Stéphane Ivanoff
@lubyllule.bsky.social
🇫🇷 Pokémon TCG player, 2x International Champion. Expanded format believer.
This deck might not be the most innovative, but it's strong!
Another way to use Mega Lopunny ex would be to combine it with Garbodor: heavily disruptive Pokémon just benefit from a cost-efficient attacker to pair with. I might feature this deck in another thread at some point!
(9/10)
Another way to use Mega Lopunny ex would be to combine it with Garbodor: heavily disruptive Pokémon just benefit from a cost-efficient attacker to pair with. I might feature this deck in another thread at some point!
(9/10)
December 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
This deck might not be the most innovative, but it's strong!
Another way to use Mega Lopunny ex would be to combine it with Garbodor: heavily disruptive Pokémon just benefit from a cost-efficient attacker to pair with. I might feature this deck in another thread at some point!
(9/10)
Another way to use Mega Lopunny ex would be to combine it with Garbodor: heavily disruptive Pokémon just benefit from a cost-efficient attacker to pair with. I might feature this deck in another thread at some point!
(9/10)
...while Karen combines very well with Vileplume's Item lock to rid Regidrago of its attackers.
Other possible techs include Alolan Muk, a more resilient but heavier alternative to Silent Lab, and Wally's Compassion, to heal Mega Lopunny ex even under Item lock.
(8/10)
Other possible techs include Alolan Muk, a more resilient but heavier alternative to Silent Lab, and Wally's Compassion, to heal Mega Lopunny ex even under Item lock.
(8/10)
December 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
...while Karen combines very well with Vileplume's Item lock to rid Regidrago of its attackers.
Other possible techs include Alolan Muk, a more resilient but heavier alternative to Silent Lab, and Wally's Compassion, to heal Mega Lopunny ex even under Item lock.
(8/10)
Other possible techs include Alolan Muk, a more resilient but heavier alternative to Silent Lab, and Wally's Compassion, to heal Mega Lopunny ex even under Item lock.
(8/10)
With the core of the deck taken care of, it's even possible to fit a few more situational cards. Silent Lab adds more disruption to the deck, and V Guard Energy makes it harder to get KO'd by Regidrago. Pokémon Ranger is a mainstay to help against disruption such as Shadow Rider V's Shadow Mist,
December 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
With the core of the deck taken care of, it's even possible to fit a few more situational cards. Silent Lab adds more disruption to the deck, and V Guard Energy makes it harder to get KO'd by Regidrago. Pokémon Ranger is a mainstay to help against disruption such as Shadow Rider V's Shadow Mist,
Mega Lopunny ex's damage output is a bit lower than its alternatives, but we can increase it from 230 to 280 (key number to hit Regidrago VSTAR, Lugia VSTAR, Ceruledge ex...) with Choice Belt and Powerful Energy. Note that Guzma & Hala can grab both these cards, giving it more midgame utility.
December 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Mega Lopunny ex's damage output is a bit lower than its alternatives, but we can increase it from 230 to 280 (key number to hit Regidrago VSTAR, Lugia VSTAR, Ceruledge ex...) with Choice Belt and Powerful Energy. Note that Guzma & Hala can grab both these cards, giving it more midgame utility.
This gives the deck more space for more draw Supporters, so we can run both Lillie's Determination for pure draw power and Marnie and N for disruption, and even a Call Bell which mostly acts as an additional out to turn 1 Guzma & Hala.
(5/10)
(5/10)
December 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
This gives the deck more space for more draw Supporters, so we can run both Lillie's Determination for pure draw power and Marnie and N for disruption, and even a Call Bell which mostly acts as an additional out to turn 1 Guzma & Hala.
(5/10)
(5/10)
Now, what does Mega Lopunny bring to this deck? Space. Since it's a stage 1, it requires less spots than other possible attackers (Slaking ex, Dragapult ex, Hydreigon ex), and it doesn't need any specialized Energy. In fact, Gale Thrust benefits a lot from Jet Energy, so we can just max it out.
December 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Now, what does Mega Lopunny bring to this deck? Space. Since it's a stage 1, it requires less spots than other possible attackers (Slaking ex, Dragapult ex, Hydreigon ex), and it doesn't need any specialized Energy. In fact, Gale Thrust benefits a lot from Jet Energy, so we can just max it out.
The core Supporter that makes this plan consistent is Guzma & Hala. It can grab Artazon, TM Evolution, and a Capture Energy (to search for a Pokémon) or Jet Energy (to get Bunnelby Active).
