Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Three Questions for Darkrai

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pnoodle5

New Member
Hey hey hey!

So, I've been out of competitive play for a while and was planning to play Hydregion/Darkrai using Sigilyph and Shaymin Techs (as i've seen a lot of late Keldeo and M2 in my meta)... But, now I'm not so sure seeing Plasma Storm come out with PHB and Cobalion EX (and Klinklang of course).

My first question was, what sort of Darkrai variants would be the most stable- that is, of different pairings of Pokemon that you have seen with Darkrai as the main attacker, which are the best and most useful in different situations? I've considered not using Hydregion anymore because I'm not sure if it's a little complicated for my skill level, and before I trade a bunch to get those Blends and Dragons I'd like some advice.

Second question is, if I play Darkrai in any form, what tech would be best against Cobalion EX/Klinklang? I have seen many players already using proxies of Klinklang decks before they have all the cards, and we have many high-level Masters players in my area... So I've been thinking about how to counter this. I've already decided to replace the Shaymin with a Keldeo (no prism) because I use Dark Claw and added a couple HTL to give me a little boost, meaning that I'm not terribly worried by Blastoise decks. I also run Sableye and may or may not use Mewtwo instead of the Sigilyph.

Anyway, I've considered using Bouffalant with Giant Cape or Giratina EX because of high damage and Shred, respectively. I'm not sure if using Giant Cape AND Dark Claw is such a great idea, though, and since I am specifically countering Cobalion EX Giratina can lose those blends too easily- boo hoo.
So far the best card I have thought of is BLW Reshiram- the idea being that I let the Reshiram get hit by 100 Damage (possibly 110 with HTL), then I Dark Trance over two Dark Energies and outrage.
I'm trying to figure out what kind of outs players might have against Reshiram, such as not attacking at all (forcing me to destroy two blends) or using Keldeo to Rush In and BLW Klinklang on all of the energy. My opponent would have to use Prisms or Blends to get an OHKO with Keldeo, which I haven't heard much talk of, but I then don't have a whole lot of response that Reshiram can give besides fleeing in blind panic.
Maybe I'm overthinking this and maybe there's a better tech or I really don't need one at all. Hydregion can hold its own to some extent. I'm really not just sure.

Third Question- In a Hydregion deck, is Virbank Gym a good idea? I don't have access to Tropical Beach, but if I'm only using 2-3 Hypnotoxic Lasers then I don't know how terribly much I need it. I also don't know how much it will work for me to run, say, 3 copies. I know that there are many competing stadiums but I haven't tested it a whole lot.

If you have any suggestions to give at all, it would be so amazing! Thank you in advance :D

---edit---
Hrm... I'm also now thinking of V-Create Victini- While a decent card that's less situational than Reshiram (at least, you have more control than your opponent does), it gets OHKO'd by too much stuff and can't take a hit from even a non-water energy Keldeo.
 
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Answers:

Q1: The most stable Darkrai variants would be Hammertime and Hydregion/Darkrai. I prefer Hammertime a lot more than Hydregion/Darkrai as Hammertime now has the option to spam both Hammers and Hypnotoxic Beam unlike Hydregion/Darkrai because if Hydregion/Darkrai used them, they would have a lot more to set up. I like Hammertime cause it can either spam with Hammers and now Hypnotoxic Beam or if can go on the offensive with a T2 Darkrai. I disprove of using Hydregion/Darkrai instead of Hammertime cause Hydregion/Darkrai needs to set up both Hydregion and Darkrai and if one or the other get taken out, the deck stalled until it gets it's next Hydregion or Darkrai out.
Q2: For Hammertime I recommend using Victini Ex with it's Ace Spec. For Hydregion/Darkrai I recommend using Victini V-create or Victini Ex with it's Ace Spec. Victini Ex and it's Ace Spec are really good in Hammertime as Victini Ex when attach with it's Ace Spec, can attack for no energy and it's second attack knocks out all steel type Exs and if you need energy acceleration, Victini Ex's first attack comes in really handy. This card goes really well is this deck as none of the steel type Exs can OHKO it and if your opponent runs Keldeo in their deck, you can use Enhanced Hammer/Crushing Hammer to get rid of the Special Energy they'd need to use. As for Hydregion/Darkrai I recommend using Victini V-create over Victini Ex and it's Ace Spec as Hydregion/Darkrai is very dependent on it's Ace Spec compared to Hammertime and Victini V-create does more damage in the deck.
Q3: As I said above, Hypnotoxic Beam and easily be spammed by Hammertime but it's pretty hard to keep using it in Hydregion/Darkrai. In my opinoin, I don't think Hydregion/Darkrai needs Tropical Beach either as the deck goes pretty well without using it. I play Keldeo/Blastoise and I don't have Tropical Beach and the deck fairs just as well as decks that have it. If you were to run Tropical Beach and your opponent knew how to probably use it, it could screw your game up.
I hope this helps.
 
rcxd999 said:
Answers:

