Dark Toolbox

[daniil123]

Pokémon: 15

• 2 Zorua (Moonlight Madness BKT
• 2 Zoroarkk BKT
• 1 Zoroark BREAK BKT
• 1 Darkrai EX BKP
• 1 Umbreon EX FAC
• 1 Mew FAC
• 2 Yveltal EX
• 2 Yveltal BKT
• 1 Shaymin EX
• 1 Yveltal GEN

Trainers/Supporters/Stadiums: 32

• 4 Professor Sycamore
• 4 Max Elixir
• 2 N
• 2 Lysandre
• 1 Ninja Boy
• 3 Trainers' Mail

• 4 VS Seeker
• 2 Fighting Fury Belt
• 2 Float Stone
• 1 Super Rod
• 4 Ultra Ball

• 2 Reverse Valley
• 1 Parallel City

Energy: 13

• 4 DCE
• 9 Dark Energy

Strategy: Use the versatility of dark types to win. Yveltal BKT is great for putting early pressure on the opponent and dealing damage. Then either Darkrai EX or Yveltal EX can finish the job. Zoroark is a great secondary attacker. Mew is a M Mewtwo Tech. Umbreon EX comes in and finishes off megas for 4 prizes.

Edit:

-1 Darkrai EX
-1 Hex Maniac
-1 Special Charge
-2 Switch

+4 Trainers' Mail
+1 Yveltal GEN

Edit 2:
-1 Trainers' Mail
+1 Shaymin EX

 

[TuxedoBlack]

Nice list.

Zoroark + Float Stone and Switch seem a bit redundant to me. I'd suggest replacing both Switch with 1 Yveltal (GEN) and an Olympia or another Fight Fury Belt or Zorua.

 

[DustieZ]

2 questions:

1) You mean this yvetal ex? or which one?


2) I was told that the VS seeker from phantom forces is legal for standard since there's a secret rare VS seeker in roaring skies, is that true?

 

[daniil123]

1. Yveltal Ex has been reprinted twice since the base XY set most recently in the Shiny Kalos tins so any of them are fine as they are technically the same card with different artwork.
2. Yes

 

[daniil123]

Nice list.

Zoroark + Float Stone and Switch seem a bit redundant to me. I'd suggest replacing both Switch with 1 Yveltal (GEN) and an Olympia or another Fight Fury Belt or Zorua.

i realized i do not have any trainers' mail in this list. what would you cut for it?

 

[PlatypusAvenger]

Maybe ditch the Break, a Reverse valley and the Special Charge for 3 Trainers' Mail... maybe

 

[TuxedoBlack]

i realized i do not have any trainers' mail in this list. what would you cut for it?

Do you "really" need Trainer's Mail???

IMO, when you are now at that point where your list is tight, but you still want to incorporate a few more cards, you simply review all your cards in your deck and identify those cards that seem to have the "least" priority, taking under consideration your deck strategy, area's meta game, play style, etc.

For example, your Pokémon and energy, IMO, are fine maybe as-is and should be replaced perhaps. However, I can easily build a case for including Yveltal EX which is still one of the BEST attackers in the game. One of the "little" Yveltals could be replaced for its EX or the Umbreon EX which is not a good starter and used rarely in less than "common" situations..

On the other hand, when reviewing the Trainers, the "lowest" priority Trainers, IMO, are the Hex Maniac (more situational or meta game related) and the 2 Switch (Zoroark + Float Stone serve the same purpose).

Hope this helps.

 

[daniil123]

Do you "really" need Trainer's Mail???

IMO, when you are now at that point where your list is tight, but you still want to incorporate a few more cards, you simply review all your cards in your deck and identify those cards that seem to have the "least" priority, taking under consideration your deck strategy, area's meta game, play style, etc.

