New and Revitalized Archetypes from Vivid Voltage

What’s New

• Orbeetle VMAX is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Setup early by playing down Koffing and Orbeetle V, evolving them into Weezing and Orbeetle VMAX as soon as possible. Using the deck’s various switching options, take advantage of Orbeetle VMAX’s Eerie Beam ability to begin piling damage on your opponent’s Pokémon, switching into Weezing as possible to attack with its Splattering Sludge attack so that it remains in the Active Spot during Pokémon Checkup so that its Detention Gas ability further piles damage onto your opponent’s Pokémon. As necessary, attack with Orbeetle VMAX’s G-Max Wave or Zangoose’s Brutal Edge attack to take knockouts.

Key cards

• Orbeetle VMAX VIV 21

• Weezing UNB 74

• Bird Keeper DAA 159

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Tier 3. The incredibly high HP of the Pokémon in the current and upcoming formats does not bode well for spread decks, even with as many potent spreading options as are available to this archetype. Weezing makes a helpful partner for Orbeetle, further spreading damage to the opponent’s Pokémon all while forcing a gust to take knockouts giving up better prize counts.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Koffing CEC 76
4 Weezing UNB 74
4 Orbeetle V VIV 20
3 Orbeetle VMAX VIV 21
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Zangoose CEC 173

Trainer Cards - 31
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Roxie CEC 205
2 Bird Keeper DAA 159
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 U-Turn Board UNM 211
3 Turffield Stadium CPA 68

Energy - 11
4 Triple Acceleration Energy UNB 190
4 Twin Energy RCL 174
3 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1

Other considerations

• Sableye V SSH 120 and Aurora Energy SSH 186 to take advantage of the damage piled up on your opponent’s Pokémon.

• Mew UNB 76 to pick off benched Pokémon with low HP and to shield your vulnerable benched Pokémon.

• Flapple RCL 22 or Arctozolt DAA 66 to spread additional damage.

• Zarude VIV and additional Grass Energy to heal off damage inflicted upon Orbeetle VMAX.

Alternate Lists

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archetype

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

What’s New

• Rillaboom VMAX gains a potent new partner in Zarude V, whose Jungle Rise attack both accelerates energy and heals all damage from the Pokémon it accelerates energy to.

Basic Strategy

Set up Rillaboom and Rillaboom VMAX by benching Grookey and Rillaboom V on your first turn. Evolve Rillaboom V into Rillaboom VMAX and Grookey into Rillaboom using Rare Candy, then use Rillaboom’s Voltage Beat ability to accelerate energy onto Rillaboom VMAX. Attack using Rillaboom VMAX’s Max Beating attack, discarding energy as necessary to take knockouts. Accelerate to and heal damaged Rillaboom VMAX using Zarude V’s Jungle Rising attack.

Key cards

• Rillaboom VMAX RCL 18

• Rillaboom SSH 14

• Zarude V VIV 22

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Tier 3. Rillaboom’s position in the meta is largely challenged by the prevalence of decks focused around fire-type attackers, like Blacephalon UNB and Centiskorch VMAX, that can take advantage of Welder to quickly ramp their damage to overwhelm the Fire-weak Pokémon in Grass archetypes like Rillaboom. Rillaboom’s position is further crippled by the prevalence of energy denial, making options like Weakness Guard Energy less helpful than they would otherwise be.

Example Deck List

Source: Based on this winning Japanese deck list

Pokémon - 15
4 Rillaboom V RCL 17
2 Rillaboom VMAX RCL 18
3 Grookey SSH 10
1 Thwackey SSH 12
2 Rillaboom SSH 14
2 Zarude V VIV 22
1 Genesect VIV 16 

Trainer Cards - 33
4 Green's Exploration UNB 175
3 Bird Keeper DAA 159
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Erika's Hospitality HIF 56
4 Pokégear 3.0 SSH 174
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Rare Candy SSH 180
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Reset Stamp UNM 206
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Energy Retrieval SSH 160
2 Turffield Stadium RCL 170

Energy - 12
12 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1

Other considerations

• Weakness Guard Energy to help Rillaboom handle the abundance of Fire-type attackers relevant in the meta thanks to Welder.

