New Archetypes from Brilliant Stars

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Turtwig and evolve at least one of them into Grotle. Use Grotle’s Sun-Drenched Shell ability to search for Torterra and, using Rare Candy, evolve Turtwig into Torterra as soon as possible. On turn 1, bench Leafeon V and use its Greening Cells ability to get an extra Grass energy into play. Evolve unevolved Pokémon as soon as possible to increase the damage of Torterra’s Evo Press attack, which does 50 damage for each of your Evolution Pokémon in play.

KEY CARDS

• Torterra BRS 8

• Grotle BRS 7

• Leafeon V EVS 7

• Exp. Share

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Cherrim BST 8 and its pre-evolution, Cherubi, in place of Leafeon V and Leafeon VSTAR.

• Empoleon BRS 37 as an out to an additional evolution Pokémon.

• Choice Belt as a damage-boosting tool to help Torterra take down high-HP Pokémon VMAX.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 22
4 Turtwig BRS 6
4 Grotle BRS 7
4 Torterra BRS 8
3 Bidoof BRS 120
3 Bibarel BRS 121
2 Leafeon V EVS 7
1 Leafeon VSTAR PR-SW 195
1 Manaphy BRS 41

Trainer Cards - 29
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cynthia's Ambition BRS 138
1 Bird Keeper DAA 159
1 Professor's Research CEL 23
3 Exp. Share BST 126
3 Quick Ball FST 237
3 Rare Candy SSH 180
3 Ultra Ball BRS 150
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Level Ball BST 129
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Training Court RCL 169

Energy - 9
5 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1
4 Capture Energy RCL 171

ALTERNATE LISTS

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Burmy into the most advantageous typing of Wormadam, to hit for Weakness when possible. Use Wormadam's Matron's Anger attack, which does 30 damage plus 10 more for each Pokémon in your discard pile. Use Zoroark's Phantom Transformation to help recycle attackers and to switch into techier attacking options, like Appletun (for dealing with decks that run a lot of Special Energy), Flapple (for dealing with ability-heavy decks), or Golisopod (for dealing with decks that run a lot of Pokémon V).

KEY CARDS

• Wormadam (BRS 10, 77, and 88)

• Zoroark EVS 103

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Cynthia’s Ambition or Bruno as a means of drawing a high quantity of cards after one of your Pokémon is knocked out.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 27
4 Burmy BRS 9
2 Wormadam BRS 77
1 Wormadam BRS 10
1 Wormadam BRS 98
4 Zorua EVS 102
4 Zoroark EVS 103
3 Minccino BRS 124
3 Cinccino SSH 147
1 Appletun EVS 121
1 Flapple EVS 120
1 Golisopod DAA 18
1 Manaphy BRS 41
1 Yveltal CEL 19

Trainer Cards - 27
4 Professor's Research CEL 23
3 Allister VIV 146
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Roseanne's Backup BRS 148
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Choice Belt BRS 135
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171

Energy - 6
4 Twin Energy RCL 174
2 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Leafeon V and use its Greening Cells ability early to attach a Grass Energy to prepare for Leafeon VMAX to use its Grass Knot attack, increasing the damage it deals with Galar Mine and, for Pokémon with retreat cost reducing tools attached to them, use Tool Jammer to shut off the effect of those tools to restore Grass Knot’s full damage. On later turns of the game, use a combination of Raihan and manual attachments to power up Shaymin V or its evolution, Shaymin VSTAR, to take advantage of its Revenge Burst attack, which does 40 more damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken—in addition to the base 40 damage (Shaymin V) or 120 (Shaymin VSTAR).

KEY CARDS

• Leafeon V EVS 7

• Leafeon VMAX EVS 8

• Leafeon VSTAR PR-SW 195

• Shaymin VSTAR BRS 14

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Snow Leaf Badge as an option to ensure that Leafeon V, VMAX, and VSTAR are able to retreat even when Galar Mine is in play.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 18
4 Leafeon V EVS 7
3 Leafeon VMAX EVS 8
1 Leafeon VSTAR PR-SW 195
3 Bidoof BRS 120
3 Bibarel BRS 121
1 Lumineon V BRS 40
1 Manaphy BRS 41
1 Shaymin V BRS 13
1 Shaymin VSTAR BRS 14

