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The dynamic realm of the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket continually features an exciting rotation of attention-catching cards with each new expansion. The latest addition, known as the Shining Revelry expansion, arrived on mobile devices on March 27, 2025. Among the many standout cards, the formidable Lucario ex has become a focal point; this Fighting-type Pokémon is capable of inflicting significant damage. Its introduction has reignited an ongoing discussion in the Pokémon TCG Pocket community: which Fighting-type cards are the most effective in the game?
Several key aspects contribute to a Fighting-type card’s strength in Pokémon TCG Pocket. These include HP, damage output, and unique abilities, as well as often-ignored metrics like Retreat Cost and weaknesses, in addition to how well the card complements others within a player’s deck. Understanding these elements is crucial for crafting winning competitive decks.
10
Donphan Is a Reliable Choice
A Consistent Damage Dealer
Donphan, a Stage 1 Fighting-type card, can deliver impressive damage to overshadow opponents. Evolving from Phanpy, this Pokémon quickly gets into action, allowing it to potentially knock out a wide range of cards once it’s active. One key attribute that puts Donphan on this list is its 120 HP, enabling it to endure attacks from many opposing Pokémon that have yet to evolve.
Its attack, Rolling Spin, inflicts 60 damage for three Fighting Energy. After the first use, the damage jumps to 120, making it easier to continuously apply pressure in battles. This reliability has been particularly beneficial during Emblem events. Donphan is obtainable in the Arceus Pack from the Triumphant Light expansion, making it a solid fit for various decks.
9
Hitmonlee: A Timeless Powerhouse
A Familiar Card with Unique Value
Since its debut in Pokémon TCG Pocket, Hitmonlee has consistently been featured in decks, being available in the Mewtwo pack from the Genetic Apex set. Its reliability shines as it offers knockout capabilities with solid overall stats, making it an effective choice in battles. Hitmonlee’s attack, Stretch Kick, is often overlooked but can catch opponents off guard. It targets a benched Pokémon for 30 damage at the cost of just one Fighting Energy, creating disruption in the opponent’s setup and is especially effective against easy-to-knock-out cards like Magikarp before it can evolve into Gyarados ex.
8
Lucario ex Has Impressive HP in Shining Revelry
Aura Sphere Packs a Punch
Lucario ex is noteworthy as both the first ex card and the latest entry on this list. While its presence in competitive gameplay has fluctuated following the excitement of the Shining Revelry expansion, this card remains significantly strong. With a hefty 150 HP and impressive damage potential, it’s a formidable contender.
While evolving a Stage 2 Pokémon can be time-consuming, using Professor’s Research can expedite this process by drawing essential cards from your deck.
Lucario ex’s attack, Aura Sphere, dishes out 100 damage requiring three Fighting Energy, and deals an additional 30 damage to one of the opponent’s benched Pokémon. It’s essential to focus on energizing Riolu during the early game to quickly utilize this attack, bringing the opponent’s Active Pokémon into knockout territory while also weakening their bench.
7
Marshadow Is Space Efficient
Revenge Grants Bonuses for Knocked Out Pokémon
Every Fighting-type deck should include Marshadow. As a basic card, it occupies minimal space in a 20-card deck while introducing valuable strategies for combat. With 80 HP, it can endure damage into the later stages of play, maximizing its effectiveness.
Marshadow’s attack, Revenge, typically inflicts 40 damage. However, if your Active Pokémon has just been knocked out, it inflicts an additional 60 damage, totaling 100. This attack requires just two energy—one Fighting Energy and one Colorless Energy—and has a low Retreat Cost of one, allowing you to easily swap it out for another strong attacker when necessary.
6
Marowak Ex: A Classic with Strength
A Chance-Based Fighter with High Damage Output
Marowak ex has been a longtime favorite in Fighting-type decks, found in the Mewtwo Pack from the Genetic Apex set. With a little luck, this card can deal game-ending damage. It quickly transitions into play, making it an aggressive option, and has a manageable Retreat Cost of just one.
Marowak ex’s attack, Bonemerang, can potentially deal up to 160 damage, contingent on your luck with coin flips. By flipping two coins, you deal 80 damage for each heads. Though relying on RNG isn’t foolproof, the possibility of inflicting 160 damage makes it a thrilling choice for players.
