Rapid Strike Urshifu/Inteleon VMAX Deck – Standard 2023
It’s always exciting in the Pokemon TCG Standard format when an anti-meta deck ends up winning a major tournament and suddenly becomes meta. This was the case with the Rapid Strike Urshifu/Inteleon VMAX deck piloted by Cyrus Davis at the North American International Championship for Pokemon TCG. This deck really excels at taking down popular deck archetypes like the otherwise all powerful Lost Box Turbo deck, but it isn’t without its fair share of weaknesses. Let’s get into some of the strategy that goes into this deck, as well as dive into the actual deck list that Cyrus used to achieve ultimate victory.
Rapid Strike Urshifu/ Inteleon VMAX Deck List
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3 Inteleon V FST 78
3 Inteleon VMAX FST 79
2 Rapid Strike Urshifu V BST 87
2 Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 88
2 Remoraid BST 36
2 Octillery BST 37
1 Medicham V EVS 83
1 Radiant Alakazam SIT 59
1 Lumineon V BRS 40
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3 Iono PAL 185
2 Irida ASR 147
2 Melony CRE 146
2 Professor's Research SVI 189
1 Korrina's Focus BST 128
1 Cheryl BST 123
1 Klara CRE 145
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
3 Battle VIP Pass FST 225
2 Nest Ball SVI 181
2 Energy Retrieval SVI 171
1 Energy Search SVI 172
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
1 Echoing Horn CRE 136
1 Escape Rope BST 125
3 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
3 Tower of Waters BST 138
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6 Water Energy 3
4 Rapid Strike Energy BST 140
Rapid Strike Urshifu with Inteleon VMAX Deck – Basic Strategy
Before Mew VMAX came along, and well before Manaphy’s bench protecting mist was a thing, Rapid Strike Urshifu absolutely dominated the charts of best Pokemon TCG Standard decks.
Of course, that Manaphy bench protection was a major hurdle for the steamrolling bench sniping machine that Rapid Strike Urshifu otherwise is. However, new cards and mechanics have helped nullify Manaphy for the most part.
Namely, using Inteleon VMAX’s ability, you can put damage counters on your opponents Pokemon, and then move that damage around strategically with Radiant Alakazam. This way, you can readily clear the board of Manaphy and then move in with Rapid Strike Urshifu to take three or even more prize cards in a single turn.
Cheryl Makes a Comeback
In a format where players have become unaccustomed to dealing with really high HP Pokemon, it can be pretty devastating to get half-way there to KOing a VMAX only to have that damage cleared. This deck takes advantage of Cheryl, which has always worked incredibly well with Inteleon VMAX whose ability puts energy back into the hand anyways.
Iono Offsets Your Opponents’ Hand
Since its release, Iono has easily proven to be one of the most effective cards to come out of Paldea Evolved.
This decklist astutely runs three copies of Iono, making it easy to widdle away at your opponent’s resources while taking critical KOs.
Medicham is Dangerous
As if this deck didn’t already have enough advantages going for it, it also runs Medicham perhaps more effectively than Medicham has ever been run before. Through the Inteleon VMAX Double Gunner ability and Radiant Alakazam’s Painful Spoons, it becomes relatively easy to use Medicham’s usually hard to hit Yoga Loop – a move that not only takes a KO, but gives you an entire extra turn before your opponent.
Rapid Strike Urshifu with Inteleon VMAX Deck Weaknesses and How to Counter It
It’s ironic that we are now talking about how to counter a deck that initially had popularity because of its ability to counter other top decks in the meta. But here we are.
If you are not planning on running the Urshifu/Inteleon deck yourself, the above list and strategy guide might have made you a little scared. I know I was a little overwhelmed my first time playing against this deck.
But fear not. It is not without its own set of weaknesses.
Let’s go into several of these in detail.
#1 This Deck Runs VMAX Pokemon
Perhaps the most glaring weakness of this deck is that it uses three-prizers in a meta with equally powerful two-prizers. Although VMAX decks are quite clearly still effective, they are something of a liability. Decks like Giratina VSTAR or MEW VMAX and the like that have the ability to KO VMAX Pokemon can gain an advantage here if they are able to take OHKOs, whereas other decks can look for a favorable prize trade.
#2 This Deck Doesn’t Hit That Hard (to your Active Pokemon)
Secondly, there isn’t anything in this deck that hits harder than 150. That’s not enough, luckily, to knockout VSTAR Pokemon. This makes it easier to get that favorable prize trade.
#3 Rapid Strike Urshifu/Inteleon VMAX Doesn’t Run a Boss
Another glaring weakness here is that Rapid Strike Urshifu doesn’t run a Boss’s orders. Now, this is because it doesn’t really need it to take advantage of its primary aim – that being to take out your bench. However, this can come in handy when you are looking for that prize trade. Simply switch your wounded Pokemon out when they’ve taken a hit and they are basically safe the rest of the game.
#4 Path to the Peak
Admitedly, this deck is not particularly weak to Path to the Peak as it does run three copies of its own stadium, as well as three copies of Forest Seal Stone. But if you get lucky, playing down a Path might just save you a few turns of damage from Inteleon VMAX’s Double Gunner.
#5 Limited Draw Support
Other than Octillery, This deck doesn’t use Pokemon that gives it draw support, making it much more reliant on its supproters to get the cards it needs. If you are able to take out Octillery early on, this deck loses much of its effectiveness.
Whether you are looking to counter Rapid Strike Urshifu/Intelon VMAX, or simply how to avoid its pitfalls while piloting it to success, hopefully this guide helps! Cheers to your many victories.
