Sword & Shield—Evolving Skies

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, Tool Jammer.

Key Cards

• Leafeon V EVS 7

• Leafeon VMAX EVS 8

• Galar Mine

• Snow Leaf Badge

Other Considerations

• The Cinccino engine in place of the Inteleon engine.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Leafeon V EVS 7
3 Leafeon VMAX EVS 8
3 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Inteleon SSH 58
2 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 33
4 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Bird Keeper DAA 159
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Level Ball BST 129
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Snow Leaf Badge EVS 159
2 Tool Jammer BST 136
1 Energy Search SSH 161
4 Galar Mine RCL 160

Energy - 9
6 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1
3 Capture Energy RCL 171

Alternate Lists

• Celio’s Network’s version of this archetype

• OmniPoke’s version of this archetype

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.

KEY CARDS

• Maractus SSH 7

• Cherrim BST 8

• Glimwood Tangle

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Tropius EVS 6 as a revenge attacker, using its Rally Back attack to deal quick and consistent damage after one of your Pokémon is knocked out. Alternatively, Dhelmise V SSH 9 as a revenge attacker or secondary attacker.

• Shaymin VIV 15 as a stalling option, taking advantage of Shaymin’s Flower Bearing attack to slow down your opponent’s setup.

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

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 14
4 Maractus SSH 7
3 Cherubi BST 7
3 Cherrim BST 8
2 Jirachi VIV 119
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Oranguru SSH 148

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Skyla RCL 166
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Level Ball BST 129
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Energy Retrieval SSH 160
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Energy Recycler GRI 123
3 Glimwood Tangle DAA 162

Energy - 14
10 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1
4 Twin Energy RCL 174

Basic Strategy

Setup a Decidueye against an opposing deck focused around Pokémon V or Pokémon VMAX. Take gradual knockouts using Decidueye’s Splitting Arrow attack and Inteleon CRE’s Quick Shooting ability. Use Scoop Up Net to take away gusting targets—like Snorlax—from your opponent.

Key Cards

• Decidueye DAA 13

• Drizzile SSH 56

• Inteleon CRE 43

Watch the Archetype in Action

• The Sableyes

• AzulGG

• Tricky Gym

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 19
4 Rowlet DAA 11
4 Decidueye DAA 13
4 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Inteleon SSH 58
1 Snorlax VIV 131

Trainer Cards - 32
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Bird Keeper DAA 159
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Professor's Research CPA 62
1 Raihan EVS 152
1 Zinnia's Resolve EVS 164
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Rare Candy SSH 180
2 Big Parasol DAA 157
2 Quick Ball SSH 179
2 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
1 Energy Search SSH 161
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Tool Jammer BST 136

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

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Evolve Dhelmise V into Dhelmise VMAX and Grookey into Rillaboom via Rare Candy. Use Rillaboom’s Voltage Beat ability to power up Dhelmise V’s Anchor Anger or Giga Hammer attacks, Dhelmise VMAX’s Swinging Chain or Max Anchor attacks, or Dubwool V’s Revenge Blast attack, as advantageous.

Key Cards

• Rillaboom SSH 14

• Dhelmise V SSH 9

• Dhelmise VMAX SHF 10

Other Considerations

• Zarude V VIV 22 as an alternate means of acceleration with the ability to heal with its Jungle Rising attack.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 17
4 Dhelmise V SSH 9
3 Dhelmise VMAX SHF 10
3 Grookey SSH 11
1 Thwackey SHF 12
3 Rillaboom SSH 14
2 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Dubwool V RCL 153

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 Rare Candy SSH 180
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Great Ball CPA 52
2 Vitality Band SSH 185
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
3 Turffield Stadium CPA 68

Energy - 12
10 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1
2 Capture Energy RCL 171

Basic Strategy

Bench Orbeetle V and Galarian Moltres V, evolving Orbeetle V to Orbeetle VMAX as soon as possible to begin taking advantage of its Eerie Beam ability, which places a damage counter on each of your opponent’s Pokémon when Orbeetle VMAX is in the Active Spot. Use the deck’s switching options including Switch, Bird Keeper, Air Balloon, and Escape Rope to switch between Orbeetle VMAX to build up damage, attacking with Galarian Moltres V as necessary or bench Sableye V and use Energy Switch on an energy attached to Galarian Moltres V via its Direflame Wings ability to get Sableye V’s Crazy Claws attack powered up the same turn the Sableye V is benched.

Key Cards

• Orbeetle VMAX VIV 21

• Sableye V SSH 120

• Galarian Moltres V CRE 97

Other Considerations

• Giving up on Orbeetle VMAX entirely and switching to a Flapple-focused damage spreading engine like the one featured in the Sableye V deck list on this page.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 17
3 Orbeetle V VIV 20
3 Orbeetle VMAX VIV 21
3 Sableye V SSH 120
2 Galarian Moltres V CRE 97
2 Crobat V DAA 104
2 Galarian Zigzagoon SSH 117
1 Galarian Zapdos V CRE 80
1 Ditto V SHF 50

Trainer Cards - 33
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Bird Keeper DAA 159
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Energy Switch SSH 162
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Great Ball CPA 52
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Exp. Share BST 126
1 Escape Rope BST 125
3 Turffield Stadium CPA 68

Energy - 10
8 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7
2 Aurora Energy SSH 186

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of post-rotation Orbeetle VMAX, featuring Jolteon VMAX

Basic Strategy

Use Level Ball and Quick Ball to get Charmander and Minccino set up as quickly as possible, searching for Rare Candy and Evolution Incense with Cinccino’s Make Do Ability to setup Charizard—all the while discarding Leon with Make Do, Quick Ball, Charizard’s own Battle Sense ability. Use manual attachments and Raihan, as necessary, to power up Charizard’s Royal Blaze attack, using it to take knockouts against the opponent’s Pokémon. Gust as necessary using Boss’s Orders to select knockouts.

Key Cards

• Charizard VIV 25

• Cinccino SSH 147

• Leon

Other Considerations

• Peony as a very aggressive supporter that can seek out specific cards you need while discarding your hand to ensure that Leon finds its way into the discard pile. In addition to Peony, Rose Tower and/or Kricketune V BST 6 to ensure your hand isn’t dead after using Peony.

• Bruno and/or Zinnia’s Resolve as alternate draw supporter options.

• Snorlax VIV 131 as an early-game draw option and Crobat V as an additional option to draw additional cards.

• A thin 1-1 or 2-2 line of Altaria EVS 106 to seek out Leon as discard fodder or other supporters to use, as needed.

• Exp. Share to preserve energy attachments on Charizard.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
4 Charmander VIV 23
1 Charmeleon VIV 24
4 Charizard VIV 25
3 Minccino SSH 145
3 Cinccino SSH 147
1 Oranguru SSH 148

Trainer Cards - 34
4 Leon VIV 154
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Raihan EVS 152
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Rare Candy SSH 180
3 Level Ball BST 129
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171

Energy - 10
10 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2

Alternate Lists

• The Sableyes’ version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Evolve Flareon V into Flareon VMAX and attach requisite energy to it, lowering the cost of its Max Explosion attack with Elemental Badge. Take knockouts with Max Explosion, which discards the top 5 cards of your deck and does 100 damage for each Energy card the attack discards. Bench and use Galarian Moltres V’s Direflame Wings ability to pull Darkness Energy discarded with Max Explosion onto Moltres to power up its Aura Burn attack.

Key Cards

• Flareon VMAX EVS 18

• Elemental Badge EVS 147

Other Considerations

• Single Strike Energy to boost Flareon VMAX’s damage or Heat Fire Energy to boost its HP.

• Energy Recycler to recycle discarded Fire energy.

