Competitive Deck Analysis

Hello, everyone!

This week marked the conclusion of a significant event: the 30th edition of UrsiiDay's Pocket Weekly. We saw an impressive turnout with 992 participants , making it the largest tournament since the debut of Extradimensional Crisis .

The competition is intensifying as new deck strategies emerge and classic archetypes gain strength with the addition of new support cards.

As we do every week, we’re analyzing the top-performing decks, key players, and what these trends mean for your progression in ranked play. Important note: there will be no UrsiiDay tournament next week , so this might be the last substantial data we receive for a little while. Take the time to analyze this information thoroughly—it’s likely to influence both the ladder and local meta in the upcoming days.

Let’s get started!

The landscape of competitive decks has shifted this week, with a3a-006 and a3a-062 leading the charge, demonstrating a robust performance that builds on last week's success. In this analysis, I've combined the a3a-008 and a3a-007 variants due to their prevalent 2-1 split in most lists, which made logical sense for consolidation. While the deck's strength is undeniable, the question remains: is it the premier choice in the current format?

Following closely is a3-122 and a3a-027 , which have surged in popularity after a less impressive previous week. Their recent performance indicates they are becoming a formidable competitor in the scene.

On the other hand, a3a-061 and a2-089 experienced a decline compared to last week's leading position. Although still showing reliability, they appear to have lost traction to fresher or more versatile strategies.

Meanwhile, a2-110 and a2b-035 maintained a consistent performance, mirroring last week's results. This consistency suggests a loyal player base committed to this deck rather than a broader adoption trend.

A notable development is the emergence of various a3a-061 builds, particularly the a3-066 – a3a-021 variant, which is gaining traction. Interest has also surged for a3a-061 a2b-010 and a3a-061 a3a-009 configurations.

Additionally, a3a-043 has shown an upward trend in usage. Although my analysis focused on the a3a-042 variant, the interest in a3a-045 indicates a rise in experimental approaches within this category. New combinations like a1-089 a3-066 and the recently introduced a2-095 a3a-056 have also made their mark. In contrast, a2b-010 a3-033 saw a slight decrease, likely to accommodate the emerging alternatives centered around silvally.

In analyzing the recent tournament metrics, it's clear that the a3a-043 archetype leads in conversion rates.

A combination of the a3a-042 and a3a-045 variants achieved an impressive 15.4% conversion rate , with 6 out of 39 players successfully placing in the top 64. This raises an intriguing question: why aren't more players opting for a3a-043 , given its strong performance?

Similarly, the a2-095 a3a-056 combination also showcased solid results, with 2 out of 18 players making it to the top cut, yielding an 11.1% conversion rate . This variant is beginning to emerge as a sleeper hit that many players have yet to explore.

The new a3a-061 a3-066 combination also surprised many, converting 6 out of 56 players for a 10.7% success rate . Its emergence may be a direct counter to prevalent threats like a3a-006 , a3-122 , and a2b-010 .

On the other hand, the a3a-006 a3a-062 variant maintained both the highest usage and a respectable 8.6% conversion rate , solidifying its position as a formidable deck in the current format. The a2b-035 a2-110 combination mirrored this performance with an identical 8.6% conversion rate, indicating its sustained relevance in the upper meta.

The new a2b-010 a3a-061 deck made a slight impact in the top 64, but with only 3 out of 51 players converting, its 5.9% rate suggests it still needs to stabilize.

While popularity metrics reflect general usage, conversion rates provide insights into which decks are excelling beyond expectations.

Looking at the results from the latest tournament, a2b-010 a3a-061 clinched first place, showcasing impressive gameplay despite having the lowest conversion rate among leading decks. It triumphed over five a3a-006 a3a-062 decks and faced two a3a-061 a3-066 variants, including one in the top four, demonstrating its capability to handle tough matchups.

The second and third positions were both taken by variants of a3a-006 , though their builds differed significantly. The runner-up's strategy included 2 a3a-007 , 1 a3a-069 , and 2 a2-150 , while the third-place deck used 2 a3a-008 and 1 a3a-007 . Their paths through the tournament were varied, with the second-place variant contending against multiple a3a-061 a2-089 and a3a-043 decks, whereas the third-place variant faced a3a-061 a3-066 and even a2b-010 a3a-037 .

Fourth place was secured by the emerging a3a-061 a3-066 deck, which put on a strong performance by defeating five builds centered around a3-122 a3a-027 . This indicates its viability as a counter against dominant strategies in the meta.

The winning deck's composition is noteworthy, featuring only 1 a3a-067 due to limited space, complemented by tech choices like a2-146 that enhance flexibility. This allows players to dynamically adjust their strategies based on their opening hands, creating a strong approach to managing varied game states.

