Pokémon TCG: Galarian Darmanitan VMax - Sniper Box (2026 Upgrade)

Today, we'll explore another forgotten Pokémon from Sword & Shield: Galarian Darmanitan VMAX VIV 37, which has an excellent "sniper" attack.

Decklist

Deck Structure

Galarian Darmanitan VMax: The Main Attacker

Galarian Darmanitan VMAX VIV 37's main attack deals a decent amount of base damage and also deals a bit of damage to each Pokémon on the enemy bench.

It does, however, cost a few more energies than we'd like to (4 basic Water energies), but that's why this list also plays Baxcalibur.

Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex: Support Attacker

Its second attack, Torrential Pump, is what this list cares about. If you return 3 energies attached to this Pokémon back to your deck, you may then deal 120 damage to one of the opponent's benched Pokémon. It also deals 100 damage to the opponent's active Pokémon.

Kyurem ex: Late-Game and End-Game Attacker

Kyurem ex's second attack, Blizzard Burst, also deals damage to the opponent's bench and their active Pokémon. It deals more damage to the bench according to how many Prize cards the opponent has taken, in fact.

So, if the opponent only has 1 Prize card left, it will deal 50 damage to each of their benched Pokémon.

Recursive Pokémon

Baby Pokémon

Baxcalibur sv2 60 is the heart of this entire strategy. Its ability, Super Cold, is similar to the old Blastoise BCR 31 from Black & White. With it, you'll attach Basic Water Energy sv2 279 from your hand to your Pokémon however you like!

Exeggcute PLF 4's ability, Propagation, puts this Pokémon in your hand whenever it is in your discard pile.

The idea is to discard it first with other cards like Superior Energy Retrieval sv2 189 and Ultra Ball BRS 150, which only work if you discard a card from your hand.

Rule Box Pokémon

Lumineon V PR-SW SWSH250's ability, Luminous Sign, is a great way to get a Supporter from your deck. All you need to do is put it on your bench from your hand.

You can also use it as an attacker if you feel it's too vulnerable on your bench, considering it is worth 2 Prize cards. You can take advantage of Baxcalibur sv2 60's ability to attach energies to it, use its attack, and also return it to your deck with its other ability. That way, you can protect it and reuse it!

Radiant Greninja ASR 46's ability, Concealed Cards, draws 2 cards if you also discard an energy from your hand.

This is also a great "sniper" attacker.

Trainers

Supporters

Supporter to Put Baxcalibur In Play and Draw More Cards

This is the most important Supporter in this deck!

You will only put Baxcalibur sv2 60 in play when you only have one card in hand. Which card? Archie's Ace in the Hole PRC 124.

Only then, you'll be able to summon Baxcalibur directly from your discard pile into your bench. You'll also draw 5 cards.

How the combo works

How will I put Baxcalibur in play if this list doesn't play its previous evolutions?

Through Archie's Ace in the Hole PRC 124, which, as we mentioned, you can only play if it is the only card in your hand. With it, you'll be able to get a Water Pokémon from your discard pile (even an evolution) and put it directly in your bench. You'll also draw 5 cards.

But, before, you must discard Baxcalibur sv2 60 from your hand as fast as possible and play all the cards in your hand. That's the only way you'll be able to play Archie's Ace in the Hole PRC 124!

Card Draw Supporter

Carmine PRE 103 is a way to renew your hand. You'll discard it entirely and then draw 5 cards after you play it.

The best thing about it is that you can play this card even on your very first turn if you start playing. So, it ignores the rule that states you can only play Supporters on your turn 2.

It might not draw 7 cards like Professor's Research PRE 122, but it is extremely valuable nonetheless because you can play it on your first turn.

Supporters to Pull Enemy Pokémon

Guzma BUS 115 pulls an enemy Pokémon into the active spot, but also forces you to promote a new Pokémon as an attacker.

Items

Items to Get Pokémon

Ultra Ball BRS 150 gets any Pokémon (basic or evolution) from your deck and puts it in your hand. The only downside is that you'll have to discard 2 cards from your hand as well.

