With the Chilling Reign meta still only a few weeks old, the meta continues to swing and shift. The domination of Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX meant that decks have had to adapt. We’ve seen Dark Box type decks emerge, but many have been trying to fit one Pokemon that can single handily take down Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX – Galarian Moltres V.
Lee Keng Fai has managed to fit Galarian Moltres V into Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX / Inteleon, shifting what was an unwinnable matchup previously back to Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX’s favour. He finished in the Top 8 of the Philippines Open #9.
How did the idea for Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX / Galarian Moltres V come about?
I have been playing Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX for most part of the Chilling Reign meta. But with the recent spike in the usage of Galarian Moltres V in various decks like Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX, Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX faces with an uphill battle. Therefore, I went with the conventional Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX / Inteleon list but added Galarian Moltres V to fit the meta better.
How is the deck played?
Playstyle is mostly similar to Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX / Inteleon lists, with the only difference is to reserve a Bench space for Galarian Moltres V to charge up Darkenss Energy as soon as you can. While your Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX is dealing some early damage via Gale Thrust or G-Max Rapid Flow, your Galarian Moltres V will serve as an alternate attacker or the main attacker in some matchups.
How do you face these matchups?
Shadow Rider Calyrex (with / without Alcremie VMAX)
Needless to say, the two copies of Galarian Moltres V will be the MVP in this matchup. Basically, you need to quickly setup both the Galarian Moltres V as soon as you can. The Prize trade is very favourable as Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX decks need some time to setup, and almost everything in the deck is weak to Darkness-type. Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX is extremely situational because it is weak to Psychic-type, so you need to have Jirachi-GX in play. But some Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX decks play Path To The Peak to negate Jirachi-GX’s Ability.
Eternatus VMAX
This matchup is very favourable because Eternatus VMAX is weak to Fighting-type. Plus, they don’t run Mew, which makes G-Max Rapid Flow a very useful attack in this matchup.
Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX
I have not tested much in the mirror against Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX, but Galarian Moltres V could be important as its 190 damage + 150 damage from your own Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX’s Gale Thrust attack will be able to deal a 2HKO. Galarian Moltres V is far easier to setup, especially with Drizzile’s Shady Dealings able to search for Darkness Energy through Energy Spinner. Because this deck includes Galarian Moltres V, deck space is thin so we had to omit Mew. Therefore, you need to take a KO on the opponent’s Mew to maximise G-Max Rapid Flow.
Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX
This matchup is slightly favourable as Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX decks generally do not run Mew. G-Max Rapid Flow coupled with Inteleon’s Quick Shooting sniping helps a lot to turn the matchup to your favour. Being able to go first in this matchup is an added advantage as the new ADP-GX deck list with Galarian Moltres V and Galarian Zapdos V is a little more clunky. It’s more difficult for them to achieve a turn 1 Altered Creation GX, so you are more likely to land your first Gale Thrust before your opponent will be able to use Altered Creation GX. After they announce their GX attack, simply use Boss’s Orders targeting a Dedenne-GX or Crobat V out and take a double KO with G-Max Rapid Flow.
Pikachu & Zekrom-GX
Another favorable matchup as the newer Pikachu & Zekrom lists don’t run Mewtwo & Mew-GX anymore. Most of the deck’s main attackers are weak to Fighting-types and are within OHKO range of a Gale Thrust attack. If the opponent plays Mewtwo & Mew-GX, then your Jirachi-GX will come in handy. Be wary of your opponent playing Reset Stamp followed by Raichu & Alolan Raichu-GX’s Tandem Shock to lock your Active Spot Pokemon.
Decidueye
For this match, setup three Sobble and take early KOs using Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX against their Rowlet, Sobble, and Snorlax. As the opponent manages to get Decidueye into play, your Inteleon becomes crucial, especially your lone Inteleon SWSH. This is where the Aurora Energy comes in handy. Inteleon SWSH’s 120 damage attack + Rapid Strike Inteleon’s Quick Shooting Ability can take a KO on Decidueye. Even if they are able to KO your Inteleon SWSH, you have your Rapid Strike Inteleon as a backup attacker that can be powered up with a single Rapid Strike Energy.
Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX
If they play Mew, prioritise taking a KO on it with your Rapid Strike Inteleon’s Quick Shooting Ability. Galarian Moltres V is another important attacker in this matchup as you are able to 2HKO an Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX with Aura Burn + Gale Thrust. The Prize trade is more favourable for you as the Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX cannot take a OHKO on your Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX. Also, because they need to constantly play Melony, your opponent may not be able to play Boss’s Orders targeting your damaged Pokemon on the Bench.
Lucario & Melmetal-GX
This is the toughest matchup as your opponent will likely prioritise Zamazenta V to block off attacks from Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX, while setting up with Zacian V’s Intrepid Sword. Your best friends against Zamazenta V will be Rapid Strike Inteleon, Galarian Moltres V and the regular Rapid Strike Urshifu V.
Setup a Galarian Moltres V as soon as possible so you can pressure the opponent’s Active Spot Pokemon. If they start with Zacian V or Lucario & Melmetal-GX, go for Gale Thrust but always prepare a backup. It is important that you take a KO on Zamazenta V as soon as you can. This matchup is dependent on your opponent’s luck of the draw, if they are able to use Mallow & Lana on crucial turns then the matchup is extremely favourable to them.
Would you make any changes to the deck?
I might include Tool Scrapper or an additional Switch in the future. Depending on the meta, I may potentially add Mimikyu and / or Bench barrier Mew.
The Southern Islands 