Ranked battles are the ultimate test in Pokémon TCG Pocket, with players building numerous competitive decks and vying for the Master Ball crown.
Even though each new expansion ups the previous set, there are always a few mons that continue to thrive in the meta, no matter what new Trainers and EX cards pop up. And these stalwarts happen to be the best Pokémon in TCG Pocket!
Meta after meta, these cards manage to stay at the top of their game and find themselves a sweet spot in new decks. As such, I’ll enlist the absolute cream of the crop, updated as per the Paradox Drive set, and keep it afresh with every new set.
With that said, let’s begin!
Giratina EX
The ominous Giratina EX has become a mainstay in the Ranked mode of Pokémon TCG Pocket. Usually combined with Darkrai EX, the infamous ‘DarkTina’ deck has dominated the meta since their pairing.
This bulky monster uses its Broken-Space Bellow ability to generate Psychic Energy for itself, while ending the turn when it does so. With Darkrai EX, this Legendary is typically armed with a Giant Cape or Rocky Helmet, while Darkrai EX continues to deal 20 chip damage every turn when you supply Energy to it. You’d also need some healing support for Giratina EX, and once it’s ready to go, it deals a whopping 130 DMG at the cost of also doing 20 DMG to itself.
This recoil damage and turn-ending property when using its ability makes it balanced, but nonetheless, it’s borderline broken, especially with some new Trainer cards in town.
Lyra can help a damaged Giratina EX switch into the Bench and bring Darkrai EX to the forefront while Silver helps ward off a Supporter from the opponent’s and, of your choosing!
It can also join the dance floor with Lunala EX, and in the latest bunch of Eeveelution cards, it can join Espeon EX and Sylveon EX for a formidable Psychic deck. Or, you can go mean by adding Xatu and the notorious Will Supporter card! Mega Gardevoir EX is an excellent partner now.
From the looks of it, Giratina EX is not slowing down anytime soon, and with new Trainer cards set after set, it’s only bound to get stronger.
Darkrai EX
Some players may call Giratina EX the strongest card in TCG Pocket, but none will argue who the scariest Pokémon in the game is: Darkrai EX.
This fearsome Mythical is the reason behind the rise of the Darkness type in the game, and it hasn’t decelerated at all. From the infamous Ghost and the Darkness duo with Giratina EX (DarkTina), chip damage ups with Greninja, the toxic pairing with Nihilego and Naganadel, this card has left a wake of destruction in its path.
In fact, it’s also performing remarkably well in a deck with Silvally and Baby Pokémon such as Pichu, Magby, and Tyrogue. It can be armed with the Dark Pendant Pokémon Tool that dismisses a random card from the opponent’s Hand when hit by an attack. Add Silver to the mix, and your opponent is going to bury themselves in frustration.
It has been doing remarkably well with Mega Absol EX and also Hydreigon, making Darkrai EX better with each meta.
Darkrai EX will continue to dominate in TCG Pocket, and we’re seated for it!
Suicune EX
The Secluded Springs set has extrapolated the card-drawing tech introduced by Sylveon EX with its three Legendary Beasts: Suicune EX, Entei EX, and Raikou EX, and their ability, Legendary Pulse. By virtue of this, the Legendary Beast EX at the Active Spot draws a card at the end of every turn.
Although all three Beasts have the same ability, Suicune EX is the best of the trio due to a better DMG/Energy ratio, and the sheer amount of exclusive support Water types have in the form of Supporters (Misty, Irida, Fisher), Items (Fishing Net), and Pokémon Tools (Inflatable Boat). Not to mention, Water also has its own Baby, Mantyke, to grant free Energy right off the bat and switch in your main attacker(s) without Energy.
While Fire and Lightning also have their Babies (Magby and Pichu), and Trainer cards (Electrical Cord), Water has the best of it all. Suicune EX flexes all these perks like no other.
Suicune EX also does a neat base 120 DMG with a full Bench on both your and your opponent’s side, and with Pokémon Flute, you can bring back your opponent’s KO’d Basics and keep your damage figures up.
