Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Regigigas Lock; It Ain't Dead Yet

Di you guys try Gigas with Gyarados?

I've heard of people trying it sure, but I can't see it being able to hold its own in the current format (in my area at least). And even then I see it being more gyrados based than gigas to some degree...though who knows.

Can't knock it til I try it I guess, but I guess my thing is I can't see fitting dos into any of my lists and can't figure a balance between the two if I built a new one ._.
 
Hey, how does this deck fare against Tyranitar? I'm making Ttar and want to know my matchups against this growing threat. Thanks!
 
Uh oh. Seems like we didn't get Lost World yet - so Gigas will thriumph with Triumphant.

While everyone probably knows this already, pretty much all new trainers/supporters should be very Gigas-compatible. However, they will also be pretty Gyarados-compatible so watching that matchup is always not a bad idea.

Things to consider:

Twins - What can I say. The perfect combo with Sacrifice is here. No need to blow up stupid Electrodes to get behind in prizes - you'll have all the benefits of Sacrifice and more with Twins. This turbo-boots Gigas so well it isn't even funny. The idea here is to start Sacrificing, then Twins, then either Drag off important stuff while reusing Twins (VS Seeker) and setting up everything you ever have needed and more, or go for aggro Gigas blastering everything in your way. I tend to go with slower approach for certainity as Gigas only has limited amount of recovery capacity when one goes down, but blastering everything is certainly a worthwhile option for winning games quickly.
Junk Arm - I know me and Cetra may share a bit mixed opinions about this card, but IMO it's a card Gigas should play 4-of. And VS seeker. VS seeker is more of a card to get to your discard pile as early as possible in the game. Then, when you get Judge'd, Initiative'd or otherwise disrupted, Junk arm really extends your supporter availability with 4 (+ VS seeker, so 5). Of course, along VS seeker and all the supporters, it can reuse Communication, Rescue (=all the pokémon in discard pile), Warp Point/Switch, SSU, crazy tech trainers like Pokéturn and the list goes on. And the best part is - you don't have to Regice that often anymore, which has always been a painful card to play down in certain matchups. I've been ready to even drop Regice after adding Junk Arm to my deck, but kept it in for further testing for some things like Spiritombs and Dialga G (and of course other trainerlockers).
Black belt - a seemingly noobish card, but can serve an important purpose in the all-important battle against Promocroaks in SP decks. Also serves purpose when taking down belted Gyaradoses. This too should be made accessible with Junk Arm + VS Seeker combo, as it's the most flexible way for Gigas supporters (aside from one other card which I'll be returning to later).
Seeker - my least favourite from the pack, but an obvious include anyway. Reusing Mesprits without need to flip or sacrifice certainly isn't bad. It just takes a supporter slot where Gigas obviously has loads of better things to do as you can see above. Still, a powerlock enhancement, and a card that usually proves it's value in long, resource-intensive games. Also reusable with VS Seeker + Junk arm, possibly extending the powerlock with 6 turns in total. And it's fun to announce VS Seeker for Seeker.

Now, when all the best cards in the set are compatible with a certain deck, it usually rises in popularity. However, a certain other deck can pretty much use everything Gigas gets and more - maybe less Twins and Black Belt, but certainly more Rescue Energy.

Gyarados.

Gigas has always had a so-so match against the thing, and struggled with OHKOs. Now with Junk arm speeding up the action and Seeker restoring Gyarados to full health (and getting Warp/Rescue energies back, too) after every desperate blow that's thrown to it, where should one focus on? With Rescue energy, Judge/Giratina doesn't even get rid of the thing when it's set up, so there's a need for a new weak point for Gyarados to exploit. Would it be Giratina'ing after every Impersonate and trying to overpower from the start? Would it be reusing Warp points, trying to take cheap prizes from bench and constantly charging up new Gigases to compete in a prize battle? Or would you try some crazy techs like Relicanth's amnesia with hand control units to keep Gyarados unable to draw or attack?

