Quick Tips: New Options for Blastoise/Keldeo

Hey 6P, Rahul here with a brief analysis about how I predict Blastoise/Keldeo lists are going to change with the addition of Plasma Storm. I successfully piloted a Blastoise/Keldeo list to Top 8 at Florida Regionals and we have a lot of new options of how to change the deck, so let’s get right into it!

The New Available Options

Black Kyurem EX

pokemon-paradijs.comThe first big option available now to Blastoise/Keldeo is Black Kyurem EX. It reminds me of another Dragon type Pokémon-EX that is known to 1-shot everything. You might have guessed it: Rayquaza EX.

In the popular RayEels deck, you switch between Rayquaza EXs, dealing 180 and KOing just about everything in one hit. Black Kyurem is even better as it hits for 200 damage, 1HKOing even Eviolited Pokémon-EX that have 180 HP! It has a lot of potential and definitely is something that will be seen at States.

Scramble Switch / Max Potion

Scramble Switch not only switches your Pokémon, but it can make for huge surprise plays, especially against Darkrai decks that try to set up multiple KOs using Darkrai’s splash damage. The idea is that you have a Keldeo-EX/Black Kyurem EX that takes damage, and you put down a fresh attacker that you would prefer, Scramble Switch the energy onto that, and Max Potion the old active Pokémon to make it have no damage.

This is a great way to close out games when your opponent would most likely suspect Computer Search as your ACE SPEC.

Hypnotoxic Laser / Virbank City Gym

There has been some talk about this being used in not only Darkrai decks, but also in Blastoise decks. First of all, this combo is the biggest thing overall to come out of Plasma Storm, almost hands down. It is a free 30 damage with a 25% chance of forcing your opponent to have a way to switch or wake up before facing a fatality.

The idea is that you can put your opponent’s 180 HP EX down to 150 damage, then you can 1HKO with a 5 energy Keldeo. This is a lot better than having to load a Keldeo-EX with 8 energy.

Articuno-EX / Kyurem NVI / Colress Machine

Articuno-EX is a card I have been wanting to see for a while. The legendary birds are back, baby! Articuno seems really good against decks that either don’t run Keldeo or Switch (or they are Prized). The strategy is to get an Articuno into play and use Frost Prison as much as possible on your opponent’s Pokémon-EX until they have 160 damage on them.

pokemon-paradijs.comThen you want to Catcher another one of their EXs and put 160 on that. You want to do this one more time, and then use Kyurem’s Glaciate to KO all the Pokémon you put 160 on, taking a bunch of Prizes at once!

This strategy really doesn’t seem to viable, but it does sound like it may see some play, although it is easy to counter.

Colress

Colress is a Supporter card that reminds a lot of people of Steven’s Advice. It was amazing back then when you needed to set up your Stage 1 and Stage 2 attackers mid-game. Colress is similar, allowing you to count the number of benched Pokémon in play, shuffle your hand into your deck, and draw that amount.

This is great considering you normally have a bench of 3-4 at all times. So playing Colress can get you up to 10 cards. It adds a new aspect of skill to the game, and is a great addition to Blastoise/Keldeo.

Decklist

After testing with friends I have come up with a list that I personally think is the best version of the Blastoise/Keldeo-EX deck.

Pokémon – 12 4 Squirtle BCR 3 Blastoise BCR 3 Keldeo-EX 2 Black Kyurem-EX PLS

Trainers – 33 4 Professor Juniper 4 Skyla 3 N 2 Colress   4 Rare Candy 4 Energy Retrieval 4 Ultra Ball 4 Pokémon Catcher 1 Max Potion 1 Super Rod 1 Scramble Switch   1 Tropical Beach

Energy – 15 12 W 3 L

This list is pretty fast and consistent. You may be wondering: “Rahul? You must be insane, why is there no Mewtwo?” Well, it’s because Black Ballista 1-shots Mewtwos anyway. There is no need to leave yourself with a vulnerable Mewtwo when have a huge dragon that can take a couple hits.

Conclusion

I want to thank you guys for reading through this and I wish all of you the best of luck at your respective State tournaments. I personally will be going to Virginia and Maryland. I haven’t decided where I’ll be going for the 3rd weekend yet, but you can be sure to see me at the first two.