Monkey Killbox

This deck is broadly a concept that is applicable in Standard, Expanded, and Unlimited. However, the version I will be presenting uses cards from all eras of Pokémon; that is, the Unlimited format.

Annihilape

The core Pokémon in this deck is Annihilape. With the Rage Fist attack, it can deal 70 damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken. This gets out of hand quickly, dealing a respectable 210 damage halfway through the game, and essentially KOing anything in one hit after that point.

However, this is only powerful once your opponent has taken some Prize cards. We can't just sit around twiddling our thumbs during that time, so we also make use of Annihilape ex for a powerful early-game attack. With the Angry Grudge attack, Annihilape ex can take 120 damage in order to deal 240 for a single Energy. This allows you to take early KOs while still making progress towards attacking with Rage Fist.

Dusknoir

In addition to Annihilape ex, we play Dusknoir as another way to trade early prizes and speed up the game. Dusknoir gives your opponent a Prize card, and puts 13 damage counters anywhere on the board. Because this deck only needs 1 Energy to use any given attack, it accelerates through the early game before your opponent can set up, and then starts punching with huge Rage Fists each turn. Dusknoir is just another great way to enable that.

Damage Modification

At this point, we get into the Expanded card pool. Often, 210 just isn't quite enough damage, or you might need to two-shot a big ex with a 140 punch, which just isn't possible. To fix this, we add damage augmenter cards into the deck. The most notable inclusion is Strong Energy, which provides a Fighting Energy attachment at the same time as a 20 damage buff. Diancie Prism Star is also very strong, as it is unconditional +20 to all attacks. Muscle Band is included only as a single copy, but it can be useful and is searchable off Arven, which we will touch on later.

The Engine

To make this all work, there are a number of cards we need to get into play. First, we need multiple Mankey to set up for our Annihilape ex and future Annihilapes. We also need Rare Candy to evolve quickly. The same applies for Dusknoir, as we need Duskull early and Rare Candy to evolve later. We also need an Energy attachment each turn.

To accomplish all this, we use the best consistency cards available. Claydol is the strongest draw Engine ever printed, and is the main reason that we dip into the Unlimited card pool. Its Cosmic Power Poké-Power allows you to put up to 2 cards on the bottom of your deck, then draw until you have 6. This quantity of draw is unparalleled on a Pokémon, so it allows us to play more powerful Supporters without draw effects.

One such Supporter is Korrina. This is an Expanded card reminiscent of the more recent Irida, which has the same effect, but for water-type Pokémon. Korrina allows you to search for a fighting-type Pokémon and an Item card, which will usually by a Basic Pokémon and a Buddy-Buddy Poffin on the first turn, or an Annihilape and a Rare Candy later on. The flexibility this card provides is unparalleled in a fighting deck.

We do also play one copy of Arven, which could be argued to be a sidegrade to Korrina in this deck. While it can't grab a fighting Pokémon, it can grab a Pokémon Tool, such as Muscle Band or Float Stone, both of which can get you out of a pickle.

The Deck

Here is my current list for Monkey Killbox in the Unlimited format. It could easily be made Expanded, with the only major hits being to the draw Engine and the lack of Gust of Wind and Professor Oak. However, these old Trainer cards are a little unfair, so depending on the situation at your local league I would recommend using cards like Boss's Orders and Professor's Research in their place.

I hope you enjoyed this look into my favorite deck. I'll be posting some more decks here soon, including my newest creation: Two-Punch Man. Bye for now!

Pokémon - 19

4 Mankey SVI
2 Primeape SVI
3 Annihilape SVI
1 Annihilape ex PAL
1 Duskull SW
1 Dusknoir SFA
2 Baltoy SSH
2 Claydol GE
1 Cleffa OBF
1 Diancie Prism Star FLI
1 Manaphy BRS

Trainers - 34

1 Iono
1 N
1 Rocket's Admin
3 Korrina
1 Arven
1 Rosa

1 Professor Oak
1 Computer Search
3 Ultra Ball
1 Level Ball
3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball
1 Professor's Letter
1 Rescue Stretcher
2 Super Rod
4 Rare Candy
1 Warp Point
3 Gust of Wind

1 Muscle Band
1 Float Stone

1 Brooklet Hill

Energy - 7

4 Strong Energy
3 Fighting Energy