With the Pokémon Trading Card Game's North American International Championships having wrapped up on June 26, fans have a pretty good idea of what decks and abilities are dominating the Standard meta game.
From one of the top cards in the very first meta game over 20 years ago in Blastoise, good abilities have defined many Pokémon cards. Understanding the meta game is essential for more-than-casual players, and good abilities can accelerate game plans in important ways, from energy ramping to searching specific cards to dealing direct damage.
Moon Cleave Star - Hisuian Samurott VSTAR
Hisuian Samurott in-game is a powerful new take on a beloved Unovan starter Pokémon. The new Hisuian stater is a Water/Dark monster.
In the TCG, Hisuian Saurott is a Darkness VSTAR card introduced in Astral Radiance. Its VSTAR Power, Moon Cleave Star, can only be used once a game. However, it puts 4 damage counters immediately on an opposing Pokémon. This can either set up its main attack, Merciless Blade, for a KO or take out a weakened bench Pokémon.
Headbutt Tantrum - Galarian Zigzagoon
In-game, Galarian Zigzagoon is normally only used by huge fans and Nuzlockers who get stuck with it. However, this little Pokémon packs a punch in the TCG.
The entire Obstagoon line isn't bad, but competitively the Zigzagoon is often played with no evolutions. The ability of Headbutt Tantrum to do chip damage can be combined with a Scoop Up Net to take out weaker Pokémon or ones that have already experienced chip damage. It goes particularly well in a Hisuian Samurott deck, where it can set up for Merciless Blade.
Lesson in Zeal - Oricorio
In the main game, Oricorio is mostly used as a niche doubles partner that can make use of fun strategies with its signature ability Dancer.
Fusion Strike cards make for a powerful deck, and Oricorio is a solid support option for any strategy utilizing Fusion Strike. While the card doesn't stop annoying poke from abilities, it can still be a lifesaver for important V or VSTAR aces whose survival can make or break a game.
Wave Veil - Manaphy
Manaphy is a heavily featured legendary in the games and in the anime. It has an amazing ability in Hydration, great moves, and fantastic stats.
In the TCG, it's a utility Pokémon from Brilliant Stars with an ability in Wave Veil that can single-handedly change a game by just placing it on the bench. Decks with especially vulnerable basic Pokémon that can fall prey to direct damage may need a Manaphy, but despite what the feature from the official TCG's Facebook would say, it's not a no-brainer to put this meta call tech card in.
Fusion Strike System - Genesect V
In the video games, Genesect is a powerhouse Steel/Bug that packs both great versatility in its movesets and powerful stats that can help it take out any threat.
Genesect V is a powerhouse that is the driving force behind the Fusion Strike Mew Deck. Genesect's Fusion Strike System replenishes the player's hand like crazy and can enable huge damage from the Fusion Strike Meloetta's Melodious Echo or MewVMAX's copy attack.
Skyscraper - Duraladon VMAX
In the games, Duraludon and its Gigantamax form are the aces of Raihan: Champion Leon's main rival and the final gym leader of Sword & Shield.
Duraludon VMAX, true to the game, is a Dragon-type that levels up from its original non-Gigantamax form and, due to its awkward mixed energy requirements, often relies on the Raihan trainer card. Its ability, Skyscraper, is a powerful ability that forces the opponent to only use basic energy if they want to take out Duraludon.
Happy Match - Eldegoss V
Eldegoss is a specially defensive mono-Grass Regenerator Pokémon that in the games struggles to fulfill its role as a bulky utility Pokémon.
However, in the TCG EldegossV has the fantastic ability Happy Match, which allows it to fetch a free Supporter card from the discard pile. This opens up a ton of strategies, and fetching cards from the discard pile can be even better than searching them the later a game goes.
Star Portal - Origin Form Palkia VStar
Palkia is one of the best "Box Art" legendaries in the game, and Pearl's mascot is back as one of the top competitors in the game. This time, in its Origin Form.
Competitive play has proved that Palkia VSTAR is one of the top decks in the metagame, and with good reason. VSTAR Palkia's actual attack is incredibly strong, and it can ramp itself and fellow benched Water Pokémon right away thanks to its ability Star Portal, which distributes up to 3 Water energy to the team.
Shady Dealings - Drizzile and Inteleon
Drizzile and Inteleon are the evolutions of a less popular Water starter in Sobble, with Inteleon being the final stage among the strange trio.
The TCG features 2 very similar abilities that make this line one of the best supportive options in any deck, allowing the trainer to fetch whatever trainer they want. Not to mention, the final form in Inteleon's move and HP isn't bad if push comes to shove and it has to do some cleaning up or take a hit.
Starbirth - Arceus Vstar
The god of all Pokémon in the games, Arceus is one of the strongest legendaries out there. It comes with a shocking high BST of 720 and amazing moves.
The TCG Arceus is similarly incredible, with the monstrous VSTAR Power in Starbirth. This ability allows the player to search for any 2 cards in their deck. This ability is the most versatile the game has ever seen, making the perfect ability for the Pokémon creator both in flavor and power.