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 What to Play - Standard Meta Decks

This page was last updated 6 April 2025

Next Planned Update: 13 March 2025

NOTE: THIS PAGE HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH POST-ROTATION DECK LISTS THAT FEATURE CARDS FROM JOURNEY TOGETHER. BE SURE TO BRING A PRE-ROTATION DECK TO ANY SANCTIONED EVENT PRIOR TO APRIL 11TH!

The decks below have proven to be noteworthy contenders in the competitive scene. Although the metagame is always shifting, it’s important to keep these top-performing decks in mind when constructing a new deck to bring to your next tournament.

Top Decks

$70

Dragapult ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Dreepy up into Drakloak to take advantage of its Recon Directive Ability which lets you look at the top two cards of your deck, put one of those cards into your hand, and put the other on the bottom of your deck—or, use Rare Candy to evolve a Dreepy into a Dragapult ex and use its Phantom Dive attack, which does 200 damage and lets you put six damage counters on your opponent’s Benched Pokémon in any way you like. Take turns via spreading the damage counters around or, if your version of the deck runs Technical Machine: Devolution, by spreading the right number of damage counters in the right places, and then using Devolution to rapidly devolve and, by extension, knockout, a number of your opponent’s Evolved Pokémon.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: kappadorcards - 1st Place, Tournament of Doom “Regional” Championships V

Pokémon - 20

  • 4 Drakloak TWM 129
  • 4 Dreepy TWM 128
  • 3 Dragapult ex TWM 130
  • 2 Budew PRE 4
  • 2 Dusknoir PRE 37
  • 2 Duskull PRE 35
  • 1 Dusclops PRE 36
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56

Trainer Cards - 34

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 3 Jacq SVI 175
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
  • 3 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 2 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 1 Unfair Stamp TWM 165
  • 1 Exp. Share SVI 174
  • 1 Rescue Board PRE 126
  • 1 Technical Machine: Devolution PAR 177
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 6

  • 3 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 3 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

$65

Terapagos ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

Basic Strategy

Prepare to attack with Terapagos ex and its Unified Beatdown attack, which does 30 damage for each of your Benched Pokémon (but only after your first turn), or with Crown Opal, which does 180 damage and shields Terapagos ex from the damage of attacks of Basic non-Colorless Pokémon. Use Noctowl’s Jewel Seeker Ability with a Terapagos ex in play to search your deck for any two Trainer cards. If included, use Dusclops and Dusknoir’s Cursed Blast to setup or take knockouts and to throw of your opponent’s Prize Trade.

Key Cards

Watch The Archetype in Action

Source: Kashvinder Singh Mann - 1st Place, Tournament of Doom: The New Frontier

Pokémon - 23

  • 4 Hoothoot SCR 114
  • 4 Noctowl SCR 115
  • 3 Bouffalant SCR 119
  • 3 Terapagos ex SCR 128
  • 2 Fan Rotom SCR 118
  • 2 Munkidori TWM 95
  • 1 Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 112
  • 1 Ditto MEW 132
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Latias ex SSP 76
  • 1 Lillie's Clefairy ex JTG 56

Trainer Cards - 28

  • 3 Crispin PRE 105
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121
  • 1 Professor's Research JTG 155
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Energy Switch SVI 173
  • 1 Glass Trumpet PRE 110
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Scoop Up Cyclone PRE 128
  • 2 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 3 Area Zero Underdepths PRE 94

Energy - 9

  • 4 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 3 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 2 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6

$55

Archaludon ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics & PLANETA Mochizuki

BASIC STRATEGY

Use Archaludon ex’s Assemble Alloy Ability which lets you attach 2 Metal Energy from your discard pile to your Metal Pokémon in any way you like to attach Energy cards to Archaludon ex and attack with Archaludon’s Metal Defender attack, which does 220 damage and removes Archaludon ex’s Weakness during your opponent’s next turn or with Duraludon’s Raging Hammer attack, copied by Archaludon ex via Relicanth’s Memory Dive Ability.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Joshyl - 5th Place, Tournament of Doom “Regional” Championships V

Pokémon - 16

  • 4 Duraludon SCR 106
  • 3 Archaludon ex SSP 130
  • 3 Dunsparce PAL 156
  • 2 Dudunsparce TEF 129
  • 1 Dudunsparce ex JTG 121
  • 1 Relicanth TEF 84
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56

Trainer Cards - 35

  • 4 Professor's Research JTG 155
  • 3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121
  • 2 Black Belt's Training JTG 145
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 4 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 3 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Vengeful Punch OBF 197
  • 1 Maximum Belt PRE 117
  • 1 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 9

