Grass Decks that Demand Respect

Grass decks are having an unspoken renaissance; the green energy types are eating well with dark decks running rampant, and its strength in other tournament-worthy decks have only gotten stronger as the meta shifts. I believe there are more grass decks that perform well into the meta than there are of any other type. Let’s take a look at what’s currently available and see what may be worth taking to the Ladder.

Mega Sceptile EX

Mega Sceptile ex currently has the third highest win percentage in the past seven days, and for good reason; it has a positive win rate into all but one of the other top eight archetypes. For this meta, Mega Sceptile is the top counter to the most prevalent archetypes with over 60% success rate over dark decks.

1. ×2Mega Sceptile ex
2. ×2Treecko
3. ×1Froakie
4. ×1Furfrou
5. ×1Greninja
6. ×1Grovyle
7. ×1Pheromosa
8. ×2Copycat
9. ×2Poké Ball
10. ×2Professor's Research
11. ×2Rare Candy
12. ×1Cyrus
13. ×1Hiking Trail
14. ×1Small Balloon

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The Greninja variant has had a few changes since last season, mainly the exclusion of Juliana in favor of a second Mega Sceptile. This is the number one variant on the platform because you have an answer for everything. The Furfrou is a starting blocker that you don’t attach energy to; instead use it to absorb damage, attach a small balloon when you’re ready to retreat. I’ve seen some who like to use the new Retaliate Furfrou. When it looks like an incoming attack is going to be too much, retreat into a sacrificial basic to then come back in with a 70 damage counter.

1. ×2Butterfree
2. ×2Caterpie
3. ×2Metapod
4. ×1Grovyle
5. ×1Mega Sceptile ex
6. ×1Treecko
7. ×2Fragrant Forest
8. ×2Professor's Research
9. ×1Copycat
10. ×1Cyrus
11. ×1Leaf Cape
12. ×1Protective Poncho
13. ×1Quick-Grow Extract
14. ×1Rare Candy
15. ×1X Speed

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I’ve seen in tournament data where a few more players are running straight Sceptile with Celebi (even a Bonsly) than this highlighted variant, however Caterpie/Sceptile has the second best win rate for the big lizard. It trades out balance for pure aggression, which also thins out the deck as a bonus. If you’re having rough starts, I would recommend trying this one out.

Meowscarada EX

1. ×2Meowscarada ex
2. ×2Sprigatito
3. ×1Floragato
4. ×1Meowscarada
5. ×1Teal Mask Ogerpon ex
6. ×2Copycat
7. ×2Fragrant Forest
8. ×2Leaf Cape
9. ×2Professor's Research
10. ×2Rare Candy
11. ×1Cyrus
12. ×1Erika
13. ×1Field Blower

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Even though Meowscarada ex may not be in the top eight most played decks, it sure has top eight aura. It’s achieved one fourth place finish and two third place finishes in the past two days alone! The gameplan for the green cat hasn’t changed: Flower Trick the active, swap for the non-ex Meowscarada when needed, and use grass support to the fullest.

Vespiquen EX

1. ×2Shuckle ex
2. ×2Vespiquen ex
3. ×1Combee
4. ×1Combee
5. ×1Teal Mask Ogerpon ex
6. ×1Vespiquen
7. ×2Copycat
8. ×2Fragrant Forest
9. ×2Leaf Cape
10. ×2Professor's Research
11. ×1Cyrus
12. ×1Field Blower
13. ×1Sabrina
14. ×1X Speed

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Maddy said in yesterday’s video that in any other meta Vespiquen ex would be a better overall deck than Mega Sceptile. Not much can be said about the queen that hasn’t already been said - it’s consistent and can hit like a truck. If you choose this deck, play around with which basics you wish to use(and dispose of).

Mega Venusaur

1. ×2Ivysaur
2. ×1Bulbasaur
3. ×1Mega Venusaur ex
4. ×2Copycat
5. ×2Erika
6. ×2Heavy Helmet
7. ×2Lucky Ice Pop
8. ×2Professor's Research
9. ×2Quick-Grow Extract
10. ×1Cyrus
11. ×1Field Blower
12. ×1Lillie
13. ×1Repel

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No, I’m not kidding - I keep seeing Mega Venusaur ex at top placements in daily tourneys. It even placed 3rd in a pop-up this week, though unfortunately the data isn’t there to support its effectiveness in the wider meta. That being said, the best gen 1 starter(don’t @ me) has a game plan that is as effective as it is simple: ramp up, stay alive, and hit hard. Most of the venue decks I’ve seen run the solo mon, though I have seen one third-place deck that runs two bulbasaur and a copy of the non-ex Venusaur for the anti-ex matchups.

Conclusion

If you’re tired of facing Mega Lucario and Hoopa EX, try out these decks! Regardless of what you play, I hope to see you on the ladder soon!