Relicanth Supreme Victors SV 79 – Card of the Day

Written by | September 7, 2009 | 42 comments | 1,590 views | Rating: 0

Relicanth Supreme Victors SV 79 Pokemon CardPokémon Tools have been staples in many decks since they were first introduced to the game, back in Neo Genesis. Gold Berry, Focus Band, Memory Berry, Cessation Crystal, and most recently TGI Energy Gain and Unown’s G and Q. Relicanth SV provides a good counter card against all the popular Pokemon Tools in the current format.

This card works exceptionally well in Gengar / Machamp decks, as their main attacks are neutralized by Unown G’s, but Relicanth is able to take advantage of the Pokemon who have an Unown G attached and deal some important damage for a single Fighting energy. With this card, people need to be more careful about managing their Pokemon Tools in play and in their hand to keep “Grand Swell” damage to a minimum. Having only one Unown G in play on the Active Pokemon means Relicanth only does 30 damage, but a Warp Point or Cyclone Energy could allow Machamp to take an easy prize. It is this cards presence that one must work with, just as people who use Dusknoir DP know, that you rarely ever used it’s Poke-Power “Dark Palm” during a game, but it’s sole presence already limits your opponent’s playing options.

Aside from Gengar / Machamp decks, I don’t see it fittng in many other decks, as none others are hindered badly by it and usually don’t even have a single Pokemon Tool in play. Relicanth’s second attack, “Amnesia”, could prove useful in tight spots, and more specifically against the likes of Gyarados, Kingdra or Beedrill decks, whom rely on a single attack for their damage output, and specially Gyarados will have a rough time finding Super Scoop Up’s and Switches to keep retreating back and forth to get rid of “Amnesia’s” effect.

Team Galactic's Invention G-101 Energy Gain Platinum PL 116 Pokemon CardOverall this card shouldn’t see more than 2 copies being played in a single deck, but it will definitely help provide Machamp and Gengar with extra support to deal with the current heavy Unown G use.

One combo I like with this card, mainly against SP decks, is Pachirisu GE. Having both in play means your opponent is put in a tight situation. Does he/she play down all his Tools, powering up Relicanth’s “Grand Swell”? Or does he/she keep them in hand and get them discarded all together with Pachirisu’s “Smash Short” attack? This strategy could definitely work against an SP deck using TGI Energy Gain, as you could easily tell if they have such Pokemon Tool in their hand or not based on what they get with Cyrus’s Conspiracy.

Will this card become a staple in Gengar / Machamp decks? Is it really the card it needed to become a more dominant deck in the metagame? Will it have other uses in other types of decks? Is it a good counter to SP deck’s abusing TGI Energy Gain?

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  • Mach

    This is near useless outside Gengar/Machamp. They’ll only E-gain their active, so you can pull a maximum of 30. If they use a Stadium, which you forgot to mention, it will do 60, but I still think it’s too easy to play around.

  • Mach

    This is near useless outside Gengar/Machamp. They’ll only E-gain their active, so you can pull a maximum of 30. If they use a Stadium, which you forgot to mention, it will do 60, but I still think it’s too easy to play around.

  • http://www.pokecardex.com/ vanderclava

    Hey Pablo,

    great card especially against SP decks that rely a lot on energy gain.

    It can be used in almost every deck as a tech not only in gengar and machamp though.
    It would hurt my tangwroth^^

    I’m new to this site actually and i only know Pablo. Can we post our decks also?

    See ya

    Luca

    • Pablo

      Hey Luca, glad to see you post!

      I do think this card can fit in other decks, even if just to limit your opponent by them knowing you’re playing it. Things like their hand sizes being bigger since they can’t drop all the Tools. Less useful Claydol cards since they have dead cards in their hand, etc.

      As for posting decks, I’ve given some thought and I think once a week I could analyze a deck that was submitted to me, kind of like a deck garage. Look out for that section in the near future, after I discuss this idea further with Adam, and you’ll be able to submit decks for revision in there :).

    • Pablo

      Hey Luca, glad to see you post!

      I do think this card can fit in other decks, even if just to limit your opponent by them knowing you’re playing it. Things like their hand sizes being bigger since they can’t drop all the Tools. Less useful Claydol cards since they have dead cards in their hand, etc.

