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 Mega Excadrill ex PBL 65, who is capable of attacking for 330 damage with a single attack. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.
Mega Excadrill ex
LittleDarkFury
Pokemon
4 Beldum 59
3 Drilbur 46
1 Empoleon ex 70
1 Fezandipiti ex 142
1 Flutter Mane 43
2 Genesect ex 67
2 Mega Excadrill ex 65
1 Metagross 61
4 Metang 114
1 Piplup 27
1 Prinplup 28
Trainers
3 Boss's Orders 183
1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin 184
1 Energy Recycler 164
1 Gravity Mountain 177
2 Jumbo Ice Cream 91
4 Lillie's Determination 192
1 Night Stretcher 196
1 Precious Trolley 185
1 Rare Candy 125
1 Special Red Card 82
4 Team Rocket's Petrel 207
4 Team Rocket's Transceiver 209
Energy
15 Metal Energy
Mega Excadrill ex PBL 65 is the main attacker for this deck. With its Maximum Drilling attack, you can deal 200-330 damage, depending on the amount of Energy attached to Mega Excadrill ex PBL 65. Dealing the maximum damage with this attack can take out most opposing Pokémon, but it can sometimes be difficult to attach the five Energy needed for this.
That's where Metang TEF 114's Metal Maker Ability can help. When you use this Ability, you will look at the top four cards of your deck and attach any Metal Energy found there to your Pokémon, however you would like. The remaining cards are shuffled away to the bottom of your deck, making each activation of this Ability more and more likely to find the Energy you're looking for. There is a single copy of Metagross CRI 61 which can be fun to get into play. Its Bounce Back attack might only deal 60 damage, but your opponent will need to choose a new Pokémon to move to their Active Spot after that damage is dealt, potentially messing with their plans.
The lone copy of Empoleon ex PFL 70 is included for use in certain matchups. Its Iron Feathers attack can be quite good, dealing 210 damage and allowing Empoleon ex PFL 70 to take 60 less damage from its opponent's attack on the following turn. This damage reduction along with Empoleon ex PFL 70's 320 HP means this Pokémon should be able to stay in the fight for quite a while.
Flutter Mane PRE 43 is another situational Pokémon. It's Midnight Fluttering Ability 'turns off' all other Abilities, which can cause some decks to falter. Flutter Mane PRE 43 also has the Hex Hurl attack, which can be a great way to pick off a wounded Pokémon your opponent has retreated to the safety of their Bench. Genesect ex BLK 67's Magnetic Signal Ability is a great way for you to find the Evolution Metal Pokémon you need. In a pinch, Genesect ex BLK 67 can also be an okay backup attacker. Fezandipiti ex ASC 142 is solely included in this deck for the use of its Flip the Script Ability, which allows you the opportunity to catch back up after suffering a Knock Out.
Jumbo Ice Cream PFL 91 is a great way to heal a Pokémon that has taken damage, especially Empoleon ex PFL 70 who can absorb a lot of punishment thanks to its Iron Feathers attack. Precious Trolley SSP 185, the ACE SPEC for this deck, provides you with a quick and easy way to find the Basic Pokémon you need and put them onto your Bench. The lone copy of Rare Candy MEG 125 can help your Piplup PFL 27 Evolve into Empoleon ex PFL 70 more easily.
In addition to Precious Trolley SSP 185, this deck also has Buddy-Buddy Poffin ASC 184 as a way to find the Basic Pokémon you need. Both Energy Recycler DRI 164 and Night Stretcher ASC 196 provide you the means of reusing Basic Energy cards from your discard pile. Night Stretcher ASC 196 can also allow you to reuse a Pokémon if you would prefer.
Both Team Rocket's Transceiver ASC 209 and Team Rocket's Petrel ASC 207 work well in conjunction with each other. Team Rocket's Transceiver ASC 209 lets you search your deck for a Supporter card that has "Team Rocket" in its name. You will always search for Team Rocket's Petrel ASC 207. Then, you can play Team Rocket's Petrel ASC 207 to search your deck for any Trainer card to put into your hand. You can search for Team Rocket's Transceiver ASC 209 which will help you thin out your deck, or search for something more useful at the time.
In order to make your attacks as effective as they can be, you'll want to be able to move one of your opponent's Benched Pokémon to their Active Spot by playing Boss's Orders ASC 183. Choose something your opponent is building up, something that will provide you with multiple Prize cards when Knocked Out, or something that won't be able to retreat. Whatever you choose, you'll catch your opponent off guard. Lillie's Determination ASC 192 is hands down the best Supporter in Standard. She offers you the best way to refill your hand after playing anything relevant.
Gravity Mountain SSP 177 is another ‘tech’ card for this deck, offering a degree of protection against decks that feature lots of Stage 2 Pokémon. By giving each Stage 2 Pokémon -30 HP, you make those Pokémon easier to Knock Out. And since there are only two Stage 2 Pokémon in this deck, playing Gravity Mountain SSP 177 won't affect your plans very much. The final card in this deck, Special Red Card CRI 82, offers you a terrific way to slow down your opponent's momentum late in the game. Playing Special Red Card CRI 82 causes your opponent to shuffle their hand and put it on the bottom of their deck. They then draw a new hand of just three cards. By reducing the number of cards they have, you reduce their options and can take control of the game for yourself.
Wrapping Up
If you're looking for a deck that offers Energy acceleration, big amounts of damage, and a few 'tech' cards that provide an ounce of protection against specific other decks, look no further and give this deck a try.
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 Pokémon TCG. I'll see you then!
- Mike Likes
