The match is
technically a mirror match but it really shows how some builds can be better with just a few simple card swaps.
Both decks had their Arceus VSTAR/Flying Pikachu VMAX/Hisuian Decidueye VSTAR core (the last third of which is new to me, but I can see it working as a counter for other Arceus/Pika decks) but I can see that, after watching the video over again and checking
LimitlessTCG‘s tournament results on Worlds, one evo line of supporting Pokémon may have made a difference in the match. Daichi was running a 2-2 Thunderous Awakening Jolteon line for support whilst Ondřej was running a 2-2 Industrious Incisors Bibarel line. Jolteon’s Ability negates the Abilities on Water-type Pokemon if it has a Memory Capsule attached to it so it’s an amazing counter for Drizzile’s and base set Inteleon’s Shady Dealings Ability (lets you search for 1-2 Trainer cards when you evolve into Drizzile or Inteleon from the hand), Rapid Strike Inteleon’s Quick Shooting (lets you put two damage counters on one of your opponent’s Pokémon), and Lumineon V’s Luminous Sign (lets you search your deck for a Supporter card and adds that card to your hand) if you’re facing a deck that runs those Pokémon. The big issue here is that Ondřej was only running
one of those Pokémon (and it’s not the ones that can be recycled via Scoop Up Net) so that line was largely dead for Daichi.
One difference that between the two is their handling of Mew VMAX and Friends. I noticed is that Daichi had one in the form of Galarian Moltres V but Ondřej, as far as I could tell in the video, didn’t have anything other than the usual Path to the Peak Stadiums. That’s a bit dangerous considering that Mew VMAX was still present within the Masters division with André Chiasson getting
6th place with it. My guess is that Daichi viewed it as a credible threat that needed a proper counter while Ondřej felt that while the threat
was there it just wasn’t enough to justify diverting resources and deck space for it.
One odd thing I noticed whilst watching the match and checking the tournament results is that neither final round player ran
Cheren’s Care in their decks. It was a smart addition in AzulGG‘s NAIC-winning deck but after checking that final match it never really saw play during the round. I can only assume that competitors decided it was a card that, while it has its uses, is too situational and takes up deck space that could be used to add more suitable cards.
Overall the final round went well, the first battle was close but Ondřej was able to get the card he needed to win the match thanks to the draw support Bibarel provides with the second battle continuing that trend whist adding importance of a one-off Supporter search.
Oh, and don’t forget the usual dose of luck via top-decking important cards like Boss’s Orders.
Daichi put up a good fight in the first battle and it was neck-to-neck while the second match was a little more one-sided due to a lucky Boss's Order draw. He did struggle due to choosing Ability-blocking over draw support but since he was able to reach the finals I'd still say it's just as viable.
Oh, and I've been seeing some people saying that the way Daichi drew cards when under the effects of Marnie is illegal. For the record that style of card-drawing is fine so long as you're making sure you're not taking a peek at any of the cards being put back onto your deck.
R Pidgeot and other garbage need some of the love GF has for Zacian and Charizard sent it's way.