So why not keep the Top 30 List gimmick going with the best 30 decks from the latest set, and also give a first look at how the upcoming 2020-2021 rotation will affect these decks. Hopefully this will be helpful to those still wondering if they should keep working on a certain deck or find something new to try during the next month or so while waiting for Darkness Ablaze to arrive.
Cards fully in red are the ones rotating. If you see one that is half red and half black, it's a rotating card that can be easily replaced in those decks. Prices were taken from TCG Player on the 5th of July 2020.
30) Magcargo-GX
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 0 |
| Rotate: | 20% |
Starting with a deck that's gone from rotation because the main attacker is gone, just to show as an example. I could have used Malamar but more stuff would be rotating compared to Magcargo-GX. As you can see, even with the main attacking line and some techs gone, most of the deck is still available. A Welder deck using Oranguru could still see play in the form of Torkoal V but let's be fair, Welder fans will be flocking over to the new Centiskorch VMAX deck
29) Beedrill TEU/Spiritomb
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 0 |
| Rotate: | 11.67% |
Beedrill is a fun deck idea that seen little play but the idea is there. Beedrill's attack KOs itself but also the opponent which gives you a two prize advantage. Losing rainbow energy will hurt the deck a lot and the only way to get that damage may be the Spiritomb/Jynx combo.
28) Falinks
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 0 |
| Rotate: | 15% |
The cheapest deck on this list may have not seen much sucess now but that might change in the future. Falinks may see more play with the release of the Eternatus VMAX and Vikavolt V and also the new Fighting special energy to help bulk up the Falinks. The deck doesn't lose much in the rotation so it might thrive in the next rotation.
27) Sandaconda V
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 0 |
| Rotate: | 5% |
Sandaconda V might be another deck that sees a lot of play with the release of the two bigger hyped decks, Vikavolt V and Eternatus VMAX. The best part about it? The deck loses very little to the rotation, 95% of the deck in this list survives with the only real loss being Diancie Prism. The deck can handle decks like PikaRom and Zacian V as well, just having to depend on a Stage 2 for energy acceleration can be very awkward.
26) Luxray
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 0 |
| Rotate: | 23.33% |
Luxray from Rebel Clash will still be around but the deck as it is will be gone thanks to rotation. Sure you still have a Shinx and a Luxio, but the ones from Ultra Prism made the deck good. Also, losing Electropower and Thunder Mountain Prism hurts the deck even more. Luxray may not seen any play after the rotation in all honesty.
25) Vikavolt RCL
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 0 |
| Rotate: | 18.33% |
Vikavolt is a fun idea and unlike Luxray before, most of it's line survives the rotation but it's problem is being an lighting-type deck. Every lighting type will lose 5 important cards, the 4 Electropower and Thunder Mountain Prism and it will hurt Vikavolt as well. Being a Stage 2 hurts it as well, with Marnie, Stamp and Dragapult still around. If you're a big fan of Vikavolt, just wait for the new Vikavolt V to be released, it is too good to be ignored.
24) Rillaboom Toolbox
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 0 |
| Rotate: | 10% |
Rillaboombox doesn't actually lose much from the rotation. Net Ball can easily be replaced but losing Energy Recycler hurts. It is still one of the more awkward decks to play, fire weakness is still not a good thing especially with the new set in mind. Having a decent matchup against some of the better decks in this format might be nice, the problem is still trying to set up which is why we haven't seen a top 8 finish for a Rillaboombox. Like Sandaconda V, relying on a Stage 2 isn't the best of ideas.
23) Reshiram & Charizard-GX/Greens
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 1 |
| Rotate: | 20% |
GreenZard used to be one of the more feared decks but in a format filled with hand shuffling cards, trying to build up combos is more difficult than ever. The deck still has a decent matchups, especially against Zacian decks. Losing Custom Catcher and Wait and See Hammer, two of the main pieces to find off Greens, will hurt with no proper like-for-like replacements available yet.
22) Pikachu & Zekrom-GX/Greens
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 1 |
| Rotate: | 10% |
Greens version of Pika won't lose much compared to other lighting decks but again, losing the two main pieces of Electropower and Thunder Mountain Prism. In fact, I can see PikaRom shifting from an ability based deck to a more Green focused decks with the new rotation along with Boltund V to help build up energies for the huge KOs now that turn 1 Full Blitz is unlikely to happen.
21) Cinderace VMAX
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 1 |
| Rotate: | 5% |
Cinderace VMAX losses very little from the rotation. Escape Board and Heat Factory Prism are important pieces but Scoop Up Net can easily fill in for those cards. The main problem is the fact that Centiskorch VMAX may end up being the better option for players wanting to go the Welder route. Cinderace can still see play in a more tankier build.
20) Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX/Articuno & Zapdos & Moltres-GX
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 1 |
| Top 8: | 1 |
| Rotate: | 10% |
ADP will always be good, but with the Bird Trio? Being a Greens-based deck hurts in the current format and with more VMAXes coming, the deck may struggle to compete with these decks. It won't lose much in the rotation so it might still be a good rogue choice. If you're looking for a good budget choice, this deck is actually one of the cheapest decks in the game at the moment.
19) Turbo Boltund V
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 1 |
| Top 8: | 1 |
| Rotate: | 20% |
Turbo Boltund not only loses Electropower and Thunder Mountain Prism, but it loses some very important cards. Zeraora is needed to accelerate energies for the GX while Shuckle is there to help with that strategy as does Acro Bike and losing all three means the deck will not be able to set up as quickly as it does or hit as hard as it could. The turbo version of the deck will likely cease to exist and it may have to go to the Greens route in the future with PikaRom.
18) Dark Box
| Wins: | 1 |
| Top 4: | 1 |
| Top 8: | 1 |
| Rotate: | 1.67% |
This version of Dark Box is the least affected by the rotation, only losing Darkrai Prism, which is a key card to help speed up energy acceleration, as did Naganadel before. This list has already proven itself in a 70 person tournament that it can still be a great choice in the current format. Next format however, it won't be the best Dark type deck with Eternatus VMAX coming soon and it may struggle against that very deck as well, Dark type exhausts will be switching their allegiances from next set onwards.
17) Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX/Spiritomb
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 2 |
| Rotate: | 30% |
Any deck using Spiritomb are hit the hardest with the upcoming rotation, losing Belt and Rainbow Energy along with Shrine and for ADP Tombs, losing SSU hurts it's plan to avoid having ADP knocked out. The deck can still adapt with the new Toughness Cape for Spiritomb but it won't be the best ADP option.
16) Excadrill CEC
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 0 |
| Top 8: | 2 |
| Rotate: | 13.33% |
Excadrill will still see some sort of play as Eternatus VMAX has fighting weakness and decks will still rely on consistency booster cards like Dedenne-GX and Crobat V, both weak to fighting. Losing Zebstrika is a big issue though as the deck may not be able to go through the entire deck as quickly as it does now and there may just be better fighting type options out there after this rotation.
15) Toxtricity VMAX
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 1 |
| Top 8: | 2 |
| Rotate: | 13.33% |
One of the more hyped decks going into this format, Toxtricity VMAX sadly never did live up to the hype and has struggled to match PikaRom as the lighting deck of choice, despite it's damage output. And for that reason, losing Electropower to rotation, I'm not sure if the deck will continue to see play. Strangely enough, I feel as if this deck loses less than PikaRom and others might try to make it work with Boltund V.
14) Inteleon VMAX
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 2 |
| Top 8: | 2 |
| Rotate: | 8.33% |
Inteleon VMAX has struggled to do much in this format with PikaRom still one of the most popular decks. But with lighting decks taking a huge hit in the upcoming rotation, Inteleon VMAX will start to see a lot more play. It doesn't lose much from rotation either which should help it's cause. With more special energies seeing play, Inteleon may end up being a great counter-meta choice.
13) Aerodactyl-GX
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 2 |
| Top 8: | 2 |
| Rotate: | 6.67% |
I never really saw the appeal of this deck but it's done well. Like Goons, it's takes advantage of the big basic format we're seeing but with more VMAXes to be releases, will it be able to handle them? Fighting typing is really nice for the next format and the deck only really loses it's two Prisms and Flint which are easily replaceable. I personally just feel there will be better Fighting type options compared to Aerodactyl-GX.
12) Mill
| Wins: | 1 |
| Top 4: | 1 |
| Top 8: | 2 |
| Rotate: | 10% |
I don't really play Control/Mill decks that much so I can't really say much for these decks. Oranguru rotating is great for the rest of us. Mill decks actually isn't as badly hurt as Control decks in this rotation. Not being able to use Magcargo-GX means you have to run them out of cards yourself. Apart from that, the deck should be able to adapt nicely to the new format.
11) Fire Box
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 1 |
| Top 8: | 4 |
| Rotate: | 11.67% |
Possibly my favourite deck of all time because of all the success it gave me in the last two seasons but sadly this version of the deck will cease to exist. Victini Prism rotating means no more throwing energies away for fun. Turtonator rotating takes away it's best single prize attacker as well. I can see a situation where the deck reverts back to how it looked when UNB was released. Centiskorch VMAX will be a welcome addition to the deck. I promise you, some version of Fire Box will exist. As long as Welder is around, it won't go away just yet.
