Reworking Calamitious Slash — Garchomp and Giratina-GX in Expanded
[cardimg name=”Garchomp and Giratina-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”146″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Hello PokeBeach readers! In this article I’m going over an Expanded deck that took the format by storm right before the season was cut short due to the pandemic — [card name=”Garchomp and Giratina-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card]. This deck was popularized by Hunter Butler when he won the Dallas Regional Championship.
This deck hits hard and fast with the ability to one shot nearly anything in the Expanded format. Hunter was able to dominate in a format where most decks couldn’t one shot in return. However this was almost two years ago. The meta has evolved with each set release, so the deck needs to adapted to handle the current Pokemon VMAX and stall dominated Expanded format. Before I explain the deck list, I’m going to give a deeper look at the Expanded format as it stands.
A Look At Expanded
The Expanded format is in a unique state right now. It is currently dominated by stall, with many decks unable to adapt to deal with this. The main archetype that has plagued the format is [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card] stall, which can easily lock a support Pokemon in your Active Spot and completely keep you out of the game. Aside from Snorlax, the other main stall deck variant is [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Decidueye” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”13″ c=”name”][/card], which makes it so you have no way of taking your Prizes.
With this in mind, the main attacking decks are Pokemon VMAX decks that can both out-speed these decks or have an answer to every strategy these decks can use. The question is, where does Garchomp and Giratina-GX stand in comparison to these decks?
The Snorlax variant can be easily teched for with cards such as [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card] that will bypass Snorlax’s Ability and allow your attacker to remain in your Active Spot. Additionally, Garchomp and Giratina-GX can play a copy of [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card] (ADP-GX) which will apply a ton of pressure to these stall decks. When it comes to Vileplume / Decidueye decks, there isn’t much this deck can do that was really secure the matchup. It’s not really worth teching for, so this deck will take a lost to Vileplume. However, this deck’s best matchups are opposing Pokemon VMAX decks — this deck is so much faster compared to Pokemon VMAX decks, so it’s very easy to take an early Prize lead and keep it. All in all, Garchomp and Giratina-GX is losing to only one of the three main archetypes, which means it us perfect for any event you feel Vileplume wont be popular.
Garchomp and Giratina-GX Deck List
[decklist name=”Giratina and Garchomp-GX” amt=”60″ caption=”” cname=”Garchomp and Giratina-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”146″][pokemon amt=”13″]2x [card name=”Garchomp and Giratina-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”146″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]3x [card name=”Weezing” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”77″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Galarian Moltres V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”63″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”38″]2x [card name=”Roxie” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”205″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Professor’s Research” set=”Champion’s Path” no=”62″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”N” set=”Noble Victories” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Leon” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”154″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”AZ” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”91″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Energy Switch” set=”Legendary Treasures” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”102″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Field Blower” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”125″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Special Charge” set=”Steam Siege” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Rescue Stretcher” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”130″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Target Whistle” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”106″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]2x [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”9″]5x [card name=”Darkness Energy” set=”HeartGold and SoulSilver” no=”121″ c=”deck2″ amt=”5″][/card]4x [card name=”Double Dragon Energy” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”97″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
Two Garchomp and Giratina-GX
As the main attacker, it might seem weird that I only include two copies of [card name=”Garchomp and Giratina-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card]. However, this is because in most games you will use ADP-GX’s Altered Creation GX. This means you only need to find two Knock Outs so the extra copies would likely be useless. You also have some secondary attackers in ADP-GX and [card name=”Galarian Moltres V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card]. Garchomp and Giratina-GX is the main attacker for the deck because it can utilize [card name=”Double Dragon Energy” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card], making it a fast and efficient attacker as well as having the damage output to deal with any deck in the format.
One Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX
When this deck was first popularized, ADP-GX wasn’t needed because you already had the damage output to one shot other Tag Team Pokemon-GX, plus most other decks in the format were focused around Tag Team Pokemon-GX anyway. However, now we are seeing more Pokemon VMAX that Garchomp and Giratina-GX cannot handle on its own. ADP-GX allows this deck to one shot Pokemon VMAX, as well as apply more pressure due to the extra Prize from Altered Creation GX, meaning some games will finish as early as turn 3. ADP-GX is also an extra attacker with a decent damage output and a plethora of ways to buff it. ADP-GX can take some crucial Knock Outs on Basic Pokemon V or Pokemon-GX. This fast paced game plan is easy to execute because of Double Dragon Energy and the extra speed that Galarian Moltres V brings with its Ability.
