Expanded Dogs (Lycanroc and Zoroark) with an extra dog (Ninetales)

[vyolet127]

I made this list, and I really like it right now! But I know that this can get a lot better, adn I need help seeing how!!

Pokémon: 24 (Owo thats a lot)
4 Zoroark GX (My first Secret Rare)
1 Zoroark BkT 91
1 Zoroark BW Base 71
4 Zorua (1 of BkT 90, 1 of BkT 89, 1 of BkT 89, 2 of ShL52)
3 Lycanroc GX
3 Rockruff (1 of GuR 73, 2 of SM06)
1 Alolan Ninetales GX
1 Alolan Vulpix GuR 21
2 Shaymin EX
2 Tapu Lele GX (1 of GuR 60, 1 of GuR 155)
2 Exeggcute PlF (Propagate)
Energy: 8
4 DCE
4 Fight (Thinking about replacing one with a Counter Energy)
Trainers: 28
4 Sky Field
3 Choice Band
2 Float Stone
2 Rescue Stretcher
2 VS Seeker
1 Timer Ball
2 Nest Ball
2 Ultra Ball
1 Brigette
2 N
3 Mallow
3 Sycamore (Thinking about replacing two with Professor Birch's Observations, because I can trade out of the bad ones)
1 Korrina

So this deck relies on bench loading, and attacking with Zoroark, which takes out any stage one that is not Alolan Muk GX, but no one plays Alolan Muk GX. For stage two decks, I can early game Ice Blade for some base damage so I can finish off with Riotous Beating. Zoroark is just for the thing that's popular where you play the two together. Black White Zoroark is a good tech for anything with powerful attacks. I went against Gardevoir GX and Foul Play ed for Infinite Force for knockout. Eggs are for trades. And bench fodder when Sky Field gets bumped and I need more stuff to bench.

Thanks for reading!! If you can help me, that would be much appreciated!! I'm considerinf dark energy instead because I never attack with Lycanroc, and I could combine with Darkrai GX for more bench fodder.
Thanks again!!

 

[HouchinsDJ]

A 1-1 line of Alolan Ninetales GX sounds very inconsistent and unnecessary. Why not run Tapu Koko to spread 20 damage instead?

I highly recommend keeping the Strong Energy for Lycanroc so you are able to use Dangerous Rogue, which is pretty much a guaranteed KO if your opponent has some Pokémon on the bench. Plus, Claw Slash OHKOs opposing Zoroarks which are everywhere right now.

 

[vyolet127]

A 1-1 line of Alolan Ninetales GX sounds very inconsistent and unnecessary. Why not run Tapu Koko to spread 20 damage instead?

I highly recommend keeping the Strong Energy for Lycanroc so you are able to use Dangerous Rogue, which is pretty much a guaranteed KO if your opponent has some Pokémon on the bench. Plus, Claw Slash OHKOs opposing Zoroarks which are everywhere right now.

I was actually running an alolan vulpix before I thought about adding a Ninetales for the expedited setup with Beacon. I just thought it might be a good idea to run a Ninetales just to clean up some KOs that were missed from Riotous Beatings. If not, then it would be trade fodder for Zoroark. Does it seem like a good idea to keep it? or replace it with something?

 

[HouchinsDJ]

I was actually running an alolan vulpix before I thought about adding a Ninetales for the expedited setup with Beacon. I just thought it might be a good idea to run a Ninetales just to clean up some KOs that were missed from Riotous Beatings. If not, then it would be trade fodder for Zoroark. Does it seem like a good idea to keep it? or replace it with something?

I would replace it. Zoroark should be hitting hard enough. I don't think you even need Alolan Vulpix. It's great in Stage 2 Standard format decks, but in a fast Stage 1 Expanded deck? It's just too slow. Expanded is a much faster format with a lot more draw support.

I would consider taking the Alolan Ninetales line out for a 1-1 line of Alolan Muk (the non-GX with the Power of Alchemy ability) to have a way around Sudowoodo's Roadblock ability, which severely limits your deck's damage output. Just be careful when evolving into it because it will shut off your Basic Pokémon's abilities as well! But you need a way to deal with Sudowoodo, because a lot of Expanded decks run it to counter Zoroark GX.