Teching Staraptor FB Lv.X in Gigas has been my little idea for a while now. Sure, it doesn't win you a Machamp matchup (other than Black belting Uxie Lv.Xs), or doesn't compete against Gengar (other than getting you the stuff you need besides the trainerlock), but it increases the overall functionality with the new supporter options. It also has a nifty anti-Gyarados attack which discards the stadium. Broken Time-Space is pretty much still the weak point of Gyarados, and if correctly executed, can freeze the deck or make your opponent to play pre-emptively (like getting extra Magikarps to the bench) in order to prevent the Mesprit + Giratina + Cyrus's Initiative + Defog knockout, which is probably the only thing that can stop Gyarados in it's tracks with all the draw and reusage it has going on. And when you succeed in taking out Broken Time-Space, just drag off the Magikarps. Staraptor also allows better teching of the supporters - 1 of every techy supporter is enough with Staraptor and VS Seeker-Junk Arm. Also, brutalizes SP decks without Luxray GL Lv.X as the all-mighty Toxicroak G Promo only does puny 40 + poison which is free-retreated off.

Dialga G Lv.X is also a hot contender for the tech spots here with it's fighting changes against LunaSol combo, Vileplume, Gengar Prime (which will fortunately not see too much play yet) and M2X. Doesn't fix Machamp and Donphan, though.

Abomasnow is still a contender for the tech spot. Now, with the supposed rise of the spread with LunaSol (which Gigas X can't touch), Aboma can return to the spread and turn the tides against some certain decks. Works wonders against Donphan, has some problems against Machamp Prime but functions well against regular one, can take out M2X and might even protect you from Thunder fall coming from ERL. A good option.

Drifblim UL is a pure Machamp-counter, which has a wall-negating opportunies too. Gigas itself is a wall-breaker though, so not so much needed. Can trick Gyarados and mirror match to your favour. Psychic energy requirement - not as fun.

If you're feeling Engineer's is still a must part of your Gigas (which I've dropped for good in favour of Sage's training, even more so with Junk arm's capabilities), Bronzong SF is still available. Happens to have a good typing, and with Let loose, can 90 + Confuse your opponent's Machamp. Also fetches the correct basic energies if you opt for more special ones like DCE, Warp and stuff.

Double Smeargle is FUN. Smeargle itself is an awesome sacrifice card - when you get a special condition on your Gigas, you usually have to retreat and sacrifice anything you bring to the active position. Smeargle offers you some function for that, too. Double Smeargle can also be used for countering those Seeker-abusers, forcing them to take up a good chunk of cards while you Switch/Warp point your Smeargles, then drop the bomb with Giratina or if you get far enough, just take the last active out. Smeargle is also the most favourite starter in a Gigas deck.

Relicanth has lost a bit of it's power with absence of Roseanne's as it's not as easy to get Relicanth and Fighting energy to the same hand, but when against a mirror match, it gives you muchos lols to OHKO Gigas out of nowhere with Belted Relicanth (assuming 1 Expert Belt and 1 Q being attached, and with possibility for Crobat Drop or other means of 10 damage). Also works as your primary sniping machine in matchups where you can Drag off something heavy (read: Regice).

1-1 Donphan Prime is your mirror device of choice. Utilizes the same energies as already in the deck, this can prove as decent Luxray counter, mirror counter and Mewtwo counter all in the same time. Donphan is also playable as it's own deck, so it tells a bit about the quality of the card.

Jirachi RR is a nice one-off setup fodder. Free retreat, brutal combos with things like Twins and Cyrus's Initiative and it's almighty single-twin power, this is a card that keeps rolling in my Gigas builds. If you don't feel like going through everything and more with Sableye, Jirachi is a lighter option. Cyrus2 combo can win games when charging more Gigases for your arsenal - double initiative can pretty much stop any deck in it's tracks in the format without constant draw. Sableye can also be used and I'm liking it, as the first turn(s) with Gigas are usually spent by doing nothing too important anyway.

Chatot G is an underrated control card in an environment that just wishes control cards to be used. While Sacrifice prevents you from achieving a full control, a well-timed Chatot can be as good as hand full of Mesprits. Giga Blastering away the important topdecks or stalling just a couple more turns, even extending to getting you the Expert belt you need, this card has everything to support Gigas in it's blastering activities.

Sage's training is my engine of choice. While Engineer gets to keep all the cards, it makes the deck so much more vulnerable in the beginning of the game, where Gigas is yet to achieve the steamroll phase. You will not want to sacrifice your precious DCE to be able to maybe draw into a second energy - or even worse, you will start with a handful of engineers but no energy to go with. Sage discards can be handled with Junk Arms much more efficiently than before, although Sage wasn't even bad without the Junk arm. This makes Gigas's deckburning abilities out of this world, so be careful - although you can usually find a way to prevent decking before taking the 6 prizes. Giratina and Judge are good ways to go.

