The first-ever Ranked battles are in full swing in Pokémon TCG Pocket. The Ranked mode went live just a day after the release of the Shining Revelry set. Cards from this mini- expansion like Red and Team Rocket Grunt Trainer cards, and Giratina EX have taken battles by storm and have become meta-defining additions.
However, matches are being dominated not just by recent cards, but even those from older expansions such as Genetic Apex, Mythical Island, and Space-Time Smackdown (though this one’s somewhat recent)! So, let’s check out how some of the ‘old stuff’ in Pokémon TCG Pocket have revived themselves to punish opponents facing them in Versus battles.
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We begin with what was perhaps the most feared card during the Genetic Apex meta: The legendary (literally) Mewtwo EX.
Hitting both at 2 and 4 Energy values, Mewtwo EX partnered with Gardevoir to form a formidable duo. In later expansions, the advent of Mew EX and Mythical Slab cards kept Mewtwo EX afloat but it kind of fell off during Space-Time Smackdown and Triumphant Light where cards like Darkrai EX, Weavile EX, Dialga EX, and Arceus EX took centerstage.
Now, Mewtwo EX is back and is one of the partners in crime to Giratina EX. A deck comprising 2x Giratina EX and 1x Mewtwo EX has put the entire meta on notice. Adding Trainer cards such as Red, Dawn, Giant Cape, Rocky Helmet, and Leaf, these two Pokémon are explosive. Usually, Giratina EX stalls in the Active Spot, securing its own Energy with its Broken-Space Bellow ability. On the Bench, Mewtwo EX collects Energy and gets ready to use its powerful Psydrive, boosted to 170 DMG against EX cards with Red and buffed to 170 HP with Giant Cape (Giratina EX prefers Rocky Helmet and healing).
This deck has been one of the top-performing cores in the Ranked season. Ideally, you retreat Giratina EX and bring Mewtwo EX with 4 Energy to hit the opponent with the 150 DMG Psydrive. Then, attach the new turn’s Energy and use Dawn to add the 4th Energy from Giratina EX. You get to use Psydrive twice in a two, enough to win battles. Even if this exact strategy doesn’t pop out, you can retreat to the other Giratina to tank hits while Mewtwo EX gets fully charged. Use Leaf and bam!
In any case, Mewtwo EX is a scary threat that looks all set to stay in the near future at least. You can never really go wrong with this fantastic Pokémon.
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Gyarados EX struck terror in everyone’s hearts during the Mythical Island SP Emblem event but it soon took a backseat when Palkia EX debuted in Space-Time Smackdown. Fast forward to Shining Revelry where Red’s +20 DMG boost against EX cards is doing the rounds, Gyarados EX’s high HP OF 180 (200 HP with Giant Cape) and ability to maintain Energy (the one it loses can be retrieved next turn) have made it a top contender once again. Supported by Manaphy for Energy gains, Palkia Origin for tanking, Misty for divine luck, and Irida for healing, Gyarados EX takes the fight to monsters like the EX cards of Giratina, Mewtwo, Darkrai, and Arceus.
You can switch Palkia Origin with Articuno EX but keep in mind that Palkia Origin is not an EX and is often used as a sacrificial pawn to enable Gyarados EX’s sweeping shenanigans. Be careful of Hitmonlee sniping Magikarp in the Bench, so if you come across a Fighting-type deck, be precarious and place your Magikarp strategically to avoid being OHKO’d. Be sure to add the Pokémon Communication card to potentially get Gyarados EX quickly.
Druddigon
#56Druddigon has always been an invaluable card. Rough Skin doing 20 chip damage was great but Rocky Helmet upping it to 40 chip damage made it even greater. The Arceus EX | Dialga EX turbo aggro play slowed down Druddigon a bit but with cards like Giratina EX, Darkrai EX, and Mewtwo EX ruling the Ranked meta, Druddigon is back and how! It mainly constitutes the fearsome Giratina EX | Darkrai EX combo wherein Rocky Helmet Druddigon occupies the Active Spot while Darkrai EX continuously hits the opponent with 20 DMG thanks to its Nightmare Aura ability while Giratina EX farms Energy freely. Position another Druddigon on your Bench to counter Sabrina.
By the time Druddihon is gone, you have both Darkrai EX and Giratina EX ready to deliver KOs. Crazy stuff but very effective, courtesy of Druddigon’s stand.
Druddigon can also be included in Magnezone and Gyarados EX decks to much success in the current meta.
Gallade ex
#95Yes, yes, Gallade EX came around in Space-Time Smackdown and it was a decent pick during its debut. But now… my goodness, it’s a menace.
Gallade EX’s attack Energized Blade does 60 base damage for 2 Energy but it adds 20 more damage for each Energy attached to its opponent. So, say you’re up against a Giratina EX with 4 Energy, Gallade EX is dealing 70+(20×4)=150 DMG. Add a Red and that’s 170 DMG, enough to OHKO a Giratina EX with Giant Cape. The same trickery OHKO’s stalwarts like Mewtwo EX and Darkrai EX as well. And all of these Pokémon are the top threats in the current meta.
Add the Gallade EX line from Space-Time Smackdown to a deck comprising Hitmonlee and Marshadow and you’re good to go. Include Pokémon Communication to evolve Gallade EX ASAP and send your opponents packing.
There you have it. These oldie cards have taken over the current meta and are here to stay at least until the first Ranked season wraps up. All of them are not spicy picks, rather they have formed the crux of the best cards in battles.
All the best, TCG Pocket-ers!
