Garchomp, a formidable Dragon-type Pokémon, gets the EX treatment in the *Pokémon TCG Pocket*’s Triumphant Light expansion. This guide explores the best Garchomp EX decks for the game.
It's crucial to remember Cynthia's strategy doesn't work with Garchomp EX; it's only effective with its base form. Garchomp EX excels at bypassing defensive Pokémon like Druddigon and targeting your opponent's bench. However, as a Stage 2 Pokémon, getting it into play before your opponent overwhelms you can be challenging.
Garchomp EX's primary appeal lies in its Linear Attack, dealing 50 damage to either the active Pokémon or a benched one. Its 100-damage Dragon Claw attack, requiring 3 Energy, isn't very efficient. Fortunately, the Triumphant Light versions of Gible and Gabite offer respectable single-energy attacks, making them viable early-game attackers.
Here are three decks leveraging Garchomp EX in *Pokémon 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, Poké Ball 2x, Pokémon Communication 2x, X Speed 2x. This deck utilizes Hitmonchan to pressure your opponent while developing your Garchomp EX line. Farfetch’d can replace Hitmonchan depending on your opponent's deck; however, Arceus EX is weak to Hitmonchan. Cyrus allows you to reposition a damaged Pokémon after a Hitmonchan attack for a Dragon Claw or Linear Attack. Marshadow cleans up after any Pokémon falls.
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, Poké Ball 2x, Pokémon Communication 1x, X Speed 2x. This deck prioritizes evolving Gible to Garchomp EX quickly. Aerodactyl EX assists because Poké Balls can't retrieve Amber Fossil. The single Marshadow increases the likelihood of starting with Gible. Garchomp EX's low energy cost makes Aerodactyl EX a valuable late-game asset. The low retreat cost of every card makes X Speed crucial for maneuvering Pokémon.
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, Poké Ball 2x, Pokémon Communication 1x, X Speed 2x. This powerful but riskier deck requires luck to get Lucario and Garchomp EX online before your opponent attacks. Lucario boosts the attack power of Gible, Gabite, and Hitmonchan by +20. Garchomp EX's Linear Attack deals 70 damage with a single Fighting energy. This bonus doesn't apply to benched Pokémon. Getting both Lucario online significantly increases your Pokémon's damage output.
These are some of the best Garchomp EX decks in *Pokémon TCG Pocket*. The meta is constantly evolving, so expect ongoing experimentation with this iconic Dragon/Ground-type Pokémon.
Pokémon TCG Pocket is available now on mobile devices.