Well, that's the considerations from me with the Triumphant arriving. Happy toggling with your builds and hope to see some success in your side of an ocean, too! (Gigas has won 2 of 4 BRs and has 5 T2 placings here in Finland already this year, none of which were played by me :D)
 
Last edited:
Call me a tool, but I still stick to running no TM cards in my gigas list...I still top 8 with me where I get luck sacked by people like David Cohen, but hey, my list still owns face in my area.

I'm really hoping something bowls over gengar, cuz if the train gets rolling Gigas won't be around very long along with 99.9% of the metagame...

P.S. I AM debating making a mess around gigas list in which I aim to use some new engines for testing (in hopes of a bright future for my favorite golem thing). I'll try posting what I come up with...

I'd also like to type up a fresh season gigas article before Lost World hits...
 
My gigas list changes with the metagame. So far, I have topped with it twice and plan to win another city tomorrow. Working on the build right now actually. The only reason Gigas can continue to dominate the Luxchomp matchup is Belted Drag Off. It picks off benched Chomp C's, and with a bat drop it KOs chomp X's. Very useful. Initiative needs to be played in the deck as well without a doubt still. I play 2 twins/2 seeker/2 engineer/2 Sage/2 Judge/2 Initiative/4 Collector. Very consistent and useful. I dropped Chatot G because although it is amazing, it gets absolutely rocked by gengar.

Cetra, update gigas asap.
 
My current record with gigas this year is 34 wins with 20 losses. All but 4 of my losses are to vilegar and machamp with the 4 remaining being to:

#1 Gage Rose w/ Magnezone because he's a rule Nazi
#2 David C. w/ luxchomp Because he lucksacced 3 power spray, a luxray gl and a call energy opening hand going first
#3 David C. w/ luxchomp Donking me round 1 with Garchomp C and then me being a tool and not KOing all his chomps in game 2.
#4 Zane N. w/ Dialga chomp (see my last report -_-' below).


My last weekend of city's report:
http://pokegym.net/forums/showthread.php?t=139414

I plan to play Gigas through both OR and WA states assuming Lost World isn't printed, and probably even if it IS...

I'll post my current list later, but figured you guys would be interested in seeing how the dedck is doing.
 
I beat lostgar the game i tested against it with my list. It's nowhere near as much of an auto loss as people would think it is, but I will be spending all month plugging and chugging decklists for states.
 
Level down seems like it could give you problems. As could a Gengar SF tech. I think both are a good play in lostgar.
 
So I'm like 10-2 vs gengar prime and I've played a slew of different variants where the only one's that actually hurt me are ones that tech machamp.

I'll be taking gigas to OR and I'll fill you in on how it goes.
 
I played Regi-Mes for 3 city victories a few years ago. I revived it for fun recently.

4 2-2 Regigigas (1 Promo)
4 Mesprites
4 Uxie
1 Unown Q
2 Crobats
1 Spiritomb (Stategy to get around Spray)
1 Unown Q

2 ExBelt
4 Dual Ball
1 Lux Ball
4 Pokemon Communication
4 Drawer
4 Junk Arm
4 SSU
4 Energy Search
2 PokeDex (Can be converted to Tech's)
1 Warp Point
4 Seeker

3 Metal
3 Water
3 Fighting

I am basically ignoring trainer lock. No regice because I couldn't find one to put in, and I find it runs fine without it. I know it's not right yet.
 
At the above, gigas has evolved a lot from what it was two years ago. It's a lot like a multi purpose tool box nowadays. You don't need 4 mesprit and 3-1 uxie is better than 4 if you have the resources. Regice is a must play and has a ton of different uses. You need at least 3 dce and if you cant do that you'll pry want to add 1/1/1 to your energy counts if not 2/2/2. Ex dual ball and go with collector; it's the decks bread and butter. You only need 1 crobat...and q is written twice? Also take a look at giratina pl #9. 4 seeker is overkill as is 4 junk arm, though wih your list I guess the junk arm makes a little mroe sense.

