Knocking Out the Competition with Buzzwole-GX/Lycanroc-GX

When Buzzwole-GX was first introduced, I wasn’t taken aback by the card but I thought it would be decent. I used to play a lot of Landorus-EX back when it was standard and this card is very similar. However, Garbodor was running rampant upon Buzzwole-GX's reveal and it hits Buzzwole-GX for weakness. I was surprised to hear that Buzzwole-GX/Lycanroc-GX did so well at the European International Championships having two Top 8 finishes.I was also surprised by the disappearance of Garbodor. I was really interested in trying out the deck but didn’t get the cards I needed till the day before the league cup I ended up taking the deck to.

I generally have an unwritten rule for myself stating that I do not play the same deck in two consecutive cups so Gardevoir-GX was not an option. I had Zoroark-GX/Golisopod-GX and Decidueye-GX/Zoroark-GX decks built but I found them a little underwhelming and inconsistent at times. At that point, I decided I would give Buzzwole Lycanroc a shot since it had seen moderate success at League Cups. I had only played three games with this deck prior to the tournament but I was convinced it was strong. Though, I didn't predict it being as strong or as dominant as it was. Now without further ado, lets jump into my recap of the league cup I won win Buzzwole-GX.

Tournament Recap

December 10th, 2017

Vaughn, Ontario, 39 Masters

*Prize Cards Taken Indicated in Brackets

Round 1: Buzzwole-GX/Lycanroc-GX/Carbink Break Win (6-2) 1-0

We both set up decently however I took out his Rockruff and Lycanroc-GX early before he could do serious damage and took this game pretty easily. Also funny thing was that I started with Giratina and at one point I managed to take a knockout on Carbink BREAK with Regirock-EX getting through his Safeguard ability thanks to Giratina.

Round 2: Metagross-GX/Zoroark-GX Win (3-0) 2-0

She started with Dhelmise and I took advantage by using Jet Punch and setting up for two knockouts on Beldum the next turn. She tried digging for Rare Candy but whiffed and I took out her last Beldum on the field then she scooped with her field only being Dhelmise and Zoroark-GX.

Round 3: Decidueye-GX/Zoroark-GX Win (6-2) 3-0

My opponent starts with a lone Rowlet and was forced to discard a really ugly hand with two Max Potions to avoid the donk. From that point, I focused on taking out his Rowlet and Dartrix before they evolved into Decidueye-GX and he only managed to set up one. I was just getting knockout after knockout while my opponent was struggling to set up his board. I took this game pretty quick.

Round 4: Zoroark-GX/Golisopod-GX Win (1-0) 4-0

I go first starting with Buzzwole-GX on bench, hit two Max Elixirs and passed. My opponent starts Wimpod, discards an ugly hand and fails to draw another basic and passed. I had float stone and another energy in hand for the donk. I felt bad for her but hey, it happens.

Round 5: Metagross-GX/Solgaleo-GX ID 4-0-1

Round 6: Gardevoir-GX/Sylveon-GX 4-0-2

Top 8: Gardevoir-GX/Sylveon-GX WW (6-2 & 6-4) 5-0-2

I set up pretty fast both games and tried to take out his Ralts early before they evolved into Gardevoir-GX, then I knocked out his two Gardevoir-GX with Dangerous Rogue-GX and Knuckle Impact. My opponent ended up misplaying at the end of Game 1, choosing to Plea-GX up my Lycanroc-GX instead of my Buzzwole-GX with 130 damage on it which allowed me to use Bloodthirsty Eyes again for the final knockout. Game 2, I hit the Max Elixir on the first turn of the game and he didn’t set up that great so I was able to apply too much pressure for him to overcome.

Top 4: Metagross-GX/Solgaleo-GX WW (6-0 & 6-2) 6-0-2

My opponent in Game 1 starts with Tapu Lele-GX and realized he prized his other one thus he was dead drawing. I didn't have a great start but I took advantage with Buzzwole-GX's Jet Punch attack and took knockout after knockout, he scooped early to go onto game 2. In game 2, he sets up decently and used Algorithm-GX on turn 3 which I wasn’t able to stop. However I took out his 2 Cosmogs and a Metang early in the game. He was only left with two Metagross-GX in play but I had four attackers set up that point and he only had 1 energy left in his deck, thus wasn’t able to keep up.

