Searching Standard: Zeraora VSTAR

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 Zeraora VSTAR CRZ 55, and has the possibility of scoring four Knock Outs at the same time. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

By attacking with Zeraora VSTAR CRZ 55's Lightning Storm Star VSTAR Power attack, you can deal 60 damage to up to four of your opponent's Pokemon, or channel that damage against fewer targets. the choice is yours. Zeraora VSTAR CRZ 55 also has the Crushing Beat attack, which deals 190 damage for three Energy. That's a very decent amount of damage, plus you can discard a Stadium in play when using this attack. Not too shabby. Also note that Zeraora VSTAR CRZ 55 has no Retreat Cost, so you'll easily be able to attack with it on one turn, then bring it back to your Bench the following turn.

As secondary attackers, this deck has a few good choices. Snorlax LOR 143 can use its Thumping Snore attack to deal 180 damage. While it has the drawback of making Snorlax LOR 143 Asleep, no other effects can be done to it thanks to its Unfazed Fat Ability. Regieleki EVS 60 has the Teraspark attack, dealing 120 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon and 40 damage to two of their Benched Pokemon. You will have to discard all Lightning Energy attached to Regieleki EVS 60 when you use this attack, but there are ways of mitigating this. Finally, Zekrom VIV 60 can use its Wild Shock attack to deal 130 damage and Paralyze the opponent's Active Pokemon in the process.

Since most of the attacks you'll be using require you to have multiple Energies attached to use them, you'll want a way to accelerate the amount of Energy you can attach to your Pokemon each turn. That's where Flaaffy EVS 55 fits in. By using Flaaffy EVS 55's Dynamotor Ability, you can atach a Lightning Energy card from your discard pile to any of your Benched Pokemon. Since each Flaaffy EVS 55 can do this once per turn, you'll want to get out multiple copies for maximum effectiveness.

The final pair of Pokemon in this deck are included due to their Abilities. Manaphy BRS 41's Wave Veil Ability is currently the premier way to keep your Benched Pokemon safe from damage. Radiant Greninja ASR 46's Concealed Cards Ability offers you a way to discard an Energy card (where it can then be attached to your Pokemon with Flaaffy EVS 55's Dynamotor Ability), while also drawing you a couple of new cards.

As we move into the Trainer cards, our first batch is all about helping you find whichever Pokemon you need from within your deck. Quick Ball SSH 179 can be used to find any Basic Pokemon, while Ultra Ball CRZ 146 can find any Pokemon you need. While Stormy Mountains EVS 161 is in play, each player will be able to search their deck for a Basic Lightning Pokemon or Basic Dragon Pokemon to put onto their Bench. There might be times that this Stadium will help your opponent more than you, so keep that in mind before playing it.

In addition to searching for Pokemon, most decks run a variety of Trainers that help draw you additional cards. Professor's Research BRS 147 is the most reliable of these, drawing you seven new cards, but also requiring you to discard your current hand of cards. Zinnia's Resolve EVS 164 can also potentially draw you quite a few cards, but how many is entirely dependant on the number of Pokemon your opponent has in play. Finally, while Marnie CPA 56 will certainly draw you some new cards, her biggest benefit is that she resets your opponent's hand, likely slowing down their momentum and allowing you the chance to catch up.

Next, we have a few cards that offer your Pokemon some mobility. While Zeraora VSTAR CRZ 55 can retreat for free, your other Pokemon aren't so lucky. You can use Switch CRZ 144 or Escape Rope BST 125 to move a Pokemon from your Active Spot to your Bench. Attaching an Air Balloon SSH 156 can also help many of your Pokemon retreat for free, but not all.

For those pokemon that get stuck in your Active Spot with no way of moving, you have Scoop Up Net RCL 165. This Item is also helpful to reset any damage Zekrom VIV 60 has taken by using its Wild Shock attack.

In order to make the most from every attack, you can rely on our next pair of Trainer cards. Boss's Orders BRS 132 allows you to choose which of your opponent's Benched pokemon to move to their Active Spot. This can allow you to get an easy Knock Out, or to move a Pokemon there that is unable to attack or retreat, giving you a round or two to set things up. Attaching a Choice Belt BRS 135 to a Pokemon allows it to deal an additional 30 damage to your opponent's pokemon V. This extra damage can often be the difference between Knocking a Pokemon out in one attack versus two.

Serena SIT 164 offers a lot of versatility for your deck. She has two modes that can be used, and both are quite good. Whether you use her to discard and draw new cards, or to bring up a Pokemon V to your opponent's Active Spot, you're likely to see things looking up for you after playing her. Ordinary Rod SSH 171 is the final Trainer in this deck, and it offers a bit of recursion for this deck. This will be especially useful after a copy or two of Flaaffy EVS 55 has goten Knocked Out.

Wrapping Up

While it is possible to Knock out four different Pokemon with Zeraora VSTAR CRZ 55's Lightning Storm Star VSTAR Power attack, it won't happen often. When it does, though, it will be something you won't forget for a long while.

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