When paired with Mantyke, it can even find use in non-Water decks with Oricorio, Darkrai EX, or Giratina EX.
Suicune EX is overall the perfect Water type in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and can work with any other Water type as well, be it Greninja, Palkia EX, Kingdra EX, Wugtrio EX, or Articuno EX. It does fantastic with Colorless cards like Arceus EX, Pidgeot EX, or Snorlax EX.
This Pokémon is bound to find a spot for itself in future metas as well, and with a lot of deck variety in the mix.
Pom Pom Style Oricorio
Pom Pom Style Oricorio is no EX card, it has only 70 HP, and a funnily-named 50 DMG move called Zzzap. But, for many players, the very sight of this Pokémon makes them instantly quit.
And that’s because of its notorious Safeguard ability, which makes it immune to attacks from any EX cards! No matter how big, bad, and Legendary the opposing EX card is, they don’t do anything to Oriciorio through their attacks.
For plenty of decks, the main attackers end up being EX Pokémon, and in such cases, the opponent has no option but to concede. Since it has only 1 retreat cost, you can even fit Oricorio in non-Lightning decks to act as an unbreakable shield against EX cards. That’s why it’s important to always include at least one non-EX attacker in your deck, solely to account for Oricorio. Mons like Silvally, Rampardos, Greninja, etc., are popular in this role.
Remember that Oricorio is immune to the attacks of EX cards, not their effects or chip damage. As such, Darkrai EX’s 20 chip damage from having Darkness Energy supplied to it still hurts Oricorio. Similarly, Incineroar EX would still inflict a Burn condition on Oricorio with its Fire Fang attack, even though it doesn’t do the move’s 30 DMG.
Rampardos
Have you noticed that every single card till now has been OP courtesy of their ability. Rampardos is a different ballgame altogether, as it exhibits brute strength unlike any other.
Rampardos does an incredible 130 DMG for only 1 Energy! This card would have been the single most broken card in Pokémon TCG Pocket had it not been for its 50 recoil damage on scoring a KO, its Basic Skull Fossil Item card not being obtainable from the Poké Ball card or being guaranteed on the first turn, and it being a Stage 2 mon.
All these factors make Rampardos pretty balanced, and there are cards to help overcome the challenges with it:
- Pokémon Communication helps search the evolution line (Cranidos and Rampardos).
- Copycat helps get a more favorable Hand, possibly bringing Skull Fossil and the evolutions.
- Rare Candy helps with direct evolution from Skull Fossil to Rampardos.
- Lillie helps with 60 DMG healing for Rampardos.
Rampardos got super buffed with the advent of the Pulsing Aura meta, with Korrina and the Arena of Antoquity Stadium card adding an extra 50 DMG against EX Pokémon, making the total 180 DMG.
That’s not all, as adding 2x Fighting Coach Lucario on the Bench gives 2×20 = 40 more damage, making the gross damage output an astronomical 220 DMG against EXs for only 1 Energy! This is arguably the craziest Pokémon in TCG Pocket.
Mega Blaziken EX
The advent of Mega Evolutions in Pokémon TCG Pocket has brought a new force to be reckoned with: Mega Blaziken EX. Fire types are known for their offensive strength, and this Mega takes that schtick to a new level altogether. At just 2 Energy, it inflicts a painful 120 DMG whilst boasting a sizzling 210 HP. If that wasn’t insane enough, this attack (aptly called Mega Burning) also burns the target. To make this sweeter, bring a Rocky Helmet to the equation.
This is how it pans out:
- Mega Blaziken EX’s Mega Burning attack dishes out 120 DMG.
- It also inflicts the Burn status, effectively reducing another 20 HP, resulting in a net damage of 140.
- If the opponent is foolish enough to stick around and Mega Blaziken EX is adorned with Rocky Helmet, then that’s 20 more HP down the drain again. Even if they switch out the burnt Pokémon for a new one from the Bench and attacks, there’s 20 HP lost, and another 140 DMG incoming in Mega Blaziken’s turn.
