Basic Box
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Mega Kangaskhan ex sits Active, draws 2 a turn with Run Errand and hits for 200+ with Rapid-Fire Combo. Latias ex gives every Basic free retreat, so you pivot into the right specialist attacker whenever Kangaskhan isn't enough.
Your turn-2 goal
- Mega Kangaskhan ex Active with 3 Energy, using Run Errand every turn.
- Latias ex on the Bench so all your Basics retreat for free.
- Teal Mask Ogerpon ex on the Bench: Teal Dance draws a card and its Tera status turns on Area Zero Underdepths and Glass Trumpet.
- Energy Switch in hand to move Energy to whichever specialist you need next.
Your attackers
200, +50 per heads until tails
Your default attack every turn. 200 already KOs most Stage 1s and single-Prize attackers.
20 + 20 per Benched Pokémon, both sides
Vs Dragon decks: Fairy Zone makes their Dragons weak to Psychic, doubling the damage.
200; can't attack next turn
A Dragon Active with Clefairy in play takes 400. Have the next attacker ready.
180; can't attack next turn
After Run Errand, bench it with Rapid Vernier, pull Energy over and take the KO that same turn.
100 Active, plus 120 to Bench
Two KOs in one turn; shuffling 3 Energy back is the price.
70 per Basic Energy discarded
One late KO on anything: 5 Energy discarded is 350. Usually once per game.
Key decisions
- Run Errand first. Draw 2 with Kangaskhan Active before you play Items or your Supporter, so every choice is made with more cards.
- Keep Kangaskhan attacking. If another Pokémon attacks, you lose the Run Errand draw. Ideally that attacker is KO'd so Fezandipiti ex's Flip the Script draws 3 and Kangaskhan comes back.
- Bench only what this turn needs. Each Benched ex is 2 Prizes for Boss's Orders or Bench damage; a Mega Kangaskhan ex gives up 3.
- Reset with Chien-Pao. Snow Sink discards Area Zero Underdepths, your Bench drops to 5 and you choose what goes: damaged Pokémon or spent Meowth ex.
- Pick the KO that fits. Fezandipiti ex's Cruel Arrow (100) and Torrential Pump's 120 clean up small Benched Basics before they evolve.
Common mistakes
- Attacking with non-Kangaskhan Pokémon several turns in a row: without Run Errand your hand dries up.
- Forgetting Eon Blade and Prism Edge can't attack next turn, then having no second attacker ready.
- Leaving a damaged, empty Raging Bolt ex Active or Benched after Bellowing Thunder: an easy 2 Prizes for Boss's Orders.
- Losing your only Ogerpon ex with Area Zero Underdepths in play: your Bench drops to 5 and you discard the rest.
Versions
4 Crispin, 2 Cyrano, Raging Bolt ex, Iron Leaves ex, Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex, Chien-Pao. Kangaskhan-first; strongest into Dragapult.
Cuts Crispin for more Grass Energy and Prism Energy; attacks from turn 1 with Teal Mask Ogerpon ex. Faster, but weaker to Energy removal.
Koraidon ex or Passimian for the mirror: Impact Blow hits a Kangaskhan for 400, a KO even through Hero's Cape.
Matchups
Basic Box vs Dragapult
Lillie's Clefairy ex makes every Dragapult ex weak to [P], so Eon Blade and Full Moon Rondo take it in one hit while Mega Kangaskhan ex survives Phantom Dive. Keep Fairy Zone in play and don't hand them cheap 2-Prize ex.
Their plan
- Phantom Dive does 200 to your Active plus 6 damage counters on your Bench: it KOs Lillie's Clefairy ex (190) and leaves Mega Kangaskhan ex at 100.
- Risky Ruins puts 2 damage counters on each non-[D] Basic you bench: Latias ex and Teal Mask Ogerpon ex drop to 190, inside Phantom Dive range.
- Budew and Crushing Hammer slow you down: Itchy Pollen locks your Items for a turn, and each heads on Crushing Hammer strips an Energy from your attacker.
