Kash Top 30 List: Best Pokemon Cards Released in 2020

Since I'm turning 30 this year, I thought why not create a few Top 30 lists of things that I like or have done so I've done a few list that covers my interest in just about anything, be it Motorsports, Pokemon, Wrestling, Gaming and also some general things. Those of you reading this know me from playing the Pokemon Trading Card Game, be it in real life or online but whatever the case is, 2020 has been an interesting year for the game with the introduction of Vs and VMaxes to counter the Tag Teams (with little to some success). 

So I thought, instead of doing a top 30 cards from a set, why not for once do a top 30 cards released in the year 2020. We've gotten 4 main sets and one mini set out, some have been great, some have been not so great but lots of good cards have been introduced to the game, some helping to bring a new archetype into the meta and others making an already good deck more broken. 

These are just my own opinion and as always, it's from someone who hasn't proven or done much in the game for real with my limited opportunities to do so (which will get even more limited due to the new Asian qualifying system) so if you disagree with some of these, that's completely fair. I just thought it'd be nice to look back at all the good cards we got out of 2020.

Prices were taken from Troll and Toad on the 10th of December 2020.

#30 - Turbo Patch - Darkness Ablaze - 172/189 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: Eternatus VMAX, Turbo Zacian V, Torkoal V, Sableye V

Turbo Patch was one of the more hyped up cards to be released from the Darkness Ablaze format. Sadly, it has not lived up to the hype mainly due to it needing to hit heads to attach energy from the bench. At least it can attach any energy which is why it's seen niche plays in various different types of decks but still not enough to show how good or bad it truly is. Not the like-for-like replacement of Max Elixir many were hoping for it to be.

#29 - Telescopic Sight - Vivid Voltage - 160/185 - Uncommon - $0.34

Seen play in: Inteleon VMAX, Blacephalon UNB

Finally some help was given to decks who are able to snipe the bench, specifically onto GX/V targets but sadly, the only ones who can make full use of it for the time being are the likes of Inteleon VMAX (which doesn't see play due to PikaRom still be popular), Cramorant V, Weezing or Ampharos V. Eventually this will find a space somewhere, the effect is too good to ignore.

#28 - Coalossal VMAX - Vivid Voltage - 99/185 - Ultra Rare - $9.99

Seen play in: Coalossal VMAX

We thought this would be the answer for the current meta. With PikaRom and Eternatus running havoc in the game and both having fighting weakness, it was thought that Coalossal would be a major player in the game. Sadly that hasn't turned out that way, PikaRom now has Mew3 to deal with it and Eternatus still isn't getting one-shot by Coalossal most of the time. But worry not Fighting type fans, help is on the way in the next set.

#27 - Dragapult VMAX - Rebel Clash - 93/192 - Ultra Rare - $8.45

Seen play in: Dragapult VMAX

The big game changer coming out of Rebel Clash, Dragapult VMAX forced many decks to be build differently solely because of it's ability to pick off single prize bench sitters at anytime. Coupled with Distortion Door Giratina and Obstagoon, benched Jirachis were never safe. Deck saw a lot of success in the Rebel Clash format and that was it as Eternatus VMAX has pretty much made the deck unplayable, even with all the disruption tools. It could make a comeback in the next set with many strong cards all weak to Psychic.

#26 - Jirachi Amazing Rare - Vivid Voltage - 119/185 - Amazing Rare - $29.99

Seen play in: Coalossal VMAX, ADPZ

While Jirachi from Team Up is still in Standard, it will still see more play over Jirachi AR. It's ability for the time being makes the most sense for decks like Coalossal who needs to discard an energy off the top of the deck or Zacian decks needing that one Metal energy for the ability. It will never compare strongly to Jirachi TEU but still a good consistency helper. 

#25 - Cinccino - Sword & Shield - 147/202 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: Control decks, Excadrill CEC

Zoroark-GX's trade ability came back in the form of Cinccino so obviously, it was going to see some play even though it wasn't as good as an attacker as Zoroark was. The deck found it's home mostly in Control decks just for it's drawing power but also saw play in Excadrill CEC to help thin the deck out as much as possible. I expected it to see way more play in other decks but that was never the case. 

#24 - Coating Metal Energy - Vivid Voltage - 163/185 - Uncommon - $0.35

Seen play in: LMZ

The perfect replacement for Weakness Guard Energy for LMZ players since it was a Metal energy, meaning Zacian now had the weakness removal effect. It has seen a bit of play in ADPZ as well but mostly in LMZ, just to cover it bases against the likes of Blacephalon, Centiskorch and ReshiZard.

#23 - Vikavolt V - Darkness Ablaze - 60/189 - Ultra Rare - $3.13

Seen play in: Vikavolt V, PikaRom

Quaking Punch returns but this time it needs more work to establish the item lock. Vikavolt was at it's best in the short space of time it was Standard legal with Thunder Mountain and Electropower, making it one of the best decks for the POG 2020 Championships. Since then it's been a tech choice for PikaRom, and saw fringe play with Amoongus. 

#22 - Bird Keeper - Darkness Ablaze - 159/189 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: Centiskorch VMAX, Control, Decidueye

One of the better supporters to be released later on in the year. Bird Keeper had the same draw 3 power as Welder but with the added effect of switching your active which can be useful in many different situations. 