Our focus here is primarily on the third-place a3a-006 list, as the second-place variant was discussed in-depth in our previous report. This deck included 2 a3a-008 and 1 a3a-007 , aligning with the ratios presented in earlier guides.

Notably, the inclusion of a3-151 appears to be a strategic response to the rise of a3a-043 decks utilizing a3-146 . While typical poison damage can be mitigated with a3a-062 , a3-146 remains persistent and disruptive. Additionally, a3-151 proves beneficial in mirror matches against buzzwole .

Another adaptation in this list is the selection of a2-148 over a3-147 , aiming for a more aggressive playstyle. This alteration allows the deck to secure one-hit knockouts against opposing a3a-006 variants while also bolstering responses against threats like a3-122 or a2b-010 .

Fourth place featured a new a3a-061 a3-066 build that incorporated a3a-021 . The strategy revolves around leveraging a3a-061 as an early-game attacker while a3-066 provides backup against EX threats.

The innovative use of a3a-021 addresses a common concern: going first. Its ability to generate energy upon entry enables an attack as early as turn 2, overcoming one of the traditional weaknesses of a3a-061 builds.

Even if a3a-021 is not drawn initially, it remains valuable. With a2-154 , energy can be transferred to the active Pokémon, ensuring that either a3a-061 or a3-066 can attack on turn 2, regardless of turn order. This significantly enhances consistency and creates tempo advantages against slower decks.Presenting a compelling strategy against prevailing threats, the latest iteration of a3a-061 a3-066 has emerged as a formidable contender in today’s competitive landscape.

Highlighting this week’s feature is the 10th place a3a-043 deck, which stands out for its exceptional performance, claiming the highest conversion rate in the tournament. While the a3a-043 a3a-045 variant secured a spot in 9th place, we previously reviewed that version, making it fitting to now shed light on the a3a-042 build.

This particular setup is remarkable as it triumphed over several a3a-006 decks, making it a strategic choice for those aiming to counter buzzwole effectively. The current configuration emphasizes disruption and poison pressure , typically incorporating 2 a3-146 to enhance poison application, alongside promo-006 and a2-155 to restrict the opponent’s moves.

Additionally, the deck features double a1-225 and a2-150 , which serve to penalize opponents who attempt to conceal crucial Pokémon on their bench. A notable inclusion is a3a-064 , which works harmoniously with double a3a-069 , providing greater control over the opponent’s battlefield. In summary, this version of a3a-043 a3a-042 appears to be the leading choice going forward, particularly in a buzzwole-centric meta .

Deck Building for Ranked Matches

As you prepare for ranked matches, an essential consideration arises: what cards should you include in your deck and what threats should you anticipate?

Recently, Oricorio has re-emerged as a formidable choice, effectively countering top competitors such as Solgaleo, Buzzwole, Charizard, and even Darkrai or Giratina under the right circumstances. In higher tiers, particularly in Master Ball, you'll likely encounter it frequently.

Silvally hybrid decks are also gaining popularity, showcasing numerous variants that require players to strategize against them. Incorporating cards like Red Card and Mars can be advantageous to disrupt Silvally or Gladion's strategies and generally hinder your opponent's play options.

Flexibility in your deck is crucial as the meta evolves swiftly; adapting to the prevalent threats will enhance your performance.

One of the standout decks currently is the one I favor, known for its consistency and versatility. If you find the A2-146 variant underwhelming, consider the more conventional A3-155 version. Personally, I’m not keen on A3-155 since it primarily addresses the 100 damage from A3A-061, a challenge we manage well already. However, if you're frequently facing A3A-061 decks, including A3-155 might be a wise choice.

A rising concern in the meta is A3-066. If it’s a common opponent, consider using Promo-079, which delivers 100 damage—enough to knock out a Caped A3-066. With 110 HP, it also survives potential retaliation from A3A-061. Tailor your deck to the threats you encounter most often.

For those seeking a comprehensive strategy for piloting this deck, further resources are available.

Next on the list is a deck that boasts impressive win rates and potential, particularly if you're up against A3A-027 and A3-122. This deck, which secured 4th place in a recent tournament, is designed to exploit EX-heavy strategies.

The number of A3-066 included in your deck can vary—some players opt for one, while others prefer two, depending on the expected matchups. If you often face A3-122, A3A-006, or A2B-010, then selecting two A3-066 and possibly a second A2-154 could be beneficial, as it increases the chances of starting with A3-066 and facilitates early energy transfers.

Your approach will depend on whether you go first or second:

• Going second: Ideally, start with A3A-060, evolve to A3A-061, and hit for 100 damage by turn two with a supporter.
  
• Going first: Lead with A3A-021 to gain free energy, allowing for an attack by turn two with a manual attachment. If you don’t draw into it, A2-154 can transfer energy to your active Pokémon, enabling A3A-061 or A3-066 to attack early.
  

