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A shiny new set release brings an abnormally high amount of Pokémon ex and more opportunities for a meta shakeup! We asked 3 experienced TCG Pocket content creators for their opinion of which decks are the best at the beginning of this format, and made it into a tier list with their reviews.
Panelists
Top tiers
There is a lot of arguments about what goes with Darkrai Tina. There are top players playing it with no stall (Darkrai and Tina only), top players playnig it with Arceus as the Tank (Darkrai Tina Arceus), and some players playing the Stall of Druddigon (Darkrai Tina Druddigon).
While there is a lot of variations of this deck, I think that speaks to its strength and flexibility to play which is why I put it as S tier. You can have a really strong and high damage output with the Arceus flavor that moves fast when you can get the Dawn combo off, a really slow game with Druddigon, or fast and consistent that helps in the mirror match with no tank. However you play this, it'll be able to match a play style and defeat most decks.
-Ursiiday
With Rank now being an official staple in the game, we are seeing Darkrai ex as the standout pokemon that is consistently bringing up high win % in the games. The Shining Revelry set has only empowered Darkrai even further with useful cards like Red & Pokemon Center Lady to push its damage threshold and survivability even more.
-Nuggie D
High tiers
Gyarados ex has made quite the impact with the release of the new set. Cards like Red & Iono are truly allowing this pokemon to OHKO almost every Pokémon in front of him. Pairing him with Origin Forme Palkia and Manaphy makes for great ramp and shielding to get it online and tournament results have shown it has consistently been in top 8 cut.
-Nuggie D
The only reason why I've placed Giratina ex in high tier and not top tier at this point in time is because of two things.
- He only just came out with the new set so further testing can be done
- While he self ramps like Darkrai ex, he cannot attack and his self ramp ends the turn
Having said these two points, I do find that Giratina ex is an amazing verstatile pokemon that can be placed universally across all types of decks and his damage when fully charged isnt one to scoff at. On top of that, he is the only turn 1 Pokémon that can self ramp which is a big reason why he may be pushed to top tier in the next update!
-Nuggie D
Giratina ex really capitalizes on the strengths of that self-ramping Giratina and energy moving Dawn. By playing essentially a T17 (2 Giratinas ex and 1 Mewtwo ex) this deck can fit in a lot of really strong supporters and run energy, so that Giratina can use the turn's energy zone attachment by having Mewtwo ex. This deck can knock out most pokemon since Mewtwo ex can swing for 170 with red as well as put out early damage with Mewtwo's Psychic Sphere. With Dawn, the energy self-ramping to Giratina early game can even be used to use Mewtwo's big attack in back-to-back turns.
-Ursiiday
Another new edition to Shining revelry is the gen 9 starter line in Meowscarada! This EX killing machine has been paired very well with the likes of Exeggutor and Arceus ex, and has caused quite a stir to the dominant top EX decks out there. While it's a 2 stage evo line, the fact that it's basic form first ability is to be able to retrieve Pokémon puts this at a well deserved high tier position.
-Nuggie D
Meowscarada is one of the hardest-hitting 1-point Pokémon printed, and it only costs 2 energy to attack to boot. That alone would be powerful, but the addition of Sprigatito to search out the whole evolution line pushes it up to a high-tier deck. 130 damage is nicely in range of a lot of pokemon, but the addition of Red and Giovanni makes it KO 140 and 150 hp ex Pokémon with ease, and it notably KOs Darkrai ex without any help. The more popular that ex Pokémon are, the more popular Meowscarada will be, and they're as popular as ever. Just make sure to expect trouble when facing down 1-point decks.
-Krohnos
Dialga ex's crown of being at the top tier has been toppled in this new meta but this doesnt mean he's no longer strong. The fact is just that Dialga ex is your top support to enable many other pokemon with it's ramping ability is not required when you have self ramping units like Giratina EX and Ramp/poke unit like Darkrai. Still.... he is an amazing pokemon to pair with units like Arceus ex and Mew ex.
-Nuggie D
Charizard ex has been relevant for the entirety of Pocket's lifetime, and now is no different. A 200 damage Crimson Storm will KO anything in the game in a single attack, and with new Charmanders and Charmeleon to use, the deck remains solid. Charizard ex is my baseline for what is competitively viable for tournaments and Master Ball - if your deck doesn't have a gameplan for it then it better have some amazing other matchups.
-Krohnos
Charizard ex can be super strong. It's the only Pokémon that can consistently 1HKO all pokemon, and that's so nice versus the Darkrai ex decks. However, with the only other attacker in the deck being Moltres and Moltres mainly being used for ramp, these games can end before the Charmander even gets to a Charizard.
-Ursiiday
Middle tiers
Gallade ex is so strong in the meta, and I think it really allows for a lot of skill expression. With multiple one point attackers, this deck can slow down the game to allow for Gallade ex to be evolved up, and Gallade ex is able to finish off the game with BIG damage attacks because in this meta most of the opponent's Pokémon will also have a lot of energy on them.
-Ursiiday
There was a time where 18 Trainers were to be feared as it is consistent and can disrupt and eliminate you before you even make turn 3. These days, the 18 Trainers decks are being countered with the likes of Iono and Team Rocket Grunt. With counters like these, the deck has dropped into the mid tier.
-Nuggie D
Rampardos was great in old metas, and can still be strong. However, with the use of a lot of tanks and the re-introduction of stall, Rampardos just cannot get to the backline a lot of times to knock out the 2 pointers it wants to.
-ursiiday
Promising decks
Pikachu ex makes a return to the meta, this time with the option to hit for 150 instead of 90. While I'm not a believer in Pachirisu, Pikachu ex can certainly benefit from it. Pair it with Magnezone for smaller targets and Pikachu ex can clean up larger ones with ease. 120 hp is a big drawback for a 1-prize attacker and is the only thing still holding it back.
-Krohnos
Wugtrio ex is an absolute menace that can eliminate even the top tier decks with an impenetrable active frontline! The fact that it's a stage one means you can potentially combo on your 2nd turn to deal 150 damage! (actually 3 random 50 damage targets)
-Nuggie D
Beedrill ex brings some new buzz to Grass decks, tanking plenty of hits and dishing back consistent damage. Exeggutor can hit for the same amount, but the sting of Beedrill removing energies and pivoting with ease leaves Eggy in the dust. It pairs excellently with Meowscarada, though stands well on its own, and sometimes Kakuna will win you the game by preventing your opponent from attacking. An opponent with this deck is definitely not a drill.
-Krohnos
Special thanks
To all of the panelists for their time and analysis! Don't miss their content:
- ursiiday, Pokémon TCG Pocket content creator and organizer of the biggest tournament series of Pokémon TCG Pocket, each week! https://www.twitch.tv/ursiiday
- Nuggie D, Pokémon TCG Pocket content creator and organizer of the Narnia's tournaments, featuring both meta and fun events https://www.twitch.tv/nuggie_d
- Krohnos, competitive TCG Pocket content creator https://www.twitch.tv/krohnos