With Tag Call you can, essentially, play eight copies of it.
(3/10)
With Tag Call you can, essentially, play eight copies of it.
(3/10)
December 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The core Supporter that makes this plan consistent is Guzma & Hala. It can grab Artazon, TM Evolution, and a Capture Energy (to search for a Pokémon) or Jet Energy (to get Bunnelby Active).
With Tag Call you can, essentially, play eight copies of it.
(3/10)
With Tag Call you can, essentially, play eight copies of it.
(3/10)
You might recognize the core from other Expanded decks: Bunnelby can attack twice in a turn, so it can use Evolution twice to evolve Pidgey and Oddish into Pidgeot ex and Vileplume on turn 1, setting up permanent Item lock and a search engine.
(2/10)
(2/10)
December 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
You might recognize the core from other Expanded decks: Bunnelby can attack twice in a turn, so it can use Evolution twice to evolve Pidgey and Oddish into Pidgeot ex and Vileplume on turn 1, setting up permanent Item lock and a search engine.
(2/10)
(2/10)
Expanded Deck of the Month #48: Double Bunny Vileplume
(Each month, a thread on a new Expanded deck)
Phantasmal Flames is out! One of its most interesting cards is Mega Lopunny ex, a very efficient attacker. Let's fit in in a Vileplume shell!
Thread ⬇️
(1/10)
(Each month, a thread on a new Expanded deck)
Phantasmal Flames is out! One of its most interesting cards is Mega Lopunny ex, a very efficient attacker. Let's fit in in a Vileplume shell!
Thread ⬇️
(1/10)
December 4, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Expanded Deck of the Month #48: Double Bunny Vileplume
(Each month, a thread on a new Expanded deck)
Phantasmal Flames is out! One of its most interesting cards is Mega Lopunny ex, a very efficient attacker. Let's fit in in a Vileplume shell!
Thread ⬇️
(1/10)
(Each month, a thread on a new Expanded deck)
Phantasmal Flames is out! One of its most interesting cards is Mega Lopunny ex, a very efficient attacker. Let's fit in in a Vileplume shell!
Thread ⬇️
(1/10)
3rd place at the important event of the weekend! (the 17 player Expanded side event)
Tied to Gardevoir then beat Regidrago and another Gardevoir! It was nice to play Shadow Rider again.
For those wondering, the two 3-0 players (both French 😎) played Mew VMAX and Shadow Rider!
Tied to Gardevoir then beat Regidrago and another Gardevoir! It was nice to play Shadow Rider again.
For those wondering, the two 3-0 players (both French 😎) played Mew VMAX and Shadow Rider!
November 30, 2025 at 2:59 PM
3rd place at the important event of the weekend! (the 17 player Expanded side event)
Tied to Gardevoir then beat Regidrago and another Gardevoir! It was nice to play Shadow Rider again.
For those wondering, the two 3-0 players (both French 😎) played Mew VMAX and Shadow Rider!
Tied to Gardevoir then beat Regidrago and another Gardevoir! It was nice to play Shadow Rider again.
For those wondering, the two 3-0 players (both French 😎) played Mew VMAX and Shadow Rider!
Btw I made top 8 (at last season's Dortmund regionals (but they lost the top 8 playmat so I've spent a year trying to get them to give me one and I finally got it today))
November 29, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Btw I made top 8 (at last season's Dortmund regionals (but they lost the top 8 playmat so I've spent a year trying to get them to give me one and I finally got it today))
Salvaged my start into a 5-3 finish. Anyway, guess what I'm doing tomorrow!
November 29, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Salvaged my start into a 5-3 finish. Anyway, guess what I'm doing tomorrow!
On my way to the airport. I had a great weekend here in São Paulo, thanks to all the people I got to spend time with! I was also really happy to meet many local fans who I wouldn't see otherwise. See you next year, Brazil!
November 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
On my way to the airport. I had a great weekend here in São Paulo, thanks to all the people I got to spend time with! I was also really happy to meet many local fans who I wouldn't see otherwise. See you next year, Brazil!
Top 16 at LAIC with Gholdengo! Munkidori was a late addition and Ciphermaniac was a super late addition (Thursday night 10 PM with no testing) but they worked out well!
Shout-out to the French crew both here in São Paulo and at home for the support!
+300 CP, 860/1000
Shout-out to the French crew both here in São Paulo and at home for the support!
+300 CP, 860/1000
November 23, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Top 16 at LAIC with Gholdengo! Munkidori was a late addition and Ciphermaniac was a super late addition (Thursday night 10 PM with no testing) but they worked out well!