Trainer Cards - 33
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CEL 23
2 Raihan EVS 152
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Tool Jammer BST 136
1 Choice Belt BRS 135
1 Fan of Waves BST 127
4 Galar Mine RCL 160

Energy - 9
5 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1
4 Capture Energy RCL 171

BASIC STRATEGY

Use the deck’s various searching options, get as many Durant in play as possible, then attack using Durant's Devour attack, which mills the top card from your opponent's deck for each Durant you have in play. Further mill your opponent's deck with Cursed Shovel, which discards the top 2 cards of their deck when they knock out a Pokémon with one attached. Use Galar Mine in combination with the deck’s gusting options to give yourself free reign to mill your opponent’s deck without the threat of Durant being knocked out. Use Yell Horn to confuse your opponent’s attacking Pokémon to make it more difficult for them to knock out Durant when gust-stalling won’t work or isn’t an option.

KEY CARDS

• Durant BST 10

• Twin Energy, Double Turbo Energy

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Crushing Hammer, Fan of Waves, Flannery, Team Yell Grunt, and Yveltal CEL 19 as energy disruption options

• Cinccino SSH 147 or Bibarel BRS 121 as an alternative draw engine

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 9
4 Durant BST 10
2 Mew CEL 11
2 Snorlax VIV 131
1 Manaphy BRS 41

Trainer Cards - 45
3 Bird Keeper DAA 159
3 Cynthia’s Ambition BRS 138
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Bruno BST 121
1 Peonia CRE 149
1 Roseanne's Backup BRS 148
4 Cursed Shovel RCL 157
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Yell Horn DAA 173
4 Pokémon Catcher SSH 175
3 Rescue Carrier EVS 154
3 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
2 Ultra Ball BRS 150
1 Pal Pad SSH 172
1 Tool Scrapper RCL 168
3 Galar Mine RCL 160

Energy - 6
4 Twin Energy BRS 151
2 Double Turbo Energy RCL 174

ALTERNATE LISTS

• OmniPoke’s version of this archetype

• HotChocPTCG’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Minccino into Cinccino and Charizard V into Charizard VSTAR. Power up your attackers with a combination of Magma Basin, manual attachments, and Raihan, and take knockouts with Charizard VSTAR's Explosive Fire attack, which does 130 damage plus 100 more damage if Charizard VSTAR has any damage on it. Once per game, take a critical KO with its VSTAR Power, Star Blaze, which does 320 damage and discards two energy cards attached to Charizard VSTAR. Use Moltres to setup or finalize knockouts against your opponent’s Pokémon.

KEY CARDS

• Charizard V BRS 17

• Charizard VSTAR BRS 18

• Talonflame V VIV 29

• Magma Basin

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Ninetales V RCL 26 to give yourself access to each of your opponent’s Pokémon’s attacks in addition to those offered by Charizard V, Charizard VSTAR, Talonflame V, or Moltres.

• Choice Belt to boost the damage of your Pokémon’s attacks.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 16
4 Charizard V BRS 17
3 Charizard VSTAR BRS 18
3 Minccino BRS 124
3 Cinccino SSH 147
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Moltres BRS 21
1 Talonflame V VIV 29

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Professor's Research CEL 23
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Raihan EVS 152
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Switch SSH 183
4 Magma Basin BRS 144

Energy - 13
11 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2
2 Capture Energy RCL 171

ALTERNATE LISTS

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

• Ninecard TCG’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Attack with Entei V’s Burning Rondo attack, which does 20 damage plus 20 more damage for each Benched Pokémon both players have in play. Use Raihan and Magma Basin for quick and easy attachments and attach Heat Fire Energy to push Entei V's HP up just enough to make it much more difficult to knock out easily.

KEY CARDS

• Entei V BRS 22

• Talonflame V VIV 29

• Magma Basin

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Ninetales V RCL 26 to give yourself access to each of your opponent’s Pokémon’s attacks in addition to those offered by Entei V, Talonflame V, or Moltres.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 15
4 Entei V BRS 22
4 Minccino BRS 124
3 Cinccino SSH 147
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Manaphy BRS 41
1 Moltres BRS 21
1 Talonflame V VIV 29

Trainer Cards - 35
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CEL 23
2 Raihan EVS 152
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Choice Belt BRS 136
3 Level Ball BST 129
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
1 Escape Rope BST 125
4 Magma Basin BRS 144

Energy - 10
7 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2
3 Heat Fire Energy DAA 174

ALTERNATE LISTS

• OmniPoke’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Magmar into Magmortar, Minccino into Cinccino, and Electabuzz into Electivire. Using Magma Basin and manual attachments, power up Magmortar’s Volt Projection attack, which does 120 damage plus 120 more if Electivire is on your bench.

