Searching Standard: Galarian Slowking VMAX

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 Galarian Slowking VMAX CRE 100 alongside Muk BRS 85, locking your opponent's Active Pokemon into place while dealing a massive amount of Poison damage. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

The main attacker in this deck is Galarian Slowking VMAX CRE 100. By attacking with its Max Toxify attack, you'll only deal 10 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon (plus 20 additional damage if you have a copy of Single Strike Energy BST 141 attached). While that might not seem like much damage, the real strength of this attack comes from the Poison it delivers. Your opponent's Active Pokemon is Poisoned and will take 12 damage counters during Pokemon Checkup. If they're unable to remove the Poison Special Condition before you start your next turn, they will take an additional 240 damage. That can be enough damage to Knock Out many opposing Pokemon. This deck also includes a pair of Galarian Chestplate CRE 141 cards for Galarian Slowking VMAX CRE 100, which allows it to take less damage from your opponent's attacks, allowing you additional time for the Poison to do its job.

One of the easiest ways to remove a Special Condition is by Retreating to your Bench. In order to make that more difficult for your opponent, you'll want to get a copy of Muk BRS 85 onto your Bench. With its Sludge Street Ability, the Retreat Cost of your opponent's Poisoned Pokemon is increased by one Energy. By having a copy of Galar Mine RCL 160 in play, you increase the Retreat Cost of all Active Pokemon by two Energy. Without a Trainer card to help, your opponent might find it to be impossible for them to Retreat and get rid of the Poison.

In order to make sure you can attack with Galarian Slowking VMAX CRE 100 right away, you can use the Single Strike Roar Ability of Houndoom BST 96 to help find copies of Single Strike Energy BST 141 from your deck. Sure, Galarian Slowking VMAX CRE 100 might take a little damage when you attach this Energy, but it's worth it.

Snorlax VIV 131 has a single purpose in this deck. By using its Gormandize Ability, you'll be able to draw cards until you have seven in your hand. Doing this ends your turn, leaving Snorlax VIV 131 vulnerable to your opponent's attack, but if it survives, you can return it to your hand by playing Scoop Up Net RCL 165.

In order to make sure the Pokemon you defeat provide you with the most Prize cards, you can rely on Boss's Orders BRS 132 help. Boss's Orders BRS 132 allows you to switch your opponent's Active Pokemon with any Pokemon from their Bench. You can use this as a way to eliminate the Pokemon with the most Energy attached to it, or choose a Pokemon that doesn't have any Energy and won't be able to power up enough to attack Galarian Slowking VMAX CRE 100 back. Escape Rope BST 125 can also be used to switch your opponent's Pokemon, but they will choose which Benched becomes their Active Pokemon. You will then also have to switch one of your Pokemon with your Active Pokemon.

In order for you to find the Pokemon you need from within your deck quickly, you can use both Quick Ball FST 237 and Ultra Ball BRS 150. Quick Ball FST 237 can only find Basic Pokemon, while Ultra Ball BRS 150 can find any Pokemon you might need.

This next pair of Supporters can also help you find the Pokemon you need. With Piers DAA 165, you can search your deck for any Energy card and any Darkness-Type Pokemon to put into your hand. Playing Raihan EVS 152 is a bit more demanding, as he can only be played if you had a Pokemon get Knocked Out during your opponent's last turn. If you meet this requirement, you'll be able to attach a Darkness Energy from your discard pile to one of your Pokemon and then search your deck for any one card. That can give you the impetus to turn the tide of the game.

Another way to find what you need from your deck more quickly is by drawing extra cards. With Professor's Research BRS 147, you'll draw a new hand of seven cards, but you'll first need to discard your current hand. Marnie CPA 56 doesn't require you to discard anything. Instead, she has both you and your opponent shuffle your current hand back into your deck. Then, each of you will draw a new hand. This can be a great way to shake up your opponent's plans after they've searched for specific things to put into their hand for use in the future.

Both Urn of Vitality BST 139 and Ordinary Rod SSH 171 allow you to return Energy from your discard pile to your deck. Urn of Vitality BST 139 can return up to two Single Strike Energy BST 141, while Ordinary Rod SSH 171 can return up to two Darkness Energy. Ordinary Rod SSH 171 can also shuffle two Pokemon back into your deck instead, if that is what you need. The final Trainer card in this deck is Tool Jammer BST 136, which helps keep your opponent's Active Pokemon locked in place if they are hoping to use an Air Balloon SSH 156 to lower their Retreat Cost.

Wrapping Up

If the thought of watching your opponent's Pokemon slowly fade away while your opponent is unable to do anything to stop it seems fun to you, give this deck a try. Dealing 12 damage counters during each Pokemon Checkup is certainly powerful, and if you can keep your opponent from retreating, you'll likely score a 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