Pokémon TCG Pocket gives room for various decks and accompanying strategies, especially with more EX and Trainer cards getting added with each expansion.
With the Triumphant Light set, the game is now at four expansions but a certain EX card way back from Genetic Apex has continued to make waves in the meta and its deck has progressively gotten better with time. The Pokémon in question is none other than the iconic Articuno EX card whose ridiculous 18 Trainer deck has dominated even all Emblem events.
Yes, you read that right! The deck being referred to has only 2x Articuno EX cards and 18x Trainer cards (Supporters, Items, and Pokémon Tools). The icing (no pun intended) on the cake is that a good number of these Trainer cards are of your choosing, paving the way for creativity and unpredictability.
Let’s explore this unbelievable deck and what makes it so good!
- Articuno EX headlines this deck and it has earned this standing thanks to how good it is. A meaty 140 HP (160 HP with Giant Cape) is inherently a great Pokémon to stall in the Active Spot but it also excels in offense.
- You can also opt for Rocky Helmet to prevent your opponent from attacking you.
- With just 2 Energy, Articuno EX starts hitting with 40 DMG. Going second is obviously nice but even if you go first, you can heal the little damage it takes, by using Potions or the new revolutionary Irida card (heals a whopping 40 DMG) as long as the recipient card has at least 1 Energy attached.
- On the other hand, you can also use Sabrina early-game to force your opponent to use another Energy (meant for adding onto their Active Spot) for retreating the Sabrina-ed card or attach Energy to it (instead of the previously Active card). In any case, Sabrina often flips off your opponent’s Energy strategy.
- Misty is a boon for any Water-type Pokémon card. Regardless of whether you go first or second, getting lucky with coin flips gifts Articuno EX with enough Energy to use its main attack, Blizzard. Costing 3 Energy, this move deals 80 DMG to the Active Spot card + 10 DMG to each of your opponent’s Benched cards.
- A first turn Misty luck can often win you the battle right at the spot.
- Speaking of damage to Benched cards, the sneaky Cyrus is an excellent partner since it draws those Benched cards of your choice) who can get KO’d with a direct Blizzard. You can even weaken multiple Energy EX cards before they even get full Energy. The prospects are deadly!
- If you are able to reduce the HP of any of your opponent’s cards to 10 HP, they are getting eliminated with Blizzard even if the said card is on the Bench.
- While you essentially don’t need two Poké Ball cards since you’re guaranteed to draw at least 1 Articuno EX right at the beginning, having an extra Poké Ball card increases the likelihood of drawing one early on and then bringing in the second Articuno EX in no time. Professor’s Research from the obvious reasons.
- Giovanni often comes in clutch especially when you require some extra damage output to KO or put more pressure. So, always a good idea to keep two Giovanni cards in tow.
- Players who have used this deck vouch for the fact that they have mostly won matches with just one Articuno EX. I have won local tournaments as well as SP Emblem events with this very deck and have got the job done with just one Articuno EX in many battles. 😎
- Irida is instrumental to this deck’s success and is a chief reason behind its increased usage in the Triumphant Light meta. Healing 40 DMG is insane and a game-changer so I’m mentioning it again.
- A single Leaf card will suffice since you mostly beat the opponent with just one Articuno EX and you even have enough Energy to retreat to another Art-EX if your first one has taken a lot of damage.
Here are the cards you usually need to include in this deck:
- Articuno EX x2 (duh)
- Poké Ball x2
- Professor’s Research x2
- Potion x2
- Misty x2
- Irida x2
- Cyrus x2
- Giovanni x1
- Giant Cape x1
So, you have around four cards that you can replace. You can still subtract some cards from the above list… it’s objective and you have the freedom to do whatever you want. The list above is my personal opinion (based on several wins) but here are some cards you can do permutations and combinations with:
- Mars (highly recommend)
- Leaf
- Dawn
- Celestic Town Elder
- Rocky Helmet
The point is that this deck offers you a lot of control and your opponent never knows what’s coming for them even if they realize that you are only running Articuno EX. No wonder it has enjoyed tremendous success from time to time.
Also, many players would tell you that they have won even after getting tails on the first Misty coin toss. It’s a perk but not necessary to win the battle.
With more expansions down the line, the future of this deck looks bright since you don’t have to worry about fitting multiple Pokémon. It’s fun, strong, viable across any meta, and allows you to spread your creative wings… just like Articuno proudly does!
Happy collecting and battling, Pokémon TCG Pocket-ers!
