Pikachu and Zekrom Tag Team GX Expanded Format Deck Review

Welcome back! Today we will venture into the Expanded Format with a better version of a Standard deck!

The Difference Between Standard and Expanded

The Standard Format has cards from 2018 to present. This means that it only has the sets Ultra Prism to Hidden Fates.
The Expanded format is both more liberating but in a way, degenerate and insane. It allows cards from 2011 (Black and White) to present. On the one hand, there are more cards to play, but some players play the craziest combos to win on the first turn, which is why the banlist is so long.

Pikarom

Pikachu and Zekrom Tag Team GX (Pikarom) is a very powerful card on its own. It can do 150 while charging up another Pokemon (like another Pikarom), and can use Tag Bolt GX to take 2-5 Prize Cards all at once, almost certainly winning the game. 

What takes it over the edge is all the Lightning support. Electropower makes its damage output higher than what one Choice Band can. Zeraora GX gives the deck mobility and an easier time charging up attackers, and Tapu Koko Prism Star, while only being able to be used once, provides another way to power up the 240 HP titan. Electromagnetic Radar can search up 2 GX Lighting Pokemon, like a Pikarom, Zeraora, or Dedenne GX (the latter is for speed). Lastly, Thunder Mountain Prism Star can reduce the amount of Energy required to attack.

And that's all in the Standard Format.

In the Expanded Format, Max Elixir can further charge up Pikarom. Shaymin EX makes the deck more explosive and powerful, and Ultra Ball lets you grab Shaymin EX and Tapu Koko Prism Star.

Decklist

3 Pikachu & Zekrom-GX (TEU 162)
2 Zeraora-GX (LOT 201)
2 Shaymin-EX (ROS 77)
1 Dedenne-GX (UNB 195)
1 Tapu Koko Prism Star (TEU 51)
11 Lightning Energy (GRI 168)
4 Acro Bike (CLS 178)
4 Trainers' Mail (AOR 100)
2 Choice Band (BUS 162)
4 Electromagnetic Radar (UNB 230)
1 Scramble Switch (PLS 129)
1 Thunder Mountain Prism Star (LOT 191)
4 Electropower (LOT 232)
2 VS Seeker (ROS 110)
4 Max Elixir (BKP 102)
1 Colress (PLS 135)
3 Professor Juniper (DEX 98)
1 N (NVI 101)
2 Guzma (BUS 143)
4 Judge Whistle (TEU 194)
3 Ultra Ball (PLF 122)

There are three Pikaroms since as the main attacker, it shouldn't be limited to 2 copies. I prefer Shaymin-EX over Dedenne-GX, and you can play multiple Shaymin per turn. 11 Energy seems to be good for this deck. I played four Acro Bike, Judge Whistle, and Trainer Mail since I wanted a fast deck. That is also why I played few Supporters and only 2 VS Seekers. 4 Max Elixirs gives you multiple shots at getting more Energy in play. I played Scramble Switch as an Ace Spec for Tag Bolt GX, but Computer Search works too. 

The deck is so fast, even decks with theoretically good matchups against Pikarom (like Primal Groudon) can lose in the race to the end. Doing 150 to 210 per attack or even 200+170 on the second turn is scary.

See you next time!