The Pokemon TCG Pocket metagame underwent significant changes following the introduction of the Triumphant Light miniset, with one deck emerging unexpectedly as a top competitor: a finely-tuned Rampardos & Lucario deck featuring Sudowoodo. This Fighting-type combination is currently the only thing impeding the dominance of the Dialga ex and Arceus ex deck in the metagame, solidifying its status as the most effective counter to common strategies in the relatively brief history of Pokemon TCG Pocket.
What exactly is the source of the powerful collaboration between Rampardos and Lucario, and how do these Pokemon enhance one another? Let’s explore their complementary nature. Also, for players interested in testing them out in competitive play (PvP), here’s a look at the ideal deck structure using Sudowoodo and Rampardos in the TCG Pocket meta.
This article’s data is derived from the latest PvP battles between Sudowoodo and Rampardos, which we have gathered from LimitlessTCG’s records. Please note that as the game’s strategy keeps developing (metagame), these figures may adjust accordingly.
How the Sudowoodo & Rampardos Meta Works
In a straightforward yet powerful manner, Sudowoodo works harmoniously with Rampardos and Lucario. At the game’s onset, Sudowoodo serves as a backup attacker, serving as a surprise element against opponents’ initial starters. When Sudowoodo is defeated, Rampardos steps up to the battlefield, ready for action. On the other hand, Lucario supports the team by offering boosts or delaying the opponent’s moves.
Step One: Starting with Sudowoodo
The perfect start could be Sudowoodo, dealing up to 50 damage early in the game. If Sudowoodo isn’t obtainable, Riolu makes a good replacement. But if you have both at the beginning, it’s best to position Sudowoodo on the active field and keep Riolu on the bench instead.
Now’s an excellent opportunity to introduce Fossil Stone into the game, so Cranidos can join the action swiftly.
Step Two: Placing the Primary Buff Provider(s)
After arranging the initial phase for some early harm, focusing on transforming your Pokemon into Lucario becomes crucial next. With Lucario in action, you can deal up to 90 damage with a single Energy card. Any surplus Energy cards should then be directed towards either Lucario or Cranidos, with the aim of later evolving them into Rampardos.
Step Three: Preparing Secondary Damage Dealers
With Sudowoodo in action and Lucario waiting on the sidelines, let’s concentrate on strengthening Rampardos. If your deck contains Marshadow, now might be the ideal moment to prepare it as a reserve attacker, standing by to counterattack if Sudowoodo gets defeated.
The plan ahead is simple: You could create another Lucario or evolve another Rampardos to keep a strong presence on the field and continue dealing damage. As neither of these Pokémon are EX, they can also be tactically used as sacrifices to trigger Marshadow’s ultimate attack when necessary.
Sudowoodo & Rampardos Performance Analysis
| Space-Time Smackdown Stats | Triumphant Light Stats | Growth |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Right now, the team-up between Sudowoodo, Rampardos, and Lucario is the second most preferred competitive deck in TCG Pocket, accounting for over 9.5% of all games played. This is a significant 691% increase, making the Sudowoodo & Rampardos deck one of those benefiting from the Triumphant Light miniset.
A consistent aspect in this game’s metagame performance of this deck is its steady win ratio since the last expansion update. Although Sudowoodo’s addition to Rampardos and Lucario’s team has boosted its popularity, it hasn’t significantly enhanced its win rate. This can be attributed to the fact that the deck is primarily employed as a counter to Arceus ex, but it has faced challenges against other popular decks, particularly those from earlier periods.
The Best Deck Shell for Sudowoodo & Rampardos
| Pokemon Cards | Trainer Cards |
|---|---|
|
|
The decks featuring Rampardos and Sudowoodo tend to be quite structured in their setup. Specifically, six positions are occupied by Rampardos and its Lucario evolutions, while two spots are allocated for Sudowoodo and Marshadow. Lastly, between six to ten slots are set aside for crucial Trainer Cards such as Skull Fossil, Cyrus, Sabrina, Pokemon Communication, Pokemon Ball, and Professor’s Research.
Instead, it’s worth noting that the top-performing versions of this deck employ just a single Sudowoodo, which allows for additional room for Marshadow. This modification gives the deck a more offensive edge as it offers a “retaliation” move should either Sudowoodo or Rampardos be defeated.
The Best and Worst Matchups of Sudowoodo & Rampardos
| Best Matchups | Worst Matchups |
|---|---|
|
|
As a gamer, I’ve been noticing some interesting trends in the recent Pokemon TCG Pocket tournaments. It seems that decks centered around Sudowoodo and Rampardos are proving to be quite effective against the current popular decks like Dialga ex and Arceus ex. However, these duo decks have been facing some challenges when going up against Grass-type decks, especially Exeggutor ex and Arceus ex. Interestingly, the rise of Articuno ex and Palkia ex 18-Trainer lineups, bolstered by Irida, has made them a tough nut to crack in the top-tier matches.
It’s clear that tough Grass-type decks pose the biggest challenge for Sudowoodo and Rampardos, with Exeggutor EX and Arceus EX being particularly effective due to their two high-HP starters that can absorb their attacks while dishing out enough damage to defeat them.
Pros and Cons of the Sudowoodo-Rampardos Duo
-
✔️ Pros:
- Energy-effective
- High damage
- Anti-ex synergies
❌Cons:
- Clunky build-up
- Low HP
- Evolution-reliant
One standout feature of the Sudowoodo and Rampardos team is their capacity to inflict significant early damage even with only a single or two Energy cards. For instance, Sudowoodo’s skill enables it to dish out 50 damage to a severely weakened opponent, which can escalate to 120 against less resilient Pokémon when enhanced by Lucario and Giovanni’s bonuses. On the flip side, Rampardos can administer as much as 130 damage with just one Energy card, potentially increasing to an impressive 180 in optimal circumstances.
On the other hand, the disadvantage here is that the pairing isn’t particularly durable. Sudowoodo, with only 60 HP, is quite vulnerable in the Active Spot, while Rampardos’s self-damaging trait shortens its lifespan. Moreover, this team heavily depends on the evolutions of Lucario and Rampardos, which increases the likelihood of being defeated before they can fully set up.
The Future of Sudowoodo and Rampardos in Pocket
No matter how the meta (short for metagame) changes with future updates, Sudowoodo will continue to be one of the top tech cards when facing Pokemon weak against Fighting. This anti-ex card possesses all the necessary traits to endure in the TCG Pocket: High damage output, minimal Energy needs, and useful abilities.
Yet, Sudowoodo’s triumph doesn’t automatically mean a shining future for Rampardos. Although Rampardos enhances Sudowoodo with an energy-efficient, high-damage attack, its sluggish and precarious build-up makes it susceptible to being ousted by more potent Fighting-type cards in the long run.
At present, Sudowoodo and Rampardos decks are holding strong, being one of the top choices in the Triumphant Light era. These decks rank second in popularity, with the Dialga ex and Arceus ex combinations leading the way, shaping the current metagame.
Read More
- Best Awakened Hollyberry Build In Cookie Run Kingdom
- AI16Z PREDICTION. AI16Z cryptocurrency
- Best Mage Skills in Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
- Tainted Grail the Fall of Avalon: Should You Turn in Vidar?
- Nintendo Offers Higher Margins to Japanese Retailers in Switch 2 Push
- Nintendo Switch 2 Confirms Important Child Safety Feature
- Nintendo May Be Struggling to Meet Switch 2 Demand in Japan
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- Nintendo Dismisses Report On Switch 2 Retailer Profit Margins
- Nvidia Reports Record Q1 Revenue
2025-03-12 01:09