• Rowlet & Alolan Exeggutor-GX UNM 1 as an alternate means of accelerating Rillaboom’s evolution and for its potent GX attack, Tropical Hour-GX.

Alternate Lists

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archetype.

• Celio’s Network’s version of this archetype.

What’s New

• Leon’s Charizard is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Use Dedenne-GX’s Dedechange ability, Charizard’s Battle Sense ability, Quick Ball, and Professor’s Research to discard Leon—in addition to playing Leon when possible—to get all 4 Leon into the discard pile as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, if going second, use Volcanion to attach Fire energy to several benched Charmander. Take early knockouts with Volcanion and its High-Heat Blast attack, setting up knock outs when taking one isn’t possible. Evolve benched Charmander into Charizard and switch into them to use its King’s Blaze attack to take big knock outs.

Key cards

• Charizard VIV 25

• Leon VIV 154

• Volcanion UNB 25

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. Being forced to include 4 copies of Leon in a Stage 2 deck that already struggles for space is a consistency nightmare. Charizard VIV has a great ability and can do big damage—but it will often struggle to get setup fast enough for that to even matter.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 15
4 Charmander VIV 23
1 Charmeleon HIF 8
4 Charizard VIV 25
4 Volcanion UNB 25
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Oranguru SSH 148

Trainer Cards - 35
4 Leon VIV 154
3 Professor's Research SSH 178
3 Welder UNB 189
2 Boss’s Orders RCL 154
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Rare Candy SSH 180
3 Great Ball SSH 164
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
1 Air Balloon SSH 156
1 Fire Crystal UNB 173
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Giant Hearth UNM 197

Energy - 10
10 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2

Other considerations

• Charizard TEU 14 to provide early-game firepower.

• Charizard-GX HIF 9 to provide a powerful GX attack option to take down various threats.

• Misty’s Favor to make it easier to seek out Leon early on and to get it into the discard pile.

• Rotom Phone to make it easier to find critical pieces, like Rare Candy.

Alternate Lists

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archetype

What’s New

• Wailord is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Play down Snom and Wailmer, evolving them into Frosmoth and Wailord as quickly as possible. Use Frosmoth’s Ice Dance ability in conjunction with Capacious Bucket to pile energy onto Wailord and, as necessary, Suicune, to take knockouts against opposing Pokémon.

Key cards

• Wailord VIV 32

• Frosmoth SSH 64

• Capacious Bucket RCL 156

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. The combination of a high attack cost and being a Stage 1 makes it difficult for Wailord to get out and attacking quickly enough to take consistent knockouts. Wailord’s chances at competitive viability are further hindered by the presence of Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX and its Altered Creation-GX attack, which turns Wailord and its support Pokémon into easy targets for extra prizes.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 17
4 Wailmer VIV 31
4 Wailord VIV 32
3 Frosmoth SSH 64
3 Snom SSH 63
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Oranguru SSH 148
1 Suicune DAA 37

Trainer Cards - 32
3 Marnie SSH 169
3 Professor's Research SSH 178
2 Bird Keeper DAA 159
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Nessa VIV 154
4 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Buff Padding TEU 136
2 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Training Court RCL 169

Energy - 11
11 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Other considerations

• Energy Retrieval

• Scoop Up Net

What’s New

• Galarian Darmanitan VMAX is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Play down and evolve Galarian Darmanitan V into Galarian Darmanitan VMAX and Snom into Frosmoth. Then, use Galarian Darmanitan VMAX’s White Whiteout to deal damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon and to spread damage to their benched Pokémon. Use Alolan Sandslash-GX’s Spiky Storm-GX to finish off damaged Pokémon when the opportunity presents itself.

Key cards

• Galarian Darmanitan VMAX VIV 36

• Alolan Sandslash-GX SM236

• Frosmoth SSH 64

• Capacious Bucket RCL 156

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. Galarian Darmanitan VMAX’s high energy cost, coupled with its Metal-type Weakness to the ever-stronger Zacian V and the archetypes it inhabits make Galarian Darmanitan VMAX an unfortunate non-starter in the current and upcoming formats.

