Robot Swords

Deck List

Pokémon (21)

Qty	Card	Set	Number	Reg
4	Honedge	Perfect Order	056	J
4	Doublade	Mega Evolution Promo	067	J
4	Aegislash	Perfect Order	058	J
3	Steven's Beldum	Destined Rivals	143	I
1	Steven's Metang	Destined Rivals	144	I
2	Steven's Metagross ex	Destined Rivals	145	I
2	Genesect ex	Black Bolt	067	I
1	Psyduck	Ascended Heroes	039	I

Trainers (28)

Qty	Card	Type	Set	Number	Reg
3	Dawn	Supporter	Phantasmal Flames	087	I
2	Lana's Aid	Supporter	Twilight Masquerade	155	H
2	Boss's Orders	Supporter	Mega Evolution	114	I
2	Team Rocket's Petrel	Supporter	Destined Rivals	176	I
1	Hilda	Supporter	White Flare	084	I
3	Buddy-Buddy Poffin	Item	Temporal Forces	144	H
2	Rare Candy	Item	Mega Evolution	125	I
2	Poke Pad	Item	Perfect Order	081	J
1	Night Stretcher	Item	Shrouded Fable	061	H
1	Sacred Ash	Item	Destined Rivals	168	I
2	Energy Recycler	Item	Destined Rivals	164	I
1	Switch	Item	Mega Evolution	130	I
1	Max Rod	Item, ACE SPEC	Prismatic Evolutions	116	H
2	Brave Bangle	Tool	White Flare	080	I
2	Battle Cage	Stadium	Phantasmal Flames	085	I
1	Full Metal Lab	Stadium	Temporal Forces	148	H

Energy (11)

Qty	Card	Set	Number	Reg
5	Basic Metal Energy	Mega Evolution Energies	008	-
4	Basic Psychic Energy	Mega Evolution Energies	005	-
2	Mist Energy	Temporal Forces	161	H

21 + 28 + 11 = 60. ✓ Ten Basics, ten Supporters, twelve swords, one ACE SPEC, and nothing over four copies.

Ten Basics is a 26% mulligan. Going first, a Steven's Beldum, Poffin, or Poke Pad shows up by the end of your first turn 71% of the time, and a Rare Candy or a Petrel to find one is in your first nine cards 49% of the time. So X-Boot is running on turn two in about half your games and on turn three in most of the rest, through the Steven's Metang. Genesect ex or a Dawn is in your first nine cards only 57% of the time; see Test and Tune. About one opening hand in five (22%) holds no Energy.

Pokémon

Honedgex4

Set: ME03: Perfect Order 056/088
Rarity: Common
Type: Metal
HP: 70
Stage: Basic
Weakness: Fire ×2
Resistance: Grass -30
Retreat: 2
Tournament: legal (Reg J)
Attack: Cut (10)

70 HP Basic, Fire Weakness, Grass Resistance, Retreat 2. Cut does 10 and you will never use it.

Four copies, two jobs. It is the bottom of the line, and it is a sword while it sits in your hand. Every Honedge on the Bench is 60 off this turn's swing, so turn one benches two (one to evolve in the Active Spot, one behind it) and the rest stay in hand. Poffin and Poke Pad find it, and Dawn takes it as the Basic.

Doubladex4

Set: ME: Mega Evolution Promo 067
Rarity: Promo
Type: Metal
HP: 100
Stage: Stage 1
Weakness: Fire ×2
Resistance: Grass -30
Retreat: 2
Tournament: legal (Reg J)
Attack: Weaponized Swords (60x) - Reveal any number of Honedge, Doublade, and Aegislash from your hand, and this attack does 60 damage for each card you revealed in this way.

Stage 1, 100 HP, Fire Weakness, Grass Resistance, Retreat 2. The Mega Evolution promo 067, Yukihiro Tada's art, mark J. It is the same card as Perfect Order 057.

Weaponized Swords costs . Reveal any number of Honedge, Doublade, and Aegislash from your hand, and it does 60 for each one. Revealed, not discarded. The cards go back into your hand and swing again next turn.

Four copies. One is the attacker, one waits in hand for the next Honedge, and the rest are swords. Its cost is all Colorless, so X-Boot's Psychic Energy pays for it as well as the Metal does.

100 HP means it dies, and that is the plan, because it is one Prize. Everything attached to it goes to the discard with it.

Aegislashx4

Set: ME03: Perfect Order 058/088
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Metal
HP: 150
Stage: Stage 2
Weakness: Fire ×2
Resistance: Grass -30
Retreat: 3
Tournament: legal (Reg J)
Attack: Slash (80)
Attack: Metal Slash (230) - During your next turn, this Pokémon can't use attacks.

