Standard RaiTrode V2.0 (Post CRI)

[jessalakasam]

Pokemon: 19
4x Pikachu SM Promo
3x Raichu GX SLG
2x Raikou SLG
1x Raikou BKT
3x Tapu Lele GX GRI
1x Oranguru SM Promo
1x Marshadow SLG
2x Voltorb SLG
2x Electrode EVO

Trainers: 29
1x Gladion
2x Counter Catcher
1x Lusamine
2x Ya Boi
4x N
4x Professor Sycamore
4x Ultra Ball
4x Max Elixir
3x Choice Band
2x Float Stone
2x Field blower

Energy: 12
12x Lightning

Things I want to include: EXP Share, Counter Energy

 

[jessalakasam]

bump.

 

[gumball51321]

OI, I've been playing Raichu since it dropped, and I'll be completely honest: Electurd sucks. Yes, you want to accelerate Energy as fast as possible, but giving free prizes isn't a great way of doing it, especially when you're playing Raikou. BKT Raikou is more cute than good, you'd rather attack with Raichu in every single situation you'd attack with Raikou, except against baby Ninetales, in which case you'd be better off accelerating Energy with the other Raikou since it 2HKO's Ninetales if you have a combination of each of its' attacks. Since you're already using Raikou in the early game to accelerate Energy until it dies, you're likely to be giving up at least 1 prize, so Counter Catcher will already turn itself on. I personally like 4 Raichu and no Float Stone. Since everything but Raikou has 1 retreat anyway (and Raikou is a kamikaze), you usually won't mind paying the retreat. If you really want switching options, maybe opt for a single Switch/ Escape Rope and/or an Acerola. Acerola is pretty decent anyway, but the fact that you play Lusamine is compelling enough to play it. Why do you play Gladion? I don't really see how it can be useful in decks that aren't Sableye or Greninja, so I'm interested to see your reasoning behind it. And last thing: Be aware Counter Energy only works on one-prize Pokemon, so if you attach it to Raichu, it's dead weight.

 

[joffreyspikes]

No Xurkitree-GX? And I agree with Gumball. I have tested Electrode recently too, with Raikou BKT in Expanded and it is not worth it. If you are willing to alter this for Expanded the Eels make this deck phenomenal, but I can’t really see this build taking off in Standard.

 

[jessalakasam]

OI, I've been playing Raichu since it dropped, and I'll be completely honest: Electurd sucks. Yes, you want to accelerate Energy as fast as possible, but giving free prizes isn't a great way of doing it, especially when you're playing Raikou. BKT Raikou is more cute than good, you'd rather attack with Raichu in every single situation you'd attack with Raikou, except against baby Ninetales, in which case you'd be better off accelerating Energy with the other Raikou since it 2HKO's Ninetales if you have a combination of each of its' attacks. Since you're already using Raikou in the early game to accelerate Energy until it dies, you're likely to be giving up at least 1 prize, so Counter Catcher will already turn itself on. I personally like 4 Raichu and no Float Stone. Since everything but Raikou has 1 retreat anyway (and Raikou is a kamikaze), you usually won't mind paying the retreat. If you really want switching options, maybe opt for a single Switch/ Escape Rope and/or an Acerola. Acerola is pretty decent anyway, but the fact that you play Lusamine is compelling enough to play it. Why do you play Gladion? I don't really see how it can be useful in decks that aren't Sableye or Greninja, so I'm interested to see your reasoning behind it. And last thing: Be aware Counter Energy only works on one-prize Pokemon, so if you attach it to Raichu, it's dead weight.

I tried without Float it sucks. You don't want to waste any energy for Raichu's attack

No Xurkitree-GX? And I agree with Gumball. I have tested Electrode recently too, with Raikou BKT in Expanded and it is not worth it. If you are willing to alter this for Expanded the Eels make this deck phenomenal, but I can’t really see this build taking off in Standard.

Probably not, I don't know enough about expanded though, do you think this could even beat any top-tier decks, I may be going to 2-3 expanded regionals this year. I was thinking about bringing Darkrai/Darkrai/Darkrai, but if this is better (without Computer Search) then I would run it in expanded

 

[gumball51321]

Actually,I find this deck really good in standard. Fighting is likely dead unless Buzzwole gets big, and I play 4 Lele and am going to put in my Xurkitree, so that should make the autoloss at least go to 40-60 in their favor. If you're going to play Raichu in expanded, you're better off with Darkrai, since it's faster and much more powerful with the amount of support it has. Not having that kind of support in standard is the only reason it's not played anymore. And on top of that, Raichu has more HP, a GX attack, and a second attack that can do the magic 190 with a Choice Band, all while existing in a slower based format than expanded. I also think that if Buzzwole is that much of a problem, even though it has a good amount of support, you can tech out to win that matchup, although it can hinder other aspects of the deck.

 

[joffreyspikes]

Actually,I find this deck really good in standard. Fighting is likely dead unless Buzzwole gets big, and I play 4 Lele and am going to put in my Xurkitree, so that should make the autoloss at least go to 40-60 in their favor. If you're going to play Raichu in expanded, you're better off with Darkrai, since it's faster and much more powerful with the amount of support it has. Not having that kind of support in standard is the only reason it's not played anymore. And on top of that, Raichu has more HP, a GX attack, and a second attack that can do the magic 190 with a Choice Band, all while existing in a slower based format than expanded. I also think that if Buzzwole is that much of a problem, even though it has a good amount of support, you can tech out to win that matchup, although it can hinder other aspects of the deck.

I think Buzzwole with Garb will be the next big and slightly dull mainstream Standard deck that everyone resents (see Drampa Garb, Yveltal Garb, Night March, Toad).