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A new and formidable Toxicroak deck has surfaced in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, utilizing a strategic mechanic to outsmart and overcome opponents. The recent launch of the Space-Time Smackdown expansion has led to the rapid inclusion of ex cards in competitive decks. However, many powerful yet overlooked cards, like Toxicroak, have been left on the sidelines. Toxicroak stands out as an excellent option with significant damage capabilities, making it well-suited to take down rival ex cards.
This deck employs a clever mechanic in the TCG Pocket to enhance Toxicroak’s damage. Fossil cards are often used to evolve into Pokémon such as Aerodactyl, but they can also function as basic 40 HP Pokémon. This aspect of the deck helps maintain consistent strength.
Why Toxicroak’s Attack Is a Game-Changer In TCG Pocket
Group Beatdown Can Inflict Huge Amounts of Damage
Toxicroak is often underestimated in Pokémon TCG Pocket, but it features a standout attack and solid HP. As a Darkness-type Pokémon, it’s classified as a Stage One card and can be found in the Dialga pack from the Space-Time Smackdown expansion. Its attack, Group Beatdown, offers a chance for immense damage through coin flips. For this attack, you flip a coin for every Pokémon you have in play, and it deals 40 damage for each heads result. While this relies on luck, the chance to inflict up to 160 damage is too enticing to ignore.
Group Beatdown only requires two Darkness Energy to activate, making it straightforward to set up. Toxicroak has 90 HP, allowing you to confidently place it in the Active Spot, as it’s unlikely to be knocked out in just one hit. You can even enhance this with the Giant Cape tool card, which adds another 20 HP. This extra buffer has proved invaluable when facing Pikachu ex decks that can deliver 90 damage with ease.
Utilize Professor’s Research and Poké Ball to cycle through your deck efficiently, quickly locating the cards necessary for evolving Toxicroak.
The pre-evolution, Croagunk, is a solid addition as well, allowing you to place it in the Active Spot during your first turn. With 60 HP, it can endure most early game attacks, such as the Leek Slap from Farfetch’d. Croagunk also has its own version of Group Beatdown, which deals 20 damage for each heads flipped instead of Toxicroak’s 40.
Toxicroak Deck Cards List
Darkrai Ex & Several Supporter Cards Amplify Toxicroak’s Power
Another crucial Pokémon in the Toxicroak deck is Darkrai ex, which dramatically enhances the deck’s damage output. This is particularly important against current popular decks like Celebi ex. Darkrai ex possesses an ability called Nightmare Aura that inflicts 20 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon every time you attach a Darkness Energy to it. This method steadily damages the opponent while Toxicroak is in play, all while setting up its attack, Dark Prism, that deals 80 damage.
|
Card Name |
Quantity |
Card Type |
Attacks + Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Toxicroak |
2 |
Stage 1 |
Group Beatdown: 40x Damage + Flip a coin for each Pokémon on your side. This attack does 40 damage for each heads. |
|
Croagunk |
2 |
Basic |
Group Beatdown: 20x Damage + Flip a coin for each Pokémon on your side. This attack does 20 damage for each heads. |
|
Darkrai ex |
1 |
Basic |
Nightmare Aura: Whenever you attach a Darkness Energy to this Pokémon, it deals 20 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon. |
|
Potion |
2 |
Item |
Heal 20 damage from one of your Pokémon. |
|
Poké Ball |
1 |
Item |
Take a random Basic Pokémon from your deck into your hand. |
|
Old Amber |
2 |
Item |
This card acts as a 40-HP Basic Pokémon. You can discard it from play at any time during your turn. This card cannot retreat. |
|
Skull Fossil |
2 |
Item |
This card acts as a 40-HP Basic Pokémon. You can discard it from play at any time during your turn. This card cannot retreat. |
|
Giant Cape |
2 |
Tool |
The Pokémon this card is attached to gains +20 HP. |
|
Professor’s Research |
2 |
Supporter |
Draw 2 cards. |
|
Dawn |
2 |
Supporter |
Move an Energy card from one of your Benched Pokémon to your Active Pokémon. |
|
Leaf |
1 |
Supporter |
This turn, the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokémon is reduced by 2. |
|
Cyrus |
1 |
Supporter |
Switch one of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon that has damage on it to the Active Spot. |
This Toxicroak deck also depends on various Tool, Supporter, and Item cards to achieve its success in Pokémon TCG Pocket. For example, Dawn is effective for transferring energy between Pokémon, allowing you to place energy on Darkrai ex if Toxicroak needs to retreat, or vice versa. Meanwhile, the Leaf Supporter card enhances the overall fluidity of the deck by lowering retreat costs, facilitating quick swaps of your Pokémon to avoid knockouts. Protecting Darkrai ex is crucial since its defeat grants the opponent two points.
Best Strategy To Win With a Toxicroak Deck
Maximize Damage Potential Using Fossil Cards
The most effective strategy revolves around utilizing the Old Amber and Skull Fossil item cards. This system allows you to significantly increase your chances of consistent damage. Start by placing Croagunk in the Active Spot from the first turn, with Darkrai ex on the bench. Use trainer cards like Poké Ball and Professor’s Research to cycle through your deck and retrieve the remaining essential cards—Toxicroak and the Fossil cards.
Next, place the Fossil cards on the bench, filling all available spots. This sets up an ideal scenario for Toxicroak to evolve as soon as possible, flipping up to four coins and potentially executing a massive 160 damage. This configuration maximizes Toxicroak’s attack potential, making it a lethal competitor. With a packed bench, every successful coin flip translates into considerable damage, placing pressure on your opponent and heightening your chances of achieving a swift win in Pokémon TCG Pocket.