Stage 2, 150 HP, Fire Weakness, Grass Resistance, Retreat 3.

Slash does 80 for . Metal Slash does 230 for , and this Pokémon can't attack during your next turn.

Four copies, and in most games none of them touches the board. It is the purest sword, so Metallic Signal takes it first. It comes out when three swords or fewer are left, or after Judge or Unfair Stamp; Who attacks has the rule. A Doublade that already holds two Energy evolves, takes two more from X-Boot, and has the four Metal Slash needs without a card from your hand.

Steven's Beldumx3

Set: SV10: Destined Rivals 143/182
Rarity: Common
Type: Metal
HP: 70
Stage: Basic
Weakness: Fire ×2
Resistance: Grass -30
Retreat: 1
Tournament: legal (Reg I)
Attack: Ram (10)

70 HP Basic, Retreat 1. "Steven's" is part of the name, so it evolves only into Steven's Metang, and Rare Candy takes it only to Steven's Metagross ex.

Three copies. One is the Candy target, which has to sit a turn before the Candy. The others are spares for a prized Candy or a dragged-up Beldum. Poffin and Poke Pad find it.

Steven's Metangx1

Set: SV10: Destined Rivals 144/182
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Metal
HP: 100
Stage: Stage 1
Weakness: Fire ×2
Resistance: Grass -30
Retreat: 2
Tournament: legal (Reg I)
Attack: Metal Slash (70) - During your next turn, this Pokémon can't attack.

Stage 1, 100 HP, Retreat 2, and no Ability. It is the slow road to Steven's Metagross ex when no Candy shows: Beldum on turn one, Metang on turn two, Metagross on turn three. One copy. Signal and Poke Pad find it. Its Metal Slash locks itself out, and you will never use it.

Steven's Metagross exx2

Set: SV10: Destined Rivals 145/182
Rarity: Double Rare
Type: Metal
HP: 340
Stage: Stage 2
Ability: X-Boot - Once during your turn, you may search your deck for a Basic Psychic Energy card, a Basic Metal Energy card, or 1 of each and attach them to your Psychic Pokémon and Metal Pokémon in any way you like. Then, shuffle your deck.
Weakness: Fire ×2
Resistance: Grass -30
Retreat: 3
Tournament: legal (Reg I)
Attack: Metal Stomp (200)

The engine. Stage 2, 340 HP, Fire Weakness, Grass Resistance, Retreat 3, two Prizes.

X-Boot: once during your turn, search your deck for a Basic Psychic Energy, a Basic Metal Energy, or one of each, and attach them to your Psychic Pokémon and Metal Pokémon in any way you like.

It is two Energy a turn, guaranteed, as long as the deck still holds one of each type. Two is exactly a fresh Doublade.
It reaches any of your Pokémon, so it loads the backup Honedge, the Active Doublade, or an Aegislash.
It searches the deck, so the Energy Recyclers are what keep it fed.

Metal Stomp does 200 for . That is a swing that ignores your hand entirely, from a 340 HP body that most single hits in the format can't Knock Out.

Two copies, one in play. It is two Prizes, so a second one is two more in the open for an engine you already have. Genesect ex's Signal finds it, and so do Dawn and Hilda.

Genesect exx2

Set: SV: Black Bolt 067/086
Rarity: Double Rare
Type: Metal
HP: 220
Stage: Basic
Ability: Metallic Signal - Once during your turn, you may search your deck for up to 2 Evolution Metal Pokémon, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Weakness: Fire ×2
Resistance: Grass -30
Retreat: 2
Tournament: legal (Reg I)
Attack: Protect Charge (150) - During your opponent's next turn, this Pokémon takes 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance).

220 HP Basic, Fire Weakness, Grass Resistance, Retreat 2, two Prizes. Black Bolt 067.

Metallic Signal: once during your turn, search your deck for up to 2 Evolution Metal Pokémon and put them into your hand. Doublade and Aegislash both count, so it is +120 damage every turn. Steven's Metang and Steven's Metagross ex count too, which makes Signal the fastest way to the Candy's target.

Two copies, one in play. Beside a Metagross ex, it makes four Prizes on the Bench in two bodies, and that is the ceiling. Signal searches the deck, never the hand or the discard, so Sacred Ash is what refills it. Protect Charge does 150 for Metal Metal Colorless , an emergency swing only.