Two Galarian Moltres V
[cardimg name=”Galarian Moltres V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”97″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
This is the biggest new inclusion to the deck. In the original version, deck this slot was taken by [card name=”Tapu Koko Prism Star” set=”Team Up” no=”51″ c=”name”][/card]. This allowed for a similar strategy that lets you set up Garchomp and Giratina-GX in a single turn. However, the Lighting-type doesn’t bring any other utility aside from the potential of [card name=”Zeraora-GX” set=”Lost Thunder” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card] and Tapu Koko Prism Star is not a good attacker. With Galarian Moltres V, you can play Darkness-type Pokemon like [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”Dark Explorers” no=”63″ c=”name”][/card] giving your Pokemon free Retreat Cost. Galarian Moltres V is a good attacker on its own, especially with many prominent Pokemon weak to Darkness-type such as [card name=”Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Dragapult VMAX” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”93″ c=”name”][/card]. Overall, Galarian Moltres V was a huge buff to this deck and I believe that without Galarian Moltres V this deck would be nearly unplayable as it would struggle against most decks in the format.
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One Darkrai-EX
Darkrai-EX is one of the greatest cards ever printed. The first time I played this card was in the 2012 National Championship when I was in the Junior Division, and it is still relevant today in the Expanded format. This card has dominated the game for almost a decade and isn’t slowing down. In this deck, Darkrai-EX is mostly a support Pokemon providing free Retreat Cost to all your Pokemon and turning Galarian Moltres V into an easy pivot. Darkrai-EX can be a decent attacker against decks like [card name=”Polteageist” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”83″ c=”custom”]Mad Party[/card] or [card name=”Joltik” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”26″ c=”custom”]Night March[/card] where it can take multiple Knock Outs in a single turn. This wont come up often, but its good to keep in mind. Darkrai-EX is a cuttable card in this deck because it isn’t crucial to our main strategy, but it gives the deck a nice flexibility and overall helps it play smoother.
One Galarian Zigzagoon
Aside from Galarian Moltres V, this was the second biggest addition to the deck. Prior to the release of [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card], the only way to get damage counters in play was [card name=”Weezing” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Roxie” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”205″ c=”name”][/card]. While Weezing is a good option, Galarian Zigzagoon is a much easier way to get damage counters into play and is easier to search due to the versatility of [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card]. This addition takes Garchomp and Giratina-GX from a strong deck to a real contender, boosting the consistency in a way that you could never reach with Weezing. Galarian Zigzagoon also allows you to get damage counters into play on turns where you don’t want to play a draw Supporter. This is probably the biggest upside of the card because it allows the deck to have huge swing turns.
One Exeggcute
One of the most prominent cards in the format, [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”name”][/card] allows this deck to rely on Roxie as a real draw engine. Exeggcute with Roxie also allows the deck to use search cards like Quick Ball without a drawback. This is arguably the best card in the Expanded format and every deck except for stall should be playing it. Not having to discard cards with your search cards is a huge advantage as you can get value from every card in your deck. This deck gets more value from Exeggcute compared to most decks in the format because it uses a Roxie engine, as well as playing six search cards and one copy of Mallow and Lana. This deck has so many cards that can receive value from Exeggcute that there is an argument to include a second copy, but I opted not to because I felt the deck didn’t have enough space.
Three Weezing
Galarian Zigzagoon is the easiest option for this deck to get damage counters into play. But we still play Weezing as it can not only apply more damage counters, it spreads the damage counters across the board. This means your game plan can be more flexible as you have multiple options on your opponent’s board for what Pokemon to target. Weezing is great too because it is a Stage-1 Pokemon, meaning you can’t start the game with it — that is a huge advantage when compared to Galarian Zigzagoon because if you start Galarian Zigzagoon you won’t have access to it for the rest of the game.