For example, your Pokémon and energy, IMO, are fine maybe as-is and should be replaced perhaps. However, I can easily build a case for including Yveltal EX which is still one of the BEST attackers in the game. One of the "little" Yveltals could be replaced for its EX or the Umbreon EX which is not a good starter and used rarely in less than "common" situations..

On the other hand, when reviewing the Trainers, the "lowest" priority Trainers, IMO, are the Hex Maniac (more situational or meta game related) and the 2 Switch (Zoroark + Float Stone serve the same purpose).

Hope this helps.

The reason I like Tmail is because it's a consistency card. Only running 1 Shaymin and having the ability to look for a trainer card I need feels like it's a staple inclusion.

at this point i have

-2 switch
-2 parallel city
-1 reverse valley

+1 Yveltal GEN
+4 Trainers' Mail

I still think including stadiums is a must in this meta and Parallel city is too good not to include. Especially with how much Mewtwo

Here is my thought process for cutting stuff:

I'm thinking about cutting 1 Max Elixir due to having 9 dark and , 1 Trainers's Mail as I rarely end up using all 4 and hex maniac is another option. Also I've heard losing special charge can be an option, but I like it because discarding DCE early game becomes less painful.

As far as pokemon, I consider cutting the BREAK since it's hard to get out, but I just love it's utility. Other pokemon I'm looking to cut are GEN yveltal since it will only really help reset my board late game, since I hopefully won't really be discarding my dark energy due to max elixir, or maybe Darkrai EX since he's more like a third attacker here behind Yveltal EX and Fright Night Yveltal.

Finally I thought about maybe just transitioning this into a more standard Yveltal/Mew build that has been doing pretty well in locals, but I just like Zorark too much. I'll playtest and let you know what I think.

 

[TuxedoBlack]

Personally, Trainer's Mail is 1 of those cards I'm still trying to determine its "true value;" so, I don't "count on it" enough to run 4 copies in any deck which all seem to work fine, as long as I have sufficient card-draw support. No doubt the TMs can facilitate a faster setup, but I'm finding that it is not as critical to setup fast this season as much as last season.

Interestingly enough, IMO, I'd suggest for your consideration::

-1 Umbreon EX - very situational and a poor starting Pokémon
-1 Yveltal (GEN) or Yveltal (STS)
-1 Hex Maniac - situational, lower priority
-2 Switch - redundant with Zoroark + Float Stone

+1 Yveltal EX
+4 Trainer's Mail​

You definitely need the Stadiums, especially Parallel City which will be helpful in clearing your field of wounded Pokémon or "easy" prizes like Shaymin EX. Secondly, this Stadium will definitely help in the M Rayquaza EX and Rainbow Force match-ups.

By the way, I would suggest keeping the Zoroark BREAK too - I found it to be really, really good in a variety of key match-ups (e.g., Foul Play'ing a Giratina EX's Chaos Wheel attack... lol).

Max Elixir is a great card WHEN you get heads on the coin flip...

 

[daniil123]

Do you think it's worth running lysandre at 2?

Another card I thought about dropping to 1

 

[TuxedoBlack]

Do you think it's worth running lysandre at 2?

Another card I thought about dropping to 1

If you run only 1 Lysandre and it is prized, then you could lose some valuable opportunities. I strongly suggest keeping the Lysandre count to 2 - it's just that important, IMO.

 

[chella182]

Max Elixir is a great card WHEN you get heads on the coin flip...

Max Elixir isn't a flip card?

I'd definitely put the 4 Trainers' Mail in, it's such a versatile card.

I'd probably cut Umbreon, the Switches and the Special Charge for the Trainer's Mails from your original list. I personally play Umbreon in my list but I don't run Zoroark at all so I have room. And I know what you mean about Special Charge being nice if you have to Sycamore away a DCE early game, but I've had it in a few of my decks now and I've just found it pops up at all the wrong times and was never that useful.