Shout-out to the French crew both here in São Paulo and at home for the support!
+300 CP, 860/1000
Shout-out to the French crew both here in São Paulo and at home for the support!
+300 CP, 860/1000
Top cut of LAIC 2026 via PokéStats
November 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Top cut of LAIC 2026 via PokéStats
Top 16 at LAIC! Full report coming later.
November 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Top 16 at LAIC! Full report coming later.
Just because I'm in day 2 doesn't mean I can't play Expanded in the hotel lobby at 11 PM
November 22, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Just because I'm in day 2 doesn't mean I can't play Expanded in the hotel lobby at 11 PM
LAIC starts in less than an hour. Let's hope everything goes well!
November 21, 2025 at 11:13 AM
LAIC starts in less than an hour. Let's hope everything goes well!
There's an Expanded side event at LAIC on Saturday!
November 20, 2025 at 9:11 PM
There's an Expanded side event at LAIC on Saturday!
I don't think this was clarified before, but this new section in the TCG Tournament Handbook states that when open decklists are used, they will be used for top cut only.
It also states players can only check their opponent's decklist while players shuffle for the first game of the match.
It also states players can only check their opponent's decklist while players shuffle for the first game of the match.
November 7, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I don't think this was clarified before, but this new section in the TCG Tournament Handbook states that when open decklists are used, they will be used for top cut only.
It also states players can only check their opponent's decklist while players shuffle for the first game of the match.
It also states players can only check their opponent's decklist while players shuffle for the first game of the match.
I think including Miriam could help against Item lock (the main issue is not being able to get Pokémon back in the deck), but at the cost of Random Receiver consistency. I'm not sure there's a good way to deal with Special Energy hate, though (Pokémon Ranger isn't enough).
(9/11)
(9/11)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I think including Miriam could help against Item lock (the main issue is not being able to get Pokémon back in the deck), but at the cost of Random Receiver consistency. I'm not sure there's a good way to deal with Special Energy hate, though (Pokémon Ranger isn't enough).
(9/11)
(9/11)
Steelix is not the most competitive deck: as you may expect, it has some weaknesses that this simple list can't really deal with. Item lock is an issue, and so is Special Energy lock like Dominating Echo or even Shadow Mist + Temple of Sinnoh.
(8/11)
(8/11)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Steelix is not the most competitive deck: as you may expect, it has some weaknesses that this simple list can't really deal with. Item lock is an issue, and so is Special Energy lock like Dominating Echo or even Shadow Mist + Temple of Sinnoh.
(8/11)
(8/11)
I included a copy of the Steelix from Mega Evolution, partly because hey, it's the new set, but also because it's a pretty good attacker early game, when you may not have managed to get a lot of cards in hand. (It also has 4 retreat cost so it can be discarded later just like any other card.)
(7/11)
(7/11)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I included a copy of the Steelix from Mega Evolution, partly because hey, it's the new set, but also because it's a pretty good attacker early game, when you may not have managed to get a lot of cards in hand. (It also has 4 retreat cost so it can be discarded later just like any other card.)
(7/11)
(7/11)
(...) or in the late game if your deck size is low. The deck runs Sacred Ash to get more fuel for Steelix's attack, but that can also be used to make Thumpalanche much more easy to hit.
The deck runs Brooklet Hill to find Onix, and that doubles as a way to counter Silent Lab and Path to the Peak.
The deck runs Brooklet Hill to find Onix, and that doubles as a way to counter Silent Lab and Path to the Peak.
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
(...) or in the late game if your deck size is low. The deck runs Sacred Ash to get more fuel for Steelix's attack, but that can also be used to make Thumpalanche much more easy to hit.
The deck runs Brooklet Hill to find Onix, and that doubles as a way to counter Silent Lab and Path to the Peak.
The deck runs Brooklet Hill to find Onix, and that doubles as a way to counter Silent Lab and Path to the Peak.
Steelix can use Double Colorless Energy or Twin Energy to attack. They can also be used by Onix, whose Thumpalanche attack fits incredibly well in this deck (remember that Onix and Steelix are both 4 retreat cost Pokémon)! It can let you get a KO on turn 1 with some luck, (...)
November 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Steelix can use Double Colorless Energy or Twin Energy to attack. They can also be used by Onix, whose Thumpalanche attack fits incredibly well in this deck (remember that Onix and Steelix are both 4 retreat cost Pokémon)! It can let you get a KO on turn 1 with some luck, (...)