      As for posting decks, I’ve given some thought and I think once a week I could analyze a deck that was submitted to me, kind of like a deck garage. Look out for that section in the near future, after I discuss this idea further with Adam, and you’ll be able to submit decks for revision in there :).

  • http://www.pokecardex.com vanderclava

    Hey Pablo,

    great card especially against SP decks that rely a lot on energy gain.

    It can be used in almost every deck as a tech not only in gengar and machamp though.
    It would hurt my tangwroth^^

    I’m new to this site actually and i only know Pablo. Can we post our decks also?

    See ya

    Luca

    • Pablo

      Hey Luca, glad to see you post!

      I do think this card can fit in other decks, even if just to limit your opponent by them knowing you’re playing it. Things like their hand sizes being bigger since they can’t drop all the Tools. Less useful Claydol cards since they have dead cards in their hand, etc.

      As for posting decks, I’ve given some thought and I think once a week I could analyze a deck that was submitted to me, kind of like a deck garage. Look out for that section in the near future, after I discuss this idea further with Adam, and you’ll be able to submit decks for revision in there :).

  • http://motojobtools.blogspot.com/ tomoyo corp

    hey champion

    great teach for sp decks nice post

  • http://motojobtools.blogspot.com/ tomoyo corp

    hey champion

    great teach for sp decks nice post

  • Fresko

    Absolutely amazing in Gengar/Machamp, but I agree with Mach in that it’s for the most part useless in other decks. Most decks wont need 2 Unown G’s to counter it aside from Machamp and Gengar (And possibly Flygon with all of the Inviting Traps it likes to throw around.) And against SP decks Relicanth will get OHKO’ed quite easily since they have Crobats. It may be decent to drop and snipe something that’s been softened up and moved to the bench.

  • Fresko

    Absolutely amazing in Gengar/Machamp, but I agree with Mach in that it’s for the most part useless in other decks. Most decks wont need 2 Unown G’s to counter it aside from Machamp and Gengar (And possibly Flygon with all of the Inviting Traps it likes to throw around.) And against SP decks Relicanth will get OHKO’ed quite easily since they have Crobats. It may be decent to drop and snipe something that’s been softened up and moved to the bench.

  • GOROY

    I’d say this card could be useful in any deck that can fit it. Running Multi Energy, possibly use Relicanth. Stadiums and tools are very popular nowadays, especially Unown G and BTS in non-SP decks. The main draw to this guy is that he can snipe the bench for potentially a lot of damage for no drawbacks at all. Even though your opponent controls the amount he can do, you just don’t play him until the right moment. Don’t let your opponent know you have relicanth until it is too late, and snipe their benched Claydol.

  • GOROY

    I’d say this card could be useful in any deck that can fit it. Running Multi Energy, possibly use Relicanth. Stadiums and tools are very popular nowadays, especially Unown G and BTS in non-SP decks. The main draw to this guy is that he can snipe the bench for potentially a lot of damage for no drawbacks at all. Even though your opponent controls the amount he can do, you just don’t play him until the right moment. Don’t let your opponent know you have relicanth until it is too late, and snipe their benched Claydol.

  • Xicious

    After testing this card and against it I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s alright. It’s easy to play around and I’d much rather use a main attacker such as gengar than use this. If you keep it in your hand for a quick KO it’s useful but usually you ko a pokemon with a tool on it subtracting from the damage not to mention he usually get’s ko’ed after attacking. This card should still be used in Genchamp but like I said it can be played around.

  • Xicious

    After testing this card and against it I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s alright. It’s easy to play around and I’d much rather use a main attacker such as gengar than use this. If you keep it in your hand for a quick KO it’s useful but usually you ko a pokemon with a tool on it subtracting from the damage not to mention he usually get’s ko’ed after attacking. This card should still be used in Genchamp but like I said it can be played around.

  • Xicious

    After testing this card and against it I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s alright. It’s easy to play around and I’d much rather use a main attacker such as gengar than use this. If you keep it in your hand for a quick KO it’s useful but usually you ko a pokemon with a tool on it subtracting from the damage not to mention he usually get’s ko’ed after attacking. This card should still be used in Genchamp but like I said it can be played around.

  • Dave Hueglin

    It might work against some of the Flygon decks that are running Memory Berry and BTS, especially if they get sloppy and play the Memory Berry too soon.

