Standard Updated Gardevoir GX Deck

[HouchinsDJ]

So after playing 40-50 games with my Gardevoir GX deck, this is the list I'm currently playing. I'd like some feedback. Feel free to post your own Gardevoir GX list so we can compare and share ideas. I'll go into detail on some of my choices.

4-3-4(1) Gardevoir GX/Gallade split
I initially started with 3 Gardevoir and 1 Gallade before removing the Gallade for a fourth Gardevoir. The deck definitely runs better with 4 Gardevoir, but I also liked the option of using Gallade as an alternate attacker. Besides getting the OHKO on things like Drampa GX, it's also able to deal with the new Alolan Ninetales, which would otherwise give this deck a lot of trouble without it. Premonition can also come in handy at times as well.

Oranguru over Octillery
I can already see it now. Someone is going to point out that I'm running Gallade without Octillery. I understand that Premonition and Abyssal Hand can be a strong combo. However, I don't have the deck space to fit in a 2-2 line of Octillery. I could maybe squeeze in a 1-1 line (and that's a big maybe because I honestly don't know what I would take out), but if I'm going to run Octillery, it needs to be a 2-2 line for consistency. Oranguru only takes up one spot, it's easy to get on the field, provides draw support (which I can still combo with Premonition), and can be a solid attacker against certain match-ups, something that Octillery can't provide.

Diancie over Alolan Vulpix or Sylveon GX
I got into a big discussion on here about using Diancie over Alolan Vulpix or Sylveon GX. Based off my own experiences with the deck, Diancie is the best option for getting Gardevoir out as quickly as possible. I tried both Alolan Vulpix and Sylveon GX and they were always N'd on my opponent's next turn. Diancie gives you the guaranteed evolution, and in a format where you want your deck to be as consistent as possible, it is the best option. I will not remove Diancie.

I feel like the rest of the deck is pretty self-explanatory, but if you have any questions on why I run something, let me know.

****** Pokémon Trading Card Game Deck List ******

##Pokémon - 18

* 4 Ralts BUS 91
* 3 Kirlia BUS 92
* 4 Gardevoir-GX BUS 140
* 1 Gallade BKT 84
* 2 Diancie BUS 94
* 1 Oranguru PR-SM SM13
* 3 Tapu Lele-GX GRI 137

##Trainer Cards - 29

* 4 Professor Sycamore BKP 107
* 4 N FAC 105
* 3 Guzma BUS 115
* 2 Skyla BKT 148
* 2 Acerola BUS 112
* 1 Brigette BKT 161
* 4 Ultra Ball SUM 135
* 3 Rare Candy SUM 129
* 2 Field Blower GRI 125
* 1 Professor's Letter BKT 146
* 3 Float Stone BKT 137

##Energy - 13

* 4 Double Colorless Energy SUM 136
* 9 Fairy Energy 9

Total Cards - 60

****** Deck List Generated by the Pokémon TCG Online www.pokemon.com/TCGO ******

 

[Trainer Josh]

On the Diance vs Sylveon GX argument, I completely agree Diance is better pre-rotation. Now post-rotation on the other hand I think Sylveon is far better option. Without VS Seeker in format, suddenly all these decks that run 4 N and 4 VS Seeker suddenly can't N every turn. Sylveon's ability to grab 3 cards makes Gardevoir's set up so much faster, the benefits outweighs the cost it comes at. Plus, Plea GX is an incredibly powerful GX attack that can get you out of a pinch. Other than that deck list seems pretty good!

 

[SceptileSquad]

On the Diance vs Sylveon GX argument, I completely agree Diance is better pre-rotation. Now post-rotation on the other hand I think Sylveon is far better option. Without VS Seeker in format, suddenly all these decks that run 4 N and 4 VS Seeker suddenly can't N every turn. Sylveon's ability to grab 3 cards makes Gardevoir's set up so much faster, the benefits outweighs the cost it comes at. Plus, Plea GX is an incredibly powerful GX attack that can get you out of a pinch. Other than that deck list seems pretty good!

I think Diancie will always be best, because after rotation EVERYONE is going to play 4 N, which means that it is likely that you will not be able to use the cards you search out. Vulpix and Sylveon so grab more, but Diancie's effect is immediate, not easily disrupted, and Diancie doesn't take up as much room as, say, a 2-2 Sylveon line. In my opinion, Diancie is faster and much more consistent.

 

[Duo]

On the Diance vs Sylveon GX argument, I completely agree Diance is better pre-rotation. Now post-rotation on the other hand I think Sylveon is far better option. Without VS Seeker in format, suddenly all these decks that run 4 N and 4 VS Seeker suddenly can't N every turn. Sylveon's ability to grab 3 cards makes Gardevoir's set up so much faster, the benefits outweighs the cost it comes at. Plus, Plea GX is an incredibly powerful GX attack that can get you out of a pinch. Other than that deck list seems pretty good!

While it's true that no more VS Seeker decreases the rate of N, it doesn't mean that the risk has suddenly vanished because of it.

