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 What to Play - Standard Meta Decks

This page was last updated 21 April 2024

Next Planned Update: 28 April 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

$90

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: Tord Reklev - 1st Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 20

  • 4 Charmander OBF 26
  • 3 Charizard ex PAF 54
  • 2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
  • 2 Pidgey MEW 16
  • 1 Bibarel BRS 121
  • 1 Bidoof CRZ 111
  • 1 Charmeleon PAF 8
  • 1 Cleffa OBF 80
  • 1 Jirachi PAR 126
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20
  • 1 Rotom V CRZ 45

Trainer Cards - 34

  • 3 Arven OBF 186
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
  • 1 Roxanne ASR 150
  • 1 Team Yell's Cheer BRS 149
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 4 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Choice Belt PAL 176
  • 1 Defiance Band SVI 169
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 1 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137

Energy - 6

  • 6 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2

$110

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: Regan Retzloff - 4th Place, Orlando Regional Championships

Pokémon - 15

  • 3 Chien-Pao ex PAL 61
  • 2 Baxcalibur PAL 60
  • 2 Bibarel BRS 121
  • 2 Bidoof CRZ 111
  • 2 Frigibax PAL 57
  • 1 Frigibax PAF 17
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 36

  • 4 Irida ASR 147
  • 2 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145
  • 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
  • 3 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 3 PokéStop PGO 68

Energy - 9

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

$100

Giratina VSTAR w/ Comfey

Illus. 5ban Graphics and Aya Kusube

BASIC STRATEGY

Using the components of the Comfey engine, get first to seven and then later 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. Use Mirage Gate to power up Giratina VSTAR’s attacks and take knockouts with its Lost Impact and Star Requiem attacks.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Isaiah Bradner - 2nd Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 19

  • 4 Comfey LOR 79
  • 3 Giratina V LOR 130
  • 3 Giratina VSTAR LOR 131
  • 2 Shuppet SVI 87
  • 1 Banette ex SVI 88
  • 1 Banette LOR 73
  • 1 Sableye LOR 70
  • 1 Cramorant LOR 50
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Iron Leaves ex TEF 25

Trainer Cards - 28

  • 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
  • 3 Switch SVI 194
  • 2 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 1 Temple of Sinnoh ASR 155
  • 1 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 13

  • 5 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 4 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1
  • 4 Jet Energy PAL 190

$50

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, Scream Tail, and even Gardevoir ex itself to take knockouts as needed.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Joshua Frink - 3rd Place, Orlando Regional Championships

Pokémon - 18

  • 4 Kirlia SIT 68
  • 4 Ralts ASR 60
  • 2 Gardevoir ex PAF 29
  • 1 Drifloon SVI 89
  • 1 Flutter Mane TEF 78
  • 1 Jirachi PAR 126
  • 1 Klefki SVI 96
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Mimikyu PAF 37
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Scream Tail PAR 86

Trainer Cards - 33

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Eri TEF 146
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 3 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 2 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
  • 1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 1 Luxurious Cape PAR 166
  • 1 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137

Energy - 9

  • 9 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

$70

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: Mark Høstrup - 7th Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 14

  • 4 Roaring Moon TEF 109
  • 3 Roaring Moon ex PAR 124
  • 3 Dunsparce TEF 128
  • 3 Dudunsparce TEF 129
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 37

  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
  • 4 Explorer's Guidance TEF 147
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Penny SVI 183
  • 4 Dark Patch ASR 139
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 3 Trekking Shoes CRZ 145
  • 2 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 4 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
  • 3 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 9

  • 9 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7

$40

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: Jake Ewart - 2nd Place, Orlando Regional Championships

Pokémon - 13

  • 4 Flutter Mane TEF 78
  • 4 Roaring Moon TEF 109
  • 3 Koraidon TEF 119
  • 1 Great Tusk TEF 97
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 39

  • 4 Explorer's Guidance TEF 147
  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Penny SVI 183
  • 4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Awakening Drum TEF 141
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
  • 4 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
  • 3 PokéStop PGO 68

Energy - 8

  • 6 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 1 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6
  • 1 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2

$105

Lugia VSTAR (Colorless)

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 Cinccino’s Special Roll attack. Alternatively, 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: Christian Graziano - 24th Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 21

  • 4 Lugia V SIT 138
  • 3 Lugia VSTAR SIT 139
  • 4 Archeops SIT 147
  • 3 Minccino BRS 124
  • 3 Cinccino TEF 137
  • 1 Snorlax LOR 143
  • 1 Luxray PAL 71
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40

Trainer Cards - 23

  • 4 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Jacq SVI 175
  • 1 Serena SIT 164
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 4 Capturing Aroma SIT 153
  • 1 Master Ball TEF 153
  • 1 Great Ball PAL 183
  • 1 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137

