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Gardevoir ex Deck Strategy
Just like every deck in the Pokemon TCG, Gardevoir ex was affected by the recent post-rotation changes. Some of its essential allies have been removed, and while it may not be at the top of the rankings, it still has considerable potential. Unfortunately, the Journey Together set didn’t add much to the deck, but Gardevoir continues to show her capabilities.
If you’re searching for a post-rotation deck that offers a unique strategy, Gardevoir ex is definitely one to consider. This guide will highlight the key cards and strategies involved. Let’s jump right in.
Gardevoir ex Decklist
Here’s a look at the entire 60-card Gardevoir ex deck. Use the card numbers to help you assemble your own version.
| Card Name | Amount | Card Type | Set | Card No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralts | 2 | Pokemon | Scarlet & Violet | 084/198 |
| Kirlia | 2 | Pokemon | Paldean Fates | 028/091 |
| Gardevoir ex | 2 | Pokemon | Paldean Fates | 029/091 |
| Drifloon | 3 | Pokemon | Scarlet & Violet | 089/198 |
| Scream Tail | 3 | Pokemon | Prismatic Evolutions | 042/131 |
| Varoom | 1 | Pokemon | Stellar Crown | 108/142 |
| Revavroom | 1 | Pokemon | Paldean Fates | 065/091 |
| Mew ex | 1 | Pokemon | Pokemon 151 | 151/165 |
| Lillie’s Clefairy ex | 1 | Pokemon | Journey Together | 056/159 |
| Artazon | 1 | Stadium | Paldean Fates | 076/091 |
| Lively Stadium | 1 | Stadium | Surging Sparks | 180/191 |
| Bravery Charm | 3 | Tool | Paldea Evolved | 173/193 |
| Ancient Booster Capsule | 2 | Tool | Temporal Forces | 140/162 |
| Hero’s Cape | 1 | Tool | Temporal Forces | 152/162 |
| Rare Candy | 2 | Item | Scarlet & Violet | 191/198 |
| Ultra Ball | 2 | Item | Paldean Fates | 091/091 |
| Buddy-Buddy Poffin | 2 | Item | Prismatic Evolutions | 101/131 |
| Night Stretcher | 3 | Item | Shrouded Fable | 061/064 |
| Nest Ball | 2 | Item | Scarlet & Violet | 181/198 |
| Super Rod | 2 | Item | Paldea Evolved | 188/193 |
| Professor’s Research | 4 | Supporter | Journey Together | 155/159 |
| Arven | 2 | Supporter | Obsidian Flames | 186/197 |
| Tulip | 2 | Supporter | Paradox Rift | 181/182 |
| Boss’s Orders | 1 | Supporter | Paldea Evolved | 172/193 |
| Basic Darkness Energy | 3 | Energy | – | – |
| Basic Psychic Energy | 9 | Energy | – | – |
You can consider swapping some cards in your deck with the following alternatives:
- Fezandipiti ex: To draw additional cards from your knocked-out Pokémon and target your opponent’s bench.
- Earthen Vessel: For easier access to Energy.
- Moonlit Hill: To heal your Pokémon.
- Brilliant Blender: To discard Psychic Energies for even more power with Gardevoir ex; replace Hero’s Cape if you do.
What’s Changed In The Deck Since Post-Rotation?
One significant loss due to the rotation is Kirlia with the Refinement ability, which made it easier to cycle through cards quickly. Another loss is Radiant Greninja, which effectively accelerated the drawing of cards, especially Psychic Energy needed by Gardevoir ex.
Despite these changes, the deck still operates well with a greater reliance on Trainer cards for cycling. Manaphy, which provided protection for benched Pokémon, was also removed after the rotation. However, the Journey Together set introduced Lillie’s Clefairy, which offers a strong advantage against Dragon-type Pokémon.
Gardevoir ex Deck Strategy
Pokémon Cards
At the heart of your deck lies Gardevoir ex. Its Psychic Embrace ability allows you to attach as many Psychic Energies as you’d like from your discard pile to your Pokémon on your turn. However, using this ability will inflict 20 damage to that Pokémon, and you can’t use it if the damage would lead to a knockout.
Drifloon takes advantage of this ability with its Balloon Blast attack, dealing 30 damage for each damage counter on it. If Drifloon has 60 damage, that attack can deal a whopping 180 damage.
Another key player is Scream Tail, which can hit any opponent’s Pokémon for 20 damage for each damage counter on it. For example, with 80 damage on Scream Tail, you will deal 160 damage to an opponent’s target, making it easier to claim Prize cards.
Munkidori plays a crucial role by allowing you to move up to 30 damage from one of your Pokémon to one of your opponent’s, making Psychic Embrace’s downside into a strategic benefit.
This deck also includes Revavroom and Mew ex as draw engines. Revavroom allows you to discard a Psychic Energy and draw up to six cards, which can then be reattached with Psychic Embrace. When your hand is low, Mew’s Restart ability helps by letting you draw three cards again. Its Genome Hacking attack also lets you copy your opponent’s active Pokémon’s attack, using it against them. Lillie’s Clefairy ex provides an excellent advantage against Dragon-types, allowing you to deal double damage.
Stadium Cards
You have two Stadium cards that offer distinct advantages. Artazon enables quick setup, which is particularly helpful early on. Lively Stadium is crucial for enhancing Drifloon and Scream Tail’s damage output. If neither of those Pokémon is in play, Artazon becomes more beneficial.
Pokémon Tools
The objective with Pokémon Tools is to boost the HP of Scream Tail and Drifloon, allowing them to withstand more damage and deliver higher returns. Hero’s Cape grants an extra 100 HP to the Pokémon it’s attached to, keeping them from being easily knocked out, while Bravery Charm provides an additional 50 HP.
Ancient Booster Energy Capsule is effective for Scream Tail, increasing its HP by 60 and protecting it from Special Conditions.
Items
Your deck includes two Rare Candy cards, which allow you to evolve Ralts right into Gardevoir ex without needing Kirlia. Ultra Ball helps you find any Pokémon, though it requires you to discard two cards first, ideally Psychic Energies for synergy with Gardevoir ex.
Night Stretcher is valuable for retrieving Pokémon, especially given that Psychic Energy can be recovered with Gardevoir ex. Buddy-Buddy Poffin can place two Pokémon with 70 HP or less onto your bench, making it ideal for finding Ralts or Drifloon. Nest Ball allows you to directly put any Pokémon onto your bench, while Super Rod helps recover Pokémon from the discard pile in case Night Stretcher isn’t available.
Supporters
Supporters in this deck include four copies of Professor’s Research to quickly draw essential cards. Don’t worry about losing Pokémon to discards—Super Rod and Night Stretcher can recover them. Arven is another crucial Supporter that helps you find specific Item and Tool cards when you need them.
Boss’s Orders can turn the tide by switching your opponent’s active Pokémon, while Tulip allows you to retrieve Psychic Pokémon from your discard pile, adding to the deck’s overall versatility.
