Genesect/Virizion

So it’s taken a dreadful while to get around to this; but let’s talk about both the upcoming and already existing decks as we go into the new format with Plasma Blast and the rotation to Next Destinies on. Some will be fairly meta while others will be more rogue constructs that have been played around with a little bit. I was going to throw this all into one post, but then I realised that it would be hard to be thorough if I did that. So instead, I will commence rather more routine posts, each discussing a different deck in turn. Tonight I thought I might as well start with Genesect/Virizion. Genesect/Virizion:(Where all the hype has gone)The deck is as written; your main pokemon will be Virizion EX and Genesect EX from Plasma Blast. Virizion EX has an ability which prevents your Pokemon with grass energy attached from being affected by status conditions. Additionally, its attack, Emerald Slash, accelerates energy and does 50 damage. The catch is that it costs two energy (1 G, 1 C), and as Virizion is not a Plasma pokemon, pulling this off turn one is a difficult combo to manage well. Genesect also features an ability, Red Signal, that allows you to attach a plasma energy to it manually to catcher one of your opponent’s Pokemon. Additionally its attack, Megalo Cannon, does 100 damage and 20 to the bench for (2 G, 1 C), fitting nicely into one acceleration burst from Virizion. 

Additionally, the deck features G-Booster, an ACE SPEC that enables Genesect to hit a direct 200 damage at the expense of two energy (preferably dropping 1 G 1 C to pay so that it could potentially be used again next turn with a Colress Machine attachment). While G-Booster may take up your sole ACE SPEC slot of the deck, it’s potential to instantly net you two prizes combined with it’s salvageability via Shadow Triad (Plasma Freeze) make it the play for any Genesect/Virizion build that I am as of yet aware of.

So far I’ve witnessed three builds that I would approve of for Genesect/Virizion:

1. Pure G/V: This version will naturally take the least space, and therefore allow the most room for techs. By techs I quite simply mean, things to counter the deck’s natural counters. Case in point: Victini EX. A tech would be a Pokemon, preferably non-EX (for a multitude of reasons here) that can counter the Victini without a large expenditure of resources and deck space. Of course, Tool Scrapper might also be considered if Victini EX turns out to be favourably played alongside Victory Piece, but that’s a call that remains to be seen. My advice: in the current format, you should generally run tool scrapper as a two of anyway, but it should still not be a crutch.
   Now, as far as I have seen, most builds along this line do not run Plasma Badge to Turn One Virizion, in essence focusing on consistency over the early game potential boost. However, it would be possible to do so, but then it might simply be easier to try out the secondary build (the one that I currently play):
2. G/V + Deoxys EX (PLF): This deck takes the standard Genesect/Virizion build and removes the excess space in favour of Deoxys and Plasma Badge to try and pursue the turn one Emerald Slash and subsequently acceleration off Virizion. However, note that G/V is a powerful deck largely in light of the singe energy retreat cost the primary Pokemon feature. Deoxys EX features a retreat cost of two, and this makes this an easy catcher target. On the other hand, you will find that this deck:
1. Reaches “magic” numbers between Virizion’s and Genesect’s attacks easier.
2. As a direct result of (a) will be less reliant on G-Booster.

However, if you choose to look into this deck it is my utmost recommendation that you play 4 Ultra Ball and 4 Bicycle for the early game draw power, as that is where the game will tend to be won or lost, quite frankly. Also note that you will find yourself having to be much more cautious about resource management in this kind of build sheerly because of the rate at which you want to mill through cards.

3. G/V + Magnezone?!: This variant is strong more than anything else in it’s ability to allow you the abuse of Shadow Triad or Skyla to keep G-Booster in play without sacrificing draw potential. However, what that relies on is that you can get a Magnezone into play. Issues with that are the deck space it will consume to make it consistent, or simple inconsistency of you’re not devoting enough deck space to it. As it is a utility stage two alone, this is a case where you will often find yourself straddling a very fine line.
   However, it should not be underestimated, and at worst for the player of this build, a lost Magnemite/Magnezone will force the “7 prize game,” which is something the other two builds do not feature in their skeleton forms. As such, it also will provide many more difficult decisions for your opponent and subsequently, misplays.
   I will admit, Nicholas Pearce thoroughly trounced me with it in a best of three, but I still don’t rate its consistency as high as either of the other two variants I’ve listed.

