Summary
An overlooked variant of Giratina ex decks featuring Stoutland is performing surprisingly well againstPokemon TCG Pocket’s meta decks. The PvP scene remains volatile following the recent mini-set release, but the rise of Ultra Beasts and the growing popularity of Rampardos have likely paved the way for this unexpected anti-meta duo, which could soon replace some of the classic counter decks inPokemon TCG Pocket.
When a card, deck, or archetype performs well against popular setups, it usually gains quick recognition. For example,Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Oricorio made waves upon releaseand was called the new emperor of anti-meta decks. Yet, one creative duo has seemingly flown under the radar despite strong results against feared lineups.
The Giratina ex and Stoutland decks may be the most effective anti-meta option inPokemon TCG Pocket’s Extradimensional Crisis era. Recenttournament datashows that they hold a 65% average win rate against the top three meta decks: Silvally Rampardos, Buzzwole ex Pheromosa, and Solgaleo ex Shiinotic. By comparison, the standard Silvally Oricorio deck has a 51% win rate against the same trio.
‘StouTina’ Might Become a Thing in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Over the past two seasons,Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Darkrai ex and Giratina ex decks—known as DarkTina setups—have dominated the metagame. However, the release of Ultra Beasts caused the duo’s popularity to drop by roughly 35%. While DarkTina decks are gradually fading, the continued success of the new Giratina ex and Stoutland combo could lead to the formation of a new “StouTina” archetype.
The synergy between Giratina ex and Stoutland is simple but effective. Stoutland stalls opponents by increasing their attack cost while chipping away at the Active Pokemon’s HP with 70–90 DMG. Meanwhile, Giratina ex builds up Energy, preparing to hit for 130 DMG once Stoutland is retreated or knocked out. Most decks also include a single copy of Tapu Lele fromPokemon TCG Pocket’s Celestial Guardians set. It acts as a sniper to finish off the enemy’s retreated or charged-up cards. For those unfamiliar, Tapu Lele deals 20 DMG to one of the opponent’s Pokemon for each Energy attached to it.
It’s worth noting that there’s still limited data on the emerging “StouTina” setups, as they currently make up less than 0.25% of the metagame. However, if they continue dismantling top-tier decks, they’re likely to become one of thestrongest anti-meta options inPokemon TCG Pocket.
