Searching Standard: Palossand EX

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 Palossand ex SSP 91, and is capable of Knocking Out multiple Pokemon at once. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

Palossand ex SSP 91 has a pair of useful attacks, but its Barite Jail attack is the one you'll likely use most. It will put damage counters on your opponent's Benched pokemon until their remaining HP is 100. Against certain Pokemon, this will place quite a few damage counters. The key to winning games will be moving those damage counters around.

Alakazam TWM 82 has the Strange Hacking attack, which allows you to move damage counters on any of your opponent's Pokemon in play. You'll often be able to move damage around so that you can Knock Out 2-3 pokemon at once, taking multiple Prize cards in the process. Strange Hacking also makes your opponent's Active pokemon Confused, making it possible that they can't attack your Alakazam TWM 82 on their next turn.

Uxie SSP 78's Painful Memories attack places 2 damage counters on each of your opponent's Pokemon. This can be a great way to get a few more damage counters in play for you to be able to move around. Cleffa OBF 80's Grasping Draw attack can be used with no Energy to refill your hand to 7 cards.

Diancie ASR 68's Spike Draw attack deals only 20 damage, but it also allows you to draw 2 cards. Iron Bundle PAR 56 should be played to your Bench so you can use its Hyper Blower Ability whenever you need it most. Mimikyu PAF 37's Safeguard Ability can make it possible that your opponent is unable to deal any damage when attacking.

The final batch of Pokemon are all included for their useful Abilities. Fezandipiti ex SFA 38's Flip the Script Ability offers you the chance to recover after suffering a Knock Out. Manaphy BRS 41's Wave Veil Ability protects your Benched Pokemon from taking damage when your opponent attacks. Rotom V LOR 58's Instant Charge Ability offers you a bit of extra card draw, but it will end your turn.

Since Palossand ex SSP 91's Barite Jail attack requires specific Energy to use, you can use Crispin SCR 133 to help you search for the Energy you need. Earthen Vessel PAR 163 can also help you find Energy, but it doesn't let you attach extra Energy like Crispin SCR 133 does.

This deck has a lot of Basic pokemon, and you can use Artazon PAF 76, Nest Ball SVI 181, and Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144 to help find whatever you need. Keep in mind that Sandygast TWM 91 has 90 HP, so you won't be able to search for it with Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144.

Tera Orb SSP 189 is a great way to be able to find Palossand ex SSP 91. The only problem could be if Palossand ex SSP 91 were trapped within your Prize cards. That's where Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146 can come in handy. Finally, there's a pair of Ultra Ball SVI 196 that you can use to search your deck for any Pokemon you need.

Amulet of Hope SSP 162 is the ACE SPEC for this deck, and it provides a way to search for whatever you need if the Pokemon it is attached to is Knocked Out by an attack. Canceling Cologne ASR 136 can be useful if your opponent has an Ability that's detrimental to you. There's also a trio of Arven OBF 186 that can be used to help find Items and Pokemon Tools that you need.

Both of the Stadiums in this deck can be very useful for your strategy. Playing Gravity Mountain SSP 177 after placing damage counters with Palossand ex SSP 91's Barite Jail attack makes those Pokemon easier to Knock Out. Alternatively, you can make the majority of your team even more hearty by putting Lively Stadium SSP 180, giving Basic Pokemon +30 HP.

Both Boss’s Orders PAL 172 and Counter Catcher PAR 160 let you switch your opponent's Active pokemon with one from their Bench. This can be helpful in placing as many damage counters as possible with Palossand ex SSP 91's Barite Jail attack.

Using the Star Alchemy Ability on Forest Seal Stone SIT 156, you can search your deck for any card you might need. Iono PAF 80 acts as both a way to draw a new hand, and as a way to reset your opponent's hand, hopefully slowing down any momentum they might have gained. Super Rod PAL 188 offers you a way of reusing cards that have gone to your discard pile.

The final pair of cards offer a bit of mobility to your team. Rescue Board TEF 159 reduces the amount of Energy you need to discard when Retreating, and can potentially make Retreating free. Switch SVI 194 simply moves a Benched Pokemon to your Active Spot, putting your Active Pokemon onto your Bench.

Wrapping Up

If you like the thought of taking multiple Prize cards at once, you should give this deck a try. It does take a little effort to get things set up properly, but once everything is in place, this deck runs smoothly and is a lot of fun 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