Absolutions:
| Pokémon (22) | Trainers (22) | Energy (16) |
| 4x Absol ex 3x Jolteon ex 1x Espeon ex 1x Vaporeon ex 4x Eevee 2x Rayquaza ex δ 2x Mew ex 1x Jolteon  1x Jirachi ex 1x Holon’s Castform 1x Holon’s Voltorb 1x Lickitung δ |
4x Holon Transceiver 2x Holon Mentor 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 3x Professor Elm’s Training Method 2x Mary’s Request 1x Scott 4x Super Scoop Up 3x Windstorm 1x Giant Stump |
7x Lightning Energy 4x Psychic Energy 3x Darkness Energy 2x Multi Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
This deck dominated the end of the season, winning UK Nationals, US Nationals and the World Championships. It had lots of utility, speed and power and rewarded smart play, providing a large range of attackers and attacks to choose from. Super Scoop Up allowed you to re-use a lot of powerful abilities and set up cheap prizes across the board.
Ambush:
| Pokémon (19) | Trainers (27) | Energy (14) |
| 3x Empoleon 4x Prinplup 4x Piplup 2x Marowak δ 2x Cubone 2x Roselia 2x Holon’s Magneton |
4x Holon Transceiver 2x Holon Mentor 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 3x Celio’s Network 3x Wally’s Training 2x Castaway 1x Steven’s Advice 1x Copycat 1x Scott 1x Mr. Briney’s Compassion 2x Cessation Crystal 1x Cursed Powder 4x Cursed Stone |
11x Water Energy 3x Scramble Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
The appropriately named “Ambush” made a surprise appearance at US Nationals with multiple finishes in the T32 or better. It relied on playing from behind while spreading with Prinplup and Empoleon so it could abuse cards like Scramble Energy and play around cards like Rayquaza ex. Marowak provided type coverage against Lightning Pokemon which could give the deck trouble as well as giving a more powerful snipe option. Cards like Cessation Crystal and Cursed Stone helped with disruption making it a headache for the opponent to ever take 6 prizes.
Banette:
| Pokémon (14) | Trainers (31) | Energy (15) |
| 3x Banette ex 1x Banette 4x Shuppet 2x Solrock  1x Solrock  2x Lunatone 1x Holon’s Electrode |
2x TV Reporter 2x Scott 2x Castaway 2x Professor Elm’s Training Method 2x Holon Mentor 2x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 4x Holon Transceiver 3x Pokemon Reversal 3x Buffer Piece 1x Warp Point 1x Energy Switch 1x Crystal Shard 1x Strength Charm 3x Crystal Beach 1x Phoebe’s Stadium |
8x Psychic Energy 4x Rainbow Energy 2x Cyclone Energy 1x Fighting Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Jeremy Scharff-Kim won the Senior Division World Championship with this variant of Banette. Relying on simplicity and consistency, it could reliably get its main goal of a high damage output on turn 2 of each game. The small LunaRock package allowed for both a bit of disruption but also a secondary attacker which didn’t give up 2 prizes.
Banette / Vaporeon:
| Pokémon (18) | Trainers (26) | Energy (16) |
| 4x Banette ex 1x Banette 4x Shuppet 3x Vaporeon ex 1x Umbreon ex 4x Eevee 1x Jolteon |
4x Professor Elm’s Training Method 4x TV Reporter 3x Holon Mentor 2x Castaway 1x Holon Scientist 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Scott 4x Holon Transciever 1x Crystal Shard 1x Buffer Piece 2x Crystal Beach 2x Battle Frontier |
6x Psychic Energy 4x Rainbow Energy 3x Water Energy 3x Multi Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
This variant of Banette focuses on using Vaporeon ex’s Evolutionary Swirl to limit the opponent’s hand while hitting hard with Banette ex. Vaporeon ex was one of the only methods of hand control in this format, so decks often weren’t built to deal with it, especially multiple times in a game.
