Tauros is a nice add in just in case you prize a Lurantis or have to discard one early in the game and don't have a chance to use revitalizer to pull it back. Plus, it doesn't have weakness to Volcanion. If I start seeing a ton of Volcanion I might even run 2.
I run 2-3-3 Vileplume and it's great. Asmer, you are undoubtedly a better player than I am and more experienced, but you're missing the point when you say it makes zero sense. With level balls and ultra balls, it's very easy to find Oddish, and with only 2 of him, I'm less likely to have to start him up top.
As for needing more than 1 Vileplume, it's pretty much common sense that you're never going to need more than 1. Obviously, your opponent will almost never Lysandre and ko a Vileplume because 1) that's damage he's wasting on a non attacker and 2) that would instantly allow you to use all of the item cards in your hand.
I will say you are 100% correct that 8 days from now we will unquestionably have the answer to this. And you are more than welcome to say I told you so to me if no Lurantis Lock decks finish in the top 8.
Right now, though, I'm betting there will be muliple Lurantis Vileplume decks in that top cut.
I'll do my best to explain what I meant, but in all honesty...
but you're missing the point when you say it makes zero sense.
You saying this bothers me a lot.
First, one of the things I feel is lacking in the understanding "department" is the idea of maximizing the ability to run Vileplume lines. What your argument is, at least from what I'm assuming and correct me if I'm wrong, is that if you reduce the number of Oddish for space reasons, you can run a more consistent line than if you were to run a 2-2-2 or potentially even a 3-3-3 (though, this would make 100% zero logical sense because 2 is, quite simply, less than 3, meaning the consistency naturally becomes smaller by basic mathematical properties of Probability itself). So, we'll compare a 2-2-2 line to a 2-3-3 line.
So, if you are to run a 2-2-2 line, you will have a consistent base percentile of drawing in to each. That makes sense to both of us, I would assume. In comparison to a 2-3-3, however, you do have a higher percentile of drawing in to Gloom and Vileplume, which makes sense to both of us as well. Except... there's one problem with this whole thing...
We're playing Pokemon where you need all 3 Pieces in order to make a complete line.
This was my initial problem with whatshisname's argument originally. Yes, you have a higher percentage of drawing Gloom and Vileplume, but considering that A. Those two spaces can be used much more efficiently for other cards/techs than dropping a single Oddish down from 3 to 2 (and, as you said, most games only 1 line is needed, but not all games and that is a very bad mistake to make when you're preparing competitively), and B. more importantly, if you for some reason are not able to find that Oddish, you are now stuck with more dead draws off of Gloom/Vileplume than you would be otherwise. That is why a 2-3-3 Line is inferior than any 2-2-2 or even 3-2-2 line. You risk drawing in to things you simply do not need after a point and when it comes to something like this deck, which is actually combo-oriented (even though in some regards it seems like it isn't), it simply should not be risking drawing deck for what may be at best a small consistent boost if you are lucky enough to draw in to 1 of the 2 Oddish you actually play. Also, there are plenty of Opponents who would be willing to OHKO a Vileplume off a Lysandre play because it opens their full Item selection back up. Granted, it honestly depends on the situation your Opponent feels they are in, but nonetheless, I honestly find it disheartening that you would fathom that not being an option...
Also, just to make a case on finding Oddish... why would you be so worried about Gloom and Vileplume and run them at 3 each when you make the exact argument that Oddish is easily searchable? After all, Gloom is searchable by the exact same cards that you mentioned and, while Vileplume must rely on Ultra Ball or Shiinotic if you desire to run it, it still has plenty of options to work with. Plus, as I stated before, if you lose 2 Oddish at any point, your line is dead. There is literally no reason to run more Evolutions than your Basics with the exception of Greninja, in which Frogadier actually becomes the "Basic" once he gets off his Clone attack (meaning you can run 2-3 Froakie alongside Talonflame if you play that variant).
As far as Lurantis/Vileplume being competitive... I feel it's Top Tier. I'll state that right now. I personally
prefer Garbodor because I do feel that running 2 Stage 1s in comparison to a Stage 1 and a Stage 2 is a bit more consistent and, personally, I like consistency, but that doesn't take away from the power of Vileplume itself. The deck concept is great and I would expect BOTH variants to T8 at some point (because let's face it... Garbodor works well in the deck and is still a mighty strong card).
I hope this doesn't come across as horribly harsh, but it does bother me when people attempt to use statistical data that simply doesn't work out in a game like this. It only convinces the masses to do things that really don't work out and causes a massive illusion which doesn't help anyone in the long run. Feel free to disagree with my points if you will, but I would take it to PM if you do feel so strongly.
-Asmer
Also, good luck with the deck!