Mega Rayquaza-EX has been an incredible force since its debut, but there always seemed to be something holding it back from becoming the top deck. First it was the annoying combination of Crushing Hammer and Seismitoad-EX's Quaking Punch, and then it was the Night March deck with its Lightning-type Joltik to hit Mega Rayquaza-EX's Weakness. With those hurdles out of the way, is it finally Mega Rayquaza-EX's time to shine? The combination of Rayquaza Spirit Link, Mega Turbo, and Double Colorless Energy, in conjunction with the Δ Evolution Ancient Trait, make it possible to get Mega Rayquaza-EX into play with a charged-up Emerald Break attack in a single turn. Throw in the Sky Field Stadium card to increase the size of your Bench to eight Pokémon, and Emerald Break can do 240 damage! With that kind of speed and force, it's no surprise that many players believe that Mega Rayquaza-EX is the deck to beat as we enter the new Standard format.

What to watch for: Mega Rayquaza-EX will be in the crosshairs of a lot of Trainers. Expect plenty of people to try to counter it by using Lightning-type Pokémon such as Raichu. Altaria's Clear Humming Ability is a great way to respond to Raichu, since it removes the Weakness of all of your Colorless-type Pokémon.

• Mega Mewtwo

Mega Mewtwo

Pokémon

• 3

  M Mewtwo-EX

  64/162

  xy8 64
• 4

  Mewtwo-EX

  62/162

  xy8 62
• 2

  Garbodor

  57/122

  xy9 57
• 2

  Trubbish

  56/122

  xy9 56
• 2

  Shaymin-EX

  77/108

  xy6 77
• 1

  Hoopa-EX

  36/98

  xy7 36

Energy Cards

• 7

  Basic { Psychic } Energy

  g1 79
• 4

  Double Colorless Energy

  xy10 114

Trainer Cards

• 4

  N

  xy10 105
• 4

  Professor Sycamore

  xy9 107
• 2

  Lysandre

  xy7 78
• 1

  Olympia

  g1 66
• 1

  Pokémon Ranger

  xy11 104
• 1

  Skyla

  xy8 148
• 2

  Parallel City

  xy8 145
• 2

  Shrine of Memories

  xy5 139
• 4

  Ultra Ball

  xy10 113
• 4

  VS Seeker

  xy4 109
• 3

  Float Stone

  xy8 137
• 3

  Mega Turbo

  xy6 86
• 1

  Super Rod

  xy8 149
• 3

  Mewtwo Spirit Link

  xy8 144

More Info Copy Deck List ****** Pokémon Trading Card Game Deck List ****** Pokémon - 14 3 M Mewtwo-EX BKT 64 4 Mewtwo-EX BKT 62 2 Garbodor BKP 57 2 Trubbish BKP 56 2 Shaymin-EX ROS 77 1 Hoopa-EX AOR 36 Trainer Cards - 35 4 N FCO 105 4 Professor Sycamore BKP 107 2 Lysandre AOR 78 1 Olympia GEN 66 1 Pokémon Ranger STS 104 1 Skyla BKT 148 2 Parallel City BKT 145 2 Shrine of Memories PRC 139 4 Ultra Ball FCO 113 4 VS Seeker PHF 109 3 Float Stone BKT 137 3 Mega Turbo ROS 86 1 Super Rod BKT 149 3 Mewtwo Spirit Link BKT 144 Energy - 11 7 Basic { Psychic } Energy GEN 79 4 Double Colorless Energy FCO 114 Total Cards - 60 ****** Deck List Generated by Pokémon TCG Online www.pokemon.com/TCGO ******

Mega Mewtwo-EX is another Mega Evolution Pokémon screaming with potential, but because of its Weakness, it was held back by Trevenant and the Pumpkaboo in Night March decks. The Psychic Infinity attack can reach absurd amounts of damage very quickly with the help of Mega Turbo and Double Colorless Energy. And if your opponent can't Knock Out this massive 210-HP Pokémon in one attack, they're in for a headache. Another way Mega Mewtwo-EX can do major damage is with the Shrine of Memories Stadium card, which allows it to use Mewtwo-EX's Damage Change attack. Against a Pokémon that has no damage, Mega Mewtwo-EX essentially heals itself by moving all of its damage onto the opponent's Active Pokémon. Garbodor further adds to the disruption, shutting down all Abilities with Garbotoxin. Against a Mega Rayquaza-EX deck, playing a Parallel City to reduce your opponent's Bench to three Pokémon combined with Garbotoxin shutting down Hoopa-EX's Scoundrel Ring Ability can cripple their strategy.