Psyduckx1

Set: ME: Ascended Heroes 039/217
Rarity: Common
Type: Water
HP: 70
Stage: Basic
Ability: Damp - Pokémon in play (both yours and your opponent's) lose any Ability that requires the Pokémon using it to Knock Out itself.
Weakness: Lightning ×2
Retreat: 1
Tournament: legal (Reg I)
Attack: Ram (20)

70 HP Basic, Lightning Weakness, Retreat 1. Ascended Heroes 039.

Damp: Pokémon in play lose any Ability that requires the Pokémon using it to Knock Out itself. That is Dusknoir's and Dusclops's Cursed Blast.

One copy. It is the tenth Basic and the Dusknoir answer. Bench it only when they show a Duskull; otherwise it is a pivot.

Trainers — Supporters

Dawnx3

Set: ME02: Phantasmal Flames 087/094
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Supporter
Ability: Search your deck for a Basic Pokémon, a Stage 1 Pokémon, and a Stage 2 Pokémon, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Tournament: legal (Reg I)

It searches the deck for a Basic, a Stage 1, and a Stage 2 Pokémon. Three copies, and the best card in the deck.

Board: Dawn takes
Turn one going second: Genesect ex, Doublade, Steven's Metagross ex
A Steven's Beldum that has sat, no Candy target in hand: Honedge, Doublade, Steven's Metagross ex
Everything already up: Honedge, Doublade, Aegislash, for +180

Lana's Aidx2

Set: SV06: Twilight Masquerade 155/167
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Supporter
Ability: Put up to 3 in any combination of Pokémon that don't have a Rule Box and Basic Energy cards from your discard pile into your hand. (Pokémon ex, Pokémon V, etc. have Rule Boxes.)
Tournament: legal (Reg H)

It puts up to three Pokémon without a Rule Box or Basic Energy from the discard into your hand. Two copies. Every Doublade that dies puts two swords in the discard, and Lana's brings three back. It can't take Genesect ex or Steven's Metagross ex.

Boss's Ordersx2

Set: ME01: Mega Evolution 114/132
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Supporter
Ability: Switch in 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokémon to the Active Spot.
Tournament: legal (Reg I)

It switches one of their Benched Pokémon into the Active Spot. Two copies.

Early, take the cradle. Two swords are 120, which kills Riolu, Dreepy, Drakloak, Drilbur, and Gastly.
Late, take the Mega that retreated, the turn you hold six swords.
On a short-sword turn, take their engine: Toxtricity, Meganium, or a Cynthia's Roserade, at three swords each.

Team Rocket's Petrelx2

Set: SV10: Destined Rivals 176/182
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Supporter
Ability: Search your deck for a Trainer card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Tournament: legal (Reg I)

It searches the deck for a Trainer card. Two copies. It is the second and third Rare Candy, the second Max Rod and Sacred Ash, and the Stadium toolbox. Supporters it finds wait for next turn.

Hildax1

Set: SV: White Flare 084/086
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Supporter
Ability: Search your deck for an Evolution Pokémon and an Energy card, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Tournament: legal (Reg I)

It searches the deck for an Evolution Pokémon and an Energy card. One copy. It takes Steven's Metagross ex and an Energy for the Candy turn, or an Aegislash and a Metal after the hand is shuffled away.

Trainers — Items

Buddy-Buddy Poffinx3

Set: SV05: Temporal Forces 144/162
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Item
Ability: Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Pokémon with 70 HP or less and put them onto your bench. Then, shuffle your deck.
Tournament: legal (Reg H)

Two Basic Pokémon with 70 HP or less, straight to the Bench. Three copies. Honedge, Steven's Beldum, and Psyduck qualify. It is a turn-one card; late in the game it benches swords instead of drawing them.

Rare Candyx2

Set: ME01: Mega Evolution 125/132
Rarity: Common
Type: Trainer - Item
Ability: Choose 1 of your Basic Pokémon in play. If you have a Stage 2 card in your hand that evolves from that Pokémon, put that card onto the Basic Pokémon to evolve it, skipping the Stage 1. You can't use this card during your first turn or on a Basic Pokémon that was put into play this turn.
Tournament: legal (Reg I)

Two copies. Steven's Beldum to Steven's Metagross ex, skipping the Metang. Two timing rules decide openings: never on your first turn, and never on a Beldum that arrived this turn. Search first, then Candy. Petrel finds a third.

