Tokyo Champions League Results
The news of a game-changing rule, the reintroduction of a polarising Supporter and Japan's rotation has caught the attention of the wider Pokemon community, but this announcement was not the only exciting event to take place last weekend.
The Tokyo Champions League was the first Japanese Regionals-level event this season and comprised ten gruelling best of one rounds with a top 16 cut. The cap for the event was 1800 players, which would generally result in a clean 9-1 cut, but one 8-2 managed to sneak into 16th place. Daichi Shimada, who was present at the World Championships this year, managed to break records by being the first multi-Champions League winner. Takuya Yoneda managed to make his way into top 16, and World Championship 2019 runner up Shintaro Ito and World Championship 2019 top 8 player Ryota Ishiyama both finished in the top 32.
Find the results for the top 76 (8-2 or better) including decklists here: English | 日本語
Note this information has been collated predominantly from Twitter. While we have made efforts to verify this information, there may be some inaccuracies. Unfortunately, we are also missing one deck archetype.
The top three decks, Arceus & Dialga & Palkia variants, Reshiram & Charizard decks and Mewtwo & Mew decks made up just under half of the entire top 76 meta. This domination of Tag Team decks speaks volumes about the potency of the newly released Tag Team support cards.
Significantly, Zoroark GX almost completely died off, taking up only two spots in the entire top 76. This was likely due to the ascendance of Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX, a card which completely cripples Zoroark GX. After an Alter Genesis GX and with Choice Band attached, Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX can one shot Zoroark GX for three Prize cards while accelerating Energy in the process. Malamar variants suffered a similar fate.
While Japan has yet to lose access to format-defining cards such as Guzma, Ultra Ball, Double Colourless Energy and Tapu Lele GX, the results of the Tokyo Champions League provide valuable insights about the effects that Cosmic Eclipse may have on our meta.
Although Lucario & Melmetal has traditionally been viewed as a stall deck, the attacking variant took first place at the Tokyo Champions League. While Melmetal & Lucario variants were popular across the board in Japan, comprising about 15% of the top 76 metagame, the attacking variant requires Double Colourless Energy and the defensive variant requires Hoopa, so it is unlikely this deck will see a similar level of play outside of Japan.
Attacking Lucario & Melmetal decks generally took one of two forms: one with a Jirachi engine or one relying on Green’s Exploration (occasionally with Misdreavous).
With Keldeo GX being commonly played in Japan, both Power Plant and a non-GX attacker were necessary. Power Plant is incredibly easy to access, given the deck runs high counts of Tag Call and Guzma & Hala, resulting in at least 9-10 direct outs to the Stadium. Despite no attackers in the deck requiring Psychic or Lightning Energy, Unit Energy gives additional outs to Metal Energy as it is now searchable. Tag Call can also search out more defensive options like Mallow & Lana to heal, or Cynthia & Caitlyn to recycle Acerolas.
Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX can be set up in one turn with Tag Switch or a Counter Gain and Double Colourless Energy combination, useful for taking surprise KOs on most Tag Team Pokemon when the opposing player is not careful with their bench. With Choice Band in format, it can potentially take only three GX Pokemon to be played down for Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX to take a one shot knock out on Reshiram & Charizard GX or Mewtwo & Mew GX.
The Tokyo Champions League was the first Japanese Regionals-level event this season and comprised ten gruelling best of one rounds with a top 16 cut. The cap for the event was 1800 players, which would generally result in a clean 9-1 cut, but one 8-2 managed to sneak into 16th place. Daichi Shimada, who was present at the World Championships this year, managed to break records by being the first multi-Champions League winner. Takuya Yoneda managed to make his way into top 16, and World Championship 2019 runner up Shintaro Ito and World Championship 2019 top 8 player Ryota Ishiyama both finished in the top 32.
Find the results for the top 76 (8-2 or better) including decklists here: English | 日本語
Note this information has been collated predominantly from Twitter. While we have made efforts to verify this information, there may be some inaccuracies. Unfortunately, we are also missing one deck archetype.
The top three decks, Arceus & Dialga & Palkia variants, Reshiram & Charizard decks and Mewtwo & Mew decks made up just under half of the entire top 76 meta. This domination of Tag Team decks speaks volumes about the potency of the newly released Tag Team support cards.