It's a natual partner for Control decks to put a wall into the active or even Rowlet to hit for 60 for free. It has seen more play in Centiskorch recently to counter the Paralysis issue from PikaRom. This will likely see more play as more decks show up.

#21 - Metal Saucer - Sword & Shield - 170/202 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: Any Zacian decks

Only Zacian decks have been able to utilise Metal Saucer but you can see why it's stupidly good. Dark Patch and Water Patch had always seen play during their time and Metal Saucer had the same results, giving Zacian decks that comeback-ability when things are not looking so good. Addition energy attachment during a turn is always a huge bonus and it makes the already powerful Zacian V (and Zamazenta V in some cases) even that more painful to deal with.

#20 - Decidueye - Darkness Ablaze - 13/189 - Holo Rare - $0.98

Seen play in: Decidueye

The only playable Stage 2 in the current meta only because of it's wall-like ability. A lot of decks are built in such a way that they usually don't have a non-GX or non-V attacker, which helps Decidueye greatly. It's still a stage 2 deck meaning it'll still struggle a lot of times but once it's sets up, you'll be getting a few free wins. It should still see play until it's rotated just for it's ability alone.

#19 - Tool Scrapper - Rebel Clash - 168/192 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: ADPZ, LMZ, PikaRom, Coalossal VMAX

Simple effect. Remove two tools. Simple yet effective. It's ADPZ answer to help beat fellow Zacians, or an answer for other decks to get rid of annoying tools such as the bulky Big Charm or the annoying Stealthy Hood. Still doesn't see as much play as many first thought it would as not many decks are depending on tools for the most part, that could change soon.

#18 - Cramorant V - Sword & Shield - 155/202 - Ultra Rare - $3.10

Seen play in: Blacephalon, Centiskorch VMAX, ReshiZard

The attacker that no-one ever sees coming. The natural partner for Welder decks for it's 3 attack cost. It has seen play more for it's ability to take down Dedenne-GX for the last two prizes since Dedenne-GX sees play in most decks. The ability to snipe anyone is something only Cramorant can give decks that many others can't, making a great set-up attacker vs VMAX decks too. It may start to see less play once Welder rotates so it'll be harder to power it up. 

#17 - Galarian Zigzagoon - Sword & Shield - 117/202 - Common - $0.30

Seen play in: Obstagoon, Decidueye, Eternatus VMAX, Centiskorch VMAX, Dragapult VMAX

Speaking of snipers, Zigzagoon is one of the rare cases where the first line of an evolution sees more play just for it's ability to hit 1 damage counter to anyone. The one damage counter has come in very handy in many different situations, be it for Dragapult to snipe off benched basics or to help fix Centiskorch's or Eternatus' numbers to get a KO. This will continue to be used in many different decks all to fix up the numbers.

#16 - Speed Lighting Energy - Rebel Clash - 173/192 - Uncommon - $0.19

Seen play in: PikaRom, Vikavolt V, Ampharos V

Having the ability to draw extra two cards has made it a must have for PikaRom players who usually need to the perfect set-up to take KOs. Consistency boosting cards is always a good thing and PikaRom is already known for being one of the most consistent decks. It may only see play in PikaRom mostly but it's still one of the best decks in the format for a reason. 

#15 - Big Charm - Sword & Shield - 158/202 - Uncommon - $0.22

Seen play in: ADPZ, PikaRom, GreenZard, Mewtwo & Mew-GX

+30 HP? Why not! Big Charm sees play most in 3-prize attackers because as if they weren't already difficult enough to take down, having 30 more can sometimes gave them that extra turn to survive an onslaught. It can also be a great defensive tool, keep stuff like Dedenne-GX and Crobat V safe from being it for 180 or less damage. 

It's also a helpful tool for decks like Green's ReshiZard that already uses Heat Energy to buff it's HP up or even decks like Coalossal VMAX to make it near impossible to take down.

#14 - Oranguru - Sword & Shield - 148/202 - Holo Rare - $1.08

Seen play in: ADPZ, Magcargo-GX, Zacian Combo, Coalossal VMAX

Oranguru is just super helpful in many different situations, being able to swap one card with the top card of your deck can sometimes be the big game changer. Paired with Mewtwo UNB, it gives you a supporter straight back as well. 

It's seen play in ADPZ just to save important cards like a Boss Order's, help Coalossal VMAX stack a Fighting Energy to hit for 130 and is the piece to help Zacian pull off the Jirachi Prism Combo. Because of it's varied uses, Oranguru will continue to be one of the best tech choices for many different decks until it's rotated.

#13 - Air Balloon - Sword & Shield - 156/202 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: ADPZ, PikaRom, Mewtwo & Mew-GX

It's no float stone but it still gets the job done. Have the free retreat on certain attackers/bench sitters thanks to Air Balloon has been super helpful to many decks not needing to rely on Switch all the time. 

Stuff like Raichu & Alolan Raichu-GX and Zacian V cannot consistently hit for paralysis or a big 230 damage if not for the ability to retreat into something else and getting back into the active. 

