The bans and addition of a few new sets have brought back and changed some past archetypes, as well as creating Milotic Marshadow. I have been working on these three decks, not necessarily because I plan to use any of them for Portland Regionals but so that I can give you guys some strong lists if you are interested in them. Let’s start with Archie’s Blastoise.
Archie’s Blastoise
| Pokémon – 13 | Trainers – 38 | Energy – 9 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Blastoise | 2 | Archie’s Ace in the Hole | 1 | Professor’s Letter | 9 | Water | ||
| 2 | Keldeo EX | 1 | Guzma | 1 | Rescue Stretcher | ||||
| 1 | Wishiwashi GX | 1 | N | 1 | Float Stone | ||||
| 1 | Articuno | 1 | Colress | 1 | Computer Search | ||||
| 1 | Swampert (35/168) | 1 | Professor Sycamore | 2 | Field Blower | ||||
| 2 | Exeggcute | 4 | Order Pad | ||||||
| 2 | Tapu Lele GX | 2 | Brooklet Hill | 4 | VS Seeker | ||||
| 2 | Shaymin EX | 4 | Battle Compressor | ||||||
| 4 | Ultra Ball | ||||||||
| 4 | Trainers’ Mail | ||||||||
| 4 | Superior Energy Retrieval | ||||||||
This has been the list that gives me the highest chance of getting Archie’s on turn one. It hits very hard with few techs and I think that is the only way Archie’s has a shot in expanded. The only tech in here is Swampert.
Swampert
You don’t necessarily need this card if you’re adamantly against it, but I suggest you try it out. The deck might as well play another evolution water type considering how frequently you can get Archie’s with a list like this one. Swampert can do 180 for 5 energy and adds consistency with Power Draw. This means even though you have to only draw 5 cards off of Archie’s instead of playing a Sycamore for 7, you effectively get 8 because of Power Draw. It’s a second one-prize attacker which is also beneficial. Swampert is worth the spot for sure.
Colress
I would rather have a Colress over the second Sycamore in Expanded because of the prevalence of big benches. Sure it is more situational than a second Sycamore, but Expanded is all about options and you still have one the Sycamore for the turns where Colress doesn’t get as many cards.
Brooklet Hill/ Rescue Stretcher
Rough Seas does not seem as needed because I see Trevenant as a positive matchup anyway. Brooklet in combination with one Stretcher makes it so I can cut the third Keldeo. It’s as if I can fit one extra card in the list by playing Brooklet. Stretcher works well because it allows you to recycle Articuno against Night March or anything else you might need.
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