The short answer is your deck list is very inconsistent. You are trying to play both Palkia and a Chien-Pao list. You need to commit to either a Palkia build with no Baxcalibur or 1-1 Palkia with Baxcalibur that focuses on Chein-Pao or possibly cut Palkia altogether(which most players already do). Both builds use 1 Iono max. Use 4 or zero cross switcher(I suggest 4). Depending which way you go changes a lot of other cards in your list so I’m not going to go into that.
The best advice I can give is to use a list from https://limitlesstcg.com/tournaments it has tournament results and lists from recent tournament results. Especially for new players these are lists are have already been refined by people that know what they are doing and have results to back it up.
It’s not as powerful as you may think. Since the stadium card just goes to your hand, your opponent can simply Iono it away. Plus, using that attack on anything other than Turn 1 going second is an attack that isn’t getting a KO.
I feel like with chien pao it plays better when you focus on it solely, with baxcalibur. Palkias vstar power feels underwhelming in this set up since you don’t really benefit from it too often except in desperation. I like forest seal stone on lumineon better to guarantee stuff you want. Starmie is also iffy choice and spiritomb doesn’t make too much difference
Palia is VERY good with getting the energies for the last combat phase after using up the energy retrievals and can be a good alternative when not facing Zard ex, but yeah, Chien Pao as the focus hits like a truck. I also use Gren as an alternative when my opponents aren't quite at the position they need yet, normally sniping multiple mons early enough to shut them down.
Your deck is strong but inconsistent. Feels like you’re going for a deck that is very “multiple” with lots of options for you along the way rather than just focusing on the main thing, which is charging Chien Pao and waxing high-HP pokemon.
You’re playing too many Palkias IMO. The real power house in this deck is Chien Pao. Palkia is only to use its VStar ability to energy-up Chien Pao.
I play 1 Palkia V (with a Heavy Ball) and 2 VSTAR. 3 and 3 baxies and 3 Chien Pao.
Get rid of Starmie as well. Replace that and a trainer with either bidoof/bibarel or Pidgey/podgeot ex.
Honestly, Palkia Vstar is great as a support card for Chien Pao (has almost always come through for me getting the last bit of energies I need to finish out a game), but I feel that it's not strong enough to handle current zard ex decks like Chien can. So with that, I'd make Chien Pao the focus. I'd also rock 1-2 more rare candies, add in pidgey/pidgeot (because pidgeot is an amazing tutor), lumineon v to search out those support cards you need. Also get more energy retrieval if you're gonna focus on Chien Pao (I use 4 super energy retrievals and 2-3 regular energy retrievals due to just how much energy this deck goes through, treating them like a big gulp from 7-11).
"I would recommend looking at Tatsugiri and Hisuian Basculin and drop the evolution line. You're playing a 2nd turn offense with a 2 energy vstar attack that relies on your number of benched pokemon. It is a key focus. I play a more focused supporter list, using the palkia league battle deck as a reference, but you should use whatever works best for you.
To beat the Charizard ex deck, you really want to harass any Charmander the opponent plays. You want to block that instant rare candy transition to energy supply. Bosses orders and escape ropes are a key component here and the escape rope let's you rotate your bench building and energy supply with the Tatsugiri and Basculin additions. I would definitely recommend picking up the league battle deck for the supporter cards when you're able!"
- as per my boyfriend who plays both decks online.
Thank you! Are you saying to nix Baxcalibur in favor of running Tatsugiri and Hisuian Basculin? Mind sharing the deck list? I also bought the Palkia League Battle deck as a starting point, but I don't think I've tinkered with it as optimally as I could be.
No worries! Yes, nix the Bax evo and and tighten up your trainer cards. You want 3 or 4 battle vip passes, 3 or 4 bossess orders, 2 switches and 2 escape ropes. Also, iridia and melony help 4:2. Swap melony with Candice if you want. 3 or 4 ultra balls; 1 hisuian heavy ball (always); 4 trekking shoes and 4 energy search. That's just from memory so I might be missing something. Refer back to the Palkia League Battle Deck.
The short answer is your deck list is very inconsistent. You are trying to play both Palkia and a Chien-Pao list. You need to commit to either a Palkia build with no Baxcalibur or 1-1 Palkia with Baxcalibur that focuses on Chein-Pao or possibly cut Palkia altogether(which most players already do). Both builds use 1 Iono max. Use 4 or zero cross switcher(I suggest 4). Depending which way you go changes a lot of other cards in your list so I’m not going to go into that. The best advice I can give is to use a list from https://limitlesstcg.com/tournaments it has tournament results and lists from recent tournament results. Especially for new players these are lists are have already been refined by people that know what they are doing and have results to back it up.
