Searching Standard: Hisuian Braviary

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 LittleDarkFury. It features Hisuian Braviary SIT 149 from Silver Tempest spreading damage to your opponent's Pokemon with an attack requiring zero Energy. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

By attacking with Hisuian Braviary SIT 149's Eerie Cry attack, you'll be able to put three damage counters on each of your opponent's Pokemon that already have damage counters on them. While three damage counters might not seem like a lot, you might finish off a few of your opponent's Pokemon by using this attack. More likely, though, you'll be setting things up to score some easy Knock Outs with the attacks of your other Pokemon.

In order to allow any damage to be dealt by Hisuian Braviary SIT 149's Eerie Cry attack, you'll first need to get at least one damage counter on your opponent's Pokemon. This can be done easily by activating Orbeetle VMAX VIV 21's Eerie Beam Ability, which will put one damage counter on each of your opponent's Pokemon as long as Orbeetle VMAX VIV 21 is in your Active Spot.

Once you have some damage counters spread around on your opponent's team of Pokemon, you can finish them off by attacking with Mimikyu LOR 80's Worst Gift attack. This attack will deal 10 damage for each damage counter on all of your opponent's Pokemon. You'll be able to take out a newly-played Pokemon with a single attack as long as you have enough damage spread around on your opponent's Pokemon.

Both Snorlax VIV 131 and Radiant Greninja ASR 46 have Abilities that allow you to draw extra cards. Snorlax VIV 131's Gormandize Ability refills your hand to seven cards if Snorlax VIV 131 is in your Active Spot, but it will also end your turn. Radiant Greninja ASR 46's Concealed Cards Ability allows you to draw two cards, but requires you to discard an Energy from your hand. Using either Ability can help you find the cards you need more quickly, but you might want to be selective when using them as their costs can be quite high.

The final Pokemon in this deck is Drapion V LOR 118. Its main purpose is to act as a counter to decks utilizing Mew VMAX FST 114. You'll be able to Knock Out Mew VMAX FST 114 with one use of Drapion V LOR 118's Dynamic Tail attack, and you might be able to use this attack for free thanks to Drapion V LOR 118's Wild Style Ability.

To be able to find the Pokemon you need, there are a few Items that will help. Quick Ball SSH 179 can be used to help you find any Basic Pokemon you need, while Evolution Incense SSH 163 will help you find Evolution Pokemon. Ultra Ball BRS 150 can be used to find any Pokemon at all. By using these Items, you should be able to find whatever Pokemon you need to ensure success.

Next, we have a trio of Supporters that can help you with drawing cards, in addition to other things. Both Marnie SSH 169 and Roxanne ASR 150 have you and your opponent shuffle your current hands back into your deck and draw a new hand. Doing this will surely mess up your opponent's future plans and can often leave them with fewer cards in hand. Serena SIT 164 allows you to either discard up to three cards and then draw cards until you have five in hand, or switch your opponent's Active Pokemon with one of their Benched Pokemon V. You'll usually want to choose to switch your opponent's Pokemon so you can score some easy Prize cards.

While this deck has some attacks that can be used without Energy, there will be times that you'll need Energy in order to attack. Both Gardenia's Vigor ASR 143 and Training Court RCL 169 help with this. Gardenia's Vigor ASR 143 lets you draw two cards, and then attach up to two Grass Energy cards from your hand to one of your Benched Pokemon. Training Court RCL 169 allows each player to put a Basic Energy card from their discard pile into their hand. Remember that this affects both players, so your opponent might benefit from this as well.

Cheryl BST 123 can be played as a means of healing your Evolution Pokemon. You'll have to discard all Energy attached to them, but that allows you to benefit from the effects of Training Court RCL 169 more easily. Leafy Camo Poncho SIT 160 is included to provide some protection for Orbeetle VMAX VIV 21. Air Balloon SSH 156 is also great to attach to Orbeetle VMAX VIV 21, as it allows you to utilize its Eerie Beam Ability, then retreat it for free so another Pokemon, like Hisuian Braviary SIT 149, can attack.

For mobility during combat, you have this next batch of Trainer cards. With Switch SUM 183, you can exchange places with your Active Pokemon and one from your Bench. Bird Keeper DAA 159 does the same thing, but also allows you to draw three cards. Finally, Escape Rope BST 125 forces both players to switch their Active Pokemon with one of their Benched Pokemon, but you get the benefit of seeing what swap your opponent makes before you have to choose what to switch.

The final card in this deck is Forest Seal Stone SIT 156, which will give the Star Alchemy Ability VSTAR Power to one of your Pokemon V. This Ability allows you to search your deck for any card to put into your hand. This is very powerful, and you'll want to use this Ability only after you've exhausted the other cards in your hand that allow you to find things from your deck.

Wrapping Up

If you're looking for a deck that's a little off the beaten path, you might want to give this one a try. At first glance, it might not look like much, but after trying it out you'll better understand the meaning of 'death by a thousand papercuts'.

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