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 Regidrago VSTAR SIT 136 alongside a horde of Dragon Type Pokemon. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.
Regidrago VSTAR SIT 136 is the main attacker in this deck. By using its Apex Dragon attack, you'll be able to duplicate any attack found on a Dragon Type Pokemon that is in your discard pile. You don't need to have any specific Energy attached to use this attack either, just two Grass Energy and one Fire Energy. Regidrago VSTAR SIT 136 also has the Legacy Star Ability VSTAR Power that can be used to fill up your discard pile with Dragon Type Pokemon, as well as putting any two cards from your discard pile into your hand. While this Ability will generally be useful, it can be most helpful later in the game after you've played some of your best Trainer cards.
In order to power up Regidrago VSTAR SIT 136, this deck utilizes Klinklang SIT 125's Triple Gears Ability, which allows you to search your deck for three Basic Energy cards to attach to your Pokemon in any way you'd like when you evolve into Klinklang SIT 125. Please note that the only way to fully evolve from Klink SIT 123 into Klinklang SIT 125 is by using Rare Candy PGO 69.
The final non-Dragon Type Pokemon in this deck are all useful due to their Abilities. Snorlax VIV 131 has the Gormandize Ability, which allows you to draw cards until you have seven cards in hand, as long as Snorlax VIV 131 is in your Active Spot. Kricketune V BST 6's Exciting Stage Ability can be used from anywhere to refill the number of cards in your hand to three. If Kricketune V BST 6 is in your Active Spot, however, this is increased to four cards. Radiant Tsareena SIT 16 may not be able to draw you additional cards, but it can keep your Pokemon in the fight longer. That's due to its Elegant Heal Ability, which heals 20 damage from each of your Pokemon every turn.
The final Pokemon in this deck are all Dragon Type Pokemon that have attacks that can be used from the discard pile. Duraludon VMAX EVS 123 has the G-Max Pulverization attack, which deals 220 damage that isn't affected by any effects on your opponent's Active Pokemon. Hisuian Goodra VSTAR LOR 136 has the Rolling Iron attack, which deals 200 damage, plus provides protection from 80 damage during your opponent's next turn. Garchomp V ASR 117 has the Sonic Strike attack, which deals 220 damage to any of your opponent's Pokemon, but requires you to discard three Energy to use. This can be a great way to snipe a Pokemon from your opponent's Bench, and can be used to take your last Prize cards.
Latias FST 193 has the Dyna Barrier attack, which only deals 70 damage. The benefit to using this attack is that on your opponent's next turn, this pokemon won't take any damage from your opponent's Pokemon VMAX attacks. Next, we have Appletun EVS 121 with its Thick Mucus attack. This will deal 70 damage for each Special Energy your opponent has attached to their Pokemon. Appletun EVS 121 also has the Fighting Tackle attack, which is especially good when facing a Pokemon V. Finally, Dragonite SIT 131 has the Energy Hurricane attack, which will deal 180 damage. It also allows you to search your deck for three basic Energy cards to attach to your Pokemon however you would like. It's a great way to power up a back up attacker.
By playing Peony CRE 150, you'll be discarding your hand in order to search your deck for any two cards to put into your hand. This can be a great way to discard Dragon Type Pokemon, while also finding some specific cards you need. Scoop Up Net RCL 165 is included in this deck primarily as a means of being able to use Klinklang SIT 125's Triple Gears Ability an additional time. This can be a helpful way to ensure you always have a fully powered attacker.
To find the Pokemon you need, you can rely on this batch of Trainer cards. Quick Ball FST 237, Evolution Incense SSH 163, and Ultra Ball BRS 150 are played in nearly every Standard deck, so you should be familiar with their purpose and what restrictions they have.
Drawing additional cards helps you find what you need more quickly and thins down your deck so your turn-based card drawing becomes more effective. Professor's Research BRS 147 allows you to draw seven cards, but at the 'cost' of discarding your current hand. This isn't much of a drawback, though, as you'll likely be putting some Dragon Type Pokemon into your discard pile. Zinnia's Resolve EVS 164 also provides a small amount of discarding, but it allows you to draw a card for each Pokemon your opponent has in play. Where Professor's Research BRS 147 is consistent, Zinnia's Resolve EVS 164 is flexible.
This deck includes a trio of Stadiums that you might find helpful. PokéStop PGO 68 provides some cards for your discard pile, as well as a way of finding important Item cards. Stormy Mountains EVS 161 lets each player search their deck for a Basic Lightning Type or Dragon Type Pokemon to put into their hand. Crystal Cave EVS 144 provides healing of 30 damage each turn for Metal Type and Dragon Type Pokemon. Since every Stadium can be used by each player, you'll need to decide if any particular Stadium is more beneficial for your opponent than it is for you.
Next, we have a pair of protection cards. Big Parasol DAA 157 protects your Benched Pokemon from all effects that your opponent's attacks would deal, if it is attached to your Active Pokemon. Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146 offers you some protection from having your important Pokemon trapped within your Prize cards.
Making each combat effective is key to winning games. With Boss's Orders BRS 132, you'll get to choose which of your Pokemon you want to attack. Switch SSH 183 allows you to move up a fully powered Pokemon to your Active Spot, and is a good counter if your opponent played Boss's Orders BRS 132 against you.
The final cards in this deck are general all purpose cards. Tool Jammer BST 136 can help when facing a deck that relies on Pokemon Tools for extra damage or added effects. Energy Recycler BST 124 and Ordinary Rod SSH 171 allow you to shuffle Energy from your discard pile back into your deck. You could also shuffle back Pokemon with Ordinary Rod SSH 171 , but you'll be returning Energy far more often.
Wrapping Up
When things flow correctly, this deck can fire on all cylinders. You might find that occasionally, you have to work a little bit to set things up in the beginning of the game. Don't let that keep you from trying this deck out, though, as it has all of the tools needed to make for a competitive game.
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