Standard Deck Tech - Feraligatr - Temporal Forces

Scarlet & Violet: Temporal Forces brought us many "rogue" Pokémon options that are also fun for players who want to explore new possibilities.

In this article, we'll analyze Feraligatr TEF 41, and see if it can really deal that much damage. Apart from buying the base set, you can get this card with a promo art by getting the Pre-Release Kit as Feraligatr PR-SV 89.

Decklist

Understanding Feraligatr's Mechanic

This Pokémon has two simple roles:

> Its ability gives its attack an extra 120 points of damage, but it will put 5 damage counters (50 damage) on the Pokémon itself if you activate this effect.

> Its attack deals 160 base damage, and with the buff from its ability, it will deal 280 damage, which can knock out most VStar Pokémon in this format.

Recursive Pokémon

Pokémon to Draw Cards

- Industrious Incisors allows you to draw cards until you have 5 in total.

The good thing about it is that we can put two Bibarel in play and these abilities can stack.

- Concealed Cards allows you to discard one energy card from your hand to draw two cards.

It is also useful as a "sniper" attacker.

Pokémon that Move Energy Cards

Its ability, Super Cold, allows you to move a specific number of basic Water energy cards from your hand to your Pokémon in any way you'd like. So, you can set up our attackers and get them ready to attack all at once, and you can even set up two Feraligatr PR-SV 89 at once.

Pokémon to Protect your Bench against Sniper Damage

Wave Veil is incredibly useful against the main snipers in this format, such as Radiant Greninja ASR 46, Kyogre CRZ 36, and Moltres sv3pt5 146.

Pokémon to Reuse Attacks

Its ability, Memory Dive, allows all your evolved Pokémon to use the attacks from their previous evolutions.

As Feraligatr PR-SV 89's attack, Giant Wave, has a collateral effect, if you use Relicanth TEF 84, you can use Totodile TEF 39's and Croconaw TEF 40's attacks, and this way you don't need to put 5 damage counters on it if you don't want to.

Starting Hands

This hand is quite generous:

1) Put Frigibax sv4pt5 17 as your active Pokémon and Radiant Greninja ASR 46 on your bench. Then, play Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144 to look for two Pokémon: Bidoof CRZ 111 and Totodile TEF 39.

2) On your next turn, evolve Bidoof CRZ 111 into Bibarel PR-SW SWSH188 and Totodile TEF 39 into Croconaw TEF 40. You'll depend on the cards you'll draw with Bibarel PR-SW SWSH188 a bit, but that is part of the game.

Trainer Cards

Supporter to Look for Cards in your Deck

This card is essential for the Water archetype. It looks for a Water Pokémon and an "item" Trainer card. The most common play is to look for Totodile's final evolution (Feraligatr PR-SV 89), and Rare Candy PGO 69 to evolve it.

Supporter to Sabotage your Opponent's Hand and Draw Cards

Supporter to "Catch" the Enemy Pokémon

Items to Look for Pokémon

The most important card in this deck to look for other cards is Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144, which replaced Battle VIP Pass FST 225, which rotated earlier this year in April.

Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144 allows you to look for two basic Pokémon with up to 70 HP and put them on your bench.

Item to Evolve your Pokémon

Item to Filter Basic Energy Cards

Item to Recycle Pokémon and Energy Cards

Because this deck only has 7 Water energy cards, we need to use two copies of the card above. Additionally, it is important if we want to access Totodile's evolution line consistently.

Item to Recycle Energy Cards

You'll need to use this card if you have Baxcalibur PR-SV 19 on the board to get your Water energy cards in the discard pile and move them to your Feraligatr PR-SV 89 in play.

Stadium

As this deck has many "baby" Pokémon, Artazon will be a way to look for your basic Pokémon if you can't find your Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144.

Favorable

- Against most VStar Pokémon in this format, such as the aforementioned Arceus VSTAR PR-SW SWSH307, Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR PR-SW SWSH254, Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR PR-SW SWSH256, and Giratina VSTAR LOR 131.

- Against Chien-Pao ex PR-SV 30 decks.

- Against Fire decks, like Charizard ex sv3pt5 6, Gouging Fire ex TEF 38, and Incineroar ex TEF 34.

- Against Gholdengo ex sv4 139 decks.

Unfavorable

- Against Electric decks, like Miraidon Box.

- Against Scizor sv3 205 decks, considering they have many Pokémon with abilities.

- Against Iron Hands ex sv4 70 decks.

- Against decks with Iron Valiant ex PR-SV 68 and its mobility/damage counter combos. They destroy your Totodile, Frigibax, and Bidoof even before they can evolve.

- Against Roaring Moon ex PR-SV 67 decks.

- Against Charizard ex sv4pt5 54 decks.

It is a cheap deck, and quite easy to build for those who like a "rogue" style. It is also ideal for those who want to invest on "ultra rare" cards and surprise their opponents with Feraligatr's damage-heavy style!

See you next time!