Searching Standard: Aerodactyl VSTAR

Hello and welcome to another episode of Searching Standard, where each and every week I look for new, innovative decks for you to play in Standard. This week, I'm looking at a deck that was recently featured on the YouTube channel of ZapdosTCG. It features Aerodactyl VSTAR LOR 93 as a way to counter decks running Lugia VSTAR SIT 139. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

By using the Ancient Star VSTAR Power attack of Aerodactyl VSTAR LOR 93, you'll shut off any Ability your opponent's Pokemon V's have. Those Abilities will remain neutralized until Aerodactyl VSTAR LOR 93 leaves play. Since this attack only requires one Energy to use, you'll want to fire it off as quickly as possible. In order to make sure that Aerodactyl VSTAR LOR 93 doesn't get Knocked Out as easily, you can attach Stone Fighting Energy VIV 164 to it, allowing it to take 20 less damage from your opponent's attacks as well as helping to power up Aerodactyl VSTAR LOR 93's Lost Dive attack.

Another way this deck has to shut off your opponent's Abilities is with Galarian Weezing SHF 42's Neutralizing Gas Ability. This Ability only works while Galarian Weezing SHF 42 is in your Active Spot. If you need an easy way for Galarian Weezing SHF 42 to retreat, you can attach a Hiding Darkness Energy DAA 175 to it, which allows it to retreat for free. This Energy also powers its Severe Poison attack.

Flying Pikachu VMAX CEL 7 has the Max Balloon attack, which will prevent all damage done to Flying Pikachu VMAX CEL 7 on the opponent's next turn by attacks from Basic Pokemon. By combining this with the protection that Big Parasol DAA 157 provides to your Benched Pokemon, you'll be able to keep your team fit for fighting.

As a way to prevent your opponent from attacking as effectively, you can use Yveltal CEL 19's Cry of Destruction attack to discard up to three Special Energy from your opponent's Pokemon, whether they are attached to the Active Pokemon or ones on the Bench.

The final Pokemon in this deck is Crobat V SHF 44, who is most useful for its Dark Asset Ability. Use this Ability to refill your hand with new cards, and only use Crobat V SHF 44 as an attacker if you desperately need one.

Speaking of ways to draw new cards, our first pair of Trainers cards do just that. Professor's Research BRS 147 has you discard your hand in order to draw a new hand of seven cards. Marnie CPA 56, on the other hand, has you shuffle your current hand back into your deck before drawing new cards. The main use for Marnie CPA 56 is to disrupt your opponent's hand, potentially leaving them with fewer cards in hand than they previously had.

Mobility in battle is very important. While Serena SIT 164 can be used to draw you additional cards, you'll often want to play her for her second modular ability. Doing this will allow you to switch your opponent's Active Pokemon with one of their Benched Pokemon V. This can often allow you to attack a Pokemon that doesn't have the necessary Energy to be able to attack or retreat. It's a great way to be able to take multiple Prize cards. Both Switch SSH 183 and Air Balloon SSH 156 provide you the means of moving your own Pokemon around. Air Balloon SSH 156 is especially important for allowing Aerodactyl VSTAR LOR 93 the mobility needed to attack and retreat to safety so that its Ancient Star VSTAR Power remains in effect.

Both Energy Loto ASR 140 and Pokégear 3.0 SSH 174 allow you to look at the top seven cards of your deck for certain cards. They can both be very effective ways to find Energy and Supporter cards you need for things to run smoothly.

This Stadium is yet another way you have of removing Pokemon Abilities. With Path to the Peak CRE 148 in play, both you and your opponent will see all Pokemon in play with a Rule Box lose any Abilities they might have. Since this affects both players, you might find yourself in a position where this hurts you more than your opponent.

The final Trainer cards in this deck help you find the Pokemon you need when you need them. Quick Ball FST 237 can be used to find any Basic Pokemon from within your deck, while Evolution Incense SSH 163 will find any Evolution Pokemon. Ultra Ball BRS 150 is the most powerful, as it can be used to find any Pokemon you need, regardless of its stage.

Wrapping Up

While Pokemon Abilities can be very powerful, some decks are entirely reliant on using them. If you can take away your opponent's Pokemon Abilities, you might just be able to shut their deck down, giving you an easy victory.

What do you think of this deck? Do you have any suggestions for improvements? Let me know by leaving a comment below. And be sure to join me here again next week as I continue my search for innovative decks in the Pokemon TCG. I'll see you then!

- Mike Likes