Expanded Deck Tech: Machamp VMax & Lucario - Retribuition Combo

Today, we'll explore Machamp VMax, from Astral Radiance, and Lucario, from Brilliant Stars. They're both from the Sword/Shield block (classified "F"), and will be available in Standard until April 2025. However, we'll focus on the Expanded format this time, and take advantage of some classic cards from Sun & Moon, like Martial Arts Dojo UNB 179 and Karate Belt UNM 201.

Let's see how these cards work in this incredible deck!

Decklist

Deck Structure

Machamp VMax: The Main Attacker

Machamp VMax has two very useful attacks, but the one we want is Revenge Buster.

This attack deals 80 base damage, but deals an extra 140 damage if one of your Benched Pokémon has any damage counters.

Your main strategy is to evolve your Riolu into Lucario PR-SW SWSH186 as fast as you can. Its ability, Roaring Resolve, lets you get one Basic Fighting Energy sv1 258 from your deck and attach it to Lucario itself. However, you'll also have to attach two damage counters to it.

You can turn this disadvantage into an advantage with Energy Switch CRZ 129. This way, you'll be able to move the energy you got to Machamp VMax, and activate Revenge Buster!

Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex: A Barrier Against Pokémon Abilities

Ogerpon ex is immune to Pokémon with abilities, which will buy you enough time to set up a strategy with your bench.

Furthermore, it is a solid attacker, considering its attack goes through immunity effects. For instance:

Scenario 1: If you're against a Mimikyu sv2 97 with Safeguard, which blocks damage dealt by Pokémon V and ex, Ogerpon will still be able to attack.

Scenario 2: If you're facing a Mewtwo & Mew-GX UNM 71 that copied Noivern ex sv4pt5 69's attack, Covert Flight (which makes it immune against basic Pokémon), Ogerpon will simply ignore this effect. It is also immune to Mewtwo & Mew-GX!

Recursive Pokémon

Lucario: The Heart of the Deck

As we mentioned before, Lucario is essential because of its ability, Roaring Resolve. Use Energy Switch CRZ 129 to move energies to Machamp VMax.

In certain situations, you can even use Lucario as a secondary attacker, but that shouldn't be your main focus.

Other Recursive Pokémon

- Diancie ◇ FLI 74: Its ability, Princess's Cheers, lets you deal an extra 20 damage with Fighting Pokémon.

- Mew ex sv3pt5 151: Its ability, Restart, draws three cards, and thus makes this entire strategy more consistent.

- Crobat V PR-SW SWSH110: Its ability, Dark Asset, draws up to six cards. Because of this card, you can also use Forest Seal Stone SIT 156 to get any card in your deck.

Trainers

Supporter to Get Items and Tools

This card gets you items like Battle VIP Pass FST 225 and tools like Forest Seal Stone SIT 156. With them, you'll be able to set up your strategy a bit faster.

Supporter to "Pull" Enemy Pokémon

Supporter to Sabotage Both Players' Hands

Supporter to Deal More Damage

Items to Get Pokémon From Your Deck

► Use Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146 to get a basic Pokémon from your Prize card pile.

Usually, the best strategy is to get recursive Pokémon like Diancie ◇ FLI 74 or Mew ex sv3pt5 151.

Item to Get Trainers In General

Item to Pull Enemy Pokémon

Tools

ACE SPEC

This card filters your deck, as it lets you get any card you want from it, but you'll have to discard two cards from your hand to use this effect.

If you want other options, I added to the Maybe Board four ACE SPECs that can be useful in this deck, depending on your goals.

Stadium

This card lets you deal 10 extra damage with your Pokémon as long as they're not Ultra Beast and as long as they have at least one basic Fighting energy attached.

If you're losing the game, instead of dealing an extra 10 damage to the active enemy Pokémon, you'll deal 40 extra damage!

For instance, if Diancie ◇ FLI 74 is on your bench, and you're losing the game, when you use Machamp VMAX ASR 73's attack, Revenge Buster, you may deal up to 280 damage with this stadium in play.

Favorable

- This deck is great against most colorless decks, like Blissey V CRE 119, Blissey ex TWM 134, Slaking V PGO 58, and others.

- This deck is great against Electric decks.

Unfavorable

- This deck struggles against Psychic decks in general.

- This deck struggles against Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX CEC 156.

- This deck struggles against Charizard ex sv4pt5 54 in the late game and end game.

This deck is cheap, accessible, and perfect if you want to get results with a consistent game plan. It is also easy to learn. Your greatest challenge will be setting up and evolving your Riolu, as well as managing your resources well.

What did you think of this deck? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!