#12 - Centiskorch VMAX - Darkness Ablaze - 34/189 - Ultra Rare - $9.95

Seen play in: Centiskorch VMAX

One of the best attackers to come out of Darkness Ablaze, Centiskorch has now become the natural replacement for Fire Box for it's ability to hit a lot of damage from out of nowhere. It's one of the few attackers with no damage cap. 

With enough energies, it can even one shot stuff like the 340HP Eternatus VMAX. The deck might struggle once Welder is rotated but it can still find it's way back, since the best card in the game right now, Zacian V, has a fire weakness after all.

#11 - Boltund V - Rebel Clash - 67/192 - Ultra Rare - $6.89

Seen play in: PikaRom, Mewtwo & Mew-GX, Turbo Boltund V

The perfect starter for lighting decks and also the perfect finisher, Boltund V is one of the reasons why PikaRom made a comeback to the top of PTCG. 

It's first attack is already helpful enough to get your attackers ready for Turn 2 but also a strong enough late game attacker to hit for possibly 250+ damage if all your main attackers are still around. Boltund may disappear from the format once PikaRom is rotated. 

#10 - Aurora Energy - Sword & Shield - 186/202 - Uncommon - $0.20

Seen play in: Mewtwo & Mew-GX, Welder Box, ADPZ

Aurora Energy was the perfect replacement for Rainbow Energy. It was even better for Mewtwo & Mew-GX as it discards a card from your hand, helping you add an attacker to your discard pile which is a bonus. It's seen play mostly in toolbox-style decks, specifically Welder decks giving you many attackers to choose from.

#9 - Eternatus VMAX - Darkness Ablaze - 117/189 - Ultra Rare - $9.49

Seen play in: Eternatus VMAX

The big hitter of the new format. The Mega Rayquaza-EX "look-alike" hits for 270 with an all-dark bench which goes up to 8, which can be easily filled with the likes of Crobat V (draw power), Zigzagoon (damage buff), Toxicroak, Slowbro (Poison) and Yveltal (free retreat). 

The deck will continue to be the ultimate beat stick right up until it's rotated. It might have some issue coming in the next set though. 

#8 - Marnie - Sword & Shield - 169/202 - Holo Rare - $0.99

Seen play in: ADPZ, PikaRom, Dragapult VMAX, Eternatus VMAX, LMZ

The only other hand disruption card available to us in Standard for the time being alongside Reset Stamp. It's can be worse to deal with as it shuffles your hand away and you'll be getting whatever is on top of your deck which can ruin combos your opponent is building up. 

It's the card that decks like Blacephalon, Centiskorch and Control don't want to see. It'll see play just for the disruption aspect with Reset Stamp rotating soon. 

#7 - Eldegoss V - Rebel Clash - 19/192 - Ultra Rare - $3.39

Seen play in: ADPZ, Centiskorch VMAX, Mewtwo & Mew-GX, PikaRom

Similar to Tapu Lele-GX of older rotation but instead of search your deck for a supporter, you take a supporter from your discard, similar to VS Seeker from yester years. 

Eldegoss has been the winning card in so many games, to get the Boss for game or stop your opponent winning with Marnie or helping you get the damage you need with Welder. Eldegoss will always see play in as many different decks as possible. 

#6 - Scoop Up Net - Rebel Clash - 165/192 - Uncommon - $0.92

Seen play in: Most single prizer decks, Centiskorch VMAX, Dragapult VMAX, Eternatus VMAX

One of the best items to be released in 2020. With Escape Board gone, Scoop Up Net is now the preferred switch out option for Jirachi but Net gives so you so many more options than that. It's Acerola for single prize cards but in the form of an item card so it's crazy good. It's so good, it's one of the only few new cards I've bought during the pandemic. 

The best part about it is the various plays you can use with it. Extra damage with Zigzagoon? Check. Extra energy denial with Giratina? Check. Saving a damaged attacker? Check. Nets will continue to see play in all sorts of decks, especially single prize decks. 

#5 - Crobat V - Darkness Ablaze - 104/189 - Ultra Rare - $15.77

Seen play in: ADPZ, PikaRom, Welder Decks, Eternatus VMAX, Coalossal VMAX,

As long as Dedenne-GX is still in Standard, it will always be the preferred choice for a Pokemon to draw you out of dead hands since it discard cards. Crobat V just fills your up to 6, same as what Shaymin EX used to do but the big difference is Crobat can only be used once. After the next rotation, Crobat will see more play as the natural replacement for Dedenne-GX. 

For now it's mostly seen in aggro decks trying to get all the pieces together. It's also the perfect partner alongside Eternatus VMAX since it only plays Dark pokemon and all you really need is Crobats to keep drawing you out of bad hands while adding more damage for your attacker.

#4 - Professor's Research - Sword & Shield - 178/202 - Holo Rare - $0.75

Seen play in: 3-4 off in almost every deck, 0-1 off in Welder decks

The discard hand and draw 7 effect made it's return back in Sword & Shield with Research. It first showed up in Base Set and since then, it's seen play many times before in the guise of Juniper and Sycamore and always saw play in almost every deck. 

Drawing 7 is just too good, most of the time you'd want to use that to clear your hand off and give you more stuff to work with. It will continue to see play until it's rotated out of Standard but will likely come back in another guise.

