- Andrew Hedrick vs grant shen centers on Dialga VSTAR against Chien-Pao ex.
- Andrew’s plan is to develop Metang while preserving a late Star Chronos turn.
- Grant’s plan is to accelerate Water Energy and pressure Beldum with Moonlight Shuriken.
- Key resource: Prize mapping decides when to use Radiant Greninja, Zamazenta, and backup attackers.
- Match lesson: Patient sequencing matters more than taking the earliest available knockout.
Andrew Hedrick vs grant shen: Match Overview
The Andrew Hedrick vs grant shen matchup is a high-pressure Pokémon Trading Card Game finals battle built around two very different engines. Andrew Hedrick pilots an Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR strategy that aims to assemble Metal Energy, evolve Beldum into Metang, and create a decisive extra-turn attack with Star Chronos. Grant Shen uses Chien-Pao ex with Baxcalibur, Bibarel, and Radiant Greninja to accelerate Water Energy and control the pace through efficient knockouts.
The matchup is not simply “big Pokémon versus big Pokémon.” Each player must protect an evolving board while denying the opponent’s energy engine. Andrew wants Metang to survive long enough to power Dialga VSTAR. Grant wants Moonlight Shuriken to remove vulnerable Beldum before those evolutions become established.
Video Highlights:
- Andrew Hedrick’s Dialga VSTAR deck uses Star Chronos as a delayed finishing threat.
- Grant Shen repeatedly pressures Beldum with Radiant Greninja’s Moonlight Shuriken.
- Zamazenta becomes an important single-Prize attacker against Chien-Pao ex.
- Iono and Boss’s Orders create unusual endgame prize maps.
- Both players prioritize energy management over reckless early attacks.
| Player | Deck core | Main objective | Major risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Hedrick | Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR, Metang, Zamazenta | Build Metal Energy and threaten Star Chronos | Losing Beldum before Metang evolves |
| Grant Shen | Chien-Pao ex, Baxcalibur, Radiant Greninja | Accelerate Water Energy and take fast knockouts | Running out of Baxcalibur or draw support |
| Shared pressure point | Energy and evolution lines | Maintain attackers while disrupting setup | A poor prize trade after an early knockout |
Treat the battle as a race between evolution engines. The player who protects the next energy acceleration turn usually controls the following exchange.
Opening Setup and Board Development
The opening turns determine whether this matchup becomes a controlled resource battle or a fast prize race. Andrew Hedrick’s ideal board includes Origin Forme Dialga V, multiple Beldum, and Radiant Greninja for selective card draw. Grant Shen wants Chien-Pao ex, Frigibax, and a path toward Baxcalibur, while also preparing Radiant Greninja for Moonlight Shuriken.
Andrew’s early weakness is clear: Beldum has low enough HP to become a prime target. Grant does not need to attack Dialga immediately if a Moonlight Shuriken can remove two developing Beldum. This creates a difficult decision for Andrew: bench enough Beldum to guarantee Metang access, but not so many that one attack produces a major prize swing.
| Early-game priority | Andrew Hedrick | Grant Shen |
|---|---|---|
| First board target | Origin Forme Dialga V and Beldum | Chien-Pao ex and Frigibax |
| Draw support | Radiant Greninja, Iono, PokéStop | Radiant Greninja, Bibarel, PokéStop |
| Energy setup | Metal Energy in discard pile for recovery | Water Energy in discard pile for Baxcalibur |
| Vulnerable card | 60–70 HP Beldum | Frigibax before Baxcalibur |
| Preferred first attack | A setup attack or efficient single-Prize trade | Moonlight Shuriken or Chien-Pao ex pressure |
Dialga VSTAR
Primary finisher. Star Chronos can create an extra turn when the energy requirement is met.
Metang
Energy engine. Metal Maker turns a developed board into repeated Dialga attacks.
Radiant Greninja
Utility attacker. Concealed Cards supports draw, while Moonlight Shuriken punishes exposed basics.
Zamazenta
Single-Prize pressure. Retaliate can answer a Knocked Out Pokémon without giving up a two-Prize attacker.
