Searching Standard: Pikachu 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 LittleDarkFury. It features Pikachu ex SSP 57, a Pokemon capable of dealing 300 damage in a single attack. However, using this attack turn after turn can be quite difficult. This deck attempts to overcome this drawback. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

Pikachu ex SSP 57 is difficult to Knock Out thanks to its Resolute Heart Ability. If your opponent doesn't have some way of placing damage on Pikachu ex SSP 57 before attacking, they will never be able to Knock Out Pikachu ex SSP 57 with a single attack. Pikachu ex SSP 57's Topaz Bolt is a terrific attack, dealing 300 damage, but using it can be quite tricky. not only does it require three different types of Energy to use, but you also have to discard three Energy when you do use it. As you'll see, this deck has a plan that can allow you to attack turn after turn with this powerful attack.

By using Blissey ex TWM 134's Happy Switch Ability, you can move a Basic Energy from one of your Pokemon to another of your Pokemon. If you can manage to get two copies of Blissey ex TWM 134 onto your Bench, it's possible to move two Energy to Pikachu ex SSP 57 by activating each of their Happy Switch Abilities. When we get to talking about Trainer cards, I'll fill you in on the plan of getting those extra Energy attached to your Pokemon.

As a draw engine, there's nothing like Bibarel BRS 121. Its Industrious Incisors Ability can keep your hand fresh, allowing you to refill your hand to five cards once each turn.

As I mentioned earlier, this deck needs a way of attaching Energy to your team, so it can be moved to Pikachu ex SSP 57 with Blissey ex TWM 134's Happy Switch Ability. Glass Trumpet SCR 135 provides just that. It requires you to have a Tera Pokemon in play, and Pikachu ex SSP 57 meets that requirement. If you have two copies of Blissey ex TWM 134 on your Bench, you can attach a Basic Energy card to each of them when you play Glass Trumpet SCR 135. By doing this, you can use Pikachu ex SSP 57's Topaz Bolt again and again.

Both Artazon PAL 171 and Nest Ball SVI 181 are important ways to help us find Chansey MEW 113 and Chansey TWM 133. These are needed if we want to evolve into Blissey ex TWM 134 as quickly as possible. Ultra Ball SVI 196 can be used to find any Pokemon from within our deck, plus it's a great way to discard Basic Energy to your discard pile where it can be found with Glass Trumpet SCR 135.

Both Crispin SCR 133 and Earthen Vessel PAR 163 provide ways for you to search your deck for Basic Energy cards that you can then attach to your Pokemon. Be sure to find whatever type of Basic Energy you need to ensure you can use Pikachu ex SSP 57's Topaz Bolt attack.

By attaching Powerglass SFA 63 to Pikachu ex SSP 57, you ensure that you're always able to attach a Basic Energy card from your discard pile to it at the end of your turn. Night Stretcher SFA 61 is also able to return a Basic Energy card from your discard pile to your hand. Alternatively, you can return a Pokemon instead. Sparkling Crystal SCR 142 is another tool you can attach which reduces the amount of Energy needed for a Pokemon to attack by one less Energy of any type.

Drawing cards is very important, and there's no better way to draw cards than by playing Professor's Research SVI 190. You'll draw seven cards, but you'll need to discard your current hand first, so be sure to play everything you need to prior to playing Professor's Research SVI 190. Iono PAL 185 can also draw you cards, but its main purpose is to reset your opponent's hand, hopefully slowing down any momentum they might have in the process. Arven SVI 166 can be played to help you find any Item and Pokemon Tool you might need. While there are multiple good choices of Items, this can be a great way to ensure that you are able to find and attach either Powerglass SFA 63 or Sparkling Crystal SCR 142.

To make the most with your attacks, you can use Boss’s Orders PAL 172 to choose which of your opponent's Pokemon to attack. In the event that your opponent switches out your Active pokemon, you can play Switch SVI 194 to move a powered up attacker back to your Active Spot.

Super Rod PAL 188 is found in most decks as a means of returning either Pokemon or Basic Energy cards from your discard pile to your deck. Gravity Mountain SSP 177 is specifically included to reduce the HP of certain Stage 2 Pokemon to make them able to be Knocked Out with a single Topaz Bolt attack from Pikachu ex SSP 57.

Wrapping Up

Even though Pikachu ex SSP 57 can be difficult to play, due in no small part to its attack requiring three different kinds of Energy, all of which must be discarded from it when it attacks, it is certainly possible to make a deck that is able to attack consistently. This just goes to show that every disadvantage can be overcome with proper planning.

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