Introducing the Arceus ex Deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Triumphant Light brought a plethora of new cards to Pokémon TCG Pocket, among which the Arceus ex stands out as a compelling choice for competitive players. This unique card offers complete resistance to Special Conditions, making it a formidable addition to any deck. It synergizes exceptionally well with other key cards, providing a robust and versatile playstyle that can be tailored to fit various strategies.
Best Arceus ex Pocket Deck List
At the heart of this deck is the Arceus ex card, which might initially seem underwhelming with just one attack and 140 HP. However, with the right build, Arceus ex can become an unstoppable force. The Fabled Luster Ability, which renders Arceus ex immune to all Special Conditions, makes it particularly effective against decks like Scolipede Weezing, where conditions such as Poison can often decide the game. This ability can be a game-changer, giving you a significant edge in matches where Special Conditions play a crucial role.
Synergy and Damage Output
This deck includes the Zubat line, which provides Colorless damage potential and features Crobat’s free 30 damage-snipe Ability. Being able to deal an additional 30 damage can be crucial, especially when you’re close to a Knock Out. The inclusion of Water-type Energy Tokens is essential for managing the deck’s energy requirements. These tokens help you use Irida, Manaphy, and Articuno ex, providing heals, additional Energy, and backline damage output. Despite the mixed types, think of it as a mostly Colorless deck with Water Energy for extra utility.
Supporter and Trainer Cards
Alongside the main Pokémon, the deck boasts a robust selection of Supporters. Irida helps with healing, while Leaf facilitates movement, and Dawn boosts Energy movement. Giant Cape and Pokémon Communication are included for extra survivability and draw power. These Supporter cards enhance the deck’s flexibility and resilience, making it well-rounded and capable of handling a variety of matchups.
Variants and Twists
If you don’t have all the cards listed, there are several strong variants you can experiment with. Darkrai ex adds additional damage output via its Ability, though you’ll need to incorporate Dark-type Tokens. Eevee can provide early-game, Colorless damage, while Arceus complements Arceus ex with extra damage output. Sabrina and Cyrus offer additional control and disruption, and Druddigon can simplify the setup process, especially with the addition of Rocky Helmet. Mew ex is another viable option, opening up the field with its Genome Hacking attack and counteracting tricky type pairings.
How the Arceus ex Deck Works
The primary goal of this deck is to get both copies of Arceus ex onto the field, allowing Crobat to use its Ability and chip away at the opponent. Arceus ex, with its Ultimate Force attack, serves as the main damage dealer, dealing 70 base damage with an additional 20 for each of your Benched creatures. Its Fabled Luster Ability makes it resilient in the Active Position by ignoring Special Conditions. The Giant Cape adds an extra 20 HP, increasing its chances of surviving against heavy hitters like Gyarados ex.
Zubat and Golbat have Colorless attacks, enabling you to deal small amounts of damage while setting up your other cards. Golbat’s 40 damage for just one Energy Token is particularly significant in the early-to-mid game. Articuno ex provides solid damage with its Blizzard attack, dealing 80 damage and 10 to the opponent’s Bench. Manaphy and Dawn work together to move and attach Energy efficiently, while Irida’s healing ability further enhances the deck’s staying power.
Strengths and Weaknesses
One of the biggest strengths of an Arceus ex deck is its ability to bypass Special Conditions. As Pocket evolves, Special Conditions are becoming increasingly relevant, and the Fabled Luster Ability helps mitigate tricky Poison or Sleep-centric decks. Another positive aspect is the variety of damage output options. Arceus ex’s Ultimate Force stacks up damage effectively, while Articuno ex and Crobat provide additional Benched and backline damage. The deck also benefits from a stellar selection of Supporter cards, including Dawn and Irida, which offer perfect synergy and keep key cards topped up.
However, the deck does have some weaknesses. It requires some setup, making it less effective against speedy decks like Celebi ex or Infernape ex. If your opponent can out-speed you during the setup phase, it can feel like an uphill battle. Additionally, the presence of multiple card types (Colorless, Dark, and Water) can increase your chances of bad type match-ups and dealing with increased damage from the opponent. Despite these challenges, the Arceus ex deck is a lot of fun to play and can handle most opposing decks in the current Pocket meta. Just remember to set your Energy Token type correctly when building the deck to avoid any unneeded Dark-type Energy Tokens.