KEY CARDS

• Magmortar BRS 20

• Electivire BRS 47

• Magma Basin

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Raihan as an additional means of getting Energy into play to power up Magmortar’s attack.

• Choice Belt to boost the damage output of Magmortar’s attack from 240 to 270.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 20
4 Magmar BRS 19
4 Magmortar BRS 20
3 Minccino BRS 124
3 Cinccino SSH 147
2 Electabuzz BRS 46
2 Electivire BRS 47
1 Manaphy BRS 41
1 Moltres BRS 21

Trainer Cards - 30
4 Professor's Research CEL 23
3 Cynthia's Ambition BRS 138
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Exp. Share BST 126
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Switch SSH 183
4 Magma Basin BRS 144

Energy - 10
10 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2

BASIC STRATEGY

Use Kingler V’s Falling Bubbles attack, with the help of Glimwood Tangle to reflip if you get tails, or Wailord V’s Draw Up attack to power up Wailord V and its Ocean Waves attack or Kingler VMAX and its G-Max Pincer attack. Use Ocean Waves (again, with Glimwood Tangle to help reflip the coin flips for the attack, if necessary) to take knockouts.

KEY CARDS

• Kingler VMAX BRS 29

• Melony

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Hyper Potion to heal damage from damaged Wailord V.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 16
4 Kingler V BRS 28
1 Kingler VMAX BRS 29
4 Wailord V CPA 13
3 Minccino BRS 124
3 Cinccino SSH 147
1 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 34
4 Melony CRE 146
4 Professor's Research CEL 23
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
3 Cape of Toughness DAA 160
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Switch SSH 183
4 Glimwood Tangle DAA 162

Energy - 10
10 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

BASIC STRATEGY

Get Raichu V and Mareep into play as early as possible, evolving into Flaaffy as the opportunity presents. Manually Speed Lightning energy to Raichu V as needed to power up its Dynamic Spark attack and use Flaaffy’s Dynamotor ability to attach additional energy to Raichu to finish powering it up or to your Benched Pokémon to increase the damage of Raichu V’s Dynamic Spark attack, which does 60 damage for each Lightning Energy you discard from your Pokémon.

KEY CARDS

• Flaaffy BRS 55

• Raichu V BRS 45

• Raikou V BRS 48

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Boltund V RCL 67 as an alternate attacker and additional means of energy acceleration.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 17
4 Mareep CRE 47
4 Flaaffy EVS 55
3 Raichu V BRS 45
2 Raikou V BRS 48
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Lumineon V BRS 40
1 Manaphy BRS 41
1 Vikavolt V DAA 60

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CEL 23
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Choice Belt BRS 135
2 Level Ball BST 129
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Stormy Mountains EVS 161

Energy - 12
8 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4
4 Speed Lightning Energy RCL 173

ALTERNATE LISTS

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

• NinecardTCG’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Mareep into Flaaffy, and bench Reshiram and Zekrom, using Tapu Koko as a free-retreating pivot Pokémon. Use Flaafy’s Dynamotor ability to attach Energy to Zekrom to power up its White Thunder attack, which does 80 damage plus 80 more damage if Reshiram is on your bench. Further boost that 160 damage to 190 with Choice Belt, which adds 30 damage against to the damage against active Pokémon V. Use Zapdos to target down damaged or weakened bench Pokémon V on your opponent’s side of play with its Thunder Snipe attack.

KEY CARDS

• Flaaffy BRS 55

• Zekrom CEL 10

• Reshiram CEL 2

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 18
4 Mareep CRE 47
4 Flaaffy EVS 55
4 Zekrom CEL 10
2 Reshiram CEL 2
2 Tapu Koko DAA 61
1 Manaphy BRS 41
1 Zapdos VIV 48

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Professor's Research CEL 23
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cynthia's Ambition BRS 138
2 Marnie CPA 56
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Choice Belt BRS 135
2 Level Ball BST 129
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Stormy Mountains EVS 161

Energy - 11
7 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4
4 Speed Lightning Energy RCL 173

BASIC STRATEGY

Attach Energy to Pachirisu to prepare for its Windup Thunder attack, which does 30 damage for each Pokémon Tool card attached to all of your Pokémon. Attach Exp. Share and Lucky Egg to Pachirisu and other tools to Honchkrow V, whose Boss’s Stash ability makes it possible to attach up to 4 Tool cards to it.