Energy - 16

  • 4 Gift Energy LOR 171
  • 4 Jet Energy PAL 190
  • 3 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
  • 2 Mist Energy TEF 161
  • 1 Therapeutic Energy PAL 193
  • 1 Reversal Energy PAL 192
  • 1 V Guard Energy SIT 169

$90

Giratina VSTAR w/ Arceus VSTAR

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Use Arceus V’s Trinity Charge and Arceus VSTAR’s Trinity Nova to power up Giratina VSTAR and take knockouts using Giratina VSTAR’s Lost Impact attack. Use Giratina V’s Shred as necessary to cut through damage-reducing or damage-negating effects on your opponent’s Pokémon.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Michael Pramawat - 68th Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 20

  • 4 Arceus V BRS 122
  • 3 Arceus VSTAR BRS 123
  • 3 Bidoof CRZ 111
  • 3 Bibarel BRS 121
  • 2 Giratina V LOR 130
  • 2 Giratina VSTAR LOR 131
  • 1 Skwovet SVI 151
  • 1 Spiritomb PAL 89
  • 1 Iron Leaves ex TEF 25

Trainer Cards - 26

  • 4 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 4 Judge SVI 176
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Switch SVI 194
  • 2 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Choice Belt PAL 176
  • 1 Maximum Belt TEF 154

Energy - 14

  • 5 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1
  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
  • 4 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 1 Jet Energy PAL 190

 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.

$140

Future Box w/ Turbo Iron Hands ex

Illus. PLANETA Mochizuki & 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Accelerate energy to Iron Hands ex with Miraidon’s Peak Acceleration attack and with Electric Generator. Attack and take knock outs with Iron Hands ex’s Amp You Very Much attack which does 120 damage and lets you take an additional Prize card when you take a knockout with that attack. Boost the damage of both Iron Hands ex and Miraidon with Iron Crown ex’s Cobalt Command Ability.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Uffe Axelsen - 4th Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 10

  • 4 Iron Crown ex TEF 81
  • 3 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
  • 2 Miraidon TEF 121
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151

Trainer Cards - 34

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 4 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Erika's Invitation MEW 160
  • 4 Techno Radar PAR 180
  • 4 Electric Generator PAF 79
  • 2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 1 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 1 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 4 Future Booster Energy Capsule TEF 149
  • 2 Heavy Baton TEF 151

Energy - 16

  • 14 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4
  • 2 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

$105

Lost Box with Paradox Pokémon

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, manual attachments, and Raihan to power up Roaring Moon ex or Iron Hands ex as needed to take advantage of their Frenzied Gouging and Amp You Very Much attacks.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Pedro Eugenio Torres - 12th Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 13

  • 4 Comfey LOR 79
  • 1 Sableye LOR 70
  • 1 Cramorant LOR 50
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Roaring Moon ex PAR 124
  • 1 Raikou V BRS 48
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
  • 1 Hoopa ex PAR 98
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151

Trainer Cards - 37

  • 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 Switch SVI 194
  • 3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 10

  • 4 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 3 Basic Water Energy SVE 3
  • 2 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4
  • 1 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

$65

Pidgeot ex Control

Illus. takuya

BASIC STRATEGY

Run your opponent out of resources by using the deck’s combination of resource-burning cards: Eri, Miss Fortune Sisters, Giacomo, 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: Alessandro Cremascoli - 3rd Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 13

  • 2 Pidgey MEW 16
  • 2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
  • 1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20
  • 1 Chi-Yu ex PAL 40
  • 1 Noibat PAF 68
  • 1 Noivern ex PAF 69
  • 1 Bouffalant LOR 148
  • 1 Rotom V CRZ 45
  • 1 Luxray V ASR 50
  • 1 Mimikyu PAF 37
  • 1 Mawile LOR 71

Trainer Cards - 42

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 3 Penny SVI 183
  • 1 Eri TEF 146
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Thorton LOR 167
  • 1 Roseanne's Backup BRS 148
  • 1 Cyllene ASR 138
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 3 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 3 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 2 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 2 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 2 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 1 Defiance Band SVI 169
  • 1 Technical Machine: Devolution PAR 177
  • 1 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 5

  • 2 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 2 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
  • 1 Mist Energy TEF 161

$95

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: Stian Nilsson - 128th Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 13

  • 4 Comfey LOR 79
  • 2 Cramorant LOR 50
  • 1 Sableye LOR 70
  • 1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20
  • 1 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Spiritomb PAL 89

Trainer Cards - 37

  • 4 Colress's Experiment LOR 155
  • 2 Roxanne ASR 150
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 4 Mirage Gate LOR 163
  • 3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 3 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Switch SVI 194
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 1 Technical Machine: Crisis Punch PAF 90
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 10

  • 3 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 3 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4
  • 2 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 2 Jet Energy PAL 190

$90

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: Karl Fletcher - 78th Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 15