What to watch for: Mega Mewtwo-EX has a hefty 210 HP, but it's still vulnerable in some specific situations. Attaching an Assault Vest Tool card to Mega Mewtwo-EX can reduce the damage it takes from Mega Rayquaza-EX's Emerald Break attack to a maximum of 200, just short of a Knock Out.

• Mega Scizor

Mega Scizor

Pokémon

• 3

  M Scizor-EX

  77/122

  xy9 77
• 4

  Scizor-EX

  76/122

  xy9 76
• 2

  Garbodor

  57/122

  xy9 57
• 2

  Trubbish

  56/122

  xy9 56
• 2

  Shaymin-EX

  77/108

  xy6 77
• 1

  Hoopa-EX

  36/98

  xy7 36
• 1

  Cobalion

  74/114

  xy11 74

Energy Cards

• 9

  Basic { Metal } Energy

  g1 82

Trainer Cards

• 4

  Professor Sycamore

  xy9 107
• 2

  Lysandre

  xy7 78
• 2

  N

  xy10 105
• 1

  Skyla

  xy8 148
• 1

  Team Flare Grunt

  g1 73
• 2

  Parallel City

  xy8 145
• 4

  Ultra Ball

  xy10 113
• 4

  VS Seeker

  xy4 109
• 3

  Crushing Hammer

  g1 60
• 3

  Float Stone

  xy8 137
• 3

  Scizor Spirit Link

  xy9 111
• 3

  Trainers' Mail

  xy6 92
• 2

  Mega Turbo

  xy6 86
• 1

  Escape Rope

  xy5 127
• 1

  Super Rod

  xy8 149

More Info Copy Deck List ****** Pokémon Trading Card Game Deck List ****** Pokémon - 15 3 M Scizor-EX BKP 77 4 Scizor-EX BKP 76 2 Garbodor BKP 57 2 Trubbish BKP 56 2 Shaymin-EX ROS 77 1 Hoopa-EX AOR 36 1 Cobalion STS 74 Trainer Cards - 36 4 Professor Sycamore BKP 107 2 Lysandre AOR 78 2 N FCO 105 1 Skyla BKT 148 1 Team Flare Grunt GEN 73 2 Parallel City BKT 145 4 Ultra Ball FCO 113 4 VS Seeker PHF 109 3 Crushing Hammer GEN 60 3 Float Stone BKT 137 3 Scizor Spirit Link BKP 111 3 Trainers' Mail ROS 92 2 Mega Turbo ROS 86 1 Escape Rope PRC 127 1 Super Rod BKT 149 Energy - 9 9 Basic { Metal } Energy GEN 82 Total Cards - 60 ****** Deck List Generated by Pokémon TCG Online www.pokemon.com/TCGO ******

Mega Scizor-EX didn't see much action last season, but the rotation has breathed new life into it, too. The Iron Crusher attack doesn't hit for as much damage as the attacks of the other Mega Evolution Pokémon we've looked at, but it's certainly disruptive. Nearly every deck uses Stadium cards and Special Energy, so this attack will discard your opponent's cards pretty frequently. Combine this with Crushing Hammer to discard your opponent's basic Energy and Garbodor to shut down Abilities, and you have quite a powerful deck that really limits your opponent's options.

What to watch for: Fire-type Pokémon will make short work of pretty much any Pokémon in this deck, but Weakness Policy can give you a fighting chance against them. Without it, your poor Mega Scizor-EX will be melting quickly if you happen to come across any Volcanion decks.

