Standard Master and Commander (Garchomp / Lucario)

[Dark Espeon]

MASTER AND COMMANDER

Pokémon (16):

• 1 Diancie Prism Star (beatdown)
• 2 Garchomp SM10a (beatdown)
  
• 2 Garchomp SM5+ (beatdown)
• 1 Buzzwole SM8b (beatdown)
  
• 4 Gible SM5M (evolution)
• 2 Jirachi SM8a (search)
  
• 2 Lucario SM5 (search)
• 2 Riolu SM10 (evolve)

Trainer (34):

• 2 Erika's Hospitality (draw)
  
• 2 Guzma (control)
• 4 Cynthia (draw)
• 4 Lillie (draw)
• 1 Rescue Stretcher (retrieval)
• 1 Counter Catcher (control)
• 2 Escape Board (control)
• 2 Black Belt (beatdown)
  
• 4 Rare Candy (evolve)
• 4 Ultra Ball (search)
• 4 Nest Ball (search)
  
• 4 Fighting Dojo (beatdown)

Energy (10):

• 3 Double Colorless Energy
  
• 7 Fighting Energy

STRATEGY:


Start with either Gible or Jirachi and use the latter to search for trainer cards. Bench another Gible and one to two Riolu. Next turn search out Rare Candy and evolve Gible into Garchomp and evolve Riolu into Lucario to search out cards that stabilizes the board and enable the deck to stream Garchomp and Buzzwole.

SPOILER:

Garchomp
Stage 2 Fighting Pokémon - evolves from Gabite
HP: 150
Ability: Counter Aura
If you have more prize cards remaining than your opponent, this Pokémon’s attacks do 80 more damage to your opponent’s active Pokémon (before applying weakness and resistance).
[F][C] Aura Edge: 80+
You may discard an energy from this Pokémon. If you do, this attack does 40 more damage.
Retreat Cost: 0
Weakness: G

Riolu
Basic Fighting Pokémon
HP: 60
[F] Kick: 20
Retreat Cost: C
Weakness: P

Black Belt
Trainer - Pokémon Tool
If you have more prize cards remaining than your opponent, the attacks of the Pokémon this card is attached to cost [F] less.

Fighting Dojo
Trainer - Stadium
The attacks of non-Ultra Beasts with any basic [F] energy attached to them (both yours and your opponent's) do 10 more damage to the opponent's active Pokémon (before applying weakness and resistance). If a player has more prize cards remaining than their opponent, that player's non-Ultra Beast does 40 more damage instead of 10.

 

[RedSuinit]

I'm intrigued by the complete lack of choice band. What's the main thought behind that decision? Space?

 

[Dark Espeon]

I'm intrigued by the complete lack of choice band. What's the main thought behind that decision? Space?

Choice Band did not seem to be needed that bad since Garchomp hits for 200 when Cynthia was used and reaches 210 with Devoured Plains. That is sufficient to ohko most popular decks used at the moment other than Gardevoir, Solgaleo and Lunala variants. Escape Board turned out to be more usefull since it allows me to retreat Lucario and Tapu Lele GX for free.

 

[RedSuinit]

Choice Band did not seem to be needed that bad since Garchomp hits for 200 when Cynthia was used and reaches 210 with Devoured Plains. That is sufficient to ohko most popular decks used at the moment other than Gardevoir, Solgaleo and Lunala variants. Escape Board turned out to be more usefull since it allows me to retreat Lucario and Tapu Lele GX for free.

I can see that.

 

[FrostBiter12]

Great list by the way, very consistent which is great for this current meta. Was just wondering if you would consider playing Puzzle of Time due to Lucario's amazing ability to search out any card you want? If your having trouble finding room for them you can try removing...

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-1 Pal Pad: I know how good this card is in this deck, but Puzzle of Time can due pretty much the same thing and grab another card while your at it, so going down to one Pal Pad isn't to bad. You can also grab a Pal Pad and shuffle two Cynthia instead of grabbing just one, and then search for them with another Lucario.

