Introduction
Another Expanded Regionals is less than 48 hours away, but from the time of publication, you really only have around 24 hours to choose your deck.
If you’re going to Portland, Oregon’s Expanded regional, which deck should you choose? It’s in these moments it’s most helpful to use a holistic – that is, a complete – approach to viewing the metagame. But to keep it super-short and super-helpful, I’ve divided each deck into four really simple discussion: pros, cons, would I play it (“pull the trigger” as per the 24 theme), and what Jack Bauer thinks about each deck or card.
The clock is ticking, so choose wisely…
24 Deck Countdown, Featuring John Kettler and Jack Bauer
Accelgor/Wobbuffet
Pros: Well-positioned lock deck when stock in lock decks is UP! Rayquaza can beat it but it will have to be a thoughtful list and not a netdeck of the winning Collinsville build (i.e., it needs Magearna EX).
Cons: Needs to keep drawing its pieces to win; heavily dependent on DCE.
Would I pull the trigger? YES.
Jack Bauer Rating: “Definitely a terrorist.”
Aerodactyl
Pros: Heavily underused deck with lots of surprise factor remaining; plays a great non-EX trade game.
Cons: Horrible against Vileplume going second; lots of RNG with thinning down the hand with Maxie or to get an Aerodactyl.
Would I pull the trigger? NO.
Jack Bauer Rating: “We live in a post-9/11 world and this thing’s using an Attack called Jet Draft? To Gitmo with you.”
Archie’s Blastoise
Pros: Even to great matchups against many of the decks picking up steam, which are more worried about teching for Vileplume. Benefits from a surge in Rayquaza, Night March, and Volcanion.
Cons: Still awful versus Vileplume; still has trouble hitting turn one Archie even two years after it won Worlds.
Would I pull the trigger? NO.
Jack Bauer Rating: “Archie is the leader of a known eco-terrorist organization. I’ll find him and hunt him down by any means necessary.”
Decidueye/Vileplume
Pros: Extremely powerful lock deck; wins most games where it doesn’t prize three Rowlet or whiff Vileplume.
Cons: Now a much bigger metagame target; weak Volcanion and Accelgor matchups, which are both picking up Steam.
Would I pull the trigger? YES, but only because I have good mojo with the deck.
Jack Bauer Rating: “GET AWAY FROM THE WINDOWS!!! …We don’t know where the Feather Arrows are coming.”
Decidueye/Seismitoad
Pros: Has mostly even to positive matchups across the metagame; easily splashable techs to counter Archeops.
Cons: Never wins convincingly; still struggles a bit vs Yveltal/Archeops even with Wobbuffet and Blends.
Would I pull the trigger? NO, though it’s an underrated deck in a metagame targeting Vileplume.
Jack Bauer Rating: “It’s dominated Japan and top eighted Collinsville. So maybe… maybe you should be a little more afraid of this deck than you are right now.
Greninja
Pros: Only semi-competitive if Grass is somehow absent.
Cons: Horrible vs Grass; lots of other negative matchups that are uphill battles.
Would I pull the trigger? NO.
Jack Bauer Rating: “Terrorists love to attack under the cover of night.”
Lurantis/Vileplume
Pros: VERY consistent and perhaps the MOST consistent Vileplume variant; mostly even to good matchups.
Cons: Very linear in its operation and I’m uneasy about its chances vs Rayquaza.
Would I pull the trigger? NO
Jack Bauer Rating: “There are FOUR AZ in this deck, and you’re not willing to tell me it’s associated with radical jihad?!”
M Gardevoir EX
Pros: In “theory” does well vs the meta; consistent.
Cons: In practice does awful vs the meta; bricks to Irritating Pollen on Vileplume.
Would I pull the trigger? NO
Jack Bauer Rating: “I trusted you! My wife and daughter almost DIED at Collinsville because of you!!!”
M Manectric EX
Pros: In theory does well vs the meta; consistent.
Cons: Does seem to conform to those assumptions, but has a bad Night March matchup and I have no idea what sort of list I would want to run.
Would I pull the trigger? NO, but if you have a good working version of the deck, then Portland would be the ideal place to run it.
Jack Bauer Rating: “I wish I had a bomb-sniffing dog handy.”
M Rayquaza
Pro: Super-powerful, super-consistent deck with the potential to wade through a sea of players.
Cons: Has a huge target on its back; the metagame is trending against it; bad Night March matchup.
Would I pull the trigger? NO
Jack Bauer Rating: “Intensifying Burns can’t melt steel beams.”
Night March
Pros: Supremely consistent; the metagame is extremely favorable for it; easy to play if you’re less experienced; could probably tech a bit to beat its bad matchups
Cons: Struggles vs any Vileplume.
Would I pull the trigger? YES
Jack Bauer Rating: “An insurgency, in Portland? It’s more likely than you think.”
Primal Groudon
Pros: Reliable tank deck with tons of offensive power; Wobbuffet is great in Standard and Expanded right now.
Cons: Still weak to Grass; still slow.
Would I pull the trigger? NO
Jack Bauer Rating: “The only way you’re going to die is if I kill you. Your Gaia Volcano’s not going off.”
Raikou/Eelektrik
Pros: Great trades with many of the most popular EX decks; in theory should beat Mega Ray.