• Primal Groudon

Primal Groudon

Pokémon

• 3

  Primal Groudon-EX

  86/160

  xy5 86
• 3

  Groudon-EX

  85/160

  xy5 85
• 4

  Wobbuffet

  RC11

  g1 RC11

Energy Cards

• 9

  Basic { Fighting } Energy

  g1 80
• 4

  Strong Energy

  xy10 115

Trainer Cards

• 4

  N

  xy10 105
• 4

  Professor Sycamore

  xy9 107
• 2

  Lysandre

  xy7 78
• 1

  Hex Maniac

  xy7 75
• 1

  Olympia

  g1 66
• 1

  Pokémon Center Lady

  g1 68
• 1

  Pokémon Ranger

  xy11 104
• 1

  Skyla

  xy8 148
• 1

  Steven

  xy6 90
• 3

  Scorched Earth

  xy10 110
• 2

  Shrine of Memories

  xy5 139
• 4

  VS Seeker

  xy4 109
• 3

  Heavy Ball

  xy8 140
• 3

  Mega Turbo

  xy6 86
• 1

  Assault Vest

  xy8 133
• 1

  Escape Rope

  xy5 127
• 1

  Float Stone

  xy8 137
• 1

  Heavy Boots

  xy8 141
• 1

  Super Rod

  xy8 149
• 1

  Ultra Ball

  xy10 113

More Info Copy Deck List ****** Pokémon Trading Card Game Deck List ****** Pokémon - 10 3 Primal Groudon-EX PRC 86 3 Groudon-EX PRC 85 4 Wobbuffet GEN RC11 Trainer Cards - 37 4 N FCO 105 4 Professor Sycamore BKP 107 2 Lysandre AOR 78 1 Hex Maniac AOR 75 1 Olympia GEN 66 1 Pokémon Center Lady GEN 68 1 Pokémon Ranger STS 104 1 Skyla BKT 148 1 Steven ROS 90 3 Scorched Earth FCO 110 2 Shrine of Memories PRC 139 4 VS Seeker PHF 109 3 Heavy Ball BKT 140 3 Mega Turbo ROS 86 1 Assault Vest BKT 133 1 Escape Rope PRC 127 1 Float Stone BKT 137 1 Heavy Boots BKT 141 1 Super Rod BKT 149 1 Ultra Ball FCO 113 Energy - 13 9 Basic { Fighting } Energy GEN 80 4 Strong Energy FCO 115 Total Cards - 60 ****** Deck List Generated by Pokémon TCG Online www.pokemon.com/TCGO ******

If there's one Pokémon that embodies the pure power of Mega Evolution Pokémon, it's the monstrous Primal Groudon-EX. This 240-HP behemoth has the Ω Barrier Ancient Trait to protect itself against most of the opponent's Trainer cards, and its Gaia Volcano attack can deal colossal amounts of damage with the help of Strong Energy. Without Battle Compressor in the Standard format, the popular Vespiquen might not see as much play, opening the door for the return of Primal Groudon-EX (which is weak to Grass types). In an environment full of Mega Evolution Pokémon, one that can withstand an attack while being able to one-hit KO the other Pokémon could be powerful.

What to watch for: Giratina-EX's Renegade Pulse Ability can be a pain for Primal Groudon-EX, and it gets even worse when the Chaos Wheel attack prevents you from playing a Stadium card to boost Gaia Volcano's damage. If you're worried about Giratina-EX, try to slow it down by adding cards such as Team Flare Grunt or Jirachi to discard its Double Dragon Energy.