-1 Escape Board: I like playing this card in Garchomp/Lucario since everything has one or less retreat cost (which is the point), but since Garchomp has free retreat cost (and you will be playing Puzzle of Time if you remove it), going down to two is fine.

-1 Counter Catcher: Now, I don't know how useful this card is, but it would seem that it will be used as Ultra Ball fuel most of the time anyways. If you want, you can remove a Guzma instead so you have both options (and Puzzle of Time).

-1 Fighting Energy: Since you already have energy acceleration and Puzzle of Time, going down to six energy wouldn't hurt since you can search it out with Lucario as well if you need it.

(The four cards above are meant for adding in Puzzle of Time, I'll move onto other suggestions below)

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So, besides Puzzle of Time, some things I've been thinking about with this deck are...

Gible (BKP): Since it is Fighting type, you can take advantage of other players' (like Buzzwole GX) Brooklet Hill (and grab Riolus). It's move isn't bad either, pretty much a Trade (Zoroark GX). You don't have to play all four if you don't want to, just maybe a 2-2 or 1-3 split in whichever way you choose.

Brooklet Hill (GRI): As mentioned above, Brooklet Hill can grab the Pokémon you need besides Brigette (so Glaceon GX doesn't hurt as badly since you can't use Wonder Tag {Tapu Lele GX} if Freezing Stare {Glaceon GX} is in play) and accelerate your game.

Choice Band (GRI): Now, I understand that you would prefer Devoured Field instead (due to Escape Board), but since you won't be attaching Escape Board to Garchomp (since it already has free retreat) unless it is affected by Asleep or Paralysis, you might as well as take advantage of +30 damage in place of +10.

Evosoda (GEN): This is a different engine than Rare Candy since you can accelerate Lucarios as well (which would require you to use the "Ascension" Gible to help speed things up even more), but since you can search out the Rare Candy combo with Lucario, maybe you should stick with what you have now in this case. Just something that could be tested out.

Anyways, let me know what you think and if you have any new ideas. I'm looking forward to seeing how this deck does. Thanks!

 

[Dark Espeon]

Hi FrostBiter12,

Thanks for the review. I will respond to the various ideas below. Please keep in mind that these are no more than initial impressions based on some limited test runs done on my own and seeing the deck used by others.

Great list by the way, very consistent which is great for this current meta. Was just wondering if you would consider playing Puzzle of Time due to Lucario's amazing ability to search out any card you want? If your having trouble finding room for them you can try removing...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-1 Pal Pad: I know how good this card is in this deck, but Puzzle of Time can due pretty much the same thing and grab another card while your at it, so going down to one Pal Pad isn't to bad. You can also grab a Pal Pad and shuffle two Cynthia instead of grabbing just one, and then search for them with another Lucario.

-1 Escape Board: I like playing this card in Garchomp/Lucario since everything has one or less retreat cost (which is the point), but since Garchomp has free retreat cost (and you will be playing Puzzle of Time if you remove it), going down to two is fine.

-1 Counter Catcher: Now, I don't know how useful this card is, but it would seem that it will be used as Ultra Ball fuel most of the time anyways. If you want, you can remove a Guzma instead so you have both options (and Puzzle of Time).

-1 Fighting Energy: Since you already have energy acceleration and Puzzle of Time, going down to six energy wouldn't hurt since you can search it out with Lucario as well if you need it.

(The four cards above are meant for adding in Puzzle of Time, I'll move onto other suggestions below)

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Not sure on Puzzle of Time thus far since Pal Pad can retrieve Cynthia and Garchomp BKP can retrieve Double Colorless when needed. Most of the time I was not looking for much more than that. To be honest I had matches where I wanted a third Pal Pad from time to time.

I can see one Fighting Energy and one Escape Board being cut without hurting me much. Pal Pad on the other hand proved to be essential. Counter Catcher also comes in handy since this deck will have lost one or two prices before it is fully set up. Counter Catcher acts akin to Guzma in this situation without disabling me to use Cynthia.