KEY CARDS

• Pachirisu BRS 52

• Honchkrow V BRS 88

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Spirit Mask to add a small element of disruption against your opponent’s hand.

• Cynthia’s Ambition for some potent draw after one of your Pachirisu or Bibarel is knocked out.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 15
4 Pachirisu BRS 52
3 Bidoof BRS 120
3 Bibarel BRS 121
3 Honchkrow V BRS 88
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Manaphy BRS 41

Trainer Cards - 37
4 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Raihan EVS 152
1 Roseanne's Backup BRS 148
4 Choice Belt BRS 135
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Air Balloon SSH 156
3 Cape of Toughness DAA 160
3 Exp. Share BST 126
3 Lucky Egg SSH 167
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Rescue Carrier EVS 154
2 Shopping Center EVS 157

Energy - 8
6 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4
2 Speed Lightning Energy RCL 173

ALTERNATE LISTS

• OmniPoke’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Set up by benching Inkay, Minccino, and Remoraid, and evolve them as the opportunity presents, using Cinccino’s Make Do ability to draw cards and to thin out non-Rapid Strike cards from your hand. Prepare your hand by grabbing Rapid Strike cards from your deck with Octillery’s Rapid Strike Search, Korrina’s Focus, Cynthia’s Ambition, and Professor’s Research. Take knockouts using Malamar’s Rapid Strike Tentacles attack, which does 40 damage for each Rapid Strike card you shuffle into your deck.

KEY CARDS

• Malamar CRE 70

• Octillery BST 37

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Bruno as a shuffle-draw option.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 21
4 Inkay CRE 69
4 Malamar CRE 70
3 Minccino BRS 124
3 Cinccino SSH 147
3 Remoraid BST 36
3 Octillery BST 37
1 Manaphy BRS 41

Trainer Cards - 33
4 Korrina's Focus BST 128
3 Cynthia's Ambition BRS 138
2 Professor's Research CEL 23
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Fog Crystal CRE 140
4 Great Ball CPA 52
4 Level Ball BST 129
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Rescue Carrier EVS 154
2 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
2 Tower of Waters BST 138

Energy - 6
4 Spiral Energy CRE 159
2 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 5

BASIC STRATEGY

Using Arceus V’s Trinity Charge to power up a benched Arceus V or VSTAR and Mimikyu V or VMAX. Take knockouts primarily with Arceus VSTAR’s Trinity Nova attack, continuing to power up your Pokémon V as necessary. Pick off damaged and low-HP Pokémon using Mimikyu VMAX’s Occult Number attack, which places 13 damage counters on your opponent’s Pokémon in any way you like.

KEY CARDS

• Arceus V BRS 122

• Arceus VSTAR BRS 123

• Mimikyu VMAX BRS 69

• Acerola’s Premonition

• Double Turbo Energy

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Crushing Hammer, Fan of Waves, Team Yell Grunt, and/or Flannery as Energy disruption options or Spirit Mask or Sidney as additional hand disruption options in a more control-heavy disruption build.

• Path to the Peak to slow down your opponent’s setup and recovery.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 17
4 Arceus V BRS 122
3 Arceus VSTAR BRS 123
2 Crobat V DAA 104
2 Galarian Articuno EVS 63
2 Lumineon V BRS 40
2 Mimikyu V BST 62
2 Mimikyu VMAX BRS 69

Trainer Cards - 30
3 Professor's Research CEL 23
2 Acerola’s Premonition BRS 129
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Marnie CPA 56
2 Raihan EVS 152
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
2 Choice Belt BRS 135
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Escape Rope BST 125
1 Pal Pad SSH 172
3 Training Court RCL 169

Energy - 13
9 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 5
4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Milcery into Alcremie, Bidoof into Bibarel, and Swablu into Altaria. Using Altaria’s ability search for and place Café Master on the top of your deck, then use Bibarel to draw into it. With Alcremie in the Active Spot, play Café Master and load up your Pokémon with Energy via its effect and manual attachments. Attack using Alcremie’s Rainbow of Flavor attack, which does 10 damage plus 40 damage for each type of basic Energy attached to your Pokémon.

