Charizard ex (TCG): Difference between revisions

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'''Charizard ex''' is a [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] {{TCG|deck archetype}} that was mainly played in the 2023-2024 season.
'''Charizard ex''' is a [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] {{TCG|deck archetype}} that was mainly played in the 2023-2024 season. The deck's strategy revolves around {{TCG ID|Obsidian Flames|Charizard ex|125}} and its ability to quickly distribute energy thanks to its ''Infernal Reign'' ability, allowing it to deal large amounts of damage early in the game. Charizard ex was a strong archetype upon release, finishing first in the 2023 San Antonio Regionals and being the most used deck archetype in Day 2 of the 2023 Peoria and San Antonio regionals.


==Strategy==
==Strategy==
[[File:ArvenScarletViolet166.jpg|thumb|left|200px|{{TCG ID|Scarlet & Violet|Arven|166}}]]
[[File:ArvenScarletViolet166.jpg|thumb|left|200px|{{TCG ID|Scarlet & Violet|Arven|166}}]]


Charizard ex decks focus on punishing decks that take multiple turns to set up, hoping to overwhelm teams with powerful attacks as early as turn two. This deck's goal is to set up a Charizard ex as quickly as possible, using its ability upon evolution to be able to attach the energies needed so it can deal 180 damage as early as the second turn. In order to get Charizard ex evolved as early as turn 2, Item cards like {{TCG ID|Fusion Strike|Battle VIP Pass|225}} and {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Level Ball|89}} are used to get Charmander on the bench, and {{TCG ID|Scarlet & Violet|Arven|166}} can be used to grab either a {{TCG ID|EX Sandstorm|Rare Candy|88}} or {{TCG ID|Dark Explorers|Ultra Ball|102}} in order to evolve. Supporting Charizard ex is Pidgeot ex, whose ability allows for the player to place one card from their deck into their hand, further improving consistency. Other supporting Pokémon such as {{TCG ID|Lost Origin|Rotom V|58}}, {{TCG ID|Celebrations|Mew|11}}, and {{TCG ID|Brilliant Stars|Lumineon V|40}} help increase the likelihood of the deck drawing the cards it needs to evolve Charizard ex.
To further prevent the opponent from being able to set up their deck, cards such as {{TCG ID|Rebel Clash|Boss's Orders|154}} and {{TCG ID|Crimson Invasion|Counter Catcher|91}} can bring the opponent's key Pokémon in the Active Spot to disrupt their set-up, and disruption cards like {{TCG ID|Paldea Evolved|Iono|185}} can disrupt the opponent's hand. These disruption cards, combined with the threat of Charizard ex's powerful attack, places significant pressure on the opponent in the early game.
In the mid and late game, Pidgeot ex is a powerful {{TCG|engine}} due to its ''Quick Search'' ability, helping prevent the deck from bricking while helping set up other Charizard ex on the Bench. As Charizard ex's ''Burning Darkness'' attack does increased damage the less prize cards the opponent has remaining, Charizard ex remains a very threatening force in the mid to late game, dealing enough to OHKO many Pokemon V.
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[[:Category:Deck archetypes]]
[[Category:Deck archetypes]]

Revision as of 04:46, 21 January 2024

Charizard ex
CharizardexObsidianFlames125.jpg
PidgeotexObsidianFlames164.jpg
Charizard ex and Pidgeot ex
Types used DarknessColorlessFire
Major cards Charizard ex and Pidgeot ex
Era 2023-present


Charizard ex is a Pokémon Trading Card Game deck archetype that was mainly played in the 2023-2024 season. The deck's strategy revolves around Charizard ex and its ability to quickly distribute energy thanks to its Infernal Reign ability, allowing it to deal large amounts of damage early in the game. Charizard ex was a strong archetype upon release, finishing first in the 2023 San Antonio Regionals and being the most used deck archetype in Day 2 of the 2023 Peoria and San Antonio regionals.

Strategy

Charizard ex decks focus on punishing decks that take multiple turns to set up, hoping to overwhelm teams with powerful attacks as early as turn two. This deck's goal is to set up a Charizard ex as quickly as possible, using its ability upon evolution to be able to attach the energies needed so it can deal 180 damage as early as the second turn. In order to get Charizard ex evolved as early as turn 2, Item cards like Battle VIP Pass and Level Ball are used to get Charmander on the bench, and Arven can be used to grab either a Rare Candy or Ultra Ball in order to evolve. Supporting Charizard ex is Pidgeot ex, whose ability allows for the player to place one card from their deck into their hand, further improving consistency. Other supporting Pokémon such as Rotom V, Mew, and Lumineon V help increase the likelihood of the deck drawing the cards it needs to evolve Charizard ex.

To further prevent the opponent from being able to set up their deck, cards such as Boss's Orders and Counter Catcher can bring the opponent's key Pokémon in the Active Spot to disrupt their set-up, and disruption cards like Iono can disrupt the opponent's hand. These disruption cards, combined with the threat of Charizard ex's powerful attack, places significant pressure on the opponent in the early game.

