Hello everyone! This is Elena from Gaia Storm TCG and welcome to another article here at CCG Castle. Let’s continue covering the most interesting cards from Vivid Voltage and in this case I want to talk about another VMAX Pokémon: Orbeetle. How can it be played in the current metagame? Does it have the potential to shine?

Unlike many other VMAX cards that appeared on previous sets, Orbeetle does not focus on very powerful attacks that KO Pokémon in one hit. Its more remarkable attribute is precisely its ability Eerie Beam, which places one damage counter in every opponent card when used. Players that have been here for some years (or Legacy fans as myself) will immediately remember Flygon from Boundaries Crossed and how difficult it was to play against such ability. Placing damage counters each turns is very powerful and that’s why some emerging Orbeetle strategies are purely focusing in making the most out of it. For instance, a very popular idea is to use Orbeetle early on and then use the GX movement from Alolan Sandslash GX, which deals 100 damage to each Pokémon with at least one damage counter on it. After you’ve managed to do this, it should be pretty easy to finish even the highest HP Pokémon in the game.

But Orbeetle can attack as well. For just to energies, it does 50 base damage + 50 per each energy that the opponent Pokémon has attached. Now, it is true that the attack is very situational and, in most of the cases, it will need to be used multiple times to KO even some V Pokémon with the exception of something weak to grass like Coalossal, when the damage gets multiplied. The fact that this movement only costs one colorless energy and a grass one means that this VMAX Pokémon can be even teched in some other strategies.

So, considering all these factors, I would say that Orbeetle is for sure a very interesting card with a very unique ability in the metagame. The only issue it is facing is that it is lacking enough cards that would make the damage spread more deadly. Imagine if we had still cards like Max Potion or disruption supporters like Team Flare or Team Skull grunt… As of now, Orbeetle certainly has potential either on its own (with the help of Snorlax for setting up) or combined with other attackers but I don’t think it will be one of the top tier decks at least for the time being.

In conclusion, the grass type has gained another good partner that will for sure be appearing here and there in the new Vivid Voltage environment. Thanks for reading!