Lucario is Pokemon TCG Pocket’s new rising star, boasting powerful synergies with other Fighting-type cards. If you’re wondering what the best Lucario decks are in the current meta, you’ve come to the right place. This guide covers the most consistent and best-performing Lucario decks in Pocket’s metagame, along with tips on how to maximize its potential—and a brief overview of Lucario’s performance in tournaments. Here’s everything you need to know about this bipedal Fighting-type Pokemon!
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Lucario Card Overview
- HP: 100
- ATK: 40
- Ability: [Fighting Coach] Attacks used by your Fighting Pokemon do +20 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokemon.
- ATK Cost: Two (Fighting-type)
- Retreat Cost: Two
- Weakness: Psychic
- Set & Pack: Space-Time Smackdown; Dialga Pack
Lucario is one of the best cards to join Pokemon Pocket’s roster due to its sheer utility. This Fighting-type Pokemon has an ability called Fighting Coach, which boosts all other Fighting-type Pokemon’s attack by 20 as soon as it’s played (whether to the Bench or Active Spot).
Lucario helps counter the typical weakness of Fighting-types against Psychic Pokemon, as its buff allows them to deal more damage against the fast-paced Psychic decks that exploit Gardevoir’s ability.
The Best Deck for Lucario
A consistent deck for Lucario can be built using the Primeape-Mankey shell. With Genetic Apex’s Mankey and Mythical Island’s Primeape, you have two cards capable of dealing 40 and 70 damage, respectively, in the presence of Lucario—both for just one Energy. To reinforce the deck, include Marshadow in case one of your early damage-dealers gets knocked out.
If you have two Lucario cards on the Bench, your Fighting-type Pokemon’s damage—along with the damage from the two Lucario cards—will be boosted by 40, not 20. (Lucario’s ability stacks up with its copies.)
Here’s the complete decklist:
|
Riolu |
2 |
|---|---|
|
Lucario |
2 |
|
Mankey (Genetic Apex) |
2 |
|
Primeape (Mythical Island) |
2 |
|
Marshadow |
1 |
|
Professor’s Research |
2 |
|
Poke Ball |
2 |
|
Cyrus |
1 |
|
Giovanni |
2 |
|
Pokemon Communication |
2 |
|
X Speed |
2 |
Lucario Deck’s Synergies
- You evolve one or two Lucario cards on the Bench.
- You start attacking early with Mankey and Primeape.
- If either Mankey or Primeape gets knocked out, switch to Marshadow for revenge—or start dealing damage with Lucario itself.
- Giovanni boosts Lucario’s buff, giving your active Pokemon a competitive edge.
Alternative Deck for Lucario
One of the best-performing Lucario decks in the current meta features Rampardos. This Stage 2 Pokemon evolves from Cranidos, which comes from a Skull Fossil. The strategy is to buff Rampardos’s attack with Lucario, enabling a 150-damage attack with just one Energy. For added consistency, you can include Marshadow and Hitmonchan as supporting Pokemon.
Here’s the complete decklist:
|
Cranidos |
2 |
|---|---|
|
Rampardos |
2 |
|
Riolu |
2 |
|
Lucario |
2 |
|
Hitmonchan |
1 |
|
Marshadow |
1 |
|
Professor’s Research |
2 |
|
Poke Ball |
2 |
|
Cyrus |
1 |
|
Giovanni |
1 |
|
Skull Fossil |
2 |
|
Pokemon Communication |
2 |
The problem with this deck is twofold: 1) Rampardos is a self-damaging Pokemon and can be knocked out after just a few attacks. 2) Rampardos’s evolution line is difficult to trigger since it starts with an Item Card (Skull Fossil).
How to Counter Lucario
Lucario’s decks are primarily weak to Psychic-type lineups. A Mewtwo ex and Gardevoir setup, boosted with Giant Cape, is a powerful counter to Lucario. With this deck, Mewtwo ex—boosted to 170 HP thanks to Giant Cape—can sit in the Active Spot and absorb attacks while Gardevoir accelerates its setup. After a round or two, you can start dealing 70 damage with just two Psychic Energy, enough to disrupt most attackers in Lucario decks.
An analysis of ten recent Pokemon TCG Pocket tournaments with over 100 players reveals the following stats about Lucario decks:
- On average, Lucario decks rank 33.5 in tournaments that have over 100 players.
- The most popular combo for Lucario is Rampardos.
- The most common supporting Pokemon in Lucario decks are Hitmonchan and Marshadow.
While an average ranking of 33.5 might not seem impressive, especially when compared to Space-Time Smackdown’s star, Darkrai ex decks, Lucario decks are steadily climbing the meta. Lucario’s universal synergy with all Fighting-type Pokemon makes it a meta-relevant card likely to see a surge in popularity whenever a Fighting-type card dominates the PvP.
