What’s poppin’ PTCGO store readers? I’m excited to share this article with you because I am testing for Worlds like crazy! This season of competitive play has been interesting due to the global pandemic, but things are finally back into full swing! I know I was on a roll after my finalist placement at the 2020 Oceania International Championships, but the break for a few years did set back my play more than I thought! I was able to make Top 32 at Vancouver and Top 64 at the North American International Championships - I think I got it back! At NAIC, we saw a metagame filled with Arceus VSTAR (Brilliant Stars) / Inteleon (Sword and Shield), Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR (Astral Radiance) variants, and Flying Pikachu VMAX (Celebrations) was able to take the whole event down! Since that event, the metagame has sorted itself out with online events, unofficial in real-life play, and at-home testing, but where is it at? We’ve seen everything from Mewtwo V-UNION (Sword and Shield Promo) decks pop off, Stonjourner VMAX (Sword and Shield) counter the meta, and Radiant Charizard (Pokemon GO) try their hand at being the best. Well, we are kinda stuck in between right now - the metagame is in a weird place. With about two weeks until Worlds at the time of writing, this article will share the best decks heading into the World Championships. As a special bonus, you can use code zlesage5 to save 5% on your next order of codes. Let’s jump into it!

3. Mew VMAX


Mew VMAX

Mew VMAX (Fusion Strike) has been one of the most successful decks in our Standard format, but at NAIC, it seemed to take a step back. With Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR dominating the event, which is a difficult matchup for Mew VMAX, the future for the deck was looking grim. Fast forward about a month, the metagame has been filled with counter decks for Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR and Arceus VSTAR - decks that typically have a bad time against Mew VMAX. The strategy hasn’t changed, Mew VMAX is still drawing cards with Genesect V (Fusion Strike), still copying attacks with Cross Fusion Strike, and still plays RNG cards like Pokemon Catcher (Sword and Shield). It is a tried-and-true strategy, one that I’m sure many will decide to play at Worlds - let’s check out this list!
 

Decklist 

Pokémon - 13 

4 Genesect V FST 255
2 Meloetta FST 124
4 Mew V FST 251
1 Pumpkaboo EVS 76
2 Mew VMAX FST 269

Trainer Cards - 40 

1 Old Cemetery CRE 147
2 Rotom Phone CPA 64
2 Rose Tower DAA 169
2 Switch SUM 160
1 Echoing Horn CRE 136
1 Escape Rope BUS 163
1 Tool Jammer BST 136
3 Pokémon Catcher DEX 111
2 Boss's Orders RCL 189
1 Choice Belt ASR 211
4 Ultra Ball BRS 186
1 Cyllene ASR 183
4 Battle VIP Pass FST 225
4 Power Tablet FST 281
4 Quick Ball SSH 216 
4 Cram-o-matic FST 229
3 Elesa's Sparkle FST 260

Energy - 7 

3 Double Turbo Energy ASR 216
4 Fusion Strike Energy FST 244

Total Cards - 60

2. Arceus VSTAR / Inteleon


Arceus VSTAR

Arceus VSTAR has been seeing success ever since the release of Brilliant Stars, and a fun fact is that Arceus VSTAR decks have won every North American major event! Will that continue at Worlds? It very well could! This deck doesn’t have a super powerful matchup spread, but it also doesn’t lose too much in the metagame. The key to the strategy here is using Drizzile (Sword and Shield) to search out Supporters, like Marnie (Sword and Shield) or Cheren’s Care (Brilliant Stars), and abuse them with Pal Pad (Sword and Shield). You can use up to six Cheren’s Care in a game (with Pal Pad), and that means Arceus VSTAR is not giving up many Prize Cards. Pairing that with other tech cards, such as Path to the Peak (Chilling Reign), can definitely slow down your opponent and take a lead in the game. Let’s look at this list!