So, besides Puzzle of Time, some things I've been thinking about with this deck are...

Gible (BKP): Since it is Fighting type, you can take advantage of other players' (like Buzzwole GX) Brooklet Hill (and grab Riolus). It's move isn't bad either, pretty much a Trade (Zoroark GX). You don't have to play all four if you don't want to, just maybe a 2-2 or 1-3 split in whichever way you choose.

Brooklet Hill (GRI): As mentioned above, Brooklet Hill can grab the Pokémon you need besides Brigette (so Glaceon GX doesn't hurt as badly since you can't use Wonder Tag {Tapu Lele GX} if Freezing Stare {Glaceon GX} is in play) and accelerate your game.

Choice Band (GRI): Now, I understand that you would prefer Devoured Field instead (due to Escape Board), but since you won't be attaching Escape Board to Garchomp (since it already has free retreat) unless it is affected by Asleep or Paralysis, you might as well as take advantage of +30 damage in place of +10.

Evosoda (GEN): This is a different engine than Rare Candy since you can accelerate Lucarios as well (which would require you to use the "Ascension" Gible to help speed things up even more), but since you can search out the Rare Candy combo with Lucario, maybe you should stick with what you have now in this case. Just something that could be tested out.

Anyways, let me know what you think and if you have any new ideas. I'm looking forward to seeing how this deck does. Thanks!

I can see the switch from the new to the old Gible and will be sure to test it. I also like the addition of Evo Soda to set up one or two Garchomp and two Lucario. Personally I prefer Devoured Field over Brooklet Hill although most variants I see locally tend to prefer Brooklet Hill at the moment. The reason I wanted to test Devoured Fields is that most local Zoroark variants cannot abuse it to ohko Garchomp and it does not benefit any other decks. Brooklet Hill on the other hand allows Fighting and Water decks to swarm me a little easier. If I stick with Devoured Fields I am still unsure on Choice Band. It sure is an awesome card and I run three of them in almost all other decks. However it does not allow Garchomp to hit any other magical numbers that cannot be reached with Devoured Fields alone. If I switch over to Brooklet Hill Choice Band is a natural inclusion. I edited the list above to reflect the switch in the Gible and the inclusion of Evo Soda.

 

[triplemo]

Cut devoured field for choice band.

 

[FrostBiter12]

Hi FrostBiter12,

Thanks for the review. I will respond to the various ideas below. Please keep in mind that these are no more than initial impressions based on some limited test runs done on my own and seeing the deck used by others.

Not sure on Puzzle of Time thus far since Pal Pad can retrieve Cynthia and Garchomp BKP can retrieve Double Colorless when needed. Most of the time I was not looking for much more than that. To be honest I had matches where I wanted a third Pal Pad from time to time.

I can see one Fighting Energy and one Escape Board being cut without hurting me much. Pal Pad on the other hand proved to be essential. Counter Catcher also comes in handy since this deck will have lost one or two prices before it is fully set up. Counter Catcher acts akin to Guzma in this situation without disabling me to use Cynthia.


I can see the switch from the new to the old Gible and will be sure to test it. I also like the addition of Evo Soda to set up one or two Garchomp and two Lucario. Personally I prefer Devoured Field over Brooklet Hill although most variants I see locally tend to prefer Brooklet Hill at the moment. The reason I wanted to test Devoured Fields is that most local Zoroark variants cannot abuse it to ohko Garchomp and it does not benefit any other decks. Brooklet Hill on the other hand allows Fighting and Water decks to swarm me a little easier. If I stick with Devoured Fields I am still unsure on Choice Band. It sure is an awesome card and I run three of them in almost all other decks. However it does not allow Garchomp to hit any other magical numbers that cannot be reached with Devoured Fields alone. If I switch over to Brooklet Hill Choice Band is a natural inclusion. I edited the list above to reflect the switch in the Gible and the inclusion of Evo Soda.

