Table of Contents
The wait is over. Wisdom of Sea and Sky is finally here—and with 839 players packing the latest cards into battle, UrsiiDay’s Pocket Weekly #37 gave us our first true glimpse at the chaos, breakthroughs, and shakeups of the new format. Old powerhouses are still swinging, but fresh faces from the new expansion have already carved out serious top cut finishes.
This is the most important meta report yet for Ranked players looking to get ahead. If you want to know what’s winning, what’s rising, and what’s already falling off, this is your snapshot of the post-release battlefield. Let’s break it down.
Deck Distribution
Ursiiday Weekly #37 (839 players)
Although we’re just at the beginning of a brand-new expansion, most of the top-performing decks still come from previous formats—many of them not even incorporating new cards. A3a-006 was the most played overall, primarily in double A3a-007 builds, though a few players opted to pair it with A3a-008 instead. Right behind it was the tried-and-tested A2-110 A2b-035, followed by A3a-061 A3-066, another powerhouse from the last expansion that remains a top-tier option.
The first new deck to make a major splash was A4-109 A3b-034, which debuted at fourth place. A4-109 is already being seen as one of the strongest cards from Wisdom of Sea and Sky, and its early impact backs up that claim. Meanwhile, former staples like A3b-034 A1-089 and A2b-010 A3b-034 have both slipped down to fifth and sixth place, showing a clear drop in popularity.
One of the biggest surprises came from A4-083 A3b-034, a brand-new archetype that has already broken into seventh place. Other new decks—such as A4-100, A4-034, and A4-149—saw only minor representation. The rest of the field mostly consisted of updated lists from older builds, including A2a-071 A3a-019 and A3b-009 A2a-010, suggesting the meta is still in a transitional phase as players figure out what’s actually viable in tournament play.
Top Cut
Ursiiday Weekly #37
- When it comes to conversion, A3a-043 A3a-045 had the highest rate of any deck at 20.00% (2 out of 10), making a strong case for this being the sleeper pick of the format. We’ll dive deeper into why this deck may be overlooked later on.
- A2-110 A2b-035 followed with a dominant 19.28% conversion rate (16 out of 83), proving it’s not just popular—it’s brutally consistent. For a deck with this much representation to post such a high conversion is rare, matching the kind of efficiency usually reserved for past meta-dominators.
- While not quite as dominant, A4-083 A3b-034 posted a solid 13.51% (5 out of 37), an impressive showing for a fresh archetype competing in such a wide and diverse field.
- Close behind was A3a-061 A3-066 at 13.04% (9 out of 69), showing that Oricorio is still a menace and that Silvally continues to reward consistent sequencing and pressure.
- Despite being the most played deck, A3a-006 (Pheromosa + Celesteela) still delivered a respectable 12.37% conversion (12 out of 97), still a strong meta call.
- Other notable performers included A3b-009 A2a-010 at 11.11% (3 out of 27), A2-110 A3a-061 at 8.70% (2 out of 23), and A3a-061 A3-066 control variants with A3a-061 A3-077 or A3-066 A1-223 at 8.33% (2 out of 24).
- Meanwhile, one of the most hyped cards from the new set, A4-109 A3b-034, only managed a 5.17% conversion (3 out of 58), and A3b-034 A1-089 trailed further at 4.17% (2 out of 48)—a disappointing showing for a deck that once dominated the previous expansion.
Top 4 Decks
| Tournament | First Place | Second Place | Third Place | Fourth Place |
| Ursiiday Weekly #34 | Darkrai Giratina ex | Espeon ex Sylveon ex | Silvally Oricorio | Silvally Pichu |
- Our first tournament winner for this expansion is none other than A2-110 A2b-035, claiming the top spot with an incredibly strong conversion rate. The winning list faced a wide range of matchups, including three A2-110 A2b-035 mirrors—winning two and tying the other. Its only loss came against A2b-010 A3b-034 in Round 2 of Swiss.
- Next is A4-083 A3b-034, which posted the third-best conversion rate overall. It had a standout performance, notably defeating three A3a-006 decks and only losing to a A4-034 deck and the eventual champion.
- Third place goes to A3a-061 A3-066, a proven powerhouse from the previous set. This version notably beat a A2-092 Fighting Box, and lost to two A2-110 A2b-035 decks, including the tournament winner.
- The fourth top-performing list is another A3a-061 A3-066, this time teching in A4-066 and A4-032 instead of A3a-021. This version had a standout run, defeating three A2-110 A2b-035 decks and going 2–2 against A4-083 A3b-034. Its only loss came to the second-place finisher.
Darkrai ex Giratina ex – 1st Place
Newsflash: A2-110 A2b-035 just took first place again—no surprises there. We’re reusing the same template from the last meta report because not much has changed... except for one big addition: A4-158.