This move does cost Mega Blaziken EX one Fire Energy, but you can give that in the next turn or simply use the new Flame Patch Item card to grant 1x free Fire Energy. Combine Mega Blaziken EX with Entei EX (for drawing power and stall) and Magby (free Fire Energy and retreat from turn 1, no matter the order), and watch the Ranked world burn! 😈
Mega Absol EX
Mega Absol EX has carved a reputation for being among the deadliest additions to the Pokémon TCG Pocket meta, thanks to its fast-paced attack and the tech associated with it. A 170 HP Pokémon dealing 80 DMG for only 2 Energy and discarding a Supporter from the opponent’s hand is brilliant. Note that, unlike the Silver Supporter card, which only shuffles the found Supporter back to the deck, Mega Absol EX straight up throws the said Supporter out of the game for good. This can completely foil the winning chances of the opponent.
Additionally, Mega Blaziken EX and Mega Gyarados EX require setup, and in the odd chance your Megas are delayed, you may end up losing the match. Mega Absol EX is a Basic, and with just 2 Energy, it starts creating havoc. There are just so many cards that Mega Absol EX can partner with, including but not limited to Darkrai EX, Dragalge EX, Nihilego, Hydreigon, non-Darkness types like Greninja (Genetic Apex) and Altaria (Secluded Springs), and even Babies like Chingling and Igglybuff.
You can check out the best Mega Absol EX decks here.
Mega Charizard Y EX
Mega Charizard Y EX is not just a fantastic card for Ranked battles, but it is THE strongest Pokémon in TCG Pocket, boasting an astronomical damage of 250. This is the highest base damage from any Pokémon in the game (until Crimson Blaze at least), not accounting for damage figures mounting from coin flips, Energy attached to the opponent’s Active mon, and other similar shenanigans, since they are not base damage numbers.
Paired with a massive 220 HP (make it 240 HP with a Giant Cape) and healing support from Lillie, a live Mega Charizard Y EX effortlessly ends games. Even the highest HP Pokémon, Mega Venusaur EX (240 HP), is not safe from Mega Charizard Y’s onslaught, even with a Leaf Cape (270 HP), since Fire is super-effective against Grass. In this case, Mega Charizard Y deals 270 DMG, enough to OHKO the Grass behemoth.
Now, setting up Mega Charizard Y may look a bit challenging on paper since it requires 4x 
Energy. But, thanks to Energy grants from the likes of Moltres EX and Magby, it is easy to fill up the Energy tank.
Moreover, the new Crimson Blaze Charmeleon has an ability called Ignition that attaches a free Energy to your Active Pokémon (itself or a Fire-type teammate), accelerating the Energy gains.
So, you may keep Charmeleon (or two) on the Bench, grant free Energy to, say, Moltres EX or Entei EX, and devote the turn Energies to Charmeleon until it evolves into Mega Charizard Y. Alternatively, Charmeleon can flex a neat HP value of 100 with Giant Cape, and get free Energy from itself and/or another Charmeleon, and then get Mega Char Y blazing hot once you have 4x Energy.
The best part is that, unlike many Fire types in the meta (including Genetic Apex Charizard EX), Mega Charizard Y EX doesn’t drop any Energies on using its Crimson Dive move. Add the fact that it can even OHKO Mega Evolutions, getting Mega Charizard up and running alongside some healing support is directly endgame for the opponent, and a win for you!
Mega Charizard Y is truly the epitome of power in Pokémon TCG Pocket and is the most legitimate match-winner of ’em all!
Mega Venusaur EX
Mega Venusaur EX is one of the best additions ever to Pokémon TCG Pocket, and for multiple reasons (not just an all-hit OHKO move). For one, it is currently the bulkiest Pokémon in the meta, at a staggering 240 HP that can go even more insane with a Leaf Cape (270 HP!). While this Mega Venusaur EX is still in Mega Charizard Y EX’s firing range, it has another trick up its sleeve to survive the hit: Lilligant from Mega Rising.
