The recent expansion, Space-Time Smackdown, for Pokémon TCG Pocket has introduced some powerful new cards, particularly Darkrai ex. This card pairs effectively with Greninja to create a competitive deck in the current meta. This combination excels at inflicting consistent damage to disrupt opponents without using too much Energy. With the correct supporting cards, you can implement an aggressive control strategy that is challenging to counter.
Similar to the Palkia ex deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket, the Darkrai ex meta deck builds on the natural strengths of Water-type Pokémon to bolster its namesake. However, the Darkrai ex deck typically includes fewer Pokémon, opting instead for a greater number of Support, Tool, and Item cards. Although this choice may limit versatility, it allows for a sharper focus on executing the deck’s primary strategy.
Darkrai ex & Greninja Cards List
Get the Cards You Need Quickly
Many cards in the Darkrai ex and Greninja deck are specifically designed to help you draw cards rapidly. The goal is to get either Darkrai ex or Greninja into play swiftly, enabling their passive abilities to affect your opponent’s Pokémon. Additionally, other Pokémon in the deck serve to stall until you have your most powerful cards ready to deploy.
Among the latest Space-Time Smackdown cards, here’s what you’ll need to create a top-tier Darkrai ex with Greninja deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket:
| Card | Type | Effect | Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| (2x) Darkrai ex | Dark-type Pokémon | Nightmare Aura – Whenever you attach a Dark Energy to this Pokémon, do 20 damage to your opponent’s active Pokémon. | (2 Dark Energy, 1 Normal Energy) Dark Prism – 80 Damage |
| (2x) Froakie | Water-type Pokémon | N/A | (1 Normal Energy) Flop – 10 Damage |
| (2x) Frogadier | Water-type Pokémon | N/A | (1 Normal Energy) Water Drip – 30 Damage |
| (2x) Greninja | Water-type Pokémon | Water Shuriken – Once during your turn, you can deal 20 damage to one of your opponent’s Pokémon. | (1 Water Energy, 1 Normal Energy) Mist Slash – 60 Damage |
| (2x) Druddigon | Dragon-type Pokémon | Rough Skin – If this Pokémon is in the active spot and damaged by an attack from an opponent’s Pokémon, that Pokémon takes 20 damage. | (1 Fire, 1 Water, & 1 Normal Energy) Dragon Claw – 90 Damage |
Druddigon is a valuable addition as it provides support against Grass-type Pokémon, which can target Darkrai ex’s only weakness.
Additional Cards
| Card | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| (2x) Leaf | Supporter | Reduces the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokémon by 2 for the turn. |
| (1x) Pokémon Communication | Item | Swap a Pokémon in your hand with a randomly selected Pokémon in your deck. |
| (1x) Giant Cape | Tool | Increases the HP of the Pokémon this card is attached to by 20. |
| (2x) Cyrus | Supporter | Switch one of your opponent’s damaged Benched Pokémon to the Active Spot. |
| (2x) Poké Ball | Item | Draw 1 random Basic Pokémon from your deck. |
| (2x) Professor’s Research | Supporter | Draw 2 cards. |
Using Druddigon as your defensive card will help prolong the game until you can deploy Darkrai ex or Greninja. The additional drawing power from cards like Professor’s Research, Poké Balls, and Pokémon Communication will enhance your chances of quickly assembling the desired cards.
Best Strategy to Win with a Darkrai ex & Greninja Deck
The primary strategy with a Darkrai ex and Greninja deck focuses on applying passive damage to opponents’ Pokémon, making them easy targets for stronger attacks. The abilities Nightmare Aura and Water Shuriken work in harmony, allowing you to increase damage while using minimal Energy. Unlike the Dialga ex and Yanmega archetype, which depend on high Energy for significant damage, this deck benefits from consistently dealing small amounts of damage for little Energy investment.
For example, you could combine Nightmare Aura with Water Shuriken to reduce a target Pokémon’s health by 40. Then, you might use Druddigon to dish out the final blow with Dragon Claw, resulting in 90 damage. By employing Pokémon like Druddigon to create an opportunity for Darkrai ex and Greninja, you can inflict substantial damage with just a single Dark Energy. Coupled with Leaf reducing retreat costs, you’ll find this deck allows for great efficiency in dealing damage.
It’s essential to follow these straightforward steps:
- Establish Darkrai ex and Greninja’s passive effects.
- Weaken your opponent’s strongest Pokémon.
- Force that damaged Pokémon into the active spot.
- Quickly defeat that Pokémon with low health.
This deck’s approach is uncomplicated yet effective, especially against Pokémon with lower HP. Only highly durable decks can withstand a well-prepared Darkrai ex and Greninja strategy, but even those face challenges against this combination in the current Pokémon TCG Pocket landscape.