5
Golem: A Defensive Titan in TCG Pocket
A Defense-Oriented Beast That Alters Opponent Strategy
In Pokémon TCG Pocket, Golem has two versions—one from the Mythical Island set and one from Genetic Apex, with the Mythical Island version being superior. Although Stage 2 cards generally take longer to play, utilizing the Brock Supporter card can hasten Golem’s capability by providing a Fighting Energy upon its use.
With a solid 160 HP, Golem can absorb most of the opponent’s damage. Its attack, Guard Press, causes an impressive 120 damage for four energy (three Fighting Energy and one Colorless Energy) while also reducing the damage of the opponent’s next attack by 30. This ability serves as an effective stalling tactic, allowing time to charge and evolve other cards on the bench.
4
Machamp Ex: Slow to Set Up, Destructive in Action
A Powerful Pokémon with Impressive HP
Machamp ex is an imposing presence in the game, able to dominate opponents after some setup. Although it requires several turns to become attack-ready, its damage output and HP make the buildup worthwhile. As a Stage 2 card, Machamp ex evolves from Machoke, which comes from Machop, resulting in a slower playstyle. Players must be mindful of this when considering it for their decks.
The attack, Mega Punch, inflicts 120 damage for three Fighting Energy, and when paired with the Giovanni Supporter card, it can knock out numerous other ex cards. It also boasts an impressive 180 HP, offering resilience against virtually all forms of attack in the game. Building a deck centered around Machamp ex could yield great results in the current Pokémon TCG Pocket environment.
3
Gallade Ex: An Uncommon Stage 2 Addition
A Card That Gains Strength from Opponent’s Actions
Gallade ex stands out as an unconventional Stage 2 card found in the Dialga Pack from the Space-Time Smackdown set. Interestingly, its pre-evolutions, Kirlia and Ralts, are both Psychic-types, requiring players to focus on using Fighting Energy, which increases the card’s complexity. Despite its quirks, it has minimal drawbacks.
The Giant Cape Tool card adds an extra 20 HP to any Pokémon in Pokémon TCG Pocket, offering a significant boost that enhances the effectiveness of the cards discussed here.
Gallade ex’s attack, Energized Blade, deals a commendable 70 damage for just two Fighting Energy. This attack’s bonus is that it does an extra 20 damage for each Energy attached to your opponent’s Active Pokémon, making it a strong counter against strategies that build Energy on a single card, such as that of Celebi ex.
2
Aerodactyl Ex: Expert in Board Disruption
Primeval Law Interrupts Opponent Strategies
Aerodactyl ex is esteemed in Pokémon TCG Pocket for its remarkable ability to disrupt opponents and deliver strong attacks. This Stage 1 card evolves from the Old Amber card, facilitating quick deployment. Its low attack cost combined with robust stats makes it a flexible and high-impact option. Aerodactyl ex boasts 140 HP and just one Retreat Cost.
Aerodactyl ex can execute an attack, Land Crush, which inflicts 80 damage with two Energy (one Fighting Energy and one Colorless Energy). However, its standout feature is its Ability, Primeval Law, which hinders the opponent from evolving their Active Pokémon. This effectively hampers their plans, allowing you to strike at potentially less powerful cards.
1
Garchomp Ex: The Ultimate Fighting-Type Card
The Top Fighting-Type Card in the Game
Garchomp ex is the pinnacle of Fighting-type cards, offsetting its considerable HP with two impactful attacks and a minimal Retreat Cost. Evolving from Gabite, which is in turn evolved from Gible, Garchomp ex flaunts an impressive 170 HP, ensuring it can absorb considerable damage. Additionally, with a Retreat Cost of only one, it can easily be withdrawn when needed.
Garchomp ex offers two attacks: Linear Attack and Dragon Claw. Linear Attack allows you to deliver 50 damage to one of your opponent’s benched Pokémon, thereby targeting their weaker cards. Dragon Claw is the more powerful attack at 100 damage for three Energy—two Fighting Energy and one Colorless Energy, effectively sealing victories in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
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