Delcatty/Electabuzz:
| Pokémon (17) | Trainers (20) | Energy (23) |
| 3x Delcatty ex 3x Delcatty 4x Skitty 3x Electabuzz δ 3x Elekid δ 1x Sableye |
4x TV Reporter 4x Professor Elm’s Training Method 4x Holon Transceiver 3x Holon Mentor 2x Holon Adventurer 2x Holon Lass 1x Holon Farmer |
9x Fighting Energy 4x Darkness Energy 4x Cyclone Energy 4x Boost Energy 2x React Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Created by Jake Burt and piloted to a Top 8 States finish, this deck was designed to take advantage of a format which shied away from Fighting type attackers. The deck is designed to be fast and powerful, making yourself draw as many energy cards as possible each turn with Electabuzz, Sableye and Delcatty, then discarding them with Delcatty ex’s Constrain Poke-Power. Then you can use Upstream to deal a devastating amount of damage each turn, or use Tail Slap with Boost Energy.
Destiny:
| Pokémon (18) | Trainers (27) | Energy (15) |
| 3x Rayquaza ex δ 2x Mew ex 2x Exeggutor δ 2x Exeggcute δ 2x Lickitung δ 1x Latias δ 1x Latios ex δ 1x Absol ex 1x Jirachi ex 1x Stantler 1x Holon’s Castform 1x Holon’s Voltorb |
3x Castaway 2x Scott 1x Lanette’s Net Search 1x Copycat 4x Holon Transceiver 2x Holon Mentor 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 1x Holon Researcher 4x Cursed Stone 2x Giant Stump 3x Cessation Crystal 2x Warp Point |
4x Lightning Energy 4x Psychic Energy 4x Multi Energy 2x Scramble Energy 1x Fighting Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
A deck designed by Jimmy Ballard, it dominated through the State Championships. This list was taken from Adam Hawkins after winning the UK National Championships in the Seniors division. A lot of the inclusions changed between variations of the deck, and complimented how versatile and disruptive the deck had the ability to be.
Electivire:
| Pokémon (24) | Trainers (24) | Energy (12) |
| 3x Electivire 4x Electabuzz δ 4x Elekid δ 3x Dragonite δ 1x Dragonair δ 3x Dratini δ 4x Holon’s Castform 1x Holon’s Voltorb 1x Rayquaza |
4x Celio’s Network 3x Rare Candy 3x Windstorm 4x Holon Transceiver 3x Holon Mentor 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 1x Holon Researcher 1x Holon Farmer 1x Mr. Briney’s Compassion 2x Holon Ruins |
9x Lightning Energy 3x Scramble Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
This list is a modern take on an archetype that Shawn Gettys piloted to a Top 8 finish at the US National Championships which took full advantage of the lack of hand control present in the format. Holon Castform and Electabuzz allowed you to draw a lot each turn to set up quickly, and Electivire’s attack was often too much for opponents to deal with turn after turn. Rayquaza could easily take unsuspecting opponents by surprise, especially in combination with well placed Thunder Spears from Elekid early in the game. Dragonite also could double as an out to the Fighting type decks which were running rampant.
Empoleon:
| Pokémon (16) | Trainers (29) | Energy (15) |
| 4x Empoleon 3x Prinplup 4x Piplup 1x Infernape 1x Chimchar 2x Corsola 1x Holon’s Electrode |
4x Holon Transceiver 2x Holon Mentor 2x Holon Scientist 2x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Farmer 4x Celio’s Network 4x Cursed Stone 3x Cessation Crystal 3x Rare Candy 2x Castaway 1x Steven’s Advice 1x Mr. Briney’s Compassion |
11x Water Energy 3x Scramble Energy 1x Double Rainbow Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Tsuguyoshi Yamato carried this deck to a 3rd place finish at the World Championships, losing out to Tom Roos’s Absolutions deck. The deck relied a lot on Prinplup to set up damage across the board with Aqua Shower and Brine, allowing Empoleon to sweep up the end of the game with high HP and Scramble energies. The Infernape line was primarily for the Scizor ex decks which were popular amongst the other Japanese players at the tournament.