KEY CARDS

• Alcremie BRS 71

• Bibarel BRS 121

• Altaria EVS 106

• Café Master

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Raihan as an out both to increase the Energy attached to your Pokémon in play, but also as an alternate means of powering up an Alcremie (with a manual attachment combined with Raihan).

• Training Court to retrieve Energy from the discard pile to make it readily available to attach when needed to boost Alcremie’s damage.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 18
4 Milcery RCL 86
4 Alcremie BRS 71
3 Bidoof BRS 120
2 Bibarel BRS 121
2 Swablu CPA 48
2 Altaria EVS 106
1 Manaphy BRS 41

Trainer Cards - 29
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Bruno BST 121
2 Café Master BRS 133
2 Professor's Research CEL 23
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Choice Belt BRS 135
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Pal Pad SSH 172

Energy - 13
4 Twin Energy RCL 174
2 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 1
1 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 8
1 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 4
1 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 7
1 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 5
1 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 2
1 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 3
1 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 6

ALTERNATE LISTS

• TaloniteX’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench and evolve Shadow Rider Calyrex V into Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX to make full use of its Underworld Door ability, which not only attaches a Psychic Energy from your hand to one of your benched Psychic Pokémon, it draws two cards when you do. Use either Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX’s Max Geist attack or Whimsicott VSTAR’s Fluffball Star attack to take knockouts or slow down your opponent with Whimsicott VSTAR’s Trick Wind attack, which makes your opponent unable to play and Tool or Special Energy cards from their hand.

KEY CARDS

• Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX CRE 75

• Galarian Articuno EVS 63

• Whimsicott VSTAR BRS 65

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Choice Belt as an alternate means of boosting the damage of Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX’s attack (and the attacks of other attackers in the deck).

• Lumineon V BRS 40 as a means of searching out Adventurer’s Discovery or other crucial Supporter cards when they are needed

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 17
4 Shadow Rider Calyrex V CRE 74
4 Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX CRE 75
2 Galarian Articuno EVS 63
2 Whimsicott V BRS 64
2 Whimsicott VSTAR BRS 65
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Pumpkaboo EVS 76
1 Zacian V CEL 16

Trainer Cards - 30
4 Professor's Research CEL 23
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Adventurer's Discovery FST 224
4 Fog Crystal CRE 140
4 Quick Ball FST 237
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Switch SSH 183
3 Training Court RCL 169

Energy - 13
13 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 5

ALTERNATE LISTS

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Riolu into Lucario and use its Roaring Resolve ability to attach a Fighting Energy from your deck to Lucario. Use a combination of manual attachments, Raihan, Roaring Resolves paired with Energy Switches to boost the number of Energy attached to Lucario, then use its Aura Sphere Volley which does 10 damage plus 60 more damage for each Fighting Energy you discard from Lucario.

KEY CARDS

• Lucario BRS 79

• Raihan

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Battle VIP Pass or Gloria as additional outs to setting up Riolu, Bidoof, and Manaphy.

• Pokégear 3.0 to increase your chances at finding specific Supporter cards, like Raihan, when needed.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 16
4 Riolu VIV 90
4 Lucario BRS 79
3 Bidoof BRS 120
3 Bibarel BRS 121
1 Galarian Zapdos V CRE 80
1 Manaphy BRS 41

Trainer Cards - 34
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Raihan EVS 152
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cynthia's Ambition BRS 138
1 Bird Keeper DAA 159
1 Professor's Research CEL 23
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Choice Belt BRS 135
2 Energy Switch SSH 162
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Training Court RCL 169

Energy - 10
10 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6

BASIC STRATEGY

Get Rayquaza V and Mareep into play as early as possible, evolving into Rayquaza VMAX and Flaaffy as the opportunity presents. Manually attach Fire energy to Rayquaza VMAX and use Flaaffy’s Dynamotor ability or Rose, as necessary, to attach additional energy to Rayquaza VMAX. Attack using Rayquaza VMAX’s Max Burst attack, discarding Lightning energy attached to the attacking Rayquaza VMAX to do 80 damage for each Lightning Energy discarded.