• Volcarona V as a potent late-game attacker that also recycles the deck’s basic Energy cards for reuse.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 10
4 Flareon V EVS 169
3 Flareon VMAX EVS 18
2 Galarian Moltres V CRE 97
1 Kricketune V BST 6

Trainer Cards - 21
4 Peony CRE 150
1 Rose DAA 168
4 Pokégear 3.0 SSH 174
3 Elemental Badge EVS 147
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Quick Ball SSH 179
2 Rose Tower DAA 169

Energy - 29
11 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2
6 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7
4 Aurora Energy SSH 186
4 Capture Energy RCL 171
4 Treasure Energy EVS 165

Basic Strategy

Evolve Victini V into Victini VMAX and use a combination of manually attaching Fire Energy and Rose to power up your Victini VMAX as the opportunity presents, refilling your hand with Kricketune V’s Exciting Stage ability or with Rose Tower. Use Victini VMAX’s Max Victory attack to take knockouts, dealing 100 damage by default or 220 damage if your opponent’s Active Pokémon is a Pokémon V (including Pokémon VMAX). Use Umbreon VMAX to gust your opponent’s Pokémon when unable to use Boss’s Orders (because of needing to use another supporter, like Rose).

Key Cards

• Victini VMAX BST 22

• Umbreon VMAX EVS 95

• Rose

Other Considerations

• Additional copies of Umbreon V and Umbreon VMAX.

Example Deck List

Based on a list by Peter Kica and Angel Miranda

Pokémon - 16
2 Crobat V DAA 104
2 Umbreon V EVS 94
2 Umbreon VMAX EVS 95
2 Victini V BST 21
2 Victini V SSH 25
4 Victini VMAX BST 22
1 Eldegoss V RCL 19
1 Kricketune V BST 6

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Marnie CPA 56
2 Rose DAA 168
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Pokégear 3.0 SSH 174
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Big Charm SSH 158
2 Energy Search SSH 161
2 Escape Rope BST 125
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Switch SSH 183
2 Rose Tower DAA 169

Energy - 12
10 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2
2 Heat Fire Energy DAA 174

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype, featuring the Inteleon engine

Basic Strategy

Get Scorbunny and Minccino down as quickly as possible to prepare them to evolve. Search for Rare Candy with the deck’s various draw cards to setup Cinderace. Use Cinderace’s Libero ability in combination with Air Balloon, Recycle Energy, and Bird Keeper to guarantee a Flare Striker each turn.

Key Cards

• Cinderace SSH 30

• Switch SSH 183

• Air Balloon SSH 156

Other Considerations

• Scorbunny SSH 31 in place of some or all of the Scorbunny SSH 30.

• Raihan to make it easier to recover when one of the deck’s Pokémon is knocked out.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Scorbunny SSH 30
2 Raboot SSH 32
4 Cinderace SSH 34
3 Minccino SSH 145
3 Cinccino SSH 147
2 Snorlax VIV 131

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Bird Keeper DAA 159
4 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Air Balloon SSH 156
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Rare Candy SSH 180
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Fan of Waves BST 127

Energy - 11
7 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2
4 Capture Energy RCL 171

Basic Strategy

Use Snorlax’s Gormandize ability on early turns to draw additional cards. Meanwhile, evolve Blastoise V into Blastoise VMAX as early as possible and use a combination of manual attachments and Melony, power-up Blastoise’s Grand Falls attack, which you can in turn use to power up additional benched Blastoise. Use a mix of Blastoise’s Grand Falls and G-Max Bombard attacks to take knockouts, boosting G-Max Bombard’s damage with Telescopic Sight. Use Drizzile and Inteleon SSH’s Shady Dealings ability to help find key cards throughout the game and use Inteleon CRE’s Quick Shooting ability to help set up or finish knockouts on your opponent’s Pokémon.

Key Cards

• Blastoise VMAX SWSH103

• Drizzile SSH 56

• Melony

Other Considerations

• Suicune V EVS 31 as an alternate attacker and consistency booster.

• Froslass CRE 36 as an additional means of accelerating energy onto Blastoise VMAX.

• Energy Retrieval, Nessa, and/or Training Court as an alternative option to Nessa to recovery Energy cards.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 20
4 Blastoise V SWSH101
3 Blastoise VMAX SWSH103
4 Sobble CRE 41
4 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Inteleon SSH 58
2 Snorlax VIV 131

Trainer Cards - 30
4 Melony CRE 146
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
2 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
2 Level Ball BST 129
2 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
2 Switch SSH 183
2 Telescopic Sight VIV 160
1 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Path to the Peak CRE 148

Energy - 10
10 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Basic Strategy

Play down Lapras V and Snom as early as possible so that they can evolve into Lapras VMAX and Frosmoth, respectively. Using Frosmoth’s Ice Dance and Melony, flood Lapras VMAX with energy to raise the damage of its G-Max Pump attack, which does 90 damage plus 30 damage for each Water energy attached to Lapras VMAX. Over the course of the game, bench Sobble and evolve them into Drizzile to take advantage of its Shady Dealings ability, which allows you to find any Trainer card you need and evolve the Drizzile as necessary into Inteleon CRE to take advantage of its Quick Shooting ability to reduce the number of Energy necessary to take knock outs.

Key Cards

• Lapras VMAX SSH 50

• Frosmoth SSH 64

• Drizzile SSH 56

• Melony

Other Considerations

• Suicune V EVS 31 as an alternate attacker and consistency booster.

• Energy Retrieval and/or Training Court as an alternative option to Nessa to recovery Energy cards.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 21
3 Lapras V SSH 49
3 Lapras VMAX SSH 50
3 Snom SHF 29
2 Frosmoth SSH 64
3 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Inteleon SSH 58
1 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 29
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Melony CRE 146
1 Nessa VIV 157
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Escape Rope BST 125

Energy - 10
10 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

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

• Oranguru SSH 148, Suicune V EVS 31, and/or Rotom Phone as a consistency booster that can make it easier to find key cards, like Rare Candy.

• 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.

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
2 Crobat V DAA 104
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 Raihan EVS 152
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Rare Candy SSH 180
3 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Switch SSH 183

Energy - 11
11 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Basic Strategy

Play down Wailord V, Snom, and Minccino, evolving Snom into Frosmoth and Minccino into Cinccino as soon as possible. Use Cinccino’s Make Do, Professor’s Research, and Quick Ball to quick get Water energy cards into the discard pile to make use of Wailord V’s Draw Up attack, which will attach three of them directly to itself from there. Attach Cape of Toughness to Wailord V to make it even more difficult to knock out. With Glimwood Tangle in play, use Wailord V’s Ocean Waves attack, which does 120 damage times the number of heads flipped out of three coin flips.

Key Cards

• Wailord V CPA 13

• Cape of Toughness

• Glimwood Tangle

Other Considerations

• Melony as an additional means of getting enough energy onto Wailord V so that it can use its Ocean Waves attack.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
4 Wailord V CPA 13
3 Snom SHF 29
2 Frosmoth SSH 64
3 Minccino SSH 145
3 Cinccino SSH 147
1 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 34
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Bird Keeper DAA 159
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
3 Cape of Toughness DAA 160
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Energy Retrieval SSH 160
3 Glimwood Tangle DAA 162

Energy - 10
10 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Basic Strategy

Going second, start with Glaceon V in the Active Spot and use its Ice Ascension attack to immediately evolve it into Glaceon VMAX, whose ability blocks the attacks of Pokémon VMAX. Play down Minccino and evolve it into Cinccino to take advantage of its Make Do ability as early as possible and evolve Snorunt into Froslass as necessary to take advantage of its Frost Over ability, which attaches a Water energy from your discard pile to one of your Pokémon in play. Take gradual spread damage knockouts using Glaceon VMAX’s Max Icile, using Boss’s Orders to gust up vulnerable targets when the opportunity presents. Use Dyna Tree Hill to prevent healing and to remove the hostile stadium Path to the Peak, which can also be removed with Pumpkaboo’s Pumpkin Pit ability.

Key Cards

• Glaceon VMAX EVS 41

• Pumpkaboo EVS 76

• Melony

Other Considerations

• Leon to give a quick boost to Glaceon VMAX’s damage when necessary.