#3 - Boss's Orders - Rebel Clash - 154/192 - Holo Rare - $5.95

Seen play in: Almost every deck.

Lysandre came back in the form of Boss's Orders. A simple effect on this card, gust up one of your opponent's benched Pokémon. Simple and straight to the point. 

Lysandre saw play in almost deck when it was around, it's predecessor Guzma also saw play in almost every deck so it's no surprise to see Boss' Orders seeing play in almost every deck so far. It is usually the winning card, to grab an easy target off your opponent's bench for the win. Boss's Orders, like Research before it, will see play until it's rotated.

#2 - Zacian V - Sword & Shield - 138/202 - Ultra Rare - $3.47

Seen play in: ADPZ, LMZ, Zacian Combo, Control Decks, Blacephalon

The most played deck of 2020 is easily ADPZ. It's called that for a reason and the Z (Zacian) has been part of the reason why the deck has seen a lot of play, online or in real life. 

Zacian isn't just a great attacker, making it a natural partner with ADP-GX, but also great for set-up decks just because of it's ability to draw three cards at the end of the turn, seeing play mostly in Control deck for it's draw power.

Zacian has also been in it's own deck, either in a defensive style deck with Lucario & Melmetal-GX or a Combo-style deck with Jirachi Prism and Mr Mime. A great all rounder card, perhaps the reason why ADPZ is such a huge problem to deal with. It would be easily the best card released if not for another card released in Sword & Shield. 

#1 - Quick Ball - Sword & Shield - 179/202 - Uncommon - $0.19

Seen play in: Every. Single. Deck.

No question the best card to be released from this year has to be Quick Ball. It's a 4-off in almost every deck for a good reason. 

It's the best search card in the game since it gets you any Basic for the price of just one card, pretty much taking Ultra Ball's spot in decks in formats of the past. 

This card will continue to see play until the last day of it's rotation and even then, it'll continue to see play in Expanded. 

This one may look a bit messy as it took me a few weeks to finish due to my new working schedule but in any case, I hope you enjoyed reading it! Enjoy the holidays!

Kash Top 30 List: Cards from Darkness Ablaze

Even though we're in a strange times where there won't be any official Pokemon TCG event going for the next three months, there's still a lot of to be excited about the new set coming out today in Rebel Clash. With many online tournaments going on, players will still be wanting to get some of these cards, either in real life or on PTCO. So why not keep the Top 30 List gimmick going with the best 30 cards, in my own view, from the latest Sword & Shield base set of Darkness Ablaze?

There are a number of great cards in the set, admittedly not as many as the previous set Rebel Clash but enough to change the state of the game, especially with how much help Dark types are getting from this set. They won't be the only one getting new tools though so the others won't be left out.

And like the previous time, these are my own opinions, aka the opinions of an unproven player who does enjoys building decks whether it's good or not (AND I'VE NOT DONE ANY TESTING FOR THIS SET). My ideas are my own opinions, what I think could be good but may be bad to others or vice versa, take it with a pinch of salt since I'm coming into this set a bit blind and have been asking others for their opinion on most of these cards anyway. My ranking is dependent on these card's playability and what deck ideas you could build off them.

Side note, prices are taken from Troll and Toad as pre-order prices on the 1st August 2020. As always, prices are for the lowest rarity.
R - Rare
RH - Rare Holo
UC - Uncommon
UR - Ultra Rare

Also for this list, I'll do a little something different. Many of these cards are ideas from the past (be it from Roaring Skies, Sun & Moon or even Team Up) either being re-used again or changed up a little bit so I'll add a picture of the old card that is similar to the new card right next to it.

#30 - Toxtricity - 63/189 - R - $0.75

Similar to: None

[C][C] Risk Taker: Flip a coin, if heads discard 5 cards from the top of your opponent’s deck. If tails, discard 5 cards from the top of your deck.

[L][L][C] Thunder Jolt: 160 damage. This Pokemon does 30 damage to itself.

It's a mill card. Some joker will get lucky and hit heads and somehow, poof! 11 of our cars are gone. Not my favourite card from this set but you know some joker will try this out.

#29 - Familiar Bell - 161/189 - UC - $0.49

Similar to: 

Search your deck for a Pokemon with the same name as a Pokemon in your discard pile, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.

Repeat ball is back but instead of searching for one that is the same in play, now it's one that is the same that is discarded. Had to discard one of your bigger VMaxes early on? Bell might just help you get another one much quicker then. Will it see much play? Probably not as you still need to have something in the discard for it to work and that is not as reliable as having someone already in play. Does help with plays on trying to thin out your decks though.

#28 - Mimikyu - 81/189 - R - $0.49

Similar to: Other Mimikyus

Ability: Heal Stop
Your opponent’s Benched Pokemon can’t be healed.

[P][C] Claw Slash: 30 damage.

It's another Mimikyu that stops something but this time, instead of stopping GXes from using their ability if they have a damage counter, this one stops benched pokemon from being healed. This is quite relevant as it stops your opponent from healing with Mallow & Lana, one of the best cards in the game going at the moment. So this will see play in decks trying to two-hit others. If Dragapult was still around, this would be an auto inclusion in my deck.

#27 - Spikemuth - 170/189 - UC - $0.49

Similar to: 

Whenever a player’s Active Pokemon moves to the Bench during their turn, put 2 damage counters on that Pokemon.