A Skeleton Build for Any of These It’s always good to know what you should treat as must haves, and it is likely you may disagree with my skeleton, in which case please do let me know! Pokemon: 6

3 Virizion
3 Genesect Supporters: 10

4 Juniper
3 N
2 Skyla
1 Shadow Triad Trainers: 14

4 Ultra Ball or 2 Ultra Ball + 2 Plasma Ball
3 Colress Machine
2 Pokemon Catcher
2 Tool Scrapper
1 Switch
1 Super Rod
1 G-Booster ACE SPEC Energy: 10

7 Grass
3 Plasma Total: 40 (Space remaining for 20) First of all, you obviously will want to thicken up supporters. Now, I also do consider things like a tech switch and super rod absolutely essential in many decks at the moment, as well as energy search if your grass energy count is on the minimal side here. I personally think 7 is dangerous, but it does seem to work acceptably. Essentially, the remaining cards are situational based on deck build. In Pure G/V you will want to run Skyarrow. However, in the other two builds I recommend Float Stone as both Magnezone and Deoxys EX muck up retreat costs, both of which will be your main problem

Additionally, don’t run just EXs. It’s asking for Suicune or Sigilyph to wall you, amongst others.
There are a few standard basic Pokemon that Genesect/Virizion can look at, among them being Tropius (Plasma Blast), Genesect (Plasma Blast Non-EX), and Virizion NVI (that Double Draw one from way back when that was honoured with a Secret Rare reprint keeping it in format). The play you want to make depends largely on what you need out of it. The best I can say is play around and see which fits you best. Also looking at colourless attackers from other types is a wise play. For instance, my own Genesect build runs 1 Keldeo BCR (The one that does 60 for 3 C). It is a heavy cost, but is my personal response to Victini EX, what I find one of the most threatening things against this deck despite its abysmal HP. Again, play around, but don’t just leave yourself with 6 EXs or you will find yourself in a tough matchup where you may be relying all too much on G-Booster. The only deck of those that I have listed that can afford this is the Magnezone build. Matchups:

• Blastoise/Keldeo/Black Kyurem: Favourable. Genesect one shots Blastoise and Keldeo without G-Booster, and finds itself setting up as easily if not easier (depending on the flip as per) than a Blastoise to energise a Black Kyurem. In this matchup, again depending on game state, keep in mind the possibility of skipping Virizion the early game to focus on getting the T2 Genesect via two G attachments and 1 C via Colress Machine over those two turns.
• Darkrai/Hydreigon: Favourable. Darkrai lost a lot of potential after energy switch was announced as part of the rotation. It’s still a force to consider, though, which is why I write it here. However, now it must rely on Hydreigon, and that means an implicit limit on how quickly it can set up. Basically, you should find yourself winning on pace, but Darkrai can still play Sableye to stall. LaserBank isn’t much of a threat considering Virizion’s ability though.
• Garbodor Variants: It depends on the variant, really. But it will be tough. It is my philosophy that LaserBank is now a must play in Garbodor decks. It can abuse this against G/V. Overall, they won’t tend to feature energy acceleration though, so while it will be a slow game, if you play correctly I’d wager it at 50/50.
• TDK (“Plasma”): I hate to say it, but unfavourable. TDK is not only in my opinion the most consistent deck in the format, but it can pressure you straight from turn one. Also, it is greatly unfortunate that Genesect EX lacks the water resistance that most grass Pokemon carry. Greatly unfortunate. If G/V wants a chance here, like most decks that play against TDK, it needs to take out the Kyurems. The Absol is generally a lesser concern as Genesect/Virizion is not a deck that requires a lot of bench space. The minute you see that you are playing against TDK just keep your bench in mind for the spontaneous Absol drop.
• Tool Drop: I’m not inclined to include a rather more rogue deck here, but it really must be noted that, in light of EX reliance, Genesect/Virizion can get absolutely smashed by Tool Drop. But, Tool Drop is also a deck that can fall apart pretty fast. Nonetheless, beware. G-Booster is beyond useless in this matchup, and that’s the most disappointing thing of all.

Final Note: Avoid attaching plasma energy manually as a general, though not certain rule (as many scenarios might actually find it preferable). The ability sounds great, is great, but is not something you should in any way spam at the expense of efficiency.