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Aside from stall decks, there are very few decks in thePokemon TCGthat can survive without Energy. Energy is essential for many Pokemon to attack or retreat. As a result, the Esparthra ex deck focuses on a unique form of disruption by increasing the amount of Energy needed for your opponent to attack or removing Energy altogether. Through Bouffalant, some of this Energy can even be permanently discarded through the use of the Lost Zone mechanic. This, paired with Espathra ex’s and Mew ex’s ability to deal large amounts of damage, creates a unique style of gameplay.
To learn how to build and play this deck, or what to expect in a match against it onPokemon TCG Live, continue reading below.
Pokemon TCG: Espathra ex Deck List
Pokemon TCG: Espathra ex Deck Key Cards
to succeed asa deck capable of both disruption and attacking, there are specific cards that the Espathra ex deck requires aside from Espathra ex itself. This includes cards that work alongside Espathra ex’s Ability as well as cards that prepare your Bench early on.
Espathra ex
Espathra ex is the most essential card in this deck. Its attack, Psy Ball, does an extra 30 damage for each Energy attached to Espathra ex as well as your opponent’s Active Pokemon.Because its Tera type is Grass, Espathra ex will also apply Weakness to many popular deckssuch as Charizard ex (Tera) and Roaring Moon ex without finding many decks that can hit in return for Weakness.
However, while Espathra ex’s attack can be a viable way to secure Prize Cards, it is this card’s Ability that allows it to act as the main component of disruption in this deck. So long as Espathra ex is in the Active Spot, and there are no cards in play to deactivate its Ability,Dazzling Gaze will require your opponent to attach an extra Energy in order to attack.
For example, Miraidon ex’s Photon Blaster will require four Energies instead of three. Not only does this often slow down your opponent’s ability to attack, but it also provides an extra Energy to buff Espathra ex’s Psy Ball attack.
Pokemon League Headquarters
This strategic Stadium card applies an effect similar to that of Espathra ex’s Dazzling Gaze. However, whereas Espathra ex’s Ability only triggers while Espathra ex is in the Active Spot but effects the Defending Pokemon regardless of stage, Pokemon League Headquarters applies all the time but only to Basic Pokemon. This includes your own Basic Pokemon.
It will require one extra Energy in order for all Basic Pokemon to attack.
Against some decks, such as Tera Charizard ex or Banette ex, Pokemon League Headquarters may not have a large effect. This is because these decks do not rely on Basic Pokemon as their attackers.
However, against decks such as Chien-Pao ex, Miraidon ex, and Roaring Moon ex, this Stadium can greatly increase the amount of resources your opponent needs. This is especially true if Espathra ex is also in the Active Spot, requiring your opponent toattach two extra Energies to attack.
Because Espathra ex is a Stage 1 Pokemon, Pokemon League Headquarters won’t affect your ability to attack with Psy Ball. However, it will increase the Energy required to attack with both Mew ex and Bouffalant. As a result, be careful with how and when you attach Energies when this card is in play, as you’ll need one extra Energy for both of these Basic Pokemon’s attacks.
Crushing Hammer
Because Espathra ex relies on the number of Energies attached to your opponent’s Pokemon when dealing damage, it may seem strange to include cards that remove Energy. However, the goal of including Crushing Hammer in this deck is tokeep enough Energy on your opponent’s Pokemon to make Psy Ball viablewhile also preventing your opponent from attacking.
This will allow Espathra ex to possibly attack several times before your opponent is able to attach enough Energies, and keep enough attached, to attack.
Battle VIP Pass
On your first turn, there are several Basic Pokemon that are essential to have on your Bench for the most optimized gameplay. This includes at least one Flittle, though two are preferred, Mew ex for its Restart Ability, and Bidoof.
Depending on your matchup, you may also need a Manaphy or Jirachi on the Bench in your first turn. As a result,Battle VIP Pass can be an important step in ending your first turnwith all the resources you need.
This deck includes a playset of Battle VIP Pass. However, while having four copies greatly increases your chance of drawing into a Battle VIP Pass on your first turn, the inclusion of Arven, which can search for an Item, increases this likelihood even further.
Pokemon TCG: Espathra ex Deck Strategy
Although the Espathra ex deck plays Stage 1 Pokemon that you will want to evolve quickly, it is actually best to go second.This is because going second will allow you to play Supporters like Arven, increasing the likelihood of you finding a Battle VIP Pass on your first turn.
In your first turn, you’ll need at least one Flittle on your Bench.Two is preferred, as if Flittle is in the Active Spot at the end of your turn, it is likely that it will be Knocked Out. You will also need Bidoof in an ideal game so that you may evolve into Bibarel on your next turn.
Espathra ex’s Psy Ball attack only requires one Energy, so an attachment during your first turn is always beneficial but not required. This turn can also be a good one to putSpiritomb and Pokemon League Headquarters into playin an effort to hopefully disrupt your opponent going into their second turn.
Once you have an Espathra ex,the main goal is to prevent your opponent from attackingthrough the use of its Ability, Pokemon League Headquarters, and Crushing Hammers. In Lost Zone matchups, utilizing Bouffalant can be important.
This is because these decks often play highly restrictive amounts of Energy, and Lost Zoning those cards early may be one of the best ways to prevent later attacks. This is especially true when against Lost Box decks playing two-Prize attackers like Giratina VSTAR or Roaring Moon ex that rely on several different Energies in play.
Although this deck focuses on disruption, the goal is to win by taking Prize Cards rather than stalling, so you will want toattack with Psy Ball whenever possible.
Pokemon TCG: Espathra ex Deck Common Threats
Although Espathra ex does apply Weakness, one of the biggest threats for this deck is Charizard ex (tera). This is because this card has high amounts of scaling damage, can rapidly accelerate Energy through its Ability, and its not affected by Pokemon League Headquarters.
Although with enough Energies Espathra ex can Knock Out a Charizard ex in a single turn, Charizard ex’s ability to do more damage with each Prize Card you take can serve as a threat, especially if you only have one Espathra ex set up.
In this case, Mew ex can be a helpful counter-attacker, especially during the later game.With only Psychic Energies attached (no Double Turbo Energies), Mew ex can Knock Out a Charizard ex with its own attack, so long as your opponent has taken enough Prize Cards.
