Optimal Lycanroc Deck Archetypes for the Modern TCG Meta

Lycanroc SM105 card art by Shin Nagasawa

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Optimal Lycanroc Deck Archetypes for the Modern TCG Meta

Lycanroc, a nimble Fighting-type that evolves from Rockruff, stands out in the expanded landscape for players who crave tempo, pressure, and a satisfying payoff when the stars align. The SM Black Star Promos card, known as Lycanroc (SM105), brings a well-rounded 120 HP and a pair of distinct attacks that reward both aggressive pacing and careful coin-flip timing. With its stage-1 evolution status, rarity designation as a Rare holo, and the distinctive illustration by Shin Nagasawa, this card marries playability with collector appeal. In the current meta, Lycanroc’s two-pronged toolkit—quick, low-cost pressure via Bite and a potentially devastating finish via Stone Edge—offers flexible archetypes for modern Expanded play. ⚡💎

Card snapshot: what you’re playing with

Name: Lycanroc
HP: 120
Type: Fighting
Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Rockruff)
Attacks: Bite (Colorless, Colorless) — 30; Stone Edge (Fighting, Fighting, Colorless) — 90+ with a coin flip
Weakness: Grass ×2
Retreat cost: 2
Rarity: Rare, holo variant among SM Black Star Promos
Illustrator: Shin Nagasawa
Legal in formats: Expanded (not Standard)
Set: SM Black Star Promos

Lycanroc’s dual-attack profile invites two complementary archetypes. Bite is the economical pressure tool that helps you apply early damage while you assemble the right energy lines for Stone Edge. The 90+ potential on Stone Edge introduces a boom-or-bust finisher that can swing a game when you flip heads at the right moment. In practice, this means careful energy management, timing, and situational awareness about when to press the flood gate on your big hit. And yes—the coin flip element is part of the charm, a classic gambling mechanic that rewards players who read the board and pace their aggression. 🎴🔥

Strategic Lycanroc archetypes you’ll see in Modern Expanded

1) Early-Pressure Lycanroc Tempo

This archetype leans into Lycanroc’s ability to push damage quickly while you search for setup. Bite blocks steady chip damage while you prepare the stones for a late-game turn. The aim is to keep your opponent on the back foot and prevent them from stabilizing their board. In practice, you’ll pair Lycanroc with generic draw and search tools available in Expanded to find Rockruff’s evolution funnel, ensuring Lycanroc hits the board promptly. The payoff is a momentum swing that forces your opponent to respond to your pace, rather than you reacting to theirs. ⚡

2) Stone Edge Finisher Window

Set the stage for a big turn by accelerating energy onto Lycanroc and forcing your opponent into awkward damage calculations. The 90+ potential of Stone Edge makes it a threatening finisher when you’ve built a safe path to the coin flip you want. Since this is Expanded, you’ll typically design a plan that protects Lycanroc from counterplay long enough to commit to the Stone Edge sequence. It’s a tense, rewarding play line: you weather early exchanges with Bite, then strike with a decisive 90+ that can seal the game if the stars align. Remember to weigh the coin flip risk and aim to control the pace so that a single successful flip becomes the match-turning moment. 🎯

3) Rockruff-Driven Evolution Corridor

Lycanroc’s power in Expanded is often amplified when you optimize its evolution window from Rockruff. While you’re not locked into a specific Rockruff card here, the concept remains relevant: a smooth, efficient evolution curve lets Lycanroc join the action ahead of neutral matchups and expands your counting on the battlefield. A focused Rockruff line helps minimize stall and creates predictable timelines where Bite pressure builds toward the decisive Stone Edge turn. It’s a storytelling arc of growth—from a scrappy Pup to a midrange finisher—fuelling both gameplay and the collector’s imagination. 🪨

Collectors’ corner: value, holo shine, and art

As a holo variant from the SM Black Star Promos, Lycanroc (SM105) captures the attention of collectors who prize not only competitive play but display-worthy art. Shin Nagasawa’s illustration brings a dynamic presence to the card, making it a standout in any binder. Its rarity and holo treatment contribute to a broader interest in the SM era, where fans chase both the nostalgia of Rockruff’s evolution and the aesthetic of the darker, more dramatic holo finishes. For veterans and new collectors alike, this Lycanroc serves as a splash of personality in a otherwise steel-and-stone lineup—an emblem of the era when the TCG balanced competitive viability with collectible appeal. 💎🎨

Art, lore, and the enduring appeal of Lycanroc

Lycanroc’s in-universe lore—the evolution path from Rockruff to a fierce, stone-hearted predator—resonates with fans who relish the idea of a Pokémon that grows into its power. Shin Nagasawa captures that moment of transformation with energy and motion, inviting trainers to imagine the rocky bluffs and cliffside battles where Lycanroc thrives. The card’s design reflects a kinetic moment: a creature that switches gears from steady pressure to explosive bursts of force. In gameplay terms, that means a card that rewards patient planning as well as bold, high-stakes plays. The synergy between art and mechanics is a reminder that the Pokémon TCG is as much about story as it is about math. ⚡🎴

Market trends and play-value: where Lycanroc stands

In Expanded circles, a Rare holo Lycanroc from a promo set carries a dual-purpose appeal: it’s a playable option that can contribute to competitive decks, and it’s a collectible that shines on display shelves and in binders. The 120 HP ensures Lycanroc can weather several exchanges, while its Stage 1 status keeps it accessible for midrange strategies. Because the card is not Standard-legal, its market dynamics are more intertwined with Expanded formats and promo-set collectibility, where players often seek the holo version for both gameplay parity and aesthetic value. For players considering long-term investments, a holo Lycanroc like this one can be a focal point in a broader Fighting-type collection, especially for fans of the Rockruff lineage and the dramatic art that Shin Nagasawa delivered. 🔎💖

Whether you’re chasing aggressive tempo, a dramatic Stone Edge finish, or a showcase-worthy holo for your binder, Lycanroc remains a compelling option in the modern Expanded meta. The combination of a solid 120 HP, reliable Bite pressure, and the potential for a game-ending Stone Edge turn gives players a lot to work with. As always, practice the timing, study your matchups, and let the coin flips fall in your favor when it counts most. ⚡🎇

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