I also recommend increasing your VS Seeker count to four so you have more flexibility with your Supporters. Colress is a Supporter you should look at as well.

 

[vyolet127]

I would replace it. Zoroark should be hitting hard enough. I don't think you even need Alolan Vulpix. It's great in Stage 2 Standard format decks, but in a fast Stage 1 Expanded deck? It's just too slow. Expanded is a much faster format with a lot more draw support.

I would consider taking the Alolan Ninetales line out for a 1-1 line of Alolan Muk (the non-GX with the Power of Alchemy ability) to have a way around Sudowoodo's Roadblock ability, which severely limits your deck's damage output. Just be careful when evolving into it because it will shut off your Basic Pokémon's abilities as well! But you need a way to deal with Sudowoodo, because a lot of Expanded decks run it to counter Zoroark GX.

I also recommend increasing your VS Seeker count to four so you have more flexibility with your Supporters. Colress is a Supporter you should look at as well.

I would take more VS seekers but I have no more...
I don't want to do Alolan Muk because it will break Abuse Eggs.
I want to replace VS seeker and Rescue Stretcher for Puzzles, but I have none. Should I get some Puzzles? Or increase VS Seeker count?
And yes; thank you for Colress; I actually have some lying around, so I will add some!!

 

[HouchinsDJ]

I would take more VS seekers but I have no more...
I don't want to do Alolan Muk because it will break Abuse Eggs.
I want to replace VS seeker and Rescue Stretcher for Puzzles, but I have none. Should I get some Puzzles? Or increase VS Seeker count?
And yes; thank you for Colress; I actually have some lying around, so I will add some!!

If you don't run Alolan Muk then I highly recommend running a copy of Hex Maniac. Like I said, you need a way around Sudowoodo, even if it's just for a turn.

I think you should run Puzzles AND increase your VS Seeker count. Both are so important because they allow you to be super aggressive early game without having to worry about discarding important cards since you can just get them back later.

 

[HouchinsDJ]

For your Support counts, I would do something like the following:

3 Sycamore
2 Colress
1 N
1 Lysandre
1 Guzma
1 Hex Maniac
1 Mallow
1 Ghetsis (optional, but I really like how disruptive it can be Turn 1 against Night March)

Running 4 VS Seeker allows you to run more 1-of Supporters.

 

[vyolet127]

For your Support counts, I would do something like the following:

3 Sycamore
2 Colress
1 N
1 Lysandre
1 Guzma
1 Hex Maniac
1 Mallow
1 Ghetsis (optional, but I really like how disruptive it can be Turn 1 against Night March)

Running 4 VS Seeker allows you to run more 1-of Supporters.

I want easier access to mallow because of trade, rather than having to lose against trashalanche again for VS Seekers. But I like the list otherwise; I want to decrease sycamore for a shuffle supporter like Cynthia or Birch because I can always trade for a hand.

 

[HouchinsDJ]

I want easier access to mallow because of trade, rather than having to lose against trashalanche again for VS Seekers. But I like the list otherwise; I want to decrease sycamore for a shuffle supporter like Cynthia or Birch because I can always trade for a hand.

You have 15 Items in your deck as the moment, 2 more VS Seeker isn't going to make too much of a difference against a late-game Trashalanche. Mallow is great but situational. A lot of time, because of the sheer draw power of Zoroark, you can get what you need in hand without it. That's just my thought process behind it though. I don't think running 2 is bad, I just like the flexibility that VS Seeker gives you.

 

[vyolet127]

You have 15 Items in your deck as the moment, 2 more VS Seeker isn't going to make too much of a difference against a late-game Trashalanche. Mallow is great but situational. A lot of time, because of the sheer draw power of Zoroark, you can get what you need in hand without it. That's just my thought process behind it though. I don't think running 2 is bad, I just like the flexibility that VS Seeker gives you.

