Duraludon VMAX Deck – Pokemon TCG Standard 2023

Illus. PLANETA Mochizuki

Duraludon was something of a sleeper when it first came out in Evolving Skies. With most eyes still on Rayquaza VMAX, it was almost too easy to overlook. Despite many players best efforts, however, Rayquaza VMAX never managed to take off competitively. Duraludon, however, has shown its ability time and time again to stay relevant, even in a format that has shifted significantly away from VMAX Pokemon of the past, favoring the less liable ex and VSTAR alternatives.

Duraludon leverages the Arceus VSTAR engine to not only help players get the cards they need, but to also get energies onto their Pokemon quickly and efficiently.

Duraludon VMAX Deck – Basic Strategy

1. The most important thing to succeeding at this deck is to get Arceus V and Duraludon V or Umbreon V (depending on the matchup) into play your first turn. To make this more likely, this Duraludon VMAX deck list runs four Arceus V, four ultra balls, four nest balls, and three adventurer’s discovery.

2. Once you do that, it’s relatively easy to power up your Duraludon V and then evolve it into a Duraludon VMAX, poised for the attack.

3. Use Volo to remove Pokemon V on your bench when they are damaged, or to remove opportunities for easy prizes for your opponent.

4. Use Radiant Alakazam and Hawlucha to do critical damage to already weakened Pokemon on your opponents bench – especially those weakened by Dragonite V’s attack.

5. Use Umbreon VMAX to gust Pokemon or take selective knockouts when weakness allows for OHKO.

Duraludon VMAX (Alternate Art Secret) - SWSH07: Evolving Skies

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Duraludon VMAX Deck List

• Pokemon (18)

  4 Arceus V BRS 122

  3 Arceus VSTAR BRS 123

  2 Duraludon V CRZ 103

  2 Duraludon VMAX CRZ 104

  2 Umbreon V EVS 94

  2 Umbreon VMAX EVS 95

  1 Lumineon V BRS 40

  1 Radiant Alakazam SIT 59

  1 Hawlucha SVI 118

• Trainer (28)

  3 Adventurer's Discovery FST 224

  2 Professor's Research SVI 189

  2 Boss's Orders BRS 132

  2 Colress's Experiment LOR 155

  2 Judge SVI 176

  1 Karen's Conviction CRE 144

  1 Volo LOR 169

  4 Nest Ball SVI 181

  4 Ultra Ball SVI 196

  1 Switch SVI 194

  1 Escape Rope BST 125

  2 Choice Belt BRS 135

  3 Lost City LOR 161

• Energy (14)

  4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

  4 Metal Energy

  3 Fighting Energy

  3 Darkness Energy

Duraludon VMAX Deck Strengths and Weaknesses

Duraludon VMAX – no matter the form it takes – tends to be a solid deck. In the past, its main weakness was getting the right combo of energy onto it. Thanks to Arceus, however, that’s no longer an issue. This curent deck has an answer to just about anything in the current meta, with the most glaring weakness being Giratina VSTAR.

Against Giratina’s instant OHKO attack, Duraludon VMAX has no defense. Additionally, this deck can have some trouble against Lost Zone Box, as your opponent could choose to simply not leverage Dragonite V’s attack, making it harder to do significant damage with Radiant Alakazam and Hawlucha.

Against Miraidon ex, Gardevoir ex, and Mew VMAX, it’s a strong choice do to its high damage output, high HP, and damage canceling abilities.