Searching Standard: Ting-Lu 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 Ting-Lu ex PAL 127 and is capable of causing your opponent to concede once they realize how difficult the match will be. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck.

Ting-Lu ex PAL 127's Cursed Land Ability will turn off any Abilities your opponent's Pokemon have, as long as those Pokemon have any damage counters on them. The exceptions to this are your opponent's Pokemon ex. Not having access to the majority of Abilities needed to help smooth out rough draws, deal extra damage, draw additional cards, etc., can make it nearly impossible to win a game. Ting-Lu ex PAL 127's Land Scoop attack further helps with this plan, by dealing 150 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon, and placing two damage counters on one of their Benched Pokemon. You can further add damage counters to your opponent's Pokemon with Gapejaw Bog ASR 142, which puts two damage counters on any Basic pokemon a player plays from their hand to their Bench. Finally, Hawlucha SVI 118's Flying Entry Ability places one damage counter on two of your opponent's pokemon when Hawlucha SVI 118 is played from your hand to your Bench during your turn.

Once you've gotten some damage counters on some of your opponent's Pokemon, you can move them around using Radiant Alakazam SIT 59's Painful Spoons Ability. This can be a great way of putting damage on an opponent's newly-played Pokemon.

In order to attack with Ting-Lu ex PAL 127's Land Scoop attack, you need to have three Fighting Energy attached. In order to help with this, you can utilize Koraidon ex SVI 125's Dino Cry Ability, which allows you to attach up to two Basic Fighting Energy cards from your discard pile to your Basic Fighting-Type Pokemon however you would like. To help ensure that you have some Basic Fighting Energy cards in your discard pile, this deck includes a copy of Squawkabilly ex PAL 169. By using its Squawk and Seize Ability, you can discard your hand on your first turn of the game and draw six new cards. It's a great way to put Energy into your discard pile and see six new cards from your deck.

If your opponent is playing a deck that relies on the attacks of their Pokemon ex or Pokemon V, you'll be glad there's a copy of Mimikyu PAL 97 in this deck. Its Safeguard Ability prevents it from taking any damage from the attacks of Pokemon ex or Pokemon V. Hisuian Decidueye V ASR 83 makes for a good back-up attacker. You can use its Mountain Hunt attack to find any two cards from your deck to put into your hand. Hisuian Decidueye V ASR 83 also has the Close-Quarters Shooting attack, which will deal 100 damage regardless of any effects your opponent has on their Active Pokemon.

Both Skwovet SVI 151 and Kricketune V BST 6 are included for their Abilities which help you draw new cards. Skwovet SVI 151's Nest Stash Ability might only let you see one new card, but sometimes that's all you need. Kricketune V BST 6's Exciting Stage Ability allows you to draw cards until you have three or four cards in your hand, which can be just enough for you to find whatever you need.

The final pair of Pokemon in this deck are included for their Abilities, and should remain safe and sound on your Bench. Spiritomb PAL 89's Fettered in Misfortune Ability removes the Abilities of all Basic Pokemon V in play, while Manaphy BRS 41's Wave Veil Ability prevents your Benched Pokemon from taking any damage. Both of these Abilities are extremely useful against certain decks.

In order to get Ting-Lu ex PAL 127 powered up quickly, you can play Gutsy Pickaxe ASR 145. This will either allow you to attach a Fighting Energy card to one of your Benched pokemon, or to draw a card. Since getting Ting-Lu ex PAL 127 powered up takes some time, you'll want to take measures to avoid it getting Knocked Out. Attaching a Rock Chestplate SVI 192 allows it to take 30 less damage from attacks. If you get to the point where your opponent's next attack would Knock Out Ting-Lu ex PAL 127, you can play Penny SVI 183 to return it and all attached cards to your hand.

This batch of Items all help you find the Pokemon you need. Nest Ball SVI 181 finds a Basic Pokemon from your deck, while Ultra Ball SVI 196 can find any Pokemon at all. Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146 helps to ensure that your Pokemon aren't trapped within your Prize cards.

Every deck needs to draw additional cards to maintain an advantage over their opponent. Professor's Research SVI 189 lets you draw seven cards, but requires you to discard your current hand first. This can be a great way of getting Fighting Energy into your discard pile. Iono PAL 185 is one of our current methods of hand disruption. When you play it, both players will have to shuffle their current hand back into their decks and draw a new hand based on the number of Prize cards they have remaining. This can seriously slow down your opponent's momentum. Finally, playing Worker SIT 167 allows you to draw three cards, plus you can discard a Stadium in play.

Since you're trying to make sure any Pokemon your opponent has with an Ability has some damage on them, you can use Boss's Orders BRS 132 to choose which Pokemon to attack. Playing Escape Rope BST 125 offers you a way of moving a fully powered Pokemon from your Bench to your Active Spot, while also forcing your opponent to switch their Pokemon as well. You can also use Switch SVI 194 for this, but doing this will not affect your opponent's Pokemon positions.

Arven SVI 166 is a very versatile Supporter, as he allows you to search your deck for any Item and any Pokemon Tool to put into your hand. While you're likely to use Arven SVI 166 to find a copy of Rock Chestplate SVI 192, you could also use it to find Forest Seal Stone SIT 156, which can then allow you to search your deck for any card to put into your hand.

This next batch of cards are all helpful ways of reusing cards in your discard pile. Pal Pad SVI 182 is a great way to get an additional use out of a pair of Supporters. Super Rod PAL 188 lets you shuffle up to three Pokemon and/or Basic Energy cards back into your deck. Finally, Thorton LOR 167 simply lets you put a Basic Pokemon from your discard pile into play, by swapping it with a different Basic Pokemon you have on your Bench or in your Active Spot.

The last couple of cards are more general cards found in a lot of decks. By playing Raihan EVS 152 on the turn after one of your Pokemon was Knocked Out, you get an immediate boost that can get you back in the game. Lost City LOR 161 forces any Knocked Out Pokemon to go to the Lost Zone, which can really hinder some opposing decks.

Wrapping Up

By 'turning off' the Abilities of your opponent's Pokemon, you can reach a point where they are unable to find the right cards to remain competitive in the match. This can make the game very frustrating for your opponent. If you're looking for a deck that your opponent is sure to find annoying, look no further.

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