Decklist 

Pokémon - 17 

4 Arceus V PR-SW 204
3 Arceus VSTAR BRS 184
1 Galarian Zigzagoon SHF 151
4 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SHF 99
2 Inteleon SHF 100

Trainer Cards - 32 

2 Marnie PR-SW 121
3 Level Ball BST 181 
1 Big Charm RCL 206
2 Evolution Incense SSH 163 
2 Pal Pad SSH 172
1 Professor's Research PGO 78
2 Cheren's Care BRS 168
1 Roxanne ASR 188
2 Path to the Peak ASR 213
2 Boss's Orders RCL 189
2 Scoop Up Net RCL 207 
1 Choice Belt ASR 211
4 Ultra Ball BRS 186
4 Quick Ball SSH 216 
1 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137
1 Melony ASR 242
1 Ordinary Rod SSH 215 

Energy - 11 

2 Capture Energy DAA 201
6 Water Energy CRE 231
3 Double Turbo Energy ASR 216

Total Cards - 60

1. Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR


オリジンパルキアVSTAR

Here we are, the best deck heading into Worlds! Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR has been on a tear since it was released in Astral Radiance, with its peak finish being a second-place finish at the 2022 North American International Championships! With the deck that took its shot away from being the champ away, Flying Pikachu VMAX, being nowhere to be found - this deck is back on top! It works by using its VSTAR Power to accelerate Energy to variance Pokemon, including itself, to attack very aggressively! It is similar in build to Arceus VSTAR / Inteleon, but it does more damage and boasts a slightly better matchup spread. The drawback is that it is targeted more in the metagame, so we might see a few Lightning-type decks pop up, but this deck still might be able to get past those. Let’s check out my list!

Decklist 

Pokémon - 17 

1 Manaphy BRS 41
3 Origin Forme Palkia V ASR 167
1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
4 Sobble CRE 41
3 Drizzile SHF 99
1 Inteleon SHF 100
1 Inteleon EVS 227
3 Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR ASR 208

Trainer Cards - 36 

1 Marnie PR-SW 121
3 Level Ball BST 181 
3 Evolution Incense SSH 163 
1 Pal Pad SSH 172
4 Irida ASR 186
1 Leon VIV 182
1 Roxanne ASR 188
1 Echoing Horn CRE 225
1 Path to the Peak ASR 213
2 Boss's Orders RCL 189
2 Scoop Up Net RCL 207 
2 Choice Belt ASR 211
1 Tool Scrapper RCL 208
4 Battle VIP Pass FST 225
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
3 Quick Ball SSH 216 
1 Melony ASR 242
3 Capacious Bucket RCL 156
1 Training Court FST 282

Energy - 7 

7 Water Energy CRE 231

Total Cards - 60

See Ya at Worlds

That's what we have going on for this article today! Worlds is right around the corner, and I have been fortunate enough to earn a fully paid trip and Day Two invite to the 2022 World Championships in London for my play from 2020-2022. I’ve always wanted to see success at Worlds - maybe this is my year? I’ve been testing with my teammates, running online events, and coaching players for this event… I hope I’m ready! Whether you are playing in Worlds, the London Open, or watching from home, I hope this article has helped you. In terms of other Pokemon TCG/ Online decks, expect to see some Mewtwo V-UNION decks, other Arceus VSTAR variants, and some Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX (Chilling Reign) decks. At this point, we will see, but you can use code zlesage5 to save 5% on your next order of PTCGO codes to build any of the best online decks in the game. If you see me at the event, be sure to say hi!

筆者について

Zach Lesage is a contributing writer for PTCGOStore.com. As a Toronto local, he has been playing the Pokemon Trading Card Game since 2005 and creates Pokemon content as his full time career. With multiple prestigious accomplishments in the game, such as 2020 Players Cup 2 Champion and 2020 Oceania International Championships Finalist, he has proven his success in the game. Outside of the game, he travels the world, enjoys the culture of designer streetwear, and is a professionally trained chef. You can catch him at most Pokemon events and follow him on Twitter @ZachLesagePTCG.