At the start of the Team Up – Chilling Reign meta, Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX, Eternatus VMAX, and Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX were said to be the top tier of decks. Now that the meta has time to establish itself, we’re seeing other decks like Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX, Dark Box, and Lucario & Melmetal-GX take top spots in online tournaments.
But you’ve probably never heard of Solgaleo & Lunala-GX.
Hairul Hafiy took this rogue deck to a respectable 5th place finish in the recent Philippines Open #10. Of course, there was inspiration from the out of the box deck creator Syahmi Razak as well.
How did the idea for Solgaleo & Lunala-GX come about?
One day, Syahmi and I was on Discord brainstorming about a new meme deck. He suggested that the new Cresselia together with Solgaleo & Lunala-GX is very similar to Volcanion and Reshiram & Charizard-GX from the past. Solgaleo & Lunala-GX is able to deal 200 damage with its Light Of The Protector GX attack for only 3 Energy, which made me want to make the deck work.
How is the deck played?
You need to use the GX attack together with the Supporter card Lillie’s Full Force at the right timing to give all your Pokemon 1 turn immunity. With the extra turn, you can setup another attacker like Galarian Moltres V to clean-up your opponent.
The element of surprise is very important. Most players don’t remember what Light Of The Protector GX does For example, in one match against Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX, my opponent discarded all Energy to attack forgetting that the immunity was in effect. I used Reset Stamp to disrupt my opponent and won that game.
If possible, you want to start 2nd so you can use Cresselia’s Crescent Glow to charge Solgaleo & Lunala-GX. If I am forced to go first, I would instead proceed to attach Energy cards onto Galarian Rapidash V to use Libra Horn on an opponent’s key Pokemon. Mid-game, I am able to use Energy Switch to move the Energy back to Solgaleo & Lunala-GX. 3 copies of Energy Switch and an extra Darkness Energy from Galarian Moltres V should be enough to power up Solgaleo & Lunala-GX.
How do you face these matchups?
Shadow Rider Calyrex (with / without Alcremie VMAX)
I would say 60% favour to us as I will focus on Galarian Moltres V. My deck also plays Jirachi-GX to cover Solgaleo & Lunala-GX’s Psychic-type Weakness.
Eternatus VMAX
The same 60% in favour to us, as you’ll be relying on Galarian Rapidash V & Galarian Zapdos V to dominate the match.
Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX
This matchup is perhaps 70% & above win rate. Solgaleo & Lunala-GX doesn’t have any issues against Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX so far. Always target their Jirachi-GX first.
Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX / Zacian V
This has to be the most difficult matchups. I would say only 20% in favour to Solgaleo & Lunala-GX. Same usual strategy, but my setup has to be 100% perfect in order to win.
Pikachu & Zekrom-GX
This match would have a 60-70% chance of winning. Use the same strategy of starting with Galarian Rapidash V and pulling off Solgaleo & Lunala-GX’s Light Of The Protector GX at the right timing.
Decidueye
40% win rate. It’s a tough matchup but its winnable. You will need to setup multiple Cresselia to win the game.
Ice Rider Calyrex
There’s only a 20% chance of winning this matchup. It’s another tough deck to fight like Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX, you have to be very lucky to beat them. I would try to setup Solgaleo & Lunala-GX as quickly as possible for the GX attack. Path To The Peak is very annoying.
Lucario & Melmetal-GX
I think this matchup has a 40-50% win rate; as long as I can use Galarian Rapidash V’s Libra Horn before Metal Googles is attached. This deck isn’t too concerned over Lucario & Melmetal-GX itself. If you manage to use Libra Horn, Solgaleo & Lunala-GX or Galarian Moltres V can go in for the cleanup.
Would you make any changes to the deck?
This is actually an updated version of the deck, as previously it did not include Galarian Rapidash V. I would love to add more draw support as the deck is prone to bricking, and maybe a third Chaotic Swell. The deck probably needs additional tech for Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX, like an extra Metal-type Pokemon for example.
The Southern Islands 