Example Deck List

Source: Based on this winning Japanese list

Pokémon - 19
3 Galarian Darmanitan V VIV 36
3 Galarian Darmanitan VMAX VIV 37
3 Snom SSH 63
3 Frosmoth SSH 64
2 Alolan Sandshrew CEC 137
2 Alolan Sandslash-GX SM236
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Suicune DAA 37

Trainer Cards - 29
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Nessa VIV 157
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Telescopic Sight VIV 160
2 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Training Court RCL 169 

Energy - 12
12 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Other considerations

• Roxie with Weezing CEC 77 or Orbeetle VMAX for additional spread damage.

What’s New

• Cramorant is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Quickly search out and play down as many Arrokuda as you can, preparing a Cramorant to use its Continuous Gulp Missile attack to discard them. Recover them using Nessa. Finish off damaged benched Pokémon using Barraskewda and its Targeted Skewer attack.

Key cards

• Arrokuda VIV 41

• Cramorant VIV 40

• Nessa VIV 157

• Capture Energy RCL 171

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. Cramorant’s biggest struggles will be its ability to fish out Arrokuda sufficiently quickly to handle more conventional decks and the constant and perpetual threat to all decks focused around single prize Pokémon—Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 14
4 Cramorant VIV 40
4 Arrokuda VIV 41
2 Barraskewda VIV 42
1 Galarian Zigzagoon SSH 117
1 Mewtwo UNB 75
1 Oranguru SSH 148
1 Oricorio-GX CEC 95

Trainer Cards - 34
3 Marnie SSH 169
3 Nessa VIV 157
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Erika's Hospitality HIF 56
2 Professor's Research SSH 178
4 Great Ball SSH 164
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
3 Switch SSH 183
2 U-Turn Board UNM 211
2 Island Challenge Amulet CEC 194
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Pal Pad UPR 132
1 Tool Scrapper RCL 168

Energy - 12
4 Twin Energy RCL 174
4 Capture Energy RCL 171
4 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Other considerations

• Great Catcher for additional gusting, especially on turns where the use of Nessa is critical to a knockout.

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

What’s New

• Pikachu VMAX is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Use a combination of Electrode’s Buzzap Generator ability, Tapu Koko {*}’s Dance of the Ancients ability, and Pikachu V’s Charge attack to power-up Pikachu VMAX’s G-Max Volt Tackle attack, discarding energy as necessary to take knockouts against the opponent’s Pokémon.

Key cards

• Pikachu VMAX VIV 44

• Electrode VIV 46

• Rose DAA 168

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. Pikachu VMAX’s underwhelming damage output coupled with the requirement to discard all of its energy when using G-Max Volt Tackle already hurt the deck’s chances, but the rise of Coalossal VMAX, which hits Pikachu VMAX for weakness, keep this archetype from standing a chance.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Pikachu V VIV 43
3 Pikachu VMAX VIV 44
2 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
2 Voltorb VIV 45
2 Electrode VIV 46
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Eldegoss V RCL 19
1 Tapu Koko {*} TEU 51
1 Vikavolt V DAA 60
1 Zapdos VIV 48

Trainer Cards - 30
4 Professor's Research SSH 178
3 Marnie SSH 169
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Rose DAA 168
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Turbo Patch DAA 172
3 Energy Switch SSH 162
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
1 Reset Stamp UNM 206

Energy - 12
9 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4
3 Speed Lightning Energy RCL 173

Other considerations

• Tapu Koko V SSH 72 as a free retreater and alternate attacker, especially if coupled with Pikachu & Zekrom-GX TEU 33 to help accelerate energy.

• Rose Tower to help draw cards after emptying our hand after playing Rose and Ordinary Rod to recover Pokémon discarded with Rose’s effect.

• Vitality Band to make it easier for Pikachu VMAX to get the one hit knockout against targets with 280HP—especially Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX.

Alternate Lists

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archetype

What’s New

• Alakazam V is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Search for Pokémon Research Lab with Green’s Exploration, attach an energy to Alakazam V, and then use the effect of Pokémon Research Lab to setup 1-2 Omanyte to prepare to setup Omastar’s Fossil Bind ability, which prevents your opponent from playing Item cards from their hand when they have more Pokémon in play than you do. Use cards like Team Yell Grunt, Marnie, Surprise Box, and Reset Stamp to manipulate the size of your opponent’s hand to maximize the damage of Alakazam V’s Mind Ruler attack.

