Vespiquen ex / Shuckle ex

Why this deck is in this tier

The deck can handle many matchups thanks to Shuckle ex in the early game and Vespiquen ex's 140 damage. The ability to discard a damaged or obsolete Pokémon makes its game plan particularly stable.

Strengths (key points)

• Vespiquen ex can reach 140 damage very quickly.
• Obsolete Bench Pokémon can be converted into attack power.
• Ogerpon can be discarded in matchups where its effect isn't useful.
• Shuckle ex buys time and applies decent early pressure.
• Kartana can set up Bench targets for finishes with Cyrus.
• The deck can face a wide variety of archetypes.

Weaknesses (to watch)

• Vespiquen ex must discard a Basic Grass Pokémon to reach maximum damage.
• Poor Bench management can reduce the number of powerful attacks available.
• Ogerpon brings little value when the opponent doesn't play status conditions.
• Shuckle ex relies on randomness to maximize its attack damage.
• Damaged utility Pokémon must be discarded at the right moment.
• A start without Combee or without quick access to Vespiquen ex can significantly slow the deck.

Card list

• ×2 Combee (B4-10)
• ×1 Kartana (A3a-8)
• ×1 Pheromosa (A3a-7)
• ×1 Shuckle ex (A4-21)
• ×1 Teal Mask Ogerpon (B1b-17)
• ×2 Vespiquen ex (B4-11)
• ×2 Copycat (B1-225)
• ×1 Cyrus (A2-150)
• ×1 Erika (A1-219)
• ×2 Fragrant Forest (B3-153)
• ×2 Leaf Cape (A3-147)
• ×2 Professor's Research (P-A-7)
• ×1 Quick-Grow Extract (B1a-67)
• ×1 X Speed (P-A-2)

Required expansions

Other S Tier decks

• Mega Absol EX / Darkrai EX / Hoopa EX
  I rank it in S tier because it can create immediate pressure with several complementary attackers. The list has an excellent balance between damage, mobility, disruption and consistency.
• Mega Sceptile EX / Butterfree
  This is probably one of the most consistent. Caterpie, the draw engine, Quick-Grow Extract and the two Stadiums significantly accelerate the setup of Mega Sceptile EX.
• Mega Lucario EX
  I place Mega Lucario EX in S tier for its combination of speed, damage and flexibility. The list also includes several secondary Pokémon that help it adapt without significantly slowing down the main plan.
• Mega Altaria EX / Espeon / Darkrai
  I rank it in S tier because of its combination of control, status effects and constant pressure. Sleep can deny entire turns while Darkrai and Mega Altaria gradually build an advantage.
• Magnezone / Oricorio / Miraidon ex
  Deck heavily represented in top decks, with Miraidon acting as a flexible finisher and strong sleep-counterplay.
• Mega Sceptile ex / Pheromosa / Teal Mask Ogerpon ex
  S tier: tournament-winning deck (500+ players), with strong Bench pressure, Fragrant Forest to stabilize Grass Basics and Ogerpon to improve certain matchups. It is a very good for climbing to Masterball.

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