The Secluded Springs set (A4a) may be a minor expansion, but it has introduced some very dominant EX cards that have shaken the Pokémon TCG Pocket meta.
With just one more mini expansion to go (A4b, September 30) before the meta completely shifts with the debut of Mega Evolutions (B1, October 30), let’s have a look at how nicely Secluded Springs has shaped up a new game of strategy and tactics in battles through its EX cards.
We begin with the headliner and also the best card in the Secluded Springs set: Suicune EX.
This is a fantastic card that may have a decent 140 HP, but it makes up for that with its offense and ability.
Its 2 Energy attack, beautifully named as Crystal Waltz, deals 20 DMG for Benched Pokémon in play. The important aspect here is that all Benched Pokémon are considered, including you and your opponent.
As such, you deal 20 x 6 = 120 DMG if both of you have your Benches full!
If that wasn’t amazing already, Suicune EX’s Legendary Pulse ability (which it shares with Entei EX and Raikou EX) draws a card at the end of every turn it is in one Active Spot. Looks like Sylveon EX has made a tremendous impression on the Legendary Beasts, and they now have players on the edge of their seats!
But there’s more! Another category of cards (introduced in Wisdom of Sea and Sky) have changed the game: Baby Pokémon, and Secluded Springs has its own for Water types, Mantyke.
With Mantyke drawn first, you can give Suicune EX a free Water Energy without using any Energy for Mantyke itself. What’s more, in your second turn, you grant the turn’s Water Energy to Suicune EX, retreat Mantyke for free, and start using Crystal Waltz right away. You only need to fill up your Bench ASAP.
Moreover, if you go on to KO your opponent’s Pokémon and they have a vacant spot on their Bench, use the Pokémon Flute Item card to drag a KO’d Basic from their discard pile to the Bench.
Suicune EX can waltz (no pun intended) on the dance floor with many Water Pokémon cards, such as Articuno EX, Palkia EX, Wugtrio EX, Kingdra EX, Origin Forme Palkia (for Pom Pom Style Oricorio), and even Arceus EX (good synergy as it benefits from a filled Bench on your side). On that note, even Pidgeot EX is neat (again, more damage from a filled opponent Bench). With only 2 Energy required to attack, Suicune EX won’t even require Mantyke in many decks.
To amp up the damage output, Suicune EX can form a devastating pairing with Greninja, who can snipe targets with 20 chip damage from the Bench, effectively taking Suicune EX’s damage output to an upward of 140 DMG.
Trainer cards such as Irida (maybe 2 copies), Elemental Switch (to transfer Water Energy), Red and/or Giovanni (for more damage), and, after a long time, even Misty (who doesn’t like extra Water Energy?!) make for a formidable deck.
Finally, its ability deserves special mention. Drawing one’s deck in no time has become a norm now, and that makes games more interesting. In the case of Suicune EX, it helps draw Basics (to fill the Bench) and Trainers (to offer assistance) in quick succession.
Water types are back in the game, and Suicune is a major reason why!
Entei EX is a powerful addition to the Fire type meta, with the same Legen… wait for it… dary… Legendary Pulse ability. Coming to its attack, it does 60 DMG for 2 Energy, and if it has 2 more Energy attached, it does 120 DMG. It also has 140 HP.
Adding Baby Pokémon Magby to the mix gives Entei EX the Energy it requires to fire off its moves quickly.
Good partners include Pokémon that take advantage of the new Memory Light Pokémon Tool, which lets them use the attacks of their pre-evolutions as long as they are involved in the evolution process.
For context, a Stoke Charizard EX evolved via Rare Candy from Shining Revelry Charmander can use the 1 Energy, 20 DMG Combustion, but not Charmeleon’s 2 Energy, 40 DMG Combustion. On the other hand, Charizard EX evolved from Charmeleon can use both the attacks of both Charmander and Charmeleon.
With Entei EX’s drawing power and Pokémon Communication in tow, evolving Charmander is not much of a hassle.
Another trick is to add Flareon EX. With Memory Light, Flareon EX can use Find a Friend to draw cards while also attaching Energy to itself with its Combust ability (at the cost of losing 20 HP).
To deal with Pom Pom Style Oricorio, you can use the Turtonator + Kiawe combo.
Entei EX is not as dynamic as Suicune EX for two chief reasons:
- Suicune EX, after all, requires only 2 Energy to deal damage. Even if Benches are taking time to fill up, you can retreat it and get it to the Active Spot later.
