Key conclusions
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Marowak ex is a popular counter to Pikachu ex decks, exploiting its weakness for a potential 200 damage from two energy.
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Weezing and Arbok are used to fight the former Mewtwo due to their Dark keyboard catching opposing Pokemon.
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Starmie ex, Venusaur ex, and Exeggutor ex are successful alternatives to Pikachu and Mewtwo ex decks in TCG Pocket.
If you've been playing Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket's battle mode, especially during the recent event, you've noticed a few certain decks that have kept coming up over and over again — ex-Mewtwo and ex-Pikachu.
These decks quickly became meta after launch due to the fact that players can play an incredibly formidable ex card, complete with huge HP and powerful attacks on the first turn.
Relatives
No, you cannot accidentally cut your cards in half in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Don't believe everything you see on the internet.
This caused frustration in the TCG Pocket community. However, in frustration, many have shared what they use to combat these decks.
The true counter of the former Pikachu
The most popular counters of Pikachu ex decks focus on Marowak ex.
Naturally, ground-type Pokemon are the number one choice here, taking advantage of Pikachu's weakness and dealing him an extra 20 damage, and Marowak is king here, as with a bit of luck he can hit the former Pikachu for 200 damage in just two energy.
The TCG Pocket subreddit has seen tons of posts with people swearing by their Marowak decks, which often also include Dugtrio and Sandslash, and it certainly seems like a solid matchup.
Real Mewtwo Ex Counter
Similar to using Marowak as a counter to Pikachu, players use Weezing and Arbok to counter Mewtwo.
Although technicallythey are both Poison-type Pokemon, in the Pokemon TCG they are represented as Dark, thus dealing hits on the former Mewtwo plus 20 damage.
The Weezing/Arbok combo allows players to poison opposing Pokemon before trapping them. Unable to retreat, these Pokemon take poison damage every turn. Paired with Sabrina or Pidgeot, who force the opponent to shut down their active Pokemon, this deck is a force to be reckoned with.
Other successful TCG pocket decks
Another popular alternative shared on the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket subreddit is the Starmie ex deck. His ability to hit hard and fast with 90 damage from two energies and his ability to build up energy quickly with Misty made him a popular choice. It does suffer a bit against Pikachu EX, but if things go your way, it's a viable alternative. Plus bonus points for going up against another meta deck — ex-Charizard.
Along with Starmie, the player revealed his former Venusaur deck. It doesn't have a weakness to Pikachu or Mewtwo, and even though its energy cost is higher, when paired with Erica, this deck does a great job of keeping its high HP Pokemon.
Another popular deck featured regularly on the TCG Pocket subreddit is related to Exeggutor ex. Exeggutor can deal 80 damage for one measly energy, and its 160 HP means it can withstand the most powerful attack of both Pikachu and Mewtwo. Pairing it with the Butterfree promo from Lapras and Erika's recent challenge will give Exeggutor even more longevity, making it a thorn in the side of metadecks.
Experience the fun of collecting Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards with Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, the upcoming game for iOS and Android devices from Creatures Inc., the original developers of the Pokémon TCG, and DeNA Co., Ltd.
In this game you will be able to open two boosters for free every day. You can collect digital cards with nostalgic artwork from the past, as well as brand new cards that are exclusive to the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket.
Stay tuned for new “immersive maps” that will make you feel like you've been thrown into the world of map artwork.