Flariados:
| Pokémon (18) | Trainers (29) | Energy (13) |
| 3x Flareon ex 1x Jolteon ex 1x Umbreon ex 4x Eevee 4x Ariados 4x Spinarak 1x Holon’s Electrode |
4x Professor Elm’s Training Method 4x Holon Transceiver 4x Holon Mentor 2x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 2x Holon Farmer 3x Mary’s Request 4x Super Scoop Up 3x Giant Stump 2x Windstorm |
6x Grass Energy 4x Multi Energy 2x Fire Energy 1x Lightning Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
This list was used by John Silvestro to place 3rd at US Nationals. It primarily uses Flareon ex’s Evolutionary Flame in combination with Ariados’s Reactive Poison to deal large amounts of damage to the opponent. Super Scoop Up, Giant Stump and Holon Farmer all give more outs to reuse Flareon’s ability. Ariados can also use Spider Trap as well as the other Eeveelution’s Poke-Powers to disrupt and damage the opponent more to hit better numbers, also providing secondary attackers.
Flygon:
| Pokémon (22) | Trainers (27) | Energy (11) |
| 3x Flygon ex 1x Vibrava δ  1x Vibrava δ 4x Trapinch δ 4x Holon’s Castform 2x Nidoqueen δ 2x Nidoran δ 2x Magcargo 2x Slugma 1x Holon’s Magnemite |
4x Rare Candy 3x Windstorm 2x Pluspower 4x Holon Transceiver 2x Holon Mentor 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 1x Holon Researcher 1x Holon Farmer 3x TV Reporter 2x Giant Stump 2x Warp Point 1x Switch |
4x Boost Energy 3x Rainbow Energy 3x React Energy 1x Lightning Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Steffen From managed to place 2nd at the World Championships with this Flygon ex deck which was somewhat popular in Europe at the time. Another deck which relied heavily on Holon Castform’s Delta Draw to set up, it could eventually become a deadly force hard for most decks to deal with if it set up. Magcargo and Nidoqueen meant you could get everything you needed each turn, to set up Flygon ex’s powerful attacks turn after turn, while holding combos in your hand. Flygon ex’s Poke-Power “Emerge Charge” also meant that energy acceleration was never an issue, and Giant Stump gave you opportunities to heal damaged ex’s and disrupt your opponent.
Flygon / Delcatty:
| Pokémon (20) | Trainers (25) | Energy (15) |
| 4x Flygon ex 2x Vibrava 4x Trapinch 2x Delcatty 2x Skitty 1x Latios ex δ 1x Latias δ 1x Budew 2x Holon’s Magneton 1x Holon’s Castform |
4x Professor Elm’s Training Method 3x TV Reporter 2x Holon Mentor 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 1x Holon Lass 4x Holon Transceiver 4x Rare Candy 3x Windstorm 2x Warp Point |
4x Lightning Energy 4x Boost Energy 4x React Energy 3x Rainbow Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
This Flygon variant relies on Delcatty as both draw support, as well as a way to get energy cards into the discard pile to combo with Flygon ex’s Emerge Charge Poke-Power. Flygon’s ability to repeatedly abuse Boost Energy and React Energy allows it to hit 100 damage efficiently, while being hard to knock out itself.
Flygon / Eevees:
| Pokémon (25) | Trainers (25) | Energy (10) |
| 4x Holon Castform 3x Flygon ex δ 2x Flygon δ 2x Vibrava δ 4x Trapinch δ 2x Jolteon ex 1x Vaporeon ex 1x Espeon ex 4x Eevee δ 1x Absol ex 1x Holon’s Voltorb |
3x Copycat 3x Professor Elm’s Training Method 3x Holon Mentor 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 1x Holon Researcher 4x Holon Transceiver 4x Rare Candy 3x Windstorm 2x Warp Point |
6x Psychic Energy 4x Lightning Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Flyvees was a common deck in lower age divisions, and tried to abuse the strength of Flygon ex’s Psychic Pulse attack and Sand Damage Poke-Body. Flygon allowed for energy acceleration and the Eeveelutions provided powerful support with both their abilities and attacks. Holon Castform gave the deck early draw power, as well as a way to use the decks wide range of attacking options.
