Rampardos: The Perfect Card in Pokémon TCG Pocket?

The Pokémon TCG Pocket meta is extremely dynamic, with frequently released new sets and their cards causing a paradigm shift with their debut. New additions either bring a forgotten Pokémon back to action or put them out of commission, at least temporarily.

However, a few cards survive such meta changes and continue to thrive with a recent example being the formidable DarkTina duo, comprising Darkrai EX and Giratina EX. Solgaleo EX also appears to be claiming the same bragging rights. But there’s a non-EX, Stage 2 card that has been consistently dominant through five different expansions now: the notorious Rampardos.

Introduced in Space-Time Smackdown, this not-so-humble Pokémon has cemented itself as one of the scariest cards to face in the game. Yes, Darkrai EX also debuted in the same set but lost some steam during Triumphant Light only to regain its glory with Giratina EX. 

Rampardos has always been there, hiding in the shadows initially but still winning battles left and right. And, it has only gotten better… to the point that it can arguably be designated as one of the (if not THE) top cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket. 

So let’s take a look at this brutal card, what makes it work, how it has progressed over the ages, why it’s perfect the way it is, and a foreshadowing of the possibility of Rampardos getting better than it already is!

Excavating Rampardos

Rampardos

#89

Offense & HP

Rampardos is a regular card honestly. It didn’t even get a full art 1 Star version and is a Fighting type card, which hasn’t been as popular as dominant types like Darkness or Grass. 

What truly defines Rampardos is its offensive prowess. At only 1 Energy, this brute deals an astronomical 130 DMG. Backed with Giovanni (140 DMG) or Red (150 DMG against EX), Rampardos is able to OHKO or at least severely cripple its targets. Boasting a beefy 150 HP itself, Rampardos doesn’t really have to worry about those 160+ HP opponents. Also, if it KOs a Pokémon, it loses 50 HP. 

However, with Lillie and other healing items in tow, the 50 recoil damage isn’t a concern.

The Rampardos Conundrum: Evolution

The real challenge of Rampardos has always been evolving it. And no, I’m not referring to its Stage 2 requirement… it’s the very basic level (no pun intended): finding a Skull Fossil. 

Basically, it is:

Skull Fossil ➡️ Cranidos ➡️ Rampardos 

However, while the Skull Fossil card is treated as a Basic card by essence, it doesn’t function as one. 

• You aren’t guaranteed to pull Skull Fossil in your first turn like other Basics.
• The Poké Ball Item card can’t summon a Skull Fossil.

However, you can use Rare Candy to evolve a Skull Fossil into Rampardos provided it’s not your battle’s first turn or the same turn you put a Skull Fossil into your Bench.

Digging up the (Skull) Fossil

The Iono Supporter card is your best bet for finding a Skull Fossil. She shuffles the cards in your Hand into the deck and draws as many cards. It applies to both you and your opponent.

Now, Iono is obviously not guaranteed to draw a Skull Fossil but it sure does increase your odds. Coupling it with Pokémon Communication, you can even draw Cranidos and Rampardos (Cranidos unnecessary if you have a Rare Candy already).

Rampardos Park: Dominance through the ages

Rampardos has been the subject of various eras in the meta. Let’s see this dino’s most dominant runs over time.

With Coaching Lucario (Space-Time Smackdown meta)

The iconic Lucario debuted alongside its Gen 4 buddy Rampardos in Space-Time Smackdown. Though Lucario would later go on to get an EX variant in Shining Revelry, the regular has been more widely used thanks to its fantastic ability: Coaching.

Coaching adds 20 DMG to attacks done by other Fighting types. The best part is that this effect stacks! So, having two Lucario on the Bench adds 40 DMG. Whether it was just one Lucario or a best-case scenario of two, Rampardos’ wholesome damage output got a welcome boost, making it terrifying right from its debut in Pokémon TCG Pocket.

With Red (Shining Revelry meta)

Red was instrumental in making non-EX cards greater and Rampardos benefitted tremendously as it could now deal 150 DMG against the mighty EX cards. This damage was enough to OHKO Giratina EX, Darkrai EX, Palkia EX, and Mewtwo EX. Obviously, Giant Cape buffed them by 20 HP but with chip damage from Rocky Helmet, Hitmonlee’s Bench snipping hits, and/or initial damage from other Pokémon, the deal was sealed for Rampardos to take them out.

With Rare Candy (Celestial Guardians meta)

THIS IS IT.

While Shining Revelry focused on anti-EX picks like Meowscarada and Red, Rare Candy brought in much-needed respite to Stage 2 Pokémon and oh yes, Rampardos was one of the biggest beneficiaries. After all, 130 DMG for only 1 Energy is unmatched and this prehistoric headbutt specialist rose in prominence like never before.

With Garchomp EX (Celestial Guardians meta)

Garchomp EX may have debuted in Triumphant Light, but it was during the Celestial Guardians meta that it truly started shining (no pun intended) thanks to its partnership with Rampardos.

