Since their emergence in Brilliant Stars, Arceus V and VSTAR have been essential cards in several different Pokemon TCG decks. These cards allow for other Pokemon that may otherwise not be viable in many meta decks to thrive, especially thanks to Arceus’ ability to accelerate Energy throughout your Bench.
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PostsPaired with Giratina VSTAR and Leafeon VSTAR, the Arceus Giratina Deck pairs powerful attacks with game-changing disruption. If you are interested in building this deck to play yourself, or you’re interested in learning what to expect should you encounter it on Pokemon TCG Live, continue reading this Arceus Giratina Deck guide.
Pokemon TCG: Arceus Giratina Deck List
Pokemon Cards
Spiritomb PAL (x1)
Skwovet SVI (x1)
Bidoof CRZ (x2)
Bibarel BRS (x2)
Ditto MEW (x1)
Arceus V BRS (x4)
Arceus VSTAR BRS (x3)
Giratina V LOR (x1)
Giratina VSTAR LOR (X1)
Leafeon V EVS (x1)
Leafeon VSTAR EVS (x1)
Trainer Cards
Box of Disaster (x1)
Raihan (x1)
Judge (x2)
Nest Ball (x4)
Roxanne (x1)
Boss's Orders (x3)
Path to the Peak (x4)
Iono (x4)
Lost Vacuum (x1)
Cheren's Care (x1)
Ultra Ball (x4)
Switch (x2)
Energy Cards
Jet Energy (x1)
Basic Psychic Energy (x2)
Basic Grass Energy (x5)
Double Turbo Energy (x4)
V Guard Energy (x2)
Pokemon TCG: Arceus Giratina Deck Key Cards
As an Arceus deck variant, there are several possible cards to include in the Arceus Giratina Deck. However, these are cards that greatly increase the likelihood of a successful first turn, while also providing beneficial cards for later in the game.
Arceus V and VSTAR
Because this is an Arceus Box deck, Arceus V and VSTAR are the starring cards in this deck, especially the latter. Arceus VSTAR pairs a powerful attack with Energy acceleration and the one-time ability to search your deck for any two cards.
In many matches, you’ll be able to secure several Prize Cards through Arceus VSTAR alone. However, in matches where Arceus VSTAR is at a disadvantage, whether through type-matchups or low damage, this card provides a method of powering up attackers on your Bench that may be better suited to your opponent’s deck.
Ditto
In a deck overflowing with powerful V and VSTAR Pokemon, it may seem strange to include Ditto as a key card. However, because this deck relies on ending your first turn with Arceus V and an Energy attachment, Ditto is the perfect addition to help set up your Bench.
This is because Ditto has the Transformative Start Ability, which allows you to search your deck for a Basic Pokemon and put it into Ditto’s place, discarding Ditto and all cards attached.
You can only use Transformative Start on your first turn.
For many situations, Ditto will be the perfect card to help you set up an Arceus V. However, it can be used for other beneficial moves as well. For instance, if you have a Ditto and Arceus V but no Energy attachment for the turn, you can instead use Ditto to find Leafeon V so that you can use its Ability. Then, on your next turn, you can use one of the switching options in your deck.
On your second turn, the best chances of successful gameplay come from having an Arceus VSTAR in play. This will allow you to finish setting up your Bench through its Starbirth Ability. If you have to use Ditto for Leafeon V as described, then you may wish to use Starbith to find your second Energy attachment, preferably a Double Turbo Energy, and a Switch to place Arceus VSTAR in the Active Spot.
Giratina VSTAR
Giratina VSTAR (and V, in certain niche situations) is another key attacker in the Arceus Giratina Deck. This Pokemon’s Lost Impact attack allows it to deal 280 damage. While this card can be difficult to power up in other decks, especially those not utilizing the Lost Zone mechanic, Arceus V and VSTAR can allow it to meet the required Energy costs in a single turn.
Because Giratina VSTAR has an attack with more damage than Arceus VSTAR, it can be helpful for Knocking Out Pokemon like Miraidon ex, Iron Hands ex, and even Pidgeot ex in a single turn. However, you will have to Lost Zone two of the Energies attached to Giratina VSTAR in order to use this attack.
Leafeon V and VSTAR
Like Arceus VSTAR, Leafeon V and VSTAR serve various purposes within this deck. During the early parts of the game, Leafeon V’s Ability can help attach much-needed Energies to your Arceus V. During the latter half of the game, Leafeon VSTAR provides a powerful attack that applies Weakness for many popular decks in the meta.