Understandable, I agree with most of what you mentioned anyways, just some ideas I threw out there for discussion. The only thing that I will point out is that Devoured Field may actually affect you more than you think due to Riotous Beating with a full bench (120 damage) plus 10 (Devoured Field) plus either a Flying Flip (Tapu Koko, 20 damage) or Feather Arrow (Decidueye GX, 20 damage) equals 150 damage (ULP Garchomp's max HP). I know that is somewhat situational, but most decks that run Zoroark GX also run at least one Tapu Koko, so keep that in mind. Other than that, I hope that some of my suggestions may prove helpful to you, let me know how your testing goes. Good luck!

(P.S. As an after thought, maybe you could try a 2-2 split between the Garchomps as in my mind, it would seem that you need a little more energy acceleration)

 

[Dark Espeon]

Hi triplemo,

Thanks for the review. Will consider it.


Hi FrostBiter12,

That is a valid argument. If the opponent leads with Tapu Koko Zoroark will be able to ohko Garchomp with devoured Field after the first successfull flying flip. Will have to see which one works better.

 

[Kia]

I think this deck is great but why so many Lucario if they aren't attacking you really only need 2 Lucario then you need to have 4 Cynthia because of Garchomp. You also need more Pal Pad because every attack you use you need to play Cynthia to do your max damage to OHKO

 

[jessalakasam]

lucario GX is an amazing Secondary attacker

 

[Dark Espeon]

Hi Kia,

Thanks for the review. The main reason for the extra Lucario line is to have more basics and increase the odds to have two benched Lucario out rather soon. The extra Basic Pokémon reduces the chance to start with a lone Tapu Lele GX and the extra Lucario is there to ensure two benched Lucario rather soon to stabilize the deck. With two Lucario on the bench four Cynthia and two Pal Pads are sufficient because one Lucario can search for Pal Pad and return two Cynthia to the deck while the other benched Lucario searches for one of the retrieved Cynthia. Two Pal Pad ensure that the deck has access to a total of eight Cynthia. On usual six Cynthia will be sufficient to draw all six prizes.

Hi jessalaksam,

Thanks for the review. Lucario GX is an interesting card but it needs a lot more support than Golisopod GX to work. You need to be able to stream Acerola to abuse this card. From the top of my head the two decks able to accpmplish this aim are Zoroark decks and Cynthia decks. However, Cynthis decks benefit a lot more from attacking with Garchomp as opposed to Lucario GX. This leaves us with Zoroark as the other potential partner for Lucario GX and we will have to see whether 2hko decks have a decent place in the new meta with the increased amount of ohko decks.

 

[Kyle Brewer]

MASTER AND COMMANDER

What about Strong Energy for Lucario, I know it isn't a main attacker but good support incase things go south.

Pokémon (19):

• 4 Garchomp SM5 (beatdown)
• 2 Gabite SM5 (evolution)
  
• 4 Gible SM5 (evolution)
• 1 Alolan Vulpix (search)
  
• 3 Riolu SM5 (evolution)
• 3 Lucario SM5 (search)
  
• 2 Tapu Lele GX (bench)

Trainer (30):

• 2 Professor Sycamore (draw)
• 2 Bridgette (search)
• 2 Guzma (control)
• 4 Cynthia (draw)
• 3 N (draw)
• 2 Rescue Stretcher (retrieval)
• 1 Counter Catcher (control)
  
• 3 Rare Candy (evolution)
• 2 Exp. Share (enable)
  
• 4 Ultra Ball (search)
• 2 Pal Pad (retrieval)
• 3 Devoured Plains (beatdown)

Energy (11):

• 4 Double Colorless Energy
• 7 Fighting Energy

STRATEGY:


At first glance this looks like a pure theme deck but it is in fact better and more consistent than it seems. The main idea is to start with either Riolu or Gible and use Tapu Lele GX to set up with Bridgette. Search for Gible and Riolu and evolve them into Garchomp and Lucario within the next two turns. Make sure to have two Lucario and two Garchomp out each turn. Use Lucario to search out relevant cards and hit the opponent with a stable 210 damage with Garchomp.