Key cards

• Alakazam V VIV 172

• Omastar TEU 76

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. Alakazam V’s relatively low HP coupled with relatively its low damage output cripple what could have been a rather fun deck. Perhaps as a single prize archetype this deck could have seen some success, but the awkwardness of this glass cannon will prevent it from truly taking off.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 10
4 Alakazam V VIV 172
3 Omanyte TEU 75
2 Omastar TEU 76
1 Gengar & Mimikyu-GX TEU 53

Trainer Cards - 41
4 Green's Exploration UNB 175
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Team Yell Grunt CPA 67
4 Pokégear 3.0 SSH 174
4 Surprise Box UNB 187
3 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Reset Stamp UNM 206
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Energy Spinner UNB 170
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
1 Switch SSH 183
4 Pokémon Research Lab UNM 205

Energy - 9
5 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 5
4 Horror Psychic Energy RCL 172

Other considerations

• Unidentified Fossil, Rare Candy, and/or other Pokémon that evolve from Unidentified Fossil, like Kabutops TEU 78 or Carracosta UNM 45 to take advantage of their abilities.

Alternate Lists

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archetype

What’s New

• Shedinja is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Evolve Nincada into Ninjask to bring Shedinja into play with Ninjask’s Shell Survival ability. Meanwhile, evolve Trubbish into Garbodor. Use a combination of Welder, Manual attachments, and Twin Energy to power up Shedinja’s Life Squeeze attack in conjunction with Koga’s Trap or Garbodor’s Poisonous Puddle ability to take knockouts against targets with large HP—like Pokémon Tag Team-GX and Pokémon VMAX. Use Galarian Zigzagoon’s Headbutt Tantrum ability to finish off missed knockouts that have been protected by moving them to the bench.

Key cards

• Garbodor RCL 118

• Ninjask VIV 14

• Shedinja VIV 66

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. This is the very definition of a janky deck—a fun experiment and certainly something to troll others with on the off chance its strategy ends up working, but its countless moving pieces make its tricks hard to pull off—and the prevalence of Blacephalon UNB—and single prize decks in general—and the soft return of Dragapult VMAX and its ability to spread damage—make this fun archetype a non-starter.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
3 Nincada VIV 13
3 Ninjask VIV 14
4 Shedinja VIV 66
2 Trubbish RCL 117
2 Garbodor RCL 118
1 Galarian Zigzagoon SSH 117
1 Oranguru SSH 148

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Welder UNB 189
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Koga's Trap HIF 59
2 Marnie SSH 169
4 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Fire Crystal UNB 173
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
3 Giant Hearth UNM 197 

Energy - 13
9 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2
4 Twin Energy RCL 174

Other considerations

• Mew UNB 76 to shield against attacks that deal direct damage to benched Pokémon, like Inteleon VMAX’s Max Bullet. Unfortunately, Mew will not help with threats like Dragapult VMAX.

• Galarian Slowbro V DAA 99 in conjunction with Dark City as a substitute for Garbodor. Alternatively, Parasect TEU 7 and Yell Horn instead.

What’s New

• Whimsicott is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Bench Skwovet and Cottonee, evolving them into Greedent and Whimsicott as soon as possible. Use Jirachi’s Dreamy Revelation ability and Greedent’s Greedy Tail ability to fish out U-Turn Board and other tools from the deck, attaching them to your Pokémon to be discarded via Whimsicott’s Flying Fury attack. Use Heracross’s Turn the Tables attack following Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX’s use of Altered Creation-GX to stop it using Ultimate Ray on subsequent turns.

Key cards

• Whimsicott VIV 76

• Greedent RCL 152

• U-Turn Board UNM 211

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. This combo-heavy archetype will likely be a joy to play when it is able to set itself up, but the number of pieces it requires to setup are not few and, as a low-HP single prize evolution deck, Whimsicott is likely to fall prey to Zacian V / Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX variants, even with the aid of a card like Latios-GX and its Clear Vision-GX attack.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 19
4 Cottonee UNM 143
4 Whimsicott VIV 76
3 Jirachi VIV 119
2 Skwovet RCL 151
2 Greedent RCL 152
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Heracross UNM 107
1 Mew UNB 76
1 Oricorio-GX CEC 95

Trainer Cards - 35
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Lucky Egg SSH 167
4 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 U-Turn Board UNM 211
3 Great Ball SSH 164
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Island Challenge Amulet CEC 194
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171

Energy - 6
4 Horror Psychic Energy RCL 172
2 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 5

Other considerations

• Latios-GX UNM 78 to take advantage of Clear Vision-GX before Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX decks are able to use Ultimate Ray.