This adaptability makes the deck a robust counter in the current meta.

Another deck worth mentioning is A3A-006, which I've recently detailed in a guide. It provides an in-depth look at maximizing your gameplay for high-level competition.

Despite facing theoretical counters like A3A-027, A3-122, and the surge of fire decks such as A2B-010, A3A-009, and A3-066, A3A-006 continues to excel due to its flexibility and power. Recent tournament placements, with A3A-006 finishing 2nd and 3rd, validate its effectiveness.

For those seeking a versatile deck, I recommend the A2-148 variant of A3A-006, which offers good coverage against mirrors and pressure in challenging matchups.

Additionally, A3A-043 and A3A-042 are strong options for players wanting to avoid the common A3A-061 mirror match. This deck performs well against A3A-027, A3-122, and A2B-010 variants, though it struggles against A3A-006 and A2-110/A2B-035. However, with strategic play using Grindcore or disruption from A2B-072, these matchups can be winnable.

The ideal strategy involves early poison spread with A3A-042 or A3-146 while powering up A3A-043 in the background. Once established, you can apply pressure with Grindcore to deny energy or finish games with a 120-damage attack. A3A-062 is crucial for board control and taking hits while dictating your opponent's targets.

For those exploring a rogue strategy that punishes overly ambitious setups, A3A-043 and A3A-042 are definitely worth considering in today’s meta.

Finally, we have to highlight the tournament-winning deck, notable for integrating A2-146. This card allows for flexible prioritization based on your strategy against either A2B-010 or A3A-061 lines. There’s a compelling case for including two A3A-067 instead of A3-155 if you don't anticipate needing early-game tanking.

The game plan hinges on your opening hand. If you begin with A2B-008 and have A3-144, you can quickly evolve into A2B-010 for early pressure. However, most often, you'll want to start with A3A-060, evolve to A3A-061, and deal 100 damage by turn two. A2B-010 can then serve as your late-game finisher for softened targets.

A3A-061 and A3A-009 performed adequately in recent tournaments, though only one made it into the top cut. It remains a viable choice on the ladder, particularly against A3A-006 and A2B-010. Nonetheless, its weaknesses are becoming apparent, and A2B-010 with A3A-061 might prove to be the stronger build going forward. Time will tell if A3A-061 and A3A-009 can maintain their edge in the coming weeks.

If you're interested in learning more about how this deck operates or want to give it a try, I also have a detailed guide available for reference!As we move further into the week, a2-110 a2b-035 continues to perform reasonably well, attracting a decent number of players in competitive play. However, the arrival of a3-066 has made it a more precarious choice, and I suggest shifting to a poison variant if you're still using this deck.

In addition to a3-066, there’s an increasing presence of a3a-061 variants that are also showing favorable matchups against a2-110 a2b-035. While this deck retains its strength and capabilities, it may face more challenges than before in the current meta.

Although a3a-061 a2-089 is beginning to fade in popularity, it’s worth mentioning due to its still viable core strategy. Its current struggles stem from susceptibility to a1-225 and difficulties in consistently drawing a2-144, which can create awkward early game scenarios. These issues have prevented it from sustaining the impact it had when the expansion first launched.

Despite these setbacks, the deck remains a contender, albeit not the game-changing force it once was. If you haven’t explored it yet, I recommend checking out the comprehensive guide for an in-depth understanding of its mechanics.

On another note, there’s a lesser-known deck that performed remarkably well in a recent tournament despite its low usage. This deck is particularly intriguing as it addresses a significant challenge posed by the dominant a3a-061. While a3a-061 excels when going second, deploying a3a-056 early can disrupt its strategy by hindering its turn two attacks, allowing you to gain a substantial tempo advantage.

This deck shows considerable promise, even if it hasn’t gained widespread popularity yet.

The strategy centers around two powerful initial cards:

• a2-068, which evolves into a2-095, enabling strong hits for just 2 energy, especially as your opponent accumulates energy.
  
• Alternatively, a3a-054 evolves into a3a-056, which increases the energy cost for your opponent's attacks, effectively slowing down decks such as a3a-061.
  

This combination creates a formidable strategy: a3a-056 hampers the opponent's pace, while a2-095 punishes excessive energy commitment. It's a clever approach that could surprise the current meta if given the opportunity.

The competitive scene is rapidly transforming, with new decks like a3a-061 oricorio builds and a2-095 gallade decks gaining traction in both effectiveness and popularity. Although a3a-006 remains the most played deck, impressive success rates from off-meta options like a3a-043 and a3a-056 highlight the potential for fresh innovation.

Whether you're aiming for the master ball or refining your strategy for tournaments, being attuned to the evolving landscape—and adapting your approach—will be essential for staying competitive. Keep adjusting your strategies, remain adaptable, and most importantly, enjoy the process of discovering what works best for you.

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