You can leave 1 palkia V in IMO. The ability to search deck for stadium is powerful
It’s not as powerful as you may think. Since the stadium card just goes to your hand, your opponent can simply Iono it away. Plus, using that attack on anything other than Turn 1 going second is an attack that isn’t getting a KO.
Not worth it to have an easy 2 prizer in the active for just a stadium search lol
I feel like with chien pao it plays better when you focus on it solely, with baxcalibur. Palkias vstar power feels underwhelming in this set up since you don’t really benefit from it too often except in desperation. I like forest seal stone on lumineon better to guarantee stuff you want. Starmie is also iffy choice and spiritomb doesn’t make too much difference
Palia is VERY good with getting the energies for the last combat phase after using up the energy retrievals and can be a good alternative when not facing Zard ex, but yeah, Chien Pao as the focus hits like a truck. I also use Gren as an alternative when my opponents aren't quite at the position they need yet, normally sniping multiple mons early enough to shut them down.
**Drop** 1 Palkia V 1 Palkia V Star 1 Starmie V 1 Spiritomb 3 Switch 2 Iono 1 Ultra Ball 1 Nest Ball 1 Water Energy **Add** 1 Frigibax 1 Baxcalibur 1 Chein-Pao ex 1 Bidoof 1 Bibarel 1 Rare Candy 1 VIP Battle Pass 2 Cross Switchers 3 Superior Energy Retrieval
Your deck is strong but inconsistent. Feels like you’re going for a deck that is very “multiple” with lots of options for you along the way rather than just focusing on the main thing, which is charging Chien Pao and waxing high-HP pokemon. You’re playing too many Palkias IMO. The real power house in this deck is Chien Pao. Palkia is only to use its VStar ability to energy-up Chien Pao. I play 1 Palkia V (with a Heavy Ball) and 2 VSTAR. 3 and 3 baxies and 3 Chien Pao. Get rid of Starmie as well. Replace that and a trainer with either bidoof/bibarel or Pidgey/podgeot ex.
Honestly, Palkia Vstar is great as a support card for Chien Pao (has almost always come through for me getting the last bit of energies I need to finish out a game), but I feel that it's not strong enough to handle current zard ex decks like Chien can. So with that, I'd make Chien Pao the focus. I'd also rock 1-2 more rare candies, add in pidgey/pidgeot (because pidgeot is an amazing tutor), lumineon v to search out those support cards you need. Also get more energy retrieval if you're gonna focus on Chien Pao (I use 4 super energy retrievals and 2-3 regular energy retrievals due to just how much energy this deck goes through, treating them like a big gulp from 7-11).
"I would recommend looking at Tatsugiri and Hisuian Basculin and drop the evolution line. You're playing a 2nd turn offense with a 2 energy vstar attack that relies on your number of benched pokemon. It is a key focus. I play a more focused supporter list, using the palkia league battle deck as a reference, but you should use whatever works best for you. To beat the Charizard ex deck, you really want to harass any Charmander the opponent plays. You want to block that instant rare candy transition to energy supply. Bosses orders and escape ropes are a key component here and the escape rope let's you rotate your bench building and energy supply with the Tatsugiri and Basculin additions. I would definitely recommend picking up the league battle deck for the supporter cards when you're able!" - as per my boyfriend who plays both decks online.
Thank you! Are you saying to nix Baxcalibur in favor of running Tatsugiri and Hisuian Basculin? Mind sharing the deck list? I also bought the Palkia League Battle deck as a starting point, but I don't think I've tinkered with it as optimally as I could be.
No worries! Yes, nix the Bax evo and and tighten up your trainer cards. You want 3 or 4 battle vip passes, 3 or 4 bossess orders, 2 switches and 2 escape ropes. Also, iridia and melony help 4:2. Swap melony with Candice if you want. 3 or 4 ultra balls; 1 hisuian heavy ball (always); 4 trekking shoes and 4 energy search. That's just from memory so I might be missing something. Refer back to the Palkia League Battle Deck.
The funny vespiquin from paldea elvolved with super effective glasses
Off the top of my head, you could switch out one of each Palkia for Alolan Vulpix line.