Yes, the same card that got a Crown Rare in the Mega Rising set (not the old version from Genetic Apex), Lilligant’s Toughness Aroma ability adds 20 HP to every Grass type in battle. This effect also stacks, so two Lilligant give +40 HP. As such, a Lefa Caped Mega Venusaur EX, along with 2x Lilligant on the Bench, results in 240 + 30 + 20 + 20 = 310 HP!
And if you think Mega Charizard Y EX (or any powerful opponent, for that matter) can take out Mega Venusaur EX in the next turn, you’ve got a surprise coming as this Grass starter not only hits 120 DMG, it also poisons the target and puts it to sleep!
With the Poison status, Mega Venusaur effectively does 130 DMG, and if you happen to have two Nihilego on your Bench, you take out 20 more HP, leading to 150 DMG (with the poisoned opponent losing -30 HP every turn unless they retreat or heal).
Umm…about that… remember that the opponent is asleep! So, unless they get heads from a coin flip, it remains asleep and loses HP every turn from being poisoned. Even with no Nihilego as comrades, Mega Venusaur can beat Mega Charizard Y EX or any Pokémon in the game if they don’t wake up. After all, nothing survives a net figure of 260 DMG!
Mega Venusaur EX looks sorted with its HP, damage output, and Status tricks. But guess what? There’s more that makes this a monster beyond comprehension.
Firstly, let’s talk about its pre-evolution, the Ivysaur from Crimson Blaze.
Mega Venusaur EX requires 4x
Energy to attack, but that’s no pain thanks to Ivysaur’s 1x Energy move, Synthesis, that brings 2 Energies to itself. In the next turn, add the turn’s Energy, and Mega Venusaur EX is ready to roll!
And the last bit, which is finding Mega Venusaur EX, Ivysaur, or even Lilligant from your deck is a no-brainer as well, courtesy of an amazing new Item dedicated to Grass types: the Quick-Grow Extract.
The Quick-Grow Extract Item card reads, “Choose one of your Pokémon in play. Put a random Pokémon from your deck that evolves from that Pokémon onto that Pokémon to evolve it. You can’t use this card during your first turn or on a Pokémon that was put into play this turn.”
Using this Item, you can seek out a Pokémon that evolves from the Pokémon you use this card for (example: You find Mega Venusaur EX from your deck when using the Quick-Grow Extract on Ivysaur), and tada! The mighty Mega Evolution is all set!
Mega Charizard Y EX may be the hardest-hitting Mega Evolution from the current roster, but Mega Venusaur EX is undoubtedly the deadliest Pokémon in all of TCG Pocket (until Crimson Blaze at least). It’s unpredictable, gets healing support from Lillie and Erika, and does so many things at once, leaving the opponent on the losing side more often than not.
Technically, Mega Venusaur EX is THE best card for Ranked battles in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Period.
Mega Gardevoir EX
Mega Gardevoir EX has brought a new life to Psychic types in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and this card itself functions as an effective attacker as well as supporter.
An impressive 210 HP and attack at only 2 Energy is great, but what really makes it scary includes two primary factors.
Firstly, Fantastia Force inflicts 100 DMG and also grants 3 
Energy to any of you Psychic Pokémon, in any way you like, be it the number of Energies you give or the position (Bench or Active Spot). This immediately brings the dreaded Giratina EX to mind, and with the new Stadium card Peculiar Plaza serving as a blessing to Psychic types, Mega Gradevoir EX can retreat for free and bring Giratina to the forefront.
Secondly, you can use the new Diantha Supporter to keep Mega Gardevoir EX healthy for a long time. Diantha offers the most healing of any card in TCG Pocket, at a staggering 90 DMG healing, but at the cost of discarding 2 Energy from the recipient.
For Mega Gardevoir EX, that barely matters as it already gains 3 Energy from its attack. Even if it loses 2 courtesy of Diantha, you can simply attach the next turn’s Energy and keep Garde attacking!
Backed with Indeedee EX on the Bench and Potions, Mega Gardevoir can be healed extensively. For other turns, you can use Lillie to keep Mega Gardevoir running, making it unkillable.
