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Need help with my post-rotation E-Raticate deck

Smashed_snail
Smashed_snail Member Posts: 1

Been messing around with a post-rotation rogue deck and wanted to get some thoughts on it.
The idea is basically built around Diggersby + Raticate. Diggersby damages my own bench, which sets up Raticate to hit really hard for just 1 energy. When it works, it actually feels pretty strong and catches people off guard.
Dudunsparce is my main draw engine, and Risky Ruins is kind of the backup plan if I can’t find Diggersby. So the goal is just to get damage on the board however I can, then start taking big swings with Raticate.
The deck isn’t trying to be fast — it’s more about slowing the opponent down enough to get set up. I’m running things like Crushing Hammer and Xerosic’s Machinations for disruption, plus Boss to trap stuff. I also added Budew recently and that’s actually helped a lot with early game stalling.
Where it feels good:

  • If the opponent has a slower start, I can usually take over
  • Only needing 1 energy to attack is really nice
  • People don’t really know what’s going on against it

Where it struggles:

  • Still bricks sometimes, especially if I don’t find Diggersby or Ruins
  • Energy can be awkward early
  • Raticate is basically my only real attacker, so if I can’t recycle it I lose pressure
  • Faster decks (like N / Dragapult style) can just run me over before I’m set up

I tried Eri earlier but cut it since there aren’t that many tools in my local meta.
Here’s the list I’m currently on:
Pokémon (20)
4 Rattata
3 Raticate
2 Bunnelby
2 Diggersby
2 Dunsparce
2 Dudunsparce
2 Budew
2 Munkidori
1 Shaymin

Trainer (32)
4 Lillie’s Determination
3 Colress’s Tenacity
4 Poké Pad
3 Ultra Ball
3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin
2 Crushing Hammer
2 Xerosic’s Machinations
3 Boss’s Orders
2 Switch
3 Risky Ruins
3 Night Stretcher

Energy (8)
8 Darkness
Main things I’m wondering:

  • Are there better disruption options I should be looking at post-rotation?
  • Is there any way to make this more consistent without changing the core idea?
  • Is it worth trying to fit a backup attacker, or just fully commit to Raticate?

Deck is really fun and feels close, just trying to smooth it out a bit.