In Pokémon TCG Pocket, the Pikachu pack rewards players with a chance to obtain the Legendary Pokémon Arcanine ex, a fiery powerhouse that has yet to dominate the meta. Despite not being a staple in top-tier decks, Arcanine ex’s strengths can shine through when used strategically, especially against the overwhelming Pikachu ex decks that have dominated the early game.
Building the Arcanine ex Deck
Arcanine ex decks became a fan-favorite when they were discovered to have a solid counter to the powerful Pikachu ex decks, making them a surprise contender in online tournaments. The key to building an effective Arcanine ex deck lies in Energy acceleration and smart strategies with support cards like Moltres ex and Aerodactyl.
A typical Arcanine ex deck includes Growlithe and Arcanine ex as the main attackers. You’ll want to use Moltres Ex to accelerate Energy onto your Growlithe while it evolves into Arcanine. Once Arcanine ex is ready, it can deal heavy damage with Inferno Onrush, a move that only requires three Energy, which makes it much faster to set up compared to other powerful Pokémon like Charizard ex. Moltres Ex also serves as a shield, keeping your Growlithe safe during the evolution process.
Key Strategies and Synergies
The synergy between Moltres ex and Arcanine ex is vital. By using Moltres ex’s Inferno Dance, you can quickly power up your Growlithe to evolve into an Arcanine ex. Once Arcanine is in play, it can unleash Inferno Onrush, hitting opponents hard with 120 damage. Keep Moltres ex in play to maintain Energy flow, retreating it when necessary and playing additional Energy to support Arcanine or Aerodactyl.
Aerodactyl, paired with Old Amber, serves as a strategic backup, disrupting your opponent’s plans by forcing their Pokémon into the discard pile. If you face strong opponents like Blastoise ex, Aerodactyl’s ability to send powerful threats back to the deck can give you time to knock out their weaker Pokémon.
Deck Matchups and Counters
The Arcanine ex deck excels against Pikachu ex decks, winning almost 70% of matches due to its strong resistance and ability to quickly deal with the electric mouse. While Moltres ex has a weakness to Lightning-type Pokémon, Arcanine’s speed makes it tough for these threats to deal a significant blow.
Venusaur ex, a formidable foe due to its healing abilities, can be handled with Arcanine’s fire-type advantage, allowing it to take down Venusaur before it can fully power up. However, Blastoise ex remains a tricky matchup, as it can counter Arcanine’s attacks with its powerful Water-type moves. Luckily, these decks are relatively rare, which gives Arcanine ex a slight edge in the meta.
Final Thoughts
Arcanine ex decks may not be the first choice for competitive players, but they have a unique place in the Pokémon TCG Pocket scene. With careful deck-building and the right support cards, Arcanine ex can become a dark horse contender, especially when paired with Moltres ex and Aerodactyl to disrupt opponents' strategies.
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