Grumpig:
| Pokémon (15) | Trainers (35) | Energy (10) |
| 2x Grumpig 1x Grumpig 3x Spoink 1x Dunsparce 1x Sudowoodo 1x Latias 1x Celebi ex 2x Absol ex 2x Holon’s Castform 1x Holon’s Magnemite |
4x Root Fossil 4x Claw Fossil 4x Mysterious Fossil 4x Mary’s Request 3x Scott 2x Lanette’s Net Search 2x Island Hermit 2x Celio’s Network 2x Holon Mentor 1x Holon Farmer 1x Holon Transceiver 4x Cursed Stone 2x Giant Stump |
5x Water energy 3x Holon Energy WP 2x Psychic Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Andrea Ceolin took this “hit and run” archetype to 2nd at Italy Nationals, before Diamond and Pearl’s release changed how fossils worked. Functioning similarly to Politoed Stall, Grumpig allowed the deck to function with a Stage 1 non ex Pokemon, and allowed more space for tech cards avoiding the problem of a linear strategy.
Infernape:
| Pokémon (17) | Trainers (27) | Energy (16) |
| 1x Infernape Lv.X 3x Infernape 2x Monferno 4x Chimchar 1x Delcatty ex 3x Delcatty 3x Skitty |
4x Holon Transceiver 2x Holon Mentor 2x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 1x Holon Farmer 1x Holon Lass 4x Celio’s Network 4x Rare Candy 3x Windstorm 3x Pluspower 2x Warp Point |
12x Fire Energy 4x Double Rainbow Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
A deck which dominated the Battle Roads upon the Release of Diamond & Pearl, and cropped up at US Nationals. Infernape provided a possibility of a Turn 1 80 Damage with Double Rainbow Energy and Flare Blitz, which could easily overwhelm opponents. Delcatty provided both draw power, and combo’d well with both Infernape Lv.X and Delcatty ex. Delcatty ex also allowed you to disrupt opponents relying on building up large hands.
Lucario/Eevees:
| Pokémon (21) | Trainers (25) | Energy (14) |
| 4x Lucario 4x Riolu 2x Jolteon ex 2x Vaporeon ex 1x Espeon ex 1x Umbreon ex 1x Flareon ex 4x Eevee 1x Absol ex 1x Holon’s Electrode |
4x Professor Elm’s Training Method 3x Mary’s Request 3x Castaway 2x Steven’s Advice 1x Holon Mentor 1x Copycat 3x Dual Ball 3x Strength Charm 2x Cessation Crystal 1x Crystal Shard 2x Windstorm |
8x Fighting Energy 4x Multi Energy 1x Water Energy 1x Psychic Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
This deck provided a great starter in a Best of 1 format, with Riolu’s Wild kick having the potential to donk popular starters like Holon’s Castform and Eevee turn 1. Beyond that the deck had great power and speed, leaving some decks unable to catch up, as well as disruption with the Eeveelutions and Cessation Crystal. It could also abuse Vaporeon ex, which was one of the only viable forms of Hand Control in this format. This deck managed to place Top 16 at both US Nationals and the World Championships.
Lucario Tech:
| Pokémon (14) | Trainers (32) | Energy (14) |
| 3x Lucario 4x Riolu 2x Gligar 1x Roselia 1x Latios ex δ 1x Jirachi ex 1x Mew ex 1x Holon’s Castform |
3x Castaway 3x Celio’s Network 3x Holon Mentor 2x Copycat 2x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 1x Scott 4x Holon Transceiver 3x Pluspower 2x Cessation Crystal 1x Strength Charm 1x Buffer Piece 1x Warp Point 1x Crystal Shard 4x Cursed Stone |
9x Fighting Energy 4x Multi Energy 1x Psychic Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Piloted by Gino Lombardi, this take on Lucario focused on techs to deal with as many matchups as possible. Riolu preyed on the formats reliance on fighting weak “starter” pokemon like Eevee, Castform and Skitty, allowing for cheap wins in a Best of 1 format.