Cons: Struggles a ton vs Vileplume decks; slaughtered by Decidueye; in practice somehow struggles to Mega Ray due to Hex and not having more Energy acceleration.
Would I pull the trigger? NO
Jack Bauer Rating: “If you try to Thunder Lance me, I will have to Feather Arrow you back. And I promise I won’t miss.”
Rainbow Road
Pros: Really powerful; a non-EX version of Mega Ray; better Yveltal matchup; might be subject of a Kale Chalifoux article someday.
Cons: Lots of moving parts; shares the same Weaknesses of Mega Ray
Would I pull the trigger? Tempted.
Jack Bauer Rating: "XERNEAS! BISHARP! VOLCANION! They've all admitted to being part of the conspiracy! What are the others' names?!?!?!"
Sableye
Pros: Powerful lock.
Cons: Not good vs Vileplume; requires a very favorable metagame and flawless play over a long day; might not survive a one-day Regional.
Would I pull the trigger? No.
Jack Bauer Rating: “You’re worse than a traitor, Sableye. That’s because traitors have a cause – you just wanna hunt for junk all day.”
Seismitoad/Crobat
Pros: Consistent; multi-layered lock deck; good vs a lot of the emerging metagame from Collinsville except Grass.
Cons: Horrible vs Grass; not particularly good in general right now.
Would I pull the trigger? No.
Jack Bauer Rating: “I survived getting hit by five Feather Arrows and an Aero Ball. Do you think Flash Bites would even phase me?”
Trevenant
Pros: Still the most consistent Item lock in the game; would theoretically do well in a long day if it dodges Dark.
Cons: Has to depend on dodging the most consistently powerful, successful deck of the last 3-5 years.
Would I pull the trigger? No.
Jack Bauer Rating: “You may think you’re not Weak to me because of who I work for, but believe me…I am very dark.”
Turbo Darkrai (and Darkrai/Dragons)
Pros: Very powerful; consistent; simple; exploits a metagame full of surprised and meta decks.
Cons: Struggles vs the emergent metagame of Collinsville.
Would I pull the trigger? No, though I'd be more likely to pull it for Darkrai/Dragons
Jack Bauer Rating: “I’ve been following you this whole time, Darkrai. You’ve won Worlds, but now some Emeralds and Feathers are too much for you? WHY!?!?!?!?!”
Vespiquen/Flareon
Pros: Consistent; lots of versatility; not as bad vs Vileplume as you might think; hits for all Weaknesses.
Cons: brittle; struggles vs Darkrai; might get hexed out of the game; bad vs Night March.
Would I pull the trigger? No, but just barely.
Jack Bauer Rating: “WHERE ARE THE POKEMON IN THE DISCARD PILE? WHERE?!?!?!?!”
Vespiquen/Vileplume
Pros: Super-consistent; has quite a few good matchups.
Cons: Too linear in its operation past turn one; much better Vileplume variants to choose from; horrible vs Decidueye.
Would I pull the trigger? No
Jack Bauer Rating: “I’m Federal Agent Jack Bauer…This is the longest turn of my lfie.”
Vileplume Toolbox
Pros: Versatile; has lots of matchup and type coverage.
Cons: A little clunky; probably better just to combine the concept with Vileplume/Decidueye instead.
Would I pull the trigger? No
Jack Bauer Rating: “Basics can’t kill you…Evolutions can’t kill you…not even Pokemon-EX. Are you backed by the Chinese government?”
Volcanion
Pros: Very powerful and consistent; the metagame is favoring it and disfavoring its bad matchups; should destroy most Vileplume variants.
Cons: Struggles a bit against Mega Ray; has some other metagame holes, but nothing unforgivable.
Would I pull the trigger? YES
Jack Bauer Rating: “When all four Steam Ups activate, the bomb will detonate. We don’t have much time left…”
Yveltal/Maxie’s
Pros: Has an answer for everything; can tech for everything; more or less consistent (i.e., benefits form best two of three match play)
Cons: Needs enough hate to deal with Vileplume variants
Would I pull the trigger? YES
Jack Bauer Rating: “You’ve been around for so long, old man, yet here you are, still threatening the American people.”
Zygarde
Pros: was pretty dang good against the old metagame
Cons: Horrible against the new metagame
Would I pull the trigger? No
Jack Bauer Rating: “Tell me where the Diamond Gift is, or I’ll break your hand.”
Conclusion
In summary, these are the following decks I would strongly consider for Portland, and ones you should feel good about if you already plan on using them…
Accelgor/Wobbuffet
Decidueye/Vileplume
Night March
Rainbow Road (kinda)
Volcanion
Yveltal/Maxie’s
Your deck choice may depend on what you’re shooting for, as well. At this point in the season, some decks that aren’t outstanding versus anything but can play against the metagame will be great for those trying to inch to the finish line to get their invites, while more volatile decks like Night March and Rainbow Road would be more attractive if you need a win. Of course, the other 18 decks are on this list for a reason, and I’m sure there are decks that will do well I didn’t even write about.
I hope that helps! 'Cause if it didn't, you'll be telling me…
"Everyone dies starting with you, Kettler." ~Jack Bauer