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 What to Play - Standard Meta Decks

This page was last updated 9 December 2024

Next Planned Update: 16 December 2024

The decks below have proven to be noteworthy contenders in the competitive scene. Although the metagame is always shifting, it’s important to keep these top-performing decks in mind when constructing a new deck to bring to your next tournament.

Top Decks

$80

Charizard ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Build your board up by getting a Pidgey or two into play alongside as many Charmander as you can, evolving your Charmander into Charizard ex from Obsidian Flames as quickly as possible with the help of Forest Seal Stone and Pidgeot ex’s Quick Search. Accelerate Fire Energy via Charizard ex’s Infernal Reign Ability.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Camden Freeze - 9th Place, Sacramento Regional Championships

Pokémon - 19

  • 3 Charmander MEW 4
  • 2 Charizard ex OBF 125
  • 2 Duskull BRS 60
  • 2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
  • 2 Pidgey OBF 162
  • 1 Charmeleon PAF 8
  • 1 Cleffa OBF 80
  • 1 Dusclops SFA 19
  • 1 Dusknoir SFA 20
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20
  • 1 Rotom V LOR 58

Trainer Cards - 36

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Briar SCR 132
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
  • 1 Thorton LOR 167
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 4 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Unfair Stamp TWM 165
  • 1 Defiance Band SVI 169
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156

Energy - 5

  • 5 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2

$85

Klawf

Illus. Yuya Oka

BASIC STRATEGY

Build your board by preparing Klawf and its Unhinged Scissors attack, which does 30 damage plus 160 more damage if Klawf is affected by a Special Condition. To get a Special Condition on Klawf, use Brute Bonnet’s Toxic Powder Ability, which makes both Active Pokémon Poisoned if Brute Bonnet has an Ancient Booster Energy Capsule attached. Alternatively, attack with Hisuian Electrode V’s Tantrum Blast, which does 100 damage for each Special Condition affecting it. Boost the Poisoned damage done to your opponent’s Active Pokémon during Pokémon during Pokémon Checkup using Radiant Hisuian Sneasler’s Poison Peak Ability, which increases Poisoned damage by 2 damage counters, and, when Klawf or Hisuian Electrode V are not in the Active Spot, with Pecharunt’s Toxic Subjugation Ability, which increases Poisoned damage by 5 damage counters when it is in the Active Spot.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Robin Schulz - 7th Place, Stuttgart Regional Championships

Pokémon - 18

  • 2 Brute Bonnet PAR 123
  • 2 Klawf PAR 105
  • 2 Terapagos ex SCR 128
  • 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Genesect SFA 40
  • 1 Hisuian Electrode V PR-SW 294
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Latias ex SSP 76
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Oranguru V ASR 133
  • 1 Pecharunt ex SFA 39
  • 1 Pecharunt SVP 129
  • 1 Radiant Hisuian Sneasler LOR 123
  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169

Trainer Cards - 38

  • 3 Arven OBF 186
  • 3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Carmine TWM 145
  • 1 Colress's Tenacity SFA 57
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 3 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 2 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 2 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 2 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Energy Loto ASR 140
  • 1 Precious Trolley SSP 185
  • 3 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
  • 3 Binding Mochi SFA 55
  • 2 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 1 Supereffective Glasses ASR 152
  • 4 Area Zero Underdepths SCR 131

Energy - 4

  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

$105

Regidrago VSTAR

Illus. PLANETA Yamashita

BASIC STRATEGY

Discard your non-Regidrago Dragon-typed Pokémon. Bench and evolve Regidrago V into Regidrago VSTAR, then use its Apex Dragon attack, which lets you copy the attack of any Dragon-type Pokémon in your discard pile for the cost of two Grass Energy and one Fire Energy. Use Teal Mask Ogerpon ex’s Teal Dance Ability to get Grass Energy into play and use Energy Switch as necessary to move Energy onto Regidrago VSTAR to power up its attack. Use the deck’s toolbox of Dragon-type attackers that Regidrago VSTAR’s Apex Dragon can copy as needed: Dragapult ex’s Phantom Dive, which does 200 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon and lets you place 6 damage counters on your opponent’s Benched Pokémon, Hisuian Goodra VSTAR’s Rolling Iron attack, which does 200 damage and makes your Pokémon that used the attack take 80 less during your opponent’s next turn, or Raging Bolt ex’s Bellowing Thunder attack, which does 70 damage for each Energy card you discard from your Pokémon in play. (Note that different variations of the deck will run a different set of Dragon Pokémon to copy with Apex Dragon.)