In the mid and late game, Pidgeot ex is a powerful engine due to its Quick Search ability, helping prevent the deck from bricking while helping set up other Charizard ex on the Bench. As Charizard ex's Burning Darkness attack does increased damage the less prize cards the opponent has remaining, Charizard ex remains a very threatening force in the mid to late game, dealing enough to OHKO many Pokemon V.

Key cards

  • Charizard ex - The deck's primary attacker, Charizard ex's Burning Darkness attack deals 180 damage for only FireFire energy, and deals 30 more damage for each prize card the opponent has taken, making Charizard ex's attack even more powerful later on in the game. Additionally, its Infernal Reign ability allows for three Fire energies to be attached to any Pokémon, helping accelerate energy development. Charizard ex's Darkness type also grants it favorable matchups against Mew VMAX and Gardevoir ex, both of which are weak to it.
  • Pidgeot ex - Quick Search allows the player to search their deck for one card every turn and place it in their hand, greatly improving consistency by guaranteeing that the player can get a card of their choice every turn.
  • Lumineon V - When placed from the player's hand onto the Bench, Lumineon V's Luminous Sign allows the user to search their deck for a Supporter card, helping further add consistency.
  • Mew - Mew's Mysterious Tail ability allows the player to search for an Item card in the top 6 cards of the deck, which is useful for getting cards such as Rare Candy and Ultra Ball into the hand faster.
  • Manaphy - Manaphy's Wave Veil ability protects the Bench from the opponent's attacks, protecting frail Pokémon like Charmander and Pidgey.
  • Jirachi - Similar to Manaphy, Jirachi's Stellar Veil ability protects the Bench from damage counters being placed as the result of a Basic Pokémon's attack, notably improving the deck against Sableye from the powerful Lost Box archetype.
  • Rare Candy - This card is able to evolve Charmander or Pidgey directly into Charizard ex or Pidgeot ex, respectively, as early as turn 2, which greatly speeds up deck development.
  • Battle VIP Pass - Places two basic Pokémon onto the Bench on the first turn, useful for guaranteeing a Charmander and Pidgey on the Bench to Rare Candy, as well as getting useful support Pokémon like Rotom V, Manaphy, and Jirachi.
  • Ultra Ball - Helps guarantee that Charizard ex or Pidgeot ex will be in the hand in order to play Rare Candy, as well as grabbing Lumineon V and other support Pokémon into the hand.
  • Arven - Searches the deck for an Item card and a Pokémon Tool card, which is very useful in grabbing a Rare Candy along with a Pokémon Tool.


Typical decklist

Azul Garcia Griego's decklist at the 2023 San Antonio Regional

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Charmander Fire Common
Charmander Fire Common
Charmeleon Fire Uncommon
Charizard ex Darkness Double Rare
Pidgey Colorless Common
Pidgeot ex Colorless Double Rare
Rotom V Lightning Ultra-Rare Rare
Lumineon V Water Ultra-Rare Rare
Mew Psychic Rare Holo
Manaphy Water Rare
Jirachi Metal Common
Battle VIP Pass I Uncommon
Ultra Ball I Uncommon
Rare Candy I Uncommon
Level Ball I Uncommon
Lost Vacuum I Uncommon
Counter Catcher I Uncommon
Super Rod I Common
Artazon St Uncommon
Collapsed Stadium St Uncommon
Lost City St Uncommon
Arven Su Uncommon
Boss's Orders Su Uncommon
Iono Su Uncommon
Professor's Research Su Uncommon
Forest Seal Stone PT Rare Holo
Justified Gloves PT Uncommon
Vitality Band PT Uncommon
Fire Energy Fire E Common


Possible tech cards

The following cards can be used in Charizard ex decks in place of certain cards included in the above list.

  • Radiant Charizard - A powerful late-game card that can OHKO many Pokémon V as a single-Prize card attacker with Combustion Blast.
  • Bibarel - A useful way to gain consistency against hand disruption cards such as Iono and Roxanne.
  • Entei V - Can draw one extra card with its Fleet-Footed ability and can deal up to 220 damage with its attack if the opponent has five benched Pokémon.
  • Delphox V - Can deal 120 damage to a benched Pokémon with its Mystical Fire attack.
  • Minior - Counter to Snorlax Stall decks
  • Nest Ball - Useful for placing Pokémon V and basic Pokémon directly onto the bench.
  • Switch/Escape Rope - Common switching cards that can help counter the effects of disruption cards such as Boss's Orders and Counter Catcher.
  • Professor Turo's Scenario - Can be used to return a damaged Pokemon ex to the hand without losing prize cards, and if used on Charizard ex can allow for another use of Infernal Reign.
  • Defiance Band - Useful for increasing Charizard ex's damage by 30 when behind in prize cards.
  • Technical Machine: Evolution - Can be used to accelerate the evolutions of Charmander, Pidgey, and Bidoof in the early-game.



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