NOTE: THIS LIST IS SUBJECT TO HEAVY EDITATION ONCE THE ENTIRETY OF THE AUGUST SET IS REVEALED, SINCE THERE MAY BE NEW SINGLE-PRIZE DARK TYPE POKEMON TO BETTER UTILIZE THE ENGINE. THIS ALSO PRESUMES THAT CARDS FROM THE GRIMMSNARL VMAX DECK ARE DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE RELEASE OF THE AUGUST SET, IF NOT WITHIN IT.
So, I am incredibly stoked and terrified to receive the new Hydreigon coming in the Grimmsnarl VMAX deck, since it's basically a return of the old Blastoise with Deluge, but for Dark types. Considering how this validates a surprising amount of Dark types, a toolbox style deck utilizing the new Hydreigon in conjunction with the Weavile GX from Unified Minds seems viable, considering the former success Fairy decks using XY Base Aromatisse with the added benefit of being able to add to the pool from hand much quicker. Looking at this concept, it almost feels like playing Magic the Gathering lol.
Pokemon (16):
Using the combination of Weavile and Hydreigon, the objective of this deck is to sustain a constant amount of energy that can be moved and pooled wherever it needs to be in order to win. For attackers, there is a large amount of variety to choose from, and most of the pokemon listed can be swapped out for personal preference. The "main" attacker in this deck is Zoroark and Greninja TAG Team GX, wihch benefits heavily from having a large pool of energy on the board. With a lingering ten energy to use plus a vitality band, it can KO anypokemon in the format barring they do not have damage reducing effects on their side. To support, we have Sableye V primarily for trainer recovery but also capitalizing on stray chip damage, a 1-1 Grimmsnarl VMAX for additional high-power attacks (Max output of 280, KO's ADP without reduction). With Zoroninja's GX attack, it summons Tyranitar GX for removing a recovery option with it's ability Lost Out (KO'ed pokemon and all attached cards go to Lost Zone) and Good ol' Incineroar for Scar Charge to accelerate more energy from the deck, for what could be an additional seven energy added to the board in a single turn (3 from Incin, 4 from additional effect of GX attack).
As far as trainers are concerned, the lineup is pretty standard. Prof,'s Research, Cynthia, and Marnie are used for draw, Quick Ball and PokeComm are for search, Rare Candy is specifically for Hydreigon, Black Market makes all of my pokemon better, since it reduces the amount of prizes the opponent takes, which is always super nice to have, Viridian is a good early-game stadium to get energy into hand, a one-off energy recycler for after the GX is popped and energy makes it's way down there, Vitality Band fixes crucial numbers, in the case of Snorlax VMAX for ZoroNinja and ADP for Grimmsnarl, and Boss' Orders is a crucial gusting card every deck that has access to it needs to run. I think the straightforwardness of the trainers is super nice, as it again allows for a greater sense of flexibility with the pokemon lines being run in the deck and the pokemon being the primary focus of complexity.
However, right now, this deck feels incredibly crowded, and I would die to get just a couple more slots in to include cards like Mallow and Lana for recovery or an additional Grimmsnarl VMAX line.
I just feel like I need to draft some list like this now to be revisited once we get a full set reveal for August.
So, I am incredibly stoked and terrified to receive the new Hydreigon coming in the Grimmsnarl VMAX deck, since it's basically a return of the old Blastoise with Deluge, but for Dark types. Considering how this validates a surprising amount of Dark types, a toolbox style deck utilizing the new Hydreigon in conjunction with the Weavile GX from Unified Minds seems viable, considering the former success Fairy decks using XY Base Aromatisse with the added benefit of being able to add to the pool from hand much quicker. Looking at this concept, it almost feels like playing Magic the Gathering lol.
Pokemon (16):
- Deino (2)
Deino – Darkness – HP60
Basic Pokemon
[C] Ram: 10 damage.
Weakness: Grass (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 1
Basic Pokemon
[C] Ram: 10 damage.
Weakness: Grass (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 1
- Hydreigon (2)
Hydreigon – Darkness – HP160
Stage 2 – Evolves from Zweilous
Ability: Dark Squall
As often as you like during your turn, you may attach a [D] Energy from your hand to 1 of your Pokemon.
[D][D][C] Jet Black Fang: 130 damage.
Weakness: Grass (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 3
Stage 2 – Evolves from Zweilous
Ability: Dark Squall
As often as you like during your turn, you may attach a [D] Energy from your hand to 1 of your Pokemon.