Significantly, Zoroark GX almost completely died off, taking up only two spots in the entire top 76. This was likely due to the ascendance of Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX, a card which completely cripples Zoroark GX. After an Alter Genesis GX and with Choice Band attached, Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX can one shot Zoroark GX for three Prize cards while accelerating Energy in the process. Malamar variants suffered a similar fate.
While Japan has yet to lose access to format-defining cards such as Guzma, Ultra Ball, Double Colourless Energy and Tapu Lele GX, the results of the Tokyo Champions League provide valuable insights about the effects that Cosmic Eclipse may have on our meta.
Attacking Lucario & Melmetal
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| Winning list: Daichi Shimada |
Although Lucario & Melmetal has traditionally been viewed as a stall deck, the attacking variant took first place at the Tokyo Champions League. While Melmetal & Lucario variants were popular across the board in Japan, comprising about 15% of the top 76 metagame, the attacking variant requires Double Colourless Energy and the defensive variant requires Hoopa, so it is unlikely this deck will see a similar level of play outside of Japan.
Attacking Lucario & Melmetal decks generally took one of two forms: one with a Jirachi engine or one relying on Green’s Exploration (occasionally with Misdreavous).
With Keldeo GX being commonly played in Japan, both Power Plant and a non-GX attacker were necessary. Power Plant is incredibly easy to access, given the deck runs high counts of Tag Call and Guzma & Hala, resulting in at least 9-10 direct outs to the Stadium. Despite no attackers in the deck requiring Psychic or Lightning Energy, Unit Energy gives additional outs to Metal Energy as it is now searchable. Tag Call can also search out more defensive options like Mallow & Lana to heal, or Cynthia & Caitlyn to recycle Acerolas.
Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX can be set up in one turn with Tag Switch or a Counter Gain and Double Colourless Energy combination, useful for taking surprise KOs on most Tag Team Pokemon when the opposing player is not careful with their bench. With Choice Band in format, it can potentially take only three GX Pokemon to be played down for Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX to take a one shot knock out on Reshiram & Charizard GX or Mewtwo & Mew GX.
Reshiram & Charizard
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| Runner up: Hiromasa Shima |
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| Top 4: Yugo Endo |
These high performing Reshiram & Charizard lists have skeletons that are similar to the build that won the Kyoto Champions League held in April this year. Japanese versions of the deck are far more Reshiram & Charizard GX centric than the popular toolbox version seen in our metagame. This is likely a reflection of Ninetales being unnecessary with Guzma in format, meaning Japanese lists are unable to take advantage of cards like Victini Prism Star.
However, the lack of non-GX attackers can make the Arceus & Dialga & Palkia Keldeo matchup rough, having to deal simultaneously with weakness and Pure Heart. This version of the deck is less reliant on Dedenne GX and Welder, meaning it has the flexibility to run Power Plant, giving it a win condition against Keldeo GX-based decks. Two Power Plants is the perfect number to take down three Keldeo GXs, as the final Keldeo GX can be knocked out with Double Blaze GX.
Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX is the only real new addition to the deck. It is an ideal Welder target, being able to set up in one turn, and can surpass Reshiram & Charizard GX’s damage output in key situations.
However, the lack of non-GX attackers can make the Arceus & Dialga & Palkia Keldeo matchup rough, having to deal simultaneously with weakness and Pure Heart. This version of the deck is less reliant on Dedenne GX and Welder, meaning it has the flexibility to run Power Plant, giving it a win condition against Keldeo GX-based decks. Two Power Plants is the perfect number to take down three Keldeo GXs, as the final Keldeo GX can be knocked out with Double Blaze GX.
Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX is the only real new addition to the deck. It is an ideal Welder target, being able to set up in one turn, and can surpass Reshiram & Charizard GX’s damage output in key situations.
Arceus & Dialga & Palkia Variants
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| Top 4: Kota Oomura |
There are many variants of this deck, but the two main variants at the Tokyo Champions League were Keldeo variants and Blastoise & Piplup variants.