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Miloslav Posledni - 1st Place, Latin America International Championships

Pokémon - 19

  • 4 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25
  • 3 Regidrago V SIT 135
  • 3 Regidrago VSTAR SIT 136
  • 2 Dragapult ex TWM 130
  • 1 Cleffa OBF 80
  • 1 Giratina VSTAR LOR 131
  • 1 Haxorus SFA 46
  • 1 Hisuian Goodra VSTAR LOR 136
  • 1 Kyurem SFA 47
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAF 75

Trainer Cards - 31

  • 4 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 4 Energy Switch SVI 173
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
  • 1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Temple of Sinnoh ASR 155

Energy - 10

  • 8 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1
  • 2 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2

$45

Dragapult ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Dreepy up into Drakloak to take advantage of its Recon Directive Ability which lets you look at the top two cards of your deck, put one of those cards into your hand, and put the other on the bottom of your deck—or, use Rare Candy to evolve a Dreepy into a Dragapult ex and use its Phantom Dive attack, which does 200 damage and lets you put six damage counters on your opponent’s Benched Pokémon in any way you like. Take turns via spreading the damage counters around or by spreading the right number of damage counters in the right places, and then using Technical Machine: Devolution to rapidly devolve and, by extension, knockout, a number of your opponent’s Evolved Pokémon.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Mads Jensen - 5th Place, Stuttgart Regional Championships

Pokémon - 17

  • 4 Drakloak TWM 129
  • 4 Dreepy TWM 128
  • 4 Iron Thorns ex TWM 77
  • 2 Dragapult ex TWM 130
  • 1 Radiant Alakazam SIT 59
  • 1 Toedscool PAR 16
  • 1 Toedscruel PAR 17

Trainer Cards - 32

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 4 Crispin SCR 133
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 2 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 1 Precious Trolley SSP 185
  • 1 Tera Orb SSP 189
  • 2 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
  • 1 Future Booster Energy Capsule TEF 149
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159

Energy - 11

  • 4 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 4 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 3 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4

$100

Gholdengo ex

Illus. aky CG Works

Basic Strategy

Evolve Gimmighoul up into Gholdengo and Ralts into Kirlia. Draw cards with Coin Bonus and Refinement, building your hand so that you have a stockpile of Basic Energy cards. Attack with Gholdengo ex’s Make it Rain, which does 50 damage for each Energy card your discard from your hand.

KEY CARDS

Watch The Archetype in Action

Source: Victor de Velasco - 3rd Place, Sacramento Regional Championships

Pokémon - 14

  • 4 Gholdengo ex PAR 139
  • 4 Gimmighoul SSP 97
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Togekiss SSP 72
  • 1 Togepi SSP 70

Trainer Cards - 36

  • 3 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145
  • 3 Irida ASR 147
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Thorton LOR 167
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 4 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 4 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 2 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Energy Search Pro SSP 176
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 3 PokéStop PGO 68

Energy - 10

  • 3 Basic Metal Energy SVE 8
  • 1 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 1 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6
  • 1 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 1 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1
  • 1 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4
  • 1 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 1 Basic Water Energy SVE 3

$35

Snorlax Stall

Illus. N-DESIGN Inc.

BASIC STRATEGY

Run your opponent out of resources by using the deck’s combination of resource-burning cards: Miss Fortune Sisters, Giacomo, and Counter Catcher in combination with Snorlax’s Block Ability and Mimikyu’s Safeguard Ability—forcing your opponent to find answers to either retreat their Pokémon or otherwise get a different Pokémon in the Active Spot with the challenge you present them. Further frustrate your opponent by using Erika’s Invitation to force a Basic Pokémon from your opponent’s hand into play. Win by either your opponent’s concession or by running your opponent out of cards in their deck.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Ryan Antonucci - 43rd Place, World Championships 2024

Pokémon - 11

  • 4 Snorlax PGO 55
  • 2 Rotom V LOR 58
  • 2 Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 112
  • 2 Mimikyu PAL 97
  • 1 Pidgeot V LOR 137