• Suicune V as an option to help counter the Pokémon V that will be used against Glaceon to get around its Crystal Veil ability.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 19
4 Glaceon V EVS 40
3 Glaceon VMAX EVS 41
3 Minccino SSH 145
3 Cinccino SSH 147
2 Snorunt CRE 35
2 Froslass CRE 36
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Pumpkaboo EVS 76

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Melony CRE 146
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
2 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
2 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
2 Snow Leaf Badge EVS 159
1 Air Balloon SSH 156
3 Dyna Tree Hill CRE 135

Energy - 9
9 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Alternate Lists

• OmniPoke’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Play Keldeo V and play down Snom as early as possible so that they can evolve into Frosmoth. Using Frosmoth’s Ice Dance and Melony, flood Keldeo V with energy to raise the damage of its Secret Sword attack, which does 50 damage plus 30 damage for each Water energy attached to Keldeo V. Over the course of the game, bench Sobble and evolve them into Drizzile to take advantage of its Shady Dealings ability, which allows you to find any Trainer card you need and evolve the Drizzile as necessary into Inteleon CRE to take advantage of its Quick Shooting ability to reduce the number of Energy necessary to take knock outs.

Key Cards

• Keldeo V SSH 53

• Frosmoth SSH 64

• Drizzile SSH 56

• Melony

Other Considerations

• Suicune V EVS 31 as an alternate attacker and consistency booster.

• Energy Retrieval and/or Training Court as an alternative option to Nessa to recovery Energy cards.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 19
4 Keldeo V SSH 53
3 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Inteleon SSH 58
3 Snom SHF 29
2 Frosmoth SSH 64
1 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 30
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Melony CRE 146
1 Nessa VIV 157
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Great Ball CPA 52
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Escape Rope BST 125

Energy - 11
11 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Basic Strategy

Use a Frosmoth’s Ice Dance ability to help get three or more energy on each Wishiwashi in play and use Cape of Toughness to further boost its HP, bringing Wishiwashi’s HP from 30 to a total of 230. Take knockouts using Wishiwashi’s attack, which does 30 damage plus 30 more damage for each basic Energy attached to it.

Key Cards

• Wishiwashi EVS 36

• Frosmoth SSH 64

• Cape of Toughness

Other Considerations

• Rescue Carrier to be able to quickly reuse both Wishiwashi and the Frosmoth line.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
4 Wishiwashi EVS 46
3 Minccino SSH 145
3 Cinccino SSH 147
3 Snom SHF 29
3 Frosmoth SSH 64

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Nessa VIV 157
4 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
4 Energy Retrieval SSH 160
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Cape of Toughness DAA 160
2 Switch SSH 183

Energy - 12
12 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Alternate Lists

• JaxuTCG’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Bench and evolve Inteleon V into Inteleon VMAX and bench Sobble in preparation for using Drizzile’s Shady Dealings ability on subsequent turns. On early turns, use Hydro Snipe attack to slow down your opponent’s setup. As soon as possible, use Melony to power up Inteleon VMAX’s Max Bullet attack and spread damage on your opponent’s most vulnerable benched Pokémon. Use Boss’s Orders to take key knockouts, like critically damaged Pokémon.

Key Cards

• Inteleon VMAX RCL 50

• Drizzile SSH 56

• Capacious Bucket

• Melony

Other Considerations

• Telescopic Sight to boost the bench damage of Inteleon VMAX’s Max Bullet attack against benched Pokémon V (including Pokémon VMAX).

• Rugged Helmet to lean further into the energy disruption aspect of the archetype, making it more difficult for some opposing archetypes to chain attacks against Inteleon VMAX.

• Exp. Share to make it easier to get back to attacking with Max Bullet after one of your Inteleon has been knocked out.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 20
4 Inteleon V RCL 49
3 Inteleon VMAX RCL 50
4 Sobble CRE 41
4 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon SSH 58
2 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 30
4 Melony CRE 146
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Marnie CPA 56
2 Professor's Research CPA 62
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
2 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Air Balloon SSH 156
3 Path to the Peak CRE 148

Energy - 10
8 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3
2 Capture Energy RCL 171

Alternate Lists

• Celio’s Network’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Fill your bench and evolve Kubfu as quickly as you can so that each of your Pokémon in play is a Rapid Strike Pokémon. Then, use Rapid Strike Energy to power Rapid Strike Urshifu’s Rapid-Fisted Rush attack, which does 30 damage for each Rapid Strike Pokémon you have in play—up to 180 damage with a single hit. Combine that damage with Inteleon CRE’s Quick Shooting ability to take knockouts or use Boss’s Orders to pick on your opponent’s vulnerable benched Pokémon.

Key Cards

• Rapid Strike Urshifu CRE 44

• Inteleon CRE 43

• Octillery BST 37

• Rapid Strike Energy

Other Considerations

• Brawly to quickly bench multiple Rapid Strike Pokémon at once.

• Basic Water Energy as a Ordinary Rod-recoverable means of powering up Rapid Strike Urshifu’s attack.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 23
4 Kubfu CRE 93
4 Rapid Strike Urshifu CRE 44
4 Sobble CRE 55
3 Drizzile SSH 56
3 Inteleon CRE 43
2 Remoraid BST 36
2 Octillery BST 37
1 Falinks BST 83

Trainer Cards - 28
3 Bruno BST 121
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Marnie CPA 56
1 Korrina's Focus BST 128
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Rare Candy SSH 180
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Tower of Waters BST 138

Energy - 9
4 Rapid Strike Energy BST 140
4 Spiral Energy CRE 159
1 Capture Energy RCL 171

Basic Strategy

Bench and evolve Ice Rider Calyrex V into Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX, and bench Sobble to prepare it to evolve on subsequent turns to take advantage of Drizzile’s Shady Dealings ability. Use a combination of manually attaching energy and Melony to power up Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX’s two attacks, Ride of the High King and Max Lance, and use those attacks to take knockouts against your opponent’s Pokémon.

Key Cards

• Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX CRE 46

• Melony

• Drizzile SSH 56

Other Considerations

• Leon to give a quick boost to Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX’s damage on key turns.

• Suicune V as an basic attacker and as an early-game option when Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX isn’t out fast enough.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 21
4 Ice Rider Calyrex V CRE 45
3 Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX CRE 46
4 Sobble CRE 41
4 Drizzile SSH 56
3 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Inteleon SSH 58
2 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Melony CRE 146
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Switch SSH 183
3 Path to the Peak CRE 148

Energy - 8
8 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

Alternate Lists

• @AngelJMiranda’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Bench and evolve Mareep into Flaaffy and use Pikachu V’s Electrify attack and Flaaffy’s Dynamotor ability to get energy into play. Evolve Pikachu V into Pikachu VMAX and use its G-Max Volt Tackle attack to take knockouts, using Tapu Koko V primarily as a pivot to load up energy with Flaaffy’s Dynamotor ability, as necessary.

Key Cards

• Pikachu VMAX VIV 44

• Flaaffy EVS 54

• Tapu Koko V SSH 72

Other Considerations

• Tapu Koko VMAX BST 51 as a potential option against acceleration-heavy decks, like Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX

• Zapdos VIV 48 as a finisher to KO benched Pokémon V (including Pokémon VMAX) after your opponent attempts to save them on the bench by retreating them or switching them out of the Active Spot.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Mareep DAA 55
4 Flaaffy EVS 55
3 Pikachu V VIV 43
3 Pikachu VMAX VIV 44
2 Crobat V DAA 104
2 Tapu Koko V SSH 72

Trainer Cards - 32
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Bird Keeper DAA 159
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Air Balloon SSH 156
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Level Ball BST 129
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
3 Stormy Mountains EVS 161

Energy - 10
10 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4

Basic Strategy

Evolve Jolteon V into Jolteon VMAX and power it up with a combination of manually attaching Energy and Elemental Badge. Use Jolteon V’s Thunder Spear’s attack, Galarian Zigzagoon’s Headbutt Tantrum ability, and Inteleon CRE’s Quick Shooting ability to set damage on your opponent’s Pokémon to prepare for knockouts and to make the sniping secondary effect of Jolteon VMAX’s Max Thunder Rumble attack, which deals 100 damage to a Benched Pokémon that already has any damage counters on it.