Poke Padx2

Set: ME03: Perfect Order 081/088
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Item
Ability: Search your deck for a Pokémon that doesn't have a Rule Box, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck. (Pokémon ex, Pokémon V, etc. have Rule Boxes.)
Tournament: legal (Reg J)

It searches the deck for a Pokémon without a Rule Box. Two copies, printed Poké Pad. Any sword, a Steven's Beldum, or the Steven's Metang. Never an ex.

Night Stretcherx1

Set: SV: Shrouded Fable 061/064
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Item
Ability: Put a Pokémon or a Basic Energy card from your discard pile into your hand.
Tournament: legal (Reg H)

It puts a Pokémon or a Basic Energy from the discard into your hand. One copy. It is the cheap way back for a Genesect ex or a Steven's Metagross ex, which Lana's can't touch.

Sacred Ashx1

Set: SV10: Destined Rivals 168/182
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Item
Ability: Shuffle up to 5 Pokémon from your discard pile into your deck.
Tournament: legal (Reg I)

It shuffles up to five Pokémon from the discard into the deck. One copy. It is the only card that refills what Signal, Dawn, and Poke Pad search. Play it before Signal.

Energy Recyclerx2

Set: SV10: Destined Rivals 164/182
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Item
Ability: Shuffle up to 5 Basic Energy cards from your discard pile into your deck.
Tournament: legal (Reg I)

It shuffles up to five Basic Energy from the discard into the deck. Two copies, one more than Dancing Swords, because X-Boot pulls two out of the deck every turn and every Knock Out buries two more. Keep both types in the shuffle; X-Boot only finds two when it can find one of each.

Switchx1

Set: ME01: Mega Evolution 130/132
Rarity: Common
Type: Trainer - Item
Ability: Switch your Active Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
Tournament: legal (Reg I)

It swaps your Active Pokémon with a Benched one. One copy. Metagross ex costs 3 to retreat, and so does an Aegislash after Metal Slash.

Max Rodx1

Set: SV: Prismatic Evolutions 116/131
Rarity: ACE SPEC Rare
Type: Trainer - Item
Ability: Put up to 5 in any combination of Pokémon and Basic Energy cards from your discard pile into your hand.
Tournament: legal (Reg H)

It puts up to five Pokémon and Basic Energy, in any combination, from the discard into your hand. The ACE SPEC. It is worth up to +300 late in the game, when the swords run dry. Once per game, so hold it for the turn it makes a Knock Out.

Trainers — Tool & Stadium

Brave Banglex2

Set: SV: White Flare 080/086
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Pokémon Tool
Ability: If the Pokémon this card is attached to doesn't have a Rule Box, attacks used by this Pokémon do 30 more damage to your opponent's Active Pokémon ex (before applying Weakness and Resistance). (Pokémon ex, Pokémon V, etc. have Rule Boxes.)
Tournament: legal (Reg I)

If the Pokémon it is attached to has no Rule Box, its attacks do 30 more to the opponent's Active Pokémon ex. Two copies. Five swords and a Bangle are 330, which Knocks Out Dragapult ex and everything at 330; six and a Bangle are 390, which Knocks Out Mega Venusaur ex. It does nothing on Steven's Metagross ex, which has a Rule Box, and it goes to the discard with the Doublade wearing it.

Battle Cagex2

Set: ME02: Phantasmal Flames 085/094
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Stadium
Ability: Prevent all damage counters from being placed on Benched Pokémon (both yours and your opponent's) by effects of attacks and Abilities from the opponent's Pokémon. (Damage from attacks is still taken.)
Tournament: legal (Reg I)

It prevents damage counters from being placed on Benched Pokémon, both players', by effects of the opponent's attacks and Abilities. Two copies. Phantom Dive, Chaotic Pain on your Bench, and Cursed Blast on a benched Pokémon all stop. It also replaces their Risky Ruins, Forest of Vitality, or Full Metal Lab.

Full Metal Labx1

Set: SV05: Temporal Forces 148/162
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Trainer - Stadium
Ability: All Pokémon (both yours and your opponent’s) take 30 less damage from attacks from the opponent's Pokémon (after applying Weakness and Resistance).
Tournament: legal (Reg H)

Metal Pokémon, both players', take 30 less damage from attacks. One copy. It makes Steven's Metagross ex an effective 370. Never play it against a Metal deck, since it shields their Pokémon from your swings too. Counters ignore it.

Energy

Basic Metal Energyx5

Set: MEE: Mega Evolution Energies 8
Rarity: Common
Type: Energy - Basic
Tournament: legal

Five, Mega Evolution Energies 008. It pays the Metal in Metal Slash and Metal Stomp, and X-Boot takes one a turn.