Trainer Cards - 49

  • 4 Penny SVI 183
  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 3 Miss Fortune Sisters LOR 164
  • 2 Eri TEF 146
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Team Yell's Cheer BRS 149
  • 1 Giacomo PAL 182
  • 1 Erika's Invitation MEW 160
  • 1 Cyllene ASR 138
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 3 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 3 Accompanying Flute TWM 142
  • 1 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Secret Box TWM 163
  • 3 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 2 Handheld Fan TWM 150
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 3 Temple of Sinnoh ASR 155

Energy - 0

$65

Gardevoir ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down and evolve Ralts into Kirlia, or with Rare Candy, into Gardevoir ex. Use Gardevoir ex Psychic Embrace Ability to attach Psychic Energy from your discard pile to your Pokémon to prepare them to attack. Use Drifloon, Cresselia, Scream Tail, and even Gardevoir ex itself to take knockouts as needed.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Nathan Doyle - 4th Place, Stuttgart Regional Championships

Pokémon - 18

  • 4 Kirlia SIT 68
  • 4 Ralts ASR 60
  • 2 Gardevoir ex SVI 86
  • 1 Drifloon SVI 89
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Flutter Mane TEF 78
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Munkidori TWM 95
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Scream Tail PAR 86

Trainer Cards - 34

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Call Bell SSP 165
  • 3 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Precious Trolley SSP 185
  • 1 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 2 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 2 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
  • 1 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137

Energy - 8

  • 7 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 1 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7

$70

Ancient Box

Illus. Teeziro & hncl

BASIC STRATEGY

Early on, attack with Koraidon’s Primordial Beatdown attack which does 30 damage for each of your Ancient Pokémon in play. After building your discard pile up with a large number of Ancient cards, attack with Roaring Moon and its Vengeance Fletching attack, which does 70 damage plus 10 more damage for each Ancient card in your discard pile.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Yihao Chen - 10th Place, Sacramento Regional Championships

Pokémon - 15

  • 4 Roaring Moon TEF 109
  • 3 Flutter Mane TEF 78
  • 2 Great Tusk TEF 97
  • 1 Brute Bonnet PAR 123
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Pecharunt ex SFA 39
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Roaring Moon ex PAR 124

Trainer Cards - 38

  • 4 Explorer's Guidance TEF 147
  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 1 Dark Patch ASR 139
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Secret Box TWM 163
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
  • 4 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
  • 1 Binding Mochi SFA 55
  • 3 PokéStop PGO 68

Energy - 7

  • 7 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7

 Recently Competitive Archetypes

The decks that appear below have recently appeared in the top 8 but have since fallen out of it. These decks may lack the competitive edge necessary to fight off the current meta—or they may just be taking a quick nap and will come back swinging after a little rest.

$80

Lost Box

Illus. Ryota Murayama & Toshinao Aoki & Aya Kusube

BASIC STRATEGY

Using the components of the Comfey engine, get first to four and then ten cards in the Lost Zone—use Comfey’s Flower Selecting Ability, with which you look at the top two cards of your deck and put one in your hand and the other into the Lost Zone. Attack using Cramorant and its Spit Innocently attack, which does 110 damage (without the benefit of Weakness) for 0 Energy if you have four cards in the Lost Zone. Use Mirage Gate and manual attachments to power up Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex or Iron Hands ex as needed to take advantage of their Blood Moon and Amp You Very Much attacks.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Andrew Gantner - 48th Place, Sacramento Regional Championships

Pokémon - 11

  • 4 Comfey LOR 79
  • 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
  • 1 Cramorant LOR 50
  • 1 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Pikachu ex SSP 57
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Sableye LOR 70

Trainer Cards - 40

  • 4 Colress's Experiment LOR 155
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Roxanne ASR 150
  • 4 Mirage Gate LOR 163
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 4 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 3 Switch SVI 194
  • 2 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 4 PokéStop PGO 68

Energy - 9

  • 2 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1
  • 2 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4
  • 2 Basic Metal Energy SVE 8
  • 2 Basic Water Energy SVE 3
  • 1 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

$105

Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR

Illus. aky CG Works

Basic Strategy

Using the deck’s various search cards and draw options, seek out and bench as many Pokémon as possible to boost the damage of Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR’s Subspace Swell attack which does 60 damage plus 20 more damage for each Benched Pokémon (both yours and your opponent’s). Throughout the game, discard Water Energy via Ultra Ball and Radiant Greninja’s Concealed Cards ability. When needed, use Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR’s Star Portal ability to power up either another Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR or Radiant Greninja.