If you’ve read my Best Decks for Ranked article, this is card-for-card the same list. The inclusion of A4-158 adds another layer of control to a deck that already runs A2-155 and PROMO-006 to limit your opponent’s hand. Now you have one more tool that’s even more disruptive—setting them back hard while you continue to execute your gameplan uninterrupted.
Espeon ex Sylveon ex - 2nd Place
Did you have A4-083 on your bingo card? Probably not—but here it is, making waves. This wasn’t on anyone’s radar, but it turns out that a consistent 2 Energy 80 damage on a bulky Stage 1 is still very relevant. The deck also runs A3b-033 and A3b-028 as backup attackers, which come in handy when dealing with A3-066 or if you lose an A4-134 early, letting you fully capitalize on your point spread.
It’s supported by the usual core of disruption tools, including A2-150 and A4-158. With your damage being a bit capped, A2-150 is especially crucial for softening targets and setting up efficient knockouts. A3b-066 gives you extra flexibility too—either healing or pushing your damage a little further when it matters.
A well-rounded list that can scrap with just about anything.
Silvally Oricorio – 3rd Place
A3a-061 A3-066 secured 3rd place, continuing its streak of impressive finishes since last set. What’s different this time is that the list only ran 1 copy of A3-066 instead of the usual 2, which is often preferred in tournament play for consistency.
The deck also now features A4-158, one of the strongest new Supporters in the format, making its way into more top-tier builds. Instead of the typical split with A1-225, this list runs double A2-150, leaning hard into control. This works especially well against decks like A4-083 A3b-034, which rely on healing with their Bench abilities—making A2-150 a consistent source of pressure by punishing retreats and chipping down opposing threats over time.
Silvally Pichu - 4th place
This build is nearly identical to the usual A3a-061 A3-066 lists, but opts for A4-066 over A3a-021. The idea is to get Energy into play right away for either A3a-061 or A3-066, since A4-066 gives you a free retreat into whichever attacker you need.
The list included Magby but probably just missing a Pichu but it's ok since the deck only runs Lightning energy so it's just a neutral energy generator and you attach the other Lightning energy needed manually next turn.
The Supporter suite follows the standard pattern, featuring A4-158 along with a copy of A3-151. A3-151 is particularly helpful in the A2-110 A2b-035 matchup, letting you bypass A2-148 and turn the matchup around—especially since A2b-035 struggles to deal with A3-066 efficiently.
Guzzlord Naganadel - 6th place
Most of the Top 8 consisted of standard lists, but this one stood out—not just for placing 6th, but also because it was one of 10 A3a-043 decks that entered the tournament. Securing a Top 8 finish in that pool is impressive on its own.
What makes this list different is its choice to run a double line of A3a-045 and only a single copy of A3a-062, clearly leaning into the more aggressive side of the archetype. That works especially well against A4-134 decks, since a quick A3a-045 using Electro House can hit for 40 damage, which stacks with Poison from A3a-042 if it’s on board—dealing 60 total.
Even hitting for 50 can be just as devastating, as it often forces your opponent’s Active to retreat, giving you the tempo advantage you need to snowball the game.
Best Decks for Ranked
Okay—we know you’ve all been waiting for this part. It’s time to break down which decks are actually the best to bring into Ranked right now.
If you’ve been following the report above, the unfortunate truth is… there aren’t many new decks that are performing at a top level. That might be a bummer for anyone hoping to try something fresh, but it’s definitely great news for players sticking with their older decks. The meta has barely shifted at the top, and the strongest lists from the last expansion are still holding firm—many even getting better with the addition of A4-158.
Espeon ex Sylveon ex
A4-083 A3b-034 has been the most successful new deck from the latest expansion. It boasts a 58% win rate, outperforming even A2-110 A2b-035 which sits at 54%. The gameplan is simple: get A4-083 online as soon as possible and start swinging for 80 with just 2 Energy. Thanks to its healing ability and A2-147, A4-083 is extremely hard to one-shot.
With A3b-034 helping you get set up quickly, and Supporters, you can consistently take control of the game.
Darkrai ex Giratina ex
I honestly don’t remember the last time this wasn’t in the report—and for good reason. The current build is nearly identical to the standard list, but now includes A4-158. Personally, I prefer A1-225 over A2b-071, since Darkrai’s ping usually gets you to KO thresholds already—but that choice is up to you.
Double A2-148 is still mandatory to deal with A3-066, since relying on just pings won’t cut it. A4-158 gives you yet another way to disrupt your opponent and buy time to power up A2-110 and A2b-035. It remains one of the best-positioned decks in the format and the strongest counter to A4-083 A3b-034.
Buzzwole ex Pheromosa
A3a-006 made a resurgence at the tail end of the Eevee Grove format and has only gained momentum thanks to A2-110 A2b-035 being top tier. Current builds often run double A3a-007 and double A2-150, letting you target Bench threats and deal with key setup Pokémon like A2-110.
That said, despite being the most played deck at recent events, its best placement was only Top 15. A3a-006 still has clear weaknesses, most notably a poor win rate against A4-083 A3b-034, which continues to be a bad matchup due to its tankiness and healing.
