At least in my area, I've noticed a decline in decks featuring Garbodor with the release of Phantom Forces, and even somewhat before (PHF isn't legal yet, but many people have been testing new decks).
As you should be aware, Garbodor (DRX/PLF/LTR)'s Ability Garbotoxin shuts off all over Abilities so long as Garbodor has a tool attached. The card has certainly seen play since it first attpeared in Dragons Exalted. It got especially popular as the 2013 season wrapped up, when Plasma Freeze introduced Float Stone, a tool that has great synergy with Garbodor. As the 2014 season kicked off, Darkrai / Garbodor had already existed as a pairing, but grew in popularity. When XY was released, Yveltal took Dark decks to even greater heights. Yveltal / Garbodor quickly became ubiquitous, and reached the peak of popularity as the 2014 season closed.
At the same time, Big Basics / Garbodor has also existed in some form, thanks to the synergy between Landorus-EX and Mewtwo-EX. Other techs, including Tornadus-EX (NXD/ LTR), Raichu (XY) , and Druddigon (FLF) have been peppered into this deck over the years, but it was generally regarded as rogue until Brandon Salazar piloted it to victory at the 2014 US National Championships.
With how ubiquitous Garbodor has been during the past season, I find it interesting that many players are abandoing such a powerful card. Have you also noticed a decline in Garbodor in your area? I think it can be in part attributed to the introduction of Xerosic to the format, which allows a player to shut off an opposing Garbotoxin even when under item lock. The Team Flare Hyper Gear can also be blamed, as Garbodor is typically partnered with Pokemon-EX, like Yveltal, Mewtwo and Landorus. Even Dark players are looking to other cards, such as Hydreigon/ Shadow Circle/ Max Potion (I've seen so many people in my area try this) to combat M-Manectric-EX. Phantom Forces also introduced Wobuffet, which isn't a substitute for Garbotoxin, but allows decks like Donphan and Gengar to accomplish a similar effect, though it won't stop a pesky Dusknoir (BCR)'s shenanigans.
Still, I can't see Garbodor decks dying off completely. The synergy with Seismioad-EX is just too good, especially with Enhanced Hammer back in the format, Xerosic, and the Hyper Gear. This could make for a particularly nasty lockdown deck. Some Fighting Varients also play it.
I think this is a particularly interesting observation, as it opens the door for more Ability-based decks, and allows already existing decks like VirGen and Aromatisse to expand their horizons. I would not expect Garbodor to stop seeing competitive play entirely until it rotates, but seeing less of it will result in a more open metagame.
As you should be aware, Garbodor (DRX/PLF/LTR)'s Ability Garbotoxin shuts off all over Abilities so long as Garbodor has a tool attached. The card has certainly seen play since it first attpeared in Dragons Exalted. It got especially popular as the 2013 season wrapped up, when Plasma Freeze introduced Float Stone, a tool that has great synergy with Garbodor. As the 2014 season kicked off, Darkrai / Garbodor had already existed as a pairing, but grew in popularity. When XY was released, Yveltal took Dark decks to even greater heights. Yveltal / Garbodor quickly became ubiquitous, and reached the peak of popularity as the 2014 season closed.
At the same time, Big Basics / Garbodor has also existed in some form, thanks to the synergy between Landorus-EX and Mewtwo-EX. Other techs, including Tornadus-EX (NXD/ LTR), Raichu (XY) , and Druddigon (FLF) have been peppered into this deck over the years, but it was generally regarded as rogue until Brandon Salazar piloted it to victory at the 2014 US National Championships.
With how ubiquitous Garbodor has been during the past season, I find it interesting that many players are abandoing such a powerful card. Have you also noticed a decline in Garbodor in your area? I think it can be in part attributed to the introduction of Xerosic to the format, which allows a player to shut off an opposing Garbotoxin even when under item lock. The Team Flare Hyper Gear can also be blamed, as Garbodor is typically partnered with Pokemon-EX, like Yveltal, Mewtwo and Landorus. Even Dark players are looking to other cards, such as Hydreigon/ Shadow Circle/ Max Potion (I've seen so many people in my area try this) to combat M-Manectric-EX. Phantom Forces also introduced Wobuffet, which isn't a substitute for Garbotoxin, but allows decks like Donphan and Gengar to accomplish a similar effect, though it won't stop a pesky Dusknoir (BCR)'s shenanigans.
Still, I can't see Garbodor decks dying off completely. The synergy with Seismioad-EX is just too good, especially with Enhanced Hammer back in the format, Xerosic, and the Hyper Gear. This could make for a particularly nasty lockdown deck. Some Fighting Varients also play it.
I think this is a particularly interesting observation, as it opens the door for more Ability-based decks, and allows already existing decks like VirGen and Aromatisse to expand their horizons. I would not expect Garbodor to stop seeing competitive play entirely until it rotates, but seeing less of it will result in a more open metagame.