Overall my adjustments to your list would be:

-1 Darkrai EX (I never find him that useful as an attacker and prefer Yveltal EX)
+1 Mew (the versatility of this card can't be overstated imo, and it really helps in your prize trade)
-1 Umbreon
+1 Shaymin EX (I appreciate that with the prices for Shay the way they are this isn't always possible, but yeah)

-1 Special Charge
-2 Switch
-1 Ninja Boy (I like the card but cutting it is to make room for...)
+4 Trainers' Mail

You definitely don't want to cut any Energy or Stadiums otherwise I think you'll run into bother. If you can't add another Shaymin (or indeed don't want to) then I'd maybe leave the Ninja Boy or the Special Charge in instead (whichever of those you think helps you the most).

 

[TuxedoBlack]

Max Elixir isn't a flip card?

Thanks. I was clearly thinking of something else. Apologies.

 

[masterman918]

i would run 2-3 mews and take out the zoroarks and zorua because because once you evolve zorua you can max elixir it, also run 1 oblivion wing yveltal for bring back energies and run 1 more parallel city so you can make sure you have 1 for the ray match

 

[masterman918]

i would also take out the float stones for another fighting fury belt and another dark energy to ensure you hit the max elixirs more frequently

 

[TuxedoBlack]

i would run 2-3 mews and take out the zoroarks and zorua because because once you evolve zorua you can max elixir it, ...

I suspect you really meant "can't"?

By the way, taking out the Zoroark line, especially the Zoroark BREAK, reduces your game-winning chances against popular decks that need a large bench, like M Rayquaza EX and Rainbow Force. Secondly, Zoroak BREAK is another GREAT counter to decks that run Giratina EX and M Mewtwo EX.

@daniil123 Did you ever revise your deck? If so, what changes were made (if appropriate, please also update your OP accordingly too) and any play-testing results you've found? I'm definitely interested in your results, since I too run a similar variation and have had great results thus far.

 

[daniil123]

I suspect you really meant "can't"?

By the way, taking out the Zoroark line, especially the Zoroark BREAK, reduces your game-winning chances against popular decks that need a large bench, like M Rayquaza EX and Rainbow Force. Secondly, Zoroak BREAK is another GREAT counter to decks that run Giratina EX and M Mewtwo EX.

@daniil123 Did you ever revise your deck? If so, what changes were made (if appropriate, please also update your OP accordingly too) and any play-testing results you've found? I'm definitely interested in your results, since I too run a similar variation and have had great results thus far.

so I ended up doing the following:

-2 Switch
-1 hex
-1 special charge
-1 darkrai EX

+4 mail
+1 Yveltal GEN

Special charge has kinda been a dead card for me so far since I feel I tend to draw it early and discard it via ultra ball or sycamore. This deck also is pretty good at conserving dce due to Yveltal EX second attack. I cut a darkrai since I'd rather have Yveltal EX as the main attacler and I end up searching for him more. And I cut hex per suggestion as it is a nice tech, but not necessary.

Mail has been good since it helps dig for stuf like stadiums. Gave me a clutch parallel city.

playresting, mega ray matchup has been favorable. Fright Night shuts down the spirit links slowing them down. Ideally you Lysandre a hoopa and slowly pick off Shaymins and mega rays on the bench.

Volcanion is a solid matchup too. Just pick off the benched Volcanion EX

Mega Mewtwo is harder but you can win. You need to win the stadium wars but most mega mewtwo decks only run 2 shrines so it's doable. Ninja Boy into Mew FAC has been a great play here.

Rainbow Road matchup hasn't been great. They one hit KO me and I do not one hit KO them. It depends who sets up faster I feel.

I have yet to face the mirror (or any dark variant) and I have yet to play any deck with energy disruption (i.e. Mega Scizor).

Let me know @TuxedoBlack what results you have found.