• Darkrai/Giratina

Darkrai/Giratina

Pokémon

• 3

  Darkrai-EX

  74/122

  xy9 74
• 3

  Giratina-EX

  57/98

  xy7 57
• 2

  Shaymin-EX

  77/108

  xy6 77
• 2

  Yveltal

  65/114

  xy11 65
• 1

  Hoopa-EX

  36/98

  xy7 36

Energy Cards

• 10

  Basic { Darkness } Energy

  g1 81
• 4

  Double Dragon Energy

  xy6 97

Trainer Cards

• 4

  Professor Sycamore

  xy9 107
• 3

  N

  xy10 105
• 2

  Lysandre

  xy7 78
• 1

  Hex Maniac

  xy7 75
• 1

  Pokémon Ranger

  xy11 104
• 2

  Parallel City

  xy8 145
• 4

  Max Elixir

  xy9 102
• 4

  Trainers' Mail

  xy6 92
• 4

  Ultra Ball

  xy10 113
• 4

  VS Seeker

  xy4 109
• 3

  Fighting Fury Belt

  xy9 99
• 2

  Float Stone

  xy8 137
• 1

  Escape Rope

  xy5 127

More Info Copy Deck List ****** Pokémon Trading Card Game Deck List ****** Pokémon - 11 3 Darkrai-EX BKP 74 3 Giratina-EX AOR 57 2 Shaymin-EX ROS 77 2 Yveltal STS 65 1 Hoopa-EX AOR 36 Trainer Cards - 35 4 Professor Sycamore BKP 107 3 N FCO 105 2 Lysandre AOR 78 1 Hex Maniac AOR 75 1 Pokémon Ranger STS 104 2 Parallel City BKT 145 4 Max Elixir BKP 102 4 Trainers' Mail ROS 92 4 Ultra Ball FCO 113 4 VS Seeker PHF 109 3 Fighting Fury Belt BKP 99 2 Float Stone BKT 137 1 Escape Rope PRC 127 Energy - 14 10 Basic { Darkness } Energy GEN 81 4 Double Dragon Energy ROS 97 Total Cards - 60 ****** Deck List Generated by Pokémon TCG Online www.pokemon.com/TCGO ******

Don't Forget about the Rest

Mega Evolution decks are sure to be strong, but they aren't the only game in town. Plenty of other strategies are expected to make waves in the Standard format. Let's look at a few of them.

With all this talk about Mega Evolution Pokémon, why not use a card that can stop them in their tracks? Giratina-EX is just that card: its Renegade Pulse Ability protects it from the attacks of Mega Evolution Pokémon. Its Chaos Wheel attack can disrupt all sorts of strategies, particularly ones that rely heavily on Special Energy cards. We saw this Pokémon used in a variety of strategies last season, and there's no reason to believe that success won't continue this season. Its partner for this deck is Darkrai-EX with its impressive Dark Pulse attack. Use Max Elixir to get as many Darkness Energy into play as possible, and then hit for big damage. Double Dragon Energy attached to a Giratina-EX counts as two Darkness Energy, so these Pokémon pair together rather well.

What to watch for: Some Abilities, such as Volcanion-EX's Steam Up, can pose quite a problem for this deck. Adding a couple of Garbodor for its Garbotoxin Ability can give you the edge you need in certain matchups. Just be careful not to activate it against Mega Evolution Pokémon, or you'll shut off your own Renegade Pulse.

• Greninja BREAK

Greninja BREAK

Pokémon

• 3

  Greninja BREAK

  41/122

  xy9 41
• 4

  Greninja

  40/122

  xy9 40
• 4

  Frogadier

  39/122

  xy9 39
• 4

  Talonflame

  96/114

  xy11 96
• 3

  Froakie

  38/122

  xy9 38

Energy Cards

• 8

  Basic { Water } Energy

  g1 77
• 2

  Splash Energy

  xy9 113

Trainer Cards

• 4

  N

  xy10 105
• 4

  Professor Sycamore

  xy9 107
• 1

  Ace Trainer

  xy7 69
• 1

  Fisherman

  xy8 136
• 2

  Rough Seas

  xy5 137
• 4

  Bursting Balloon

  xy9 97
• 4

  Dive Ball

  xy5 125
• 4

  VS Seeker

  xy4 109
• 3

  Trainers' Mail

  xy6 92
• 2

  Ultra Ball

  xy10 113
• 1

  Professor's Letter

  xy8 146
• 2

  Super Rod

  xy8 149

More Info Copy Deck List ****** Pokémon Trading Card Game Deck List ****** Pokémon - 18 3 Greninja BREAK BKP 41 4 Greninja BKP 40 4 Frogadier BKP 39 4 Talonflame STS 96 3 Froakie BKP 38 Trainer Cards - 32 4 N FCO 105 4 Professor Sycamore BKP 107 1 Ace Trainer AOR 69 1 Fisherman BKT 136 2 Rough Seas PRC 137 4 Bursting Balloon BKP 97 4 Dive Ball PRC 125 4 VS Seeker PHF 109 3 Trainers' Mail ROS 92 2 Ultra Ball FCO 113 1 Professor's Letter BKT 146 2 Super Rod BKT 149 Energy - 10 8 Basic { Water } Energy GEN 77 2 Splash Energy BKP 113 Total Cards - 60 ****** Deck List Generated by Pokémon TCG Online www.pokemon.com/TCGO ******

Fresh off a second-place finish at Worlds, Greninja BREAK doesn't lose much from the Standard format rotation. The older Greninja with the Water Shuriken Ability is no longer available, but the rest of the deck remains intact. The strategy is relatively straightforward but quite powerful: hope to start with Talonflame, use Frogadier's Water Duplicates attack to set up, and get a bunch of Greninja into play. Once Greninja BREAK is up and running, it's all about using Giant Water Shuriken to wear down the opponent. In the right environment, this deck can be a top contender.