10) Mewtwo & Mew-GX/Ultimate Toolbox
| Wins: | 0 |
| Top 4: | 3 |
| Top 8: | 5 |
| Rotate: | 16.67% |
Mewtwo & Mew-GX decks will be one of the hardest hit by the rotating just from the fact of losing more GX attackers limiting it's choices. The Ultimate box version loses Solgaleo-GX, pretty much killing the deck off. The Malamar box loses Malamar itself. Welder box loses Magcargo-GX and the other Solgaleo-GX. The only way I see Mew3 still seeing play is with some sort of Welder box with Tag Team attackers or possibly even with Dark and Lighting types to counter their counters in Fighting decks. Even the new Galaxy version takes a hit, losing Yveltal-GX.
9) Control
| Wins: | 1 |
| Top 4: | 2 |
| Top 8: | 5 |
| Rotate: | 20% |
I don't really play Control/Mill decks that much so I can't really say much for these decks. Oranguru rotating is great for the rest of us. Losing Articuno-GX and Girafarig hurts their controlling strategy as does Mars and Faba. I still do expect to see some sort of control variant showing up, sadly it'll never go away.
8) Galarian Obstagoon
| Wins: | 1 |
| Top 4: | 4 |
| Top 8: | 7 |
| Rotate: | 6.67% |
The sleeper choice of this format, Obstagoon has many great matchups and even though Dragapult is an evolution attacker, it is still weak to Dark types. That being said, with more VMAXes releasing, Goon's advantage may start to slide away. And it loses it's big KO attacker in Yveltal-GX. There are many new cards that help Dark types in the set but I'm still sceptical if it'll be enough to keep Obstagoon releveant. It is still a Stage 2 deck after all. Losing Gain is huge as well as it now has to fully charge up each attackers.
7) Spiritomb
| Wins: | 2 |
| Top 4: | 5 |
| Top 8: | 13 |
| Rotate: | 30% |
The deck that took down the Limitless Invitational, Spiritomb has the potential to beat any deck on it's day when everything plays out right. Sadly, the rotation isn't kind to the deck, being one of the hardest hit (and the highest along with ADP Tombs on this list). Losing Rainbow energy was bad enough since it helps build up spite, losing Hustle belt is huge as you can't take big KOs easier (new cape will take it's place). If that wasn't bad enough, losing the sub-attackers in Buzzwole, Nihilego and Yveltal-GX makes things worse and there aren't any good alternatives to take their spots other than Stunfisk or the new Hoopa. I do expect Spiritomb to see play with the new cape but I do wonder if it'll be in it's own deck or as a sub-attacker in another deck.
6) Lucario & Melmetal-GX/Zacian V
| Wins: | 3 |
| Top 4: | 9 |
| Top 8: | 16 |
| Rotate: | 11.67% |
LucMet will still be around but Metal Frying Pan won't, so that already leaves it vulnerable to Fire decks. The deck in all fairness won't lose much in the upcoming rotation. Losing Board hurts but Scoop Net may take it's place along with Acro Bike. As for Pan, goggles still does gives it the extra 30 damage buffer to help make the attackers even harder to take down. The deck should also have a good matchup against the new hype deck of Eternatus VMAX.
5) Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX/Zacian V
| Wins: | 2 |
| Top 4: | 10 |
| Top 8: | 13 |
| Rotate: | 13.33% |
ADPZ has gone from a Jirachi build to an Order Pad build to help get that Turn 1 GX quicker but very soon it might just move back to the Jirachi build. Like LucMet before, this deck actually doesn't lose much but consistency cards like Acro Bike and Order Pad may slow the deck down from achieving that Turn 1 GX. That can be fixed with the new Turbo Patch. I still do expect ADPZ to see some play in the coming months.
4) Blacephalon UNB
| Wins: | 3 |
| Top 4: | 14 |
| Top 8: | 28 |
| Rotate: | 15% |
Blowns is a deck that you either love playing or hate seeing. It should really be the best deck in the format but it isn't for good reasons. The deck will lose some important pieces in the rotation, most notably Fiery Flint. Sure Giant Hearth will be a decent replacement but it won't do the same job as Flint would. Losing Heat Factory Prism and Ultra Space is huge as you'll now have to manually find your attackers and can't depend on more draws. Also losing Blacephalon-GX is huge, being the ideal closer of any game which means Blowns will have to play differently to take all of it's prizes. It should still be able to handle the new VMAX threats coming soon.