- Water gets a lot of support (Irida, Misty, Inflatable Boat, Fishing Net, and Fisher) as well as several low Energy attackers (Articuno EX, Starmie EX, Wugtrio EX, etc). These low Energy attackers have no catch unlike, say, Infernape EX.
- The best Fire-type attackers are Stage 2 or Stage 1 Pokémon. The new Celebi card can devolve them, making your games a lost cause and putting all the pressure solely on Entei EX.
Still, Entei EX is a welcome addition to the Fire-type meta, and you’re going to have fun using it.
Lightning types are known for their lightning-fast (no pun intended) moves, blitzkrieg damage, and relatively low HPs. So it’s no surprise that Raikou EX has 130 HP (lower than the other two Legendary Beasts). Coming to its attack, it does 60 DMG for 2 Energy and an additional 10 DMG to any of the opponent’s Benched Pokémon.
While the bar for damage (60 DMG + 10 DMG to one on the Bench) is low for Raikou EX (Suicune EX and Entei EX do up to 120 DMG), it has some very able teammates to help its crusade.
There’s Baby Pokémon Pichu for Energy gains, the evil Pom Pom Style Oricorio for destroying EX Pokémon, the competent Tapu Koko EX for quick damage and Energy gains, and Shining Revelry Pikachu EX for endgame burst damage.
For support, the Elemental Switch Item transfers Lightning Energy when required. Electrical Cord Pokémon Tool gives 1 Lightning Energy each to two of your Benched Pokémon.
Raikou EX also has the Legendary Pulse ability, which helps draw more cards, and given how quick-paced the Lightning meta is, these electrifying decks are deadly.
There’s so much you can do with this EX card, and to be fair, it’s better than Entei EX as well. In fact, it also has an edge over Suicune EX in unpredictability.
Caution, players! High voltage Raikou EX ahead!
Poliwrath EX exhibits a phenomenal new multi-Energy tech with its attack Hydro Knuckle. Although it’s a Fighting type, and can do 100 DMG with 3 Energy (1x Fighting, 2x Colorless), its true potential is unlocked by adding at least one Water Energy to it. In this situation, it does a whopping 140 DMG instead!
Not to mention, Poliwrath EX is the bulkiest card in the Secluded Springs set, sporting an impressive 180 HP (200 HP with Giant Cape).
Now, build a deck with Fighting Energy and pack Poliwrath EX, Suicune EX, Mantyke, Elemental Switch, and probably Misty. You may also add a Coaching Lucario for some extra punch.
To add more spice to your deck, you can use Garchomp (Space-Time Smackdown) coupled with Cynthia to dish out a whopping 150 DMG for 2 Energy (1x Water, 1x Fighting).
Expect to see Poliwrath EX being used extensively in future metas as well!
Grass types hardly ever disappoint in Pokémon TCG Pocket! Jumpluff EX is the dark horse of this set, offering more utility than one can imagine.
For only 1 Colorless Energy (what?!), it does 70 DMG and then switches out with any one of your Benched Pokémon. Not to mention, it has 160 HP (190 HP with Leaf Cape). This is a cool hit-and-run strategy.
You can pair it with literally any card. Put it in Darkness decks with Darkrai EX, add more zest to the DakTina deck, or do the dance with Suicune EX in a Water deck, adding some handy bulk.
Leaf keeps it healthy and raring to go. Pair it with other Grass types like any of the Exeggutors, or Rare Candy sets like Memory Light Decidueye EX, and maybe even Venusaur EX.
Also, why not the Dialga EX and Arceus EX deck?! Or skip Dialga EX for Carnivine. Another solid deck is pairing Jumpluff EX with Oricorio and Pyukumuku.
With the bulk and healing benefits of Grass type and its attack requiring Colorless Energy, Jumpluff EX should ideally be paired with a hard-hitting Basic for smooth gameplay. To be honest, while using it alongside Stage 2 Grass types is nice, the Rare Candy pressure may make it bothersome.
Arceus EX, Darkrai EX, and if you’re feeling adventurous, Snorlax EX decks are your best bet.
With high bulk, switch-out tactics, and flexibility, you’re going to hava a gala time using Jumpluff EX in battles.
Happy collecting and battling, Pokémon TCG Pocket-ers!