What to watch for: The grim news for Greninja BREAK is that Startling Megaphone and Xerosic both rotated out of the Standard format, leaving no simple solution to deal with Garbodor's Garbotoxin shutting down your deck's entire strategy. Minccino can discard a Pokémon Tool from Garbodor, but it uses up the attack for the turn, and your opponent can just attach another Pokémon Tool on their turn. Perhaps a better method is to add Lysandre and a Pokémon with a big enough attack, such as Ash-Greninja-EX, to take down Garbodor. For the time being, Greninja BREAK might have to sit on the sidelines if Garbodor is getting used a lot.

• Vileplume

Vileplume

Pokémon

• 3

  Vileplume

  3/98

  xy7 3
• 3

  Gloom

  2/98

  xy7 2
• 3

  Oddish

  1/98

  xy7 1
• 3

  Shaymin-EX

  77/108

  xy6 77
• 2

  Jolteon-EX

  28/83

  g1 28
• 2

  Regice

  24/98

  xy7 24
• 1

  Glaceon-EX

  20/124

  xy10 20
• 1

  Manaphy-EX

  32/122

  xy9 32
• 1

  Lugia-EX

  68/98

  xy7 68
• 1

  Magearna-EX

  75/114

  xy11 75

Energy Cards

• 4

  Double Colorless Energy

  xy10 114
• 4

  Rainbow Energy

  xy8 152
• 1

  Basic { Lightning } Energy

  g1 78
• 1

  Basic { Water } Energy

  g1 77

Trainer Cards

• 4

  N

  xy10 105
• 4

  Professor Sycamore

  xy9 107
• 2

  Lysandre

  xy7 78
• 2

  Ninja Boy

  xy11 103
• 2

  Olympia

  g1 66
• 1

  Pokémon Center Lady

  g1 68
• 4

  Forest of Giant Plants

  xy7 74
• 1

  Parallel City

  xy8 145
• 4

  Trainers' Mail

  xy6 92
• 4

  Ultra Ball

  xy10 113
• 2

  Level Ball

  xy7 76

More Info Copy Deck List ****** Pokémon Trading Card Game Deck List ****** Pokémon - 20 3 Vileplume AOR 3 3 Gloom AOR 2 3 Oddish AOR 1 3 Shaymin-EX ROS 77 2 Jolteon-EX GEN 28 2 Regice AOR 24 1 Glaceon-EX FCO 20 1 Manaphy-EX BKP 32 1 Lugia-EX AOR 68 1 Magearna-EX STS 75 Trainer Cards - 30 4 N FCO 105 4 Professor Sycamore BKP 107 2 Lysandre AOR 78 2 Ninja Boy STS 103 2 Olympia GEN 66 1 Pokémon Center Lady GEN 68 4 Forest of Giant Plants AOR 74 1 Parallel City BKT 145 4 Trainers' Mail ROS 92 4 Ultra Ball FCO 113 2 Level Ball AOR 76 Energy - 10 4 Double Colorless Energy FCO 114 4 Rainbow Energy BKT 152 1 Basic { Lightning } Energy GEN 78 1 Basic { Water } Energy GEN 77 Total Cards - 60 ****** Deck List Generated by Pokémon TCG Online www.pokemon.com/TCGO ******

Sam Hough had success at Worlds with a rather unusual deck that could remain strong this season. The strategy starts with Vileplume's Irritating Pollen Ability, which prevents all Item cards from being played. Then it's all about picking the correct Pokémon for the situation: Regice can fend off Pokémon-EX with its Resistance Blizzard attack, Jolteon-EX can fight off Basic Pokémon with its Flash Ray attack, and Glaceon-EX can shut down Evolution Pokémon with its Crystal Ray attack. And with the unique Supporter card Ninja Boy, you can swap between these Pokémon at will. The loss of AZ really hurts this strategy, but perhaps a combination of Olympia and Manaphy-EX's Aqua Tube Ability can fill the void of that versatile card. Whenever Vileplume is involved, there's always a chance to lock down your opponent and win.

