Dark-type decks have taken over the meta in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and Darkrai ex stands at the forefront of this powerful resurgence. Since the Space-Time Smackdown expansion introduced Darkrai ex and Weavile ex, these decks have gained momentum as some of the most effective options for competitive play.
If you’re looking for a deck that delivers consistent damage with excellent synergy, here’s everything you need to know about building the best Darkrai ex deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Top Darkrai ex Deck List
The most effective Darkrai ex deck builds around the synergy between Darkrai ex and Weavile ex, with support from Spiritomb for additional chip damage. Here’s a breakdown of the optimal deck list:
Key Pokémon Cards:
- Darkrai ex (2x) – Core damage dealer with Nightmare Aura and Dark Prism.
- Weavile ex (2x) – Powerful follow-up attacker with Scratching Nails.
- Sneasel (2x) – Essential for evolving into Weavile ex.
- Spiritomb (1x) – Provides early-game chip damage with Swirling Disaster.
Trainer and Supporter Cards:
- Dawn (2x) – Enhances Energy acceleration, helping Darkrai ex power up quickly.
- Poké Ball (2x) – Provides extra draw power for consistency.
- Professor’s Research (2x) – Enables rapid deck cycling.
- Pokémon Communication (1x) – Helps fetch key evolutions efficiently.
- Cyrus (2x) – Forces opponent switches for strategic Knock Outs.
- Giant Cape (2x) – Boosts HP to improve survivability.
This deck is designed to be aggressive from the start, relying on Darkrai ex’s ability to deal passive damage when Energy is attached. Weavile ex capitalizes on this by following up with strong attacks, making it easy to take down opponents early.
Alternative Variations
If you want to tweak the deck for different matchups, consider the following additions:
- Koffing & Weezing (Mythical Island) – Adds spread damage potential.
- Mew ex – Expands your move set with Genome Hacking.
- Druddigon – Provides extra bulk for longer battles.
- Giovanni or Mars – Enhances disruption tactics.
How the Darkrai ex Deck Works
Darkrai ex’s Nightmare Aura ability is the heart of this deck, dealing 20 damage whenever you attach a Dark Energy Token. When paired with Weavile ex’s Scratching Nails, which deals bonus damage to damaged Pokémon, this combo allows for easy Knock Outs with minimal energy investment.
Spiritomb contributes additional spread damage, softening up multiple targets, while Cyrus forces unfavorable switches for your opponent, making it easier to finish off weakened Pokémon.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Pros:
✔ Strong early-game pressure with rapid damage output. ✔ Easy setup with minimal evolution requirements. ✔ Great against Psychic-type decks like Mewtwo ex and Mew ex.
Cons:
✖ Struggles against high-HP decks like Charizard ex and Blastoise ex. ✖ Limited late-game scaling, maxing out around 90 damage per attack. ✖ Vulnerable to disruption if early momentum is lost.
Conclusion
Darkrai ex decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket offer an excellent balance of speed and damage, making them a top-tier choice for players looking to dominate early-game battles.
While it has some weaknesses against high-damage tanky opponents, its synergy with Weavile ex makes it a force to be reckoned with. If you’re ready to challenge the current meta, give this deck a try and refine it to suit your playstyle!
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