Anywho at porri I plan to make a gigas article after states. I started writing one a few weeks back, but pulled it in regards to the fact that it may not be the best thing to do right now until I get a solid feel for what states brings to the table. Expect it right after the second week of states ends.

I'm testing 2 lists right now for states. List 1 is the same list I've played since the start of the season. The second list is a more 'mainstream' list with new cards like junk arm and seeker and techs like giratina and crobat. I don't like the second list much...I find it inconsistent and sub par to my original, but I'll keep you up to date as usual.
 
Thanks certa, My list is faster and more consistent than yours. But highly, I mean very highly in trouble with trainer lock. Thus is it really consistent if I not playing trainer lock., :). But for this format, one would like have to be able to build it to deal with Vile-gar.

What is your build vile-gar match up?
 
@slowdeck why should it matter if it can beat vilegar his list is not tourney leaguel

[/COLOR]But I absolutely love regi I played it once but its a little slow for me now
 
I've been trying to work with Gigas some and was wondering what you thought about Sableye and Cyrus's Conspiracy replacing some of the basic energies. Instead of running 3 or 4 of each, you could search for the energy you need using Impersonate for a Cyrus and a Supporter.


Pokémon (17):
2 Regigigas DP 40 Promo
2 Regigigas Lv.X (SF)
3 Mesprit (LA)
2 Uxie (LA)
3 Sableye (SF)
1 Smeargle (UD)
1 Crobat G (PL)
1 Regice (LA)
1 Unown Q (MD)
1 Giratina "Let Loose" (PL)

Trainers/Supporters/Stadiums (32):
4 Pokémon Collector
4 Junk Arm
3 Twins
3 Seeker
2 Pokémon Communication
2 Pokemon Rescue
2 Looker's Investigation
2 Cyrus's Conspiracy
2 Pokehealer +
2 VS Seeker
2 Expert Belt
1 Premier Ball
1 Luxury Ball
1 Warp Point
1 Bebe’s Search

Energy (11):
4 Double Colorless
2 Fighting
2 Metal
2 Water
1 Warp
 
@ slowdeck, I'm going to hope you were meaning the list I posted a few posts ago. Just to confirm, that was just a quick list for those wanting a skeleton. Yes it's horrible, that's the point but I assure you both my lists are alot better. BTW, trainer lock comes with practice.

At the above, your list has a lot of problem. Your energy count is the first thing that makes me cringe. With only 2 of all your base energy you won't be Blastering very often and that's also saying you're using twins/cyrus to fish them. With only 2 pokehealer you'd be better off either switching them to life herbs or dropping them altogether. Sableye is a cool idea, but probably too slow and dangerous in todays meta. Just saying you may find more success with a more straightforward list.
 
Cetra, I assume you had been playing a much updated list. I have had others recomend DCE to me also. Let's forget the build, I am more curious on the strategy. When I played it in the past, it was a "autopilot" deck in terms of follow this playbook.

My current playbook is the same as my playbook from 2 years ago.
Turn 1:
- Mesprite drop / Power Lock
- Get Gigas Down Get Energy on it.
Turn 2:
- Mesprite Drop / Power Lock
- Have 2 energy in discard pile
- Sacrifice Gigas Level X (Give up prize)
- Gigas Attack (gain prize)
Turn 3,4,5,6,7:
- Keep The Power Lock Mesprite
- Keep Gigas Attacking / Sacrifice when needed.
- Opponent's could keep up because of the power lock.

Now that playbook of power lock was devastating in Claydol enviroment. For the pre-SP(power spray) world, this deck was just the best and nothing could deal with it. Thus I called the build Regi-Mes, this is why I had 4 mesprites, because it is a constant lock and the importance of the power lock. I am a pretty decent player, and I did know when I when deviate from the playbook to get the win.

My question is what is your playbook today. Does DCE allow you not to sacrifice?
 
Last edited:
Try this, it's what I've been giving out to people asking for my list.