Key Cards

• Jolteon VMAX EVS 51

• Drizzile SSH 56

• Inteleon CRE 43

• Galarian Zigzagoon SSH 117

Other Considerations

• Some combination of Glaceon VMAX, Snow Leaf Badge, and Escape Rope to use as a pivot and wall against Pokémon VMAX,

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 19
4 Jolteon V EVS 177
3 Jolteon VMAX EVS 51
3 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Inteleon SSH 58
2 Galarian Zigzagoon SSH 117
1 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Cheryl BST 123
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Elemental Badge EVS 147
3 Level Ball BST 129
3 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Path to the Peak CRE 148

Energy - 10
4 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4
4 Speed Lightning Energy RCL 173
2 Capture Energy RCL 171

Alternate Lists

• Tablemon’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Bench and evolve Mareep into Flaaffy and use Flaaffy’s Dynamotor ability to power up the deck’s attackers, especially Zekrom. Use Zekrom’s Wild Shock to take knockouts and to make it more difficult for your opponent to knock out Zekrom in return because of its Paralysis effect. When advantageous, use Zapdos’ Thunder Snipe attack to take down benched Pokémon V (including VMAX) or Regieleki’s Teraspark to either set up knockouts on your opponent’s Benched Pokémon or to take the knockouts on damaged Pokémon on your opponent’s bench.

Key Cards

• Flaaffy EVS 55

• Zekrom VIV 57

• Zapdos VIV 48

• Regieleki EVS 60

Other Considerations

• Jirachi VIV 119 as a more constant pivot and draw option, in place of or in addition to Snorlax.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Mareep DAA 55
4 Flaaffy EVS 55
4 Zekrom VIV 57
2 Snorlax VIV 131
2 Zapdos VIV 48
1 Regieleki EVS 60
1 Galarian Zigzagoon SSH 117

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Raihan EVS 152
4 Level Ball BST 129
3 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Telescopic Sight VIV 160
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
3 Stormy Mountains EVS 161

Energy - 10
10 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4

Alternate Lists

• TaloniteX’s version of this archetype

Basic Strategy

Play down Vikavolt V and Sobble, evolving the Sobble into Drizzile as needed to make use of its Shady Dealings ability, which searches for any one Trainer card from your deck. Using Crushing Hammer, Fan of Waves, and Path to the Peak, cripple your opponent’s setup and power up Vikavolt V’s Paralyzing Bolt attack and use it to lock your opponent out of Item cards, further hampering their ability to setup.

Key Cards

• Vikavolt V DAA 60

• Crushing Hammer SSH 159

Other Considerations

• Turbo Patch DAA 172 as a way to potentially get Vikavolt V’s Paralyzing Bolt powered up faster.

• Cape of Toughness to make Vikavolt V a bit more resilient against attacks.

• Team Yell Grunt as an additional Energy disruption option.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 15
4 Sobble CRE 41
4 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Inteleon SSH 58
4 Vikavolt V DAA 60

Trainer Cards - 34
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Bird Keeper DAA 159
4 Crushing Hammer SSH 159
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
1 Energy Search SSH 161
1 Fan of Waves BST 127
3 Path to the Peak CRE 148

Energy - 11
4 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4
4 Speed Lightning Energy RCL 173
3 Capture Energy RCL 171

Basic Strategy

Bench Blaziken V and Sylveon V and evolve them into Blaziken VMAX and Sylveon VMAX, respectively, also benching Zeraora V. In doing so, prepare to use Blaziken VMAX’s Max Blaze attack by discarding any extra Energy cards not needed to power the attack with Professor’s Research and Quick Ball. Setup knockouts and accelerate energy to benched Zeraora V using Blaziken VMAX’s Max Blaze attack. Then, when ready, use Zeraora V’s Cross Fist attack to snipe vulnerable multi-prize Pokémon from your opponent’s bench. Boost Zeraora V’s damage against Pokémon V with Passimian’s Throwing Coach ability. Use Sylveon VMAX as necessary to hit for weakness.

Key Cards

• Blaziken VMAX CRE 21

• Zeraora V CRE 53

• Passimian CRE 88

• Rapid Strike Energy

Other Considerations

• Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 88. Alternatively, just play the Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX archetype instead of this one.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 22
3 Blaziken V CRE 20
3 Blaziken VMAX CRE 21
3 Remoraid BST 36
3 Octillery BST 37
2 Crobat V DAA 104
2 Passimian CRE 88
2 Sylveon V EVS 74
2 Sylveon VMAX EVS 75
2 Zeraora V CRE 53

Trainer Cards - 28
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Great Ball CPA 52
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Escape Rope BST 125
2 Telescopic Sight VIV 160
1 Echoing Horn CRE 136
3 Tower of Waters BST 138

Energy - 10
4 Rapid Strike Energy BST 140
4 Spiral Energy CRE 159
2 Capture Energy RCL 171

Basic Strategy

Bench and evolve Mareep into Flaaffy and use Boltund V’s Electrify attack and Flaaffy’s Dynamotor ability to get additional energy into play. Use Boltund V’s Bolt Storm to take knockouts, using Tapu Koko V primarily as a pivot to load up energy with Flaaffy’s Dynamotor ability, as necessary.

Key Cards

• Boltund V RCL 67

• Flaaffy EVS 54

• Tapu Koko V SSH 72

Other Considerations

• Tapu Koko VMAX BST 51 as a potential option against acceleration-heavy decks, like Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX

• Zapdos VIV 48 as a finisher to KO benched Pokémon V (including Pokémon VMAX) after your opponent attempts to save them on the bench by retreating them or switching them out of the Active Spot.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 15
4 Boltund V RCL 67
4 Mareep DAA 55
4 Flaaffy EVS 55
2 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Tapu Koko V SSH 72

Trainer Cards - 33
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Zinnia's Resolve EVS 164
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Energy Switch SSH 162
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
3 Stormy Mountains EVS 161

Energy - 12
10 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4
2 Speed Lightning Energy RCL 173

Basic Strategy

Play down Gardevoir V and, if going second, start with Cresselia in the Active Spot. Use Cresselia’s Cresecent Glow attack to pile Psychic Energy onto a benched Gardevoir V and evolve that Gardevoir V into the VMAX quickly to use its Max Cure attack, which does 180 damage and heals 50 damage from Gardevoir VMAX. Power up additional Gardevoir VMAX using Rose to attach two Psychic Energy from your discard pile.

Key Cards

• Gardevoir VMAX

• Rose

• Rose Tower

Other Considerations

• Memory Capsule to make better use of Gardevoir V’s Swelling Pulse attack, which can do up to 200 damage if the Pokémon using the attack was healed during the turn it uses the attack.

• Kricketune V as an additional means of drawing out of the empty hands created by using Rose to power up Gardevoir VMAX.

Example Deck List

Based on a pre-rotation deck list by jonnybrah.

Pokémon - 11
4 Gardevoir V CPA 16
3 Gardevoir VMAX CPA 17
3 Cresselia CRE 64
1 Galarian Articuno V CRE 58

Trainer Cards - 37
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
4 Rose DAA 168
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Zinnia's Resolve EVS 164
4 Crushing Hammer SSH 159
4 Fog Crystal CRE 140
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Suspicious Food Tin CPA 66
1 Evolution Incense SSH 163
1 Tool Scrapper RCL 168
4 Rose Tower DAA 169

Energy - 12
12 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 5

Basic Strategy

Bench and evolve Inkay, Remoraid, and Minccino early on so that they can evolve into Malamar, Octillery, and Cinccino, respectively. Each turn, use Malamar’s Rapid Strike Tentacles attack, which does 40 damage for each Rapid Strike card you reveal from your hand, then shuffles those cards back into your deck. Refill you hand with new Rapid Strike cards each turn using Cinccino’s Made Do ability and Professor’s Research or, if Octillery’s Rapid Strike Search is available to seek it out from your deck, Korrina’s Focus.

