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Andrew Hedrick won the 2026 World Championships with Dragapult ex after a 2-2 start, while Crustle posted a 40% Day 2 conversion rate and Alakazam placed eight decks in the Top 32.
Michael Bio outlines scouting and deckbuilding methods for the 2026 Worlds in San Francisco, using Crustle’s 25%+ NAIC conversion rate as a case study in countering predictable metas.
Hey PokeBeach readers! It’s Michael and I am happy to be back with another article. Last time, I discussed and its new friend as a new, standalone
Alakazam placed second and earned multiple Top 32 finishes at Worlds, while Henry Chao’s Dusknoir-based Dragapult ex deck reached the Top 4 ahead of upcoming Regionals.
Michael Bio outlines scouting and deckbuilding methods for the 2026 Worlds in San Francisco, using Crustle’s 25%+ NAIC conversion rate as a case study in countering predictable metas.
Grant Manley argues an anti-meta control list could exploit the concentrated field at the World Championships, though Mega Excadrill ex, Mega Lucario ex and Hydrapple remain difficult matchups.
The anti-meta Crustle wall deck is a Worlds contender, but Dragapult techs and fringe matchups such as Festival Lead and Slowking make it a risky metagame choice.
Grant Manley expects Dragapult to exceed 50% of the Worlds metagame and argues Mega Lucario ex can counter Dragapult, N’s Zoroark ex and Crustle despite weak recent results.