With the launch of new sets in the Pokemon TCG Pocket, fresh deck strategies emerge while older ones may gain new tools or become less viable. The latest set, Shining Revelry, allows Paldean Pokemon like Clodsire to shine.
Clodsire ex is the long-awaited Poison enabler for Dark-type players since the game’s debut in November, supported by the helpful Grafaiai, also known as the Toxic Monkey Pokemon. Together, they create a powerful combo using poison and the Paldean advantage!
Sample Decklist
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Clodsire ex |
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| Paldean Wooper (A2b) x2 | Paldean Clodsire ex (A2b) x2 | Shroodle (A2b) x2 | Grafaiai (A2b) x2 |
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| Professor’s Research x2 | Sabrina x1 | Cyrus x1 | Leaf x2 |
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| Iono x1 | Red x1 | Poke Ball x2 | Giant Cape x2 |
Since Leaf lowers the retreat cost of Paldean Clodsire ex to one colorless Energy, swapping one Leaf for X Speed allows it to retreat without any Energy cost. However, this method is less consistent than using it twice to reduce the cost by two.
If you lack Shroodle or Grafaiai, consider using Koffing and the Genetic Apex Weezing as substitutes. If you choose this route, incorporating two copies of Koga is crucial to apply Poison and attack in the same turn, making the strategy resource-intensive.
As the metagame evolves, be mindful of the frequency of single-prize decks. If they start to dominate, you might replace Red with Giovanni or add an extra Sabrina.
Clodsire ex Deck Strategy
Paldean Clodsire ex can deliver a substantial 120 damage with just two Darkness Energy using its impactful Venoshock attack. The catch is that the opponent’s Active Pokemon must be Poisoned beforehand.
If you lose the first coin flip, you still have a significant edge: Paldean Wooper can Poison your opponent’s Active Pokemon during your first turn for a single Darkness Energy. If they don’t retreat or evolve that Poisoned Pokemon, it will accumulate 30 damage (two turns of poison effects plus 10 from Wooper’s Poison Jab), followed by an additional 120 damage the next turn once you evolve into Clodsire ex.
While Clodsire ex is your primary attacker, Grafaiai’s Poison Coating offers another way to Poison your opponent’s Active Pokemon. Poison Coating can apply Poison from your Bench, allowing you to consistently use Venoshock for maximum damage output.
Since using Poison Coating relies on winning a coin flip, it’s wise to have both Grafaiai cards on your Bench for an additional flip each turn. This way, you can aim to Poison the opponent’s Active Pokemon three out of every four turns.
With Poison in effect, Clodsire ex effectively deals 130 damage with a successful Venoshock, making it potent against non-ex Pokemon and lower-HP ex Pokemon like Pikachu ex. However, it may struggle against opponents with 140 or more HP, which is where Red becomes beneficial.
Red boosts your Pokemon’s attack by 20 damage, but only when your opponent’s Active Pokemon is an ex. It’s a double-Giovanni, effective only against the strongest Pokemon currently available. While this may not seem significant against high-HP Pokemon like Venusaur ex, it’s enough to OHKO threats like Lucario ex.
Clodsire ex Matchups
Arceus ex / Dialga ex
The Arceus ex / Dialga ex deck, prevalent in the Triumphant Light meta, poses a significant challenge for Clodsire ex. Although Steel-type immunity to Poison is absent in Pokemon TCG Pocket, Arceus ex’s Fabled Luster grants immunity to Poison and other status conditions, making it hard to counter.
Even with this disadvantage, victory is still possible: Clodsire ex can achieve an OHKO on Dialga ex with the help of Red (and Poison), leaving you just one Prize Point away from winning. You can secure that final Prize from commonly played Pokemon such as Mew ex or Shaymin.
To increase your chances, let one of them remain damaged by Poison until late game, then utilize Cyrus to pull it forward for the decisive hit.
Giratina ex / Darkrai ex
The Giratina ex / Darkrai ex archetype is a formidable contender in the Shining Revelry meta, and you’re likely to encounter it frequently. It resembles the previous Darkrai ex / Magnezone deck but is more consistent due to the exclusive use of Basic Pokemon.
Fortunately, Clodsire ex can exploit its advantages: with Poison, Venoshock can OHKO Druddigon and Giratina after just one use of the Broken-Space Bellow ability, leaving Darkrai with 10 HP and Poisoned. If your hand is favorable, these matchups should conclude by the fourth turn.
Charizard ex / Moltres ex
Charizard returns, but with a new twist: This is an entirely different Charizard ex! The version from Shining Revelry boasts the ability to accelerate its own Energy with Stoke and attack for 150 damage using Steam Artillery without discarding any Energy, making it more reliable than its Genetic Apex counterpart, though it does slightly less damage.
While Charizard ex can easily KO Clodsire ex with Giovanni, it requires two Poison-boosted Venoshocks to take down Charizard ex. Thankfully, there are a couple of turns to act before your opponent evolves into Charizard, which gives you the chance to take out Charmeleon before they can mount an offense. Use this opportunity wisely, and victory will be within your grasp.