Additionally, Mega Gardevoir EX is extremely versatile, letting you pair it with not just Giratina EX, but also other strong Psychic Pokémon like Mewtwo EX, Mew EX, Lunala EX, or Meloetta.
There’s honestly a lot you can do with Mega Gardevoir EX, showcasing strength, flexibility, and a lot of utility. The Psychic meta has been revitalized thanks to Mega Gardevoir EX, promising exciting times ahead!
Hydreigon
Hydreigon is arguably the most feared threat in Ranked battles. Yes, you read that right… no other Pokémon is dominating TCG Pocket battles quite like this non-EX, relatively low HP card from Mega Rising.
Technically, Hydreigon is another Rampardos in a way, having the same HP, doing 130 DMG, and also taking recoil damage (Hydreigon takes 30 recoil damage only versus Rampardos’ 50), although the recoil is from different mechanics.
While Rampardos needs only 1x 
Energy, balanced by the challenge in evolving Skull Fossil (can’t be summoned by Poké Ball), Hydreigon needs 3x 
Energy.
However, Hydreigon has a way to deal with this. Its ability, Roar in Unison, gives it 2 free Energy at the cost of 30 DMG. So, you essentially have Hydreigon itself generate all the Energy it needs to attack, and then you retreat a tank like Mega Absol EX, and wreak havoc with Hydreigon.
Now, note that Hydreigon discards all 3 Energy on using its attack. Thankfully, this isn’t really a problem, as you can simply attach the next turn’s Energy to Hydreigon and use its ability to get the required value of 3x Energy.
As for the loss of HP, Hydreigon is a Stage 2 Pokémon, meaning Lillie is exceptional in this case. Even losing Hydreigon makes you lose only 1 point, and this monster only goes down after creating tons of destruction.
Hydreigon is so good that even the usually buffed Grass types aren’t always enough to stop its rampage.
Darkrai EX and Mega Absol EX have made the Darkness type legendary in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and Hydreigon only adds to that shine. It’s terrifying and a guaranteed match-winner if it gets going, something that happens in most battles!
Darkrai
It’s not every day that the EX and regular versions of a Pokémon dominate in the Ranked battles of TCG Pocket, but Darkrai is built differently. Just like the EX card, this regular variant also relies on a nightmarish ability (no pun intended) to cause havoc.
Mega Shine’s Darkrai does 20 DMG to an asleep Pokémon, serving as an ode to Darkrai EX. Now, Darkrai itself has a move to put the opponent to sleep, but for that, you need 3x Energy while dealing 60 DMG (40 direct damage + 20 via its ability). You should ideally devote all that Energy to a different Pokémon, so Darkrai is best used a supporting anchor on the Bench.
Also, you should know that this effect stacks! So if you have 2x Darkrai on the Bench, an asleep opponent takes 40 DMG.
Now, there’s a certain Baby Pokémon that syncs extremely well with Darkrai, and that’s Igglybuff!
As a Baby, Igglybuff can do its attack right from the first turn of the battle, without any Energy, and also move around without any retreat cost. Iggly not just dishes out 10 DMG but also puts the opponent to sleep! With a Darkrai lurking in the background, the dozing mon takes 10 + 20 = 30 DMG, with more 20 HP lost each turn until it wakes up. Not to mention, if you have Darkrai EX in the mix, you do a total of 50 DMG right off the bat, more than enough to cripple most opponents.
You can run Darkrai, Igglybuff, Darkrai EX, and Absol EX is a notoriously strong Darkness deck, and dominate battles like a pro!
In other Darkness deck varieties, you can also add Darkrai and Igglybuff to Nihilego | Poison Barb decks to punish your opponents. How evil, with all the sleep and poison warfare.
Now, the mention of “sleep + poison” does ring a bell, eh? Darkrai’s Energy requirement and the fact that its ability doesn’t depend on Energies make it a tailor-made monster for the dreaded Mega Venusaur EX deck.
