Searching Standard: Meowth 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 LittleDarkFury. It features Meowth VMAX, dealing damage and drawing cards. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

The main attacker in this deck is Meowth VMAX PR-SSH SWSH005. By using its G-Max Gold Rush attack, you'll deal 200 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon. This attack also has you draw three cards, which will certainly help you on future turns. Because of this, you won't be as reliant on Supporters that draw you extra cards as some other decks are.

Arceus VSTAR BRS 123 can use its Starbirth Ability once per game to search your deck for any two cards to put into your hand. This can be a great way to find the Double Turbo Energy BRS 151 needed to fully power up Meowth VMAX PR-SSH SWSH005. It also has the Trinity Nova attack which you might be able to use, which will help set up future attacks. Since this attack requires three Energy to use, you'll only want to use it in extreme situations.

Thanks to Bibarel BRS 121's Industrious Incisors Ability, you have another way to repeatedly draw cards. Once per turn, you can draw cards until you have five cards in your hand. By doing this, you'll find what you need more quickly.

Crobat V DAA 104's Dark Asset Ability is another way of drawing extra cards. Once you evolve into Crobat VMAX SHF 45, you can consider using its other attacks. Stealth Poison can be a very effective way to Poison your opponent's Active Pokemon while staying out of danger of a counter attack. Hoopa V PR-SSH SWSH176 is also a secondary attacker. You can use its Shadow Impact attack to deal 170 damage, but you'll end up putting 3 damage counters on one of your own Pokemon in return.

Both Dunsparce FST 207 and Manaphy BRS 41 are included in this deck for their Abilities. Dunsparce FST 207 has the Mysterious Nest Ability that removes any Weakness from colorless Pokemon in play. Manaphy BRS 41 has the Wave Veil Ability, which protects your Benched Pokemon from taking damage from your opponent's attacks. Neither of these Pokemon are suited for attacking, so keep them safe and sound on your Bench.

By using Boss's Orders BRS 132 to choose which of your opponent's Pokemon to attack, you'll be able to score Knock Outs more easily. If your Meowth VMAX PR-SSH SWSH005 ends up taking damage and is on the verge of being Knocked Out, you can play Cheren's Care BRS 134 to return it to your hand. By playing it again, you'll be able to remove any damage it had taken, but you'll also need to power it back up. Finally, Pal Pad SSH 172 can be used to return a pair of Supporter cards from your discard pile to your deck. This is a great way to be able to use Boss's Orders BRS 132 an additional time, and since there are many ways to draw cards in this deck, you're likely to draw it fairly quickly.

Speaking of ways to draw additional cards, this next pair of Supporters does just that. Professor's Research BRS 147 allows you to draw a new hand of seven cards, but you have to discard your current hand when you play it. Marnie CPA 56 shuffles your current hand back into your deck. You'll then draw a new hand of five cards. Your opponent will also be forced to shuffle their hand back into their deck, but they can only draw four new cards. This can help reset their hand after they've crafted it the way they would like and can often catch you up if you fall behind.

This pair of Trainer cards are all about limiting your opponent's options. Collapsed Stadium BRS 137 reduces the size of each players Bench to only hold four Pokemon. Avery CRE 130 forces your opponent to discard Pokemon from their Bench until only three Pokemon remain there, plus it allows you to draw three cards. Certain decks will have a very hard time dealing with such a small Bench, and you'll be more likely to utilize Boss's Orders BRS 132 more effectively.

This group of cards are Standard staples that help you find the Pokemon you need from your deck. I talk about them every week because they are so utilized.

These two items are both helpful during attacks. Big Charm SSH 158 provides an additional 30 HP to whatever Pokemon it is attached to. That can be the difference between getting Knocked Out and just barely holding on. Choice Belt BRS 135 adds 30 extra damage to your attacks against an opponent's Pokemon V, which can also be the difference between scoring a Knock Out and just missing one.

It's almost inevitable that your Pokemon are going to take damage during the game. Therefore, it's important to have mobility. Both Air Balloon SSH 156 and Switch SSH 183 provide this mobility for you. Air Balloon SSH 156 reduces the Retreat Cost of the Pokemon it is attached to by two Energy. Switch SSH 183 simply exchanges your Active Pokemon with one of your choosing from your Bench. Both of these Items allow you to move a fully powered Pokemon from your Bench to your Active Spot where it can begin attacking for maximum damage.

The final cards in this deck are a pair of Supporters that are only useful at certain times. Raihan EVS 152 can only be played on your turn after one of your Pokemon was Knocked Out. He'll help you recover after suffering a loss, and likely put you in the position to score a Knock Out of your own. Melony CRE 146 can only be played if you have a Water Energy in your discard pile that you can attack to one of your Pokemon V. She'll also let you draw three cards, helping you to find what you need from your deck more quickly.

Wrapping Up

While Meowth V PR-SSH SWSH004 may not be able to Knock Out any and all opposing Pokemon with a single attack, it's able to withstand most attacks and get the Knock Out on the next turn. You'll also be able to draw a bunch of cards, enabling you to make sure things are running smoothly at all points of the game. If you've never tried out Meowth V PR-SSH SWSH004, I encourage you to give it a try. I can attest that it's a very fun Pokemon to play.

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