Greetings fantastic Owls! This is Kyle, your go-to Pokémon expert, ready to dive into the thrilling world of top-tier Pokémon decks. Today, I’m sharing my insights into the three most formidable standard legal decks that you should be unleashing right now. Get ready for an in-depth look at some of the best Pokémon decks, exploring their synergies, and even snagging a deck list so you can craft these powerhouses yourself to use in events like our upcoming Pokémon League Cup!
Number 3: Roaring Moon EX
Since the release of Paradox Rift, the Pokémon TCG community has been buzzing with excitement. Enter Roaring Moon EX, a standout card from the set, featuring two formidable attacks that require 2 dark energy and 1 colorless energy. The first attack, Frenzied Gouging, can be a game-changer in the late stages, especially when combined with cards like “Boss’s Orders.” The second attack, Calamity Storm, becomes even more potent with the option to discard a Stadium, reaching a staggering 220 damage.
To fuel these powerful attacks, utilize cards like Professor Sada’s Vitality and Dark Patch. Professor Sada’s Vitality accelerates energy attachment and grants a draw-three effect, complementing Dark Patch, which facilitates energy attachment to your Benched Dark Pokémon. Cards like Earthen Vessel help you get energy into your hand, while cards like Ultra Ball, and Radiant Greninja aid in discarding energy ensuring you have the resources needed for Roaring Moon’s onslaught.
Deck List:
Pokémon: 10
- 1 Lumineon V (BRS 40)
- 1 Mew ex (MEW 151)
- 1 Brute Bonnet (PAR 123)
- 1 Radiant Greninja (ASR 46)
- 4 Roaring Moon ex (PAR 124)
- 2 Squawkabilly ex (PAL 169)
Trainer: 38
- 4 Ultra Ball (SVI 196)
- 2 Switch Cart (ASR 154)
- 2 Escape Rope (BST 125)
- 4 Earthen Vessel (PAR 163)
- 4 Battle VIP Pass (FST 225)
- 1 Iono (PAL 185)
- 4 PokéStop (PGO 68)
- 4 Professor Sada’s Vitality (PAR 170)
- 3 Pokégear 3.0 (SVI 186)
- 2 Boss’s Orders (SHF 58)
- 1 Pal Pad (SVI 182)
- 4 Dark Patch (DEX 93)
- 3 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule (PAR 159)
Energy: 12
- 12 Basic {D} Energy
Number 2: Gholdengo EX
While not a high-stakes tournament star, Gholdengo EX promises a blast of fun, especially at local events. Its Coin Bonus ability allows you to draw cards during your turn, a valuable asset in any Pokémon deck. Plus, you can use this ability more than once if you have more Gholdengos in play! The Make it Rain attack, costing just 1 Metal energy, deals damage based on discarding Basic Energy cards. Looping this attack becomes seamless with cards like Earthen Vessel and Superior Energy Retrieval, providing ample energy for continuous assault.
Support from Arven enables a swift turn 2 strategy, fetching essential Item and Pokémon Tool cards. Grabbing “Battle VIP Pass” and “Technical Machine Evolution” ensures a rapid setup for your Gholdengo EX evolution line. I was able to show this deck’s success with a flawless 4-0 victory at one of our local events, and the winning deck list is available for your replication!
Deck List:
Pokémon: 18
- 1 Mew (CEL 11)
- 1 Lumineon V (BRS 40)
- 1 Bibarel (BRS 121)
- 2 Scizor (OBF 141)
- 1 Radiant Greninja (ASR 46)
- 1 Manaphy (BRS 41)
- 4 Gimmighoul (PAR 87)
- 4 Gholdengo ex (PAR 139)
- 1 Bidoof (CRZ 111)
- 2 Scyther (MEW 123)
Trainer: 31
- 1 Iono (PAL 254)
- 1 Forest Seal Stone (SIT 156)
- 1 Escape Rope (PRC 127)
- 1 Klara (PR-SW 302)
- 1 Pal Pad (SVI 182)
- 1 Nest Ball (SVI 181)
- 2 Worker (SIT 195)
- 2 Fog Crystal (CRE 140)
- 4 Battle VIP Pass (FST 225)
- 1 Boss’s Orders (PAL 248)
- 1 Technical Machine: Evolution (PAR 178)
- 2 Arven (SVI 235)
- 4 Superior Energy Retrieval (PAL 189)
- 1 Lost Vacuum (LOR 162)
- 4 Ultra Ball (SVI 196)
- 1 Switch (SVI 194)
- 3 Earthen Vessel (PAR 163)
Energy: 11
- 8 Basic {M} Energy
- 3 Basic {P} Energy
Number 1: Miraidon EX
In my eyes, Miraidon EX stands tall as the BDIF (Best Deck In Format). This deck has triumphed in major events across the U.S. and was the deck that I myself brought to NAIC (North American International Championship) last year in Columbus, Ohio. The Scarlet & Violet TCG era has brought us a ton of great cards that work great in lightning based decks. You have Miraidon EX’s Tandem Unit ability which allows you to rapidly populate your bench with up to 2 Basic Lightning Pokémon, this can be chained with another Miraidon EX setting the stage for a dominating turn one.
The Photon Blaster attack, costing 3 lightning energy, deals a whopping 220 damage but comes with a drawback – the inability to attack during the next turn. However, sometimes 220 isn’t enough for Pokémon with 230hp. Luckily, this can be mitigated with strategic use of cards like Zapdos from the Pokémon GO set. Electric Generator, a very crucial item card, facilitates energy attachment to your Benched Lightning Pokémon, ensuring a constant flow of power. Include cards like Raikou V and Flaaffy for additional firepower and energy recovery. Flaaffy’s Dynamotor ability is particularly noteworthy, allowing you to revive Lightning Energy from the discard pile.
Deck List:
Pokémon: 14
- 1 Raichu V (BRS 45)
- 3 Miraidon ex (SVI 81)
- 1 Iron Hands ex (PAR 70)
- 2 Flaaffy (EVS 55)
- 1 Mew ex (MEW 151)
- 2 Mareep (EVS 54)
- 1 Squawkabilly ex (PAL 169)
- 1 Zapdos (PGO 29)
- 2 Raikou V (BRS 48)
Trainer: 32
- 2 Switch Cart (ASR 154)
- 4 Professor’s Research (SVI 190)
- 1 Escape Rope BST 1251 Switch (SVI 194)
- 4 Electric Generator (SVI 170)
- 1 Lost Vacuum (LOR 162)
- 1 Iono (PAL 185)
- 3 Path to the Peak (CRE 148)
- 1 Super Rod (PAL 188)
- 3 Boss’s Orders (SHF 58)
- 1 Forest Seal Stone (SIT 156)
- 2 Nest Ball (SVI 181)
- 2 Bravery Charm (PAL 173)
- 2 Judge (SVI 176)
- 1 Arven (SVI 166)
- 3 Ultra Ball (PLB 90)
Energy: 14
- 13 Basic {L} Energy
- 1 Double Turbo Energy (BRS 151)
These would be my Top 3 decks to run right now! Which would you choose? Unlock the potential of these decks and dominate your Pokémon battles with strategic prowess and powerful synergies! The perfect place to dominate with these decks is this weekend at our League Cup! Happy battling, Owls!
