Arceus ex has quickly become a powerhouse in Pokémon TCG Pocket, solidifying its position as a top-tier meta card. Within a week of launch, it claimed over 11% of the metagame, dismantling the once-dominant Darkrai ex & Magnezone combo. With its high-damage potential, synergistic abilities, and versatile Colorless typing, Arceus ex is shaping up to be one of the most future-proof cards in the game.
Arceus ex Card Overview
- Rarity: Four-diamond, two-star, three-star, crown
- HP: 140
- Attack: 70 (up to 130 with ability)
- Ability: +20 damage for each Benched Pokémon
- Attack Cost: Three Colorless Energy
- Retreat Cost: Two
- Weakness: Fighting
With the right support, Arceus ex can consistently hit 130 damage per turn, making it an unstoppable force in most matchups.
Best Meta Deck for Arceus ex
Steel-Type Deck (Dialga ex & Shaymin Combo)
The strongest Arceus ex deck currently revolves around Dialga ex and Shaymin, utilizing Dialga’s ability to generate extra Energy and Shaymin’s healing & retreat cost reduction.
Key Pokémon & Trainer Cards
Pokémon:
✔ Arceus ex – Main attacker, scales damage with Bench size.
✔ Dialga ex – Provides Energy acceleration.
✔ Shaymin – Lowers Retreat Cost or heals attackers.
✔ Mew ex (optional) – Additional flexibility.
Trainer Cards:
✔ Cyrus – Disrupts opponent’s hand.
✔ X Speed – Boosts damage output.
✔ Dawn – Provides draw power.
✔ Giant Cape – Extra durability.
✔ Potion – Heals minor damage.
✔ Giovanni & Mars – Additional support.
Strategy:
1️⃣ Start with Dialga ex to accelerate Energy generation.
2️⃣ Set up Arceus ex to absorb this Energy and hit for 130 damage per turn.
3️⃣ Use Shaymin to reduce retreat costs and heal damage when needed.
🔹 Meta Performance:
- Matches Played: ~3,300
- Meta Share: ~11%
- Win Rate: ~59%
Second-Best Arceus ex Deck
Hybrid Dark/Fire Deck (Crobat & Heatran Setup)
This deck leverages Crobat’s bonus damage and Heatran’s free retreat when Arceus ex is Active.
Key Pokémon & Trainers
Pokémon:
✔ Zubat → Golbat → Crobat – Deals 30 bonus damage each turn.
✔ Heatran – Gains free retreat cost.
✔ Arceus ex – Primary attacker.
Trainer Cards:
✔ Cyrus – Disruption.
✔ Sabrina – Extra card draw.
✔ Dawn – Energy acceleration.
✔ Leaf – Recovery.
✔ Giant Cape – Boosts survivability.
Strategy:
1️⃣ Use Crobat to apply 30 chip damage each turn.
2️⃣ Heatran’s free retreat allows seamless switching between attackers.
3️⃣ Arceus ex remains the primary damage dealer with its 130-power attack.
How to Counter Arceus ex
The best counter to Arceus ex is a Fighting-type deck, taking advantage of its weakness.
Top Anti-Arceus ex Decks
1️⃣ Rampardos & Lucario w/ Sudowoodo (64% win rate)
2️⃣ Gallade ex & Hitmonlee (65% win rate)
✔ Sudowoodo: Deals 90 damage for just 1 Energy when Arceus ex is Active.
✔ Lucario: Boosts damage & disrupts opponents.
Conclusion: If you’re facing too many Arceus ex decks, a Fighting-type counter is your best bet.
Pokémon That Synergize with Arceus ex
The Triumphant Light expansion introduced several Pokémon that gain special effects when Arceus ex is in play.
| Pokémon | Effect |
|---|---|
| Carnivine | +30 damage to opponent’s Active Pokémon. |
| Heatran | No Retreat Cost. |
| Abomasnow | Attacks cost 1 less Energy. |
| (A2a) Raichu | Takes -30 damage from attacks. |
| (A2a) Rotom | No Retreat Cost. |
| Tyranitar | +30 damage to opponent’s Active Pokémon. |
| (A2a) Crobat | Deals 30 damage per turn when Arceus ex is Active. |
| (A2a) Magnezone | Takes -30 damage from attacks. |
These Pokémon make Arceus ex even stronger, solidifying its top-tier status.
The Future of Arceus ex in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Arceus ex is one of the most future-proof cards in Triumphant Light due to its Colorless typing and wide synergy across archetypes.
⚠ Potential Challenges Ahead:
- Charizard ex & Mewtwo ex could pose a threat if they become meta-dominant.
- A future OP Fighting-type Pokémon could limit its dominance.
However, unless drastic balance changes occur, Arceus ex is here to stay as a meta-defining powerhouse in Pokémon TCG Pocket! 💥