Basic Psychic Energyx4

Set: MEE: Mega Evolution Energies 5
Rarity: Common
Type: Energy - Basic
Tournament: legal

Four, Mega Evolution Energies 005. Nothing in the deck is Psychic, and nothing needs to be: Doublade's cost is all Colorless, and X-Boot attaches Psychic Energy to Metal Pokémon. The Psychic Energy is here so that X-Boot finds two a turn instead of one.

Mist Energyx2

Set: SV05: Temporal Forces 161/162
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Energy - Special Rainbow
Ability: As long as this card is attached to a Pokémon, it provides Energy. Prevent all effects of attacks from your opponent’s Pokémon done to the Pokémon this card is attached to. (Existing effects are not removed. Damage is not an effect.)
Tournament: legal (Reg H)

It provides , and it prevents all effects of attacks from their Pokémon done to the Pokémon holding it. Damage is not an effect. Two copies. On the Active Doublade it stops Chaotic Pain, Powerful Hand, Sleep, and Confusion. X-Boot can't find it, and nothing brings it back.

The Thesis

The format runs on Pokémon ex worth two and three Prizes. This deck runs on a 100 HP Stage 1 worth one, and it trades.

Weaponized Swords does 60 for every Honedge, Doublade, and Aegislash in your hand, and the cards stay there.

Swords in hand	Damage	With Brave Bangle	Knocks Out
2	120	150	Dreepy, Drakloak, Munkidori, Riolu, Gastly, Haunter, Drilbur, Cynthia's Gabite, Lunatone, Solrock
3	180	210	Toxtricity, Alakazam, Dhelmise, Crustle, Cynthia's Roserade, Meganium, Meowth ex
4	240	270	Genesect ex, Fezandipiti ex, Teal Mask Ogerpon ex, Cinccino ex; Okidogi ex with Bangle
5	300	330	Gengar ex, N's Zoroark ex, Blissey ex; with Bangle, Dragapult ex, Mega Zygarde ex, and everything at 330
6	360	390	Mega Lucario ex, Mega Excadrill ex, Mega Gengar ex, Mega Charizard X ex; Mega Venusaur ex with Bangle
7	420	450	Cynthia's Garchomp ex wearing Cynthia's Power Weight (400)

Nothing in the format resists Metal. Lillie's Clefairy ex (190) dies to two swords, and Mega Froslass ex (310) and Mega Floette ex (250) to three, since all three are weak to it.

Doublade has no Rule Box and no Ability. Crustle's Mysterious Rock Inn, Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex, and Neutralization Zone all stop Pokémon ex or Pokémon with Abilities, and none of them touch it.

The swords are the resource, and every exchange costs two. The promoted Honedge takes a Doublade from your hand, and a fresh Honedge goes down behind it. Signal pays two back each turn, and Dawn, Lana's Aid, Poke Pad, and Max Rod grow the hand.

This build's difference is the Energy, and the price is Prizes. X-Boot never misses, and Steven's Metagross ex can swing for 200 off an empty hand. In exchange, the Bench holds two Pokémon worth two Prizes each, where Dancing Swords holds one.

The Hard Rules

The board

Spot	Put here	Never
Active	A Doublade holding two Energy	Genesect ex; Metagross ex only by the rule
Bench	One Steven's Metagross ex	A second Metagross ex while the first lives
Bench	One Genesect ex	A second Genesect ex while the first lives
Bench	One Honedge, loaded by X-Boot	A second backup sword after turn two
Bench	A Steven's Beldum until the Metagross lands, then an open spot	Psyduck, unless they run Dusknoir

The target board is a Doublade in front, and Metagross ex, Genesect ex, one loaded Honedge, and an open spot behind it. That is three swords on the board, and four Prizes on the Bench in two bodies, which is the most it should ever hold.

The backup stays a Honedge. X-Boot loads it. When the Active dies, promote it, evolve it from your hand, and swing.
Bench a new Honedge every time one gets promoted, since a Honedge has to sit a turn before it evolves.
Aegislash stays in hand unless Who attacks says otherwise.

Counting swords

Rule: Why
Count before you play anything. Swords times 60, plus 30 with a Bangle against an Active Pokémon ex.: Benching a Honedge and evolving both take a sword out of the swing.
Until Metagross ex lands, Signal takes it.: One Metagross ex and a Doublade, so the Candy has a target.
After that, Signal takes Aegislash, unless the next attacker needs a Doublade.: Aegislash does nothing on the board.
Dawn takes Honedge, Doublade, and Aegislash once the board is built.: +180, and the Honedge is next turn's backup.
Against Judge and Unfair Stamp, the swords in hand are the target.: Signal and X-Boot are both Abilities, so they rebuild a swing with no cards; see Game Plan 5.

