Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX / Mega Lucario ex

This build is specifically for the current Pokemon TCG Live (Beta) Expanded Format - April 2026.

I think a true Expanded version of this deck would utilize Battle Compressor and Trainers' Mail for more efficient card draw and discarding. Possibly, Sky Field stadium would also be used along with energy counts of 6 or 7.

*** First Turn: Discard. Discard. Discard. ***

Expect to use Carmine, Squawkability ex, and Dedenne-GX (in this order) to discard all your hands the first turn. Immediately use up all

This build is specifically for the current Pokemon TCG Live (Beta) Expanded Format - April 2026.

I think a true Expanded version of this deck would utilize Battle Compressor and Trainers' Mail for more efficient card draw and discarding. Possibly, Sky Field stadium would also be used along with energy counts of 6 or 7.

*** First Turn: Discard. Discard. Discard. ***

Expect to use Carmine, Squawkability ex, and Dedenne-GX (in this order) to discard all your hands the first turn. Immediately use up all the Quick Balls, Ultra Balls, and Earthen Vessels you come across. You want to discard as many evolution Pokemon and Fighting Energies as possible. You can easily retrieve them back with a Tarragon supporter. Thinning out the deck also helps increase your chances of drawing into Tarragon in the late game.

Build your "ideal" board state while thinning out your deck. You can consistently burn through half your deck by end of the first turn.

Ideally, you want a Rapid Strike Urshifu V as your Active Pokemon by end of the first turn. You want to have a Fighting Energy and Powerglass tool attached to it. This will get it charged up for a Second Turn attack with G-Max Rapid Flow.

Also, by end of the first turn, you will want the following Pokemon benched (in order of priority): another Urshifu V (it can be used for Forest Seal Stone tool attachment), the Prism Star Ditto, a Riolu, and a Binacle (or the Prism Star Diancie). Leave a bench spot open for Jirachi-GX or another Dedenne-GX.

You have multiple chances (5 chances with Edit 2 version of this deck) to remove Squawkability ex and Dedenne-GX from your bench. You have Ace Spec Scoop Up Cyclone and Super Scoop Up items. They free up space to add more useful Pokemon to the bench or give you another chance to play a Dedenne-GX. 

*** Second Turn (and onwards): Attack with Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX's G-Max Rapid Flow. ***

Then, keep attacking with G-Max Rapid Flow. Alternatively, after the first G-Max Rapid Flow, retreat to Mega Lucario ex. Mega Lucario ex can hit hard with Mega Brave or it can recharge Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX with Auro Jab.

*** Prism Star Ditto: It adds a lot flexibility. ***

It can turn into Mega Lucario ex, Barbaracle, or Hariyama. Try to discard Hariyama during the first turn. Then, in a later turn, you can use Tarragon to recover the Hariyama and use Prism Star Ditto to evolve into the Hariyama. Essentially, Prism Star Ditto (and Makuhita) allow you to "Boss's Order" the same turn you use Tarragon to charge up an attack.

*** Deck Edits: ***

Edit 1: Reduced Binacle count by 1 (from 2 to 1). Increased Earthen Vessel item count by 1 (from 2 to 3).

Edit 2: Changes after Edit 1 - Removed all Battle Passes and increased Quick Ball, Ultra Ball, and Super Scoop Up item counts to 4 each. Increasing the ball counts make it so that you have a better chance of getting a Dedenne-GX into your hand during Turn 1. Also, the balls have more utility after Turn 1 than the Battle Passes. Added 1-2 Hariyama line. Reduced Rapid Strike Urshifu V count by 1 (from 3 to 2). Reduced Riolu and Mega Lucario ex counts by 1 each (from 2 each to 1 each). Reduced Fighting Energies count by 1 (from 6 to 5). Increased Air Balloon item count by 1 (from 1 to 2).

Edit 3: Changes after Edit 2 - Replaced Roaring Resolve Lucario with Lucario-GX.

Edit 4: Changes after Edit 3 - Replaced an Air Balloon tool with a Pokegear 3.0.