The effect of this attack also reduces incoming damage for Leafeon VSTAR, helping it to survive Pokemon with high-scaling power after Knock Outs, like Tapu Koko or Tera Charizard ex.
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PostsPokemon TCG: Arceus Giratina Deck Strategy
One of the most unique features of the Arceus Giratina Deck is that there isn’t a single, set strategy. Instead, you’ll want to play in a way that best tilts the odds in your favor, whether that’s attacking powerful Pokemon like Giratina and Leafeon, or focusing more on disruption while attacking with Arceus VSTAR and setting up your board.
This deck plays no Battle VIP Passes and no Arvens, and it has a focus on Stage 1 Pokemon. Because of this, you’ll want to go first in an ideal game. This will also allow you to utilize disruption cards such as Judge or Iono on your second turn, which is turn three in the game.
Disruption at this time, especially with the use of Judge, can be favorable against matchups like Tera Charizard ex, which often rely on a bulky hand to get set up. Bibarel’s Industrious Incisors Ability also protects you from Judge and Roxanne disruption in return, allowing you to replenish your hands.
The first turn in the Arceus Giratina Deck is likely the most essential for successful gameplay. During your first turn, it is vital that you have Arceus V in the Active Spot and have an Energy attachment for turn to it.
If you succeed at this, regardless of whether you are able to evolve Arceus V on your next turn, with another Energy attachment, you will be able to begin accelerating Energy where it needs to go on your second turn.
Thankfully, if you are unable to draw an Energy during your turn but you have Leafeon V on your Bench, you can use its Greening Cells Ability. This will allow you to search your deck for a Grass Energy and attach it to your Pokemon. Greening Cells will end your turn after you use it, so make sure to choose the timing for this Ability wisely!
Even if it is your own Spiritomb in play, this card's Fettered in Misfortune Ability will prevent you from using Leafeon V's Greening Cells.
After your first turn, the Arceus Giratina Deck becomes focused on tailoring your gameplay to best match your opponent. In many decks, Arceus VSTAR is a strong attacker, allowing you to attack for up to 200 damage (180 when Double Turbo Energy is attached) while accelerating Energy to your other Pokemon.
When faced with a deck with Pokemon sporting higher Hit Points (HP), you may wish to utilize Giratina VSTAR instead. However, while you’ll be able to deal up to 280 damage with this card’s Lost Impact attack, you will have to put two of the Energies attached to Giratina VSTAR into the Lost Zone. Against certain decks, you may wish to leave your Giratina as a V Pokemon instead of evolving.
This is because Giratina V’s Shred attack is not affected by any effects on the defending Pokemon. As a result, you’ll be able to attack Pokemon such as Mimikyu and Ambipom without triggering their Abilities.
Although its Ability can be helpful in setting up your Bench on turn one, Leafeon can also make a strong attacker in this deck. This is especially true against decks such as Roaring Moon ex and Tera Charizard ex, both of which have a Weakness for Grass. Leafeon VSTAR’s Leaf Guard attack can deal up to 360 damage with Weakness (180 normally) while protecting it from a return-KO thanks to this attack’s effects.
Throughout the game, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough cards to set up win conditions. This means that you may need to use Arceus’s VSTAR Ability to search your deck for any two cards. However, as a Rule Box Pokemon, Path to the Peak will make Arceus unable to use this Ability. As a result, this deck plays one Lost Vacuum that can help you remove Path to the Peak in order to use Starbirth.
Path to the Peak will also block Leafeon V's Greening Cells Ability. As a result, if this Ability will be essential to setting up your Bench on turn one, be careful when you play Path to the Peak. This is a powerful disruption card, but it can also have negative impacts on your own gameplay if not played carefully, just like Spiritomb.
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PostsPokemon TCG: Arceus Giratina Deck Common Threats
One of the biggest threats for the Arceus Giratina Deck isn’t any other deck. Instead, it is the inability to set up your Bench the right way on your first turn. While it is still possible to win the game if you end your first turn without Arceus V on the field with an Energy attached, it is much more difficult.
This is because you’ll likely need an extra turn in order to begin attacking with Arceus VSTAR, leaving your Arceus V vulnerable going into turn four of the game.
Gardevoir ex can also be a tough matchup for the Arceus Giratina Deck. This is because of Shining Arcana Gardevoir, a single-Prize attacker that can essentially one-hit Knock Out any of your Pokemon with enough Energy attached.
Other counters to the Arceus Giratina Deck are decks resistant to disruption, since one of the main focuses of Arceus Giratina is disrupting your opponent through the use of Supporters and Stadiums.
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