• Big Parasol do shield the deck’s vulnerable single prize Pokémon from the wrath of Dragapult VMAX’s Max Phantom attack.

• Rotom Phone and Oranguru SSH 148 to help dig for tools near the top of your deck.

• Lana’s Fishing Rod to shuffle a Pokémon and a tool back into your deck.

• Garbodor VIV 110 as an alternate attacker that also shuffles the tools Whimsicott has discarded back into your deck.

Alternate Lists

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

• OmniPoke’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype, paired with Garbodor VIV 110

What’s New

• Excadrill / Machamp has gained Bea as option, a new means of accelerating energy and discarding Fighting-type Pokémon to power-up Machamp’s Macho Revenge attack.

Basic Strategy

In the early game, setup and evolve Drilbur, working toward attacking with Excadrill’s Drill Bazooka attack, taking advantage of its self-milling effect to shrink your deck down to be able to use its Eleventh Hour Tackle attack. Meanwhile, manually evolve Machop into Machoke and then into Machamp, preparing it to use its Macho Revenge attack. Use Heracross’ Turn the Tables attack against opposing Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX to prevent their use of Ultimate Ray on the turn following their use of Altered Creation-GX.

Key cards

• Exadrill CEC 115

• Machamp CPA 26

• Hapu UNM 200

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. Machamp very likely adds unnecessary bulk to the Excadrill archetype—and the heavy discarding of resources coupled with the inclusion of multiple evolution lines will kills any hope of consistency this deck might have offered.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 23
4 Drilbur CEC 114
4 Excadrill CEC 115
3 Machop CPA 24
3 Machoke CPA 25
3 Machamp CPA 26
2 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
2 Heracross UNM 107
1 Galarian Sirfetch'd V SWSH043
1 Phione CEC 57

Trainer Cards - 30
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Roxie CEC 205
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Hapu UNM 200
4 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Karate Belt UNM 201 
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Pal Pad SSH 172
2 Martial Arts Dojo UNB 179

Energy - 7
7 Fighting Energy Energy 6

Other considerations

• Bea and additional energy, potentially including Stone Fighting Energy to make it slightly more difficult for an opponent to knock out Machamp or Excadrill.

• Marshadow & Machamp UNB 82 as a bulky revenge attacker.

What’s New

• Donphan / Spiritomb is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Use Spiritomb’s Building Spite ability, Jynx’s Ominous Posture ability, and Donphan’s Earthquake attack to build damage on benched Spiritomb, using Cape of Toughness to increase Spiritomb’s maximum HP so that its Anguish Cry attack does maximum damage. Use Donphan’s Earthquake or Spiritomb’s Anguish Cry to take knockouts.

Key cards

• Spiritomb UNB 112

• Donphan VIV 87

• Cape of Toughness DAA 160

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Tier 3. Donphan and Spiritomb both have the potential for very high damage output, but can take several turns to get there, leaving ample room for Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX to use its Altered Creation-GX attack which effectively turns each of the single prize Pokémon in the deck into 2-prize Pokémon. This, coupled with the likely return of Dragapult VMAX and the spread damage from its Max Phantom attack, mean that vulnerable benched Pokémon like Spiritomb and Mew can end up being easy prize cards.

Example Deck List

Source: Based on this winning Japanese deck list

Pokémon - 15
4 Spiritomb UNB 112
3 Phanpy VIV 86
3 Donphan VIV 87
3 Jirachi TEU 99
1 Jynx UNM 76
1 Mew UNB 76 

Trainer Cards - 36
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Cape of Toughness DAA 160
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 U-Turn Board UNM 211
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Martial Arts Dojo UNB 179

Energy - 9
3 Aurora Energy SSH 186
3 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7
3 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6

Other considerations

• Spikemuth to more quickly ramp up damage for Spiritomb.