Two Roxie
Roxie is the main draw engine in this deck as well as the core strategy with Weezing to spread damage counters. While its not as strong as drawing 10 cards with a [card name=”Colress” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card], Roxie is a solid draw engine allowing us to draw up to six cards. Of course, the spread damage with Weezing is the main reason this card is in the deck, but you could substitute this by playing a heavier Galarian Zigzagoon engine with [card name=”Scoop Up Net” set=”Rebel Clash” no=”165″ c=”name”][/card]. This makes it easier to place damage counters but does less damage overall, plus it takes up more deck slots and extra Bench space. If you choose to use more Galarian Zigzagoon, it would also be more susceptible to cards like [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card], which could completely shut down the deck.
One Mallow and Lana
This is the first of the stall techs in this list. While providing a nice healing option, the main use of [card name=”Mallow and Lana” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”198″ c=”name”][/card] is to get your [card name=”Dedenne-GX” set=”Unbroken Bonds” no=”57″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Crobat V” set=”Darkness Ablaze” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] out of the Active Spot when being locked in the Active Spot by [card name=”Snorlax” set=”Plasma Storm” no=”101″ c=”name”][/card]. Aside from being a tech for stall, Mallow and Lana isn’t amazing in the current state of the Expanded format but it does have its uses. This card really isn’t cuttable because of how important the Snorlax matchup is, if you were to make the cut it would probably go towards a consistency card just to make the deck run a bit smoother.
One Leon
This is another card that puts this deck among the top tier of Expanded format lists. With [card name=”Leon” set=”Vivid Voltage” no=”154″ c=”name”][/card], the deck gets the extra damage boost it needs to take one shots on opposing Pokemon VMAX. Being able to surprise an opponent and one shot their Pokemon VMAX will completely crumble most deck’s game plans as they often aren’t built to deal with being one shot. This card allows your other attackers to take surprise Knock Outs on opposing Pokemon V that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to do so. Overall, Leon gives this deck some versatility in how it can plan out each of its turns based on what Pokemon you plan on Knocking Out.
Four Quick Ball and Two Ultra Ball
I chose to put six searching options in this deck because I felt like the extra few cards would give the deck a nice boost for turns where you need to use your draw Pokemon rather then a draw Supporter. I chose to go with [card name=”Quick Ball” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”179″ c=”name”][/card] as the main option because you can fully pay for its cost with one Exeggcute and it gets everything except [card name=”Weezing” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] from your deck. There is an argument to be made for having [card name=”Ultra Ball” set=”Plasma Blast” no=”90″ c=”name”][/card] as the main searching option because it can find Weezing, but I felt like two was enough to keep Weezing as a consistent option. Plus, Quick Ball can always find [card name=”Galarian Zigzagoon” set=”Sword and Shield” no=”117″ c=”name”][/card] if you don’t have the option to use Weezing. Another searching option this deck can utilize is [card name=”Mysterious Treasure” set=”Forbidden Light” no=”113″ c=”name”][/card] but I felt it didn’t provide enough to the deck to be worth including in the final list.
Two Battle Compressor
This is a great Item in this deck as it allows you to find your one-of Supporter cards and thin your deck of any tech cards you don’t need for a specific matchup. Using [card name=”Battle Compressor” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”92″ c=”name”][/card], you can discard your [card name=”Exeggcute” set=”Plasma Freeze” no=”4″ c=”name”][/card] early to help get through your deck easily — reducing the amount of cards you have to discard from your hand and maximizing your resources. Battle Compressor also lets you discard your Darkness Energy for [card name=”Galarian Moltres V” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card]’s Ability, which makes the deck much more consistent and gives it the speed to deal with the stall decks that take awhile to set up.
Two Muscle Band
Along with Leon and [card name=”Arceus and Dialga and Palkia-GX” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”156″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Muscle Band” set=”XY” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] is another way this deck boosts damage so it can take big Knock Outs. Muscle Band is the best option for this deck because [card name=”Choice Band” set=”Guardians Rising” no=”121″ c=”name”][/card] doesn’t help against Pokemon VMAX and the other options are situational. Muscle Band provides a nice unconditional damage boost so it’s the best fit for this deck. This deck needs to play a damage boosting Tool so this card isn’t really cuttable, unless you are replacing it with another Tool. I think this is the best option for the time being, but it could be replaced by one of the new glove Tool cards that boost damage against specific types. Currently I don’t see that as a viable option.
