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 played on the YouTube channel of tablemon. It's a deck that is capable of hitting a lot of different weaknesses. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.
Both Wormadam BRS 77 and Wormadam BRS 98 have the Matron's Anger attack, which has the potential to deal a ton of damage. This attack deals a base of 30 damage, plus an additional 10 damage for each Pokemon in your discard pile. Since nearly half of this deck is composed of Pokemon and there are a few cards that require you to discard other cards, you shouldn't have any problem getting some Pokemon in your discard pile. Attacking a Pokemon that has a Weakness to your type of Pokemon will add up to even more damage and a quicker Knock Out.
With the Phantom Transformation Ability of Zoroark EVS 103, you can 'transform' it into any of your Wormadam in the event that you don't have a copy of Burmy BRS 9 to evolve. Alternatively, you can 'transform' into one of the other Stage 1 Pokemon found within this deck for even more damage potential.
These Pokemon along with Gorebyss FST 67, who I'll talk about below, are the various Stage 1 Pokemon I mentioned when talking about Zoroark EVS 103. Each of these has a powerful attack that you can use and will hit additional Weaknesses that Wormadam doesn't. Golisopod DAA 18 can attack with its Hard Times Slash attack, which will deal extra damage for each Pokemon V your opponent has in play. Galarian Weezing SHF 42's Neutralizing Gas Ability will remove any Abilities of your opponent's Pokemon (except for Neutralizing Gas) while Galarian Weezing SHF 42 is your Active pokemon. You can also use its Severe Poison attack to deal four damage counters from Poison during Pokemon Checkup. Finally, Flapple EVS 120 is great to use if your opponent has a lot of Pokemon with Abilities. By using its Acidic Mucus attack, you'll deal 50 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon for each Pokemon your opponent has in play with an Ability.
In order to get the cards you need from your deck more quickly, you can rely on Cinccino SSH 147's Make Do Ability. This Ability allows you to discard a card in order to draw two cards from your deck. Remember to discard a Pokemon to deal extra damage with either of your Wormadam's Matron's Anger attacks.
While you won't be able to attack with it, you might consider 'transforming' your Zoroark EVS 103 into Gorebyss FST 67 if your opponent is playing a Rapid Strike deck. Thanks to Gorebyss FST 67's Rapid Strike Counter Ability, when Gorebyss FST 67 is in play, your opponent's Rapid Strike Pokemon will have no Abilities. Another Pokemon you'll want to keep safe on your Bench is Manaphy BRS 41. Thanks to its Wave Veil Ability, while Manaphy BRS 41 is in play you'll be able to prevent all damage done to your Benched Pokemon by attacks from your opponent's Pokemon.
Moving over to Trainer cards, we'll get started by looking at ways to find the Pokemon you need from within your deck. Quick Ball FST 237 allows you to find any Basic Pokemon from your deck to put into your hand, while Evolution Incense SSH 163 helps you find an Evolution Pokemon. Ultra Ball BRS 150 can find any Pokemon, but you'll need to discard two cards to use it. No matter which of these you use, as long as you remember their limitations, you'll be able to use them most effectively.
Our next batch of Trainers is all about helping you draw extra cards. By playing Professor's Research BRS 147, you can draw a new hand of seven cards. However, you'll need to discard your current hand first, so make sure to play any of those cards first. Zinnia's Resolve EVS 164 allows you to draw up to six cards (most of the time), one for each Pokemon your opponent has in play. To play this Supporter, though, you'll need to discard two other cards from your hand. Finally Marnie CPA 56 allows you to shuffle your hand back into your deck and draw a new one, effectively resetting your hand. Your opponent will do the same, which might hinder them and allow you to catch up if you're behind.
This next pair of Trainer cards help out when attacking. Choice Belt BRS 135 allows the Pokemon that has it attached to deal an extra 30 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon V. You can ensure that you'll be able to get this bonus damage by playing Boss's Orders BRS 132 to switch their current Active Pokemon with a Pokemon of your choice from their Bench.
The final group of Trainers in this deck are more general purpose cards. Air Balloon SSH 156 can be attached to a Pokemon to allow it to retreat easier, often for free. Path to the Peak CRE 148 is best used to counter a Stadium your opponent has played, denying them of getting a bonus. Finally, Roseanne's Backup BRS 148 can be played to shuffle a Pokemon, a Pokemon Tool, a Stadium, and/or an Energy from your discard pile into your deck. Be careful not to hold onto this Supporter too long, as it's often better to be able to get back two or three things, rather than waiting to get all four.
Wrapping Up
While this deck doesn't have any super powerful Pokemon, it has the potential to deal out quite a bit of damage. This is especially true if you can attack an opponent's Weakness.
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