Keldeo GX was already good in a Tag Team heavy meta, but the release of Chaotic Swell propelled it to being one of the top decks. Chaotic Swell makes it very difficult for the opposing player to get Power Plant down, having to save their Power Plants for turns where they can Field Blower or Reset Hole. The strategy of bumping the Stadium and hoping there is no follow up Chaotic Swell is weak against decks running Tag Call and Guzma & Hala, as they are very likely to be able to find the necessary Chaotic Swell.
After Alter Genesis GX, Keldeo GX can two shot all major GX Pokemon in the format, in addition to being able to one shot Reshiram & Charizard GX. Alter Genesis GX also gives the deck a viable strategy against non-GX decks, as the deck should be able to come out on top of the Prize race.
With the Keldeo variant being so popular, many of the non-Green’s Blastoise & Piplup variants ran a Mewtwo & Mew GX and Greninja GX combination, giving them a consistent out to attacking Keldeo GX. The Green’s variant understandably runs a heavy Power Plant line. Blastoise & Piplup GX gives a reliable attacker against Reshiram & Charizard GX, being able to take OHKOs without needing to use Alter Genesis GX. Opposed to Keldeo GX, it is also searchable by Tag Call. In the list shown above, Clay is especially handy as it can fetch Aqua Patches while discarding Energy at the same time.
Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX: This was one of the most significant cards of the Tokyo Champions League, central to 20% of decks. The GX attack is incredibly effective, a math-maker in a format without Choice Band or Professor Kukui. Taking an additional Prize is all round powerful, but also shores up the matchups against non-GX decks that might beat Keldeo GX. Although Aqua Patch is not in format, UNM Victini and Counter Gain achieve early acceleration. The versatility of its Energy acceleration also means it has more potential partners in contrast to Pikachu & Zekrom GX.
Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX: Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX made its way into almost every deck and is a natural inclusion in any deck with Energy acceleration. The presence of this card in the meta will make each player think twice before benching a GX Pokemon, making Dedenne GX an even bigger liability.
Tag Call and Tag Supporters: Tag Call is probably the one of the most powerful cards to be released in Cosmic Eclipse. The card offers versality that Cherish Ball and PokeGear 3.0 do not, as both a Pokemon and a Supporter can be guaranteed. This gives decks an additional engine to turbo Dedenne GX and Jirachi builds seen now and can also be used in Green’s decks like Gardevoir & Sylveon. Guzma & Hala in particular opens up new avenues for decks, offering reliable search for previously difficult to find cards like Special Energies, as well as early disruption cards like Power Plant and Chaotic Swell. Cynthia & Caitlyn’s Lusamine-esque effect will also be powerful in Green’s and Welder decks.
Chaotic Swell: This Stadium card is immensely disruptive, with a multitude of uses. Ability-based decks which are crippled by Power Plant can take advantage of this card, especially with no Field Blower in format. Chaotic Swell can also render early game Prism Stadiums and Giant Hearths useless, potentially hindering setups. If this card becomes popular, there will likely be a rise in Reset Hole Marshadow.
Great Catcher: This card gives our format a much-needed reliable gusting method that is not Ninetales. This card will see counts of Custom Catcher dropping rapidly, though this means non-GX support Pokemon will remain safe.
Reshiram & Zekrom GX: While Reshiram & Zekrom GX did not have a particularly successful showing at the Tokyo Champions League, it does have support available in our metagame in the form of Naganadal and Welder, which means it may seem some play upon the release of Cosmic Eclipse.
If you are interested in watching a recap of the Tokyo Champions League, you can find the recorded stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxwihs4oxkU
Keldeo GX was already good in a Tag Team heavy meta, but the release of Chaotic Swell propelled it to being one of the top decks. Chaotic Swell makes it very difficult for the opposing player to get Power Plant down, having to save their Power Plants for turns where they can Field Blower or Reset Hole. The strategy of bumping the Stadium and hoping there is no follow up Chaotic Swell is weak against decks running Tag Call and Guzma & Hala, as they are very likely to be able to find the necessary Chaotic Swell.
After Alter Genesis GX, Keldeo GX can two shot all major GX Pokemon in the format, in addition to being able to one shot Reshiram & Charizard GX. Alter Genesis GX also gives the deck a viable strategy against non-GX decks, as the deck should be able to come out on top of the Prize race.