Key Cards

• Malamar CRE 70

• Octillery BST 37

• Korrina’s Focus

Other Considerations

• A single copy of Inkay CPA 44 in place of one of the Inkay CRE 69 so that, with its extra 10 HP, it can survive Shadow Rider Calyrex V’s Astral Barrage attack.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 21
4 Inkay CRE 69
4 Malamar CRE 70
4 Remoraid BST 36
3 Octillery BST 37
3 Minccino SSH 145
3 Cinccino SSH 147

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Korrina's Focus BST 128
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Bruno BST 121
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 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
2 Tower of Waters BST 138

Energy - 7
4 Spiral Energy CRE 159
3 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 5

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down the deck’s rainbow of Pokémon, powering up Sylveon VMAX in preparation for its Max Harmony attack, which does 70 damage plus thirty more damage for each type on Pokémon you have on your bench (for a maximum of 220 with a normal-sized bench of 5 Pokémon). Seek out useful Rapid Strike cards like Rapid Strike Energy, Korrina’s Focus, and Tower of Waters using Octillery’s Rapid Strike Search ability and recover energy and hit for weakness against Zacian V using Blaziken VMAX’s Max Blaze attack.

KEY CARDS

• Sylveon VMAX EVS 75

• Ribbon Badge EVS 155

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 88 as an alternative attacker, sniper, and alternate Fighting-type representative to increase the damage of Sylveon VMAX’s Max Harmony attack.

• Tool Scrapper to remove problematic tools, like Cape of Toughness.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 20
3 Blaziken V CRE 20
2 Blaziken VMAX CRE 21
3 Sylveon V EVS 74
3 Sylveon VMAX EVS 75
2 Crobat V DAA 104
2 Remoraid BST 36
2 Octillery BST 37
1 Eldegoss V RCL 19
1 Oranguru SSH 148
1 Zeraora V CRE 53

Trainer Cards - 28
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Korrina's Focus BST 128
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Ribbon Badge EVS 155
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Escape Rope BST 125
3 Tower of Waters BST 138

Energy - 12
4 Capture Energy RCL 171
4 Rapid Strike Energy BST 140
4 Spiral Energy CRE 159

Alternate Lists

• Tricky Gym’s version of this archetype

• Tablemon’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Dreepy in the early game, working to get each of them evolved to a Dragapult as quickly as possible. It may be wise to avoid benching more than one or two, especially if it won’t be possible to guarantee evolution into Dragapult on the following turn—to avoid providing easy targets for Boss’s Orders. Spread damage using Dragapult’s Phantom Force attack, and the damage from Horror Psychic Energy, taking knockouts as they become available while trying to keep from slipping too far in the prize trade by flipping every heads you can on Dragapult’s Infiltrator ability.

KEY CARDS

• Dragapult RCL 91

• Rare Candy SSH 180

• Horror Psychic Energy RCL 172

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Snorlax VIV 131 as an early-game option to draw additional cards.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 11
4 Dreepy RCL 89
2 Drakloak RCL 90
4 Dragapult RCL 91
1 Oranguru SSH 148

Trainer Cards - 40
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Raihan EVS 152
4 Fog Crystal CRE 140
4 Great Ball CPA 52
4 Rare Candy SSH 180
3 Crushing Hammer SSH 159
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
3 Path to the Peak CRE 148

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

BASIC STRATEGY

Spread damage using Dragapult VMAX’s Max Phantom attack and use Inteleon’s Quick Shooter ability and Horror Psychic Energy to help set up critical knock outs with Max Phantom. Use Drizzile’s Shady Dealings ability throughout the game to find critical Trainer cards.

KEY CARDS

• Dragapult VMAX RCL 93

• Horror Psychic Energy RCL 172

• Drizzile SSH 56

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Path to the Peak both to slow your opponent’s setup and to make it more difficult for them to recover from the energy disruption of Crushing Hammer and Fan of Waves

• Galarian Articuno EVS 63 in combination with a higher count of basic Psychic Energy and Energy Switch to make it easier to power up Dragapult VMAX sooner, especially after one is knocked out.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 17
4 Dragapult V RCL 92
3 Dragapult VMAX RCL 93
3 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SSH 56
3 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 33
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Crushing Hammer SSH 159
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Fog Crystal CRE 140
1 Fan of Waves BST 127
3 Old Cemetery CRE 147

Energy - 10
7 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 5
3 Horror Psychic Energy RCL 172

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 Alcremie VMAX’s G-Max Whisk attack to take knockouts.

KEY CARDS

• Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX CRE 75

• Alcremie VMAX CPA 23

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Golurk V EVS 70 to make use of Rewind Beam to devolve high-HP evolved Pokémon and by so doing take a knock out against their lower-evolution.

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 Drizzile’s Shady Dealings ability throughout the game to find critical Trainer cards.

KEY CARDS

• Coalossal VMAX VIV 99

• Oranguru SSH 148

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Galarian Sirfetch’d V SWSH043 to take advantage of its Resolute Spear ability and its Meteor Smash attack to finish off damaged opposing Pokémon.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 17
3 Coalossal V VIV 98
3 Coalossal VMAX VIV 99
3 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon SSH 58
2 Oranguru SSH 148
1 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cheryl BST 123
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Rotom Phone CPA 64
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
1 Energy Search SSH 161
1 Pal Pad SSH 172

Energy - 12
8 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6
4 Stone Fighting Energy VIV 164

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 Peony and Evolution Incense, find your Sandaconda and evolve your Silicobra. Continue to remove non-Energy cards from your deck with Peony. Use Sandaconda’s Big Sand Cannon to attack, recycling energy, Silicobra, and Sandaconda as necessary using Ordinary Rod and Energy Recycler.

KEY CARDS

• Sandaconda BST 82

• Peony

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Klara, in place of Energy Recycler, Ordinary Rod, or both, as a means of recovering both Pokémon and Energy cards.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 12
4 Silicobra SSH 107
4 Sandaconda BST 82
3 Gossifleur SSH 20
1 Kricketune V BST 6

Trainer Cards - 22
4 Peony CRE 150
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Pokégear 3.0 SSH 174
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Energy Recycler GRI 123
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171

Energy - 26
26 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Sandaconda V and Sobble on your first turn, attacking using Sandaconda V’s Sand Eater attack if you go second. Evolve into Sandaconda VMAX and attack using its G-Max Cyclone attack to take knockouts against your opponent’s Active Pokémon. When your Sandaconda VMAX is at risk of being knocked out on your opponent’s next turn, use G-Max Cyclone’s effect to move off energy onto your benched Sandaconda V or VMAX. Use Cheryl to heal as necessary. Use Sandaconda VMAX’s Sand Pulse attack in conjunction with Telescopic Sight to spread damage to your opponent’s benched Pokémon V (including Pokémon VMAX).

KEY CARDS

• Sandaconda VMAX CRE 90

• Drizzile SSH 56

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Path to the Peak both to slow your opponent’s setup and to hinder their recovery after knockouts.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
3 Sandaconda V RCL 108
1 Sandaconda V CRE 89
3 Sandaconda VMAX CRE 90
4 Sobble CRE 41
4 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Inteleon SSH 58

Trainer Cards - 33
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cheryl BST 123
1 Bird Keeper DAA 159
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Level Ball BST 129
3 Switch SSH 183
3 Telescopic Sight VIV 160
2 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
1 Energy Search SSH 161
1 Escape Rope BST 125
1 Pal Pad SSH 172

Energy - 9
5 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6
4 Stone Fighting Energy VIV 164

BASIC STRATEGY

Set up by benching both Sobble and Galarian Farfetch’d, preparing to evolve into Galarian Sirfetch’d at the earliest opportunity. Attach to the Galarian Farfetch’d turn one, then attach either the missing Fighting or missing Twin Energy turn two. Use the deck’s variety of switching options to reset Galarian Sirfetch’d’s Meteor Assault attack when necessary. Evolve Sobble into Drizzile through the game to take advantage of its Shady Dealings ability, which allows you to search your deck for any one Trainer card and put it into your hand.

KEY CARDS

• Galarian Sirfetch’d RCL 95

• Drizzile SSH 56

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Path to the Peak both to slow your opponent’s setup and to hinder their recovery after knockouts.