 

[gumball51321]

Your list as of right now seems pretty solid, and Umbreon is great with Fright Night because you can shut down Mega's spirit links(Mega are big in the meta) and slowly wear them down, then when they KO you, you KO them and win the prize trade by 3 cards. Mew is also very good, as it helps the Rainbow Road matchup, and only gives up 1 prize, so you trade better than normal, so consider adding another one. I found Enhanced Hammer to be a pretty fun card as well. With all the DCE running around, it's pretty funny to get rid of them without your opponent seeing it coming. It also gives the deck a defensive playabilty, so that always nice.

 

[TuxedoBlack]

Let me know @TuxedoBlack what results you have found.

I'm quite pleased with my DZY (Darkrai-Zoroark-Yveltal) build. I like the multiple attack options that the deck provides.

M Scizor EX decks have not been an issue. I primarily use the Yveltal (GEN), Yveltal (BKT) and Zoroark in this match-up. Moonless Madness Zorua, with its auto-Confusion attack, has been helpful at more often than I can count.

In addition to Fright Night Yveltal slowing down Mega EX decks, I'm finding that playing 2 Parallel City too helps a lot in the M Rayquaza EX and Rainbow Road decks match-ups.

Zoroark BREAK is amazing in some match-ups too. Stopping Dark-Tina decks via Foul Play'ing Chaos Wheel is just crazy-good. Lol. Again, Zoroark BREAK or Zoroark and Darkrai EX (which has P Resistance) help in the M Mewtwo EX match-up should the Mew be insufficient.

Volcanion has not been a serious issue, as you've noted.

I played in an LC this past weekend and was "walled-out" by a player running a Water Box variation and I could not KO his Regice (my needed resources were in the discard pile and I could not recover any of them at that point in the game). So, I will need to incorporate just 1 Pokémon Ranger.

Surprisingly, of the 24 Masters in this tournament, 4 played Greninja - which I did not expect. Fortunately, hitting most of my Max Elixirs and playing the Hex Maniac at crucial times helped.

Zygarde-Carbink decks can be tough. Zygarde EX does not need lots of energy in order to attack efficiently; Carbink (Safeguard) can wall-out EX Pokémon; and these players play lots of switching and healing cards. So, this can be a really tough match-up. However, I don't encounter this deck too often.

P Kyogre EX and P Groudon EX are not too troublesome either.

 

[daniil123]

I'm quite pleased with my DZY (Darkrai-Zoroark-Yveltal) build. I like the multiple attack options that the deck provides.

M Scizor EX decks have not been an issue. I primarily use the Yveltal (GEN), Yveltal (BKT) and Zoroark in this match-up. Moonless Madness Zorua, with its auto-Confusion attack, has been helpful at more often than I can count.

In addition to Fright Night Yveltal slowing down Mega EX decks, I'm finding that playing 2 Parallel City too helps a lot in the M Rayquaza EX and Rainbow Road decks match-ups.

Zoroark BREAK is amazing in some match-ups too. Stopping Dark-Tina decks via Foul Play'ing Chaos Wheel is just crazy-good. Lol. Again, Zoroark BREAK or Zoroark and Darkrai EX (which has P Resistance) help in the M Mewtwo EX match-up should the Mew be insufficient.

Volcanion has not been a serious issue, as you've noted.

I played in an LC this past weekend and was "walled-out" by a player running a Water Box variation and I could not KO his Regice (my needed resources were in the discard pile and I could not recover any of them at that point in the game). So, I will need to incorporate just 1 Pokémon Ranger.

Surprisingly, of the 24 Masters in this tournament, 4 played Greninja - which I did not expect. Fortunately, hitting most of my Max Elixirs and playing the Hex Maniac at crucial times helped.

Zygarde-Carbink decks can be tough. Zygarde EX does not need lots of energy in order to attack efficiently; Carbink (Safeguard) can wall-out EX Pokémon; and these players play lots of switching and healing cards. So, this can be a really tough match-up. However, I don't encounter this deck too often.

P Kyogre EX and P Groudon EX are not too troublesome either.

how do you handle mirror matches/other dark variants ie the plain Yveltal/Mew builds?