- Andrew Hedrick lugia vstar deck uses Lugia VSTAR and Archeops as its central engine.
- Core setup focuses on placing Archeops in the discard pile before using Lugia VSTAR.
- Attacker package includes Stoutland V, Radiant Charizard, Yveltal, and Raikou.
- Trainer engine relies on Ultra Ball, Evolution Incense, Quick Ball, and Professor's Research.
- Energy flexibility comes from Powerful Colorless, Aurora, Capture, and special Energy cards.
Andrew Hedrick lugia vstar deck Overview
The Andrew Hedrick lugia vstar deck is a Lugia Archeops list built around rapid Energy acceleration and a flexible selection of single-copy attackers. The recorded list contains 60 cards: 18 Pokémon, 26 Trainer cards, and 16 Energy cards. It was played by Andrew Hedrick to a first-place finish at a Regional event in Orlando, Florida.
The deck is not built around using Lugia VSTAR as the only attacker. Instead, Lugia VSTAR establishes the board, while Archeops supplies the Energy acceleration needed to power different attackers according to the matchup. This gives the list a broad attack range without requiring a large number of copies of every attacker.
The published deck list is available through the Lugia Archeops by Andrew Hedrick deck page on Limitless TCG.
Lugia VSTAR Engine
- 2 Lugia VSTAR
- Establishes the deck's main Ability-based setup
- Provides a strong Colorless attacking option
Archeops Acceleration
- 4 Archeops
- Main Energy acceleration Pokémon
- Rewards early discard-pile setup
Flexible Attackers
- Stoutland V, Yveltal, Raikou, and Radiant Charizard
- Each card supports a different board situation
- One-copy attackers require careful sequencing
Treat Lugia VSTAR as the engine that unlocks the deck, not simply as the first attacker you place in play. Your early turns should prioritize setup quality.
What the list is trying to accomplish
The deck’s central plan is straightforward:
- Put Lugia V and Archeops into the correct zones quickly.
- Evolve Lugia V into Lugia VSTAR.
- Use Archeops to attach multiple Special Energy cards efficiently.
- Choose an attacker that matches the opponent’s Pokémon and Prize-map pressure.
- Use gust effects, disruption, and utility Pokémon to maintain tempo.
Because the attacker suite is varied, the list can shift plans during a game. That flexibility is valuable, but it also increases the importance of identifying the opponent’s likely response before committing Energy.
Decklist Breakdown and Card Roles
The published list contains a high count of search cards and evolution search options. Four copies each of Quick Ball, Ultra Ball, and Evolution Incense give the deck several ways to find Basics, discard Archeops, and access Lugia VSTAR.
Pokémon lineup
| Pokémon | Count | Primary role |
|---|---|---|
| Lugia V | 3 | Main Basic used to establish the Lugia line |
| Lugia VSTAR | 2 | Central engine and Colorless attacker |
| Archeops | 4 | Energy acceleration engine |
| Lumineon V | 2 | Support Pokémon that helps access Supporter cards |
| Stoutland V | 1 | Situational attacker for targeted Prize turns |
| Radiant Charizard | 1 | Late-game attacker with flexible damage potential |
| Yveltal | 1 | Utility attacker with a distinct attack profile |
| Raikou | 1 | Lightning-based attacker for specific targets |
| Oranguru | 1 | Utility support and resource-management option |
| Pumpkaboo | 1 | Bench utility for removing a Stadium |
| Manaphy | 1 | Bench protection against attacks that target the Bench |
The four Archeops copies are especially important. The deck wants access to Archeops during the early setup turns, and having four copies improves the chance of finding the evolutionary line when the opening hand supports it.
The single-copy attackers should not be treated as interchangeable. Each one has a different purpose, and losing one too early can reduce the number of viable endgame lines. Before attaching Energy, identify which attacker best fits the opponent’s remaining board.