Spikemuth is eeriely similar to the old Team Magma's Secret Base but instead of placing 2 damage counters on any Pokemon entering play, this time it's 2 damage counters on a Pokemon switching from the active. But like before, this can easily be played around. Scoop Up Net can save you that 2 damage counter. With Shrine of Punishment about to rotate, this might be a likely Stadium replacement for some decks, albeit not a very good one.

#26 - Houndoom V - 21/189 - UR - $3.99

Similar to: 

[R] Searing Flame: 20 damage. Your opponent’s Active Pokemon is now Burned.

[R][R][C] Vengeful Flame: 100+ damage. If your Benched [R] Pokemon have any damage counters on them, this attack does 100 more damage.

It's not just old powerful EX attacks seeing a return, attacks from old GXes are making a return too. Drampa's old Bersek makes a comeback in the form of Houndoom V. It was a powerful attack back then but with Vs and VMAXes exceeding the damage it can get up to (200 for Houndoon), it might not be as popular as it once was. Plus, for Houndoom the damage has to be on a Fire type. Still, 200 damage for just three energies is better than most Fire type attackers!

#25 - Arctozolt - 66/189 - R - $1.29

Similar to: 

Ability: Numbing Vortex
Whenever your opponent attaches an Energy from their hand to 1 of their Pokemon, put 2 damage counters on that Pokemon.

[L][C] Electro Ball: 70 damage.

The ability looks famimiliar doesn't it? It's the same for Gengar from Crimson Invasion but that Gengar never saw play, mainly due to being a Stage 2. Arctozolt is a Stage 1 that evolves from a Fossil so that makes it easier to get it out onto play and since the ability stacks, I'm fairly sure this will see play in some deck. If Welder decks is still the best decks, you can bet this will see play, giving them 6 damage counters from their own energy attachments and that's just from one Arctozolt!

#24 - Hydreigon - 110/189 - R - $0.99

Similar to: 

Ability: Dark Squall
As often as you like during your turn, you may attach a [D] Energy from your hand to 1 of your Pokemon.

[D][D][C] Jet Black Fang: 130 damage.

Deluge is back but this time, it's for Dark types. More proof that this set was built just to make Dark types the best type in the game again. This type of ability has been hit or miss lately. Strong with Blastoise for Water type, saw some play for Magnezone for Steel types, no play at all for Magnezone for Lighting types. I do think Hydregion will see play as there as countless of Dark type attackers for it to power up, be it Sableye V, Eternatus VMAX, Malamar VMAX, Umbreon & Darkrai-GX, Greninja & Zoroark-GX to name a few.

#23 - Big Parasol - 157/189 - UC - $0.49

Similar to: 

As long as the Pokemon this card is attached to is in the Active Spot, prevent all effects of attacks from your opponent’s Pokemon done to all of your Pokemon. (Existing effects are not removed Damage is not an effect.)

Big Parasol does remind me of Wonder Energy but for it to protect all of your pokemon in play, it has to be attached to the active. An effect like this have always seen some play, the latest being Stealthy Hood. It does save you from spread damage from say Dragapult VMAX or damage spreading effects like Giratina or Zigzagoon and even things like Phione gust won't effect you. I can see this card being played in a Control/Stall/Mill style of deck mainly.

#22 - Galarian Stunfisk - 128/189 - UR - $3.99

Similar to: Combo of other cards

Ability: Metal Skin
This Pokemon gets +20 HP for each [M] Energy attached to it.

#21 - Mad Party - ???/189 - ?? - $??.??

Similar to: 

Mad Party: 20x damage. This attack does 20 damage for each Pokemon in your discard pile that has the Mad Party attack

Sure, Pokemon are on this thing to bring back old concepts, but did they really need to bring Night March back? They already tried Lost March and that failed. I don't really see Mad Party being good either with all these VMAXes being too big for them to handle. At least they didn't reprint Battle Compressor. This will see play just because it's Night March reborn, and it used to be successful so there's that.

#20 - Glinwood Tangle - 162/189 - UC - $0.49

Similar to: 

Once during each player’s turn, after that player flips any coins for an attack, they may ignore all results of those coin flips and begin flipping those coins again.

Fliptini is back, but now in the form of a Stadium so you don't have to waste a bench space for it. Fliptini always did see play in certain decks and for the same reason, so will Glinwood Tangle. Toxtricity from this set will the biggest beneficiary of it. Cards that needed a coin flip to put you down to 10 HP like Xatu and Kartana will like this and since it's a stadium, it goes really well with the Garbodor that

#19 - Salamence V - 143/189 - UR - $5.99

Similiar to: 

[C][C][C] Swoop Across: This attack does 30 damage to each of your opponent’s Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.)

[C][C][C][C] Heavy Storm: 160 damage.

I'll be very honest, I like Salamence V more than I like it's evolution. The fact that it has Flying Flip is a big plus for me. I would play that in most of my decks just to give myself some ways to boost my damage on certain attacks. 

Salamence V is colourless so the possibilities are endless. Play it in a Welder deck? Go for it. Or a lighting deck with Tapu Koko Prism? Why not? What about Dark decks with all the help they've got? Be my guest. Heck why not even Frosmoth. And it's also got Powerful Colorless Enegy to play with, meaning it'll hit 50 to the active.

