Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Donphan Meets Legends

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Lancun

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I recently created a deck that relies on the usual suspects of Donkphan (Pokedex, Pokedrawer+, etc.) along with some new twists that make for an absurd combination. While I think Mesprit is a great partner for Donphan, I think a better one for raw power is Entei-Raikou Legend. So here's the list I have so far.

Pokemon (19)

4-4 Donphan Prime
2-1 Uxie LA
1 Unown Q (perfect tool for Uxie Lv. X)
2-2 Manectric PL (absolutely vital to protect from Donphan and Entei-Raikou Legend's attacks.)
1 Shaymin UL (allows you to set up the Legend pieces in one turn with its Power)
1-1 Entei-Raikou Legend (the solid game-winner)

Energy (10)
5 :fighting: (thinking of adding more so Donphan has at least a little bit more ammo)
2 :lightning:
3 Rainbow

Trainer Line (31)
4 Pokedex
4 Pokedrawer+
4 Super Scoop Up
1 Palmer's Contribution (will likely replace with Flower Shop Girl)
2 Warp Point
2 Expert Belt
1 Luxury Ball
4 Pokemon Collector
4 Pokemon Communication
2 Rare Candy
3 BTS

Basic strategy is to do what Donphan does best. Hit hard and fast, using Manectric's Electric Barrier to shield everyone else on my bench. I've considered using a Bench Shield on top of this to make my whole bench immune, but the 2-2 line is better in my opinion. Not only is Manectric the natural partner for Donphan, it is also famous for shielding your bench from Entei-Raikou's Thunder Fall. Speaking of which, Shaymin's Poke Power, Celebration Wind, is excellent at setting up your Legend in one turn before your opponent has an opportunity to counter. The SSUs are my backup in case I'm up against SP with a couple of Power Sprays.

The big issue this deck will encounter is Spiritomb, but Electrike can Roar it out in the early game before a Cursegar set can Shadow Skip every turn. My main problem is that I will sometimes go a few turns without drawing the single :fighting: I need for Donphan, and if I lose a couple of Donphan with Fighting Energy, my main attack method is gone. Hopefully Flower Shop Girl will be a good replacement for Palmer's for recharging your deck.
 
Haha just like my Nats deck! Great choice! I have quite a bit of advice I can give you.

I like the idea of Shaymin UL (it's searchable), but I don't like how it can be Sprayed. Thunder Fall is what wins games against some SP decks- I KO'd 5 Pokemon at once against a LuxChomp. Since Thunder Fall is so important to winning games, I would put in an Energy Switch or two in. Since you run search cards like Pokedex and Pokedrawer+, getting Energy Switch into your hand shouldn't be too much of a problem, but I'd still run it anyways.

Since you only run a 1-1 of ERL, I would add in an Azelf. Again, Thunder Fall is extremely important.

I feel Rare Candy is unnecessary; I would drop both of them for a 4th BTS (you only run Stage 1 Pokemon) and a 3rd Expert Belt (Donphan really needs Expert Belt to be powerful.) I also think 4 Pokemon Collector is too excessive- sure you have a good chance of drawing into one, but after the 2nd the 3rd and 4th just become dead weights in your hand. I'd still keep 3 in for consistency, but I'd take one out for a Warp Point.

Bench Shield is a great idea, and I did run 1 for Nats. It makes your entire bench immune to damage, so LuxChomp is forced to Dragon Rush your active Donphan, Sablelock is forced to attack you as well, and a Belted Cursegar takes 3 hits to take down your active Donphan due to the inability to Curse (there isn't any damage on your bench.) Looking at your list, it does look a little difficult as to what to put in. I would say that an energy can go, but without Claydol your deck might have a bit of trouble drawing into energy.


One thing I should probably tell you is to hold the ERL in your hand, and don't play or reveal any part of it until the turn when you drop it down with a Warp Point, Shaymin/Energy Switch, and the 2nd Energy. Most opponents probably won't see it coming, and you will be allowed to take multiple easy prizes at once. This could secure you a lead in the game so that even if you lose Donphans faster than your Donphans are taking prizes, you might still win the game.


I hope I helped, and good luck at Battle Roads.
 
if you're gonna run energy switch, just run stark mountain at least you can use it more than one time. it also helps with donphan and stuff too.
 
tehmoe, I wish to disagree with you. Stark Mountain is good, and it does work in this deck, but I feel BTS works a lot better; you need the T1 Donphan, and sometimes you have to instantly lay down another Manectric line.
 
I would highly recommend 2 PONT (Professers oaks new theory).


It has helped me a bunch with getting rid or my horrible hand, and sometimes useful to get energy's fast.
 
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