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As the deuteragonist ofPokemon TCG Pocket’s Space-Time Smackdown expansion, Palkia ex has cemented itself as one of the best ex cards in the current meta. If you’re looking to build a strong and competitive deck around it, this guide is for you. We’ll cover two ofthe top Palkia ex deck shellsfrom recent tournaments and break down how to play them effectively. But first, let’s explore why Palkia ex stands out as a top-tier contender inPokemon Pocket.
There are three reasons:
The Best-Performing Deck: Palkia ex & Vaporeon
The ideal setup for Palkia ex revolves around pairing it with Vaporeon and Manaphy. This combination allows Palkia ex to start dealing damage as early as turn three or four, putting significant pressure on the opponent.
The strategy is simple: get Manaphy into play early to generate as much Energy as possible. Then,use Vaporeon to transfer that Energyto Palkia ex, enabling it to attack while you set up a secondary Palkia ex on the Bench.
2
Vaporeon (A1a)
Palkia ex
Articuno ex
(optional)
Must-Have Trainer Cards
The Second-Best Deck: Palkia ex & Greninja
Since Palkia ex excels at dealing Bench damage,Greninja is a natural partner. However, the challenge with this duo is their slow setup—Greninja is a Stage Two Pokemon, and Palkia ex needs at least four Energy to attack.
That’s where Druddigon comes in. Equipped with a Rocky Helmet,Druddigon acts as the deck’s primary staller, buying time while you set up your main attackers—Palkia ex and Greninja—on the Bench.
Palkia ex Performance Report
Sincethe release of the Space-Time Smackdown set, Palkia ex has consistently ranked among the top ten decks in PvP. However,the rise of Darkrai ex and Magnezonein the meta pushed it down to a mid-tier option for tournaments despite its high potential.
Palkia ex’s main weakness is its vulnerability to Bench damage, which has kept it from dominating the meta. However, ifPokemon TCG Pocketintroduces more tech cards to counter long-range attacks, Palkia ex could quickly become one of the most formidable cards in the game.
How to Counter Palkia ex Decks
The toughest matchup for Palkia ex decks is aMagnezone & Hitmonlee setup. Recent data shows this duo boastsa 62% win rate against Palkia ex decks, highlighting its effectiveness. Other strong counters include Rampardos & Lucario lineups, which also exceed a 60% win rate in these matchups.
To counter Palkia ex effectively, focus on targeting its Bench with fast-paced attackers. Both Magnezone and Rampardos setups capitalize on sniper cards like Hitmonlee, which can deal early-game long-range damage at a low cost—explaining their dominance against Palkia ex.
