Searching Standard: Entei V

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 Entei V BRS 22 taking extra Prize cards with the help of Sky Seal Stone CRZ 143. Let's get started by taking a look at the deck list.

Entei V BRS 22 is the main attacker for this deck. By using its Burning Rondo attack, you'll be able to deal a variable amount of damage based on the number of Benched Pokemon you and your opponent have in play. Entei V BRS 22 also has the Fleet-Footed Ability, allowing you to draw one extra card during your turn as long as Entei V BRS 22 is in your Active Spot. Extra cards equate to extra options, giving you an advantage over your opponent. By attaching Sky Seal Stone CRZ 143, you'll be able to use the Star Order Ability VSTAR Power. This allows you to take an additional Prize card if Entei V BRS 22 Knocks Out an opposing Pokemon VSTAR or Pokemon VMAX. That extra Prize can turn a game you're sure to lose into a victory.

The next batch of Pokemon can all act as fine secondary attackers, but their true purpose in this deck is to help Entei V BRS 22 deal extra damage. Rapidash SIT 22's Heat Boost Ability allows you to discard a Fire Energy card from your hand, once per turn, in order to have your Fire Type Pokemon's attacks deal an extra 30 damage. While you might not always want to do this, having that extra 30 damage in your back pocket for when you need it is nice. Moltres PGO 12 has the Flare Symbol Ability, which always provides your Basic Fire Type Pokemon's attacks an additional 10 damage. The additional damage both of these Abilities provide can help you Knock Out certain Pokemon with a single attack instead of two.

Radiant Charizard PGO 11 acts as a terrific finisher for this deck. In the late stages of the game, you can often find that your opponent has taken multiple Prize cards. That only benefits Radiant Charizard PGO 11 thanks to its Excited Heat Ability, which reduces the amount of Energy needed when attacking with its Combustion Blast attack. Since Combustion Blast deals 250 damage, you're likely to Knock Out your opponent's Active Pokemon, which can allow you to take the last of your Prize cards.

The final batch of Pokemon in this deck are all included for the use of their Abilities. Bibarel BRS 121 has the Industrious Incisors Ability, which can help refill your hand to five cards, once per turn. Manaphy BRS 41 can help protect your Benched Pokemon from taking damage with its Wave Veil Ability. This is very important, because the amount of damage you do is based on the number of Benched Pokemon in play, and you have very little control over how many Benched Pokemon your opponent has. Keeping yours safe and sound is the only way to guarantee the amount of damage you'll deal with Entei V BRS 22's Burning Rondo attack.

Echoing Horn CRE 136 is the only means you have of manipulating the number of Benched Pokemon your opponent has. Use it to put a Pokemon from your opponent's discard pile onto their Bench. Then you can use either Boss's Orders BRS 132 or Serena SIT 164, if the Pokemon you choose is a Pokemon V, to move that Pokemon to their Active Spot, potentially scoring an easy Knock Out. Alternatively, Serena SIT 164 can be played to allow you to discard and draw some cards, but there are other cards that also can be used for these purposes instead.

Since you're likely to discard some Fire Energy for Rapidash SIT 22's Heat Boost Ability in order to deal extra damage, it can be very helpful to be able to get that Energy back from your discard pile. That's where this trio of Trainer cards fit in. While Magma Basin BRS 144 is in play, each player can attach a Fire Energy card from their discard pile to one of their Fire Type Pokemon. Doing this will place two damage counters on that Pokemon. Keep in mind that your opponent will get this benefit too, so if they have any Fire Type Pokemon, you might not want to play this Stadium. Playing Energy Retrieval CRZ 127 simply puts up to two basic Energy cards from your discard pile into your hand. You can do the same thing by playing Klara CRE 145, or she can get two Pokemon instead.

This batch of Trainer cards all help you find the Pokemon you need from within your deck. Quick Ball FST 237 can only find Basic Pokemon, while Evolution Incense SSH 163 can only seek out Evolution Pokemon. Ultra Ball CRZ 146 can find either, but has a higher cost when you play it. By remembering these limitations, you can use the right Item to find whatever Pokemon you might need at the time.

Attaching a Cape of Toughness DAA 160 to Entei V BRS 22 makes this already durable Pokemon V into a veritable tank. Going from 230 HP to 280 HP can be the difference between being able to withstand an attack instead of being Knocked Out.

There will be times that your opponent messes with the positions your Pokemon are in. For those times, you can utilize these cards to set things right. Switch CRZ 144 allows you to swap the positions of one of your Benched Pokemon and your Active Pokemon. Air Balloon SSH 156 allows a Pokemon to Retreat for two fewer Energy. For most of your team, this will allow them to Retreat for free.

The final Trainer cards in this deck are Standard staples, found in most Standard decks. These both allow you the means of drawing new cards. With Professor's Research BRS 147, you'll draw seven new cards, but you'll need to discard your current hand first. Marnie CPA 56 shuffles your current hand back into your deck, and you'll draw a new hand of five cards. Your opponent does the same, but only draws four cards instead. While you do end up with a new hand of cards when you play Marnie CPA 56, her best effect is that she messes up your opponent's hand and can make it so they have little to no options on their upcoming turn.

Wrapping Up

Entei V BRS 22 can be a powerhouse in the right deck. This deck looks well suited for him, offering extra boosts to damage and a powerful backup attacker. The addition of Sky Seal Stone CRZ 143 can allow an extra Prize to be won, helping you achieve victory more quickly.

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