Key Cards

Watch The Archetype in Action

Source: Kyle Lesniewicz - 3rd Place, Louisville Regional Championships

Pokémon - 18

  • 3 Duskull SFA 18
  • 2 Dusknoir SFA 20
  • 2 Origin Forme Palkia V ASR 39
  • 2 Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR ASR 40
  • 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
  • 1 Dusclops SFA 19
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Froakie OBF 56
  • 1 Greninja ex TWM 106
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Rotom V LOR 58

  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAF 75

Trainer Cards - 35

  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Irida ASR 147
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 4 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Trekking Shoes CRZ 145
  • 3 PokéStop PGO 68

Energy - 7

  • 7 Basic Water Energy SVE 3

$85

Miraidon ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Set up with the assistance of Miraidon ex’s Tandem Unit Ability. Accelerate energy into play via Electric Generator and Energy Sticker. Attack using Miraidon ex’s Photon Blaster attack, which does 220 damage and prevents Miraidon ex from attacking next turn. For larger knock outs, power up Raichu V and with additional Lightning Energy in play, use its Dynamic Spark attack, which does 60 damage for each Lightning Energy you discard from any of your Pokémon. Go after more vulnerable Pokémon with Iron Hands ex and its Amp You Very Much attack, which does 120 damage and lets you take an additional Prize Card when taking a knockout.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Landen Kaetler - 1st Place, Sacramento Regional Championships

Pokémon - 15

  • 2 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
  • 2 Miraidon ex SVI 81
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Latias ex SSP 76
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Magnemite PAL 65
  • 1 Magneton SSP 59
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Pikachu ex SSP 57
  • 1 Raichu V BRS 45
  • 1 Raikou V BRS 48

  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAF 75

Trainer Cards - 28

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 4 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 4 Electric Generator PAF 79
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Secret Box TWM 163
  • 1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 2 Area Zero Underdepths SCR 131

Energy - 17

  • 16 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4
  • 1 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

$60

Pidgeot ex Control

Illus. takuya

BASIC STRATEGY

Run your opponent out of resources by using the deck’s combination of resource-burning cards like Eri and Counter Catcher in combination with the deck’s variety of walling options, like Mimikyu with its Safeguard Ability—forcing your opponent to find answers to either retreat their Pokémon or otherwise get a different Pokémon in the Active Spot with the challenge you present them. Win by either your opponent’s concession or by running your opponent out of cards in their deck.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Joseph Mousaed - 16th Place, Sacramento Regional Championships

Pokémon - 14

  • 2 Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 112
  • 2 Mimikyu PAL 97
  • 2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
  • 2 Pidgey OBF 162
  • 2 Rotom V LOR 58
  • 2 Snorlax PGO 55
  • 1 Chi-Yu ex PAL 40
  • 1 Luxray V ASR 50

Trainer Cards - 42

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Cyllene ASR 138
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Miss Fortune Sisters LOR 164
  • 2 Penny SVI 183
  • 1 Eri TEF 146
  • 1 Erika's Invitation MEW 160
  • 1 Thorton LOR 167
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 3 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 3 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Accompanying Flute TWM 142
  • 2 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 2 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 2 Beach Court SVI 167

Energy - 4

  • 2 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
  • 1 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6
  • 1 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2

$95

Roaring Moon ex

Illus. takuyoa

BASIC STRATEGY

Using a combination of Earthen Vessel, Dark Patch, and Professor Sada’s Vitality, power up a benched Roaring Moon ex. Take Knock Outs, as appropriate, by using Roaring Moon ex’s Frenzied Gouging attack, which instantly Knocks Out your opponent’s Pokémon in exchange for Roaring Moon ex doing 200 damage to itself, Roaring Moon ex’s Calamity Storm, which does 100 damage plus 120 more if you discard a Stadium card in play, or Roaring Moon TEF’s Vengeance Fletching, which does 70 damage, plus 10 more damage for each Ancient card in your discard pile.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Emmet Hurley - 3rd Place, Baltimore Regional Championships

Pokémon - 11

  • 3 Roaring Moon ex PAR 124
  • 2 Pecharunt ex SFA 39
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Roaring Moon TEF 109
  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169

