The Shining Revelry expansion of Pokémon TCG Pocket has taken the meta by storm, with a whopping nine new EX cards added to the game.
Moreover, with the Ranked season up and running along with several anti-EX cards being in play, using your EX cards well is key to bagging more wins. Worry not as we will unlock the potential of each new EX card and understand how to use them best.
Giratina EX
When Giratina EX was revealed, many fans dismissed its usefulness mainly because of your turn ending when you attach free Energy to it by using its Broken-Space Bellow ability. But now, with battles being done left and right, Giratina EX has emerged as the strongest card of the Shining Revelry set.
With a beefy 150 HP, Giratina EX can add a Pokémon Tool like Giant Cape or Rocky Helmet and use its ability to garner Energy. Even if you go first in the match, Giratina EX starts collecting Energy right from the outset. Once it hits 4 Energy, its move Chaotic Impact hits for an impressive 130 DMG but it also takes recoil damage of 20 HP (which can be offset with Potion).
The new Red Trainer card is a blessing since it adds +20 DMG when the Pokémon is attacking an EX card. Aside from being a fierce attacker, Giratina EX is also an excellent support.
The Psychic Energy Giratina EX deck has revived Mewtwo EX in Pokémon TCG Pocket, a set consisting of 2x Giratina EX, 1x Mewtwo EX, and 17 Trainer cards. This has, in fact, become the #1 deck in the early stages of the Shining Revelry Ranked and tournament meta.
Another perk of Giratina EX is that Chaotic Impact requires 3x Psychic and 1x Colorless in terms of Energy. And, Giratina EX’s ability generates Psychic Energy on its own accord, even in non-Psychic decks. As such, Giratina EX has found a place in other deck types, such as Darkness with Darkrai EX and Druddigon, and even Water decks with Palkia EX.
Giratina was left high and dry in the Space-Time Smackdown and Triumphant Light, being snubbed for the other Gen 4 Legendary Dragons. But, Shining Revelry has made the wait worth it, giving it an EX card complete with a 2-Star full art and Immersive. Most importantly, it is arguably the strongest card in the game until a new expansion or strategy with other cards pops up.
Charizard EX
The beloved Charizard EX got a new variant and this one was touted to be a dongrade. However, the ability to generate 3 Energy for itself with Stoke and Steam Artillery consistently delivering 150 DMG (170 with Red) has established it as a formidable card.
Add Moltres EX to the mix and generating Energy becomes less of a worry. Also, the jaw-dropping 180 HP (200 HP with Giant Cape) is stellar. The best part is that you can have 1x Shining Revelry Charizard EX and 1x Genetic Apex Charizard EX for more flexibility. The Pokémon Communication Tool card is a quick way to get the evolution done faster.
You’d ideally have Charmander and then Charmeleon on the Bench, giving this line at least 2 Energy from Moltres and the turns. Then, evolve into Charizard and promote to the Bench. Just 1 Stoke is all it takes to go all cylinders firing. If you get lucky with early draws and/or Communication, you can also have both Charizard EX versions ready. Dawn is a great addition for Energy transfers.
Additionally, this card boasts one of the highest HP in TCG Pocket. This makes it a haven for healing cards like the Pokémon Center Lady and Potion since they can keep Charizard EX’s HP at a high level even after taking a few hits.
This turbo playstyle wins matches for you and once Charizard EX is all set, there’s hardly anything that can stop its onslaught. Remember that the Charizard EX and Moltres EX duo have remained one of the most consistent decks from the start of the game, and this card just makes the previous set more Energy-efficient and smarter. Prepare to see this card rising in prominence as the meta advances.
Lucario EX
Lucario EX is an okay addition to the Fighting-type TCG Pocket meta and while 100 DMG is sort of lower than most EX peers, doing 30 DMG to a Benched Pokémon is nice. The problem? Gallade EX has taken the stage and has proved to be a scary card, thanks to its massive base 170 HP (190 with Cape). More importantly, with high Energy ramped EX cards like Giratina, Mewtwo, Darkrai, and Charizard in the forefront, Gallade has become invaluable as it deals more damage as per the amount of Energy attached to the opponent. For example, against a Giratina EX with 4 Energy, Gallade EX does 150 DMG. Add Red, it does 170 DMG, enough to even KO a Giant Cape’s Giratina EX!
So, you see why Lucario EX is not getting attention as Gallade EX surpasses it in nearly everything. Instead, use the Space-Time Smackdown Lucario, whose Fighting Coach ability adds 20 DMG to attacks done by Fighting-type Pokémon, making Gallade EX all the more oppressive.
Beedrill EX
On the surface, Beedrill EX looks like a meh card but when you dig deeper, you’ll find that it’s actually pretty great! For starters, 170 HP is phenomenal and doing 80 DMG for 2 Energy isn’t really bad. Add the fact that Grass Pokémon in TCG Pocket can heal by using Potions, Erika, and the new Pokémon Center Lady, this card remains healthy for eons. Not to mention, its move Crushing Spears strips the target of 1 Energy whenever it’s used. Add the Team Rocket Grunt Trainer card and it may be lights out for even the fiercest opponents!