Two Float Stone
Although this deck does have Darkrai-EX which is a great option to help the deck flow, [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] is a great card in addition to Darkrai-EX because it allows you to use your attachments on on your attackers if your opponent were to try and stall by pulling up a different Pokémon. Float Stone is also great on turn one if you need to get an attack off since you can’t attach to your Active and your attacker it makes it much easier to attack. Float Stone could be swapped for a different switching option, such as [card name=”Switch” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”132″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Escape Rope” set=”Battle Styles” no=”125″ c=”name”][/card], but I felt Float Stone was the most versatile option.
One Target Whistle and One Great Catcher
[cardimg name=”Target Whistle” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”106″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
This is one of my favorite combos in the Expanded format. It allows for an aggressive game plan where you can punish your opponent for putting a Dedenne-GX in play. When playing this deck, you can play a three turn game beginning with Altered Creation GX followed by two Knock Outs on the following turns. This strategy is very easy to pull off when your opponent puts a Dedenne-GX on the Bench. You can use a [card name=”Guzma” set=”Burning Shadows” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] to take an easy Knock Out on the first turn, then using your draw Pokemon you should be able to find your [card name=”Target Whistle” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”106″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Great Catcher” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”192″ c=”name”][/card] to Knock Out the same Dedenne-GX for another three Prizes and end the game. Target Whistle is also specifically good against stall because you can pull a Pokemon out of their discard pile to potentially close the game when they are filling the board with just [card name=”Lillie’s Poké Doll” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”197″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Robo Substitute” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] to try and lock you out of taking your final Prizes.
One Computer Search
For the Ace Spec, I decided that [card name=”Computer Search” set=”Boundaries Crossed” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] was the best option for this deck. Computer Search gives decks a boost in consistency that you can’t really find in any other card. The ability to search your deck for any card, specifically Special Energy cards or any one-of Trainer cards is one of the most powerful card effects in the game. Having an extra out to finding [card name=”Double Dragon Energy” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”97″ c=”name”][/card] when you need it is extremely important and allows the deck to function as consistently as possible.
Two Parallel City
When choosing a Stadium for this deck, it’s between [card name=”Parallel City” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”145″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Chaotic Swell” set=”Cosmic Eclipse” no=”187″ c=”name”][/card]. The other options are fairly lackluster and don’t provide enough. The best option is a Stadium that forces your opponent into an awkward position. Chaotic Swell would provide a nice protection against cards like [card name=”Silent Lab” set=”Primal Clash” no=”140″ c=”name”][/card] or [card name=”Path to the Peak” set=”Chilling Reign” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card], which is great for this deck. But I felt I’d rather try to make the opponent stumble by limiting their Bench. Parallel City is a great card because it can limit the opponent’s Bench, but it can also limit your own Bench allowing you to discard your Dedenne-GX or Crobat V. This is a huge advantage in the stall matchup as it makes it much harder for them to lock a Pokemon in your Active Spot. This slot should be a Stadium because you do need a counter to Silent Lab or Path to the Peak. I think these are the two best options for Stadium cards, however the spot is very flexible so there are plenty of other Stadiums that could fill the slot.
Conclusion
I think this [card name=”Garchomp and Giratina-GX” set=”Unified Minds” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card] deck can be a great play in the current state of the Expanded format. It has all the right tools to counter this unique format we are currently facing when playing Expanded. This deck also gets better if the format shifts to a more attack-based meta because you can remove the tech slots for stall and replace them with more damage boosting effects and consistency cards. This deck is very aggressive, which is great when looking at its future potential — if it can out speed the rest of the format, it often has a good chance at maintaining a spot in the meta. Overall I think Garchomp and Giratina-GX will cement itself as a stable deck in the Expanded meta due to its speed and ability to adapt to any meta.
As always, make sure you check out the other articles here on PokeBeach — there’s a ton of great content that’s useful for all types of players, old and new.
If you have any questions for me about the deck in this article, feel free to leave them in the comments section below!
Until next time.
-Michael
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