With the launch of the Shining Revelry expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, a variety of powerful cards have surfaced, reshaping the competitive landscape. Among these standout cards are Beedrill ex and Meowscarada, which have both proven to be formidable assets in aggressive Grass-type deck strategies. While this particular deck may not possess the speed of more traditional offensive approaches, it compensates with tremendous damage potential that can turn the tide in prolonged matches.
When entering ranked or competitive events, it’s advantageous to switch between different deck builds to adapt to various match-ups, particularly when aiming for consistency in your victories. This dynamic not only invigorates gameplay but also aids you in pinpointing which strategies resonate with your playing style. Since I incorporated the Beedrill ex and Meowscarada deck into my lineup, I have experienced remarkable success, outshining my previous favorite decks such as Celebi ex and Mewtwo ex due to its reliability and simplicity.
Why Beedrill Ex Is Overlooked
Crushing Spear: High Damage with a Disruption Effect
Currently, Beedrill ex stands out as one of the top contenders in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. However, it hasn’t garnered the same acclaim as more prominent cards like Celebi ex. This could be largely attributed to its inherent limitation as a Stage 2 Pokémon, which requires considerable time to evolve. Despite this drawback, its impressive 170 HP makes it incredibly resilient.
The real star of Beedrill ex is its attack, Crushing Spear, which deals a formidable 80 damage for only two Grass-type energy. This quick and efficient attack not only inflicts damage but also discards a random energy card from your opponent’s Active Pokémon. I’ve often found that this ability hinders my opponent’s strategy, preventing them from delivering a knockout blow to Beedrill ex during critical moments. Following this, the second hit of 80 damage can often seal the victory.
Essential Cards for Your Deck
The Importance of Meowscarada & Erika
Meowscarada plays an equally vital role in the functionality of this deck. This Grass-type Pokémon has the remarkable ability to counter many popular meta decks, making it an underappreciated choice. Its attack, Fighting Claws, inflicts 60 damage for two Grass-type energy and deals an astonishing 130 damage against ex Pokémon. This capability has proven crucial in numerous ranked battles, particularly when pitted against prevalent strategies.
| Card | Quantity | Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Weedle | 1 | Mewtwo Pack |
| Kakuna | 1 | Shining Revelry |
| Beedrill ex | 1 | Shining Revelry |
| Sprigatito | 2 | Shining Revelry |
| Floragato | 2 | Shining Revelry |
| Meowscarada | 2 | Shining Revelry |
| Erika | 2 | Charizard Pack |
| Pokémon Communication | 1 | Dialga Pack |
| Giant Cape | 1 | Dialga Pack |
| Cyrus | 1 | Palkia Pack |
| Red | 1 | Shining Revelry |
| Team Rocket Grunt | 1 | Shining Revelry |
| Poké Ball | 2 | Shop |
| Professor’s Research | 2 | Shop |
For the evolution of Beedrill, it’s advisable to utilize the Genetic Apex Weedle instead of the Shining Revelry variant for a more potent early-game presence, as it deals a solid 20 damage with its Sting attack.
Including Erika in this setup is crucial for maintaining card longevity. This supporter allows you to heal 50 damage from one of your Grass-type Pokémon, which becomes invaluable when your lower-Hit Point Basics, like Weedle and Sprigatito, are exposed early in the game. Preserving their health to facilitate their evolution is essential, and Erika often serves as the shield that prevents them from being swiftly knocked out, especially since this deck does not include potions.
Optimal Strategies for Gameplay
A Slower Deck with Strong Impact
To establish a strong position at the outset of a Pokémon TCG Pocket match, place Sprigatito in the Active Spot and apply the Giant Cape supporter card to enhance its HP from 60 to 80. This increase improves your chances of evolving it to Meowscarada as the match progresses. Furthermore, ensure to place a Weedle on the bench to initiate Beedrill ex’s evolution line and allocate your first energy to Sprigatito, utilizing Cry for Help to draw crucial cards.
The Giant Cape tool significantly bolsters both Weedle and Sprigatito’s survival during the opening phases of battles, effectively raising their HP. As you transition from Basic to Stage 1 Pokémon, leverage Professor’s Research to accelerate this process, bringing essential cards into your hand. Erika can be pivotal during this phase, preventing knockouts on your vital Pokémon. You may also employ Floragato’s Slash attack to inflict 40 damage.
Once you have established your board, focus on evolving both Kakuna and Floragato into their final forms, Beedrill ex and Meowscarada. The combination of Meowscarada’s Fighting Claws and Beedrill ex’s Crushing Spear will yield sufficient damage to overcome your opponent’s Active Pokémon, paving the way for victory in Pokémon TCG Pocket matches.