Pokémon TCG Pocket: Ho-Oh ex and Lugia ex Deck Strategy

This deck strategy highlights just one way to pair up two iconic Legendary Pokémon that made their debut in Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket’s Wisdom of Sea and Sky expansion. Together, Ho-Oh ex and Lugia ex soar the skies to victory with Energy acceleration from Zeraora and well-timed use of new Item and Supporter cards.

Game plan: Your first task is to attach Energy to Ho-Oh ex so it can use Phoenix Turbo as soon as possible. The attack allows you to take a , , and Energy from your Energy Zone and attach them to your Benched Basic Pokémon in any way you like—the main goal is to charge Lugia ex up for a devastating finishing blow with its Elemental Blast attack. Attach a Rocky Helmet to Ho-Oh ex to start doing some damage to your opponent’s Pokémon while you’re still gathering Energy for Phoenix Turbo—or to dissuade them from attacking altogether. Leaf can help Ho-Oh ex retreat by reducing its Retreat Cost to 0, making way for Lugia ex to swoop in and do a whopping 180 damage to the opposing Pokémon with Elemental Blast.

But first, you’ll want to get Zeraora on the battlefield on your first turn in order to take advantage of its Thunderclap Flash Ability, which attaches Energy to it after your first turn even when it’s resting on the Bench. You can then kick off a combo using the new Elemental Switch item to grab one of the Energy and move it to Ho-Oh, providing much-needed Energy acceleration.

The Thunderclap Pokémon can also help counter any opposing Oricorio you may face—the Dancing Pokémon’s Safeguard Ability prevents all damage done to it by opposing Pokémon ex, which protects it from your Ho-Oh ex and Lugia ex. After chipping away at Oricorio’s HP with damage from Ho-Oh’s Rocky Helmet, Zeraora can successfully Knock Out the Dancing Pokémon in one hit with Lightning Claw.

As you play with this deck, it’s important to read the battlefield and respond accordingly. Ho-Oh ex and Lugia ex are a dual engine, and you may need to cycle between them to get enough attacks in to secure a victory. Both Lyra and Leaf help pivot your Pokémon from the Active Spot to the Bench in different ways—Lyra moves a Pokémon that has damage on it from the Active Spot to the Bench, and Leaf reduces the Retreat Cost for your Active Pokémon by 2.

If you need to attack with Zeraora or Ho-Oh ex, the damage boost from Red might be just enough to ensure they can Knock Out opposing Pokémon ex. Sabrina can help disrupt your opponent’s strategy and potentially clear the way for Lugia ex to land its Elemental Blast attack on easier targets.

Have fun experimenting with these new cards, Trainers!