Where the Energy goes

Rule: Why
X-Boot takes one of each, every turn.: Two is a fresh Doublade. Taking only one wastes half the engine.
X-Boot loads the backup Honedge first.: The Active gets the turn's attachment, and the backup comes up holding two.
A Doublade doesn't care which type it holds.: Its cost is all . Only Metal Slash and Metal Stomp need an , and X-Boot brings one every turn.
Mist goes on the Active Doublade against attack effects.: Chaotic Pain, Powerful Hand, Sleep, and Confusion.
Energy Recycler after the second Knock Out.: X-Boot drains the deck by two a turn, and Knock Outs bury two more.
Retreat is Energy.: Metagross ex and Aegislash cost 3; Doublade, Honedge, and Genesect ex cost 2. Switch costs a card instead.

Who attacks

The board	Attack with	Why
Four swords or more in hand	Doublade, Weaponized Swords	240 or more, for one Prize
Three swords or fewer, and 230 Knocks Out the target	Aegislash, Metal Slash	230 beats 180, and X-Boot pays the four
The hand was just shuffled away	Aegislash or Steven's Metagross ex	neither needs swords
Their attacker can't Knock Out 340, and 200 does the job	Steven's Metagross ex, Metal Stomp	it stands and swings every turn, and saves the swords
Their attacker is Fire, or hits 340 and up	Doublade only	Metagross ex in front is two free Prizes

Metagross ex in front is a commitment. It costs 3 to retreat, so it stays there until it dies or Switch moves it, and X-Boot keeps working from the Active Spot the whole time.

Recovery order

Card	Takes	Into	Play it when
Lana's Aid	three swords or Basic Energy	hand	the three make this turn's Knock Out
Max Rod	five Pokémon or Basic Energy	hand	the discard holds four or five swords and this swing needs them; once per game
Sacred Ash	five Pokémon	deck	Signal would miss; play it first, then Signal
Night Stretcher	one Pokémon or Basic Energy	hand	a Genesect ex or Metagross ex comes back
Energy Recycler	five Basic Energy	deck	X-Boot is about to miss a type

Opening turns

When: Do this
Setup: Lead a Honedge when you hold two; it evolves in place. Otherwise lead Steven's Beldum or Psyduck, which retreat for 1. Bench at most two Honedge, a Steven's Beldum, and the Genesect ex.
First turn, going first: Items only. Poffin takes a Honedge and a Steven's Beldum. Attach to the Active Honedge.
First turn, going second: Dawn takes Genesect ex, a Doublade, and Steven's Metagross ex. Bench the Genesect and Signal. Attach to the Active Honedge. Nothing evolves on your first turn.
Second turn: Search first: Signal, then the Supporter. Rare Candy the Beldum into Metagross ex, X-Boot two onto the Active Honedge's Doublade, and swing.
No Candy on turn two: Evolve the Beldum into Steven's Metang by hand, and Metagross lands on turn three.

Build order

Order	Build	Found by
1	Two Honedge and a Steven's Beldum	Poffin, Poke Pad, Dawn
2	Genesect ex	Dawn, or the draw
3	Steven's Metagross ex	Rare Candy plus Signal, Dawn, or Hilda
4	Doublade in the Active Spot	your hand, Signal, Dawn
5	A loaded backup Honedge	X-Boot

The Prize Map

What they take: Knock Outs they need for six Prizes
Only single-Prize Pokémon: 6
Genesect ex or Metagross ex along the way: 5
Both of them: 4
Both, and the replacement Genesect ex: 3

They attack with	Your Knock Outs to win	Swords for each
Mega Evolution ex, 3 Prizes	2	six, or five with Bangle against a 330
Pokémon ex, 2 Prizes	3	four to six
Single-Prize Pokémon	6	two or three; Metal Stomp does it with none

The two robots are the target. Every Boss's Orders they run is aimed at one or the other. Steven's Metagross ex at 340 is hard to take in one hit, and Genesect ex at 220 is easy, so the Genesect is the one to replace first. Against single-Prize decks, Metagross ex in front changes the math: 200 a turn Knocks Out most of what they play, and it spends no swords.