• Galarian Sirfetch’d V SWSH043 to take advantage of its Resolute Spear ability and its Meteor Smash attack to finish off damaged opposing Pokémon.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
4 Galarian Farfetch'd RCL 94
4 Galarian Sirfetch'd RCL 95
3 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SSH 56
1 Inteleon SSH 58
1 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 33
3 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Bird Keeper DAA 159
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Piers CPA 58
1 Raihan EVS 152
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
1 Energy Search SSH 161

Energy - 11
7 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6
4 Twin Energy RCL 174

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench and evolve Houndour and Galarian Farfetch’d into Houndoom and Galarian Sirfetch’d, respectively. Use Houndoom’s Single Strike Roar to attack Single Strike Energy to Galarian Sirfetch’d and attach Twin Energy to fully power-up its Leek Strike attack, which does 70 damage plus 90 damage if it has a Pokémon Tool card attached to it.

KEY CARDS

• Galarian Sirfetch’d CRE 79

• Houndoom BST 96

• Single Strike Energy

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Basic Fighting Energy and Raihan, as a means both to quickly accelerate the required Fighting Energy and as a means of searching out Twin Energy from the deck.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Galarian Farfetch'd CRE 78
4 Galarian Sirfetch'd CRE 79
4 Houndour BST 95
3 Houndoom BST 96
2 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Seviper CRE 102

Trainer Cards - 33
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Bruno BST 121
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Karen's Conviction CRE 144
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Level Ball BST 129
2 Lucky Egg SSH 167
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
2 Urn of Vitality BST 139
2 Vitality Band SSH 185
2 Welcoming Lantern CRE 156

Energy - 8
4 Single Strike Energy BST 141
4 Twin Energy RCL 174

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Stonjourner V into Stonjourner VMAX, healing it with its Stone Gift attack or with Cheryl, as necessary, accelerating energy to it via Galarian Zapdos and Energy Switch. As the opportunity presents, attack with Stonjourner VMAX’s Max Rockfall to take knockouts.

KEY CARDS

• Stonjourner VMAX SSH 116

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Hyper Potion as another means of healing off damage.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
4 Stonjourner V SSH 115
3 Stonjourner VMAX SSH 116
3 Snorlax VIV 131
2 Galarian Zapdos EVS 82
2 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Eldegoss V RCL 19
1 Galarian Sirfetch'd V SWSH043

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Bird Keeper DAA 159
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Cheryl BST 123
4 Energy Switch SSH 162
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Big Charm SSH 158
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163

Energy - 12
9 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6
3 Stone Fighting Energy VIV 164

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Rapid Strike Urshifu V into Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX and use the deck’s various switching cards to hit your opponent’s Pokémon with Gale Thrust, taking selective knockouts against supporting Pokémon like Crobat V and Kricketune V where possible to take advantage of weakness. Use Galarian Moltres V’s Direflame Wings ability in conjunction with Energy Search to chain G-Max Rapid Flow to take knockouts on your opponent’s benched Pokémon. Boost Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX’s damage against benched Pokémon V with Telescopic Sight and with Passimian’s Throwing Coach ability.

KEY CARDS

• Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 88

• Galarian Moltres V CRE 97

• Energy Switch

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Ditto V SHF 50 as, effectively, an extra Rapid Strike Urshifu V or Galarian Moltres V, as needed.

• Medicham V EVS 83 to take advantage of its Yoga Loop attack, gaining an additional turn when the two damage counters it drops cause your opponent’s Pokémon to be knocked out.

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

• Umbreon VMAX EVS 95 as an alternative gusting option.

Example Deck List

Source: Anthony Alvarez (via Joey G)

Pokémon - 18
4 Houndour BST 95
4 Houndoom BST 96
3 Single Strike Urshifu V BST 85
3 Single Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 86
2 Tyranitar V BST 97
2 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Urn of Vitality BST 139
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Level Ball BST 129
2 Single Strike Scroll of Scorn BST 133
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Tower of Darkness BST 137

Energy - 10
4 Single Strike Energy BST 141
3 Capture Energy RCL 171
3 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6

Alternate Lists

• Rahul Reddy’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Pile on damage using Galarian Zigzagoon’s Headbutt Tantrum ability and Flapple’s Apple Drop ability. Attack using either Galarian Moltres V with its Aura Burn ability or, once enough damage has been piled onto the target, using Sableye V and its Crazy Claws attack. Drop in Sableye V’s right before use where possible, using tricks like Galarian Moltres V Direflame Wings ability and Energy Switch to get the energy necessary to use Crazy Claws immediately after Sableye V comes into play.

KEY CARDS

• Sableye V SSH 120

• Flapple RCL 22

• Galarian Moltres V CRE 97

• Energy Switch

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Raihan as an additional means of powering up a Sableye V and as a universal search option after one of your Pokémon has been knocked out.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Applin RCL 21
4 Flapple RCL 22
4 Sableye V SSH 120
2 Crobat V DAA 104
2 Galarian Moltres V CRE 97
2 Galarian Zigzagoon SSH 117

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Energy Switch SSH 162
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Exp. Share BST 126
2 Great Ball CPA 52
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
3 Turffield Stadium CPA 68

Energy - 10
8 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7
2 Hiding Darkness Energy DAA 175

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Malamar V and evolve it into Malamar VMAX when possible. Meanwhile, bench Galarian Moltres V’s Direflame Wings ability to also get additional energy into play. Use Energy Switch to move Darkness Energy from your Pokémon to where it is needed. Disrupt your opponent’s hand with Thievul’s Fumbling Hands ability, which causes both players to shuffle their hands, put them on the bottom of their deck, then draw 4 cards. Attack with Malamar VMAX’s Max Jammer attack which, in addition to dealing 180 damage, allows you to pick a card from your opponent’s hand to put at the bottom of their deck.

KEY CARDS

• Malamar VMAX RCL 122

• Galarian Moltres V CRE 97

• Energy Switch

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Spirit Mask as a bit of additional hand disruption.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 20
3 Galarian Moltres V CRE 97
3 Malamar V RCL 121
3 Malamar VMAX RCL 122
3 Nickit SSH 125
3 Thievul EVS 105
2 Galarian Moltres EVS 93
2 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Eldegoss V RCL 19

Trainer Cards - 29
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Crushing Hammer SSH 159
4 Energy Switch SSH 162
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
2 Air Balloon SSH 156

Energy - 11
8 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6
3 Hiding Darkness Energy DAA 175

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down available Pokémon to fill the bench by the end of your second turn, using the deck’s search options and Crobat V to help draw you find additional Pokémon by drawing cards. Attach Darkness Energy as available to power up and attack using Eternatus VMAX’s Dread End. Get additional Energy when needed using Galarian Moltres V’s Direflame Wings ability and Energy Switch. Choose which of your opponent’s Pokémon to knock out by gusting via Boss’s Orders or Umbreon VMAX’s Dark Signal ability.

KEY CARDS

• Eternatus VMAX DAA 117

• Crobat V DAA 104

• Umbreon VMAX EVS 95

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Old Cemetery or Tower of Darkness as a counter to the hostile stadium Path to the Peak.

• Liepard CRE 104 as a tool-countering option, especially to get rid of pesky HP-boosting or damage reducing tools like Big Charm and Cape of Toughness.

• Phoebe to cut through walling Pokémon, like Decidueye DAA 13.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 20
4 Crobat V DAA 104
4 Eternatus V DAA 116
4 Eternatus VMAX DAA 117
3 Umbreon V EVS 94
2 Umbreon VMAX EVS 95
2 Galarian Moltres V CRE 97
1 Hoopa DAA 111

Trainer Cards - 30
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Marnie CPA 56
4 Energy Switch SSH 162
4 Great Ball CPA 52
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
1 Escape Rope BST 125

Energy - 10
8 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7
2 Hiding Darkness Energy DAA 175

Alternate Lists

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

• TrainerChip’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench and evolve Houndour and Kubfu into Houndoom and Single Strike Urshifu, respectively. Use Houndoom’s Single Strike Roar to attack Single Strike Energy to Single Strike Urshifu and manually attach energy as necessary to fully power-up its Fists of Strike attack, which does 100 damage plus 100 damage if Single Strike Urshifu has any damage counters on it.