What to watch for: Thanks to Rainbow Energy, you can use pretty much any Pokémon you want in this deck to adapt to the current metagame. To really surprise an opponent, give Umbreon-EX a try. If its Endgame attack can Knock Out a Mega Evolution Pokémon, you'll take a whopping 4 Prize cards!

• Rainbow Force

Rainbow Force

Pokémon

• 4

  Xerneas

  107/162

  xy8 107
• 2

  Shaymin-EX

  77/108

  xy6 77
• 1

  Galvantula

  42/114

  xy11 42
• 2

  Joltik

  41/114

  xy11 41
• 1

  Umbreon-EX

  55/124

  xy10 55
• 1

  Hoopa-EX

  36/98

  xy7 36
• 1

  Volcanion-EX

  26/114

  xy11 26
• 1

  Jirachi

  XY67

  xyp xy67

Energy Cards

• 10

  Basic { Fairy } Energy

  g1 83
• 4

  Double Colorless Energy

  xy10 114

Trainer Cards

• 4

  Professor Sycamore

  xy9 107
• 3

  N

  xy10 105
• 2

  Lysandre

  xy7 78
• 1

  Ninja Boy

  xy11 103
• 3

  Sky Field

  xy6 89
• 4

  Max Elixir

  xy9 102
• 4

  Ultra Ball

  xy10 113
• 4

  VS Seeker

  xy4 109
• 2

  Exp. Share

  xy5 128
• 2

  Fighting Fury Belt

  xy9 99
• 2

  Float Stone

  xy8 137
• 1

  Escape Rope

  xy5 127
• 1

  Super Rod

  xy8 149

More Info Copy Deck List ****** Pokémon Trading Card Game Deck List ****** Pokémon - 13 4 Xerneas BKT 107 2 Shaymin-EX ROS 77 1 Galvantula STS 42 2 Joltik STS 41 1 Umbreon-EX FCO 55 1 Hoopa-EX AOR 36 1 Volcanion-EX STS 26 1 Jirachi PR-XY XY67 Trainer Cards - 33 4 Professor Sycamore BKP 107 3 N FCO 105 2 Lysandre AOR 78 1 Ninja Boy STS 103 3 Sky Field ROS 89 4 Max Elixir BKP 102 4 Ultra Ball FCO 113 4 VS Seeker PHF 109 2 Exp. Share PRC 128 2 Fighting Fury Belt BKP 99 2 Float Stone BKT 137 1 Escape Rope PRC 127 1 Super Rod BKT 149 Energy - 14 10 Basic { Fairy } Energy GEN 83 4 Double Colorless Energy FCO 114 Total Cards - 60 ****** Deck List Generated by Pokémon TCG Online www.pokemon.com/TCGO ******

If you've ever wanted to just play a deck with tons of different types of Pokémon, then this is the deck for you. Xerneas's Rainbow Force attack does 30 extra damage for each different type of Pokémon on your Bench, and that damage can reach extraordinary numbers with the additional Bench space from Sky Field. Use Max Elixir and Double Colorless Energy to power up the Life Pokémon quickly, and start attacking as soon as you can. The new dual-type Pokémon from XY—Steam Siege offer quite a boost to this strategy, providing two types in a single Pokémon! Volcanion-EX and Galvantula won't attack very often, but they play a major role in this deck. There's no telling if this deck has what it takes to succeed in tournament play, but anything that packs a punch like this certainly has potential.

What to watch for: You could replace all of the Pokémon-EX in this deck with regular Pokémon, but it will make the deck considerably slower. Some potential candidates are Octillery, Bisharp, Mew, Carbink, and Hawlucha. There are plenty of Pokémon to pick from.

This only scratches the surface of the decks we could see in the upcoming Standard format. The metagame is always a mystery at the start of the season: plenty of other Pokémon have the potential to make some noise, and there might be excellent strategies that haven't even been thought of yet. The first major event using the new Standard format will be the Regional Championships in Orlando, FL. After that, everyone will have a better idea of what decks to expect. But until then, it's all about preparation and practice. Good luck, Trainers!