But better than that, its pre-evolution Kakuna has a cool trick up its sleeve. Kakuna’s 1 Energy 20 DMG move String Shot paralyzes the opponent if a coin flip results in heads. This leaves room for easy evolution and Beedrill EX can take over conveniently.
Beedrill EX pairs very well with the Meowscarada line, with Sprigatito’s Cry for Help pulling Grass cards and Meowscarada doing heavy damage to EX cards after Beedrill EX is retreated using only 1 Energy. Watch out for the stinging Beedrill EX deck, it might surprise you!
Wugtrio EX
The Water type in Pokémon TCG Pocket is a gift that keeps on gifting! Wugtrio EX is essentially the Water version of Dragonite, but it is more energy efficient. With just 2 Energy (made a breeze by Manphy), Pop Out Throughout picks one of your opponent’s cards three times, and each time, it does 50 DMG. This means that if you have no cards on your Bench your Active Spot Pokémon is going to get hit with 150 DMG (170 DMG with Red if your Active is an EX).
If you are on the receiving end of Wugtrio’s onslaught, try to arm your Bench completely to possibly minimize the damage on each of your cards. Yes, it’s random but always better to have a full Bench for Wugtrio EX to choose from, instead of picking one or two.
Wugtrio EX can team up with Manphy, Misty, and Articuno EX/Palkia EX and do a lot of early damage. However, keep in mind that Wugtrio EX only has 140 HP, so add Irida and Giant Cape in the mix as well.
Clodsire EX
Clodsire EX would have been an amazing card if it debuted before Triumphant Light. This card is basically an upgraded version of the Scolipede card so, it relies on poisoning the target to deal high damage. However, the advent of Arceus EX and the Pokémon Center Lady (heals 30 DMG + recovers from any special conditions) have made the poisoning mechanic sort of obsolete. Besides, there’s always Lum Berry to heal from special conditions as well.
This card would have been a lot stronger if its moves could poison the target, something Whirlipede did, paving the way for Scolipede’s true potential. Clodsire EX, on the other hand, relies on, say, Weezing to get the poisoning done.
Clodsire EX can be used to some degree of success with Darkrai EX. While it sits in the Active Spot and tanks, Darkrai EX deals consistent chip damage. But hey, Darkrai EX pairs better with the Druddigon and Giratina EX duo. Overall, Clodsire is one of those underwhelming EX cards.
Pikachu EX
The classic Pikachu EX from Genetic Apex is a menace, requiring only a full Electric type Bench to deal 90 DMG, at only 2 Energy and without dropping any Energy of its own.
This Pikachu EX from Shing Revelry? Not so much. Yes, it deals a massive 150 DMG and can collect Energy with the help of the Shining Revelry Pachirisu card. However, it then instantly drops all its Energy, leaving it a sitting duck against the next opponent. In decks where the opponent’s Bench has multiple cards like Arceus EX and Giratina EX, Mewtwo EX, Dakrai EX and Giratina EX, etc ready, you can’t rely on this card.
You can kind of make it with Zapdos EX, Pachirisu, and the OG Pikachu EX, but overall, this one’s not a top card for sure.
Tinkaton EX
Tinkaton EX is a destructive card and gels fabulously with Dialga EX’s Energy gifts. Two turns with Dialga EX and Tinkaton is ready to go, as long as you’ve managed to evolve it all the way from Tinkatink. Of course, you have the Pokémon Communication card to help get the job done. Attach a Rocky Helmet to Dialga EX and a Giant Cape to Tinkaton EX, and you have a solid setup. Additionally, the Adaman Trainer card prevents it from taking too much damage.
Offensively, Tinkaton EX’s Terrific Thumping requires heads on a coin flip to deal a crazy 160 DMG (180 DMG to EX cards with Red Trainer card). But even with tails, 80 DMG isn’t bad. Metal is one of the most underrated types in Pokémon TCG Pocket and just like Probopass EX didn’t see too much usage in Triumphant Light despite being a superb card, Tinkaton EX may meet the same fate. So, go on and try out this great card. As long as you get the evolution line quickly, you’re in for a fun battle. If not… well, try adding Arceus EX to the mix to have another attacker to use.
Bibarel EX
Bibarel EX is a decent card that could have easily been a non-EX card. Also, there are several non-EX cards stronger than this card. Anyway, the best way to gather 4 Energy is to pair Bibarel EX with Dialga EX. However, know that both Dialga EX and Bibarel EX deal a base of 100 DMG, so adding Arceus EX is a sound strategy, though you have better cards to replace Bibarel EX, like the Shaymin cards for instance.
With Tools like Giant Cape and most EX cards in Shining Revelry having high HP figures, Bibarel EX isn’t going to work out too well.
Happy collecting and battling, TCG Pocket-ers!