    I can see Relicanth getting taken out pretty quickly though. I’ve been having that problem with Parasect SV, which often gets knocked out the the turn after it knocks out the Defender.

  • Dave Hueglin

    It might work against some of the Flygon decks that are running Memory Berry and BTS, especially if they get sloppy and play the Memory Berry too soon.

    I can see Relicanth getting taken out pretty quickly though. I’ve been having that problem with Parasect SV, which often gets knocked out the the turn after it knocks out the Defender.

  • Dave Hueglin

    It might work against some of the Flygon decks that are running Memory Berry and BTS, especially if they get sloppy and play the Memory Berry too soon.

    I can see Relicanth getting taken out pretty quickly though. I’ve been having that problem with Parasect SV, which often gets knocked out the the turn after it knocks out the Defender.

  • Pablo

    I don’t think you guys are uderstanding this correctly. The sole presence of Relicanth makes your opponent play differently. It’s not about what it will do during the game, it is how your opponent will change his/her play.

    If your opponent only attaches 1 TGI Energy Gain, that means he probably will have the others stacked in his hand and has no Unown G in play, so both Machamp and Gengar can abuse their first attacks, and Gengar’s Poltergeist gets powered up as well.

    If your opponent only plays 1 Unown G at a time, once again both Machamp’s and Gengars first attacks are easier to use.

    If your opponent goes crazy and plays all of them down to protect them from Gengar’s or Machamp’s attacks, you then use Relicanth to punish your opponent with high damage output anywhere.

    It’s not about what Relicanth will do during a game or not, it’s how your opponent will play accordingly, that will then benefit either Machamp, Gengar or Relicanth itself.

    • Dave Hueglin

      Very well expressed Pablo. It’s definitely a way to mess with your opponent’s game plan, especially if they haven’t practiced against Relicanth. In your example, you would actually want to throw him onto the Bench fairly early to give your opponent something to think about.

    • Dave Hueglin

      Very well expressed Pablo. It’s definitely a way to mess with your opponent’s game plan, especially if they haven’t practiced against Relicanth. In your example, you would actually want to throw him onto the Bench fairly early to give your opponent something to think about.

  • Pablo

    I don’t think you guys are uderstanding this correctly. The sole presence of Relicanth makes your opponent play differently. It’s not about what it will do during the game, it is how your opponent will change his/her play.

    If your opponent only attaches 1 TGI Energy Gain, that means he probably will have the others stacked in his hand and has no Unown G in play, so both Machamp and Gengar can abuse their first attacks, and Gengar’s Poltergeist gets powered up as well.

    If your opponent only plays 1 Unown G at a time, once again both Machamp’s and Gengars first attacks are easier to use.

    If your opponent goes crazy and plays all of them down to protect them from Gengar’s or Machamp’s attacks, you then use Relicanth to punish your opponent with high damage output anywhere.

    It’s not about what Relicanth will do during a game or not, it’s how your opponent will play accordingly, that will then benefit either Machamp, Gengar or Relicanth itself.

  • Pablo

    I don’t think you guys are uderstanding this correctly. The sole presence of Relicanth makes your opponent play differently. It’s not about what it will do during the game, it is how your opponent will change his/her play.

    If your opponent only attaches 1 TGI Energy Gain, that means he probably will have the others stacked in his hand and has no Unown G in play, so both Machamp and Gengar can abuse their first attacks, and Gengar’s Poltergeist gets powered up as well.

    If your opponent only plays 1 Unown G at a time, once again both Machamp’s and Gengars first attacks are easier to use.

    If your opponent goes crazy and plays all of them down to protect them from Gengar’s or Machamp’s attacks, you then use Relicanth to punish your opponent with high damage output anywhere.

    It’s not about what Relicanth will do during a game or not, it’s how your opponent will play accordingly, that will then benefit either Machamp, Gengar or Relicanth itself.

    • Dave Hueglin

      Very well expressed Pablo. It’s definitely a way to mess with your opponent’s game plan, especially if they haven’t practiced against Relicanth. In your example, you would actually want to throw him onto the Bench fairly early to give your opponent something to think about.