Finals: Zoroark-GX/Golisopod-GX WW (6-2 & 6-3) 7-0-2

In the finals, I was facing my Round 4 opponent and I was hoping for a better match than last time. She starts off with Mr. Mime and retreats and I brought it back up and used Jet Punch, she retreated again but I brought it back up again with Lycanroc-GX and knocked it out. From that point, I was softening up her bench and then nuking it out with Dangerous Rogue-GX and Knuckle Impact. In game 2, we both dead drew for a couple turns however I applied more pressure than she did with Buzzwole-GX. We both then set up but at that point I had one-shots to her two-shots so it was over pretty quick. I am not sure if she even played Mewtwo because I never saw it hit the field and she didn’t bother placing down Mr. Mime in Game 2 unless it was prized the whole time.

Overall in the games I played I went 10-0 with most of my games being blowouts with some close matchups sprinkled in between. I was very impressed with the deck. Being able to apply pressure in the early game and take big one hit knockouts in the late game. Regirock-EX was definitely the MVP of this deck since that 10 extra damage was the biggest difference maker in most matchups and especially against 60 HP basics.

The List

This list is 58 cards the same compared to the deck that made Top 8 at the European International Championships. The only changes I made were cutting a regular Zygarde for Giratina because I did not want to lose to Greninja and cutting Rescue Stretcher for Super Rod. Overall this deck ran smooth and I don’t think there is a change I would want to make to it. I dead drew in three games so I might consider adding in a Lillie or a second Tapu Lele-GX. I probably would have to cut a 4th Guzma in order to fit in that second Tapu Lele-GX. If you don’t expect Frogs at a cup, I would cut the Giratina for Breakpoint Sudowoodo to help against the mirror, Gardevoir-GX and Solgaleo-GX.

Other Tech Cards To Include:

Mr. Mime

Zygarde

2nd Field Blower

Mew

Mew-EX

2nd Tapu Lele-GX

Rescue Stretcher

Lillie

Acerola

Professor Kukui

Sudowoodo

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Early Game Pressure especially against Stage 2 Decks.

• Fighting Type counters Zoroark-GX, Silvally-GX and Vikavolt.

• Late Game Finishers Buzzwole-GX and Lycanroc-GX.

• Usually consistent.

• Lycanroc-GX applies pressure with its ability and GX move (Can force opponent to limit their bench).

• Sudowoodo (If Used) forces uneven prize trade, one shots Tapu Bulu-GX, Solgaleo-GX or an overloaded Gardevoir-GX

Weakness

• Psychic Weakness and Grass Weakness to a lesser extent.

• Ability Heavy.

• Quad Sylveon-GX and Vikavolt/Tapu Bulu-GX are difficult matchups.

• Mobility may be an issue.

Matchups:

Gardevoir-GX

This match is in your favor as you can apply pressure as they try to set up and then you have time to set up for big knockouts on Gardevoir-GX, Gallade or Sylveon-GX. Try to knockout as many Ralts and Kirlias as you can before they set up into Gardevoir-GX. Try to either chip shot or take big knockouts against Brokenvoir since they might try to use their Max Potion strategy to their advantage. Be careful against Sylveon-GX as they may Parallel/Plea-GX combo you thus setting you back, thus keep your Brooklet Hill, Field Blower or Max Elixir in handy.

Zoroark-GX/Golisopod-GX

This matchup is tricky since they play Mr. Mime and have Mewtwo/Golisopod-GX that can hit you hard for weakness. Try to avoid fully charging up Buzzwole unless you are ready to take a knockout, avoid placing down Regirock-EX or Zygarde-EX. Do not evolve Rockruff into Lycanroc-GX unless you really need to use the ability or Dangerous Rogue-GX. Overall, I would say this matchup is even since you have the numbers to one shot everything but they can hit you for weakness.

Zoroark-GX/Decidueye-GX

This matchup isn’t too hard as you try to focus on knocking out as many Rowlets and Dartrix before they evolve into Decidueye-GX. You also hit Zoroark-GX and Tapu Koko for weakness so they won't pull off the Max Potion Strategy effectively. Just focus on applying pressure with Buzzwole-GX and it will be too much for Decidueye to overcome.

Conclusion

Overall, this is one of the best decks to play in the Standard Format since you apply so much pressure in the early game followed by hitting hard in the late. This deck seems to be very consistent and has very few weaknesses. If I was going to Memphis Regionals, I would play this deck but I would want to test it out more. It is one of the less skill intensive decks to play but you have to make sure you get your numbers right or it can cost you the game.

Team Stats