KEY CARDS

• Rayquaza V EVS 110

• Rayquaza VMAX 111

• Flaaffy EVS 55

• Rose DAA 168

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Boltund V RCL 67 as an alternate attacker and additional means of energy acceleration.

• Vikavolt V DAA 60 as an alternate attacker that can also be used to cripple your opponent’s setup or recovery.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 18
4 Mareep CRE 47
4 Flaaffy EVS 55
4 Rayquaza V EVS 110
3 Rayquaza VMAX EVS 111
1 Kricketune V BST 6
1 Manaphy BRS 41
1 Raichu V BRS 45

Trainer Cards - 30
4 Professor's Research CEL 23
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Rose DAA 168
4 Quick Ball FST 237
3 Level Ball BST 129
3 Switch SSH 183
3 Ultra Ball BRS 150
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
3 Tower of Waters BST 138

Energy - 12
8 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4
4 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2

ALTERNATE LISTS

• Coming soon

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Gible into Garchomp using Rare Candy (or by manually evolving it from Gabite), taking advantage of its Sonic Slip ability, which makes it immune to all damage and all effects of the attacks of your opponent’s Pokémon, to ensure that Garchomp survives two or more turns. Use Garchomp’s Dragonblade attack, which does 160 damage for 1 Water and 1 Fighting Energy, but discards the top two cards from your deck.

KEY CARDS

• Garchomp BRS 109

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Path to the Peak to slow your opponent down, potentially giving Garchomp additional time to set up or to recover.

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 17
4 Gible BRS 107
2 Gabite BRS 108
4 Garchomp BRS 109
3 Bidoof BRS 120
3 Bibarel BRS 121
1 Manaphy BRS 41

Trainer Cards - 33
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cynthia's Ambition BRS 138
1 Bird Keeper DAA 159
1 Professor's Research CEL 23
1 Raihan EVS 152
4 Rare Candy SSH 180
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Exp. Share BST 126
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Energy Search SSH 161
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Quick Ball FST 237
1 Choice Belt BRS 135

Energy - 10
5 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6
5 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

BASIC STRATEGY

Use Arceus V’s Trinity Charge attack to power up the deck’s partner of choice. Evolve Arceus V into Arceus VSTAR, using Trinity Nova to take knock outs and its Starbirth VSTAR Power to get any two cards from your deck when you need them. Use another Arceus VSTAR or the deck’s other attackers to clean up what is left of your opponent’s field after Arceus VSTAR is knocked out.

KEY CARDS

• Arceus V BRS 122

• Arceus VSTAR BRS 123

• Double Turbo Energy

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• [Dark Arceus, Rainbow Arceus] Pumpkaboo EVS 76 or additional Stadium cards to get the deck out of a Path to the Peak-based ability lock.

• Cram Arceus VSTAR into basically any existing archetype, competitive or otherwise, that focuses on a Pokémon V or VMAX, and watch the deck improve.

ALTERNATE LISTS

• [Arceus VSTAR / Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX] Celio’s Network

• [Dark Arceus VSTAR] Celio’s Network

• [Rainbow Arceus VSTAR] Rare Candy

• [Various] HotChocPTCG

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Bunnelby and, using the deck’s means various of discarding Pokémon with the Mad Party attack (Ultra Ball, Quick Ball, Allister, Professor’s Research, Galarian Articuno V’s Reconstitute ability, and Polteageist’s Tea Break ability), fill up your discard pile with those Pokémon. Attach Twin Energy or, as necessary, Double Turbo Energy to power up Bunnelby’s Mad Party attack and take knockouts against your opponent’s Pokémon.

KEY CARDS

• Bunnelby DAA 150

• Galarian Mr. Rime DAA 36

• Dedenne DAA 78

• Polteageist DAA 83

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Zamazenta V BRS 105

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 23
4 Bunnelby DAA 150
4 Dedenne DAA 78
4 Galarian Mr. Rime DAA 36
2 Crobat V DAA 104
2 Sinistea DAA 82
4 Polteageist DAA 83
1 Galarian Articuno V CRE 58
1 Manaphy BRS 41
1 Oranguru SSH 148

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Professor's Research CEL 23
3 Allister VIV 146
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball FST 237
4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Choice Belt BRS 135
2 Rescue Carrier EVS 154
1 Escape Rope BST 125

Energy - 6
4 Twin Energy RCL 174
2 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

ALTERNATE LISTS

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype