Sword & Shield—Battle Styles

Basic Strategy

Pile energy onto Maractus using Cherrim's Spring Bloom ability, then fire away using Maractus' Powerful Needles attack and use the effect of Glimwood Tangle to reflip coin flips for Powerful Needles when the flips are especially bad. Use Heracross’ Turn the Tables against Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX after they use Altered Creation-GX to prevent their use of Ultimate Ray on their following turn.

Key Cards

• Maractus SSH 7

• Cherrim BST 8

• Glimwood Tangle

Other Considerations

• Dhelmise V SSH 9 as a revenge attacker or secondary attacker.

• Celebi SHF 3 as a potential pivot and means of fishing out Twin Energy to up the number of flips on Maractus’ Powerful Needles attack.

• Turffield Stadium as an a means of finding Cherrim.

• Level Ball as an additional means of finding Cherubi and Cherrim,

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from spreading and sniping attacks.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
4 Maractus SSH 7
3 Cherubi BST 7
3 Cherrim BST 8
3 Jirachi TEU 99
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Heracross UNM 107

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
3 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Energy Retrieval SSH 160
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Energy Recycler BST 124
3 Glimwood Tangle DAA 162

Energy - 13
9 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1
4 Twin Energy RCL 174

Alternate Lists

• Tricky Gym’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Power-up Tapu Bulu using Cherrim's Spring Bloom ability, then attack with Tapu Bulu's Nature’s Judgement attack, discarding the energy as necessary to setup or complete knockouts. Use Cherrim, Energy Retrieval, and Energy Recycler to ensure a constant stream of fresh energy for Tapu Bulu’s attacks. Use Heracross’ Turn the Tables against Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX after they use Altered Creation-GX to prevent their use of Ultimate Ray on their following turn.

Key Cards

• Tapu Bulu BST 16

• Cherrim BST 8

Other Considerations

• Giant Bomb as a knock out deterrent and means of getting additional damage on the opponent’s Pokémon.

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from spreading and sniping attacks.

• Oricorio-GX CEC 95 as a means of drawing additional cards when a Pokémon is knocked out.

• Cape of Toughness to make Tapu Bulu somewhat more difficult to knock out.

• Air Balloon to make it easy to pivot between Pokémon.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 17
4 Tapu Bulu BST 16
3 Cherubi BST 7
3 Cherrim BST 8
3 Jirachi TEU 99
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Heracross UNM 107
1 Galarian Zigzagoon SSH 117

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
3 Energy Retrieval SSH 160
3 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Energy Recycler GRI 124
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Switch SSH 183
2 Viridian Forest TEU 156

Energy - 11
9 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1
2 Recycle Energy UNM 212

Alternate Lists

• Sleepy Dreepy’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Use Quick Ball and Level Ball to fill your bench with Durant and attach Cursed Shovel to your Active Durant as available. Using Twin Energy or Cherrim’s Spring Bloom ability, power up and attack with Durant’s Devour attack, discarding cards from the top of your opponent’s deck. Use Crushing Hammer to hamper your opponent’s attacks, slowing them down so that your Durant remain safe and protect benched Durant and Cherrim from bench attacks like Cramorant V’s Snipe Shot attack with Mew and its Bench Barrier ability.

Key Cards

• Durant BST 10

• Cursed Shovel

Other Considerations

• Capture Energy, Ball Guy, or Sonia as additional means to find Durant.

• Bruno as an additional draw option when a Durant is knocked out

• Reset Stamp to slow your opponent down, especially in the late game when they are ahead on prize cards.

• Bird Keeper to make it easier to switch Cherrim or Mew out of the Active Spot

• Alolan Muk TEU 84 to further thin the opponenet’s deck and disrupt their deck’s function by stripping it of its Item cards

• Clefable RCL 75 to disrupt your opponent’s attacks by removing an eEnergy from their Pokémon and then discarding it with Durant’s Devour attack.

• Fan of Waves or Team Yell Grunt to disrupt your opponent’s attacks.

• Big Parasol to shield your Durant from damage counter spreading attacks, like Dragapult VMAX’s Max Phantom.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 9
4 Durant BST 10
2 Cherubi BST 7
2 Cherrim BST 8
1 Mew UNB 76

Trainer Cards - 41
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
4 Crushing Hammer SSH 159
4 Cursed Shovel RCL 157
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Judge Whistle TEU 146
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Lana's Fishing Rod CEC 195
1 Great Catcher CEC 192
2 Chaotic Swell CEC 187

Energy - 10
6 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1
4 Twin Energy RCL 174

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Prepare Victini VMAX by evolving Victini V early on. Attack using Max Victory where situationally advantageous, and with the deck’s tool box of attackers—including Reshiram & Charizard-GX, Heatran-GX, Volcanion, and Cramorant V—when not.

Key Cards

• Victini VMAX BST 22

• Reshiram & Charizard-GX UNB 20

• Welder

• Giant Hearth

Other Considerations

• Heat Fire Energy or Big Charm to boost Victini VMAX’s HP

• Air Balloon to make it easy to pivot between Pokémon.

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from spreading and sniping attacks.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 19
3 Victini V SSH 25
2 Victini VMAX BST 22
3 Jirachi TEU 99
2 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
2 Reshiram & Charizard-GX UNB 20
2 Volcanion UNB 25
1 Cramorant V SSH 155
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Eldegoss V CPA 5
1 Giratina UNM 86
1 Heatran-GX UNM 25

Trainer Cards - 29
4 Welder UNB 189
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Bird Keeper DAA 159
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Fire Crystal UNB 173
1 Great Catcher CEC 192
1 Reset Stamp UNM 206
3 Giant Hearth UNM 197

Energy - 12
12 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2

Alternate Lists

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

• OmniPoke’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Bench both Bellsprout and Salandit early to prepare them to evolve, evolving Salandit into Salazzle as possible to prepare them to attack. To boost the damage of Salazzle’s Derisive Roasting attack, use Yell Horn when you have an unevolved Salandit in the Active Spot and evolve it to remove its Confusion or when you have a pivot Pokémon like Jirachi in the Active Spot and switch it out to a prepared Salazzle. Evolve Bellsprout to Weepinbeell and activate its Dangerous Mucus ability to Burn and Poison your opponent’s active Pokémon, further boosting the damage of Salazzle’s Derisive Roasting.

Key Cards

• Salazzle BST 28

• Weepinbell BST 2

Other Considerations

• Level Ball as a means of easily finding both Salazzle and Weepinbell.

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from spreading and sniping attacks.

• Lucky Egg, Oricorio-GX, and Kricketune V as additional means of drawing more cards.

• Twin Energy or Triple Acceleration Energy as alternative means of powering up Salazzle’s Derisive Roasting attack.

• Dust Island to make it harder for your opponent to free their Pokémon of the Poisoned Special Condition.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Salandit BST 27
4 Salazzle BST 28
3 Bellsprout BST 1
3 Weepinbell BST 2
3 Jirachi TEU 99
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Welder UNB 189
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
4 Yell Horn DAA 173
3 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Fire Crystal UNB 173
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Giant Hearth UNM 197

Energy - 11
11 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2

Alternate Lists

• Tablemon’s version of this archetype

• Portland City Gym’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Set up and evolve Galarian Mr. Mime into Galarian Mr. Rime and use its Ball Juggling attack to discard the deck’s various ball cards, including Great Ball, Level Ball, Poké Ball, and Great Ball. Retrieve discarded ball cards with Yamper’s Ball Search ability, reusing the ability as necessary with Scoop Up Net.

Key Cards

• Galarian Mr. Rime BST 35

• Yamper BST 52

• Great Ball

• Poké Ball

Other Considerations

• Switch as an additional means of ensuring that the right Pokémon is in the Active Spot when necessary.

• Pokégear 3.0 to make it more likely that you have the right Supporter card in your hand when you need it.

• Welder, Giant Hearth, and Fire Energy as an alternate means of powering up Galarian Mr. Rime’s attack.

• Reset Stamp to slow your opponent down, especially in the late game when they are ahead on prize cards.

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from spreading and sniping attacks.

• Oricorio-GX, Crobat V DAA 104, Bruno, and Lucky Egg as additional means of drawing cards.

• Cherish Ball as an additional ball for Galarian Mr. Rime to discard for its attack.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
4 Galarian Mr. Mime RCL 37
4 Galarian Mr. Rime BST 35
4 Yamper BST 52
3 Jirachi TEU 99
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57

Trainer Cards - 36
3 Bird Keeper DAA 159
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Ball Guy SHF 57
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189
4 Great Ball CPA 52
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Poké Ball CPA 59
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171

Energy - 8
4 Triple Acceleration Energy UNB 190
4 Twin Energy RCL 174

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Bench and evolve Horsea, using Rare Candy to evolve them into Kingdra as soon as possible. Meanwhile, bench and evolve Snom into Frosmoth, flooding a benched Kingdra with energy to move it into the Active Spot to attack using its Aqua Burst attack. As Kingdra are knocked out, preserve the attached energy with Kingdra’s Deep Sea King ability and recycle the Horsea and Kingdra using Nessa.

Key Cards

• Kingdra BST 33

• Frosmoth SSH 64

• Capacious Bucket

Other Considerations

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from spreading and sniping attacks.

• Lapras TEU 31 as a basic Pokémon that can serve as an alternate attacker with a damage-ramping attack.

• Oranguru SSH 148 and Rotom Phone as a consistency booster that can make it easier to find key cards, like Rare Candy.

• Lillie’s Poké Doll as a means to potential stall for a turn or two while setting up a Kingdra.

• Training Court or Ordinary Rod as additional recovery options, especially for energy.

• Tool Scrapper to remove especially problematic tools, like those that boost the HP of your opponent’s Pokémon.

• Wash Water Energy to shield vulnerable Pokémon from attack effects like special conditions and damage counter spreading.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Horsea BST 31
1 Seadra BST 32
4 Kingdra BST 33
3 Snom SHF 29
3 Frosmoth SSH 64
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Suicune DAA 37

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Nessa VIV 157
1 Rosa CEC 204
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Rare Candy SSH 180
3 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
3 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Switch SSH 183

Energy - 11
11 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Bench and evolve Frillish into Jellicent. Use Clay, Professor’s Research, and Duskull’s Spiritborne Evolution ability to discard as many Water energy as possible as fast as possible, reserving only a few for attachments to Jellicent that can be rescued with Exp. Share when Jellicent is knocked out. Attack using Jellicent’s Sediment Sink attack, which does more damage for each basic Water Energy card in your discard pile.

Key Cards

• Jellicent BST 42

• Clay

Other Considerations

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from spreading and sniping attacks.

• Galarian Meowth RCL 126 as an additional means of discarding Water Energy.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 11
4 Frillish BST 41
4 Jellicent BST 42
2 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Duskull CEC 83

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Clay CEC 188
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
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
2 Exp. Share BST 126
2 Lillie's Poké Doll CEC 197
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Electromagnetic Radar UNB 169
1 U-Turn Board UNM 211
2 Viridian Forest TEU 156

Energy - 18
18 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Basic Strategy

Bench and evolve Shinx into Luxray with Rare Candy where possible and abuse Luxio's Top Entry to directly place it on the bench to evolve it into Luxray without a needed Shinx. Power up Luxray with manual energy attachments and Tapu Koko {*}’s Dance of the Ancients ability. Place damage counters on your opponent's Pokémon with Galarian Zigzagoon's Headbutt Tantrum ability. Attack using Luxray's Scar Strikes attack when the opponent's Active Pokémon is damaged (and when it would still get a knock out) and use Electrostep to switch into a benched Lillie's Poké Doll to try to buy yourself a turn when Scar Strikes doesn't have the necessary damage counters to deal sufficient damage.

Key Cards

• Luxray BST 48

• Galarian Zigzagoon SSH 117

Other Considerations

• Escape Rope as an additional switching option.

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from spreading and sniping attacks.

• Octillery BST 37 to help search out Rapid Strike cards. This could be especially helpful to find cards like Rapid Strike Energy (which could be used in place of Speed Lightning Energy) or Supporter cards like Korrina’s Focus.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 15
4 Shinx RCL 60
2 Luxio RCL 61
4 Luxray BST 48
2 Galarian Zigzagoon SSH 117
2 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Tapu Koko {*} TEU 51

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Marnie CPA 56
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Rare Candy SSH 180
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Lillie's Poké Doll CEC 197
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Reset Stamp UNM 206

Energy - 10
6 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4
4 Speed Lightning Energy RCL 173

Basic Strategy

Bench Tapu Koko V and Voltorb early, evolving them as possible. Use Electrode's Buzzap Generator ability to attach Lightning Energy from your deck to Tapu Koko VMAX, pushing yourself behind on Prize Cards in the process. Then, make use of Tapu Koko VMAX's Max Shock attack, repeatedly paralyzing or knocking out your opponent's Pokémon. Attack using Tapu Koko V and Zapdos as advantageous.

Key Cards

• Tapu Koko VMAX BST 50

• Electrode VIV 46

• Tapu Koko {*} TEU 51

Other Considerations

• Telescopic Sight as a potential tool for Zapdos VIV 48, to boost its snipe potential.

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from spreading and sniping attacks.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Voltorb VIV 45
3 Electrode VIV 46
3 Tapu Koko V SSH 72
1 Tapu Koko V BST 50
3 Tapu Koko VMAX BST 51
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Tapu Koko {*} TEU 51
1 Zapdos VIV 48

Trainer Cards - 28
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Fan of Waves BST 127
2 Reset Stamp UNM 206
2 Switch SSH 183
2 U-Turn Board UNM 211
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Chaotic Swell CEC 187

Energy - 14
9 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4
3 Speed Lightning Energy RCL 173
2 Weakness Guard Energy UNM 213

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Early game, bench Phanpy and Mankey and evolve Phanpy into Donphan. Use Donphan's Earthquake to pile up damage both on your opponent's Active Pokémon and on your own benched Pokémon, including Mankey and Primeape. Mid to late game, switch to attacking with Primeape's Steamin' Mad Strike, boosting its damage with Single Strike Energy where possible. Move damage onto freshly-benched Pokémon with Jynx's Ominous Posture ability to maximize Primeape’s attack damage.

Key Cards

• Primeape BST 67

• Phanpy VIV 86

• Donphan VIV 87

• Jynx UNM 76

Other Considerations

• Leon to boost the damage output of Donphan and Primeape.

• Karate Belt to make it easier to respond with an attack following a knock out.

• Spiritomb UNB 112 that can damage itself to boost Primeape’s attack damage.

• Houndoom BST 96 to attach Single Strike Energy cards to Primeape and Urn of Vitality to recover them once they are discarded.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Phanpy VIV 86
3 Donphan VIV 87
3 Mankey BST 66
3 Primeape BST 67
2 Oranguru SSH 148
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Jynx UNM 76
1 Mew UNB 76

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Rotom Phone CPA 64
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Exp. Share BST 126
1 Great Catcher CEC 192
3 Martial Arts Dojo UNB 179

Energy - 10
6 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6
4 Single Strike Energy BST 141

Alternate Lists

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archtype

• OmniPoke’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Use Level Ball and Gossifleur’s Call for Family attack to fish out Silicobra from your deck and place them on your bench. Then, using Green’s Exploration and Evolution Incense, find your Sandaconda and evolve your Silicobra. Continue to remove non-Energy cards from your deck with Green’s Exploration. Use Sandaconda’s Big Sand Cannon to attack, recycling energy, Silicobra, and Sandaconda as necessary using Brock’s Grit.

Key Cards

• Sandaconda BST 82

• Green’s Exploration

Other Considerations

• Energy Recycler as an alternative means of recovering energy from the discard pile.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 12
4 Gossifleur SSH 20
4 Silicobra SSH 107
4 Sandaconda BST 82

Trainer Cards - 20
4 Brock's Grit HIF 53
4 Green's Exploration UNB 175
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Pokégear 3.0 SSH 174

Energy - 28
28 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6

Basic Strategy

Get out Houndour and Single Strike Urshifu V on early turns so that they can evolve as soon as possible. Using Houndoom's Single Strike Roar ability, search your deck for Single Strike Energy and attach them to Single Strike Urshifu VMAX then attack using its Beatdown attack. As is necessary, take knockouts using its G-Max One Blow attack and recycle your Single Strike Energy using Urn of Vitality. When Single Strike Urshifu VMAX is adequately damaged, also take advantage of Single Strike Scroll of Scorn to use the scroll's additional attack, Furious Anger.

Key Cards

• Single Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 86

• Houndoom BST 96

• Single Strike Scroll of Scorn BST 133

• Single Strike Energy BST 141

Other Considerations

• Great Catcher as an alternative gusting option.

• Stone Fighting Energy to make Single Strike Urshifu VMAX even more difficult to knock out.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 19
4 Houndour BST 95
3 Houndoom BST 96
4 Single Strike Urshifu V BST 85
3 Single Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 86
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Jirachi-GX UNM 79
1 Mew UNB 76
1 Oranguru SSH 148

Trainer Cards - 29
4 Marnie CPA 56
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Urn of Vitality BST 139
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Single Strike Scroll of Scorn BST 133
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Reset Stamp UNM 206
2 Tower of Darkness BST 137
1 Power Plant UNB 183

Energy - 12
4 Capture Energy RCL 171
4 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6
4 Single Strike Energy BST 141

Alternate Lists

• OmniPoke’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

• Celios’ Network’s version of this archetype

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Bench and evolve Remoraid, Dragapult V, and Rapid Strike Urshifu V. Spread damage using Dragapult VMAX's Max Phantom attack, piling it on so that Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX can come in after it and sweep the opponent's damaged Pokémon away using its G-Max Rapid Flow attack. Use Octillery’s Rapid Strike Search ability to seek out Rapid Strike Urshifu V and VMAX, Rapid Strike Energy, Fan of Waves, Tower of Waters, and Korrina’s Focus.

Key Cards

• Dragapult VMAX RCL 93

• Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 88

• Octillery BST 37

Other Considerations

• Karate Belt to make it easier to respond with an attack following a knock out.

• Telescopic Sight to boost the damage that Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX’s G-Max Rapid Flow does to benched Pokémon-GX and Pokémon-VMAX.

• Cheryl to make it possible to heal off Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX.

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from opposing spreading and sniping attacks.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
3 Dragapult V RCL 92
3 Dragapult VMAX RCL 93
3 Rapid Strike Urshifu V BST 87
3 Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 88
2 Remoraid BST 36
2 Octillery BST 37
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Kricketune V BST 6

Trainer Cards - 30
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Korrina's Focus BST 128
2 Professor's Research CPA 62
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Crushing Hammer SSH 159
3 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Escape Rope BST 125
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Air Balloon SSH 156
1 Evolution Incense SSH 163
1 Fan of Waves BST 127
1 U-Turn Board UNM 211
2 Power Plant UNB 183
1 Tower of Waters BST 138

Energy - 12
4 Horror Psychic Energy RCL 172
4 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 5
4 Rapid Strike Energy BST 140

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archtype

• The Slowpoke Well’s version of this archtype

• Chill TCG’s version of this archtype

Basic Strategy

Bench and build up Tyranitar V and Houndour, attaching Capture Energy to Tyranitar V early on to get as many Houndour out as possible to be ready to evolve them on turn two. Once Houndour has been evolved into Houndoom, use its Single Strike Roar ability to attach Single Strike Energy from your deck to Tyranitar V, which both boosts the damage of and powers up its Single Strike Crush attack. Meanwhile, prepare Spiritomb on the bench by using its Building Spite ability to prepare it take knockouts later in the game against weaker utility Pokémon and against damaged Pokémon that Tyranitar V didn’t quite take down.

Key Cards

• Tyranitar V BST 97

• Houndoom BST 96

• Single Strike Energy BST 141

Other Considerations

• Hoopa DAA 111 as an alternative to Spiritomb and an alternate attacker for Tyranitar V.

• Evolution Incense to help find Houndoom as fast as possible.

• Single Strike Scroll of Scorn BST 133 to give Tyranitar V another attacking option in the event that it is heavily damaged, but not knocked out.

• Reset Stamp to slow your opponent down, especially in the late game when they are ahead on prize cards.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 17
4 Houndoom BST 96
4 Houndour BST 95
4 Tyranitar V BST 97
2 Crobat V DAA 104
2 Spiritomb UNB 112
1 Mew UNB 76

Trainer Cards - 30
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Urn of Vitality BST 139
3 Pokémon Communication TEU 152
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Escape Rope BST 125
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Dark City UNM 193

Energy - 13
4 Single Strike Energy BST 141
3 Capture Energy RCL 171
3 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7
3 Hiding Darkness Energy DAA 175

Basic Strategy

Bench Bronzor and Copperajah V and evolve them as early as possible, taking advantage of the deck's need to evolve Bronzor and Copperajah V to make use of Lucario & Melmetal-GX's Full Metal Wall-GX attack. If going second on your first turn, immediately evolve Bronzor into Bronzong using Bronzor's Evolutionary Advantage ability. Attach energy with manual attachments and with Metal Saucer, then rearrange where the energy is attached using Bronzong's Metal Transfer ability. Attack using Zacian V’s Brave Blade and Copperajah VMAX's G-Max Hammer and Dangerous Nose attacks and using Cheryl to heal off damage from Copperajah VMAX after removing any energy from it using Metal Transfer to avoid losing any attached energy.

Key Cards

• Copperajah VMAX RCL 137

• Bronzong BST 102

• Cheryl

Other Considerations

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from spreading and sniping attacks.

• Buff Padding or Big Charm to boost the HP of Copperajah VMAX.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
3 Bronzor TEU 100
3 Bronzong BST 102
3 Copperajah V RCL 136
3 Copperajah VMAX RCL 137
2 Zacian V SSH 138
1 Lucario & Melmetal-GX UNB 120
1 Dedenne-GX UNB 57

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cheryl BST 123
1 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189
1 Guzma & Hala CEC 193
4 Metal Saucer SSH 170
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Metal Goggles TEU 148
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Lillie's Poké Doll CEC 197

Energy - 12
9 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 8
3 Coating Metal Energy VIV 163

Basic Strategy

Bench Bronzor and Corviknight V and evolve them as early as possible, taking advantage of the deck's need to evolve Bronzor and Corviknight V to make use of Lucario & Melmetal-GX's Full Metal Wall-GX attack. If going second on your first turn, immediately evolve Bronzor into Bronzong using Bronzor's Evolutionary Advantage ability. Attach energy with manual attachments and with Metal Saucer, then rearrange where the energy is attached using Bronzong's Metal Transfer ability. Attack using Corviknight VMAX's G-Max Hurricane and using Cheryl to heal off damage from Corviknight VMAX after removing any energy from it using Metal Transfer to avoid losing any attached energy.

Key Cards

• Corviknight VMAX BST 110

• Bronzong BST 102

• Cheryl

Other Considerations

• Reset Stamp to slow your opponent down, especially in the late game when they are ahead on prize cards.

• Lillie’s Poké Doll as a means to potential stall for a turn or two and as an additional pseudo switching option.

• Chaotic Swell to remove and block opposing Stadium cards, like Giant Hearth.

• Aegislash VIV 126 to help cut through troublesome walls, like Decidueye DAA 13.

• Mew UNB 76 to protect your benched Pokémon from spreading and sniping attacks.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 15
3 Bronzor TEU 100
2 Bronzong BST 102
3 Corviknight V BST 109
3 Corviknight VMAX BST 110
3 Zacian V SSH 138
1 Lucario & Melmetal-GX UNB 120

Trainer Cards - 33
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cheryl BST 123
2 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189
4 Metal Goggles TEU 148
4 Metal Saucer SSH 170
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Switch SSH 183
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Power Plant UNB 183

Energy - 12
9 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 8
3 Coating Metal Energy VIV 163

Alternate Lists

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

• Chill TCG’s version of this archetype

• The SAbleyes’ version of this archetype