After the conclusion of the Space-Time Smackdown release, the initial significant Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket event was dominated by Gyarados ex and Greninja decks, causing apprehension among numerous players. But, only a few weeks later, Darkrai ex usurped them, demonstrating that the latest expansion is indeed transforming the game’s metagame.
What’s the deal with the Gyarados & Greninja setup in Pokemon TCG Pocket? What makes it so potent, and what are its major flaws? This breakdown looks at the interplay between these Water-type duo and measures their performance in the current game environment.
How the Gyarados ex & Greninja Meta Works
As a fan, I’ve found an incredible dynamic between Gyarados EX and Greninja: one dished out massive damage, while the other softened up opponents. Of course, these powerful pairings require careful setup, so I often use a tank like Druddigon or Kangaskhan to buy time and weaken enemies just enough for Gyarados EX to deliver the knockout blow.
Ideal Play Line
- Stalling the enemy. Start by placing Druddigon in the Active Spot to slow down the opponent’s offensive momentum.
- Setting up the Bench. Work on evolving Greninja and placing a Gyarados ex on the Bench. Keeping one slot open is usually wise unless you’re going for aggressive chip damage, in which case, having two Greninjas can be beneficial.
- Building up Gyarados ex. Allocate all available Energy each turn to Gyarados ex so it’s fully charged.
- Applying chip damage. Once Greninja is set up, use its ability to chip away at the opponent’s Pokemon, preferably targeting their ex cards.
- Switching to the main attacker. When the enemy’s HP is within Gyarados ex’s attack range (140–160), use Leaf to switch it in and unleash an attack.
- Sniping retreated enemies. If the opponent retreats, play Cyrus on the next turn to force them into sacrificing their weakened Pokemon so you secure the knockout.
The Best Deck Shell for Gyarados ex & Greninja
- Froakie (2)
- Frogadier (2)
- Greninja (2)
- Magikarp (2)
- Gyarados ex (2)
- Druddigon (2)
- Professor’s Research (2)
- Pokemon Ball (2)
- Misty (2)
- Cyrus (1)
- Leaf (1)
The setup for using Gyarados ex and Greninja involves a specific structure when it comes to both Pokemon and Trainer cards. Key Pokemon cards needed include those for the evolution lines of both Greninja and Gyarados ex, as well as Druddigon. Essential Trainer cards include Professor’s Research, Pokemon Ball, Misty, and only these six are not up for debate. The remaining two card slots are quite limited, with Cyrus and Leaf being the recommended choices due to lack of superior alternatives.
Pros and Cons of Gyarados ex Meta
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| High chip damage | Slow build-up |
| High endurance (tanky setup) | High Energy consumption |
| Disruption* | Inflexible setup (too many Pokemon) |
Gyarados’ unique ability allows it to dispose of an Energy card at random after each attack, interfering with the opponent’s Energy management. But keep in mind that this feature might boomerang, potentially causing you to lose one of your own Energy cards as well.
Gyarados ex & Greninja Performance Report
- Tournament Appearance: +6,000
- Meta Share: 5.45%
- Win Rate: ~ 50.00%
The Gyarados and Greninja combo has been one of the top five most successful decks in Pokemon Pocket tournaments since the introduction of the Space-Time Smackdown set. With a 50% win rate and multiple tournament triumphs, it’s done quite well for itself. However, it faces challenges when competing against certain deck types.
As a dedicated fan, I’ve noticed some interesting trends in matchups. Gyarados EX seems to struggle quite a bit against decks featuring Darkrai EX and Magnezone, along with more unconventional setups like the anti-meta Magnezone and Hitmonlee lineups. In fact, it has an alarmingly low win rate of 17.75% against these opponents.
However, when facing Exeggutor EX decks, Gyarados EX really shines, with a promising win rate that can reach as high as 52%. This suggests that if I want to maximize the chances of victory with my Gyarados EX deck, I should focus on matches against Exeggutor EX lineups.
The data presented here is derived from Pocket’s latest tournaments, which might be different at the time you’re reading this.
Why Darkrai ex Outperforms Gyarados ex
In the Space-Time Smackdown period, Pocket‘s strategy notably emphasized inflicting Bench (long-range) damage. Two Pokemon that excelled in this approach were Gyarados ex and Darkrai ex, both favoring a delayed attack method to deal substantial harm. Interestingly, although they employed similar techniques, Darkrai ex has proven more successful in the meta compared to Gyarados ex.
Darkrai ex’s advantage primarily stems from its effectiveness. As a Basic Pokémon with 140 HP, it can inflict early damage by using Energy right away. On the other hand, Gyarados ex is a Stage One Pokémon that needs a Stage Two Pokémon to deal chip damage. This time lag in development hinders Gyarados ex’s performance, giving Darkrai ex an upper hand in the game dynamics.
Why Gyarados ex’s Recent Success Is Important
The persistence of Gyarados at the peak of Pokémon Pocket’s competitive scene is a fact worth noting, shedding light on three vital features of its PvP environment. This ongoing triumph underscores some crucial elements of the game’s battlefield dynamics.
- Bench damage is breaking the game. The dominance of Greninja, Hitmonlee, and Darkrai ex suggests a clear trend: long-range damage is incredibly difficult to counter. In fact, it could be argued that Bench damage has created an imbalance in the current metagame.
- Pocket lacks tech cards. There’s a noticeable absence of Trainer Cards that can mitigate long-range damage. A Tool like Rocky Helmet that protects both Active and Benched Pokemon would be a step in the right direction. Without such “Bench protection” options, chip-damage decks like Gyarados ex & Greninja’s will continue to skew the meta.
- Supporters can shape the meta. Without one specific Supporter card, Gyarados ex & Greninja would be demolished by Darkrai ex decks. However, Cyrus’s inclusion in the game has kept them viable, proving that Supporters can drastically influence PvP. And moving forward, deck-building in Pokemon TCG Pocket will likely hinge on these key Trainer Cards. The challenge, however, lies in balancing powerful Supporters, as seen with the backlash against Cyrus.
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2025-02-23 15:44