There have been many fan-favorite Pokémon throughout the years, from Lucario to Lugia. However, it wouldn’t be farfetched to say that Dragonite was the original cool Pokémon. Seeing it as Lance’s ace was a memory to remember, and players can now get their hands on it in Pokémon TCG Pocket. The only problem is that it’s a very high-risk and high-reward card, though using the right strategy and cards can bring out Dragonite ex’s true power.
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What is the Dragonite ex card in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Dragonite ex is a powerful Dragon-type Stage Two Pokémon with 180 HP. The Pokémon has only one attack, but it’s more than enough to get the job done when used properly. Giga Impact deals a massive 180 damage, allowing it to one-shot a lot of Pokémon without HP boosters. However, the drawback is that the Pokémon that used that attack can't do anything in the next turn. Thanks to this, not eliminating the enemy or letting them switch out a Pokémon who already has energies attached can spell trouble for you.
Dragonite ex needs one Water, one Lightning, and one Colorless energy to use Giga Impact. It has a retreat cost of two and evolves from Dratini through Dragonair. Its clunky energy cost and attack limitation present major deck-building challenges, and that’s without mentioning the fact that it must be evolved twice before it’s properly usable.
Not all is bad, though. Firstly, this Pokémon doesn’t have any weaknesses, which is excellent. Additionally, the retreat cost is relatively low, at just two energies of any type. Thanks to this, players can switch out Dragonite for a different Pokémon whenever required, though that would utilize valuable energy cards. Luckily, those who don’t have the Leaf support card can use LootBar’s services to get their hands on it, bumping the retreat cost to zero.
►What are Dragonite ex’s main strengths and weaknesses?
Dragonite ex’s primary strength is its raw damage. Giga Impact’s 180 damage is incredible in slower matchups. It’s the closest the game has come to a viable Dragon-type attack and provides a fun playstyle.
However, it has disadvantages. The dual water-lightning energy requirement makes the setup reliant on RNG. Being a stage two Pokémon increases the risk of inconsistent draws. Also, the attack restriction after using Giga Impact leaves it vulnerable for a full turn. Building a good deck means addressing these weaknesses.
What are the best Dragonite ex decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Players are usually urged to get creative and construct their own decks. However, that’s tough when it comes to a high-risk and high-reward card like Dragonite ex. Fortunately, two specific decks help the card properly shine, without being held back by its jarring limitations.
►Snorlax ex stall deck
The Snorlax ex pairing relies on a stall strategy to mitigate Dragonite ex’s attack restriction. This water-lightning dual energy deck uses Snorlax ex as a tank, providing players with time to set up Dragonite ex on the bench and recover from the attack lock.
Below is every card that players should add to this deck to properly utilize this specific strategy:
- Dratini A3b x2
- Dragonair A3b x1
- Dragonite ex x2
- Snorlax ex x2
- Poke Ball x2
- Professor's Research x2
- Ilima x2
- Leaf x2
- Leftovers x1
- Rare Candy x2
- X Speed x1
Snorlax ex’s bulk allows it to take hits. The supporter card Ilima is essential for the deck because it removes Snorlax ex’s retreat cost, making it a flexible tool for stalling. Tools like leftovers enhance both Pokémon’s sustainability.
The key is to use Snorlax ex to stall until Dragonite ex is properly set up. Ideally, start with Snorlax ex and buff it with tools and support cards. While Snorlax continues to tank damage, set up Dragonite ex. The best way to do this is by using Rare Candy on Dratini, skipping the Dragonair phase and jumping straight to Dragonite. With this done, have Snorlax retreat and start dealing high damage with Dragonite ex.
Use the Leaf card to have Dragonite ex retreat, if required, and switch back Snorlax in the active spot. Repeat this cycle to perfectly utilize Snorlax’s tankiness and Dragonite’s high damage, mitigating both of their restrictions and hopefully winning the game.
►Fossil discard deck
The fossil deck uses a discard strategy to reset Dragonite ex after attacking, bypassing its restriction. This water-lightning deck focuses on cycling Dragonite ex using fossil cards, and below are the cards you’ll need to perfectly construct this deck:
- Dratini A3b x2
- Dragonair A3b x2
- Dragonite ex x2
- Professor's Research x2
- Pokemon Communication x2
- Leaf x2
- Rare Candy x2
- Old Amber/Helix Fossil/Dome Fossil x2
- Lillie x2
- Sabrina x1Iono x1
Fossils provide the core reset function. Players must use Leaf after attacking to retreat Dragonite ex into an active fossil. Then, they must discard the fossil and bring Dragonite ex back to the active spot. The reactivation removes the Giga Impact restriction, allowing consecutive attacks if the player has multiple fossil cards.
Players can include more than two fossil cards in their deck, with cards like Lillie, Sabrina, and Iono being potentially replaceable depending on the player’s possessed cards and playing style. Considering how important fossils are for this strategy, those who don’t have at least two should look toward LootBar’s services to get them.
The biggest drawback for this specific deck is that there’s no secondary attacker, which means everything depends on Dragonite ex and its evolution line. Start by sending the first Dratini to the active spot, and place the second one on the bench. Continue building both Dratinis, but prioritize the one on the bench, since there’s a good chance the one in the active spot may get knocked out prematurely. Ensure you fill the remaining bench spots with fossils.
As soon as a Dragonite ex is finally in the active spot and ready to attack, use the attack and then utilize the Leaf support card to switch it out with a fossil. Players can discard fossils whenever they want, letting players switch them out for Dragonite. This will bypass Dragonite ex’s Giga Impact drawback, letting it attack again. Repeat this and the enemy’s Pokémon should be knocked out in no time.
Conclusion
All in all, although Dragonite is naturally extremely popular, it’s also a difficult card to properly utilize. Original Pokémon fans may compare it to Slaking, A Pokémon that also has an extremely high attack stat, but can’t move after consecutive turns. Fortunately, with the right strategy and cards, Dragonite ex can turn into an absolute menace for the enemy. If you don’t have the cards you need to complete any of the decks we mentioned above, then you can always buy a Pokémon TCG Pocket top up or two, and you’ll get them in no time.
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