Pokémon TCG: Standard Deck Tech - Gholdengo EX with Genesect EX!

For a while now, we have been discussing how the latest Pokémon TCG sets (which focused on Unova characters and Pokémon) have impacted the game. However, so far, the meta has stayed more or less the same, as Gardevoir ex sv4pt5 29, Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex DRI 136, and Dragapult ex PRE 73 are still dominating the format. In fact, their methodic and highly strategic game style has performed quite well in tournaments.

Linear, aggressive decks like Raging Bolt ex TEF 123 might be slowly disappearing, but Gholdengo EX, a powerful and useful attacker, just gained three new incredible cards for its archetype. These 3 new cards have propelled it from a tier 2.5 deck to a tier 1 deck.

Now, the entire archetype is more consistent and useful. It might also have become one of the best decks in the format, as it performs reasonably well against all other decks. We can safely say we'll see it a lot in the next World Championships.

Gholdengo EX isn't that versatile as an attacker, but it is super efficient at what it does: deal a lot of damage. If we combine it with a few items that get energies for us, like Earthen Vessel PRE 106 and Energy Search Pro SSP 176, we can easily Knock Out any Pokémon in Standard, from basic EX Pokémon to stage 2 Pokémon.

Its ability, "Coin Bonus", makes the entire strategy more useful and consistent. With it, this deck can protect itself really well against Iono

and draw 2 to 5 extra cards per turn, so you'll always have enough gas to attack with Gholdengo EX, as its attack costs only one energy. At the same time, this archetype also got Air Balloon BLK 79, which is critical. With it, we can retreat one of our Gholdengo EX after drawing 2 cards and then draw 2 more with our new active Gholdengo EX without losing any energies in the process.

Another new key piece is Genesect EX. With its ability, "Metal Signal", you'll always be able to put 2 Gholdengos in play on turn 2 without necessarily using Supporters to get them. Furthermore, you can also use a single copy of Genesect SFA 40 to prevent your opponent from playing their ACE SPECs and Scizor sv3 141 as a single prize attacker.

This strategy is simple but super effective, considering the number of cards it draws each turn. If all goes well, this list can draw more than 8 cards easily, which is exactly what you want, as you'll need a lot of energies to win.

That being said, it's clear that Gholdengo EX's main weakness is Iono sv4pt5 80. It's simply too disruptive.

Gholdengo EX + Genesect EX Decklist

As the main way this list gets energies is through your ACE SPEC, it relies completely on Arven sv3 186, which can also draw Air Balloon BLK 79 for you. However, keep in mind that, after you Knock Out the first enemy Pokémon, you'll discard a lot of energies. As you play, you'll keep Knocking Out enemy Pokémon this way and get the same energies you discard back from the discard pile with Levincia JTG 150 and Superior Energy Retrieval sv2 189 in particular.

This list also plays many searchers, like Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101, which we'll use to set up Gimmighoul SSP 97, and 4 Nest Ball sv4pt5 84, which we'll use to get Genesect ex BLK 67. Considering your attackers give you two Prize cards and also draw cards, this list doesn't need to recycle Pokémon, and that's why it only plays 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61.

Besides Arven sv3 186, this list also plays Boss's Orders (Ghetsis) sv2 172, and for a very simple reason: you'll always try to get 2 Prize cards when you Knock Out Pokémon, and your opponent will usually be aware of that. So, they'll most likely only put single prize attackers in play. Nonetheless, you can play around this with Boss's Orders. Finally, this list can also heavily disrupt "spread decks", which try to get multiple Prize cards at once by damaging Pokémon beforehand, with 2 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121, as they will clear the board.

Please note that this list also plays Iron Bundle sv4 56 to deal with Jellicent ex WHT 45 and Genesect SFA 40 in specific. In the Gardevoir archetype, they both prevent you from using Secret Box TWM 163.

The only ACE SPEC possible for this deck had to be Energy Search Pro SSP 176. It gets 5 different energies from your deck, so, with it, you can at least deal 250 damage or get the Metal energy you need to attack in the first place. We also already want to put energies in the discard pile in the first place to Knock Out other Pokémon later on.

Dragapult EX - Favorable

Budew PRE 4 is your biggest issue in this matchup. It's why you should try to set up your Pokémon as efficiently as possible on turn 1. Once you set up a Gholdengo EX or have a Genesect EX, you can easily Knock Out any attacker the opponent plays.

Ideally, you should also play around Iono sv4pt5 80 and lean on your secret weapon for this matchup: Moonlit Hill sv4pt5 81. It is devastating for this opponent, as it heavily disrupts their plans.

Raging Bolt EX - Favorable

This matchup should also be quite straightforward if you follow the same efficient game plan as above. The only difference is that you should also try to stay ahead in the Prize card race: if your opponent starts Knocking Out your Pokémon early on, you might lose the advantage for the rest of the game if you don't use your Boss's Orders well. Raging Bolt EX doesn't play Fire Pokémon, so you can use Scizor sv3 141 to get back in the Prize card race.

Gardevoir EX - Favorable

This matchup is already naturally favorable to Gholdengo EX because of how much HP it has compared to how much HP Gardevoir ex has. Gholdengo EX has 260 HP, so Gardevoir will struggle to Knock it Out. Furthermore, this list plays many Boss's Orders, so you can always threaten to Knock Out Gardevoir ex sv4pt5 29. Finally, you can also use Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121 to protect certain Pokémon.

Pros

This deck is consistent and deals a lot of damage. It also doesn't immediately fold to hand disruption and performs rather well against the best decks in Standard.

Cons

However, it is a bit predictable, as well as vulnerable against Fire Pokémon and Jellicent EX.

Gholdengo EX took a while to stand out, but, with these new cards, it has slowly become a threat the rest of the meta must respect. Furthermore, the meta itself is slowly transforming into a Megaevolution meta, which also favors Gholdengo EX because of how much damage it deals.

I sincerely believe this list will eventually win a Regional tournament soon.

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

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!