I grabbed myself a 2/2 line of Sylveon GX just to play around with it, and as much as I love the unlimited search power it has, I still dislike the concept of getting N'd early on in the game, which is usually one of the most likely times it'll happen. Over 50% of my games begin with Brigette, N, N as my first 3 supporters, or sometimes N, Brigette, N. It just ends up working that way when you keep playing items, attaching energy, and searching out Pokemon. Drawing into your 4 N just becomes incredibly likely since he becomes one of the most common cards in your deck after you load up your bench. I'm also going to emphasize that especially in the early phases of the game, VS Seeker never helped your odds of reaching a supporter until you've at least used or discarded one. With 4 N in everyone's deck post rotation, the rate of opening him in the early game has not gone down with the loss of VS Seeker. It's a persistent risk, and leaving your set up to not only the chances of your hand but to the chances of your opponent's hand as well is simply not as consistent as guaranteeing multiple evolves once Diancie hits the active.

In my opinion, Sylveon GX might become more prevelant if Metagross GX decks start taking off to counter the meta. Plea GX pretty much straight up assassinates Metagross GX and the fact that they already have a slower set up speed than Gardevoir GX with the lack of Diancie or Sylveon GX at their disposal. Against Metagross GX, there's just no way to stop triple Geotech System once it hits, so sending away 2 of those Geotech Systems puts you in an incredibly favorable position. I guess in some ways, you could say that Sylveon GX also counters Gardevoir GX in the same manner by shutting off Secret Spring for a few turns.

I love Sylveon GX, but N checks it so hard that it's just not reliable. If N or any effect like N ever rotates out of standard, Sylveon GX will become an absolutely ridiculous 2/2 line and worthy of going up to a 3/2 line.

As for the rest of the list, I personally think 2 Acerola is potentially one too many. Acerola is a dead card in the mirror match & against Metagross GX since the only way you're going to get KO'd is to an OHKO in those scenarios and very likely OHKOs against Volcanion EX/Ho-Oh GX. I would can the 2nd copy for a 2nd copy of Professor's Letter. I've found that 2 has helped a lot in naturally drawing it instead of having to Skyla for it, which frees up Skyla to search for other things instead.

 

[HouchinsDJ]

On the Diance vs Sylveon GX argument, I completely agree Diance is better pre-rotation. Now post-rotation on the other hand I think Sylveon is far better option. Without VS Seeker in format, suddenly all these decks that run 4 N and 4 VS Seeker suddenly can't N every turn. Sylveon's ability to grab 3 cards makes Gardevoir's set up so much faster, the benefits outweighs the cost it comes at. Plus, Plea GX is an incredibly powerful GX attack that can get you out of a pinch. Other than that deck list seems pretty good!

SceptileSquad and Duo summed up my feelings on Diancie/Sylveon GX perfectly.

While it's true that no more VS Seeker decreases the rate of N, it doesn't mean that the risk has suddenly vanished because of it.

I grabbed myself a 2/2 line of Sylveon GX just to play around with it, and as much as I love the unlimited search power it has, I still dislike the concept of getting N'd early on in the game, which is usually one of the most likely times it'll happen. Over 50% of my games begin with Brigette, N, N as my first 3 supporters, or sometimes N, Brigette, N. It just ends up working that way when you keep playing items, attaching energy, and searching out Pokemon. Drawing into your 4 N just becomes incredibly likely since he becomes one of the most common cards in your deck after you load up your bench. I'm also going to emphasize that especially in the early phases of the game, VS Seeker never helped your odds of reaching a supporter until you've at least used or discarded one. With 4 N in everyone's deck post rotation, the rate of opening him in the early game has not gone down with the loss of VS Seeker. It's a persistent risk, and leaving your set up to not only the chances of your hand but to the chances of your opponent's hand as well is simply not as consistent as guaranteeing multiple evolves once Diancie hits the active.

In my opinion, Sylveon GX might become more prevelant if Metagross GX decks start taking off to counter the meta. Plea GX pretty much straight up assassinates Metagross GX and the fact that they already have a slower set up speed than Gardevoir GX with the lack of Diancie or Sylveon GX at their disposal. Against Metagross GX, there's just no way to stop triple Geotech System once it hits, so sending away 2 of those Geotech Systems puts you in an incredibly favorable position. I guess in some ways, you could say that Sylveon GX also counters Gardevoir GX in the same manner by shutting off Secret Spring for a few turns.

I love Sylveon GX, but N checks it so hard that it's just not reliable. If N or any effect like N ever rotates out of standard, Sylveon GX will become an absolutely ridiculous 2/2 line and worthy of going up to a 3/2 line.

As for the rest of the list, I personally think 2 Acerola is potentially one too many. Acerola is a dead card in the mirror match & against Metagross GX since the only way you're going to get KO'd is to an OHKO in those scenarios and very likely OHKOs against Volcanion EX/Ho-Oh GX. I would can the 2nd copy for a 2nd copy of Professor's Letter. I've found that 2 has helped a lot in naturally drawing it instead of having to Skyla for it, which frees up Skyla to search for other things instead.

I'm running two Acerola simply for availability. I can Sycamore one and still have access to another. Outside of that, I do agree. I can try the second Professor's Letter instead.