  • 9 Basic Metal Energy SVE 8

$75

Tera Box

Illus. Yano Keiji

BASIC STRATEGY

Draw cards and accelerate energy with Teal Mask Ogerpon ex and Energy Switch. Use the decks toolbox of attackers to take advantage of various weaknesses—both by type and by deck construction. For example, hit Dragon type Pokémon for Weakness with Lillie’s Clefairy ex.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: LoganB - 9th Place, Tournament of Doom: "Regional" Championships V

Pokémon - 22

  • 4 Noctowl SCR 115
  • 3 Hoothoot SCR 114
  • 2 Fan Rotom SCR 118
  • 2 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25
  • 2 Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 64
  • 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
  • 1 Ditto MEW 132
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Hoothoot PRE 77
  • 1 Latias ex SSP 76
  • 1 Lillie's Clefairy ex JTG 56
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Pikachu ex SSP 57
  • 1 Terapagos ex SCR 128

Trainer Cards - 28

  • 3 Crispin PRE 105
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121
  • 1 Professor's Research JTG 155
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Energy Switch SVI 173
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Lillie's Pearl JTG 151
  • 1 Sparkling Crystal PRE 129
  • 3 Area Zero Underdepths PRE 94

Energy - 10

  • 5 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1
  • 2 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 1 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4
  • 1 Basic Metal Energy SVE 8
  • 1 Basic Water Energy SVE 3

$90

Gholdengo ex

Illus. aky CG Works

Basic Strategy

Evolve Gimmighoul up into Gholdengo and Dunsparce into Dudunsparce. Draw cards with Coin Bonus and Run Away Draw, building your hand so that you have a stockpile of Basic Energy cards. Attack with Gholdengo ex’s Make it Rain, which does 50 damage for each Energy card your discard from your hand.

KEY CARDS

Watch The Archetype in Action

Source: yujish2 - 1st Place, Mouji’s Dojo (3 April 2025)

Pokémon - 16

  • 4 Gholdengo ex PAR 139
  • 4 Gimmighoul SSP 97
  • 3 Dunsparce PAL 156
  • 2 Dudunsparce TEF 129
  • 1 Dudunsparce ex JTG 121
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Munkidori TWM 95

Trainer Cards - 33

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking PRE 104
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
  • 4 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 1 Energy Retrieval SVI 171
  • 1 Energy Search Pro SSP 176
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
  • 1 Jamming Tower TWM 153

Energy - 11

  • 3 Basic Metal Energy SVE 8
  • 2 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 1 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6
  • 1 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 1 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1
  • 1 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4
  • 1 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 1 Basic Water Energy SVE 3

$75

Hop's Zacian ex

Illus. DOM

BASIC STRATEGY

Attack with Hop’s Zacian ex’s Insta-Strike attack which does 30 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon and 30 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. Boost the damage done to your opponent’s Active Pokémon by 30 and reduce the attack cost to nothing with Hop’s Choice Band. Further boost the attack’s damage with Hop’s Snorlax’s “Extra Helpings” Ability and Postwick. Alternatively, attack with Hop’s Cramorant’s Fickle Spitting, which does 120 damage before any damage modifiers, provided your opponent has exactly 3 or 4 Prize cards remaining.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Gerard Torres - 1st Place, Sunny's Weekly #198

Pokémon - 14

  • 3 Archaludon ex SSP 130
  • 3 Duraludon SCR 106
  • 2 Hop's Snorlax JTG 117
  • 2 Hop's Zacian ex JTG 111
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Hop's Cramorant JTG 138
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Latias ex SSP 76

Trainer Cards - 37

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 3 Professor's Research JTG 155
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Black Belt's Training JTG 145
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 3 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 1 Hop's Bag JTG 147
  • 1 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 1 Prime Catcher PRE 119
  • 4 Hop's Choice Band JTG 148
  • 4 Postwick JTG 154

Energy - 9

  • 9 Basic Metal Energy SVE 8

$80

Raging Bolt ex

Illus. aky CG Works

BASIC STRATEGY

Using a combination of Professor Sada’s Vitality and manual attachments, power up Raging Bolt ex’s Bellowing Thunder attack, which does 70 damage for each Energy card you discard from your Pokémon in play. Use Teal Mask Ogerpon ex’s Teal Dance Ability to attach a Basic Grass Energy from your hand to that Ogerpon ex each turn to help power up Raging Bolt’s attack.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: TheHustla703 - 2nd Place, Tournament of Doom: The New Frontier