Andrew’s best setup pattern is to attach Metal Energy while keeping the board flexible. A premature commitment to one Dialga may leave the bench without a second attacker. At the same time, holding every resource can be too passive if Grant establishes Baxcalibur and begins taking prizes.
Grant’s setup follows a similar balance. Baxcalibur is essential, but placing too many Pokémon on the bench may expose the deck to Star Chronos combined with Boss’s Orders. The strongest Chien-Pao turns therefore require careful planning rather than simply attaching every available Energy.
Do not bench multiple unprotected Beldum merely because the bench has space. Moonlight Shuriken can convert a small setup mistake into a large prize advantage.
Step-by-Step Prize Mapping
Prize mapping is the central skill in this finals matchup. Both players can take efficient knockouts, but the winner is often decided by what remains after the first three prizes. Andrew may use Star Chronos to take multiple prizes, while Grant can manipulate the board with Chien-Pao ex, Radiant Greninja, and Iron Hands ex.
Follow this sequence when evaluating each turn:
Identify the next attacker
Check which Pokémon can attack immediately after the current knockout. Andrew should compare Dialga VSTAR, Zamazenta, and a backup Dialga. Grant should compare Chien-Pao ex, Radiant Greninja, and Iron Hands ex.
Count energy by location
Separate Energy attached to Pokémon, Energy in the discard pile, and Energy remaining in the deck. This determines whether Metal Maker or Baxcalibur can produce the next attack.
Mark vulnerable support Pokémon
Track Beldum, Metang, Frigibax, Baxcalibur, Bibarel, and Radiant Greninja. A support knockout can be stronger than attacking the active Pokémon.
Calculate the response prize
Before attacking, ask what the opponent can Knock Out next. A two-Prize knockout is poor if it gives the opponent an immediate return attack.
Reserve the closing resource
Keep one decisive card available, such as Boss’s Orders, Prime Catcher, Iono, Super Rod, or the energy needed for a final Metal Maker turn.
| Prize situation | Andrew’s preferred approach | Grant’s preferred approach |
|---|---|---|
| Early game, both players developing | Protect Beldum and attach safely | Pressure Beldum or Frigibax |
| Opponent has two support Pokémon | Consider a spread attack or gust target | Use Moonlight Shuriken if energy permits |
| Opponent reaches one Prize | Use Iono and deny easy gust targets | Preserve a powered attacker and draw outs |
| Star Chronos becomes available | Take the extra turn only for meaningful prizes | Force Andrew to use it defensively |
| Final exchange | Gust a draw engine or vulnerable support Pokémon | Use Prime Catcher, Chien-Pao ex, or a single-Prize attacker |
The most important lesson is that Star Chronos should not automatically be used as soon as it becomes available. In the match, Andrew Hedrick repeatedly preserved the threat while improving the board. That restraint forced Grant Shen to respect a possible extra turn and changed how the Chien-Pao player allocated Energy.
The best attack is often the one that leaves two winning lines instead of one. Preserve flexibility until the opponent’s board can no longer answer both threats.
Key Turning Points and Tactical Lessons
The matchup contains several recurring turning points that apply to future Dialga VSTAR versus Chien-Pao ex games.
1. Moonlight Shuriken changes the bench equation
Radiant Greninja is more than a draw Pokémon. Its attack can remove Beldum before Metang reaches the 100 HP range needed to survive the spread damage. This means Andrew must evaluate every bench placement as a potential two-target liability.
When Grant has enough Water Energy available, a Beldum-only bench can be unsafe even if the active Dialga appears ready to attack. Andrew’s response is usually to evolve immediately, use a stronger active attack, or avoid placing additional low-HP basics until the threat has passed.
2. Zamazenta creates a difficult trade
Zamazenta gives Andrew a way to answer Chien-Pao ex without relying exclusively on Dialga VSTAR. Its value increases when Grant has already taken a knockout, because Retaliate can convert that loss into immediate pressure. However, the attack requires a previous knockout and a meaningful Energy commitment.
Grant can avoid feeding Zamazenta an ideal target by choosing a different attacker or by using Moonlight Shuriken to remove support Pokémon. This makes Zamazenta a tactical threat rather than a guaranteed centerpiece.
