Expanded Deck Tech: Kyurem VMax - Freezing Storm

In today's article, we'll explore Kyurem VMax, from Sword/Shield's Lost Origin set. This Pokémon recently became more popular because of a few new cards we got from Scarlet & Violet, like Baxcalibur PR-SV 19, from Paldea Evolved, and Academy at Night SFA 54 and Powerglass SFA 97, from Shrouded Fable.

Furthermore, this list will also lean on a few key Expanded mechanics, like the iconic Archie's Ace in the Hole PRC 124 combo, which was once very popular in Water decks alongside Keldeo-EX PR-BLW BW61 and Blastoise BCR 31.

With this in mind, let's see how this deck works!

Decklist

The Deck

Kyurem VMax: The Main Attacker

You can use Kyurem VMax's attack in two ways:

- The first is just dealing 120 damage, and not discarding any energies.

- The second is dealing 120 damage, discarding as many energies as you can, and dealing 50 extra damage for each energy you discard this way.

Its ability, Glaciated World, lets you discard the top card in your deck. If this card is a basic Water energy, you can attach it to one of your Pokémon. This ability is even more efficient with Academy at Night SFA 54, which we'll discuss further on.

Synergy Between Baxcalibur and Kyurem VMax

How you can use these cards to deal a lot of damage and move many energies around:

You'll need to use Baxcalibur PR-SV 19's ability, Super Cold, to play this combo. It is similar to Blastoise BCR 31's ability, from Black/White.

But how do you put Baxcalibur in play without first playing its previous evolutions?

You'll use Archie's Ace in the Hole PRC 124 to do this. It lets you play a Pokémon from your discard pile directly on your bench if you only have Archie's Ace in the Hole PRC 124 in hand. Then, you'll draw 5 cards.

The goal, then, is to discard Baxcalibur as fast as you can, then empty your hand. This way, you'll be able to play Archie and put your whole plan in motion.

Recursive Pokémon

Baxcalibur: The Heart of the Deck

As we mentioned above, Baxcalibur's ability, Super Cold, lets you move basic Water energies from your hand to your Pokémon. You'll put this Pokémon in play with Archie's Ace in the Hole PRC 124.

Other Recursive Pokémon

► Lumineon V PR-SW SWSH250's ability, Luminous Sign, draws Supporters for you.

► Squawkabilly ex PR-SV 160 renews your hand on turn 1, and thus helps you discard Baxcalibur.

► Radiant Greninja ASR 46 draws cards if you discard energies, and is useful with Melony CRE 146.

Trainers

Supporter to Discard Your Hand and Renew It

Supporter To Get Energies and Draw Cards

Melony CRE 146 will also give you energies and let you attach them to Pokémon V, which is essential, as it makes this entire strategy more consistent.

Supporter to Summon Baxcalibur and Draw More Cards

This card is key. You need it to put Baxcalibur in play.

Supporter to "Pull" Enemy Pokémon

You'll use Guzma BUS 115 to pull a Pokémon from your enemy's bench into the active position. Then, you'll have to swap your active Pokémon with one of your benched Pokémon.

Items to Get Pokémon From Your Deck

Items to Get Trainers from your Deck

Items to Get Energies from the Discard Pile

Items to Recycle Resources

►You'll use Lana's Fishing Rod CEC 266 to recycle a Tool (in this case, Powerglass SFA 97), and a Pokémon from the discard pile. You'll shuffle them back into your deck.

Tools

ACE SPEC

Stadium

This Stadium makes sure you'll always find basic energies when you use Kyurem VMax's ability.

Favorable

- This deck is great against Fire decks in general.

Unfavorable

- This deck struggles against Metal decks, like Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR ASR 210, Archaludon ex SSP 130, Archaludon ex SSP 130, and similar.

- This deck struggles against Pokémon that prevent damage dealt by Pokémon V and ex, like Mimikyu sv2 97.

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

- This deck struggles against "control/stall" decks with Snorlax PGO 55.

This deck is accessible, as most of the cards in it are cheap, and deals a lot of damage. With the strategies above and a bit of practice, you can beat even the most complex discard or summon strategies.

It is an excellent option if you're looking for something powerful in Expanded.

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!