SPOILER:


Lucario
Stage 1 Fighting Pokémon - evolves from Riolu
HO: 110
Ability: Aura Sight
Once during your turn (before your attack), if you have Garchomp in play, you may search your deck for 1 card and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
[F][C] Scud Jab: 70
This attack’s damage isn’t affected by Resistance.
Retreat Cost: C
Weakness: P

Riolu
Basic Fighting Pokémon
HP: 70
[C] Detect
Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of attacks, including damage, done to this Pokemon during your opponent’s next turn.
[F] Jab: 10
Retreat Cost: C
Weakness: P

Garchomp
Stage 2 Dragon Pokémon - evolves from Gabite
HP: 150
[C][C] Quick Dive
This attack does 50 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.)
[F][C][C] Champion’s Blade: 100+
If you played Cynthia from your hand during this turn, this attack does 100 more damage.
Retreat Cost: none
Weakness: Y

Gabite
Stage 1 Dragon Pokémon
HP: 80
[F] Ascension
Search your deck for a card that Evolves from this Pokemon and put it on this Pokemon (this counts as Evolving this Pokemon). Shuffle your deck afterward.
[C][C] Slash: 40
Retreat Cost: C
Weakness: Y

Gible
Basic Dragon Pokémon
HP: 60
Ability: Hide in Rocks
If this Pokemon has any [F] Energy attached to it, this Pokemon’s Retreat Cost is 0.
[C][C] Gnaw: 20
Retreat Cost: C
Weakness: Y

Cynthia
Trainer - Supporter
Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 6 cards.

Pal Pad
Trainer - Item
Shuffle 2 Supporter cards from your discard pile into your deck.

 

[Kyle Brewer]

MASTER AND COMMANDER
What about VS Seeker to pull back Cynthia. You need to use Cynthia every turn for Champion's Blade to do that amount of damage.

Pokémon (19):

• 4 Garchomp SM5 (beatdown)
• 2 Gabite SM5 (evolution)
  
• 4 Gible SM5 (evolution)
• 1 Alolan Vulpix (search)
  
• 3 Riolu SM5 (evolution)
• 3 Lucario SM5 (search)
  
• 2 Tapu Lele GX (bench)

Trainer (30):

• 2 Professor Sycamore (draw)
• 2 Bridgette (search)
• 2 Guzma (control)
• 4 Cynthia (draw)
• 3 N (draw)
• 2 Rescue Stretcher (retrieval)
• 1 Counter Catcher (control)
  
• 3 Rare Candy (evolution)
• 2 Exp. Share (enable)
  
• 4 Ultra Ball (search)
• 2 Pal Pad (retrieval)
• 3 Devoured Plains (beatdown)

Energy (11):

• 4 Double Colorless Energy
• 7 Fighting Energy

STRATEGY:


At first glance this looks like a pure theme deck but it is in fact better and more consistent than it seems. The main idea is to start with either Riolu or Gible and use Tapu Lele GX to set up with Bridgette. Search for Gible and Riolu and evolve them into Garchomp and Lucario within the next two turns. Make sure to have two Lucario and two Garchomp out each turn. Use Lucario to search out relevant cards and hit the opponent with a stable 210 damage with Garchomp.

SPOILER:


Lucario
Stage 1 Fighting Pokémon - evolves from Riolu
HO: 110
Ability: Aura Sight
Once during your turn (before your attack), if you have Garchomp in play, you may search your deck for 1 card and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
[F][C] Scud Jab: 70
This attack’s damage isn’t affected by Resistance.
Retreat Cost: C
Weakness: P

Riolu
Basic Fighting Pokémon
HP: 70
[C] Detect
Flip a coin. If heads, prevent all effects of attacks, including damage, done to this Pokemon during your opponent’s next turn.
[F] Jab: 10
Retreat Cost: C
Weakness: P

Garchomp
Stage 2 Dragon Pokémon - evolves from Gabite
HP: 150
[C][C] Quick Dive
This attack does 50 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.)
[F][C][C] Champion’s Blade: 100+
If you played Cynthia from your hand during this turn, this attack does 100 more damage.
Retreat Cost: none
Weakness: Y

