Raikou SM150 vs Zapdos SM159

[Tychell]

I have two questions here but my main question is what is the Viability of the Raikou SM150 or 79/214 in standard play.  I have seen the Zapdos decks and they look like fun, and with Tapu Koko going out in August I was looking at another fun Electric deck to maybe try and play with.  I was looking at the Raikou Theme Deck and was wondering about adding in some electropower, Lost Blenders and trying to make it more viable.  

 

Second what is the best way to stock up on Trainer Cards since standard is rotating in August and I'll be loosing Guzma, Ultra, Nest and DCE?  As well as Rescue Stretcher and more.  I'm not sure I'll be playing in any tournaments up here in Alaska but I do play on the TCG and just wasn't sure the best methods.  Thanks alot guys.

[Chasista]

Raikou? Why not. Basic able to hit for 120 + Choice + Electropower...

 

Indeed you could get any Lighting deck and made the change of its main attacker for 4 Raikou, then remove the specific trainers for that attacker and add the ones you need for Raikou. Let's say Zapdos, removing some Switch/Escape rope and adding Lost blender and other stuff. I would't remove all the Zapdos though probably.

 

On the other side Raikou is Fighting weak. PikaKrom is too but have higher HP. In a format where the counter are Lycanroc and Buzz mini, a 120HP Raikou can be easily KOed fast. I would maintain the deck in the Non-GX side to have the 1 prize output advantage. Don't forget Jirachi, I think should be in the deck to get access to Blenders and more. At the end if no Energy in Lost zone, you only have 30 damage hitter. Party starts when you are able to send some energy to limbo..

 

The options in Expanded as usual, seems to be endless (Max elixir, FFBelt...) but that's a different story.

 

At the end it's a try. Maybe it's not as fast/powerful as in theory can be but, what if it is? Trying is fun.

 

About stock up, you mean IRL or Online?

 

What we are loosing, we need to focus on what will come next. But we have still 3 months to play and hey, they could reprint still some important cards. But if not, just focus on what's available, sure will be pretty interesting strategies coming and some long used dying. Let's enjoy the challenge!

Edited May 2, 2019 by Chasista

[BowserLuigi]

Certainly viable, just probably not up to meta standards. Zapdos is meta cuz he only needs 1 energy while Raikou needs 2.