Searching Standard: Dragonite V

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 HotChocPTCG. It features Dragonite V PR-SWSH 154 and can Knock Out any opposing Pokemon with just one attack. Let's begin by taking a look at the deck list.

The main attacker in this deck, Dragonite V PR-SWSH 154 can use its Dragon Gale attack to deal a whopping 250 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon. This attack also will deal 20 damage to each of your Benched Pokemon, but that minimal amount of damage shouldn't be a problem. With a copy of Radiant Hawlucha ASR 81 on your Bench, the damage from Dragon Gale will go up to 280 damage. That's thanks to Radiant Hawlucha ASR 81's Big Match Ability. For even more damage, you can attach a Choice Belt BRS 135 to Dragonite V PR-SWSH 154 to deal 310 damage to an opposing Pokemon VMAX. That's enough to Knock Out any opposing Pokemon with one attack.

You can get some help powering up Dragonite V PR-SWSH 154's Dragon Gale attack by using the Trinity Nova attack of Arceus VSTAR BRS 123. This results in 200 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon and two fully powered Pokemon for your team. Your opponent might Knock Out Arceus VSTAR BRS 123 on their next turn, but your backup main attacker, Dragonite V PR-SWSH 154, will be ready for action.

Bibarel BRS 121's Industrious Incisors Ability is a great way to refill your hand during your turn. With it, once during your turn, you can draw cards until you have five cards in your hand. This is a great way for repeatable card drawing throughout the game.

Crobat V DAA 104 also helps you draw extra cards with its Dark Asset Ability. With it, when you play Crobat V DAA 104 to your Bench, you'll draw cards until you have six cards in your hand. Extra cards means you have extra options and a better chance of finding what you need. Lumineon V BRS 40's Luminous Sign Ability allows you to search your deck for any Supporter card to put into your hand. It's another great way to find what you need. Finally, Jirachi V ASR 170's Wish Connector Ability helps keep Energy in play and attached to your Pokemon. By doing this, you can make sure your moves are always powered up and able to be used.

This group of Trainer cards are found in most decks. They help you find the Pokemon you need so your deck runs smoothly. Quick Ball SSH 179 and Ultra Ball BRS 150 also force you to discard cards, and you'll see soon that it's important for this deck to have some Basic Energy cards in the discard pile.

Speaking of discarding cards, with Professor's Research BRS 147, you'll need to discard your current hand when you play it, but doing so will allow you to draw a new hand of seven cards. Marnie SSH 169 also allows you to draw a new hand of cards, and with a little luck, you can ruin any plans your opponent had for the future, as well as slow down their momentum.

You might find a time when you need to deal extra damage but haven't found Radiant Hawlucha ASR 81 or Choice Belt BRS 135. That's when Leon VIV 154 can help. You'll deal an extra 30 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon with your next attack after playing Leon VIV 154. Boss's Orders BRS 132 also helps you get Knock Outs quicker by allowing you to switch your opponent's Active Pokemon with one from their Bench.

This next pair of Trainer cards help make sure your Pokemon have the Energy they need for maximum effectiveness. With Melony CRE 146, you can attach a Water Energy card to one of your Pokemon V. Doing this will also allow you to draw three cards from your deck. With Training Court RCL 169 in play, players can put a Basic Energy card from their discard pile into their hand. Remember that Stadiums affect both players, so if you don't want your opponent getting their Basic Energy back from their discard pile, you won't want to play this card.

The last pair of Trainers offer your Pokemon a little mobility. Attaching an Air Balloon SSH 156 will allow Dragonite V PR-SWSH 154 to Retreat for a single Energy. It will also allow any of your other Pokemon to Retreat for free. Switch SSH 183 simply lets you move a Pokemon from your Bench to your Active Spot, potentially surprising your opponent with a fully powered attacker.

Wrapping Up

This deck is literally a one-two punch. Hit 'em hard with Arceus VSTAR BRS 123, and then switch it up by bringing in Dragonite V PR-SWSH 154 to finish things up.

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