Dive Ball PRC 125 gets a Water Pokémon (basic or evolution) from your deck and puts it in your hand.

Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146 lets you look in your Prize cards and get a basic Pokémon from there. If you do, you'll have to put Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146 in its place in the "Prize card" pile.

You'll often use it to get some recursive Pokémon, like Radiant Greninja ASR 46 or Lumineon V PR-SW SWSH250.

Item to Discard Cards

This card lets you discard 3 cards from your deck. The idea is to use it to discard Baxcalibur sv2 60 so that you can play the Archie's Ace in the Hole PRC 124 combo.

Items to Filter and Get Cards In General

Trainers' Mail ROS 92 lets you look at the top 4 cards in your deck and get any Trainer among them. This includes Supporters, Items, Tools, and Stadiums.

Trekking Shoes ASR 156 lets you look at the top card in your deck and either draw it or discard it and draw the next one.

You can use it to discard Baxcalibur.

Items to Recycle Cards In General

Super Rod sv2 188 recycles 3 cards, including basic energies, Pokémon, or both.

VS Seeker PHF 109 is the most important item in this list because it lets you recycle 1 Supporter from the discard pile.

Superior Energy Retrieval sv2 189 recycles up to 4 basic energies from the discard pile and puts them in your hand. To use it, though, you'll have to discard 2 cards from your hand.

This card is the perfect way to get energies back into your hand and then use Baxcalibur sv2 60 to attach them to your Pokémon.

Tools

Wide Lens ROS 95 ignores the game rule that states you can't apply weakness and toughness to the bench. With it, your Pokémon will deal twice as much damage with sniper attacks.

Forest Seal Stone SIT 156 is very useful on Pokémon V, like Lumineon V PR-SW SWSH250 and Galarian Darmanitan VMAX VIV 37. They can use its VStar ability and get any card from your deck for you (once per game).

Stadium

This Stadium lets you move Water Pokémon around for free.

ACE SPEC

This card filters 1 Supporter, 1 Item, 1 Tool, and 1 Stadium from your deck. You'll also have to discard 3 cards from your hand.

Keep in mind that you can only play one ACE SPEC per deck!

Suggestion:

You can replace it with Computer Search BCR 137, which lets you get any card from your deck, so it's a bit more broad. You'll also have to discard 2 cards from your hand afterward, though.

Pros

All Pokémon in this list deal sniper damage somehow. So, your opponent will have to figure out a way to protect their bench and stop you from knocking out multiple Pokémon.

It works really well against single prize decks that rely on stage 1 and stage 2 Pokémon because these Pokémon tend to be a bit too fragile.

Finally, it is great at attaching energies because of the Baxcalibur sv2 60/Archie's Ace in the Hole PRC 124 combo. Because of this combo, this list doesn't need to play Baxcalibur's full evolution line (Frigibax and Arctibax with Rare Candy).

Cons

Decks that play Path to the Peak CRE 148 disrupt some of the Rule Box Pokémon in this list, like Lumineon V PR-SW SWSH250 and Radiant Greninja ASR 46.

This deck also deals damage gradually. To knock out Pokémon with a lot of HP, you'll need 2 or more turns, which will give your opponent time to come back into the game and find solutions.

If the opponent uses a "bench protector" like Rabsca TEF 24, Manaphy BRS 41, and Mew UNB 76, you'll need to focus on knocking out these Pokémon quickly. They're a big problem for this strategy.

This deck will struggle against Pokémon that are immune to Pokémon V and Pokémon ex (like Mimikyu sv2 97) and is also naturally vulnerable to Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX CEC 156 andOne Hit K.O. lists like Mega Absol ex MEG 86 and Yveltal SHF 46.

Finally, because of Glaceon-EX FCO 20, which is immune to evolution Pokémon, this list struggles against Mewtwo & Mew-GX UNM 71.

If you enjoy sniper strategies, this list is perfect. The Water archetype has always been known for its sniper strategies thanks to the many Water Pokémon that support this strategy and Rain Dance.

There is a similar strategy that uses Greninja VUnion, which deals 100 damage to the bench. You can play it in Expanded.

What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!