Trainer Cards - 40

  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
  • 2 Judge SVI 176
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 4 Dark Patch ASR 139
  • 4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Pokémon Catcher SVI 187
  • 3 Trekking Shoes CRZ 145
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 1 Enhanced Hammer TWM 148
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 4 PokéStop PGO 68

Energy - 9

  • 9 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7

$110

Raging Bolt ex

Illus. aky CG Works

BASIC STRATEGY

Using a combination of Professor Sada’s Vitality and manual attachments, power up Raging Bolt ex’s Bellowing Thunder attack, which does 70 damage for each Energy card you discard from your Pokémon in play. Use Teal Mask Ogerpon ex’s Teal Dance Ability to attach a Basic Grass Energy from your hand to that Ogerpon ex each turn to help power up Raging Bolt’s attack. After your opponent has taken two Prize cards, accelerate additional energy into play with Sandy Shocks ex’s Magnetic Absorbtion Ability, which reads, “Once during your turn, if your opponent has 4 or fewer Prize cards remaining, you may attach a Basic [F] Energy card from your discard pile to this Pokémon.”

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Michael Cacilhas - 25th Place, Sacramento Regional Championships

Pokémon - 11

  • 4 Raging Bolt ex TEF 123
  • 3 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Slither Wing PAR 107
  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169

Trainer Cards - 38

  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Trekking Shoes CRZ 145
  • 3 Energy Retrieval SVI 171
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 2 Pokémon Catcher SVI 187
  • 2 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 2 PokéStop PGO 68

Energy - 11

  • 5 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1
  • 3 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6
  • 3 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4

$55

Iron Thorns ex

Illus. PLANETA Mochizuki

BASIC STRATEGY

Slam down Iron Thorns ex and use its Initialization Ability to cripple your opponent’s setup. Use the deck’s other disruption options, including cards like Crushing Hammer, to destroy your opponent’s setup as you slowly whittle away at their Pokémon with Iron Thorns ex’s Volt Cyclone attack, which does 140 damage and makes you move an Energy from Iron Thorns ex to one of your Benched Pokémon.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Cal Connor - 1st Place, Late Night #210

Pokémon - 4

  • 4 Iron Thorns ex TWM 77

Trainer Cards - 45

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 4 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 4 Judge SVI 176
  • 4 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 2 Colress's Tenacity SFA 57
  • 2 Penny SVI 183
  • 4 Crushing Hammer SVI 168
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 2 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
  • 2 Enhanced Hammer TWM 148
  • 2 Techno Radar PAR 180
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 3 Future Booster Energy Capsule TEF 149
  • 1 Technical Machine: Devolution PAR 177
  • 1 Technical Machine: Turbo Energize PAR 179
  • 3 Lost City LOR 161

Energy - 11

  • 7 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4
  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

$75

Hydreigon ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Set up your Deino to evolve up into Hydreigon ex via Rare Candy. Attack with Hydreigon’s Crashing Headbutt attack which does 200 damage and discards the top 3 cards of your opponent’s deck. As advantageous, use either the Basic Psychic Energy and the Basic Metal Energy or your copy of Neo Upper Energy in addition to the base attack cost of Crashing Headbutt in order to pay the attack cost of Obsidian, [P][D][M][C], which does 130 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon and does 130 damage to 2 of their Benched Pokémon.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Juan Mora - 93rd Place, Sacramento Regional Championships

Pokémon - 16

  • 3 Deino SSP 117
  • 3 Hydreigon ex SSP 119
  • 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Morpeko PAR 121
  • 1 Pecharunt ex SFA 39
  • 1 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
  • 1 Pidgey OBF 162
  • 1 Rotom V LOR 58
  • 1 Zweilous SSP 118

Trainer Cards - 38

  • 3 Arven OBF 186
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Eri TEF 146
  • 1 Xerosic's Machinations SFA 64
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Dark Patch ASR 139
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 2 Counter Gain SSP 169
  • 1 Binding Mochi SFA 55
  • 1 Defiance Band SVI 169
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156

Energy - 6

  • 5 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 1 Neo Upper Energy TEF 162

