Pokemon Catcher
It seems crazy not to use [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card], but it makes sense if you think that the deck was built mainly to beat Pikachu and Zekrom-GX and ADP / Zacian V. Against these two decks, Eternatus VMAX can KO any Pokemon that is in the Active Spot. That’s why you don’t necessarily need Boss’s Order, you only need to perform an average of three strong Eternatus VMAX Dread End attacks. Maintaining consistency and the need to use draw Supporters is more important than using Boss’s Orders, especially in the early game.
With [card name=”Pokémon Catcher” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”175″ c=”name”][/card], you have the possibility to target Pokemon from the opponent’s Bench while setting up with [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card]. Plus, Pokemon Catcher is an Item card. Just like Energy Spinner, it can be easily discarded from the hand so you can draw more cards with Crobat V.
Two Power Plant
I played against Gabriel Massaroth in the online tournament that he won. I lost both games due to his [card name=”Power Plant” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”183″ c=”name”][/card]. I was playing Pikachu and Zekrom-GX with no Stadium, which made Power Plant a very impressive card.
The idea of Power Plant is to focus on another weakness of Pikachu and Zekrom-GX and ADP / Zacian V decks — the lack of a Stadium. Usually those decks only play one copy of [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card] to help against other Stadiums, but lately players have been choosing not to play any Stadium card at all. Blacephalon and Centiskorch VMAX can suffer from Power Plant too. In addition to removing [card name=”Giant Hearth” set=”Unified Minds” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card], it can prevent the Abilities of [card name=”Oricorio-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”95″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Silvally-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”184″ c=”name”][/card].
Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX
[cardimg name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Third place among my deck options for the Players Cup III is [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card]. This deck has a big advantage against [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] with [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”name”][/card], as well as balanced matchups against [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] / Zacian V. That said, Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX is a good choice as it manages to deal with the three best Tier 1 decks in the metagame.
Free Wins With Aegislash V or Galarian Stunfisk
In almost every online tournament I play, I end up facing [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Altaria” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”49″ c=”name”][/card]. Usually these decks represent about 3% to 6% in tournaments of about 200 to 300 people. This is considered few, but these few players end up doing well because many lists in the tournament end up having no answer for these Pokemon.
No player wants to lose slots on their list or modify a strategy to deal with an unpopular Pokemon, but Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX can do that for using one card — [card name=”Aegislash V” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”126″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Galarian Stunfisk” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”132″ c=”name”][/card]. Which is better?
In general, I prefer Aegislash V. With Stunfisk SSH the games against Decidueye / [card name=”Galarian Obstagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”119″ c=”name”][/card] and Altaria are favorable but the opponent has a much better chance of winning because Stunfisk is a fragile Pokemon. Aegislash V on the other hand, has more HP and stronger attacks. It is almost impossible for the opponent to overcome it. Both these Pokemon are useless in typical metagame matchups. However, I believe that Aegislash V gets in the way less because it has the highest HP and it makes no difference to the deck losing a Pokemon for one Prize or two Prizes. Stunfisk’s Snap Trap Ability didn’t help me at all except against Decidueye / Galarian Obstagoon and the fact that it was a single Prize Pokemon only helped me once in about 25 games.
Is it Better to Take the Autoloss?
The disadvantage comes from [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card], or any Fire Box deck. Even with [card name=”Coating Metal Energy” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] and Chaotic Swell, I see the match being slightly unfavorable for Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX, even if the opponent is unrepared to deal with your techs. Cards like [card name=”Marshadow” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”81″ c=”name”][/card] to remove Chaotic Swell from the field and [card name=”Giratina” set=”Unified Minds” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] to remove Coating Metal Energy may be present depending on the opponent’s list.
If you have no problem taking the autoloss matchup for Fire-type decks, then I recommend using a version of Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX without Coating Metal Energy and Chaotic Swell, as these cards are normally used to deal with Fire-type weakness and Giant Hearth. In return, we can use these slots to invest in extra consistency to improve other matchups. Below are the lists of Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX with Coating Metal Energy and Chaotic Swell that I made Top 8 in one online tournament and a straight Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX build that I made Top 16 in another online tournament.
Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX Deck List
[decklist name=”Zacain LucMetal 3″ amt=”60″ caption=”Zacian Vundefined” cname=”Galarian Stunfisk” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”132″][pokemon amt=”9″]4x [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Galarian Stunfisk” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”132″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”36″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma and Hala” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”193″ 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=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”15″]12x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”12″][/card]3x [card name=”Coating Metal Energy” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”163″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Tag Call Engine
This is a deck that does not play [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], meaning access to specific cards becomes much more difficult. A simple task like searching for Energy can be rough with only draw Supporters. With [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card], you have access to Lucario and Melmetal-GX and Supporters like [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Guzma and Hala” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”193″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card], all with only one Item.
I think Cynthia and Caitlin is fundamental because it allows you to draw cards and rescue a Supporter from the discard pile, guaranteeing a Supporter card for your next turn. It can be scary, but it is normal in [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”name”][/card] that you have a turn without a Supporter in hand.