Q1: The most stable Darkrai variants would be Hammertime and Hydregion/Darkrai. I prefer Hammertime a lot more than Hydregion/Darkrai as Hammertime now has the option to spam both Hammers and Hypnotoxic Beam unlike Hydregion/Darkrai because if Hydregion/Darkrai used them, they would have a lot more to set up. I like Hammertime cause it can either spam with Hammers and now Hypnotoxic Beam or if can go on the offensive with a T2 Darkrai. I disprove of using Hydregion/Darkrai instead of Hammertime cause Hydregion/Darkrai needs to set up both Hydregion and Darkrai and if one or the other get taken out, the deck stalled until it gets it's next Hydregion or Darkrai out.
Q2: For Hammertime I recommend using Victini Ex with it's Ace Spec. For Hydregion/Darkrai I recommend using Victini V-create or Victini Ex with it's Ace Spec. Victini Ex and it's Ace Spec are really good in Hammertime as Victini Ex when attach with it's Ace Spec, can attack for no energy and it's second attack knocks out all steel type Exs and if you need energy acceleration, Victini Ex's first attack comes in really handy. This card goes really well is this deck as none of the steel type Exs can OHKO it and if your opponent runs Keldeo in their deck, you can use Enhanced Hammer/Crushing Hammer to get rid of the Special Energy they'd need to use. As for Hydregion/Darkrai I recommend using Victini V-create over Victini Ex and it's Ace Spec as Hydregion/Darkrai is very dependent on it's Ace Spec compared to Hammertime and Victini V-create does more damage in the deck.
Q3: As I said above, Hypnotoxic Beam and easily be spammed by Hammertime but it's pretty hard to keep using it in Hydregion/Darkrai. In my opinoin, I don't think Hydregion/Darkrai needs Tropical Beach either as the deck goes pretty well without using it. I play Keldeo/Blastoise and I don't have Tropical Beach and the deck fairs just as well as decks that have it. If you were to run Tropical Beach and your opponent knew how to probably use it, it could screw your game up.
I hope this helps.
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You suggest an ex not named "Giratina" to counter a deck that blocks damage from exes? When you could run a Victini that gives up one less prize, doesn't require a specific ace spec, is more easily recovered from the graveyard, and with an essentially inconsequential difference in HP compared to the ex?

IDGI

All you'll maybe accomplish is a T1 OHKO on something, then they get Klingklang out and wall you for the rest of the game
 
^Good to see Phazon Elite back!

The alternative to Hammertime and Hydreigon is Speed Darkrai - arguably the most consistent and stable of all the options and certainly the one most likely to get T1/2 Night Spear (and have the space for HTL/Virbank)

Hydreigon builds will be in decline I think. It's a deck built on the premise that you can't one-shot its attackers, and Keldeo and Black Ballista Kyurem make a mockery of that strategy.

As far as Klinklang goes . . . it's a relatively slow combo deck. if it gets all its pieces into play, sure it will win. If it gets its set up blitzed by fast Night Spears, then it will struggle to say the least.
 
Don't be so quick to overlook the fact that Hydreigon 1HKOs klingklang. That kinda puts a damper on the damage aversion strategy.
 
I wonder if Dark Trance decks could work if they altered their game plan.

Dark Claw + Hypnoxotic Laser + Virbank City Gym means almost any attack you can do, Zoaroak w/Foul Play can do better. At least once you factor in Dark Patch and Dark Trance. The problem then would be the Pokémon where copying their attack isn't going to help, like Keldeo EX or Blastoise. =P
 
^ thats where Shaymin pretty much shows up and owns the game. Now, I'm probably the biggest Zoroark cheerleader there is, but I think the massive body on Darkrai kind of makes it the preferred method. Not to mention the only needing one card (Darkrai) vs. two (zorua & Zoroark)
 
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Thanks, guys and gals. :D

I think that what I will do is build three deck skeletons- Speed Darkrai, Hydregion, and Hammertime/Hammerspam. I think that while Hydregion probably most matches my play style, it's a good analysis that lots of these cards can get OHKO'd and therefore the deck is in decline. I'll probably end up going with Speed Darkrai therefore, since it seems the most effective in the current meta.

I think that Darkrai is a good card that has a variety of uses, and I'll focus on building that.

Does anybody think it would be worth it to get a hold of a few Hydregion anyway, if it might fall back into favor, or is it probably good to hold out?
 
That depends on nothing more than your budget. If you can afford them; then why not? If, like me, you do competitive Pokemon on a budget; maybe you pass on Hydreigon.
 
ogremarauder said:
^ thats where Shaymin pretty much shows up and owns the game. Now, I'm probably the biggest Zoroark cheerleader there is, but I think the massive body on Darkrai kind of makes it the preferred method. Not to mention the only needing one card (Darkrai) vs. two (zorua & Zoroark)
Click to expand...

Except Hydreigon/Darkrai EX decks were largely dedicated to tanking Darkrai EX via Dark Trance, Max Potion, Eviolite (as needed) and retreating (as needed). If this strategy is no longer viable, Hydreigon needs a new dance partner, hence my suggestion. Of course, as I think about it, the only real benefit to Zoroark in the arrangement isDark Trance allows Energy to be moved about... but that may not be all that valuable. Zoroark is usually a OHKO, so there isn't the need to Dark Trance + Max Potion a lot, if at all.

I suppose I could slap Exp. Share on Hydreigon, and if it survives (or rather, both Exp. Share and Hydreigon, as a combo), then basic Darkness Energy fueled Zoroak would be easy to set up, even discarding three energy to copy a Black Ballista from Black Kyurem EX wouldn't be too bad. "Speed Zoroark" - just running Zoroark (probably backed by Sableye) and a mess of Trainers - have you tested that yet ogremaurader? If yes, was it recent, with the newest cards?
 
I haven't played Zoroark seriously since last format's Stage 1 deck. I'm intrigued by the idea of using one's attacks against themselves. It just ends up being too fragile. Maybe rescue scarf to recycle them? I don't think that it's complementary to Hydreigon, though. Darkrai fits better with the Hydra.
 
Yes, I agree; it was a quick suggestion that I didn't fully think through. With the format moving into OHKO territory, the capacity for Zoroark to utilize Dark Patch, Double Colorless Energy, and possibly Ether (room is of course an issue)... the big problem it had as a deck before was lacking a strong attacker when the opponent lacked a useful to copy attack, and that it usually failed to deliver the OHKO. The latter can be addressed with Dark Claw + Hypnotoxic Laser + Virbank City Gym (+50 damage, effectively).
 
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