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 Cynthia does not work with Garchomp Ex. She only works with the base form. Garchomp Ex's strength lies in its ability to bypass walls like Druddigon and other high HP Pokemon to threaten your opponent's bench. However, being a Stage 2 Pokemon, getting it into play before your opponent rushes you down with, for example, an Exeggutor Ex, can be challenging.
Garchomp Ex’s Linear Attack, which deals 50 damage to a Pokemon either in the active spot or on the bench, is the main reason to play this card. Its 100 damage Dragon Claw attack requires 3 Energy, which isn't the best ratio. Fortunately, the Triumphant Light versions of Gible and Gabite deliver decent damage for one energy, making them effective frontline attackers.
Below are three decks that can effectively utilize Garchomp Ex in *Pokemon TCG Pocket*:
Hitmonchan (Fighting Energy)
- Gible x2 (Triumphant Light)
- Gabite x2 (Triumphant Light)
- Garchomp Ex x2
- Hitmonchan x2
- Marshadow x1
- Professor’s Research x2
- Cyrus x2
- Sabrina x1
- Poke Ball x2
- Pokemon Communication x2
- X Speed x2
The strategy with this deck is to maintain pressure on your opponent using Hitmonchan while building up your Garchomp Ex line. Farfetch'd can serve as a replacement for Hitmonchan depending on the decks you're facing; however, Arceus Ex is weak to Hitmonchan.
If your opponent retreats after Hitmonchan damages a Pokemon, you can use Cyrus to pull it forward for a Dragon Claw attack or hit it with Linear Attack while it's on the bench. If any of your Pokemon are knocked out, Marshadow can step in to clean up.
Aerodactyl EX (Fighting Energy)
- Gible x2 (Triumphant Light)
- Gabite x2 (Triumphant Light)
- Garchomp Ex x2
- Amber Fossil x2
- Aerodactyl Ex x2
- Marshadow x1
- Professor’s Research x2
- Cyrus x2
- Poke Ball x2
- Pokemon Communication x1
- X Speed x2
This deck differs from the previous one as the goal is to start with Gible, evolve into Gabite, and then into Garchomp Ex. Aerodactyl Ex assists here since a Poke Ball won't grab the Amber Fossil needed to evolve Aerodactyl Ex. As a result, we only include one Marshadow, increasing the likelihood of starting with Gible.
Garchomp Ex doesn't require heavy energy investment – Linear Attack is often sufficient – so Aerodactyl Ex serves as a late-game cleanup or a powerful card to switch into when ready. All cards in this deck have a retreat cost of 1, making X Speeds extremely valuable for managing your Pokemon. Be wary of opposing Cyrus plays, as your own Cyrus plays will be crucial to winning the match.
Lucario EX (Fighting Energy)
- Gible x2 (Triumphant Light)
- Gabite x2 (Triumphant Light)
- Garchomp Ex x2
- Riolu x2
- Lucario x2
- Hitmonchan x1
- Professor’s Research x2
- Cyrus x2
- Poke Ball x2
- Pokemon Communication x1
- X Speed x2
This is the most powerful yet riskiest Garchomp Ex list. Getting both Lucario and Garchomp Ex into play before your opponent rushes you down will require some luck. Lucario significantly boosts the damage output of Gible, Gabite, and Hitmonchan by adding a flat +20 damage. Additionally, Garchomp Ex’s Linear Attack will deal 70 damage for a single Fighting energy to your opponent’s Active Pokemon, though this boost doesn't apply to Benched Pokemon.
If you manage to get both Lucario into play, all your Pokemon, including Garchomp Ex, will deal substantial damage to your opponent. Sometimes, it might be worth delaying the evolution of Gabite into Garchomp Ex to avoid giving up two knockout points.
These are the best Garchomp Ex decks in *Pokemon TCG Pocket*. As the meta evolves weekly, expect to see trainers continue to experiment with this iconic Dragon and Ground type Pokemon.
*Pokemon TCG Pocket is available now on mobile devices.*