#18 - Powerful Colorless Energy - 176/189 - UC - $0.75

Similar to: 

As long as this card is attached to a Pokemon, it provides [C] Energy.

The attacks of the [C] Pokemon this card is attached to do 20 more damage to your opponent’s Active Pokemon (before applying Weakness and Resistance).

Strong Energy is back, but in a rare twist, Colourless type finally has some sort of help, something I don't think I've ever seen. I don't think it'll see as much play as Strong Energy as it doesn't hit anyone for weakness but there are some good colourless attackers who wouldn't mind using the extra 20 damage, Salamence V and Dubwool V being the two that springs to mind. 

#17 - Golisopod- 18/189 - HR - $0.99

Similar to: 

[C][C] Adversity Slash: 30+ damage. This attack does 50 more damage for each of your opponent’s Pokemon V and Pokemon-GX in play.

[G][C][C] Smash Turn: 70 damage. Switch this Pokemon with 1 of your Benched Pokemon.

We've seen this style of attack before in the past, Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff-GX being the latest and it's always been good. Evil Admonition is similar in a way and that attack was always good, especially with Weavile so there's no reason why this Golisopod won't be good as well. 

It's not just hurting decks that uses a lot of GXes but Vs as well and most decks will have at least one or two in play at any points (unless it's a rouge single prize attacking deck like Blacephalon). And it's just for two colourless energy so it could be teched into any deck! This could be one of the better rouge attackers to come out of this set, don't underestimate Golispod. Let's work out the numbers:

• Opponent has 1 V or GX in play, you do 80 damage
• Opponent has 2 V or GX in play, you do 130 damage
• Opponent has 3 V or GX in play, you do 180 damage (Crobat and Dedenne down)
• Opponent has 4 V or GX in play, you do 230 damage (Most basic GX down)
• Opponent has 5 V or GX in play, you do 280 damage (Tag Teams down)
• Opponent has the full 6 V or GX in play, you do 330 damage (Some VMAXes down)

#16 - Heat Fire Energy - 174/189 - UC - $0.75

Similar to: 

As long as this card is attached to a Pokemon, it provides [R] Energy.

The [R] Pokemon this card is attached to gets +20 HP.

Heat Fire Energy isn't the same as Shield Energy but the idea is there. You still technically take less damage but this time it's because you've got more HP to help you. This combined with Big Charm or Toughness Cape could make some Fire attackers like ReshiZard-GX, Torkoal V, Centiskorch VMAX and Blacephalon UNB even more trickier to deal with. 

#15 - Bird Keeper - 159/189 - UC - $0.75

Similar to: 

Switch your Active Pokemon with 1 of your Benched Pokemon. If you do, draw 3 cards.

Do an effect and draw 3 after it? Sounds familiar? Yup Welder had that before and now Bird Keeper does. I do like the switching out option as attackers like Zacian V, ReshiZard-GX, Salamence VMAX and Hoopa wouldn't mind the help. 

Or if you're feeling stuck, you could even switch Jirachi up to find something extra you might need before hitting with your attacker. For that, I'm sure Bird Keeper will see some fringe play. It could also see play in a meme deck as Rowlet, Starly and Swanna all attack for free if you used it.

#14 - Salamence VMAX - 144/189 - UR - $12.99

Similar to: 

[C] Sonic Double: This attack does 40 damage to 2 of your opponent’s Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.)

[C][C][C][C] Max Wings: 240 damage. During your next turn, this Pokemon can’t use Max Wings.

In some ways, Salamence VMAX is a little bit similar to TinaChomp-GX. Sonic Double is Linear Attack but instead of one, you hit two Pokemon! Max Wings hits for 240, the same amount as TinaChomp-GX's second attack if there was a damage counter with the side effect of not getting to use it the next turn, similar to ReshiZard-GX and Zacian V but we've seen on many occasions how those decks were able to overcome that. 

And that 240 number could go up with the new Powerful Colourless Energy. There will come a point where you'll do enough to take out other VMAXes, along with some tools and some snipe damages. And like I mention in Salamence V, the possibilities are endless being a colourless attacker.

#13 - Hide Darkness Energy - 175/189 - UC - $0.75

Similar to: 

As long as this card is attached to a Pokemon, it provides [D] Energy.

The  [D] Pokemon this card is attached to has no Retreat Cost.

Hide Darkness Energy does remind me of Mystery Energy, but instead of 2 less retreat cost, now you get completely free retreat cost. As if Dark types needed more help from all the cards they are getting in this set, they get a Float Stone for themselves! Every Dark type decks will use this. There's no reason not to.

#12 - Piers - 165/189 - UC - $0.75

Similar to: 

Search your deck for an Energy card and a [D] Pokemon, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.

My favourite character from the Sword & Shield game has a decent card at least! The dark type rock and roller in many ways is similar to Korrina but instead of finding an Item card, you get an energy card. Not just dark energy, any energy card! That includes special energies which is a good thing.

Eternatus will use this, Obstagoon will use this, Spiritomb will use this, Sableye will use this, Dark Box (if it's still alive) will use this. It could search out certain techs too like Absol. And let's not forget that Crobat V is a dark type, likely to be the card mostly searched for this.

