Pokemon TCG Pocket: Best Gyarados ex deck guide

The Mythical Island expansion has introduced a treasure trove of new cards to the Pokemon TCG Pocket meta, including standout entries like Volcarona, Mew ex, and Celebi ex. Among these additions, Gyarados ex has quickly emerged as a top contender for dominance in competitive play. Evolving from the unimpressive Magikarp, Gyarados ex brings immense power and utility to Water-based decks.

If you’re looking to build a Gyarados ex deck that capitalizes on the card's unique strengths, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.

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Pokemon TCG Pocket Gyarados ex deck guide: Cards you need

Cards	Quantity
Magikarp	2
Gyarados ex	2
Eevee	2
Vaporeon (Mythical Island)	2
Articuno ex	2
Poke Ball	2
Giovanni	2
Leaf	2
Professor's Research	2
Misty	2

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Pokemon TCG Pocket Gyarados ex deck guide: Key cards and strategy

Gyarados ex as seen in the game (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Key cards

1) Gyarados ex

• HP: 180
• Move: Rampaging Whirlpool
• Move description: Discard a random Energy from among the Energy attached to all Pokemon (both yours and your opponent's)
• Move damage: 140
• Move energy requirement: 3 Water and 1 Colorless energy
• Retreat cost: 3 Colorless energy

2) Vaporeon

• HP: 120
• Ability: Wash Out (As often as you like during your turn, you may move a Water Energy from 1 of your Benched Water Pokemon to your Active Water Pokemon)
• Move: Wave Splash
• Move damage: 60
• Move energy requirement: 1 Water and 2 Colorless energy
• Retreat cost: 2 Colorless energy

Strategy

Starting as a weak Magikarp, Gyarados ex is a standout among Stage 1 Pokemon ex in Mythical Island.

With a robust 180 HP and the powerful Rampaging Whirlpool attack dealing 140 damage, Gyarados ex rivals even Stage 2 Pokemon ex in terms of durability and raw strength. This makes it an excellent centerpiece for Water-focused decks.

The Water type’s ability to rapidly accelerate Energy with Misty synergizes perfectly with Gyarados ex’s attack requirements. This allows it to unleash high-damage attacks early in the game, gaining an edge over opponents.

Gyarados ex is the game's first Stage 1 Water Pokemon capable of consistently dealing over 100 damage in a single hit, enabling it to knock out most Pokemon, including other ex cards.

Key cards that support Gyarados ex (Image via The Pokemon Company)

To maximize Gyarados ex’s potential, this deck incorporates Articuno ex and Vaporeon from Mythical Island. Articuno ex serves as a powerhouse Basic Pokemon, while Vaporeon, combined with Leaf, allows for strategic Water Energy transfers.

Articuno ex leads with the help of Misty, giving you enough time to set up Vaporeon and Gyarados ex. Once Gyarados ex is ready, you can swap out Articuno ex and transfer its Water energy to the card with the help Vaporeon's ability.

This synergy can facilitate devastating sequences where Gyarados ex is powered up quickly, ensuring continuous offensive pressure.

If you prefer a more sustainable deck, you can substitute Articuno ex with one Staryu and one Starmie ex. Additionally, swapping out a Poke Ball for a Potion can enhance the deck’s survivability, keeping your Pokemon in play longer.

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Weaknesses

1) Risk of self-sabotage: Rampaging Whirlpool’s additional effect can sometimes work against you, discarding one of your own Energies. This can disrupt your strategy if not managed carefully.

2) High energy costs: Rampaging Whirlpool’s energy demands can be problematic if Misty fails to appear or doesn’t provide the necessary Energy. This delay can leave Gyarados ex exposed to attacks before it has the chance to retaliate.

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By balancing Gyarados ex’s strengths with a carefully constructed deck and thoughtful gameplay, you can overcome its weaknesses and dominate your opponents in Pokemon TCG Pocket. Whether you stick with Articuno ex or experiment with Starmie ex, this deck offers plenty of potential for strategic victories.

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