Machamp:
| Pokémon (18) | Trainers (27) | Energy (15) |
| 4x Gligar 4x Machamp 3x Machoke 4x Machop 1x Nidoquen δ 1x Nidoran δ 1x Absol ex |
4x Castaway 4x Celio’s Network 3x Steven’s Advice 4x Rare Candy 2x Holon Transceiver 2x Holon Mentor 1x Holon Scientist 2x Copycat 2x Crystal Shard 2x Strength Charm 1x Pluspower |
11x Fighting Energy 4x Double Rainbow Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Another archetype punishing the formats reliance on Fighting weak starters like Castform and Eevee, Machamp provided a bit more longevity in the game with a high HP tank which could stream powerful attacks for low energy costs. Nidoqueen provided more consistency to the deck while also providing a powerful late game attack to clean up. Ian Brander took this list to an impressive T8 finish at US Nationals, and Breton Brander finishing T16 in the Senior division of the World Championships.
Metagross / Meganium:
| Pokémon (27) | Trainers (23) | Energy (10) |
| 4x Holon’s Castform 3x Metagross 2x Metang δ 4x Beldum δ 3x Meganium δ 1x Meganium 1x Bayleef δ 3x Chikorita δ 1x Sceptile ex δ 1x Treecko δ 2x Mew δ 1x Mew δ1x Holon’s Magnemite |
3x Holon Mentor 2x Holon Researcher 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 1x Holon Farmer 4x Holon Transceiver 4x Rare Candy 3x Windstorm 3x Pluspower 1x Strength Charm |
6x Psychic Energy 4x Metal Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Performing well at Regionals earlier in the season, Bobby Malec took this interesting archetype to T16 at Worlds in the Senior Division. Meganium D provided both consistency with its Poke-Power and a great attacker with Delta Reduction making it hard to KO especially with the other Meganium’s Poke-Body. Metagross allowed a constant string of attackers, especially tech attackers like the Mews when combined with Holon’s Castform. This unique energy and Pokemon acceleration allows the deck to tech a variety of different techs for any expected meta.
Metanite:
| Pokémon (27) | Trainers (22) | Energy (11) |
| 4x Holon’s Castform 3x Metagross δ 1x Metagross 2x Metang δ 4x Beldum δ 3x Dragonite δ 1x Dragonite ex δ 1x Dragonair δ 3x Dratini δ 1x Latios ex δ 1x Latios 1x Mew δ 1x Holon’s Voltorb |
4x Holon Mentor 2x Holon Researcher 1x Holon Scientist 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Farmer 1x Mr Briney’s Compassion 4x Holon Transceiver 4x Rare Candy 3x Windstorm 1x Warp Point 1x Giant Stump |
7x Lightning Energy 4x Metal Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Metanite got a bit of a boost in 2007 with the rotation of Rocket’s Admin meaning Holon’s Castform could help the deck set up even faster without fear of disruption. Metagross let the deck set up quickly with its Delta Control Poke-Power, picking out key cards to setup your ideal board state of Dragonites and more Metagross. Dragonite’s Delta Charge could then fill your board with energy allowing Metagross’s Crash and Burn attack to do lots of damage. The decks energy acceleration paired with its reliance on Holon’s Castform also meant you could include an interesting range of attackers like Dragonite ex and Latios .