3) Zacian V/Jirachi Prism Combo
| Wins: | 4 |
| Top 4: | 17 |
| Top 8: | 33 |
| Rotate: | 11.67% |
Technically, Combo Zacian only loses 12% of it's current deck to the rotation but one of those cards is Jirachi Prism, thus the name Combo Zacian, which means the deck in it's current version is dead after August. Zacian V is too good to be ignored so it will continue to have a presence in the game, either in a Turbo version (new Turbo Patch helps to accelerate even more energies) or back with ADP.
2) Pikachu & Zekrom-GX
| Wins: | 8 |
| Top 4: | 37 |
| Top 8: | 58 |
| Rotate: | 10% |
PikaRom has been a constant force in the game ever since it's release back in Team Up, and it's still one of the best decks in the current format but it's time in this guise might be coming up. The deck only losses 6 cards to the rotation but those 6 are enough to potentially hurt the deck's ability to not only get a Turn 1 Full Blitz but also taking big KOs. Thunder Mountain will be missed but PikaRom can easily get energies so it's not as bad as losing Electropower, there is no replacement for it in the coming sets. Vitality Band will probably take it's place but that might not be good enough to keep it at the top tier.
1) Dragapult VMAX
| Wins: | 11 |
| Top 4: | 39 |
| Top 8: | 70 |
| Rotate: | 16.67% |
The best deck in the format right now but will that continue into the next set with Dragapult being weak to Dark types and the new hype deck, Eternatus VMAX, being Dark type? Will it scare Dragapult VMAX off completely? I actually don't think it will. The best decks always finds a way to adapt and I don't think one bad matchup will scare it completely off. I do expect it to still be a top tier deck. Losing Treasure hurts as there isn't a like-for-like replacement while Switch will take Escape Board's place.
I hope those of you reading this will find some bits of it helpful and to sum some bits up, I'll add some stats to compare prices and rotation numbers to show which decks might be better off than others.
Deck prices comparison
- Dragapult VMAX - $223.10
- Mewtwo & Mew-GX/Ultimate Box - $183.93
- Turbo Boltund V - $157.29
- Fire Box - $151.27
- Spiritomb - $148.53
- Inteleon VMAX - $147.99
- Zacian V/ Jirachi Prism Combo - $146.61
- Toxtricity VMAX - $142.35
- Blacephalon UNB - $141.93
- ADP-GX/Spritiomb - $141.90
- Pikachu & Zekrom-GX - $137.65
- Cinderace VMAX - $134.47
- Aerodactyl-GX - $129.85
- Lucario & Melmetal-GX/Zacian V - $128.36
- ADP-GX/Zacian V - $121.12
- Luxray RCL - $119.16
- Sandaconda V - $112.92
- Galarian Obstagoon - $110.37
- Mill - $110.04
- Vikavolt RCL - $108.22
- Beedrill TEU/Spiritomb - $104.22
- Magcargo-GX - $102.39
- Pikachu & Zekrom-GX/Greens - $77.91
- Rillaboom Toolbox - $76.98
- Control - $76.50
- Excadrill - $75.37
- Dark Box - $71.09
- Reshiram & Charizard-GX/Greens - $60.62
- ADP-GX/Bird Trio-GX - $54.95
- Falinks - $49.60
Deck least/most affected by rotation
- Dark Box - 1.67%
- Cinderace VMAX - 5%
- Sandaconda V - 5%
- Galarian Obstagoon - 6.67%
- Aerodactyl-GX - 6.67%
- Inteleon VMAX - 8.33%
- Pikachu & Zekrom-GX - 10%
- Pikachu & Zekrom-GX/Greens - 10%
- Mill - 10%
- Rillaboom Toolbox - 10%
- ADP-GX/Bird Trio-GX - 10%
- Beedrill TEU/Spiritomb - 11.67%
- Fire Box - 11.67%
- Lucario & Melmetal-GX/Zacian V - 11.67%
- Zacian V/Jirachi Prism Combo - 11.67%
- ADP-GX/Zacian V - 13.33%
- Turbo Boltund V - 13.33%
- Toxtricity VMAX - 13.33%
- Blacephalon UNB - 15%
- Falinks - 15%
- Dragapult VMAX - 16.67%
- Mewtwo & Mew-GX/Ultimate Toolbox - 16.67%
- Vikavolt RCL - 18.33%
- Control - 20%
- Reshiram & Charizard-GX/Greens - 20%
- Magcargo-GX - 20%
- Turbo Boltund V - 20%
- Luxray RCL - 23.33%
- Spiritomb - 30%
- ADP-GX/Spiritomb - 30%
Also on decks rotating, these decks will be completely gone:
- Malamar
- Blacephalon-GX/Naganadel
- Quagsire/Naganadel
- Meganium Box
- Naganadel-GX/Checkmate
- Flogress Stall
And lastly, how each deck in all the online tournaments so far:
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