• Memory Capsule or Karate Belt to be able to make use of Phanpy’s Return Attack.

• Crobat V DAA 104 and Dedenne-GX UNB 57 for additional draw power.

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archetype

What’s New

• Coalossal VMAX is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Setup Coalossal V and Oranguru early, then evolve into Coalossal VMAX as soon as possible. Use Oranguru’s Primate Wisdom ability and Rotom Phone to guarantee that the top card of your deck is an energy to maximize damage from Coalossal VMAX’s first attack, Eruption Blast. As powered-up, use its second attack to take devastating knockouts. Use Galarian Sirfetch’d V where necessary, taking advantage of its Resolute Spear ability and its Meteor Smash attack to finish off damaged opposing Pokémon.

Key cards

• Coalossal VMAX VIV 99

• Oranguru SSH 148

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Tier 2. Despite its disruptive strength and hitting for weakness against the Eternatus VMAX and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX archetypes, Coalossal VMAX may find itself struggling somewhat against other tanky archetypes, like Lucario & Melmetal-GX, and against extremely fast and consistent archetypes, like Zacian V with Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 15
4 Coalossal V VIV 98
3 Coalossal VMAX VIV 99
3 Oranguru SSH 148
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Eldegoss V RCL 19
1 Galarian Sirfetch'd V VIV 174
1 Giratina UNM 86

Trainer Cards - 35
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189
2 Mallow & Lana CEC 198
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Rotom Phone CPA 64
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Buff Padding TEU 136
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Martial Arts Dojo UNB 179

Energy - 11
7 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6
4 Stone Fighting Energy VIV 164

Other considerations

• Crushing Hammer in addition to the already-included Giratina UNM 86 to knock off Weakness Guard Energy to more effectively combat Eternatus VMAX and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX archetypes.

• Bea or Rose to accelerate energy to make it easier to power up Coalossal VMAX’s powerful G-Max Boulder attack.

• Hyper Potion to heal away accumulated damage from Coalossal VMAX, making it even more difficult for your opponent to knock it out.

• Karate Belt to make it possible to use Eruption Blast without energy and to make it easier to use G-Max Boulder when behind on prizes.

• Reset Stamp to slow down your opponent during setup or to cripple them once Coalossal VMAX is at its most tanky.

Alternate Lists

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archetype

• OmniPoke’s version of this archetype

• Tablemon’s version of this archetype

• Celio’s Network’s version of this archetype

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

• Gyrosean’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

What’s New

• Falinks has gained Stone Fighting Energy and Circhester Bath—new cards that make Falinks V even more capable of sponging damage from your opponent’s Pokémon’s attacks.

Basic Strategy

Use Quick Ball, Poké Ball, Great Ball, Capture Energy, the deck’s own general draw power, and Falinks’ Call for Family attack to pull as many Falinks from the deck as possible on your first turn. Ideally, you’ll have a bench full of Falinks as quickly as possible, prioritizing Falinks V, but with at least 1 backup non-V Falinks. Attack using the non-V Falinks’ Team Attack, which does 30 damage for each Pokémon with Falinks in its name that you have on your bench (an easy 150 damage, if you’ve setup well). Use Stone Fighting Energy, Circhester Bath, and Cape of Toughness to make Falinks difficult to easily knock out.

Key cards

• Falinks RCL 109

• Falinks V RCL 110

• Cape of Toughness DAA 160

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. Although quite tanky and although it benefits from hitting for weakness against both the Eternatus VMAX and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX archetypes, Falinks’ biggest struggle is its consistency. Without access to Dedenne-GX, Crobat V, or even Eldegoss V, Falinks will often find itself struggling to find all of its necessary pieces fast enough to take out its opponent’s early, devastating threats.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 8
4 Falinks RCL 109
4 Falinks V RCL 110

Trainer Cards - 39
4 Marnie SSH 169
4 Professor's Research SSH 178
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Guzma & Hala CEC 193
4 Great Ball SSH 164
4 Pokégear 3.0 SSH 174
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Cape of Toughness DAA 160
3 Poké Ball RCL 164
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Circhester Bath VIV 150
2 Martial Arts Dojo UNB 179

Energy - 13
5 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6
4 Twin Energy RCL 174
2 Stone Fighting Energy VIV 164
2 Capture Energy RCL 171

Other considerations

• Bede, Bea, and/or Turbo Patch, with additional basic Fighting Energy to make it easier to attack with Falinks V, when necessary.