KEY CARDS

• Single Strike Urshifu CRE 108

• Houndoom BST 96

• Single Strike Energy

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Dialga EVS 112 as a stalling option against Pokémon V, including Pokémon VMAX.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Houndour BST 95
4 Houndoom BST 96
4 Kubfu CRE 93
4 Single Strike Urshifu CRE 108
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Stonjourner BST 84

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Bruno BST 121
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Zinnia's Resolve EVS 164
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Urn of Vitality BST 139
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Level Ball BST 129
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
4 Tower of Darkness BST 137

Energy - 10
4 Single Strike Energy BST 141
4 Capture Energy RCL 171
2 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Bronzor and Corviknight V and evolve them as early as possible. 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

• Zacian V SSH 138

• Corviknight VMAX BST 110

• Bronzong BST 102

• Cheryl

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Aegislash V VIV 126 to cut through walling Pokémon, like Decidueye DAA 13.

• Zamazenta V SSH 139 as a wall against Pokémon VMAX, to slow them down as necessary.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Bronzor BST 101
3 Bronzong BST 102
4 Corviknight V BST 109
3 Corviknight VMAX BST 110
4 Zacian V SSH 138

Trainer Cards - 29
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
3 Cheryl BST 123
3 Marnie CPA 56
4 Metal Saucer SSH 170
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
1 Air Balloon SSH 156

Energy - 13
10 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 8
3 Coating Metal Energy VIV 163

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Bronzor and Cufant and evolve them as early as possible. 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's Muscular Nose attack and use the deck’s switching cards to reset Zacian V’s attack, as necessary.

KEY CARDS

• Zacian V SSH 138

• Copperajah SSH 137

• Bronzong BST 102

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Aegislash V VIV 126 to cut through walling Pokémon, like Decidueye DAA 13.

• Zamazenta V SSH 139 as a wall against Pokémon VMAX, to slow them down as necessary.

• Big Charm to make it more difficult for decks that float around the 170-190 damage output range to take knockouts against Copperajah.

• Cheryl to heal off damage from your Copperajah, punishing your opponent when they fail to take a knockout.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
4 Cufant SSH 136
3 Copperajah SSH 137
3 Bronzor BST 101
3 Bronzong BST 102
3 Zacian V SSH 138

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Metal Saucer SSH 170
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
4 Switch SSH 183
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
1 Escape Rope BST 125

Energy - 13
10 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 8
3 Coating Metal Energy VIV 163

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Bronzor and Copperajah V and evolve them as early as possible. 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 or Copperajah VMAX's G-Max Hammer and Dangerous Nose attacks and use 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

• Zacian V SSH 138

• Copperajah VMAX RCL 137

• Bronzong BST 102

• Cheryl

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Aegislash V VIV 126 to cut through walling Pokémon, like Decidueye DAA 13.

• Zamazenta V SSH 139 as a wall against Pokémon VMAX, to slow them down as necessary.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
4 Zacian V SSH 138
3 Bronzor BST 101
3 Bronzong BST 102
3 Copperajah V RCL 136
3 Copperajah VMAX RCL 137

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cheryl BST 123
1 Bird Keeper DAA 159
4 Metal Saucer SSH 170
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Big Charm SSH 158
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
1 Escape Rope BST 125

Energy - 13
10 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 8
3 Coating Metal Energy VIV 163

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down Sobble and Zacian V and attach energy to Zacian V via manual attachments, Metal Saucer, and Zacian V’s ability, Intrepid Sword. Over the course of the game, evolve Sobble into Drizzile to take advantage of its Shady Dealings ability, which allows you to search the deck for any Trainer card you may need. Evolve Drizzile into Inteleon CRE to make use of its Quick Shooting ability to put additional damage on Pokémon to make them easier to knock out with Zacian V’s Brave Blade attack.

KEY CARDS

• Zacian V SSH 138

• Drizzile SSH 56

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Aegislash V VIV 126 to cut through walling Pokémon, like Decidueye DAA 13.

• Leon and/or Rusted Sword as an additional means of boosting the damage of Zacian V’s Brave Blade attack when necessary.

• Crystal Cave in place of Circhester Bath to heal off damage from each of your Zacian V.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 14
4 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Inteleon SSH 58
4 Zacian V SSH 138

Trainer Cards - 35
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
1 Bird Keeper DAA 159
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Metal Saucer SSH 170
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Cape of Toughness DAA 160
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
1 Energy Search SSH 161
1 Escape Rope BST 125
2 Circhester Bath VIV 150

Energy - 11
11 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 8

Alternate Lists

• Tricky Gym’s version of this archetype

• Peter Kica’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down Sobble and Zamazenta V and attach energy to Zamazenta V via manual attachments and Metal Saucer. Over the course of the game, evolve Sobble into Drizzile to take advantage of its Shady Dealings ability, which allows you to search the deck for any Trainer card you may need. Evolve Drizzile into Inteleon CRE to make use of its Quick Shooting ability to put additional damage on Pokémon to make them easier to knock out with Zamazenta V’s Assault Tackle attack, which discards a Special Energy card attached to your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Continue walling Pokémon VMAX via Zamazenta’s Dauntless Shield ability, buffing Zamazenta V’s effective HP with Rusted Shield and Circhester Bath or healing it as needed with Crystal Cave. In matchups where Zamazenta V’s damage output or wall capabilities are inadequate, use Zacian V’s Brave Blade attack to take knockouts.

KEY CARDS

• Zamazenta V SSH 139

• Zacian V SSH 138

• Drizzile SSH 56

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Aegislash V VIV 126 to cut through walling Pokémon, like Decidueye DAA 13.

Example Deck List

Source: Brandon Macleod

Pokémon - 17
4 Sobble CRE 41
4 Drizzile SSH 56
2 Inteleon CRE 43
1 Inteleon SSH 58
4 Zamazenta V SSH 139
2 Zacian V SSH 138

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Marnie CPA 56
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
4 Metal Saucer SSH 170
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Rusted Shield SHF 61
2 Circhester Bath VIV 150
2 Crystal Cave EVS 144

Energy - 11
9 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 8
2 Capture Energy RCL 171

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down Dragonite V and Snorunt, and over the course of the game, play down and evolve Sobble into Drizzile to take advantage of its Shady Dealings ability, which allows you to search for any 1 Trainer card from your deck. Use a combination of Melony and the on-evolution effect of Froslass’ Frost Over ability to power up Dragonite V’s Dragon Gale attack, which does 250 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon, but also does 20 damage to each of your benched Pokémon. As necessary, use Suicune V and its Blizzard Rondo attack to finish off or soften up your opponent’s Pokémon.

KEY CARDS

• Dragonite V EVS 191

• Drizzile SSH 56

• Froslass CRE 36

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Flapple EVS 120 or Appletun EVS 121 as alternate attackers that deal 50 damage for each Pokémon with an ability and 70 damage for each Special Energy attached to your opponent’s Pokémon, respectively.

• Raihan as a means of Energy recovery and as a universal search option after one of your Pokémon is knocked out.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16
4 Dragonite V EVS 191
3 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SSH 56
1 Inteleon SSH 58
2 Snorunt CRE 35
2 Froslass CRE 36
1 Suicune V EVS 31

Trainer Cards - 32
4 Melony CRE 146
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Marnie CPA 56
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Scoop Up Net RCL 165
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Level Ball BST 129
2 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
2 Energy Search SSH 161
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Air Balloon SSH 156
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 171

Energy - 12
8 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3
4 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4

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.

• Tower of Waters as an additional retreating option and counter to the hostile stadium, Path to the Peak.

• Pokémon Breeder’s Nurturing as an additional out to evolving Mareep into Flaaffy and Rayquaza V into Rayquaza VMAX.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 17
4 Mareep DAA 55
3 Flaaffy EVS 55
3 Rayquaza V EVS 110
3 Rayquaza VMAX EVS 111
2 Snorlax VIV 131
1 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Zeraora V CRE 53

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Rose DAA 168
3 Air Balloon SSH 156
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163
3 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Level Ball BST 129
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Energy Search SSH 161
3 Stormy Mountains EVS 161

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

Alternate Lists

• OmniPoke’s version of this archetype

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

• ZapdosTCG’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Bronzor and Duraludon V and evolve them as early as possible. 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 or Duraludon VMAX's G-Max Pulverization and use Cheryl to heal off damage from Duraludon VMAX after removing any energy from it using Metal Transfer to avoid losing any attached energy.