Guzma and Hala makes it easier to find Coating Metal Energy, [card name=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card]. Against Fire-type decks it is the perfect Supporter because it finds these three cards that are needed to fight these decks. Against other matchups, Guzma and Hala ends up being more useful than it looks as it can save you from a turn without Energy.
Mallow and Lana needs no explanation, a card required in any version of Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX with or without Tag Call.
[premium]
Zacian V / Lucario and Melmetal-GX Without Chaotic Swell and Coating Metal Energy
[decklist name=”Zacain LucMetal 2″ amt=”60″ caption=”Zacianundefined” cname=”Galarian Stunfisk” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”132″][pokemon amt=”9″]4x [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Lucario and Melmetal-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”120″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Zamazenta V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”139″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Galarian Stunfisk” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”132″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”37″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Cynthia and Caitlin” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”189″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ 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=”Metal Goggles” set=”Team Up” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Metal Saucer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”170″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Tag Call” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Tool Scrapper” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”168″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”14″]14x [card name=”Metal Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”122″ c=”deck2″ amt=”14″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
No Chaotic Swell
I don’t see much reason to use Guzma and Hala, so I opted for the second Cynthia and Caitlin to maintain consistency with access to Tag Call and reduce the chances of running out of a Supporter in hand.
Another change was to change all the [card name=”Coating Metal Energy” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”163″ c=”name”][/card] to basic Metal Energy. This increases the chances of attaching Energy with Zacian V’s Intrepid Sword Ability and gives us more opportunities to play Metal Saucer.
I padded the amount of Supporters by removing the 15th basic Metal Energy for a fourth [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card].
Fire Box
[cardimg name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
It is difficult to define what is a Fire Box deck these days. The concept is not very popular in the current metagame and lists can vary a lot. Unlike past [card name=”Blacephalon” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”32″ c=”name”][/card] decks, most current lists look more like a Fire Box using two [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] and only two Blacephalon.
Which brings us to my second favorite deck of the format, a Fire Box variant focused on Reshiram and Charizard GX and [card name=”Silvally-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”184″ c=”name”][/card]. The idea of bringing the two Pokemon together came from the desire to build a consistent Fire-type deck. First, I decided to test the [card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card] / Silvally-GX list used by Pedro Eugênio Torres. Then, I decided to adapt this list for Reshiram and Charizard-GX instead of Centiskorch VMAX with the help of my training partner Nathália Fernandes.
Reshiram and Charizard-GX / Silvally-GX is weaker than Blacephalon and Centiskorch VMAX, but it is more consistent. I believe that the metagame needs a reasonably strong and consistent Fire-type deck instead of a strong but inconsistent deck. Fire-type Pokemon have an advantage against some of the main decks of the metagame, while the pressure and high damage from Fire-type Pokemon with the help of [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card] is enough to deal with several others. Below is the list I used to make Top 8 at an online tournament.
Reshiram and Charizard-GX / Sivally-GX
[decklist name=”Fire Box” amt=”60″ caption=”Fire Box”undefined][pokemon amt=”15″]2x [card name=”Silvally-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”184″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Type: Null” set=”Unified Minds” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”25″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Victini V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”25″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Incineroar V” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”8″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Heatran-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”25″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Eldegoss V” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”5″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”33″]4x [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ 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=”Cherish Ball” set=”Unified Minds” no=”191″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Pokégear 3.0″ set=”Sword and Shield” no=”174″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Pokémon Communication” set=”Team Up” no=”152″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Giant Hearth” set=”Unified Minds” no=”197″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”12″]10x [card name=”Fire Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”116″ c=”deck2″ amt=”10″][/card]2x [card name=”Heat Fire Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”174″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Incineroar V and Victini V
The reason I chose these Pokemon is that they can attack in one turn with the help of Welder and both Pokemon can recover Energy from the discard pile to energize another Pokemon. With these Pokemon I don’t need to use [card name=”Fire Crystal” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card], as I can recover Energy from the discard pile with greater consistency. For Fire Crystal to be consistent, I would need to use at least two copies. But I would not have two Pokemon V with four interesting attacks.
I decided to test [card name=”Incineroar V” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”8″ c=”name”][/card] for fun and surprisingly it worked really well. His Grand Flame attack deals 90 damage, enough for Reshiram and Charizard-GX on the Bench to follow up. Grand Flame’s damage is essential for Reshiram and Charizard-GX’s 230 damage Flare Strike to KO a Centiskorch VMAX.
The other attacker, [card name=”Victini V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card] was also helpful. While Incineroar V manages to damage and energize a Pokemon at the same time, with Victini V you have to choose to either energize or cause damage. Most of the time you will want to energize a Pokemon especially when your Energy cards run out.
Two Type: Null and Two Silvally-GX
I really liked the Silvally-GX idea used by Pedro Eugênio Torres and decided to utilise it with Reshiram and Charizard-GX. The advantage of Reshiram and Charizard-GX is that it is a Basic Pokemon, hits 200 damage in the first turn with Welder and can be accessed using a [card name=”Cherish Ball” set=”Unified Minds” no=”191″ c=”name”][/card], which can also access Silvally-GX. All these little advantages made me think that Silvally-GX would be better with Reshiram and Charizard-GX.
