Charizard ex refuses to be sidelined in Pokémon TCG Pocket-despite new expansions and fierce competition, this iconic Fire-type still packs a scorching punch with its massive damage and comeback potential, making it a top pick for both newcomers and seasoned players looking to dominate the mobile meta.
The developers of Pokémon TCG Pocket released Charizard ex as part of Genetic Apex booster packs when the game launched in the fall of last year. Since then, we’ve gotten several expansions that have introduced strong cards like Arceus ex, Dakrai ex, and Sudowoodo (if you can believe that).
Charizard ex isn’t the most “meta” deck, meaning it’s not the strongest option out there, but it’s a solid set if for those looking for a starting point. The rest of this article will explain how to use a Charizard ex deck and how to build one.
How to use Charizard ex deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Charizard ex decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket revolve around building up Charizard ex with enough Fire Energy to unleash its powerful attacks, particularly Crimson Storm, which can knock out almost any opposing Pokémon in a single hit. The typical strategy starts by using Moltres ex as your active Pokémon, leveraging its Inferno Dance attack to accelerate Fire Energy onto your benched Charmander and Charmeleon, setting up for a quick evolution into Charizard ex. Trainer cards like Professor’s Research, Poke Ball, and Pokémon Communication help you find the necessary evolution pieces, while Supporters like Iono and Red keep your hand full and provide disruption or extra damage when needed. Once Charizard ex is ready, switch it into the active spot to begin sweeping your opponent’s board, using healing and switching cards to keep your attackers healthy and mobile. Timing your attacks and managing energy discards is key-if you can keep your Charizard ex fueled and protected, you’ll have a strong chance to dominate matches, especially against slower decks.
Charizard ex is a fire-type stage 2 Pokémon that has 180 HP and a retreat cost of two energy. It has a weakness to water-type Pokémon and can use two attacks: The move Slash does 60 damage and requires three energy and Crimson Storm does 200 damage and requires four energy. Each time you use Crimson Storm, you must detach two energy from Charizard.
This might seem obvious, but you’ll need Charmander and Charmeleon cards so that you can evolve them into Charizard ex. Besides those two, Moltres ex is essential to any Charizard ex deck. This card has an one-energy attack called Inferno Dance that allows you to flip three coins and a attach a fire energy to your benched pokémon for each heads you flip. (You can get a maximum of three energy from this attack.)
To play a Charizard ex deck, passively build up Charmander/Charmeleon/Charizard ex by using Moltres ex. Just play Moltres ex, which is a basic Pokémon with 140 HP, to tank some attacks and use Inferno Dance to juice up Charizard ex with energy.
Switching Pokémon will be key in this deck, and you might have to switch between different Moltres ex or swap Charizard in. Because of this, adding Item and Supporter cards like X Speed, purchasable from the Shop and Leaf, from the Mythical Island expansion, can help you manage your active Pokémon. Other cards, like Giant Cape from the Space-time Smackdown expansion, can help you manage damage by beefing up either Moltres (if your coin flips are bad) or Charizard ex.
Why go with this deck? Both Charizard ex and Moltres ex have been out since the start of the game. Unlike newer cards, it’s possible that you already have these cards, especially given there are several different versions of Charizard ex you can pull. Its Crimson Storm can knock out some of the strongest Pokémon out now so you can still pull out some wins against high-powered decks.
Why does Charizard ex remain a top choice in Pokémon TCG Pocket decks
Charizard ex remains a top choice in Pokémon TCG Pocket decks due to its exceptional combination of high HP, powerful attacks, and strong synergy with support cards like Moltres ex. Its primary attacks-such as Crimson Storm, which deals 200 damage-can knock out most ex Pokémon in a single hit, providing a straightforward win condition that often requires only two attacks to secure victory. The card’s 180 HP allows it to withstand multiple hits, giving players enough time to set up and unleash its devastating attacks.
The deck’s setup is further streamlined by Moltres ex, which accelerates energy attachment, allowing Charizard ex to power up quickly and maintain offensive pressure. Additionally, the availability of multiple versions of Charizard ex and consistent support from new expansions ensures the deck remains competitive, even as the meta evolves.
This combination of raw power, durability, and reliable setup makes Charizard ex a persistent force in the meta, capable of holding its own against both new and established decks.
What specific features keep Charizard ex dominant in Pokémon TCG Pocket decks
Key Features Keeping Charizard ex Dominant in Pokémon TCG Pocket Decks
Massive Damage Output
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Charizard ex is renowned for its ability to deal some of the highest damage in the game, often capable of one-shotting nearly any opposing Pokémon, which gives it a clear edge in head-to-head matchups.
Self-Energy Acceleration
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The new Shining Revelry Charizard ex features the move Stoke, allowing it to generate three Fire-type Energies for itself, making it more consistent and threatening, even if the move requires sacrificing a turn to set up.
High Durability
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With HP values around 180, Charizard ex can absorb significant damage, surviving long enough to set up its attacks and maintain board presence.
Synergy with Support Pokémon
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Decks often pair Charizard ex with Moltres ex or Incineroar ex, which can help accelerate energy attachment and provide alternative offensive options, making the deck more resilient and flexible.
Efficient Evolution Line
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The Shining Revelry versions of Charmander and Charmeleon are more efficient than previous iterations, allowing for faster and less costly evolution into Charizard ex without self-sabotaging attacks.
Versatile Deck Construction
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Charizard ex decks can be tailored with various tech cards (e.g., Rocky Helmet, Giant Cape, Irida) to adapt to different matchups, stall, or enhance survivability while setting up the main attacker.
Meta Relevance
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Despite new expansions and shifts in the meta, Charizard ex remains effective against many top-tier decks, especially with its strong performance versus popular archetypes like Giratina ex-based decks.
Summary Table: What Makes Charizard ex Stand Out
| Feature | Impact on Deck Performance |
|---|---|
| High Damage | One-shots most Pokémon, fast win condition |
| Self-Energy Acceleration | Quick setup, less reliant on external support |
| High HP | Greater survivability, withstands multiple attacks |
| Support Synergy | Flexible energy acceleration and backup attackers |
| Efficient Evolution | Faster setup, less risk of stalling |
| Versatile Tech Options | Adaptable to meta shifts and counter strategies |
| Meta Resilience | Consistently strong against top-tier decks |
These features combine to keep Charizard ex at the top of the Pokémon TCG Pocket meta, making it a perennial favorite for both competitive and casual players.