If you want a refresher on how the deck works, you can check out here.
Leafeon ex Flareon ex Sylveon ex
This deck wasn’t featured earlier in the tournament report, but it quietly secured 5th and 7th place and is sporting a 53.5% win rate, putting it firmly among the top-performing decks.
The builds are mostly unchanged from previous versions, and neither Top 8 list ran A4-158, opting instead to simply replace the old A3b-055 with the new A4-134. That said, some players still argue for the old Eevee, especially when only running one A3b-034. Personally, I’d stick with Find a Friend for added stability—Sylveon often ends up being your emergency draw engine.
A3b-009 also remains a key piece of the meta, as it’s one of the best answers to A3a-006, making this list well-positioned going forward.
If you’re new to the deck, check out the full guide to get started.
Silvally Oricorio
A3a-061 A3-066 continues to be one of the top options, maintaining a 50% win rate across a high volume of games. The recent shift to A4-066 makes the deck faster and more flexible, no longer relying on A3a-021 to start. A4-066 gives you free retreat and immediate Energy acceleration so you can swing with Oricorio or Silvally right away.
This also lets you cut A2-154 entirely and free up space for more Supporters. Of course, you lose the 50 damage pressure A3a-021 offers—especially paired with A1-223 for early KOs—so the choice comes down to playstyle. I personally lean toward this A4-066 version for consistency.
If you prefer the older Zeraora build, that still works too covered in this guide.
Guzzlord Naganadel
With a Top 6 finish and a solid win rate, this build is gaining traction—though still underplayed due to a smaller sample size. The focus here is on A3a-045, which can KO A4-134 using Electro House combined with Poison from A3a-042.
This aggressive setup is especially effective in Eevee-heavy metas, but consistency remains an issue. A rough opener—like starting A3a-043 without access to A3a-062—can lead to quick losses. The deck clearly has potential, but it doesn’t yet match the reliability of top-tier archetypes.
I previously covered a A3a-042-focused version of this deck, which serves as a solid intro to the strategy and helps bridge into this more A3a-045-oriented variation. You can check the guide here.
Arceus ex Tapu Koko ex
A2a-071 A3a-019 has quietly become a solid and underrated pick in today’s meta. With access to several Energy enablers like A3a-021 and A4-151, A2a-071 is often ready to swing by Turn 2. A3-066 also provides excellent backup against EX-based decks, giving this list strong matchup flexibility.
The game plan is more varied compared to A3a-061 A3-066. A3a-019 can open games with steady pressure, hitting for 110 over two turns. A2a-071 closes games by dealing 130 damage, which handles most threats efficiently.
A2a-071’s use of neutral Energy makes it an ideal partner for A3a-065, only needing 2 manual attachments. And with A3a-021 and A2-154, you can even make it faster.
Donphan Rampardos ex
A4-100 A2-089 is one of the better new decks from the latest expansion. While it may not sit at the very top, it earns its spot thanks to raw power and a clear role in the meta. A4-099 can KO A4-134 with help from A1-223, while A4-100 consistently hits for 110 once you've softened targets. A2-089, as always, provides terrifying pressure with 130 for just one Energy.
The deck’s biggest weakness is A3a-006, due to Grass-type pressure. Still, it’s a strong meta call—especially when targeting Eevee-based decks—and one worth learning if you’re looking to surprise Ranked.
Full guide available for more detailed play patterns.
Crobat ex Sylveon ex
A4-109 A3b-034 didn’t quite live up to the early hype, but it’s still a deck to respect. It’s arguably the best answer to A2b-010, trading into it with only 1 Energy and KOing it before it powers up. The deck also holds its own against A3a-006, but really struggles into A4-083, which keeps it out of top-tier consideration.
Still, the combination of fast setup, pressure, and efficient trading makes it a solid rogue pick. Full guide available for those wanting to experiment with the build here.
Greninja Sylveon ex
A1-089 A3b-034 remains a consistent and ladder-friendly pick. It benefits from the new A4-134, making it much easier to draw into A3b-034 when needed. The deck has taken a small hit with the slight fall of A3-066, since it preys on the deck last expansion.
A4-158 is a great addition here too, by drawing fast and disrupt your opponent before they stabilize. If you’ve already mastered the rhythm of this deck, there’s no reason to drop it now—it remains one of the most reliable tempo decks in the game.
To understand how the deck plays, you can check out here.
Final Thoughts
This expansion didn’t bring massive shakeups, but it did refine the format. A4-158 gave top decks like A2-110 A2b-035 and A3a-061 A3-066 even more control, while A4-083 A3b-034 emerged as the strongest new contender.
Most of the meta’s core hasn’t changed, but the mid-tier is wide open. Rogue decks like A3a-043 A3a-045 and A2a-071 A3a-019 are showing real potential if piloted well. It’s a format where consistency, matchup knowledge, and smart techs matter more than ever.