The Energy Engine

Source	From	To	Costs
Manual attachment	hand	anything	the turn's attachment
X-Boot	deck, one Basic Psychic and one Basic Metal	any of your Psychic and Metal Pokémon	nothing; once per Metagross ex
Mist Energy	hand	anything, as	the turn's attachment; stays until Knocked Out
Hilda	deck	hand	the turn's Supporter
Energy Recycler	discard	deck	an Item; Basic only
Lana's Aid, Night Stretcher, Max Rod	discard	hand	Basic only

X-Boot plus the attachment is three Energy a turn, which is a fresh Doublade and one spare. The spare goes on the backup, so two turns of X-Boot keep two attackers loaded.

Nine Basic Energy and two Recyclers keep it fed. About one Basic sits in the opening hand and one in the Prizes, which leaves seven for X-Boot, or three turns. Each Recycler is two and a half turns more.

Game Plans

1. Turn one, going first

No attack and no Supporter, but every Item is legal. Poffin takes a Honedge and a Steven's Beldum, Poke Pad takes whatever is missing, and the Active Honedge gets an Energy. The Beldum has to sit this turn so the Candy works next turn.

2. Turn one, going second

Dawn is the play. It takes Genesect ex, a Doublade, and Steven's Metagross ex. Bench the Genesect, Signal for two more, bench a Steven's Beldum with Poffin, and attach.

3. The Candy turn

Turn two is the turn the robots show up.

Signal first. It takes Steven's Metagross ex if the hand lacks one.
Supporter second. Dawn or Petrel for the Candy if it is missing.
Candy the Beldum into Metagross ex, then X-Boot one of each onto the Active Doublade.
Count, Bangle if it matters, and swing.

Two swords are enough to take a cradle. Boss a Riolu, a Dreepy, or a Drilbur, and the Mega it grows into never arrives.

4. Rearming after a knockout

Promote the loaded Honedge and evolve it from your hand.
If it isn't loaded, X-Boot it. Two Energy, and it swings this turn.
Bench a new Honedge for next turn.
Count, then swing.

5. After Judge or Unfair Stamp

This build barely notices. Signal and X-Boot need no cards in hand.

Signal takes an Aegislash and a Doublade. Evolve the Active Doublade into Aegislash, and X-Boot gives it the two more Metal Slash needs.
Or swing with Metagross ex. 200 for , and Switch or a dead Doublade brings it up.
Next turn, back to Doublade. Dawn, Lana's Aid, and Signal refill the hand.

6. The late game

Energy Recycler when X-Boot is about to miss a type.
Sacred Ash when Signal would miss, then Signal.
Max Rod when the swing needs five swords at once.
Lana's Aid on the turns between.

7. Choosing the stadium

Their deck: Your Stadium
Places counters on your Bench (Dragapult, Lucky Haunt, Dusknoir): Battle Cage
Deals damage, and isn't Metal (Overgrowth, Garchomp, Lucario): Full Metal Lab
Is Metal (Mega Excadrill, Steven's Metagross): Battle Cage, to replace their Full Metal Lab
Plays Risky Ruins or Forest of Vitality: Either one, played over theirs

Cards to Watch Out For

Card	Switches off	The answer
Iron Thorns ex, in their Active Spot	X-Boot and Metallic Signal, since both robots have a Rule Box	The worst card for this build. Four swords Knock Out its 230; Boss's Orders isn't needed, since it has to be Active to work.
Judge, Unfair Stamp, Special Red Card, Xerosic's Machinations	the swords in your hand	Game Plan 5.
Mega Froslass ex, Resentful Refrain	50 for each card in your hand	It is weak to Metal: three swords for 360 against its 310.
Eri	two Items from your hand	Play Rare Candy and recovery Items the turn you draw them.
Budew, Itchy Pollen; Jellicent ex while Active	your Items, including Rare Candy	Steven's Metang is the Item-free road to Metagross ex.
Jamming Tower	Brave Bangle	Replace it.
Enhanced Hammer	Mist	Expect it to go.
Full Metal Lab and Risky Ruins, theirs	30 off your hits on Metal, or 20 on your benched Basics	Replace them with Battle Cage.
Fire attackers	Weakness ×2 on every Pokémon in the deck	Keep Metagross ex out of the Active Spot.

Versus the Card Shop

Versus Dragapult ex

Their number: The answer
Phantom Dive: 200 to the Active, and 6 counters on your Bench: Battle Cage stops the 6. Metagross ex in front survives the 200.
Dragapult ex, 320 HP: five swords and a Bangle (330), or six
Dreepy 70, Drakloak 90, Munkidori 110: two swords each
Lillie's Clefairy ex, 190, weak to Metal: two swords, doubled to 240

Steve plays this most weeks at CardCrate, and dragons.md is modeled on his list.

