Garchomp, one of the most fearsome Dragon types in *Pokemon* history, has received the Ex treatment with the release of the Triumphant Light expansion set in *Pokemon TCG Pocket*. Here are the best Garchomp Ex decks in *Pokemon TCG Pocket*.
Best Garchomp Ex Decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket
It's crucial to understand that Cynthica does not work with Garchomp Ex; she only enhances the base form. Garchomp Ex excels at bypassing walls like Druddigon and other high HP Pokemon, directly threatening your opponent's bench. However, as a Stage 2 Pokemon, getting Garchomp Ex into play before your opponent overwhelms you with cards like Exeggutor Ex can be challenging.
The main attraction of Garchomp Ex is its Linear Attack, which deals 50 damage to a Pokemon, whether in the active spot or on the bench. This is more appealing than its Dragon Claw attack, which requires 3 Energy for just 100 damage. Fortunately, the Triumphant Light versions of Gible and Gabite are effective front-line attackers, dealing decent damage with just one energy.
Below are three decks that effectively utilize Garchomp Ex in *Pokemon TCG Pocket*:
Hitmonchan (Fighting Energy)
- Gible 2x (Triumphant Light)
- Gabite 2x (Triumphant Light)
- Garchomp EX 2x
- Hitmonchan 2x
- Marshadow 1x
- Professor’s Research 2x
- Cyrus 2x
- Sabrina 1x
- Poke Ball 2x
- Pokemon Communication 2x
- X Speed 2x
The strategy with this deck is to maintain pressure on your opponent using Hitmonchan while you develop your Garchomp Ex line in the background. Farfetch’d can be a suitable substitute for Hitmonchan, depending on the decks you face, though Hitmonchan has an advantage against Arceus Ex.
If your opponent retreats after Hitmonchan inflicts damage, you can use Cyrus to pull the damaged Pokemon forward for a Dragon Claw attack or hit it with Linear Attack while it's on the bench. Marshadow can then clean up any fallen Pokemon.
Aerodactyl EX (Fighting Energy)
- Gible 2x (Triumphant Light)
- Gabite 2x (Triumphant Light)
- Garchomp Ex 2x
- Amber Fossil 2x
- Aerodactyl Ex 2x
- Marshadow 1x
- Professor’s Research 2x
- Cyrus 2x
- Poke Ball 2x
- Pokemon Communication 1x
- X Speed 2x
This deck focuses on evolving from Gible to Gabite and then to Garchomp Ex. Aerodactyl Ex is crucial here since a Poke Ball can't retrieve the Amber Fossil needed for its evolution. With only one Marshadow, you're likely to start with Gible.
Garchomp Ex's low energy requirement makes Linear Attack highly effective, while Aerodactyl Ex serves as a late-game cleanup or a strong switch-in option. All cards in this deck have a retreat cost of 1, making X Speeds essential for maneuvering Pokemon. Be cautious of your opponent's Cyrus plays, as your own Cyrus plays will be key to victory.
Lucario EX (Fighting Energy)
- Gible 2x (Triumphant Light)
- Gabite 2x (Triumphant Light)
- Garchomp Ex 2x
- Riolu 2x
- Lucario 2x
- Hitmonchan 1x
- Professor’s Research 2x
- Cyrus 2x
- Poke Ball 2x
- Pokemon Communication 1x
- X Speed 2x
This is the most powerful yet riskiest Garchomp Ex deck. Successfully getting both Lucario and Garchomp Ex into play before your opponent rushes you down requires some luck. Lucario boosts Gible, Gabite, and Hitmonchan by adding +20 damage, making them formidable attackers. Garchomp Ex's Linear Attack then deals 70 damage to the opponent's Active Pokemon with just one Fighting energy, though this boost doesn't apply to Benched Pokemon.
With both Lucario in play, all your Pokemon, including Garchomp Ex, will deal significant damage. Sometimes, delaying the evolution of Gabite to Garchomp Ex might be strategic to avoid losing two knockout points.
These are the top Garchomp Ex decks in *Pokemon TCG Pocket*. As the meta evolves weekly, expect to see more experimentation with this iconic Dragon and Ground type Pokemon.
*Pokemon TCG Pocket is available now on mobile devices.*
