Searching Standard: Klawf

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 Klawf PAR 105, one of the best single-Prize attackers from Paradox Rift. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

By using Klawf PAR 105's Unhinged Scissors attack, you can deal a whopping 190 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon, as long as Klawf PAR 105 is currently affected by any Special Condition. Luckily, this deck includes a way to ensure that Klawf PAR 105 meets this requirement.

The Toxic Powder Ability of Brute Bonnet PAR 123 can help ensure that Klawf PAR 105 is Poisoned. Using this Ability does require that Brute Bonnet PAR 123 has an Ancient Booster Energy Capsule PAR 159 attached, but there are various cards in this deck that will help you search for this Pokemon Tool. Toxic Powder also Poisons your opponent's Active Pokemon, which can help in Knocking Out that Pokemon more easily.

Speaking of Poison damage, Radiant Hisuian Sneasler LOR 123's Poison Peak Ability will place two additional damage counters on your opponent's Poisoned Pokemon between each player's turn. That extra damage will certainly add up, resulting in quicker Knock Outs.

Hisuian Electrode V LOR 172 makes for a terrific back-up attacker. By using its Tantrum Blast attack, you'll deal 100 damage for each Special Condition affecting Hisuian Electrode V LOR 172. Plus, this attack requires no Energy to use. It's possible for this attack to deal 200 damage, with the possibility of more if your opponent afflicts Hisuian Electrode V LOR 172 with a Special Condition.

The last remaining Pokemon in this deck are included for their helpful Abilities. Bibarel BRS 121 has the Industrious Incisors Ability, which allows you to always be able to refill your hand to five cards if you ever get lower. Manaphy BRS 41 protects your Benched Pokemon from taking damage when your opponent attacks with its Wave Veil Ability.

As another means of afflicting your attacking Pokemon with a Special Condition, there is a full playset of Spicy Seasoned Curry ASR 151 included in this deck. Not only does this Item give your Pokemon the Burned Condition, but it also heals 40 damage from that Pokemon. A single copy of Grant ASR 144 is included in this deck as a means of allowing Klawf PAR 105 to deal extra damage. It can be very beneficial to discard other cards to return Grant ASR 144 to your hand, so keep that in mind before declaring your attack for the turn.

As a way to find Pokemon Tools, such as Ancient Booster Energy Capsule PAR 159, this deck includes both Arven SVI 166 and Town Store OBF 196. If you already have a copy of Ancient Booster Energy Capsule PAR 159, you can opt to search for Forest Seal Stone SIT 156 instead. This will allow you to search your deck for any card to put into your hand, which can be immensely helpful.

As a means of finding the Pokemon you need, this deck has a few different resources you can use. Nest Ball SVI 181 lets you search for any Basic Pokemon to put onto your Bench. Ultra Ball SVI 196 allows you to find any Pokemon you need, but playing it comes at a cost of discarding two other cards. Finally, both players will be able to utilize Artazon PAL 171 to find a Basic Pokemon that doesn't have a Rule Box.

Drawing extra cards is always helpful. That's why this deck includes a full playset of Professor's Research SVI 189. There's also a playset of Iono PAL 185, which can also help you draw extra cards. As an additional benefit, Iono PAL 185 resets your opponent's hand, and can slow down their momentum quite considerably.

To make sure you have a Pokemon that is able to attack effectively, you can use both Switch SVI 194 and Escape Rope BST 125 to swap places with your current Active Pokemon and a Pokemon from your Bench. Escape Rope BST 125 also forces your opponent to choose one of their Benched Pokemon to become their Active Pokemon, which can be helpful.

Another way to force your opponent to make one of their Benched Pokemon their Active Pokemon is with Boss’s Orders PAL 172. However, when you play Boss’s Orders PAL 172, you're the one that gets to choose which Pokemon moves to their Active Spot. This can allow you to get an easy Knock Out. Similarly, Counter Catcher PAR 160 does the same thing, but in order to play it, you need to be behind on taking Prize cards.

The final batch of cards are more all-purpose cards for this deck. Super Rod PAL 188 allows you to shuffle back Energy and Pokemon from your discard pile into your deck. Energy Loto ASR 140 gives you the opportunity to find much needed Energy easier than simply waiting to draw it. Finally, Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146 protects you from having one of your important Pokemon locked away in your Prize cards.

Wrapping Up

As long as you are able to continually be affected by a Special Condition, Klawf PAR 105 makes for an excellent attacker that only gives up a single Prize if defeated. That can allow you to outpace your opponent in the race to take Prize cards.

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