What’s New

• Garbodor is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Play down Trubbish and use Quick Ball and the attachement of Capture Energy to begin getting Minccino out early. Evolve Trubbish into Garbodor and Minccino into Cinccino, using Cinccino’s Make Do ability both to draw additional cards and to discard Tool cards to fuel Garbodor’s Trash Cyclone attack.

Key cards

• Garbodor VIV 110

• Hapu UNM 200

• Cinccino SSH 147

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. The damage output of Garbodor’s Trash Cyclone leaves a lot to be desired already, but because the attack also shuffles the Tool cards back into the deck, the damage output and consistency of the deck is not likely to be especially stellar. Worse still, Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX and its Altered Creation-GX attack still exist in the Standard format, making the timer to get off the big swings necessary for Garbodor to win especially short.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Trubbish VIV 110
4 Garbodor VIV 111
4 Minccino SSH 145
4 Cinccino SSH 147
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Phione CEC 57

Trainer Cards - 35
3 Hapu UNM 200
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Lucky Egg SSH 167
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Air Balloon SSH 156
3 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Giant Bomb UNM 196
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Rocky Helmet VIV 159
2 U-Turn Board UNM 211
2 Vitality Band SSH 185
1 Big Parasol DAA 157
1 Tool Scrapper RCL 168

Energy - 7
4 Twin Energy RCL 174
3 Capture Energy RCL 171

Other considerations

• Whimsicott VIV 76 as an alternate attacker that also feeds the discard pile with tools for Garbodor via its Flying Fury attack.

• Pal Pad and/or Mewtwo UNB 75, perhaps couple with Scoop Up Net, to recover Supporter cards as necessary.

Alternate Lists

• Michael Pramawat’s version of this archetype, paired with Whimsicott VIV 76

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype, paired with Whimsicott VIV 76

What’s New

• Togekiss VMAX is a new archetype introduced in Vivid Voltage.

Basic Strategy

Place down Togekiss V and evolve it into a Togekiss VMAX as necessary. Use Talonflame on the first turns of the game as necessary to draw into additional cards. Use the decks various control options—Marnie, Team Yell Grunt, Crushing Hammer, Power Plant, and Reset Stamp—to slow down and eventually cut off your opponent’s avenue to victory, gradually taking knockouts with Togekiss VMAX’s Max Glide attack as the opportunity presents itself.

Key cards

• Togekiss VMAX VIV 141

• Green’s Exploration UNB 175

• Crushing Hammer SSH 159

Prediction for Competitive Viability

Non-competitive. Togekiss VMAX’s relatively low HP coupled with its weakness to Lightning-type Pokémon give it a shaky start in the Vivid Voltage metagame, though how well Coalossal VMAX’s performs may help or hinder Togekiss V as its biggest threat—Pikachu & Zekrom-GX—is weak to the archetype.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 9
4 Togekiss V VIV 140
4 Togekiss VMAX VIV 141
1 Talonflame V VIV 29

Trainer Cards - 40
4 Green's Exploration UNB 175
3 Team Yell Grunt CPA 67
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189
2 Marnie CPA 56
1 Lt. Surge's Strategy HIF 60
1 Mallow & Lana CEC 198
1 Oleana RCL 163
4 Crushing Hammer SSH 159
4 Pokémon Catcher SSH 175
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Giant Bomb UNM 196
2 Reset Stamp UNM 206
1 Great Catcher CEC 192
1 Pal Pad UPR 132
1 Tool Scrapper RCL 168
2 Power Plant UNB 183

Energy - 11
4 Powerful Colorless Energy DAA 176
4 Draw Energy CEC 209
2 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2
1 Weakness Guard Energy UNM 213

Other considerations

• Magneton CEC 69 and, potentially, additional copies of Lt. Surge’s Strategy to take advantage of Magneton’s Call Signal Ability, both to search out useful Supporter cards and to abuse Reset Stamp.