Your base Pokemon List will look something like this

2-2 Gigas (drag off) or 3-1 Gigas (2 drag off 1 recover mech)
2-3 mesprit (I've always run 2 and had no problems, but my current list runs 3)
3-1 uxie (this helps guarantee draw for when you play or play against judge/giratina. The x is also great to use vs machamp and sp)
1 Regice (drops energy, manipulates sps pokemon and can even counter mewtwo to some degree)

Then the optional cards are:
1 unown q (obvious retreat)
1 Giratina pl 9 (searchable disruption. Great vs sp and gdos)
1 Crobat g (search able plus power and a decent fainting spell counter)
1-1 Dialga g (helps vs trainer lock, helps vs mewtwo, helps vs donphan. It also works as a decent attacker)
1-1 Umbreon ud (A great card but forces you to switch your energy counts to play Rainbow)
1-1 Honchkrow sv (see above)

Next I'm going to go over energy. I always do my energy count for Gigas before my trainer list because that way I know exactly how many spots I have for T/s/s.

There are 2 popular counts imo:

I always do:

4 water
4 fighting
4 steel
3 dce

But other people mostly prefer

3 Water
3 Fighting
3 Steel
4 dce

The extra dce in the second list is pretty helpful, but the first list can utilize the engineer's adjustments trainer engine and it's generally easier imo to get the necessary energy to Giga Blaster. Your energy count is laregly hinged on your build and playstyle. If you can handle playing more calculated and don't mind being a bit lucky, then go with build 2, especially if your particular build needs more room. If you like moderate consistency for a more giga blaster aggressive build, then use list 1.

Now for the trainer list. It varies ALOT and this is where it gets harder.

Your base t/s/s list is this:

4 collector
4 SSU
2 Ex Belt
2-3 pokemon rescue (depending on your build)
1-2 Premier Ball (personal preference and dependent on your build)
2 Pkmn Comm./ Bebe's

The above is none negotiable. If you're missing these cards, odds are your Gigas list won't be running well anytime soon.

Now for the rest of your varying t/s/s list and these are all based on personal preference and build style. I'll mark what I think is necessary with an(*).

2 Judge* (Flat out, imo this is probably the second most important supporter to Gigas second only to Collector. It's not search able, but when you drop this after your bind I can guarantee your opponent will be hurting pretty bad.)
2-3 Engineer's (depends on your energy count and build (see energy)
2-3 Sage's Training (Depends on personal preference. I don't like it because of the potential to discard important cards, but I AM using it in my current list and will support than when you play it right it's beast).
2-3 Warp Point* (my favorite trainer. It can score you a free prize, reset Giga Blaster and even get around mewtwo if need be. I always run 3 because it's just that good).
4 Poke healer +* (Great vs sp when you can't get rid of their power sprays an need to heal. After I started using this this year it's a staple in my gigas lists. You can also try subbing out life herb if you're running junk arm and don't mind the flip.)
2-4 Junk Arm (not necessary but definitely nice. I went the whole season not using it until this last week, 3 is a good number here, but this varies on your build.)
2-3 Seeker (Another card I just now started messing with. Great for mid game when you NEED to bind/heal/draw. If you run VS Seeker, stick to 2. One downside to this card is that too many will kill you early game. Works great as a mewtwo counter when paired with warp point.)
0-2 twins (I don't play it. I don't like it. It's virtually dead early game and you want it to be dead late game or you're doing something wrong. Some people like it, but I would never play more than 1 or 2.)
1 VS Seeker (Great with Junk Arm. Great with Seeker. It also allows you some flexibility in your build in the sense that you can usually drop your draw supporters to 2 ea and be fine. I just recently started using it and I gotta say it IS pretty fun.)
3-4 Plus Power (A personal favorite of mine. Not necessary but definitely nice for adding damage in a pinch, especially with drag off. I've played 4 of these all year until my new list, and they've won me games.)
1-2 Black Belt (Numbers are a personal preference. 2 Gets you them more often, but in you're opening hand, you'll be kicking yourself for having them. I run 1 in my new build and the vs seeker works to reuse it if need be.)
0-2 Snowpoint Temple (haven't played it since last year and even then I took it from my list by regionals. Great for tanking but virtually useless vs sp).
0-2 Cyrus Initiative (a great card for disruption when it works...but it has to work).


Now in regards to strategy, your strategy is pretty much the same. You maintain your bind with SSU/Sac/Rescue/what have you while taking prizes. I focused a lot less on an all game bind this year and I did fine. With practice you learn when you can skip a bind to save on resources. The second thing you need to apply is disruption and in all honesty THAT'S what kills your opponent. Judge, Cyrus, Giratina, Weavile, any thing that strips resources is a great tool.

Hope this helps
 
Back
Top