Yeah; I could see that. But would it just be smarter to replace seekers with puzzles? considering I just draw into them with zoroark, and can pick one up early whenever with mallow?

 

[HouchinsDJ]

Yeah; I could see that. But would it just be smarter to replace seekers with puzzles? considering I just draw into them with zoroark, and can pick one up early whenever with mallow?

I would run both. Here's all the changes I'd make to your list.

Pokémon: 23
4 Zorua
4 Zoroark GX
1 Zoroark BKT
1 Zoroark (BW Base Set)
3 Rockruff
3 Lycanroc GX
2 Shaymin EX
2 Tapu Lele GX
2 Exeggcute (Propagate)
1 Sudowoodo GRI (Counters opposing Zoroark GX decks by shrinking their bench and helps power up Riotous Beating)

Trainers: 28
3 Sycamore
2 Colress
1 N
1 Brigette
1 Guzma
1 Hex Maniac
1 Mallow
4 Ultra Ball
3 VS Seeker
4 Puzzle of Time
1 Rescue Stretcher
2 Choice Band
1 Float Stone
3 Sky Field

Energy: 9
4 DCE
3 Strong Energy
2 Fighting Energy

You're still at 15 Items, but now have a third VS Seeker and four Puzzles. I think this list is very strong, but can definitely be tweaked a bit depending on play style!

 

[vyolet127]

I would run both. Here's all the changes I'd make to your list.

Pokémon: 23
4 Zorua
4 Zoroark GX
1 Zoroark BKT
1 Zoroark (BW Base Set)
3 Rockruff
3 Lycanroc GX
2 Shaymin EX
2 Tapu Lele GX
2 Exeggcute (Propagate)
1 Sudowoodo GRI (Counters opposing Zoroark GX decks by shrinking their bench and helps power up Riotous Beating)

Trainers: 28
3 Sycamore
2 Colress
1 N
1 Brigette
1 Guzma
1 Hex Maniac
1 Mallow
4 Ultra Ball
3 VS Seeker
4 Puzzle of Time
1 Rescue Stretcher
2 Choice Band
1 Float Stone
3 Sky Field

Energy: 9
4 DCE
3 Strong Energy
2 Fighting Energy

You're still at 15 Items, but now have a third VS Seeker and four Puzzles. I think this list is very strong, but can definitely be tweaked a bit depending on play style!

I like this list!! However, I find myself rarely ever attacking with Lycanroc. I'd only ever against Alolan Muk, because it is the only one I cannot OHKO with Zoroark that I can with Lycanroc... And I don't like energy stuffing my deck... I'm also dirt poor, so Puzzles are a bit of an issue in themselves.

 

[HouchinsDJ]

I like this list!! However, I find myself rarely ever attacking with Lycanroc. I'd only ever against Alolan Muk, because it is the only one I cannot OHKO with Zoroark that I can with Lycanroc... And I don't like energy stuffing my deck... I'm also dirt poor, so Puzzles are a bit of an issue in themselves.

Fair enough! I like having access to Lycanroc's GX attack since you're playing Sky Field and your opponent will most likely have a decent sized bench. Plus, it can OHKO other Zoroark without you having to worry about filling your bench up with Sky Field and having a Choice Band.

 

[Alex Sableye]

For your Support counts, I would do something like the following:

3 Sycamore
2 Colress
1 N
1 Lysandre
1 Guzma
1 Hex Maniac
1 Mallow
1 Ghetsis (optional, but I really like how disruptive it can be Turn 1 against Night March)

Running 4 VS Seeker allows you to run more 1-of Supporters.

Night March is enjoying OUR turn 1 Ghetsis, thank you very much. As for the deck, I would drop an Ultra Ball in favor of Wicke, because you are going to be drawing so much that you really won't need as many searches for Pokemon as usual, and more often than not, I find my opponent with a miniscule hand but six prize cards, while I have a giga hand and like, 3 prize cards. Wicke is just better than N in those situations where you don't want to give your opponent cards.