$35

Cornerstone Control

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Prevent your opponent from successfully attacking your Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex with its Cornerstone Stance Ability, which prevents any Pokémon with an Ability from damaging it, and from attacking your Noivern ex with its Covert Flight attack, which reads, “During your opponent's next turn, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks from Basic Pokémon.” Wear down your opponent’s resources and prevent their taking Prize cards with resources like Penny and Scoop Up Cyclone.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Nolan Randall - 6th Place, Baltimore Regional Championships

Pokémon - 9

  • 4 Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 112
  • 3 Noibat PAL 152
  • 2 Noivern ex PAL 153

Trainer Cards - 39

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 3 Colress's Experiment LOR 155
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 3 Penny SVI 183
  • 2 Colress's Tenacity SFA 57
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Energy Loto ASR 140
  • 1 Scoop Up Cyclone TWM 162
  • 1 Exp. Share SVI 174
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 1 Rock Chestplate SVI 192
  • 1 Technical Machine: Turbo Energize PAR 179
  • 1 Artazon PAF 76
  • 1 Town Store OBF 196

Energy - 12

  • 5 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6
  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
  • 3 Mist Energy TEF 161

$50

Lost Box with Radiant Charizard

Illus. Kouki Saitou & Aya Kusube

BASIC STRATEGY

Using the components of the Comfey engine, get first to four and then ten cards in the Lost Zone—use Comfey’s Flower Selecting Ability, with which you look at the top two cards of your deck and put one in your hand and the other into the Lost Zone. Attack using Cramorant and its Spit Innocently attack, which does 110 damage (without the benefit of Weakness) for 0 Energy if you have four cards in the Lost Zone, and attack using Sableye and its Lost Mine attack, which allows you to put 12 damage counters on your opponent’s Pokémon in any way you like, provided you have 10 cards in the Lost Zone.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Marco Cifuentes Meta - 53rd Place, World Championships 2024

Pokémon - 15

  • 4 Comfey LOR 79
  • 2 Cramorant LOR 50
  • 2 Sableye LOR 70
  • 2 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Spiritomb PAL 89
  • 1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20
  • 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38

Trainer Cards - 40

  • 4 Colress's Experiment LOR 155
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Roxanne ASR 150
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 3 Switch SVI 194
  • 3 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 3 Mirage Gate LOR 163
  • 3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Secret Box TWM 163
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 1 Technical Machine: Devolution PAR 177
  • 1 Choice Belt PAL 176
  • 1 Temple of Sinnoh ASR 155

Energy - 5

  • 3 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 2 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2

$70

Lugia VSTAR

Illus. PLANETA Mochizuki

BASIC STRATEGY

Get two Archeops into the discard pile while benching and eventually evolving Lugia V into Lugia VSTAR. Prioritize getting two Archeops into play using Lugia’s Summoning Star VSTAR Power, which puts two Colorless Pokémon from your discard pile directly onto your bench. Use Archeops’ Primal Turbo Ability and manual attachments to power up the decks toolbox of attackers, including Iron Hands ex, Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex, and Wyrdeer V. For variants of the deck that run it, also make use of Cinccino’s Special Roll attack. As needed, attack with Lugia VSTAR’s Tempest Dive attack, which does 220 damage and grants you the option to discard a Stadium card in play.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Samuel Scime - 19th Place, Sacramento Regional Championships

Pokémon - 22

  • 4 Archeops SIT 147
  • 4 Lugia V SIT 138
  • 3 Cinccino TEF 137
  • 3 Lugia VSTAR SIT 139
  • 3 Minccino TEF 136
  • 2 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
  • 1 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169

Trainer Cards - 21

  • 4 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 3 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 1 Carmine TWM 145
  • 4 Capturing Aroma SIT 153
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Mesagoza SVI 178

Energy - 17

  • 4 Gift Energy LOR 171
  • 4 Jet Energy PAL 190
  • 3 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
  • 3 Mist Energy TEF 161
  • 2 V Guard Energy SIT 169
  • 1 Legacy Energy TWM 167

$80

Chien-Pao ex

Illus. aky CG Works

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down and evolve Frigibax into Baxcalibur to make use of Baxcalibur’s Super Cold Ability, which reads, “As often as you like during your turn, you may attach a [W] Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Pokémon.” Flood your board with Water Energy, pulling Energy from your deck with Chien-Pao’s Shivery Chill Ability, which reads, “Once during your turn, if this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may search your deck for up to 2 basic [W] Energy cards, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.” Use Chien Pao’s Hail Blade, which does 60 damage for each [W] Energy you discard from your Pokémon, to take Knock Outs.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Andy Zhang - 14th Place, Sacramento Regional Championships

