Shrouded Fable is the latest Pokémon TCG set to hit the market, and while its a miniset, it offers a handful of cards that truly shake up our previously existing Twilight Masquerade Standard format.

Dusknoir [Shrouded Fable] and Dusclops [Shrouded Fable] offer unique ways to add extra damage to the board, Kyurem [Shrouded Fable] can board wipe a few decks on the second turn of the game (and keeps Lost Zone Box lower on the tier list), Fezandipiti ex [Shrouded Fable] is an added consistency card for most decks, and Night Stretcher [Shrouded Fable] might end up being a staple Item Card similar to Super Rod [Paldea Evolved]. 

There are a handful of other cards that might pop up in our metagame, but those few cards are shifting our metagame in ways that even I didn’t expect, which makes this a great place for me to share my early findings on the top decks. Most of the decks featured in this article will be familiar, but some might surprise you, so let’s jump right into it! Let’s get it!

5) Lugia VSTAR

In most formats that feature Pokémon VSTAR and Stage 2 Pokémon ex, Lugia VSTAR [Silver Tempest] seems to shine. This deck didn’t actually gain anything from Shrouded Fable, but it did climb up the tier list due to meta positioning. With Lost Zone Box decks bowing out of the top five decks due to Kyurem, and most other aggressive Lightning decks struggling against the other top decks, Lugia VSTAR is back in the running. The strategy is going to remain the same - utilize Lugia VSTAR to summon Archeops [Silver Tempest] into play, and then accelerate Energy onto your various Pokémon, like Cinccino [Temporal Forces]. Let’s check out the list!

You can copy and paste the below decklist right into Pokémon TCG Live!

Check out Ultimate Guard’s Great Wave Katana Sleeves to protect your Lugia VSTAR deck, and to match the power of the guardian of the seas. You can find them here!

4) Charizard ex

Charizard ex [Obsidian Flames] has always been an incredibly powerful deck, but it is arguably more powerful than ever after the release of Shrouded Fable. Dusknoir and Dusclops can add extra damage to your opponents Pokémon, or even score an occasional Knock Out on a Pokémon with low HP. It comes at the usual drawback of giving your opponent a Prize Card, but that is huge for Charizard ex to increase the damage output of Burning Darkness.

Being able to do even more damage, activate Counter Catcher [Paradox Rift] to gust whichever Pokémon you like, is more than enough to take this deck to the next level. You’ll still be accelerating Energy, searching for whatever you need with Pidgeot ex [Obsidian Flames], and disrupting your opponent with Unfair Stamp [Twilight Masquerade]. Let’s check out my updated list!

You can copy and paste the below decklist right into Pokémon TCG Live!

Wanna protect your Charizard ex deck in style? Be sure to check out the Black/Red Sidewinder to match Charizard ex’s Darkness type, and Fire Energy attack costs!

3) Snorlax

In most new formats, Snorlax [Pokémon Go] might be unsure what its teching against, but this format is more or less the same. Sure, Dusknoir and Dusclops might cause some issues for this sleepy Pokémon, but where there are problems, Snorlax can usually find solutions. Beyond a few Pokémon changes for the format, like adding in Cornerstone Ogerpon ex [Twilight Masquerade], Snorlax really only adds in Xerosic’s Machinations [Shrouded Fable] for its disruption effect. You’re still gonna be blocking your opponent’s Pokémon in the Active, running them out of resources, and eventually decking them out. Let’s check out a winning list from Huntiemon!

You can copy and paste the below decklist right into Pokémon TCG Live!

The accents of white in the new Kikko 100+ Sidewinder Deck Box pairs perfectly with the Colorless typing of Snorlax. Check it out here.

2) Gardevoir ex

Gardevoir ex [Scarlet and Violet] has long been one of the best decks in format, and while it hasn’t gained much, some players are adding in Neutralization Zone [Shrouded Fable] as the Ace Spec of choice in this deck. Being able to deflect damage against decks that either don’t run Stadium cards, or run very few can be a huge advantage. Other than that, the strategy remains the same of utilizing Kirlia [Silver Tempest] to draw cards, and accelerating Energy with Gardevoir ex to your various Psychic-type Pokémon in play! Let’s check out this deck!

You can copy and paste the below decklist right into Pokémon TCG Live!

Wanna protect your Gardevoir ex deck in style? Be sure to check out the Purple Sidewinder to match Gardevoir ex’s Psychic type, and Psychic Energy attack costs!

1) Regidrago VSTAR

Somehow Regidrago VSTAR [Silver Tempest] has found a way to go from a homebrewed rogue deck to the best deck in format in a few months, but that's what keeps this game exciting! Kyurem is a new Dragon-type attacking option that can be copied with Apex Dragon, allowing you to snipe three of your opponent’s Pokémon for 110 damage each as early as turn two. This means many popular decks, like Charizard ex, are forced to put down a Manaphy [Brilliant Stars] or face a game-shattering attack. You’ll still be utilizing Teal Mask Ogerpon ex [Twilight Masquerade] to accelerate Energy, and Energy Switch [Scarlet and Violet] to make sure Regidrago VSTAR is powered up. This is one of my personal top choices for Worlds, so let’s check out this deck!

You can copy and paste the below decklist right into Pokémon TCG Live!

Check out Ultimate Guard’s red Katana Sleeves to protect your Regidrago VSTAR deck, and to match the aesthetic of your Fire Energy. You can find them here.

Time to Play!

These decks are going to remain relatively the same until we see the September release of Stellar Miracle alongside the first major Pokémon TCG events of our 2025 Season! The archetypes in this article will likely be some of the best performing decks at Worlds, so keep your eyes open for either myself, and other members of The Shuffle Squad, playing our hearts out in Hawaii! I’ll be sure to keep you all posted on how the World Championships turns out, and cover that right here for Ultimate Guard! I appreciate all of you reading this article, and I can’t wait for my next article to share with our community!