Trainer lineup
| Trainer | Count | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Professor's Research | 3 | Large hand refresh and discard setup |
| Marnie | 2 | Hand disruption and controlled refresh |
| Boss's Orders | 2 | Gust effect for selecting targets |
| Serena | 2 | Gust option against Pokémon V or hand disruption |
| Irida | 1 | Search support for Water-related pieces and Items |
| Quick Ball | 4 | Basic Pokémon search and discard access |
| Ultra Ball | 4 | Pokémon search with discard utility |
| Evolution Incense | 4 | Finds evolution Pokémon such as Archeops and Lugia VSTAR |
| Capturing Aroma | 1 | Additional Pokémon search with an evolution-focused option |
| Lost Vacuum | 1 | Tool or Stadium removal |
| Echoing Horn | 1 | Brings a discarded Basic Pokémon back to the opponent’s Bench |
| Choice Belt | 1 | Damage support against eligible Pokémon V |
The Item counts show that the list emphasizes consistency. Quick Ball and Ultra Ball do more than find Pokémon: they also help place cards into the discard pile, which supports the Archeops plan. Professor’s Research can accelerate this process, but discarding should remain deliberate when the hand contains important one-of attackers or Energy.
Do not discard a single-copy attacker, Manaphy, Pumpkaboo, or utility card automatically. First check whether the matchup may depend on that card later.
Energy lineup
| Energy | Count | Strategic value |
|---|---|---|
| Powerful Colorless Energy | 4 | Supports Colorless attackers and increases attack pressure |
| Aurora Energy | 4 | Provides flexible colored Energy access |
| Capture Energy | 3 | Adds a Pokémon search effect while powering the board |
| Double Turbo Energy | 2 | Efficient attachment option with reduced attack damage |
| Heat Fire Energy | 1 | Fire Energy access and situational protection |
| Wash Water Energy | 1 | Water Energy access and situational protection |
| V Guard Energy | 1 | Defensive option against selected attacks |
The Energy package is what allows the deck to switch attackers without becoming locked into one type. Aurora Energy is particularly valuable when a colored Energy requirement matters, while Powerful Colorless Energy supports the deck’s main Colorless attack plan.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
The strongest opening turns usually balance three priorities: establishing Lugia, preparing Archeops, and preserving enough resources to continue drawing. Use the following sequence as a practical framework rather than a rigid script.
Establish Lugia V
Start by identifying the safest way to place Lugia V onto the Bench. Use Quick Ball, Ultra Ball, or Capture Energy when appropriate. Avoid filling the Bench so quickly that you lose room for Archeops, Lumineon V, or a matchup-specific attacker.
Prepare Archeops in the Discard
Use Ultra Ball, Quick Ball, or Professor's Research to place Archeops into the discard pile. The goal is to create a reliable path to multiple Archeops before the first major attack. Evolution Incense can then find the copies you need once the setup is ready.
Evolve Into Lugia VSTAR
Use Evolution Incense, Ultra Ball, or Capturing Aroma to access Lugia VSTAR. Prioritize the VSTAR activation when it creates a meaningful advantage, especially if it enables the Energy acceleration needed for your next attacker.
Accelerate the Correct Energy
Use Archeops to attach the Energy required by the attacker you expect to use. Powerful Colorless Energy is a natural priority for Colorless attacks, while Aurora Energy helps meet colored requirements for Raikou, Yveltal, or Radiant Charizard.
Map the Prize Trade
Before attacking, choose the target that best supports your Prize plan. Boss's Orders and Serena can bring up a valuable target, while Echoing Horn may create a better target by returning a Basic Pokémon to the opponent’s Bench.
Opening-turn priorities
| Priority | What to seek | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lugia V | Provides the foundation for the main engine |
| 2 | Archeops access | Enables the deck’s high-value Energy acceleration |
| 3 | Discard outlets | Turns Ultra Ball and Research into setup tools |
| 4 | Evolution search | Finds Lugia VSTAR and Archeops efficiently |
| 5 | Bench space | Preserves room for support Pokémon and attackers |
Search for the cards you need before using a draw supporter whenever possible. This keeps later decisions clearer and reduces the chance of discarding an essential one-of card.
Midgame decision-making
Once the first attack is ready, stop thinking only about the current turn. Count the Energy already in play, the attackers remaining in the deck, and the opponent’s likely gust targets. If the opponent can answer your active Pokémon, prepare a second attacker before spending every useful Energy attachment on the first one.
Lumineon V can provide access to Supporters, but it also places a vulnerable Pokémon on the Bench. Use it when the additional consistency or gust effect is worth the Prize liability. Similarly, Manaphy should be placed down when Bench damage is a realistic threat rather than as an automatic opening play.
