Pokémon TCG Pocket’s latest event can be a little difficult to complete, but this Arcanine build can get players the wins they need for their new emblem. UnlikePokémon TCG Pocket’s previous emblem eventwhich just focused on earning a certain number of wins, the newest event requires players towin five consecutive Pokémon battles. This can be a big ask, especially when many decks rely on some element of chance through coin-flipping cards.
Due to the need to win consistently, many players have been running decks that are near the top of the current meta, such as Articuno ex, Starmie ex, or Charizard ex builds. That means a lot of players probably discount decks built around a card like Arcanine ex because they are lower down in the meta. However,this specific Arcanine ex build was capable of winning the eventwith only one unsuccessful attempt. Players who are having trouble finishing the event with their current deck may want to try this one out.
Here’s How To Build An Arcanine Ex Deck
Players Build Around Arcanine Ex In A Few Ways But This One Works Well For The Event
The advantage of Arcanine ex in aFire-typePokémon TCG Pocketdeckis that it has a relatively low energy cost for its attack power, and it doesn’t lose energy after attacking. This means it can be faster and more consistent than Mewtwo ex without support. While still slower than a Pokémon like Pikachu ex, Arcanine ex is more durable. This makes an Arcanine ex deck a solid mid-range option that exists in the space between aggro decks and decks that take longer to build up, like Charizard ex.
Pokémon TCG Pocket: This Pidgeot Deck is Challenging the Meta
The current meta in Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has become incredibly hard to defeat, but this emerging new deck is causing it some issues.
This deck also includes two Moltres ex cardsto help speed up Arcanine’s attack. Because Growlithe only needs to evolve once into Arcanine ex, an early Moltres ex play can mean players are attacking for 120 damage on their third turn. Giovanni Supporter cards can help turn this into a 130-damage attack to finish off stronger Pokémon.
2
Arcanine ex
1
Moltres ex
Sabrina
Some players opt to run two red cards in this deck as a way to potentially remove a valuable card from an opponent’s hand. However, Red Card can be a little inconsistent, and can even result in giving an opponent the exact card they need. Instead, this version of the Arcanine ex build runs a Sizzlipede and a Centiskorch instead of the Red Cards. While not as quick as Arcanine ex, Centiskorch is still a solid second stage Pokémon once it can start attacking.
The Strategy Behind The Arcanine Ex Deck
Players Want To Tank Damage Until They’re Ready To Finish Off Pokémon In One Hit
Early turns with this deck should focus on storing up energy on Growlithe or Sizzlipede. Ideally, this meansgetting an early Moltres ex and letting it tank damagewhile distributing energy to the other two Pokémon. If players get unlucky draws and can’t get Moltres ex out, they should pick a Pokémon to stack energy on in anticipation of it evolving and not worry about getting off small early attacks. If players need to choose, Sizzlipede is a better option to sacrifice early to buy time. There’s less chance of drawing Centiskorch than Arcanine ex, and it’s a slower attacker.
Although Moltres ex should be used to soak up early damage, it’s also important that players retreat it before it is knocked out. It’s typically better to let Arcanine ex take a hit a turn early than to give up two points to the opponent. Don’t get stingy with X Speeds either, use them as early as turn one if it means swapping a starting Pokémon for a freshly drawn Moltres ex. Conserving energy usage is key for this deck’s success.
The beauty of this deck is its ability to startknocking out Pokémon before they evolve. As soon as Arcanine ex or Centiskorch are ready to attack, retreat Moltres ex and start swinging. Don’t bother trying to fight with Moltres ex, its attack is too weak for its energy cost. Also, make sure to use Sabrina cards to swap in first- or second-stage Pokémon before they become too powerful for Arcanine ex or Centiskorch to one-shot.
How To Handle Popular Matchups
Arcanine Ex Can Do Well Against Several Meta Decks
One of the scariest matchups for this deck is an Articuno ex/Starmie ex build. Not only does this mean working against a type disadvantage, but it also means the deck’s main cards are out of reach for Arcanine ex to knock out in one attack. Luckily, Moltres ex is weak to electricity and not water, so players will want to lean even harder into using it to tank damage. This matchup may be an exception for letting Moltres ex get knocked out, if it means getting to knock out Starmie ex or Atricuno ex by holding out for Giovanni.
This deck actually serves as a pretty nice counter toCharizard ex decks. It is built very similarly but evolves faster. When going up against a Charizard ex deck, the priority should be taking out Charmanders and Charmeleons before they evolve. Use Sabrina to swap them in when possible, and don’t focus too much on Moltres ex at first. It doesn’t hit very hard, so it will be easy to take care of later.
Pikachu ex deckscan be a tricky opponent because it can take out Moltres ex more quickly. For this matchup, players may want to consider filling their bench. Focus on building up energy on one Pokémon to evolve, and using the other two basic Pokémon as fodder. Going down two points isn’t the end of the world inPokémon TCG Pocket, especially here, because Arcanine ex can come in and one-shot Pikachu ex, while also surviving a hit from a second one. It takes a very lucky Zapdos flip to one-shot Arcanine ex, so this matchup isn’t too bad.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a mobile adaptation that reimagines the classic TCG experience for iOS and Android devices.