#11 - Hoopa - 111/189 - HR - $0.75

Similar to: 

[D] Assault Gate: 90 damage. If this Pokemon wasn’t moved from your Bench to the Active Spot during your turn, this attack does nothing. This attack isn’t affected by Weakness.

It's not just old EX and GX attackers being reprinted, even basic attackers that saw a lot of play just a year ago is making a comeback, this time it's Hoopa (who always seem to have a good card). Zapdos saw a lot of play just one year ago with the likes of other lighting type decks as well as it's own deck along with single prize attackers. So...rinse and repeat. 

Hoopa will be a secondary attacker for Dark type decks, most likely Eternatus VMAX and see play in it's own single prize deck, likely Spiritomb. It could be even a tech in decks that plays Aurora Energy needed one quick attacker for certain situation. The one downside for Hoopa is that is has to move during your turn, if not it's not even doing 10 damage.

#10 - Rose Tower - 169/189 - UC - $0.99

Similar to: 

Once during each player’s turn, that player may draw cards until they have 3 cards in their hand.

Remember Instruct Oranguru? It's back, but this time in the form of a Stadium. Oranguru was widely played so this will as well for similar reasons, with Stamp and Marnie still being prevalent in the format. Refreshing your hand, even to just 3, is still better than not having that option, you might just draw into the exact thing needed to win you the game. 

The downside of this is that your opponent could get use out of it and then use their own stadium to leave you with nothing to work with. Goes really well with the next card on this list...

#9 - Rose - 168/189 - UC - $0.49

Similar to:

Attach up to 2 basic Energy cards from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokemon VMAX. If you attached any Energy cards in this way, discard your hand.

Rose isn't the same as Red & Blue but the idea is there. Attach 2 energies to a specific type of Pokemon and discard cards to make it work? Yup. Red & Blue however didn't see much play. Rose I do think will as it helps every possible VMAX decks out with energy attachment that used to be missing. Think Malamar VMAX, Inteleon VMAX, Stonjourner VMAX or Copperajah VMAX just to name a few. 

Two free energy attachment has seen a lot of success for Welder, but the condition of throwing your hand away to attach two from your discard could prove tricky. Good thing Rose Tower is also in the set. I can see a deck utilising this along with Silvally-GX to refresh your hand right after the attachment, that might be the best way to utilise Rose from my own thinking.

#8 - Decidueye - 000/189 - HR - $1.99

Similar to: 

Ability: Forest Camouflage
Prevent all damage done to this Pokemon by the attacks of your opponent’s Pokemon V and Pokemon-GX.

[G][C] Split Arrow: 90 damage. This attack does 20 damage to 2 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance.)

We've seen abilities like this before but Decidueye is still a Stage 2 pokemon. The plus side is, unlike Hoopa, this block GX, V and VMAXes. So anyone trying to beat this will need single prize attackers to deal with Decidueye. The ability is somewhat different as effects from attacks can still go through unlike in the past, with the above Hoopa as an example. 

Keep with tradition, Decidueye is once again a spread damage attacker, something that is up my alley. This could see play with someone like ADP-GX to help with the damage boost (and even attach energy) or even Rillaboom decks as an out to completely shut a certain deck down. Or it might be all on it's own but hey, we've see Obstagoon work quite well in the past few months with a similar style of ability so who is to say Decidueye won't see the same amount of success as the best rouge option. 

#7 - Charizard VMAX - 174/189 - UR - $174.99 WTF

Similar to: 

[C][C][C] Claw Swipe: 100 damage.

[R][R][R][C][C] G-Max Wildfire: 300 damage. Discard 2 Energy from this Pokemon.

One of the things that made Reshiram & Charizard-GX so good was that it was able to hit it's GX move for 6 Fire Energies for 300 damage. Now imagine that, with one less energy attachment and it's not a one-time GX move. That's Charizard VMAX. Only reason I've got Mega Charizard next to it is that it's 300 damage was not a GX move, so similar in some ways and also for 5 energies.

Some might say it's a bit too much for something that doesn't even one-hit KO most VMAXes but there are plenty of other tools to help get that number, including Zigzagoon, Band, Burning Scarf to name a few things. It might not be the best Fire-type option to come out of this set but 100% you can bet I will play this and try to make this work being the Charizard/Charmander-fanatic that I am. I've made Charizard TEU work, I've made ReshiZard work, I'm gonna try to make this work as well. Sadly that may never happen in real life looking at the price of just this VMAX.

#6 - Toughness Cape - 160/189 - UC - $0.75

Similar to: 

The Basic Pokemon this card is attached to gets +50 HP, except Pokemon-GX.

This is pretty much Fighting Fury Belt but instead of doing 10 more damage, you get 10 more HP. The best part about this is that GX can't use it so beefy Tag Teams won't have the chance to abuse the +50 HP effect. Like FFB before it, this will see play in many different decks. 

Vikavolt V will be more than happy to use this to annoy even more people, Spiritomb now has an even higher damage output with Cape, Blacephalon UNB will get even more irritating to deal with as a 170HP pokemon and certain decks will have Zacian V as a 270 HP bench sitter and not a 220 HP bench sitter.