Silvally-GX will not help you find Welder in the first turn, which unfortunately is the most important turn in the game. But it will offer you consistency throughout the rest of the game. Silvally-GX is also a great counter to [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”name”][/card]. One of Pikachu and Zekrom-GX’s strongest moves is undoubtedly [card name=”Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”54″ c=”name”][/card]’s Tandem Shock after a Reset Stamp play that leaves you with one card.
Four Giant Hearth
I have always been a fan of four copies of [card name=”Giant Hearth” set=”Unified Minds” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card]. Every Welder-based deck wants to play this Supporter every turn, and it’s not possible if you don’t have Fire Energy in your hand. Another reason that encourages me to play four copies of Giant Hearth is the presence of [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card] in the Standard format. For every Chaotic Swell on the board, you need two Giant Hearth to regain easy access to your Fire Energy cards.
Two Heat Fire Energy and one Big Charm
The idea with [card name=”Heat Fire Energy” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”174″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Big Charm” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”158″ c=”name”][/card] is to boost [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card]’s HP to 320 HP, the same HP as Centiskorch VMAX. High HP is mainly needed against [card name=”Eternatus VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], but these resources to increase HP can be useful at other times.
Pikachu and Zekrom-GX
[cardimg name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
My favorite deck is [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”name”][/card]. Even though it is an old deck, it remains the best deck of the Standard format in my opinion. All four decks that I mentioned in this article are balanced in strength, but the difference with Pikachu and Zekrom-GX is that this deck can play against any matchup.
Between using a deck that has a good game against some decks and a bad game against others, Pikachu and Zekrom-GX offers the chance to have balanced games against everything.
If you are a player who does not want to worry about the metagame and is able to practice a lot with Pikachu and Zekrom-GX, then this deck is perfect for playing the qualifying phase of Players Cup III.
Pikachu and Zekrom-GX is one of the most consistent decks of the format for being able to make exclusive use of strong cards like [card name=”Speed L Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”173″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Electromagnetic Radar” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”169″ c=”name”][/card]. In addition, it can stand toe-to-toe against Fighting-type decks like [card name=”Coalossal VMAX” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] because of the [card name=”Mewtwo and Mew-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”71″ c=”name”][/card].
Below is the list that I made Top 8 in an online tournament.
Pikachu and Zekrom-GX / Crushing Hammer Deck List
[decklist name=”PikaRom Hammers” amt=”60″ caption=”PikaRom”undefined][pokemon amt=”14″]3x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Boltund V” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”67″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Pikachu and Zekrom-GX” set=”Team Up” no=”33″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”54″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Mewtwo and Mew-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”71″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Tapu Koko Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”51″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Eldegoss V” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”5″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”32″]4x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”178″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Marnie” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]3x [card name=”Boss’s Orders” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”3″][/card]4x [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”159″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”183″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Electromagnetic Radar” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”169″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”162″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Reset Stamp” set=”Unified Minds” no=”206″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Cherish Ball” set=”Unified Minds” no=”191″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”14″]10x [card name=”Lightning Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ amt=”10″][/card]4x [card name=”Speed L Energy” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”173″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Two Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX and Two Mewtwo and Mew-GX
This is the part that has changed the most in Pikachu and Zekrom-GX lists. I see many players play either two or one of these Pokemon, or end up choosing to use only one copy of each. Surely, the safest number is to use two copies of each.
The current Pikachu and Zekrom-GX deck depends on Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX’s attack. Without this attack, the deck loses a very valuable resource. I’ve already lost a few games simply because my only copy of Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX was in my Prizes.
Mewtwo and Mew-GX is necessary against Coalossal VMAX. But its 270 HP is advantageous against [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Zacian V” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”138″ c=”name”][/card] as Mewtwo and Mew-GX can resist Zacian V’s Brave Blade attack boosted with Altered Creation GX.
It is worth noting that both Raichu and Alolan Raichu-GX and Mewtwo and Mew-GX have only two Retreat Cost, so you can retreat them easily with [card name=”Air Balloon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card].
Final Thoughts
I decided not to put ADP / Zacian V or [card name=”Centiskorch VMAX” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”34″ c=”name”][/card] among my top four decks for the Players Cup III. While they are very strong decks, I personally don’t have a positive experience with them.
As the metagame continues to evolve, I feel that is becoming difficult to play ADP / Zacian V. The deck no longer has the same strength as before, but players worry about this matchup a lot so it makes this deck a poor option. This “love or hate” feeling that players have for ADP / Zacian V means this deck has a huge target on its back. Some players accept the autoloss against Fire-type decks, but you will hardly find players accepting an autoloss for the ADP / Zacian V matchup.
Centiskorch VMAX is its own worst enemy. The deck in theory is capable of winning any matchup, but in practice the deck is inconsistent. This is a chronic problem with decks based on [card name=”Welder” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”189″ c=”name”][/card], a strong Supporter that offers only three cards to draw. For this reason, I see [card name=”Reshiram and Charizard-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Silvally-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”184″ c=”name”][/card] as a safer option.
For now it’s all folks, I hope you liked it and see you next time!
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