Pokémon - 16

  • 2 Baxcalibur PAL 60
  • 2 Bibarel BRS 121
  • 2 Bidoof CRZ 111
  • 2 Chien-Pao ex PAL 61
  • 2 Frigibax PAL 57
  • 1 Frigibax PAF 17
  • 1 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Origin Forme Palkia V ASR 39
  • 1 Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR ASR 40
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 35

  • 4 Irida ASR 147
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Cyllene ASR 138
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 2 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 2 PokéStop PGO 68

Energy - 9

  • 8 Basic Water Energy SVE 3
  • 1 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4

$70

Ceruledge ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

While building up your board by setting up your Charcadet to be ready to evolve into Ceruledge ex, use your deck’s resources like Radiant Greninja, Carmine, Professor’s Research, Ultra Ball, Earthen Vessel, and PokéStop to quickly get Energy cards into the discard pile in order to power up Ceruledge ex’s Abyssal Flames attack, which does 30 damage plus 20 more damage for each Energy card in your discard pile.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Jaehyeok Kim - 26th Place, Korean League Season 1

Pokémon - 12

  • 4 Charcadet SSP 32
  • 3 Ceruledge ex SSP 36
  • 1 Fan Rotom SCR 118
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Spiritomb PAL 89
  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169

Trainer Cards - 29

  • 4 Carmine TWM 145
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 1 Briar SCR 132
  • 1 Judge SVI 176
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 3 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 2 Pokémon Catcher SVI 187
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 2 PokéStop PGO 68
  • 1 Jamming Tower TWM 153

Energy - 19

  • 15 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 3 Jet Energy PAL 190
  • 1 Legacy Energy TWM 167

$125

Terapagos ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

Basic Strategy

Prepare to attack with Terapagos ex and its Unified Beatdown attack, which does 30 damage for each of your Benched Pokémon (but only after your first turn), or with Crown Opan, which does 180 damage and shields Terapagos from the damage of attacks of Basic non-Colorless Pokémon. Use Noctowl’s Jewel Seeker Ability with a Terapagos ex in play to search your deck for any two Trainer cards. If included, use Dusclops and Dusknoir’s Cursed Blast to setup or take knockouts and to throw of your opponent’s Prize Trade.

Key Cards

Watch The Archetype in Action

Source: Austin Ellis - 7th Place, Latin America International Championships

Pokémon - 22

  • 4 Hoothoot TEF 126
  • 4 Noctowl SCR 115
  • 3 Terapagos ex SCR 128
  • 2 Dusknoir SFA 20
  • 2 Duskull SFA 18
  • 2 Fan Rotom SCR 118
  • 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
  • 1 Pidgey OBF 162

Trainer Cards - 34

  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Briar SCR 132
  • 1 Thorton LOR 167
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 3 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Energy Loto ASR 140
  • 1 Feather Ball ASR 141
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Vitality Band SVI 197
  • 3 Area Zero Underdepths SCR 131

Energy - 4

  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

$50

Banette ex

Illus. PLANETA Mochizuki

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down and evolve Ralts into Kirlia and then into Gardevoir ex. Use Gardevoir ex’s Psychic Embrace Ability to attach Psychic Energy from your discard pile to your Pokémon to prepare them to attack. Use Banette ex’s Everlasting Darkness as needed to Item lock your opponent and deal massive amounts of damage with Banette ex’s Poltergeist attack, which does 60 damage for each Trainer card you find in your opponent’s hand.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Magnus Pedersen - 4th Place, Gdańsk Regional Championships

Pokémon - 22

  • 4 Kirlia SIT 68
  • 4 Shuppet SVI 87
  • 3 Banette ex SVI 88
  • 2 Gardevoir ex SVI 86
  • 2 Munkidori TWM 95
  • 2 Ralts ASR 60
  • 1 Banette LOR 73
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Ralts SIT 67
  • 1 Scream Tail PAR 86
  • 1 Spiritomb PAL 89

Trainer Cards - 29

  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 1 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Trekking Shoes CRZ 145
  • 1 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Gravity Gemstone SCR 137
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 9

  • 6 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 3 Luminous Energy PAL 191