#5 - Vikavolt V - 60/189 - UR - $8.99

Similar to: 

[L][C] Paralyzing Bolt: 50 damage. Your opponent can’t play any Item cards from their hand during their next turn.

[L][L][C] Super Zap Cannon: 190 damage. Discard 2 Energy from this Pokemon.

Oh god, Seismitoad EX is back in the form of Vikavolt V. This card saw play almost everywhere during it's time in the standard format, be it in a deck by itself or as a tech choice. Vikavolt V will be the same, there'll be a deck just for it and it'll show up as a tech choice in other decks. 

Item lock has always been annoyingly strong so this, for sure, will see play. The one good thing is that Electropower and Thunder Mountain Prism will rotate soon so Vikavolt V won't be able to abuse those tools as often as possible. Even without it, I do expect to see Vikavolt V being played, Item Lock style attacks will always find a way to be relevant in the game.

#4 - Centiskorch VMAX - 34/189 - UR - $18.99

Similar to: Nothing

[C][C] G-Max Centiferno: 40+ damage. This attack does 40 more damage for each [R] Energy attached to this Pokemon. You may attach a [R] Energy from your discard pile to this Pokemon after calculating damage for this attack.

The thing I like most about Centiskorch VMAX is that, unlike most cards on this list, this concept is somewhat new. Sure we've seen attackers hit big for however many energies they've got on them but not someone who hits big numbers AND attaches an energy to itself after it as well. Centiskorch VMAX might just end up being the best Fire type-deck in the new set as it'll have an unlimited damage cap. Let's work out the numbers:

• For 2 Fire Energy, you're doing 120 damage
• For 3 Fire Energy, you're doing 160 damage
• For 4 Fire Energy, you're doing 200 damage (2-prize GXes are in trouble)
• For 5 Fire Energy, you're doing 240 damage (with a bit of help, TAG Teams are down)
• For 6 Fire Energy, you're doing 280 damage (ADP down)
• For 7 Fire Energy, you're doing 320 damage (some VMAXes are in trouble)
• For 8 Fire Energy, you're doing 360 damage (Everybody dies)

With those kind of numbers, and Welder being the main engine, you know I have to try this deck out. I'm a Welder fan so this will be one of the first few things I'm testing for the new set.

#3 - Turbo Patch - 172/189 - UC - $1.49

Similar to: 

Flip a coin. If heads, attach a basic Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Basic Pokemon that isn’t a Pokemon-GX.

Sure, Turbo Patch isn't the same as Max Elixir but it's similar enough, and Max Elixir saw play in many different decks for the entirety of it's existence. Instead of hoping to hit one energy off the top 6 cards in your deck, now you're hoping to hit a 50/50 chance to attach an energy to one of your non-GX basic from the discard pile. Now, I'm not a fan of coin flip myself but this one is way better than some silly Crushing Hammer as it speeds up my game if I get it. And you can even attach to your active unlike Max Elixir. 

With an effect like this, you know this card will see play. I'm just more curious to see which decks will make the best use of it. Sableye V will love this, fighting decks will finally have some acceleration and Fire decks wouldn't mind having this to help Heatran-GX get more fire energies to take down these VMAXes.

#2 - Eternatus VMAX - 117/189 - UR - $37.99

Similar to: these two cards below

 

Ability: Eternal Zone
If all of your Pokemon in play are [D] type, you can have up to 8 Pokemon on your Bench, and can’t put non-[D] Pokemon into play. (If this Ability stops working, discard Pokemon from your Bench until you have 5.)

[D][C] Dread End: 30x damage. This attack does 30 damage for each of your [D] Pokemon in play.

Eternatus VMAX is easily the best attacker to come out of the new Darkness Ablaze set. Many of these cards are ideas reused from a previous card but what make this one even better is that it's using TWO ideas combined into one. Sky Field always saw play with Mega Rayquaza EX and that deck saw a lot of success so you know Eternatus will be good. You might think needing your bench to be all Dark types could be a bit much but let's not forget Crobat V is also in the set. 

With 8 Dark pokemon in the field, you're hitting 270 damage, enough to take down most Tag Team GXes. But since you're a Dark deck, Galarian Zigzagoon (and even Galarian Obstagoon) will see play in this deck just to help make those numbers even greater, possibly enough to take out a VMAX in one shot. This would have been the best card from this set if not for something even better.

#1- Crobat V - 104/189 - UR - $39.99

Similar to: 

Ability: Dark Asset
When you play this Pokemon from your hand onto your Bench during your turn, you may draw cards until you have 6 cards in your hand. You can’t use more than 1 Dark Asset Ability each turn.

[D][C] Venomous Fang: 70 damage. Your opponent’s Active Pokemon is now Poisoned.

You've seen this before. You know what it does. That's why it's number 1 on the list. Shaymin EX is back in the form of Crobat V. The ability is the same with one major difference, you can only use it once which for me is the correction change to make. Shaymin EX has been causing issues in Expanded just because it can be used over and over again in the same turn. Consistency boosting cards like these will always be good and will always be expensive. Just look at Tapu Lele-GX and Dedenne-GX. This card will see play in every possible deck from now untl it rotates. Just as Shaymin EX did before.