Standard 2021

The defining deck of the format. Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX's G-Max Rapid Flow deals 120 damage to two benched Pokémon, bypassing the Active entirely. The Inteleon engine (Drizzile's Shady Dealings searches any Trainer, Inteleon's Quick Shooting pings 20 damage) provides consistency and finishing power. Tower of Waters gives free retreat, and Passimian adds 30 extra bench damage.

Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX's Underworld Door Ability attaches a Psychic Energy from hand to a benched Pokémon and draws 2 cards — every turn, for each Shadow Rider in play. With 2-3 copies on bench, you're attaching multiple Energy and drawing 4-6 extra cards per turn. Max Geist deals 10 + 30 per Psychic Energy in play, routinely hitting 250+. Fog Crystal searches any Psychic Pokémon or Energy.

Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX's Ride of the High King hits 250 damage for 2 Water + 1 Colorless, enough to OHKO most VMAXs with Quick Shooting pings. The Inteleon engine provides search and damage support. Melony accelerates Water Energy from the discard and draws 3 cards. Path to the Peak shuts down opposing Abilities.

The boogeyman of the format. Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX's Altered Creation GX adds +30 damage to all attacks and makes the opponent give up an extra prize when knocked out. Zacian V's Intrepid Sword draws 3 cards and attaches a Metal Energy, then Brave Blade hits 230. Metal Saucer accelerates from discard. The deck could close games in 2-3 KOs while the opponent needed 4-5.

Single Strike Urshifu VMAX's G-Max One Blow deals 270 damage — enough to OHKO any VMAX — at the cost of discarding all Energy. Houndoom's Single Strike Roar Ability attaches a Single Strike Energy from deck each turn, which also adds +20 damage. Tower of Darkness draws cards by discarding Single Strike cards. Urn of Vitality recovers spent Energy.

Eternatus VMAX's Dread End deals 30 damage per Dark Pokémon on your bench, maxing at 270 with a full bench of 8 (its Ability increases bench size to 8 for Dark Pokémon). Crobat V and Galarian Zigzagoon fill the bench while providing draw and ping damage. Galarian Moltres V provides Energy acceleration and a secondary attacker.

Victini VMAX's Max Victory deals 220 base damage (plus 120 if the opponent's Active is a V). Welder attaches 2 Fire Energy from hand and draws 3 cards — the strongest Supporter in the format. Fire Crystal recovers Energy, and Giant Hearth searches for it. A straightforward but devastating aggro deck that punishes V-heavy matchups.

PikaRom's Full Blitz attacks for 150 while attaching 3 Lightning Energy from deck to benched Pokémon, setting up Tag Bolt GX (200 + 170 to bench) for massive multi-KOs. Speed Lightning Energy draws cards on attachment. Boltund V provides a secondary attacker with Electrify acceleration. Still potent in the VMAX era thanks to Tag Team's raw power.

A creative rogue deck using Rapid Strike Malamar's Max Jammer (a non-V attacker) to hit 120 and discard a random card from the opponent's hand. Octillery's Rapid Strike Search finds any Rapid Strike card once per turn. Spiral Energy provides all types for Rapid Strike Pokémon. The deck trades prizes favorably against VMAX decks since Malamar only gives up 1 prize.

Dragapult VMAX's Max Phantom deals 130 damage and spreads 5 damage counters across the opponent's bench. The Inteleon engine adds more ping damage, letting Dragapult set up multi-KOs over two turns. Horror Psychic Energy punishes attackers who hit Dragapult. A strong spread-and-snipe deck that preys on evolution-heavy benches.