Water-type Pokémon have emerged as formidable contenders in the Pokémon TCG Pocket realm, particularly due to the powerful Misty Supporter card. This card enables players to amass a significant amount of Water Energy, amplifying the capabilities of their Pokémon with a bit of luck. Among Water-types, although Gyarados has its merits, it often pales in comparison to other noteworthy options like Starmie ex and Lapras ex.
However, recent developments from the Mythical Island miniset have breathed new life into the Gyarados ex deck. The introduction of a revamped and formidable Gyarados ex alongside a versatile Vaporeon card offers players new strategies to outshine the typical water-based decks and the omnipresent Mewtwo ex combinations. Below, we present our comprehensive guide on constructing the ultimate Gyarados ex and Vaporeon deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Building the Best Gyarados ex and Vaporeon Deck
The optimal Gyarados ex deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket leverages Vaporeon’s ability to provide essential Energy boosts to Water-type Pokémon efficiently. Interestingly, you can construct a functional deck without relying solely on Gyarados ex; Vaporeon facilitates the development of a standard Gyarados with relative ease. This flexibility allows players to select other ex Pokémon for additional support.
For those who include Gyarados ex, the payoff is substantial. Not only does Gyarados ex boast higher HP, but its powerful attacks also significantly increase your odds of victory. Below is the recommended card list for building this powerhouse deck:
- 2x Magikarp
- 2x Gyarados ex (or 2x regular Gyarados)
- 2x Eevee
- 2x Vaporeon
- 2x Articuno ex
- 2x Misty
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x Leaf (or 2x X Speed)
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Poke Ball
In this assembly, Gyarados ex (or its standard counterpart) and Articuno ex take center stage as your primary attackers. Gyarados ex unleashes the Rampaging Whirlpool attack, inflicting a phenomenal 140 damage while allowing you to discard an Energy from an opponent’s Pokémon on the field.
The standard Gyarados from the Genetic Apex set, while less powerful, still manages to deliver 100 damage and disrupt your opponent’s Active Pokémon energy, showcasing a clear preference for Gyarados ex in competitive play. If you choose to incorporate Articuno ex—or possibly Lapras ex or Starmie ex—you can effectively create a versatile deck that accommodates standard Gyarados cards while maintaining formidable power.
Setting up Articuno ex is straightforward, especially with the assistance of Misty. Her ability allows you to flip a coin, enabling the attachment of an Energy to a Water-type Pokémon for each heads you flip, up until you get tails. While the outcome can be unpredictable—ranging from none to an impressive haul of Energy—aim for the latter scenario!
Ideally, you want Articuno ex to kick off your match with its Ice Wing attack (which requires two Energy) to deal 40 damage, all while you work on bringing Vaporeon and Gyarados ex onto your bench. This is why cards like Poke Ball and Professor’s Research are crucial to your strategy!
With three Energy attached to Articuno ex, you can unleash its Blizzard attack, capable of dealing 80 damage to an opponent while also inflicting 10 damage to each of their Benched Pokémon. If you find Gyarados ex and Vaporeon powered up and Articuno ex running low on HP, switch in Gyarados ex with the help of the Leaf Supporter card or some X Speed item cards.
Vaporeon plays a pivotal role here. With its Wash Out ability, Vaporeon can transfer Energy from benched Water-types to your active Water Pokémon, allowing you to save Articuno ex’s Energy in case of a knockout. This strategy ensures that the Energy is not wasted, effectively keeping your attacking options open. Simply pass one additional Energy to Gyarados ex, and it’s ready to unleash Rampaging Whirlpool.
As your opposing Pokémon deplete their HP, you can cycle through your attackers efficiently, whether that be with Articuno ex or Gyarados ex. However, this strategy hinges on having Vaporeon intact and ready to capitalize on its abilities. Given that Sabrina lets players switch out their active Pokémon, having backup Vaporeon and Sabrina cards is crucial.
Lastly, ensure you select the Vaporeon from the Mythical Island set, as the version from the Genetic Apex set lacks the Wash Out ability, which is essential for this strategy.
For further insights into optimizing your gameplay in Pokémon TCG Pocket, check out our comprehensive list of the best decks to utilize right now. Additionally, if you’re in need of additional cards for your next deck, explore our guide on crafting cards for effective card duplication.
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