Attacker Selection and Matchup Planning
The list’s strength comes from selecting the correct attacker at the correct time. The following framework organizes the available options by function.
| Attacker | Best use case | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Lugia VSTAR | Reliable Colorless pressure and engine turns | Preserve enough Energy for the next attacker |
| Stoutland V | Targeted attacks against suitable lower-HP Pokémon | One copy means it should be committed selectively |
| Radiant Charizard | Closing turns when the opponent has taken Prizes | Avoid exposing it before its damage profile is relevant |
| Yveltal | Situations requiring its specific attack pattern | Check Energy requirements before accelerating |
| Raikou | Pressure against targets vulnerable to Lightning damage | Aurora Energy may be needed to complete the attack cost |
Target selection principles
- Plan the Prize trade before choosing the active Pokémon. A strong attack is less valuable if it leaves the opponent with an easy return knockout.
- Count gust effects. Two Boss’s Orders and two Serena provide four listed gust options, but Serena has additional conditions and should not be treated exactly like Boss’s Orders.
- Use Echoing Horn with purpose. Returning a Basic Pokémon to the opponent’s Bench can create a target, but it may also give the opponent a better Bench composition.
- Track Special Energy requirements. Aurora Energy provides flexibility, while Powerful Colorless Energy is more focused. Avoid using the flexible cards without considering the rest of the game.
- Respect Bench utility. Pumpkaboo, Manaphy, Oranguru, and Lumineon V each occupy space that could otherwise hold an attacker.
Pressure Line
Use Lugia VSTAR when a straightforward Colorless attack advances the Prize race without sacrificing future setup.
Gust Line
Use Boss's Orders or Serena when bringing up a specific target changes the opponent's available responses.
Closing Line
Reserve Radiant Charizard for a turn where its attack efficiency or damage output can influence the final Prize sequence.
Utility Line
Use Manaphy, Pumpkaboo, Oranguru, or Echoing Horn only when their effect changes the board state meaningfully.
The deck has many useful one-of Pokémon, but not every support Pokémon belongs on the Bench immediately. Keep space available for the attacker and setup Pokémon required by the next two turns.
Common piloting mistakes
A frequent mistake is treating every search card as interchangeable. Quick Ball and Ultra Ball both find Pokémon, but their discard costs can be strategically valuable. Evolution Incense is better reserved for evolution Pokémon when your hand already contains the necessary Basic Pokémon.
Another mistake is attaching Energy without deciding the next attacker. Archeops gives the deck flexibility, but that flexibility is strongest when you know whether the game calls for Colorless pressure, a type-specific attacker, or a late-game closer.
Practice Checklist and FAQ
Use this checklist when testing the deck or reviewing a completed match. It focuses on the decisions that most often determine whether the list reaches its intended setup.
Deck Practice Checklist:
- Establish Lugia V without overcrowding the Bench
- Place Archeops in the discard pile before the main attack turn
- Use Lugia VSTAR to create a clear Energy acceleration advantage
- Choose attackers according to the Prize map and Energy requirements
- Preserve key one-of Pokémon and maintain a second attacker
Match review table
| Review question | Strong habit | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Did Lugia V reach the Bench early? | Establish it while preserving search resources | No clear path to Lugia VSTAR |
| Were Archeops available? | Use discard effects intentionally | Evolution pieces remain inaccessible |
| Was Energy accelerated efficiently? | Match attachments to the next attacker | Energy is spread without a defined target |
| Were gust effects used purposefully? | Select targets that improve the Prize map | Gusting only for immediate damage |
| Was Bench space managed well? | Reserve room for attackers and support | Utility Pokémon block future setup |
After each game, review the first three turns separately from the final Prize exchange. This helps distinguish setup errors from late-game sequencing errors.
Q: What is the main strategy of the Andrew Hedrick lugia vstar deck?
The deck aims to establish Lugia VSTAR, prepare Archeops in the discard pile, and use Archeops to accelerate Special Energy onto the attacker that best fits the board.
Q: How many cards are in the published Andrew Hedrick list?
The published list contains 60 cards: 18 Pokémon, 26 Trainer cards, and 16 Energy cards.
Q: Why does the deck play several one-copy attackers?
The one-copy attackers give the deck access to different attack profiles. Their value comes from choosing the right attacker for a specific Prize map or opposing board.
Q: Which cards are most important for early setup?
Lugia V, Archeops, Ultra Ball, Quick Ball, Evolution Incense, and Professor's Research are central to early setup. Their value depends on sequencing and preserving Bench space.