Best Palkia EX Deck in TCG Pocket

The Space-Time Smackdown meta has taken a formidable shape in Pokémon TCG Pocket. With several new EX and Trainer cards in the mix, battles are more thrilling and strategy-based than ever.

Among the most powerful cards, Darkrai EX has been terrorising everyone with its nightmarish tactics while Infernape EX turned out better than expected. But, there’s one more Pokémon that has become a clear favorite, and that’s Palkia EX.

Decoding the Palkia EX card from Space-Time Smackdown

Palkia ex

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Palkia EX boasts 150 HP and has two attacks at its disposal, both extremely significant. Being a Basic card, it can kickstart combat right away, dealing a handy 30 DMG at only 1 Energy with Slash. Inflicting damage right from the get-go is always an advantage.

Its main weapon of mass destruction is Dimensional Storm, a 150 DMG move that requires 4 Energy and also deals 20 DMG to every Benched Pokémon of your opponent. However, there’s a catch. On using Dimensional Storm, Palkia discards a whopping 3 Energy.

This would usually mean that Palkia is a one-off attacker since gathering 3 Energy to use the move again is a real challenge. Thankfully, the Space-Time Smackdown has an oceanic gift (literally) for Palkia EX, which when combined with a popular card from Mythical Island helps accelerate Energy gains for Palkia in no time.

Palkia EX / Manaphy / Vaporeon Deck

Manaphy is the engine of this deck. It has a 1 Energy move called Oceanic Gift, which makes you choose any two Pokémon from your Bench, and gifts them with 1 Energy each. Ideally, you should have Eevee (then Vaporeon) and Palkia on your Bench to garb these Energy freebies.

Attach Rocky Helmet to Manaphy so that your opponent’s attacking card loses 20 HP due to Rocky Helmet’s 20 chip damage.

At this point, Palkia EX already has 1 Energy and Vaporeon has another. Manaphy can ideally go another turn at least. Give the turn’s Energy to Palkia EX and use Oceanic Gift again to give 1 Energy each to Palkia and Vaporeon. Vaporeon – 2, Palkia EX – 3, Manaphy – 1.

If Manaphy is not KO’d, you should now bring Palkia EX to the Active Spot by retreating (use Leaf, not Manaphy’s 1 Energy!!!).

Use Vaporeon’s Wash Out Ability to supply the 3 Energy Palkia EX with 2 Energy from Vaporeon itself and 1 Energy from Manaphy. Also, add the turn’s Energy to Palkia EX.

Palkia EX should now have 3 (already) + 2 (Vaporeon) + 1 (turn) + 1 (Manaphy, if not KO’d). This is at least 6 Energy (7 if Manaphy is still around). Palkia EX should be armed with Giant Cape to increase its HP from 150 to 170. Now, use Dimensional Storm to wipe out nearly anything in the meta.

Using this move, Palkia EX loses 3 Energy and now has 3 Energy (or 4) left. Add the turn’s Energy to use Dimensional Storm again. Remember that every time Palkia EX uses Dimensional Storm, it is also dishing out 20 DMG to all your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. 

Oh! Palkia EX didn’t need Misty all this while! Even a single Energy from Misty is a big deal, and more Energy gains are a blessing.

If you’re facing EX cards, Palkia EX typically needs just two Kos from Dimensional Storm to get the +3 points. So what about those instances where your opponent is sneakily avoiding EX cards? If Misty doesn’t luck out, Palkia EX would find it difficult to use Dimensional Storm a third time.

That’s why we have the classic Articuno EX in hand. If you’re unlucky enough to draw Manaphy and Palkia EX late, Articuno EX serves as your wall to sponge damage while also dealing constant damage to all your opponent’s Pokémon (including 10 DMG to their Benched cards with Blizzard).

Once Palkia EX is out and about, use Vaporeon to transfer all Energy from Articuno EX to Palkia EX. Remember to not devote all Energy to Articuno EX alone… store them with Vaporeon as well.

You may also bring Vaporeon EX to the Active Spot. After all, Vaporeon also has a beefy 120 HP.

Since Palkia EX, Articuno EX, and Rocky Helmet all ensure damage on your opponent, Cyrus is a boon to single out weakened cards from their Bench and KO them with Palkia EX/Articuno EX.

Articuno EX ensures you’re not relying on Palkia EX only. But, you may choose to skip it for a card like Dawn, Cyrus, or another Pokémon Tool like Rocky Helmet or Giant Cape.

Parting words

Palkia EX has cemented itself as one of the strongest Pokémon in TCG Pocket. Gyarados EX was one of the most insane cards in Mythical Island, and once again, a Water deck has gained repute for its power. 

This deck is a lot of fun and will surely get you plenty of wins once you master it. Proves once again why Palkia > Dialga, haha. 😛 

Happy collecting and battling, TCG Pocket-ers!