 

[The Last Shaymin]

Night March is enjoying OUR turn 1 Ghetsis, thank you very much. As for the deck, I would drop an Ultra Ball in favor of Wicke, because you are going to be drawing so much that you really won't need as many searches for Pokemon as usual, and more often than not, I find my opponent with a miniscule hand but six prize cards, while I have a giga hand and like, 3 prize cards. Wicke is just better than N in those situations where you don't want to give your opponent cards.

Ultra ball is crucial to getting your pokemon out. How are you going to have a gigantic hand with wicke if you cannot even get your zoroarks out? If you need draw just use your colress. I would probably drop a sycamore for another VS. Seeker, because you can vs seeker for sycamore anyway and you really don't need draw because you have your zoroarks anyway. Those are my 2 cents, tell me what you think!

 

[vyolet127]

Night March is enjoying OUR turn 1 Ghetsis, thank you very much. As for the deck, I would drop an Ultra Ball in favor of Wicke, because you are going to be drawing so much that you really won't need as many searches for Pokemon as usual, and more often than not, I find my opponent with a miniscule hand but six prize cards, while I have a giga hand and like, 3 prize cards. Wicke is just better than N in those situations where you don't want to give your opponent cards.

I will listen to anyone who says I should tech in my baby girl Thicc Wicke!!

 

[vyolet127]

Ultra ball is crucial to getting your pokemon out. How are you going to have a gigantic hand with wicke if you cannot even get your zoroarks out? If you need draw just use your colress. I would probably drop a sycamore for another VS. Seeker, because you can vs seeker for sycamore anyway and you really don't need draw because you have your zoroarks anyway. Those are my 2 cents, tell me what you think!

I love this; simple, and I actually have these cards lying around!!

 

[vyolet127]

Fair enough! I like having access to Lycanroc's GX attack since you're playing Sky Field and your opponent will most likely have a decent sized bench. Plus, it can OHKO other Zoroark without you having to worry about filling your bench up with Sky Field and having a Choice Band.

A lot of opponents don't fill their bench, unless they are planning to destroy sky field, so they usually never bench more than 5. I do like the idea... I'll keep the fight energy, because it's always good to have that back pocket attacker!!

 

[vyolet127]

I would run both. Here's all the changes I'd make to your list.

Pokémon: 23
4 Zorua
4 Zoroark GX
1 Zoroark BKT
1 Zoroark (BW Base Set)
3 Rockruff
3 Lycanroc GX
2 Shaymin EX
2 Tapu Lele GX
2 Exeggcute (Propagate)
1 Sudowoodo GRI (Counters opposing Zoroark GX decks by shrinking their bench and helps power up Riotous Beating)

Trainers: 28
3 Sycamore
2 Colress
1 N
1 Brigette
1 Guzma
1 Hex Maniac
1 Mallow
4 Ultra Ball
3 VS Seeker
4 Puzzle of Time
1 Rescue Stretcher
2 Choice Band
1 Float Stone
3 Sky Field

Energy: 9
4 DCE
3 Strong Energy
2 Fighting Energy

You're still at 15 Items, but now have a third VS Seeker and four Puzzles. I think this list is very strong, but can definitely be tweaked a bit depending on play style!

I rewrote the list! It looks like this...

4 Zoroark GX
1 Zoroark BkT 91
1 Zoroark BW Base 71
4 Zorua (1 of BkT 90, 1 of BkT 89, 1 of BkT 89, 2 of ShL52)
3 Lycanroc GX
3 Rockruff (1 of GuR 73, 2 of SM06)
1 Alolan Vulpix GuR 21
2 Shaymin EX
2 Tapu Lele GX (1 of GuR 60, 1 of GuR 155)
2 Exeggcute PlF (Propagate)
4 DCE
4 Fight
4 Sky Field
3 Choice Band
2 Float Stone
2 Rescue Stretcher
3 VS Seeker
2 Nest Ball
2 Ultra Ball
1 Brigette
1 N
3 Mallow
2 Sycamore
1 Korrina
1 Birch's Observations
1 Guzma