R-Gon:
| Pokémon (25) | Trainers (26) | Energy (9) |
| 1x Flygon ex δ 3x Flygon δ 1x Vibrava δ 3x Trapinch δ 4x Holon’s Castform 2x Exeggutor δ 2x Exeggcute δ 1x Sceptile ex δ 2x Treecko δ 2x Mew δ 1x Mew δ1x Rayquaza ex δ 1x Chimecho δ 1x Holon’s Magnemite |
2x Lanette’s Net Search 1x Mr. Briney’s Compassion 4x Holon Transceiver 2x Holon Mentor 2x Holon Researcher 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 1x Holon Farmer 4x Rare Candy 3x Windstorm 2x Pluspower 1x Strength Charm 2x Giant Stump |
4x Delta Energy 2x Lightning Energy 1x Fire Energy 1x Grass Energy 1x Metal Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
R-Gon was a deck popularised by Ross Cawthon and his team towards the end of the season. It relied on Flygon’s powerful Delta Supply Poke-Power, which allowed you to accelerate energy to any Delta attacker that would fare best against the opponent. Holon’s Castform sets up the deck easily, while providing you with more energy, and Chimecho’s Delta Support means you can always get any energy you need from your discard pile. Ross Cawthon finished Top 16, and Austin Reed managed a Top 8 finish at the World Championships.
Robquaza:
| Pokémon (12) | Trainers (32) | Energy (16) |
| 4x Rayquaza ex δ 1x Mew δ1x Lickitung δ 1x Latios ex δ 1x Latias δ 1x Lunatone 1x Solrock 1x Espeon δ 1x Eevee |
4x Castaway 4x Mary’s Request 2x Copycat 2x Lanette’s Net Search 1x Scott 4x Energy Removal 2 3x Pokemon Reversal 2x Warp Point 1x Cessation Crystal 1x Strength Charm 1x Balloon Berry 1x Oran Berry 3x Crystal Beach 2x Cursed Stone 1x Giant Stump |
4x Multi Energy 4x δ Rainbow Energy 4x Lightning Energy 2x Water Energy 1x Psychic Energy 1x Fire Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Robquaza is a rogue toolbox created by Rob Downs to a Top 4 finish at US Nationals. Rayquaza allowed this deck to constantly play from behind, setting up favourable board states for minimal energy costs, and preventing opponents from using cards like Scramble Energy. Having the main strategy only take up 4 slots allowed for lots of space for tech Pokemon and trainers to disrupt and sometimes completely shut an opponent out of the game. Castaway and Scott made it easily possible to get the most disruptive Tool or Stadium in any given situation.
Scizor:
| Pokémon (8) | Trainers (36) | Energy (16) |
| 4x Scizor ex 4x Scyther |
4x Copycat 3x Professor Elm’s Training Method 2x Steven’s Advice 2x Castaway 2x Professor Oak’s Research 4x Cursed Stone 4x Pokemon Reversal 4x Energy Removal 2 4x Pokedex Handy910is 4x Pluspower 2x Strength Charm 1x Crystal Shard |
4x Metal Energy (Basic) 4x Metal Energy (Special) 4x Cyclone Energy 4x Boost Energy |
| Read More | Proxy Deck |
Yuki Akimura managed to achieve 4th place at the World Championships with a simple yet powerful deck from Japan. Scyther’s Twin Play always meant you always set up a decent board from the first turn, and both of Scizor ex’s attacks as well as its powerful “Danger Perception” Poke-Body often proved too much for opponents. With only 8 Pokemon in the deck, this provides you with a large amount of Trainers to either disrupt your opponent, amplify your damage, or add consistency. The deck has no real bad matchups other than decks which can abuse its Fire weakness.
Scizorgross:
| Pokémon (23) | Trainers (25) | Energy (12) |
| 4x Holon’s Castform 3x Metagross 2x Metang δ 3x Beldum δ 2x Nidoqueen δ 1x Nidorina δ 2x Nidoran δ 2x Scizor ex 2x Scyther 1x Latios 1x Holon’s Magnemite |
3x Professor Elm’s Training Method 3x Copycat 2x Steven’s Advice 2x Holon Mentor 1x Holon Adventurer 1x Holon Scientist 1x Holon Researcher 4x Holon Transceiver 4x Rare Candy 2x Pokemon Reversal 1x Pluspower 1x Strength Charm |
8x Psychic Energy 4x Metal Energy |