Searching Standard: Claydol - No Supporters

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 Popsicle Knight. It features Claydol SIT 94, and has the dubious stipulation of having no Supporters in the deck. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

With Claydol SIT 94's Mystery Charge Ability, you have a good way to accelerate the amount of Energy you can attach each turn. The only drawback to this Ability is that you can't have any Supporter cards in your discard pile in order to be able to use it. This deck takes full advantage of that and you'll never run into any situation where you're not able to use this Ability.

Lucario BRS 79 is the main attacker for this deck. By using its Roaring Resolve Ability, you can search your deck for a Fighting Energy card to attach to Lucario BRS 79. While this will cause two damage counters to be placed on Lucario BRS 79, it can also help it deal extra damage by using its Aura Sphere Volley attack. This attack will deal a minimum of 130 damage, but by attaching extra Energy, it can deal extra damage. You'll need to discard all of the Energy attached to Lucario BRS 79 to use this attack, but having Energy in your discard pile is just what Claydol SIT 94 wants.

Since you can't rely on Supporters to help you draw extra cards, you can use the Abilities of this batch of Pokemon to help with this. Bibarel BRS 121 has the Industrious Incisors Ability, which allows you to draw until you have five cards in your hand, once per turn. Snorlax VIV 131 has the Gormandize Ability, which allows you to draw cards until you have seven in your hand, but will also end your turn. Since these Abilities can be used again and again, they can actually provide you with more cards than any single-use Supporter could.

The final pair of Pokemon in this deck are included for specific situations. Miltank ASR 126 is great when facing an opposing Pokemon V, as it will take no damage from attacks thanks to its Miracle Body Ability. Manaphy BRS 41's Wave Veil Ability can keep your Benched Pokemon safe from damage, if your opponent has the means to spread damage around.

As an additional way to accelerate your Energy attachment, you can play Training Court RCL 169. This Stadium allows each player to put a basic Energy card from their discard pile into their hand. It's a great way to be able to utilize the Energy that has been discarded an additional time.

I mentioned earlier some Pokemon Abilities that help you draw extra cards. This next batch of Trainer cards helps with that as well. Trekking Shoes ASR 156 lets you put the top card of your deck into your hand. You can also put this card into your discard pile and draw a card instead. This can be a great way to get Energy into your discard pile, if you need to. Gutsy Pickaxe ASR 145 helps accelerate Energy, potentially. Alternatively, it will draw you a card instead. Finally, PokéStop PGO 68 helps get Energy into your discard pile, while also returning Item cards revealed with it to your hand.

Since Lucario BRS 79's Aura Sphere Volley attack requires you to discard all of the Energy attached to it, you'll want to maximize the effectiveness of your attacks. To help with this, you can use Escape Rope BST 125 and Choice Belt BRS 135. Escape Rope BST 125 allows both you and your opponent to switch your Active Pokemon with a Pokemon from your Bench. You can move a fully powered Pokemon to your Active Spot, while your opponent might need to move a Pokemon up that is easier to Knock Out than their current Active pokemon. Choice Belt BRS 135 provides the Pokemon it is attached to an additional 30 damage when that Pokemon is attacking an opponent's Active Pokemon V.

You might find yourself in a situation where you've gotten too much Energy into your discard pile. For those times, you can use Ordinary Rod SSH 171 and Energy Recycler BST 124 to return basic Energy back to your deck. Additionally, Ordinary Rod SSH 171 can also return a pair of Pokemon if that's more useful.

Much like Manaphy BRS 41's Wave Veil Ability, Big Parasol DAA 157 can help keep your Benched Pokemon safe. Instead of protecting those Pokemon from damage, it protects your Benched Pokemon from effects of attacks. Used in tandem, Manaphy BRS 41 and Big Parasol DAA 157 provide immunity for your Bench. Air Balloon SSH 156 can be attached to a Pokemon to allow it to retreat for two Energy less. This can often allow that pokemon to retreat for free. Finally, if you really need to get a Pokemon out of harms way, you can use Scoop Up Net RCL 165 to return it to your hand, discarding all attached cards in the process.

The final pair of cards are the typical Poke Ball cards found in most decks. Level Ball BST 129 can be used to help you find any Pokemon with 90 HP or less from your deck, while Ultra Ball BRS 150 can find any Pokemon at all from your deck. Use these to find the Pokemon you need whenever you need to.

Wrapping Up

While this deck does suffer a bit from having no Supporter cards, it is more consistent than you might think it would be. It's a prime example that shows even Pokemon that have major drawbacks have potential.

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