3. Baxcalibur must be protected
Grant’s Water Energy acceleration depends heavily on Baxcalibur. Removing one Baxcalibur may not end the game, but removing both can sharply reduce the number of powered attacks available. Andrew should therefore consider Boss’s Orders or Prime Catcher targets based on the remaining recovery options, not only on current HP.
Grant can protect Baxcalibur by spreading Energy across attackers, using Super Rod at the correct time, and avoiding unnecessary bench commitments. A fully powered Chien-Pao ex is valuable, but a second Baxcalibur may be more important in a long game.
| Tactical situation | Strong response | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Two Beldum are exposed | Use Moonlight Shuriken when available | Removes future Metang access |
| Dialga V has four Metal Energy | Avoid giving it an easy Star Chronos turn | The extra turn can reshape the prize race |
| One Baxcalibur remains | Target the acceleration engine carefully | Future Chien-Pao attacks become harder to assemble |
| Andrew has a thin deck | Use Iono strategically | Reduces access to Boss’s Orders or recovery |
| Grant has one Prize left | Deny draw support and gust options | Forces a difficult final attack |
The endgame also demonstrates why deck knowledge matters. Andrew used deck-order information and carefully sequenced Metal Maker turns rather than rushing into an attack. Grant similarly used Super Rod, Superior Energy Retrieval, and draw abilities to keep attacking even after losing key Pokémon.
Before using a shuffle, draw, or recovery effect, decide whether the next action is an attack, a gust play, or another setup turn. The order can determine which outs remain accessible.
Practical Checklist and Final Takeaways
Use this checklist when reviewing your own Dialga VSTAR or Chien-Pao ex games. It focuses on the decisions that repeatedly shaped the Andrew Hedrick versus Grant Shen battle.
Match Review Checklist:
- Counted Beldum and Frigibax before committing to a spread attack
- Tracked Metal Energy and Water Energy in play, discard, and deck
- Protected at least one future attacker after every knockout
- Saved Boss’s Orders, Prime Catcher, Iono, or recovery for the endgame
- Checked whether Star Chronos created a real prize advantage before using it
| Deck | Best strength | Best defensive habit | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dialga VSTAR | Extra-turn pressure and flexible Metal attackers | Evolve Beldum quickly and delay Star Chronos | Overcommitting Energy to one attacker |
| Chien-Pao ex | Fast Water Energy access and strong damage | Preserve Baxcalibur and manage bench space | Spending recovery before the final exchange |
| Hybrid utility plan | Multiple attack angles | Force awkward prize trades | Treating every available knockout as correct |
For Andrew Hedrick players, the clearest takeaway is patience. Dialga VSTAR does not need to use Star Chronos on the first available turn. Building a second Dialga, keeping Zamazenta ready, and forcing Grant to respect the extra turn can create a much stronger position.
For Grant Shen players, the priority is controlled aggression. Moonlight Shuriken is powerful when it removes Beldum or other low-HP support Pokémon, but the attack should be balanced against the need to maintain Chien-Pao ex and Baxcalibur. The best turns attack the board while preserving the next Energy acceleration sequence.
The finals also show why single-Prize attackers and draw engines matter in a high-level Pokémon TCG matchup. A game can appear decided after a large knockout, then reverse when Iono reduces the opponent’s hand and a carefully prepared attacker survives. Both players must plan several turns ahead while tracking every recovery card.
Review every knockout by asking one question: did it improve the next two turns? If not, the attack may have been available but strategically premature.
Q: What is the main matchup in Andrew Hedrick vs grant shen?
The featured matchup is Andrew Hedrick’s Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR strategy against Grant Shen’s Chien-Pao ex and Baxcalibur deck.
Q: Why is Beldum such an important target?
Beldum evolves into Metang, which supplies Metal Energy through Metal Maker. Radiant Greninja’s Moonlight Shuriken can remove exposed Beldum before that engine develops.
Q: When should Andrew Hedrick use Star Chronos?
Star Chronos is strongest when it creates a meaningful prize swing, removes a key support Pokémon, or leaves multiple winning lines. Using it immediately is not always correct.
Q: What should Grant Shen protect most carefully?
Grant should protect Baxcalibur, preserve Water Energy recovery, and avoid giving Dialga VSTAR an easy path to multiple prizes through Boss’s Orders.