Summary
There are plenty of cards to collect inPokemon TCG Pocket, with the current total being over 1,000 cards, but not all of them end up being strong for deckbuilding purposes, either in the short term or the long term. There are many so-called “filler” cards in the game, while some rare ones likePokemon TCG Pocket’s Passimian Exnever find a place in competitive decks due to their stats or even how the meta operates. On the other end of the spectrum are cards that have been impactful since their first inception, and there are many good examples inPokemon TCG Pocket- including the most infamous duo in meta decks.
The current meta evolved a lot with the release ofPokemon TCG Pocket’s Extradimensional Crisis expansion, as cards like Buzzwole Ex and Silvally proved to be incredibly strong and consistent across the board. Other decks using cards from past sets remain quite strong, such as Charizard Ex with Incineroar Ex, whereas Solgaleo Ex found a new perfect partner in Shiinotic from Extradimensional Crisis. Ever since its release alongside the Shining Revelry set, Giratina Ex has remained one of the strongest cards in the game, especially when combined with Darkrai Ex. The pair has become one of the most hated in the game due to their stall-oriented, passive playstyle, and while the deck got a buff with the new expansion, it comes at a high cost.
Giratina Ex and Darkrai Ex decksare some of the best in the game because they’re reliable and yet very powerful, to the point that they have been at the very top of the meta since the launch of Shining Revelry. Celestial Guardians seemed to have many good counters to the so-called “Darktina” deck, such as Oricorio, Tapu Lele, and Decidueye Ex, but the deck reigned supreme still.
Extradimensional Crisis even gave the deck a buff with the addition ofPokemon TCG Pocket’s Nihilego and improved Poison strategies, and Darktina remains one of the best decks in the current meta. As much as the addition of Nihilego with Extradimensional Crisis and Poison Barb with Celestial Guardians makes Darktina even stronger than before, this comes with the caveat that Buzzwole Ex and Pheromosa decks are sweeping the meta, and they are perfect counters to Darktina.
How Buzzwole Ex and Pheromosa Dominate The Meta in Pokemon TCG Pocket
For starters, Darkrai Ex is weak to Grass, so both Buzzwole Ex and Pheromosa can decimate its HP. Buzzwole Ex can outright one-shot Darkrai Ex, provided no Giant Cape is used, though counters for it exist anyway in the form ofSupporter cards like Red and Guzma. This is because Buzzwole Ex’s Big Beat attack deals 120 damage, and even if it has the drawback of not being able to use it again on the next turn, it’s enough to instantly KO Darkrai Ex and Nihilego, and deal significant damage to Giratina Ex too. On top of that, Pheromosa also does increased damage to Darkrai Ex and deals 20 damage to a benched Pokemon, meaning that neither Nihilego nor Giratina Ex are safe.
Giratina Exdeals 20 damage to itself with its attack, so the damage dealt by Pheromosa can later be a huge problem for Giratina Ex, and Buzzwole Ex can either KO it or leave it with very low HP too.
If all that wasn’t enough, while the addition of Nihilego and Poison Barb to Darktina decks is incredibly strong against most decks, dealing even more passive damage, it may be hit or miss against Buzzwole Ex and Pheromosa. This is because the deck runs two copies of Celesteela to swap Ultra Beasts in and out of the active spot, which removes status conditions and thus also the Poison. Darktina remains anOP deck inPokemon TCG Pocket, but it may have finally met its equal.
