Summary
- The Space-Time Smackdown update features Gen 4 Pokemon like Darkrai Ex in a unique deck.
- The most consistent deck in Pokemon TCG Pocket includes three Pokemon lines of different types and using different Energy types, like Darkrai Ex, Druddigon, and Magnezone.
- The strategy is to use Druddigon as a wall while stacking Energy on both Darkrai Ex and Magnezone.
Despite the fact that the game came out just a few months ago, debuting at the end of October 2024, Pokemon TCG Pocket has already amassed over 400 unique cards, not counting secret rares and alternate art cards. With restrictions about decks made of just 20 cards, the best combos have to rely on basic Pokemon or Pokemon Ex cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket more often than not. This is because two copies of each Pokemon in a two-stage evolutionary line already make up for 6 out of 20 cards in a deck, so at times less is more. With the Space-Time Smackdown set, a new “best” deck in the game emerged, and it’s quite strange.
Pokemon TCG Pocket‘s Space-Time Smackdown update is all about Gen 4 critters and characters, featuring the three Sinnoh starters, Cynthia, Cyrus, and other iconic Pokemon and trainers. Between the new Pokemon added with Pokemon Legends: Arceus and limited slots for the set, not all Gen 4 pocket monsters are truly available just yet, but the most popular ones made the cut. Among them are the likes of Cresselia and Darkrai, with the latter having a unique deck built around its Ex version and two other Pokemon lines that don’t even share its Dark type.
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Why Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Best Deck Features Darkrai Ex and Magnezone
Oddly enough, the best and most consistent Pokemon TCG Pocket deck so far includes three Pokemon lines of three different types, using four different Energy types for their attacks. This may seem strange at first, but there’s a method to madness. These critters include:
- Magnemite, Genetic Apex
- Magneton, Genetic Apex
- Magnezone, Space-Time Smackdown
- Druddigon, Mythical Island
- Darkrai Ex, Space-Time Smackdown
Each of these cards is used in two copies, making for half of the deck. The rest includes powerful Pokemon TCG Pocket cards, like:
- Professor’s Research
- Sabrina
- Cyrus
- Leaf
- Poke Ball
- Pokemon Communication
- Giant Cape
Normally, the Magnemite evolution line requires Electric Energy for its attacks, but this deck only utilizes Dark Energy. This is because Magneton has the Volt Charge ability that it can use once per turn, and this makes the Pokemon obtain one Electric Energy even if it’s not part of the main pool. As such, the idea is to use Druddigon as a wall in the active slot while players stack Dark Energy on Darkrai Ex, triggering its Nightmare Aura ability that deals 20 damage to the opposing active Pokemon. Then, Magnemite should evolve into Magneton as soon as possible and start stacking Electric Energy to then evolve into Magnezone and use its powerful attack essentially for free.
How Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Darkrai and Magnezone Deck Wins
Some iterations of the deck even use Rocky Helmet to synergize with Pokemon TCG Pocket‘s Druddigon, which makes sense because the critter’s Rough Skin ability makes attacking Pokemon take 20 damage, and with Rocky Helmet that number becomes 40. With 100 HP, Druddigon is a great wall to use, even if the deck doesn’t run Fire and Water Energy that would normally be required for it to attack. The bulk of the damage comes from Nightmare Aura, Darkrai Ex’s main attack if needed, and then Magnezone’s 110-power attack. This made for the so-called Pokemon TCG Pocket Dakrai and Magnezone meta.
With battlefield manipulation coming from Sabrina and Cyrus, the card draw of Professor’s Research, and the extra tankiness coming from Giant Cape, it’s hard to beat this deck considering how high each Pokemon’s HP value is. In the meantime, the user can easily damage opposing critters passively with Darkrai Ex and power up their Magneton with Electric Energy before evolving it into Magnezone. It’s a solid strategy, and Energy acceleration is something that became the foundation of Pokemon TCG as well. It’s hard to tell if this meta deck will topple with cards added in future Pokemon TCG Pocket sets, but it’s likely that something like it will eventually take its place in that scenario.