Pokémon - 19

  • 3 Hoothoot SCR 114
  • 3 Raging Bolt ex TEF 123
  • 3 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25
  • 2 Noctowl SCR 115
  • 1 Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 112
  • 1 Fan Rotom SCR 118
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Latias ex SSP 76
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Slither Wing PAR 107
  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169

Trainer Cards - 30

  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PRE 120
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Crispin PRE 105
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 3 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 3 Energy Retrieval SVI 171
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Prime Catcher PRE 119
  • 1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 2 Area Zero Underdepths PRE 94
  • 1 Jamming Tower TWM 153

Energy - 11

  • 5 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1
  • 3 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6
  • 3 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4

$60

Gardevoir ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down and evolve Ralts into Kirlia, or with Rare Candy, into Gardevoir ex. Use Gardevoir ex Psychic Embrace Ability to attach Psychic Energy from your discard pile to your Pokémon to prepare them to attack. Use Drifloon, Lillie’s Clefairy ex, Scream Tail, and even Gardevoir ex itself to take knockouts as needed.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Omalley0415 - 1st Place, Pokémon Battle Park (4 April 2025)

Pokémon - 17

  • 3 Munkidori TWM 95
  • 3 Ralts SVI 84
  • 2 Budew PRE 4
  • 2 Gardevoir ex SVI 86
  • 2 Kirlia SVI 85
  • 1 Drifloon SVI 89
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Lillie's Clefairy ex JTG 56
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Scream Tail PAR 86

Trainer Cards - 33

  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 3 Professor's Research JTG 155
  • 2 Arven OBF 186
  • 1 Explorer's Guidance PRE 107
  • 4 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 1 Brilliant Blender SSP 164
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 3 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 10

  • 7 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 3 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7

 Recently Competitive Archetypes

The decks that appear below may have recently appeared in the top 8 but have since fallen out of it. Alternatively, these may be up and coming decks that have neared the top 8 recently, but have failed to actually make it in. Either way, these decks may lack the competitive edge necessary to fight off the current meta—or they may just be taking a quick nap and will come out swinging after a short rest.

$65

Charizard ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Build your board up by getting a Pidgey or two into play alongside as many Charmander as you can, evolving your Charmander into Charizard ex from Obsidian Flames as quickly as possible with the help of Forest Seal Stone and Pidgeot ex’s Quick Search. Accelerate Fire Energy via Charizard ex’s Infernal Reign Ability.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Katnoaga - 5th Place, Tournament of Doom: The New Frontier

Pokémon - 20

  • 2 Charizard ex OBF 125
  • 2 Charmander MEW 4
  • 2 Charmeleon PAF 8
  • 2 Duskull PRE 35
  • 2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
  • 2 Pidgey MEW 16
  • 1 Charmander OBF 26
  • 1 Dusclops PRE 36
  • 1 Dusknoir PRE 37
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Pidgeotto MEW 17
  • 1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20
  • 1 Rotom V LOR 58

Trainer Cards - 35

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Briar PRE 100
  • 1 Jacq SVI 175
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121
  • 1 Thorton LOR 167
  • 4 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Precious Trolley SSP 185
  • 1 Defiance Band SVI 169
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 1 Temple of Sinnoh ASR 155

Energy - 5

  • 5 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2

$75

Charizard ex w/ Dragapult ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Build your board up by getting a Dreepy and a Pidgey or two into play alongside a couple Charmander, then evolve your Charmander into Charizard ex as quickly as possible with the help of Arven, Forest Seal Stone, and Pidgeot ex’s Quick Search. Accelerate Fire Energy via Charizard ex’s Infernal Reign Ability, including to Dragapult ex. Attack with Charizard ex’s Burning Darkness attack, which doe 180 damage plus 50 more damage for each Prize card your opponent has taken, with Dragapult ex’s Phantom Dive attack, which does 200 damage and lets you put six damage counters on your opponent’s Benched Pokémon in any way you like, or with Radiant Charizard’s Combustion Blast attack, which does 250 damage.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Danilmendes - 31st Place, Tournament of Doom: "Regional" Championships V

Pokémon - 21

  • 4 Drakloak TWM 129
  • 4 Dreepy TWM 128
  • 2 Charizard ex OBF 125
  • 2 Charmander MEW 4
  • 2 Dragapult ex TWM 130
  • 1 Budew PRE 4
  • 1 Charmeleon PAF 8
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Hawlucha SVI 118
  • 1 Latias ex SSP 76
  • 1 Lillie's Clefairy ex JTG 56
  • 1 Tatsugiri TWM 131