  • http://twitter.com/kwisdumb kwisdumb

    Yeah, this is worth running in any non-SP deck, especially because it has the HP to last against anything Luxray can throw at it, and has a type advantage over Luxray.

    I also think, as you said, messing up play early game is the best way to go with this. Have your opponent fill his hand with Gains, Unown Gs, etc. and mess up his Uxie drops.

    Great article.

  • http://twitter.com/kwisdumb kwisdumb

    Yeah, this is worth running in any non-SP deck, especially because it has the HP to last against anything Luxray can throw at it, and has a type advantage over Luxray.

    I also think, as you said, messing up play early game is the best way to go with this. Have your opponent fill his hand with Gains, Unown Gs, etc. and mess up his Uxie drops.

    Great article.

  • http://twitter.com/kwisdumb kwisdumb

    Yeah, this is worth running in any non-SP deck, especially because it has the HP to last against anything Luxray can throw at it, and has a type advantage over Luxray.

    I also think, as you said, messing up play early game is the best way to go with this. Have your opponent fill his hand with Gains, Unown Gs, etc. and mess up his Uxie drops.

    Great article.

  • J-Wittz

    A fun thing I like about this card that catches opponents off guard is that your opponent’s stadiums also factor into his attack. While stadiums are at an all time low with flygon around, it’s still something most people forget! Relicanth is needed in each Gengar list in my opinion if he’s ever going to become a high tournament contender. Gengar’s always been good at small events like cities and battle roads because of the low number of rounds and high amounts of experimentation, etc. However, he won’t stand a chance at states/nationals/etc. anymore without this guy around. I know this sounds messy, but has anybody considered combining this guy with dusknoir SF? With your opponent needing to drop unknown G’s as well as stadiums to get rid of Dusknoir Lv. X, it’s a combo that’s at least worth trying.

  • J-Wittz

    A fun thing I like about this card that catches opponents off guard is that your opponent’s stadiums also factor into his attack. While stadiums are at an all time low with flygon around, it’s still something most people forget! Relicanth is needed in each Gengar list in my opinion if he’s ever going to become a high tournament contender. Gengar’s always been good at small events like cities and battle roads because of the low number of rounds and high amounts of experimentation, etc. However, he won’t stand a chance at states/nationals/etc. anymore without this guy around. I know this sounds messy, but has anybody considered combining this guy with dusknoir SF? With your opponent needing to drop unknown G’s as well as stadiums to get rid of Dusknoir Lv. X, it’s a combo that’s at least worth trying.

    • nardd

      ah good idea, if it’s good in machamp/gengar, why not dusky?

  • J-Wittz

    A fun thing I like about this card that catches opponents off guard is that your opponent’s stadiums also factor into his attack. While stadiums are at an all time low with flygon around, it’s still something most people forget! Relicanth is needed in each Gengar list in my opinion if he’s ever going to become a high tournament contender. Gengar’s always been good at small events like cities and battle roads because of the low number of rounds and high amounts of experimentation, etc. However, he won’t stand a chance at states/nationals/etc. anymore without this guy around. I know this sounds messy, but has anybody considered combining this guy with dusknoir SF? With your opponent needing to drop unknown G’s as well as stadiums to get rid of Dusknoir Lv. X, it’s a combo that’s at least worth trying.

    • nardd

      ah good idea, if it’s good in machamp/gengar, why not dusky?

  • bendingspoons1

    I think relicanth is one of the besdt cards released in supreme victors. I disagree with most of you guys when you state that “it’s easy to play around.” In a deck with a combination of literally anything that take outs, shadow rooms, drags, snags, or conditions the opponent’s pokemon, you can surely use this card effectively. You guys need to look a little farther than just gengar with machamp. Definitly can be used in Flygon, Machamp with memory berry.

  • bendingspoons1

    I think relicanth is one of the besdt cards released in supreme victors. I disagree with most of you guys when you state that “it’s easy to play around.” In a deck with a combination of literally anything that take outs, shadow rooms, drags, snags, or conditions the opponent’s pokemon, you can surely use this card effectively. You guys need to look a little farther than just gengar with machamp. Definitly can be used in Flygon, Machamp with memory berry.

  • bendingspoons1

    btw pabs that pachirisu combo is definitly legit

  • bendingspoons1

    btw pabs that pachirisu combo is definitly legit

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