[D][D][C] Jet Black Fang: 130 damage.
Weakness: Grass (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 3
- Sneasel (2)
- Weavile GX (2)
- Zoroninja TTGX (2)
- Tyranitar GX (1)
- Sableye V (2)
- Grimmsnarl V (1)
Grimmsnarl V – Darkness – HP220
Basic Pokemon
[D] Dark Bite: 40 damage.
[D][D][D] Spiky Knuckle: 200 damage. Return 2 [D] Energy from this Pokemon to your hand.
When your Pokemon V is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
Weakness: Grass (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 2
Basic Pokemon
[D] Dark Bite: 40 damage.
[D][D][D] Spiky Knuckle: 200 damage. Return 2 [D] Energy from this Pokemon to your hand.
When your Pokemon V is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
Weakness: Grass (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 2
- Grimmsnarl VMAX (1)
Grimmsnarl VMAX – Darkness – HP330
VMAX Pokemon (Gigantamax) – Evolves from Grimmsnarl V
[D][D][D] G-Max Drill: 170+ damage. This attack does 50 more damage for each extra [D] Energy attached to this Pokemon, but not used to pay for this attack. Energy beyond the second doesn’t count.
When your Pokemon VMAX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 3 Prize cards.
Weakness: Grass (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 3
VMAX Pokemon (Gigantamax) – Evolves from Grimmsnarl V
[D][D][D] G-Max Drill: 170+ damage. This attack does 50 more damage for each extra [D] Energy attached to this Pokemon, but not used to pay for this attack. Energy beyond the second doesn’t count.
When your Pokemon VMAX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 3 Prize cards.
Weakness: Grass (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 3
- Incineroar GX TEU (1)
- Marnie (2)
- Switch (4)
- Boss' Orders (2)
Boss’s Orders – Trainer
Supporter
Choose 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon and switch it with their Active Pokemon.
You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
Supporter
Choose 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon and switch it with their Active Pokemon.
You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).
- Prof.’s Research (3)
- Cynthia (2)
- Quick Ball (4)
- Pokemon Communication (3)
- Rare Candy (3)
- Black Market PS (1)
- Viridian Forest (3)
- Energy Recycler (1)
- Vitality Band (2)
- Dark (14)
Using the combination of Weavile and Hydreigon, the objective of this deck is to sustain a constant amount of energy that can be moved and pooled wherever it needs to be in order to win. For attackers, there is a large amount of variety to choose from, and most of the pokemon listed can be swapped out for personal preference. The "main" attacker in this deck is Zoroark and Greninja TAG Team GX, wihch benefits heavily from having a large pool of energy on the board. With a lingering ten energy to use plus a vitality band, it can KO anypokemon in the format barring they do not have damage reducing effects on their side. To support, we have Sableye V primarily for trainer recovery but also capitalizing on stray chip damage, a 1-1 Grimmsnarl VMAX for additional high-power attacks (Max output of 280, KO's ADP without reduction). With Zoroninja's GX attack, it summons Tyranitar GX for removing a recovery option with it's ability Lost Out (KO'ed pokemon and all attached cards go to Lost Zone) and Good ol' Incineroar for Scar Charge to accelerate more energy from the deck, for what could be an additional seven energy added to the board in a single turn (3 from Incin, 4 from additional effect of GX attack).
As far as trainers are concerned, the lineup is pretty standard. Prof,'s Research, Cynthia, and Marnie are used for draw, Quick Ball and PokeComm are for search, Rare Candy is specifically for Hydreigon, Black Market makes all of my pokemon better, since it reduces the amount of prizes the opponent takes, which is always super nice to have, Viridian is a good early-game stadium to get energy into hand, a one-off energy recycler for after the GX is popped and energy makes it's way down there, Vitality Band fixes crucial numbers, in the case of Snorlax VMAX for ZoroNinja and ADP for Grimmsnarl, and Boss' Orders is a crucial gusting card every deck that has access to it needs to run. I think the straightforwardness of the trainers is super nice, as it again allows for a greater sense of flexibility with the pokemon lines being run in the deck and the pokemon being the primary focus of complexity.
However, right now, this deck feels incredibly crowded, and I would die to get just a couple more slots in to include cards like Mallow and Lana for recovery or an additional Grimmsnarl VMAX line.
I just feel like I need to draft some list like this now to be revisited once we get a full set reveal for August.