Searching Standard: Turbo Ho-Oh V

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 ForTheWinTCG. It features Ho-Oh V SIT 140, who can return from the dead to wreak havoc on your opponents. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

The goal of this deck is to put Ho-Oh V SIT 140 into your discard pile, then return it to your Bench with its Reviving Flame Ability. Using this Ability also allows you to attach up to four basic Energy cards from your discard pile to Ho-Oh V SIT 140. Whenever possible, you'll want to attach different types of Energy to Ho-Oh V SIT 140, because its Rainbow Burn attack deals additional damage for each type of basic Energy attached to Ho-Oh V SIT 140.

In order to get Ho-Oh V SIT 140 and basic Energy cards into your discard pile, you'll rely on the Abilities of Galarian Articuno V CRE 58 and Radiant Greninja ASR 46. Galarian Articuno V CRE 58 has the Reconstitute Ability, which allows you to discard two cards from your hand in order to draw a card, once per turn. Radiant Greninja ASR 46 has the Concealed Cards Ability, which allows you to discard an Energy card from your hand in order to draw two cards, once per turn. You can get an additional use of the Concealed Cards Ability by playing Scoop Up Net RCL 165 to return Radiant Greninja ASR 46 to your hand. This allows you to play Radiant Greninja ASR 46 to your Bench and activate its Concealed Cards Ability again.

It's important to have Diancie ASR 68 in your Active Spot while you're setting things up to return Ho-Oh V SIT 140 from your discard pile to your Bench. This is because of her Princess's Curtain Ability, which will prevent all effects of Supporter cards played by your opponent to your Benched Pokemon. Your opponent won't be able to switch Diancie ASR 68 with any of your Benched Pokemon, so you can get everything ready for your next attack.

The sole purpose of including Crobat V DAA 104 in this deck is for the card drawing that it provides with its Dark Asset Ability. While there is Energy in the deck that could allow Crobat V DAA 104 to attack (or any other Pokemon, for that matter), you generally will only want to attach Energy to Ho-Oh V SIT 140. The only exception to this would be if you are in dire need of an attacker and can finish out the game with a successful attack, but opportunities like this will be very rare.

Both Quick Ball SSH 179 and Ultra Ball BRS 150 can be used to help you find the Pokemon you need from your deck more quickly. They also both require you to discard cards, making it easier to get Ho-Oh V SIT 140 and Energy into your discard pile.

When you get Ho-Oh V SIT 140 powered up to attack, you can use Energy Search SSH 161 as a way to search your deck for a basic Energy that isn't already attached to it. This allows you to deal extra damage when it attacks. Training Court RCL 169 is similar, but it attaches the basic Energy from your discard pile. Remember, though, that both players can take advantage of this Stadium. Trekking Shoes ASR 156 lets you look at the top card of your deck in order to decide whether to keep it, or to put it into your discard pile and draw a random card. This is another way you can get what you need into your discard pile.

Marnie SSH 169 is included in most decks for two reasons. First, you get to shuffle your hand back into your deck and draw new cards, hopefully finding something you need in the process. Secondly, it forces your opponent to shuffle their hand into their decks and draw a new hand, usually with fewer cards than they had. This can change their plans for future turns and slow down their momentum.

Another way to draw additional cards is by playing Serena SIT 164. She can let you discard up to three cards in order to draw cards until there are five in your hand. Alternatively, you can play her to switch your opponent's Active Pokemon with one of their Benched Pokemon V, preferably one that you can Knock Out with ease. Choice Belt BRS 135 can be attached to Ho-Oh V SIT 140 to provide 30 additional damage when it is attacking your opponent's Active Pokemon V. This works well when you've just played Serena SIT 164 to move a Pokemon V to your opponent's Active Spot.

The final cards in this deck offer you a little mobility during combat. Air Balloon SSH 156 reduces the Retreat Cost of the Pokemon it is attached to by two Energy. This can allow Ho-Oh V SIT 140 to Retreat for free. Bird Keeper DAA 159 lets you switch your Active Pokemon with one from your Bench, drawing three cards in the process. Both of these cards offer you the means of having a fresh attacker in your Active Spot.

Wrapping Up

As we close out 2022 and begin 2023, what better symbol of this is that of a phoenix, dying and being reborn. Ho-Oh V SIT 140's Reviving Flame Ability is very reminiscent of this, showing that even as things end, new beginnings are possible. This looks like a fun deck to play and your opponent might find Ho-Oh V SIT 140 coming back, again and again, very frustrating.

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