Legal Sets
Official Rules
- •60-card decks exactly
- •Maximum 4 copies of any card with the same name (Basic Energy exempt)
- •Must include at least 1 Basic Pokémon
- •First player cannot attack on Turn 1
- •Pokémon-EX give up 2 Prize cards when knocked out
- •ACE SPEC cards limited to 1 per deck
- •Pokémon Catcher now requires a coin flip (errata applied this season)
- •Lysandre (Flashfire) replaces Catcher as the reliable gust effect
- •First season the format was officially called "Standard" instead of "Modified"
- •Expanded format introduced this season alongside Standard
- •2014 World Championship in Washington, D.C. — Estrada wins with Emerald King
Format Overview
NXD-On was a transformative season — the first to use the official 'Standard' name and the first to introduce the Expanded format as a parallel competitive option. The Pokémon Catcher errata (now requiring a coin flip) fundamentally changed the game, as the guaranteed gust effect that had defined previous formats was gone. In its place, Lysandre from Flashfire became the new reliable way to target specific Pokémon.
The metagame was dominated by Virizion-EX/Genesect-EX. Virizion-EX's Verdant Wind Ability protected the team from Special Conditions (neutering Hypnotoxic Laser), while Genesect-EX with G Booster dealt 200 damage ignoring all effects — enough to OHKO anything in the format. Three of the top four at 2014 Worlds ran VirGen. Andrew Estrada won with 'Emerald King,' using Enhanced Hammer and Shadow Triad to deny opponent resources while G Booster demolished threats.
The format also saw strong performances from Yveltal-EX/Garbodor (which dominated the early season), Plasma variants with Lugia-EX's Overflow prize advantage, Blastoise/Keldeo's Deluge engine, and innovative rogues like Pyroar (whose Intimidating Mane blocked all Basic Pokémon damage) and Landorus-EX/Raichu/Garbodor (the surprise US Nationals winner).
Key Cards
Top Decks (10)
Emerald King (Virizion/Genesect)
1st Place — 2014 World Championship (Masters)
The World Championship winner. Virizion-EX blocks Special Conditions via Verdant Wind. Genesect-EX with G Booster deals 200 damage ignoring all effects. Enhanced Hammer and Shadow Triad deny resources. Estrada defeated Igor Costa's mirror in the finals.
Virizion/Genesect (Drifblim Variant)
2nd Place — 2014 World Championship (Masters)
The defending 2012 champion's VirGen with Drifblim tech — Shadow Steal punishes opponents with Special Energy in discard. Shaymin-EX moves energy to fresh attackers. Heavy Bicycle draw engine. No Jirachi-EX reduces Lysandre liability.
Aromatisse / M Kangaskhan-EX Toolbox
Top 4 — 2014 World Championship (Masters)
Aromatisse's Fairy Transfer moves Energy freely, enabling Max Potion healing without losing Energy. M Kangaskhan-EX is the primary attacker, Mewtwo-EX covers Psychic matchups. Keldeo-EX provides Rush In retreat. One of the most creative decks in the top cut.
Yveltal-EX / Garbodor
6th Place — 2014 World Championship (Masters)
Yveltal-EX's Evil Ball scales damage with total Energy on both sides. Garbodor's Garbotoxin shuts down all Abilities — crippling VirGen, Blastoise, and Aromatisse. Dark Patch provides explosive energy acceleration. The early-season dominant deck.
Plasma / Lugia-EX
7th Place — 2014 World Championship (Masters)
Deoxys-EX's Power Connect boosts all Plasma attackers by +10 per copy. Lugia-EX's Overflow takes an extra Prize on every KO. Thundurus-EX accelerates energy from discard. Kyurem provides a non-EX attacker. Speed and prize advantage define this deck.
Blastoise / Keldeo-EX
Blastoise's Deluge attaches unlimited Water Energy per turn. Keldeo-EX's Secret Sword scales. Black Kyurem-EX's Black Ballista deals 200. Tropical Beach draws during setup. The classic Stage 2 powerhouse, still viable despite Garbodor threats.
Landorus-EX / Raichu / Garbodor
1st Place — 2014 US National Championship (Masters)
The surprise Nationals winner. Landorus-EX's Hammerhead deals 30+30 snipe for one Fighting Energy. Raichu's Circle Circuit scales with bench size — devastating against EX-heavy boards. Garbodor shuts down Abilities. Druddigon punishes EX attackers.
Pyroar / Charizard-EX
2nd Place — 2014 US National Championship (Masters)
Built around Pyroar's Intimidating Mane — prevents all damage from Basic Pokémon, shutting down every EX attacker. Forces opponents to evolve or lose. Blacksmith provides Fire Energy acceleration. Charizard-EX and Mewtwo-EX serve as heavy hitters.
Yveltal-EX / Darkrai-EX / Garbodor (Nationals)
A more aggressive Yveltal/Garbodor with full Hypnotoxic Laser + Virbank combo for poison stacking. Baby Yveltal accelerates Dark Energy from discard. Absol punishes large benches. Jirachi-EX searches Supporters. The dominant early-season deck.
Virizion/Genesect (Paulo Silva — Top 4)
Top 4 — 2014 World Championship (Masters)
The leanest VirGen build at 8 Pokémon. 4 Bicycle for aggressive draw, 3 Colress Machine for speed. No Jirachi-EX reduces Lysandre targets. Drifblim tech punishes Plasma Special Energy. Three of the top four at 2014 Worlds ran VirGen.
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