Trainer Cards - 31

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Jacq SVI 175
  • 1 Drayton SSP 174
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Energy Search SVI 172
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Unfair Stamp TWM 165
  • 1 Defiance Band SVI 169
  • 1 Rescue Board PRE 126
  • 1 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178

Energy - 8

  • 5 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 3 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

$45

Froslass / Munkidori

Illus. Makura Tami

BASIC STRATEGY

Item lock your opponent’s with Budew’s Itchy Pollen while simultaneously terrorizing them with a flood of damage counters via Froslass’s Freezing Shroud Ability, which reads, “During Pokémon Checkup, put 1 damage counter on each Pokémon that has an Ability (both yours and your opponent's), except any Froslass.” Move damage counters from your own damaged Pokémon with Munkidori’s Adrena-Brain Ability, which reads, “Once during your turn, if this Pokémon has any [D] Energy attached, you may move up to 3 damage counters from 1 of your Pokémon to 1 of your opponent's Pokémon.”

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Andrew Hier - 2nd Place, Tournament of Doom “Regional” Championships V

Pokémon - 14

  • 3 Budew PRE 4
  • 3 Froslass TWM 53
  • 3 Munkidori TWM 95
  • 3 Snorunt TWM 51
  • 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56

Trainer Cards - 39

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Drayton SSP 174
  • 2 Professor's Research JTG 155
  • 1 Morty's Conviction TEF 155
  • 4 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 2 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Unfair Stamp TWM 165
  • 1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 1 Counter Gain SSP 169
  • 1 Rescue Board PRE 126
  • 1 Technical Machine: Devolution PAR 177
  • 1 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
  • 1 Artazon PAF 76
  • 1 Calamitous Snowy Mountain PAL 174

Energy - 7

  • 5 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 2 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

$45

Roaring Moon ex

Illus. takuyoa

BASIC STRATEGY

Using a combination of Earthen Vessel and Professor Sada’s Vitality, power up a benched Roaring Moon ex. Take Knock Outs, as appropriate, by using Roaring Moon ex’s Frenzied Gouging attack, which instantly Knocks Out your opponent’s Pokémon in exchange for Roaring Moon ex doing 200 damage to itself, Roaring Moon ex’s Calamity Storm, which does 100 damage plus 120 more if you discard a Stadium card in play, or, if included, Roaring Moon TEF’s Vengeance Fletching, which does 70 damage, plus 10 more damage for each Ancient card in your discard pile.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: LamitoRP - 3rd Place, Sunny's Weekly #198

Pokémon - 12

  • 3 Roaring Moon ex PAR 124
  • 2 Brute Bonnet PAR 123
  • 2 Pecharunt ex SFA 39
  • 2 Pecharunt SVP 129
  • 2 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38

Trainer Cards - 41

  • 4 Carmine PRE 103
  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PRE 120
  • 3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 4 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 3 Energy Switch SVI 173
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Secret Box TWM 163
  • 4 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
  • 2 Binding Mochi PRE 95
  • 3 Perilous Jungle TEF 156

Energy - 7

  • 7 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7

$95

N's Zoroark ex

Illus. takuyoa

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve N’s Zorua into N’s Zoroark ex to take advantage of its Trade Ability, which lets you discard a card into order to draw 2 cards. Accelerate Energy as needed to your Pokémon. Attack with N’s Zoroark ex’s Night Joker attack which lets it copy the attacks of other N’s Pokémon you have in play, like N’s Darmanitan’s Flamebody Cannon, which does 90 damage and says, “Discard all Energy from this Pokémon, and this attack also does 90 damage to 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokémon. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)” or N’s Reshiram’s Powerful Rage attack, which does 20 damage for each damage counter on the attacking Pokémon—or even just Virtuous Flame attack, which simply does 170 damage.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: Bees23 - 2nd Place, Sunny's Weekly #198

Pokémon - 19

  • 3 N's Zoroark ex JTG 98
  • 3 N's Zorua JTG 97
  • 2 N's Darmanitan JTG 27
  • 2 N's Darumaka JTG 26
  • 2 Terapagos ex SCR 128
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Latias ex SSP 76
  • 1 Lillie's Clefairy ex JTG 56
  • 1 Luxray PAL 71
  • 1 Munkidori TWM 95
  • 1 N's Reshiram JTG 116
  • 1 Pecharunt ex SFA 39

Trainer Cards - 32

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 4 N's PP Up JTG 153
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Energy Switch SVI 173
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Precious Trolley SSP 185
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
  • 1 Defiance Band SVI 169
  • 2 Area Zero Underdepths PRE 94