  • 4 Gimmighoul PAR 87
  • 4 Gholdengo ex PAR 139
  • 2 Origin Forme Palkia V ASR 39
  • 2 Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR ASR 40
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Spiritomb PAL 89

Trainer Cards - 35

  • 3 Irida ASR 147
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145
  • 1 Cyllene ASR 138
  • 1 Morty's Conviction TEF 155
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 4 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Energy Retrieval SVI 171
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 PokéStop PGO 68

Energy - 10

  • 7 Basic Water Energy SVE 3
  • 3 Basic Metal Energy SVE 8

$50

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: Jan Hausmann - 58th Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 9

  • 4 Snorlax PGO 55
  • 2 Rotom V CRZ 45
  • 1 Chi-Yu ex PAL 40
  • 1 Pidgeot V LOR 137
  • 1 Mimikyu PAF 37

Trainer Cards - 49

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 3 Penny SVI 183
  • 3 Eri TEF 146
  • 2 Erika's Invitation MEW 160
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Miss Fortune Sisters LOR 164
  • 1 Giacomo PAL 182
  • 1 Team Yell's Cheer BRS 149
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Cyllene ASR 138
  • 4 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 3 Crushing Hammer SVI 168
  • 2 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 3 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 1 Patrol Cap OBF 191
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 3 Temple of Sinnoh ASR 155

Energy - 2

  • 2 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2

$30

Espathra ex

Illus. takuyoa

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down and evolve Natu into Xatu, using Xatu’s Clairvoyant Sense Ability to attach a Psychic Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Benched Pokémon and draw two cards. Attack using Espathra ex’s Psy Ball attack, which does 30 damage plus 30 more damage for each Energy attached to both Active Pokémon, all while Espathra’s Ability, Dazzling Gaze, and Pokémon League Headquarters (against Basic Pokémon) make it cost [C] more each for their Pokémon to attack.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Braiden Elfert - 26th Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 20

  • 3 Natu PAF 25
  • 3 Xatu PAF 26
  • 3 Flittle SVI 100
  • 3 Espathra ex PAF 6
  • 2 Shuppet SVI 87
  • 1 Banette LOR 73
  • 1 Banette ex SVI 88
  • 1 Radiant Alakazam SIT 59
  • 1 Flutter Mane TEF 78
  • 1 Cleffa OBF 80
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41

Trainer Cards - 29

  • 4 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 4 Capturing Aroma SIT 153
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Energy Retrieval SVI 171
  • 1 Rigid Band MEW 165
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 2 Pokémon League Headquarters OBF 192

Energy - 11

  • 11 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

$75

Gouging Fire ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Using Magma Basin and manual attachments, power up and take knockouts with either Entei V’s Burning Rondo or Gouging Fire ex’s Blaze Blitz attack.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Wasin Taechakijviboon - 1st Place, Thailand Regional Championships

Pokémon - 10

  • 3 Gouging Fire ex TEF 38
  • 1 Chi-Yu PAR 29
  • 1 Cyclizar SVI 164
  • 1 Delphox V LOR 27
  • 1 Entei V BRS 22
  • 1 Iron Valiant ex PAR 89
  • 1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20
  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAF 75

Trainer Cards - 38

  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
  • 3 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Mela PAR 167
  • 1 Penny SVI 183
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 1 Maximum Belt TEF 154
  • 4 Magma Basin BRS 144

Energy - 12

  • 9 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 3 Jet Energy PAL 190

$85

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. 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: “tupochan” - 3rd Place, Late Night 180

Pokémon - 11

  • 3 Raging Bolt ex TEF 123
  • 3 Sandy Shocks ex PAR 108
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Raikou V BRS 48
  • 1 Slither Wing PAR 107
  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAF 75

Trainer Cards - 39

  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 3 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 3 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 2 Energy Switch SVI 173
  • 2 Trekking Shoes CRZ 145
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 2 PokéStop PGO 68
  • 1 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137
  • 1 Town Store OBF 196

Energy - 10

  • 7 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6
  • 3 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4

$45

Great Tusk Mill

Illus. GIDORA

BASIC STRATEGY

Using either Double Turbo Energy or Professor Sada’s Vitality and a manual attachment, use Great Tusk’s Land Collapse attack, which discards the top card of your opponent’s deck and, if you’ve played an Ancient Supporter card from your hand during your turn, discards 4 cards from their deck instead. Win by decking your opponent out of cards such that they are unable to draw a card at the start of their turn.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Ben Rodgers - 204th Place, EUIC 2024

Pokémon - 8

  • 4 Great Tusk TEF 97
  • 1 Mimikyu PAF 37
  • 1 Mawile LOR 71
  • 1 Pidgeot V LOR 137
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 42

  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
  • 4 Explorer's Guidance TEF 147
  • 1 Eri TEF 146
  • 4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 3 Trekking Shoes CRZ 145
  • 3 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 3 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 3 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 3 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 10

  • 5 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6
  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
  • 1 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5