Gabite
Stage 1 Dragon Pokémon
HP: 80
[F] Ascension
Search your deck for a card that Evolves from this Pokemon and put it on this Pokemon (this counts as Evolving this Pokemon). Shuffle your deck afterward.
[C][C] Slash: 40
Retreat Cost: C
Weakness: Y

Gible
Basic Dragon Pokémon
HP: 60
Ability: Hide in Rocks
If this Pokemon has any [F] Energy attached to it, this Pokemon’s Retreat Cost is 0.
[C][C] Gnaw: 20
Retreat Cost: C
Weakness: Y

Cynthia
Trainer - Supporter
Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw 6 cards.

Pal Pad
Trainer - Item
Shuffle 2 Supporter cards from your discard pile into your deck.

 

[Dark Espeon]

Hi Kyle Brewer,

Thanks for the review. Vs Seeker would be awesome but this variant is for the XY8-on format in which Vs Seeker is not legal. It is not that much of an issue since Pal Pad and Lucario are great at retrieving used Cynthia. Not a fan of Strong Energy since Lucario is the only one that can use them and he is not much of an attacker. strong Energy does not vhange that at all from my point of view.

 

[Kyle Brewer]

Hi Kyle Brewer,

Thanks for the review. Vs Seeker would be awesome but this variant is for the XY8-on format in which Vs Seeker is not legal. It is not that much of an issue since Pal Pad and Lucario are great at retrieving used Cynthia. Not a fan of Strong Energy since Lucario is the only one that can use them and he is not much of an attacker. strong Energy does not vhange that at all from my point of view.

The only reason I suggested strong energy is because, of I'm not mistaken, you can one hit KO Zoroark GX which everyone is playing.

 

[Dark Espeon]

The only reason I suggested strong energy is because, of I'm not mistaken, you can one hit KO Zoroark GX which everyone is playing.

Hi Kyle Brewer,

Thanks for the review but Lucario would need two Strong Energy attached to him to ohko Zoroark. Garchomp can do that too when Cynthia was used that turn with Devoured Fields. Zoroark would need Professor Kukui to return ohko Garchomp but he would have no issues to return ohko Lucario.

 

[Kyle Brewer]

Hi Kyle Brewer,

Thanks for the review but Lucario would need two Strong Energy attached to him to ohko Zoroark. Garchomp can do that too when Cynthia was used that turn with Devoured Fields. Zoroark would need Professor Kukui to return ohko Garchomp but he would have no issues to return ohko Lucario.

True true. Well just throwing out ideas. Good luck!

 

[Dark Espeon]

Hi folks,

Updated the deck with the new cards from SM6.

 

[DKQuagmire]

I don't recall there being a Gible or a Gabite card in sm5+. if there was i missed those scans.
Also with a deck comprised nearly entirely of fighting types have you considered playing brooklet hill to get more gibles/ riolus and even vulpix into play.
I love the diancie prism star in this deck, as it means you don't need choice band to KO a Zoroark GX.

EDIT: There is a fighting ascension Gible, and Fighting ascension Gabite in SM5+
http://www.pokebeach.com/2018/01/all-sm5-ultra-force-translations
if your worried about mid to late game snipes from opposing chomps and Alolan Ninetales GX, you can maybe run the 60 HP Brake Point Gible.

Running 3 Riolu's will increase your odds of starting with it, and you could include a single Lucario GX as an alternative attacker. for a dce you do the same gx attack as Tauros GX

If you still want to run the dragon Garchomp, if Golisopod becomes a problem, you might want to consider removing some ultra ball cards for Mystery treasure from the upcoming SM6 Forbidden Light set.
it says discard 1 card from your hand in order to search your deck for a psychic type or dragon type. you can search for lele, or any stage in the chomp line. It doesn't get Riolu, Lucario or Vulpix mind, or any of the chomp line that's fighting type, but its there if you don't want to discard 2 cards with ultra ball.