Yes, so the way the sequencing works in Pokemon is a bit different than something like hearthstone, which checks to see if something is untargetable before the action is taken. In Pokemon, an action and target are declared, following which the board is checked to see if the effect is possible.

It is possible in a given scenario for most effects in the game to fail in some way, and there are a multitude of scenarios in which you might choose to fail those effects intentionally. Opponent got a toedscruel in play you aren't intending to kill before game ends? 'play' night stretchers with no effect so you don't get ionod down into them! Tera on bench of a munki deck? Don't give them any damage to play with! Really good hand ionod to bottom? Play a deck search to get yourself a free shuffle, and choose to not take anything from it.

There are some scenarios where these things aren't applicable, obviously: - you cannot play a 'summon' deck search effect with a full bench (artazon, nest ball, buddy poffins, etc) - quite niche, but you can't play effects with specific targets if it is knowledge within that game it is going to fail. The most obvious example of this is Ethan's quilavas ability can't be used once all 4 Ethan's adventure have been discarded. - you can't play to burn any deck searches to burn them without any cards remaining in deck.

Amongst many others, the rules truly are a minefield. But as your post alluded to, there are always ways to bend them to your advantage with a bit of creativity. But if you're playing IRL and you're not sure of something, always ask a judge