With the Keldeo variant being so popular, many of the non-Green’s Blastoise & Piplup variants ran a Mewtwo & Mew GX and Greninja GX combination, giving them a consistent out to attacking Keldeo GX. The Green’s variant understandably runs a heavy Power Plant line. Blastoise & Piplup GX gives a reliable attacker against Reshiram & Charizard GX, being able to take OHKOs without needing to use Alter Genesis GX. Opposed to Keldeo GX, it is also searchable by Tag Call. In the list shown above, Clay is especially handy as it can fetch Aqua Patches while discarding Energy at the same time.
Key Cards from Cosmic Eclipe
Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX: This was one of the most significant cards of the Tokyo Champions League, central to 20% of decks. The GX attack is incredibly effective, a math-maker in a format without Choice Band or Professor Kukui. Taking an additional Prize is all round powerful, but also shores up the matchups against non-GX decks that might beat Keldeo GX. Although Aqua Patch is not in format, UNM Victini and Counter Gain achieve early acceleration. The versatility of its Energy acceleration also means it has more potential partners in contrast to Pikachu & Zekrom GX.
Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX: Mega Lopunny & Jigglypuff GX made its way into almost every deck and is a natural inclusion in any deck with Energy acceleration. The presence of this card in the meta will make each player think twice before benching a GX Pokemon, making Dedenne GX an even bigger liability.
Tag Call and Tag Supporters: Tag Call is probably the one of the most powerful cards to be released in Cosmic Eclipse. The card offers versality that Cherish Ball and PokeGear 3.0 do not, as both a Pokemon and a Supporter can be guaranteed. This gives decks an additional engine to turbo Dedenne GX and Jirachi builds seen now and can also be used in Green’s decks like Gardevoir & Sylveon. Guzma & Hala in particular opens up new avenues for decks, offering reliable search for previously difficult to find cards like Special Energies, as well as early disruption cards like Power Plant and Chaotic Swell. Cynthia & Caitlyn’s Lusamine-esque effect will also be powerful in Green’s and Welder decks.
Chaotic Swell: This Stadium card is immensely disruptive, with a multitude of uses. Ability-based decks which are crippled by Power Plant can take advantage of this card, especially with no Field Blower in format. Chaotic Swell can also render early game Prism Stadiums and Giant Hearths useless, potentially hindering setups. If this card becomes popular, there will likely be a rise in Reset Hole Marshadow.
Great Catcher: This card gives our format a much-needed reliable gusting method that is not Ninetales. This card will see counts of Custom Catcher dropping rapidly, though this means non-GX support Pokemon will remain safe.
Reshiram & Zekrom GX: While Reshiram & Zekrom GX did not have a particularly successful showing at the Tokyo Champions League, it does have support available in our metagame in the form of Naganadal and Welder, which means it may seem some play upon the release of Cosmic Eclipse.
If you are interested in watching a recap of the Tokyo Champions League, you can find the recorded stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxwihs4oxkU
Do you have expanded meta?
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we didn't collate Expanded results. Limitless has got the top 8 deck lists from the Expanded tournament here: https://limitlesstcg.com/tournaments/?id=219
I heard there was a deck from this event that was Arceus Dialga & Palkia with Zapdos, Moltres, Articuno, but I couldn't find a placing for it or a decklist. Do you know if this is true by any chance? Also, thank you for such a great post.
ReplyDeleteHi there, thanks for reaching out! I didn't hear about an ADP/Legendary Birds deck performing well at the Tokyo Champions League, but there's a possibility they were just categorised under ADP in the results. I took a bit of a look around and found these two decks which might interest you: https://pokecardlab.com/2019/11/11/58565/ and http://mt.matrix.jp/kouousen/ The websites are in Japanese, but the deck lists should be easy enough to figure out. Hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteThis was perfect! Thank you so much! Also, thank you for responding so quickly!
DeleteHi Im just curious what program or website do you use to create the deck list photos
ReplyDeletethanks
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThe official Japanese Pokemon website has a deck list creator: https://www.pokemon-card.com/deck/deck.html
It's all in Japanese though!