When Mega Venusaur EX hits, it wrecks its victim with 120 DMG and also poisons and puts it to sleep. This poisoning act does an additional 10 DMG to the recipient, and with Darkrai in the background, the also-asleep Pokémon takes an additional 20 DMG. As such, Mega Venusaur EX ends up dealing a total of 150 DMG, making it 170 DMG with Red against EX cards. Note that this Mega Venusaur EX deck doesn’t even require Igglybuff as such, and with Darkrai, you can use Energy to make it attack (which puts the opponent to sleep, by the way) and take out Oricorio.
For more interesting variants, Darkrai | Igglybuff can also fit in Greninja EX | Greninja Water decks, or even Lightning-type decks with Oricorio.
There’s another extremely strong deck that utilizes Darkrai’s powers very efficiently. By combining with Swablu (Mega Rising) and Mega Altaria EX, you get a formation that can seriously annoy your opponent.
Swablu uses its Sing attack to put the opponent’s Active Pokémon to sleep, and with 2x Darkrai on the Bench, you deal 40 DMG at the end of each turn!
Then, Mega Altaria EX comes to the forefront to deal more damage in accordance with a full Bench. And what if you lose a Swablu? Simply use Celestic Town Elder to bring it back to the Bench (since it reinstates a Basic from the discard pile into your hand) and ensure maximum damage from Mega Altaria EX.
Darkrai is a superb addition to the Darkness meta, but with its attack requirement Colorless Energy, it can technically fit in any deck. Get ready folks, Darkrai is here to terrorize Pokémon TCG Pocket!
Mega Lucario EX
The showstopper of the Pulsing Aura set, Mega Lucario EX, debuts in TCG Pocket as the #1 Fighting EX Pokémon. For 2x Fighting Energy, it dishes out a decent 90 DMG, and for at least one more Fighting Energy, it clocks 140 DMG.
However, you can make this 140 DMG go ballistic with the combination of Korrina (+30 DMG), Arena of Antiquity (+20 DMG), and Fighting Coach Lucario (+20 DMG), bringing the total to a jaw-dropping 210 DMG!
The Fighting Coach Lucario also takes care of Oricorio. The other Pokémon slot can be taken by Hitmonchan EX for its 1 Energy, 50 DMG move that goes nuts with the above arrangement.
The plan is to let Hitmonchan and Lucario do the weight-lifting in the initial part of the battle, and then Mega Lucario EX jumps into explosive action, making it one of the most feared forces in the game.
Mega Sceptile EX
The second chase of Pulsing Aura is the snappy and powerful Mega Sceptile EX, which is technically a Grass version of Mega Blaziken with the same HP, damage output (140 DMG), and Energy requirement. However, with a slew of helpful cards for Grass types like Leaf Cape (gives it a super impressive 240 HP), Erika, Teal Mask Ogerpon EX, Quick-Grow Extract, and the new Fragrant Forest Stadium card to automatically summon Grass-type Basics, Mega Sceptile EX arguably enjoys more support than Mega Blaziken EX (whose biggest draw is Flame Patch).
You can add 2x Nihilego EX in a Mega Sceptile EX deck to add +20 DMG to the Poison status condition, turning the total damage figures to 160 DMG. Wth Teal Mask Ogerpon EX in tow, Mega Sceptile doesn’t even have to worry about any Special Conditions, receiving recovery as well as immunity for these nasty effects.
Mega Sceptile EX is not as Energy-hungry as Mega Venusaur EX, but the latter can completely inhibit the opponent’s progression with Sleep status (and Mega Shine Darkrai adding 20 chip damage). Both are tied for the top Grass Pokémon in TCG Pocket, and overall, some of the best Mega Evolutions.
Are you surprised to not find any Pokémon from the Paradox Drive set? Well, Miraidon EX is decent, but not good enough for the Ranked grind. On the other hand, the Juliana Supporter card is one of the best Trainers in TCG Pocket, and is a boon for any Stage 2 card. She will continue to thrive even in future sets.
As always, happy collecting and battling, Pokémon TCG Pocket-ers!