KEY CARDS

• Zacian V SSH 138

• Duraludon VMAX EVS 123

• Bronzong BST 102

• Cheryl

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Aegislash V VIV 126 to cut through walling Pokémon, like Decidueye DAA 13.

• Zamazenta V SSH 139 as a wall against Pokémon VMAX, to slow them down as necessary.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 19
4 Duraludon V CPA 47
3 Duraludon VMAX EVS 123
4 Zacian V SSH 138
3 Bronzor RCL 129
2 Bronzong BST 102
2 Crobat V DAA 104
1 Galarian Zapdos V CRE 80

Trainer Cards - 28
4 Marnie CPA 56
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Cheryl BST 123
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Metal Saucer SSH 170
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Switch SSH 183

Energy - 13
9 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 8
4 Aurora Energy SSH 186

Alternate Lists

• Tablemon’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Regidrago and Cherubi, and evolve Cherubi into Cherrim as early as possible. Attach Exp. Share and Fire Energy to Regidrago in anticipation of using Cherrim’s Spring Bloom ability to fill in the Grass Energy requirement of Regidrago’s Dragon Energy attack, which you’ll use to chain knockouts.

KEY CARDS

• Regidrago EVS 124

• Cherrim BST 8

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Tropius EVS 6 to make use of its Rally Back attack to deal an easy 120 damage after one of your other Pokémon has been knocked out.

• Flapple EVS 120 or Appletun EVS 121 as alternate attackers that deal 50 damage for each Pokémon with an ability and 70 damage for each Special Energy attached to your opponent’s Pokémon, respectively.

• Tapu Bulu BST 16 as an alternate attacker, taking advantage of its Nature’s Judgement attack, which can fairly easily deal 160 damage.

• Bruno as an alternate draw Supporter—one that can draw you 7 cards after one of your Pokémon is knocked out.

• Klara as an alternate means of Pokémon and Energy recovery.

• Raihan as a means of Energy recovery and as a universal search option after one of your Pokémon is knocked out.

• Scoop Up Net as both a pseudo-switch and pseudo-healing card for Regidrago, especially, to clear off any damage that may be hampering its Dragon Energy attack’s damage output.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 13
4 Regidrago EVS 124
3 Cherubi BST 7
3 Cherrim BST 8
2 Jirachi VIV 119
1 Crobat V DAA 104

Trainer Cards - 34
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Marnie CPA 56
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Exp. Share BST 126
3 Switch SSH 183
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Energy Retrieval SSH 160
2 Energy Search SSH 161
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
3 Stormy Mountains EVS 161

Energy - 13
9 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1
4 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2

Alternate Lists

• Rare Candy’s version of this archetype

BASIC STRATEGY

Build up your board by playing down Gossifleur and using its Call for Family attack if you go second to pull out and bench, for an example, additional Gossifleur, Smeargle, or Jirachi from your deck. Evolve Gossifleur into Eldegoss and use its Cotton Lift ability to get as many different types of basic Energy into your hand as you can prior to attacking with Smeargle’s Live Painting attack, which does 30 damage plus 30 more damage for each type of basic Energy you reveal from your hand. As necessary, use Raihan to attach a basic Energy card from your discard pile to a fresh Smeagle after one has been knocked out, then attach another from your hand to finish powering up its Live Painting attack—or alternatively use Raihan to search for a Twin Energy and attach that to Smeargle instead.

KEY CARDS

• Smeagle EVS 128

• Eldegoss EVS 16

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Training Court to recover basic Energy cards back to your hand to boost the damage of Smeargle’s Live Painting attack.

• Switch and/or Bird Keeper as switching options to help get a Gossifleur, Eldegoss, Crobat V, or Jirachi out of the Active Spot.

• Piers to search out both Crobat V and Twin Energy.

• Scoop Up Net both as a switching option for most of the deck’s Pokémon and as a potential option to make double use of Eldegoss’ Cotton Lift by evolving a different Gossifleur with the scooped-up Eldegoss.

• Energy Recycler to recover discarded Energy cards in the mid to late game.

• Energy Search to help find the necessary Energy cards necessary to take knockouts against your opponent’s Pokémon.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 15
4 Smeargle EVS 128
4 Gossifleur SSH 20
3 Eldegoss EVS 16
2 Crobat V DAA 104
2 Jirachi VIV 119

Trainer Cards - 33
4 Bruno BST 121
4 Raihan EVS 152
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Zinnia's Resolve EVS 164
1 Klara CRE 145
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
3 Pokégear 3.0 SSH 174
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
2 Lucky Egg SSH 167
2 Ordinary Rod SSH 171
1 Energy Retrieval SSH 160
2 Turffield Stadium CPA 68

Energy - 12
4 Twin Energy RCL 174
1 Grass Energy SWSHEnergy 1
1 Fire Energy SWSHEnergy 2
1 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3
1 Lightning Energy SWSHEnergy 4
1 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 5
1 Fighting Energy SWSHEnergy 6
1 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7
1 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 8

BASIC STRATEGY

Bench Bronzor and Togekiss V and evolve them as early as possible. 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 or Togekiss VMAX's Max Glide and use Cheryl to heal off damage from Togekiss VMAX after removing any energy from it using Metal Transfer to avoid losing any attached energy.

KEY CARDS

• Zacian V SSH 138

• Togekiss VMAX VIV 141

• Bronzong BST 102

• Cheryl

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Aegislash V VIV 126 to cut through walling Pokémon, like Decidueye DAA 13.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 18
4 Togekiss V VIV 140
3 Togekiss VMAX VIV 141
1 Crobat V DAA 104
3 Bronzor RCL 129
2 Bronzong BST 102
3 Zacian V SSH 138
1 Zamazenta V SSH 139
1 Ditto V SHF 50

Trainer Cards - 29
4 Marnie CPA 56
3 Cheryl BST 123
3 Professor's Research CPA 62
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
4 Metal Saucer SSH 170
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
2 Big Charm SSH 158
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163
2 Escape Rope BST 125
2 Switch SSH 183
1 Pal Pad SSH 172

Energy - 13
9 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 8
4 Capture Energy RCL 171

BASIC STRATEGY

Set up by benching Sinistea on early turns, discarding other Pokémon with the Mad Party attack. Evolve Sinistea to Polteageist and, using Triple Acceleration Energy or Twin Energy to power up Polteageist’s Mad Party attack, take knockouts against your opponent’s Pokémon. Discard additional Mad Party Pokémon using Polteageist’s Tea Break ability and Cinccino’s Make Do ability, which both also draw additional cards. On turns after your Polteageist have been knocked out, use the deck’s various Pokémon Search cards to find Bunnelby and attack using its Mad Party attack. Recover from knockouts using Raihan to attach Psychic energy from your Discard pile and then use it, if necessary, to retrieve another Psychic energy or Twin Energy, as appropriate, to power up your follow-up attack.

KEY CARDS

• Bunnelby DAA 150

• Galarian Mr. Rime DAA 36

• Dedenne DAA 78

• Polteageist DAA 83

• Raihan

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• A fourth copy of Raihan to ensure it is available as needed.

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 24
4 Bunnelby DAA 150
4 Dedenne DAA 78
4 Galarian Mr. Rime DAA 36
4 Polteageist DAA 83
3 Minccino SSH 145
3 Cinccino SSH 147
2 Sinistea DAA 82

Trainer Cards - 27
4 Professor's Research CPA 62
3 Raihan EVS 152
2 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Marnie CPA 56
1 Zinnia's Resolve EVS 164
4 Evolution Incense SSH 163
4 Level Ball BST 129
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
2 Air Balloon SSH 156
1 Rescue Carrier EVS 154

Energy - 9
5 Psychic Energy SWSHEnergy 5
4 Twin Energy RCL 174