The ChomparDos duo was used sparingly during battles in Shining Revelry and players began to realize how potent the combo was. With the Ranked mode buzzing during the Celestial Guardians meta, ChomparDos became one of the top decks along with DarkTina and Solgaleo-Skarmory. 

Gible was guaranteed to be drawn first and with Garchomp EX’s ability to snipe any target (Active or Bench) with 50 DMG alongside its 100 DMG move, it was the perfect stall until Rampardos was ready.

The only challenge with this deck was that Garchomp EX was also a Stage 2 mon, so evolving it was also a priority. However, the next two Rampardos decks have brilliantly solved this problem.

With Lycanroc Midnight Form (Celestial Guardians meta)

Rockruff (the night variant) has a move called Signs of Evolution which draws a Lycabroc from the deck and puts it in your Hand. Of course, you want the Midnight form as its Blood Fang does 100 DMG if the opponent’s remaining HP is higher than Lycanroc’s remaining HP. This card is great against EX cards and sets the tone for Rampardos to deal the final blow/winning shot once it’s ready. 

With the condition being that Lycanroc needs to have lower HP, players would hesitate to attack Rocruff/Lycanroc in the first place, creating a favorable situation for you.

With Silvally (Extradimensional Crisis meta)

Silvally is a bulkier, more reliable version of Lycanroc Midnight. With Type: Null in play, you can deal 20 DMG but if you get heads on flipping a coin, you do 40 DMG. And can draw a Silvally or another Type: Null by using the Gladion Supporter card. For 2 Energy, Silvally does 50 DMG but if you use any Supporter in that turn (including Gladion to bring Silvally), you do 100 DMG. 

Silvally can captain the ship until Rampardos is all set to blow opponents out of the water. This deck has created waves in the meta and it even holds future potential. In fact, Rampardos often chills since Silvally can handle opponents on its own. Try this one!

Rampardos: Guilty or Innocent?

There’s no doubt that 130 DMG for 1 Energy from a base 150 HP Pokémon is ridiculous. On the flip side, being Stage 2 for a Basic that isn’t guaranteed to be drawn first and can’t be pulled from a Poké Ball is worrisome. Not to mention, it loses 50 HP on getting KOs.

All these facts suggest Rampardos may not be a great card but let me explain why all this makes Rampardos an excellent card in reality!

• First of all, it’s necessary to mention that the DMG vs Energy factor is outstanding. 130 DMG for 1 Energy… chef’s kiss!
• It’s not an EX card so losing it doesn’t cost you a hefty 2 points. Not being EX makes Red useless against it and even though it’s weak to Meowscarada (Grass), it takes only 80 DMG from the cat.
• The evil Pom Pom Style Oricorio is weak to Fighting. Regardless, Rampardos shoos away Oricorio’s anti-EX shenanigans and OHKOs it.
• Rampardos will outclass all current cards considered broken. Its pros and cons balance each other, and no amount of power creep would hurt it.

You would argue that Rampardos would be stronger if Skull Fossil could be drawn first like other Basics. But, players don’t realize that the assurance of starting with any Basic that you pair with the Rampardos line (Rockruff, Silvally, any upcoming Fighting/Colorless powerhouse) makes it so invaluable! This way, you can strategize better and Rampardos in the backline guarantees consistency just by its mere existence.

It’s not about the card itself but the consistency it provides just by existing as a strong Fossil line. It’s a weird case where being guaranteed not to be a starting Basic is ideal.

This, folks, makes Rampardos a perfect card.

Looking ahead: Can Rampardos get stronger?

YES!!!

It’s not likely that Skull Fossil would become a starting Basic. That would be toxic and I’m sure the devs won’t go in that direction.

But there are Trainer cards that could summon the line, leaving Iono/Pokémon Communication in the trenches or at least an option.

Keep in mind that Trainer cards in TCG Pocket aren’t necessarily loyal to their physical TCG mechanics. Pocket has and will take liberties in creating their own variants!

Fossil Excavator

Pokémon TCG Pocket is bound to revisit Gens down the line. So, while Space-Time Smackdown and Triumphant Light gave us Sinnoh goodness, a future expansion could very well cover more of this Gen, with new EX and Trainer cards in the mix.

Here’s where it gets really interesting! While a Roark card is wishful thinking (quite reasonable though), there’s an actual card that summons Fossils!

With a little tweaking to suit the mechanics of Pokémon TCG Pocket, the Fossil Excavator Supporter card may become a real thing in the game. Again, such tweaking has happened with multiple cards so this card can come into existence easily.

Using this Supporter, you can draw a Basic Fossil (Skull Fossil) or Stage 1 or 2 Pokémon from the line (Cranidos/Rampardos). This tech still maintains the non-guaranteed nature of Skull Fossil as a starting Basic while maintaining the fact that you still have to draw the Fossil Excavator card to accelerate the Rampardos line. 

Overall, Rampardos can be argued to be the best card in Pokémon TCG Pocket. It has an exceptional DMG/Energy profile, it is bulky, but is also limited in obtaining its Basic card. Moreover, its nature leaves room for other Fighting and Colorless cards to shine. 

All these traits make it a future-proof card as well, always headbutting its way into meta relevance.

All the best!