Pokémon TCG Pocket fans were in for a treat with the Wisdom of Sea and Sky expansion that marked the introduction of over 200 new cards. While some of the cards are seemingly only for collecting purposes, others have the potential to have powerhouse decks constructed around them. A good example of the latter is the Donphan ex card, a card that can deal insane damage without requiring different types of energies. Here’s how to make the best Donphan ex decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
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What is the Donphan ex card in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Introduced in the Wisdom of Sea and Sky expansion, Donphan ex is a stage 1 Fighting-type card that evolves from Phanpy. Donphan ex has 160 health and a weakness to Grass-type attacks, resulting in the Pokémon taking 20 additional damage from them. Donphan ex also has a rather hefty retreat cost of three energy of any type, making it important to have support-type cards that assist with retreating. Of course, LootBar can help players obtain these cards.
While everything so far seems rather ordinary for a stage 1 Pokémon, Donphan ex’s only attack sets it apart from most other Fighting-types. Gigantic Press is a move that requires at least one Fighting-type energy. This attack only does 50 base damage, but the real damage kicks in if Donphan ex has at least two extra Fighting-type energies attached to it, raising the damage dealt from 50 to 110. Considering the move doesn’t require the Pokémon to discard any energy, players can effectively spam this single move after completing the setup process to deal continuously high damage.
What are Donphan ex’s biggest weaknesses?
Donphan ex may seem like an unstoppable force from the get-go, but a handful of weaknesses ensure the card isn’t overpowered. Naturally, the biggest one is how long it takes to set up Donphan ex. Considering it’s a stage 1 card, players must first put down Phanpy and then evolve it into Donphan ex. Then, the card must have at least three Fighting-type energies to ensure Donphan ex can deal proper damage.
The Pokémon’s 160 health points help it survive longer than most, but players still have to construct decks that increase Donphan ex’s survivability, while allowing it to set up quicker. Of course, there’s also the Pokémon’s weakness to Grass-type Pokémon that players must consider.
What are the best Donphan ex decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Donphan ex requires the right assistance to ensure the card can really shine. In this case, two decks stand out as being ideal for this specific Pokémon. While the Lucario damage amplifying deck is easily the best Donphan ex deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket, the Rampardos deck is also excellent for those who want an early game powerhouse.
Lucario damage amplifying deck
The Lucario damage amplifying deck stands as the best one for Donphan ex in Pokémon TCG Pocket. It utilizes the ability of fan-favorite Pokémon Lucario to further boost Donphan’s damage, making quick work of most enemy Pokémon without fail.
Below are the cards required to construct the best Donphan ex deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
1. Phanpy x2
2. Donphan ex x2
3. Riolu x2
4. Lucario (Space-Time Smackdown) x2
5. Hitmonlee (Genetic Apex) x1
6. Sudowoodo x1
7. Professor’s Research x2
8. Poke Ball x2
9. Lyra x2
10. Rocky Helmet x1
11. Red x2
12. Pokemon Center Lady x1
This deck is fairly easy to use as long as you know the basic strategy to utilize. Hitmonlee and Sudowoodo act as the initial damage-dealers, though the one you send out depends on the enemy’s first Pokémon. If the enemy sends out someone with low health or an ex, then use Sudowoodo. On the other hand, if the enemy tries using a delay tactic to set up their ace on the bench, the Hitmonlee can ensure that doesn’t happen. Cards like Rocky Helmet and Pokémon Center Lady help this starting card survive while increasing its damage.
There are two things that you want to do simultaneously while your first Pokémon is in the active spot. The first is to start setting up Donphan ex by evolving Phanpy and attaching Fighting-type energies. The second is to ensure that both of your Lucario are fully-evolved and on your bench. Thanks to this Lucario’s Fighting Coach ability, your Fighting-type attacks deal an additional 20 damage. Having two on the bench means that all of your Pokémon deal 40 extra damage without requiring any more energy or support.
With Donphan ex set up and Lucario on your bench, use Lyra to switch Donphan into the active spot and start dealing damage. Every attack should do 150 base damage thanks to the additional energy cards and the two Lucarios on the bench. If required, you can use Red to increase your damage even more, or swap out Donphan ex with one of your benched Lucarios using Lyra if you want someone to finish things off.
Rampardos deck
While not as adaptable, the Rampardos deck for Donphan ex is also excellent if you have the right cards. Putting Donphan ex in the forefront and using Rampardos as the cleanup Pokémon, this deck utilizes various support cards to increase your cards’ damage while disrupting the enemy’s tactics.
Below are the cards required for the Donphan ex X Rampardos deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
1. Phanpy x2
2. Donphan ex x2
3. Skull Fossil x2
4. Rampardos x2
5. Professor’s Research x2
6. Poke Ball x2
7. Lyra x2
8. Red x1
9. Rare Candy x2
10. Pokemon Center Lady x1
11. Cyrus x1
12. Red Card x1
This specific deck is extremely effective in the early game. The first thing players want to do is to send out Phanpy to start setting it up. Evolve it into Donphan ex as soon as you can, while setting up Rampardos on your bench. Rare Candy ensures that you can evolve Skull Fossil directly into Rampardos, while Donphan ex’s move’s base 50 damage is enough to take out most non-evolved Pokémon before they can come online, especially when paired with Red.
Prioritize Donphan ex when it comes to attaching energy, since you want to start dealing 110 damage quickly. However, if you see a potential knockout, use Lyra to switch in Rampardos to utilize its low energy cost and high base damage to make quick work of most early-game Pokémon. If required, you can also use Cyrus to stop the enemy from switching out a Pokémon that has low health.
Remember that the core idea behind this deck is to get Donphan ex online as soon as possible. This deck’s early game strength ensures it doesn’t have much flexibility, which means you should try to get every card mentioned above. Of course, LootBar can help you if you’re missing out on any card.
Conclusion
This concludes everything you need to know about constructing the best Donphan ex deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Donphan may have some weaknesses, but its strengths more than make up for them, especially when paired with the right cards. Those who don’t have the right cards for their ideal deck can always buy a Pokémon TCG Pocket top up to change that by opening more packs.
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