Searching Standard: Dondozo

Hello and welcome to another episode of Searching Standard, where each and every week I look for new, innovative decks for you to play in Standard. This week, I'm looking at a deck that was recently featured on the YouTube channel of LittleDarkFury. It features Dondozo SVI 61, who can attack for up to 200 damage for only two Energy. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

By attacking with Dondozo SVI 61's Release Rage attack, you'll deal 50 damage for each copy of Tatsugiri PAR 141 in your discard pile. So, with a bit of luck, you can deal 200 damage with this attack, which only requires two Energy to use. As you'll see, there are ways included in this deck to find Tatsugiri PAR 141 and to get it into your discard pile.

The main way to discard any copies of Tatsugiri PAR 141 that you might draw is with the use of Kirlia SIT 68's Refinement Ability. This is also a great source of drawing additional cards. This deck does include a copy of Gallade ASR 62 that you can evolve into once all four copies of Tatsugiri PAR 141 are in your discard pile.

This batch of Pokemon are all backup attackers. Cyclizar SVI 164 can deal 100 damage with its Speed Attack attack. It can also act as another source of card drawing if you opt to use its Touring attack instead. Luxray PAL 71 can be placed onto your Bench if you're behind on Prize cards without the need of evolving, thanks to its Swelling Flash Ability. Finally, since this deck includes Fire Energy, playing Radiant Charizard PGO 11 is a no-brainer. With its Combustion Blast attack, you'll be able to Knock Out nearly any Pokemon with ease.

The final pair of Pokemon are included in the deck for their Bench-protecting Abilities. Both Manaphy BRS 41's Wave Veil Ability and Jirachi PAR 126's Stellar Veil Ability protect your Benched Pokemon from taking damage or receiving damage counters when your opponent attacks. Since they protect in slightly different ways, you'll need both on your Bench for maximum protection.

Helping you find the Pokemon you need is a selection of Poke Balls. Nest Ball SVI 181 is limited to finding only Basic Pokemon, while Level Ball BST 129 can only find Pokemon with 90 HP or less. Ultra Ball SVI 196 has no such restrictions, and is another way to get copies of Tatsugiri PAR 141 in your hand into your discard pile.

This deck also includes a pair of Stadiums. Artazon PAF 76 helps each player find Basic Pokemon without Rule Boxes, while Collapsed Stadium BRS 137 helps to reduce the number of Benched Pokemon each player has, which can be detrimental for some decks.

Both Mela PAR 167 and Raihan EVS 152 can only be played on your turn right after one of your Pokemon was Knocked Out. Both Mela PAR 167 and Raihan EVS 152 can allow you to power up Dondozo SVI 61's Release Rage attack in one turn, helping get you back into the game.

To make your attacks as effective as possible, you can play Boss's Orders PAL 172 and Counter Catcher PAR 160 to choose which of your opponent's Benched Pokemon to move to their Active Spot.

Escape Rope BST 125 also forces your opponent to switch their Active Pokemon with one from their Bench, but unlike with Boss's Orders PAL 172 and Counter Catcher PAR 160, your opponent makes the decision of which Pokemon will move. You'll also have to switch your Pokemon when you play Escape Rope BST 125, so make sure you have a powered up Pokemon ready on your Bench. Alternatively, if you want to move a Benched Pokemon to your Active Spot without discarding Energy to pay a Retreat Cost, you can opt to play Switch SVI 194 instead.

If you find yourself behind on taking Prize cards, you can benefit from attaching Defiance Band SVI 169 to your attacking Pokemon. This allows that Pokemon to deal an additional 30 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon when it attacks. Playing Iono PAL 185 at any point during the game can result in you drawing a new hand. Your opponent will also be forced to draw a new hand, and they'll be penalized for each Prize card they've already taken. If you're not finding what you need from within your deck, there's a chance whatever you need is trapped within your Prize cards. Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146 is included in this deck specifically to help you out when that happens.

As the game goes on, you'll find that you likely have Pokemon and Energy cards in your discard pile. To be able to use those cards an additional time, this deck includes both Klara CRE 145 and Super Rod PAL 188. Klara CRE 145 puts the chosen cards right back into your hand, while Super Rod PAL 188 has you shuffle them back into your deck.

The final Trainer cards in this deck are two Supporters that help with drawing additional cards as well as helping you discard copies of Tatsugiri PAR 141. Professor's Research PAF 87 has you discard your current hand to be able to draw seven new cards. Serena SIT 164 lets you discard up to three cards from your hand, and then draw cards until you have five cards in your hand. Alternatively, she can move an opponent's Benched Pokemon V to their Active Spot, which might allow you to take a couple of Prize cards easily.

Wrapping Up

Even though the amount of damage you'll deal when attacking with Dondozo SVI 61's Release Rage attack is dependent on having copies of Tatsugiri PAR 141, this deck is surprisingly solid. While you might need to make two attacks in order to Knock Out some opposing Pokemon, the fact that you only give up one Prize card when Dondozo SVI 61 is Knocked Out enables you to outpace your opponent if you choose your targets carefully.

What do you think of this deck? Do you have any suggestions for improvements? Let me know by leaving a comment below. And be sure to join me here again next week as I continue my search for innovative decks in the Pokemon TCG. I'll see you then!

- Mike Likes