Energy - 9

  • 5 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 2 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 2 Reversal Energy PAL 192

$55

Feraligatr

Illus. GOSSAN

Basic Strategy

Evolve Totodile first into Croconaw and then into Feraligatr with the help of Technical Machine: Evolution. Use Relicanth’s Memory Dive Ability so that Feraligatr can make use of Croconaw’s Reverse Thrust attack to do 30 damage and push a wall Pokémon like Milotic ex or Mimikyu into the Active Spot in its place. Boost Feraligatr’s damage with its Torrential Heart Ability, which reads, “Once during your turn, you may put 5 damage counters on this Pokémon. If you do, during this turn, attacks used by this Pokémon do 120 more damage to your opponent's Active Pokémon (before applying Weakness and Resistance).”

Key Cards

Watch The Archetype in Action

Source: Hiromu Sasaki - 1st Place, Champions League Fukuoka

Pokémon - 19

  • 3 Croconaw TEF 40
  • 3 Feraligatr TEF 41
  • 3 Munkidori TWM 95
  • 3 Totodile TEF 39
  • 2 Feebas TWM 49
  • 2 Milotic ex SSP 42
  • 1 Budew PRE 4
  • 1 Mimikyu PAL 97
  • 1 Relicanth TEF 84

Trainer Cards - 32

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Lana's Aid TWM 155
  • 2 Professor's Research JTG 155
  • 1 Crispin PRE 105
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 3 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Precious Trolley SSP 185
  • 1 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Luxurious Cape PAR 166
  • 2 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
  • 1 Rescue Board PRE 126
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 9

  • 4 Basic Water Energy SVE 3
  • 3 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 2 Luminous Energy PAL 191

$75

Pidgeot ex Control

Illus. takuya

BASIC STRATEGY

Run your opponent out of resources by using the deck’s combination of resource-burning cards like Xerosic’s Machinations and Counter Catcher in combination with the deck’s variety of walling options, like (for versions of the deck that run it) Mimikyu with its Safeguard Ability—forcing your opponent to find answers to either retreat their Pokémon or otherwise get a different Pokémon in the Active Spot with the challenge you present them. Win by either your opponent’s concession or by running your opponent out of cards in their deck.

KEY CARDS

Watch the Archetype in Action

Source: Alloutblitzle - 6th Place, Tournament of Doom “Regional” Championships V

Pokémon - 14

  • 3 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
  • 2 Pidgey OBF 162
  • 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
  • 1 Budew PRE 4
  • 1 Chi-Yu ex PAL 40
  • 1 Cleffa OBF 80
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Lillie's Clefairy ex JTG 56
  • 1 Munkidori TWM 95
  • 1 Nacli PAR 102
  • 1 Pidgeotto MEW 17

Trainer Cards - 41

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 2 Penny SVI 183
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Xerosic's Machinations SFA 64
  • 3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
  • 3 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Accompanying Flute TWM 142
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 2 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 2 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 1 Energy Search SVI 172
  • 1 Redeemable Ticket JTG 156
  • 1 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Defiance Vest PAR 162
  • 2 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
  • 1 Counter Gain SSP 169
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 1 Rescue Board PRE 126
  • 2 Calamitous Wasteland PAL 175
  • 1 Lively Stadium SSP 180

Energy - 5

  • 3 Luminous Energy PAL 191
  • 1 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6
  • 1 Mist Energy TEF 161

$40

Ceruledge ex

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

While building up your board by setting up your Charcadet to be ready to evolve into Ceruledge ex, use your deck’s resources like Squawkabilly ex, Carmine, Professor’s Research, Ultra Ball, and Earthen Vessel to quickly get Energy cards into the discard pile in order to power up Ceruledge ex’s Abyssal Flames attack, which does 30 damage plus 20 more damage for each Energy card in your discard pile.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Source: nelcq - 8th Place, Pumpka Weekly (31 March 2025)

Pokémon - 13

  • 4 Charcadet SSP 32
  • 3 Ceruledge ex SSP 36
  • 1 Budew PRE 4
  • 1 Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 112
  • 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
  • 1 Klefki SVI 96
  • 1 Munkidori TWM 95
  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169

Trainer Cards - 29

  • 4 Carmine PRE 103
  • 3 Professor's Research JTG 155
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Explorer's Guidance PRE 107
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Brilliant Blender SSP 164
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Gravity Mountain SSP 177

Energy - 18

  • 9 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 4 Luminous Energy PAL 191
  • 3 Jet Energy PAL 190
  • 1 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 1 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6