Battle Cage first. It stops the counters and replaces Steve's Risky Ruins and Area Zero Underdepths.
Metagross ex can stand in front of a Dragapult. Phantom Dive is 200, and Metagross is 340, so it takes two swings to kill while Metal Stomp chips the Drakloaks and Clefairy ex.
Boss the Drakloaks early, and take a Clefairy ex whenever the Dragapult isn't killable yet.
Online, Dusknoir is common. Bench the Psyduck when a Duskull shows.

Versus Mega Lucario ex

Their number: The answer
Aura Jab: 130, or 160 with Premium Power Pro: Doublade dies; Aegislash lives through the bare 130, and Metagross ex through either
Mega Brave: 270, never two turns running: Metagross ex at 340 lives through it once
Mega Lucario ex, 340 HP: six swords
Riolu 80, Lunatone 110, Solrock 110, Hariyama 150: two swords each; Hariyama three

Kill every Riolu with Boss's Orders and two swords.
Hariyama drags a robot up when it evolves. Genesect ex dies to Mega Brave; Metagross ex doesn't. Keep the Genesect count at one.
Two Lucario Knock Outs win. See the Boss's Orders warning about leaving it in front after Mega Brave.

The rest of the room

Deck	The problem	The answer
Cynthia's Garchomp ex, Elliott at league	400 HP with Cynthia's Power Weight; each Roserade adds 30	Seven swords. Take the Roserades (130) and Gabites (100) first.
Mega Excadrill ex, Matt at league	340, behind his Full Metal Lab	Battle Cage over his Lab, then six swords. His best swing is 330, so Metagross ex in front lives through it.
Alakazam	single-Prize, and Powerful Hand places counters on your Active	Mist on the Active, or Metagross ex in front: 340 takes a lot of counters, and Metal Stomp one-shots a 140 Alakazam.
Grimmsnarl Froslass	Resentful Refrain is 50 for each card in your hand	Mega Froslass ex is weak to Metal: three swords.
Crustle	Mysterious Rock Inn stops Pokémon ex	Doublade isn't one, but Metagross ex is. Swing with Doublade.

Versus the Kitchen Table

Xero names his deck first and Fox picks in response.

Dad's deck	What it does to this deck	The answer
Lucky Haunt	Chaotic Pain kills any Honedge or Doublade, Bench included. Close the Bench and Mega Gengar ex swings Void Gale for 230, then retreats on an Air Balloon.	Battle Cage closes the Bench, and Mist on the Active stops Pain there. Six swords take the Mega for three Prizes; Boss's Orders brings it back when it retreats. Short on swords, Boss the Toxtricity (140). Metagross ex at 340 survives Void Gale.
Overgrowth	Mega Venusaur ex is 380 and heals 30 a swing. Teal Mask Ogerpon ex takes no damage on the Bench.	Boss the Meganium (160, three swords). Hit Ogerpon ex when it is Active (210, four swords). Full Metal Lab and Grass Resistance make Jungle Dump 180, which Metagross ex shrugs off, so Metagross can stand in front of Venusaur while Doublade picks off the rest.

Test and Tune

Symptom: Fix
Steven's Metagross ex lands late: a third Rare Candy over a Poke Pad
Genesect ex arrives late: Brock's Scouting over a Team Rocket's Petrel
X-Boot finds only one Energy: a fifth Psychic over a Mist Energy
The robots keep getting dragged up and taken: the Metang build, Dancing Swords
The swords run dry before the last Knock Out: a third Lana's Aid over a Poke Pad
The Bench keeps getting sniped: a third Battle Cage over the Full Metal Lab
Turn-two swings keep missing: Ignition Energy over a Basic Psychic; one card is a whole Weaponized Swords

Alternatives

Card	Swaps for	Play it when
Team Rocket's Transceiver	a Poke Pad	Rare Candy keeps arriving late. It finds Petrel, and Petrel finds the Candy.
Ignition Energy	a Basic Psychic	the first swing keeps waiting for Metagross ex. X-Boot can't find it, so it only helps from the hand.
Precious Trolley	Max Rod	the opening keeps missing Genesect ex and the Beldum. It benches swords every turn after.
Brock's Scouting	a Team Rocket's Petrel	the first nine cards keep missing Genesect ex
Kieran	a Boss's Orders	the Megas keep surviving on 10; +30 stacks with Bangle
Metang (Temporal Forces)	the Steven's line	the robots are the problem; that is Dancing Swords
Lillie's Determination	never	it shuffles the swords away
Klefki	never	the TCG Live challenge deck runs two, and Klefki isn't a sword