- Boss's Orders and Munkidori clean up damaged Benched Pokémon: Adrena-Brain moves up to 3 damage counters a turn, and Unfair Stamp punishes each KO you take.
Your prize plan
- Kangaskhan Active early. Run Errand draws 2 every turn, even under Itchy Pollen, and Rapid-Fire Combo's base 200 KOs any Dreepy (70) or Drakloak (90) you pull up with Boss's Orders.
- Snipe the engine. Cruel Arrow (100) KOs a Benched Dreepy or Drakloak; Torrential Pump's 120 to the Bench KOs Drakloak or Munkidori (110).
- Fairy Zone, then hit the Dragon. With Lillie's Clefairy ex in play, Eon Blade does 400 to Dragapult ex (320), and Full Moon Rondo KOs it with 7 Benched Pokémon on both sides.
- Prize math: two Dragapult ex (2 each) plus two Drakloak are your 6. They need Kangaskhan (3) and more ex, so after a Phantom Dive don't leave a 100-HP Kangaskhan exposed.
Against an Active Dragapult ex (320 HP) with Lillie's Clefairy ex in play
Don't
- Attacking with Raging Bolt ex. Bellowing Thunder burns your Energy, and once Phantom Dive and Unfair Stamp leave it damaged, Boss's Orders turns it into 2 easy Prizes.
- Torrential Pump without counting. Shuffling 3 Energy away for an early KO opens Unfair Stamp and Flip the Script for them while you lose tempo.
- Benching Basics into Risky Ruins. Replace it with Area Zero Underdepths or discard it with Chien-Pao's Snow Sink first, and bench only the ex you use this turn.
Key turn
- The turn after their first Phantom Dive. Answer with a one-hit KO on Dragapult ex (Eon Blade or Full Moon Rondo); a 2-for-2 trade with Kangaskhan still standing puts you ahead.
- Keep a second Lillie's Clefairy ex. If Phantom Dive KOs your only one, Dragapult ex loses its Weakness and your one-hit KOs disappear.
If they play…
Fighting Wings does 110 to an Active Pokémon ex, 220 to Teal Mask Ogerpon ex through Weakness: a KO. Don't leave Ogerpon Active.
Turns off Run Errand and Last-Ditch Catch. Replace it with Area Zero Underdepths or discard it with Chien-Pao's Snow Sink.
Tenacious Tail does 60 for each ex you have in play: five ex is 300 and KOs Kangaskhan. Keep your ex count low.
Basic Box vs Dhelmise
Mega Kangaskhan ex KOs a Dhelmise every turn and survives a Vengeful Anchor (170). You win the Prize race as long as you keep few ex on the Bench and never give them an easy 2-Prize KO.
Their plan
- Vengeful Anchor does 170 for one [P] once 4 Hide 'n' Sneak Pokémon are in their discard: it KOs Meowth ex (170) and leaves Kangaskhan at 130.
- Matcha Spin (6+ in the discard) puts 4 damage counters on every Pokémon you have: then Vengeful Anchor KOs Lillie's Clefairy ex, Latias ex, both Ogerpon and Fezandipiti ex.
- Dudunsparce ex Tenacious Tail does 60 for each ex you have in play: five ex is 300 and KOs Kangaskhan in one hit.
- Boss's Orders and Legacy Energy: they gust your Benched ex for 2 Prizes, and Legacy Energy takes 1 Prize off one of your KOs.
Your prize plan
- Kangaskhan Active from turn 1. Run Errand draws 2, and Rapid-Fire Combo's base 200 KOs Dhelmise (140), Banette (80) or Dudunsparce (140) with no heads needed.
- Backup attackers for Dhelmise: Fezandipiti ex's Cruel Arrow does 200 to an Active Dhelmise (weak to [D]); Enamorus's Love Resonance does 200 because both sides have [P] Pokémon.
- Make them hit Kangaskhan twice. Two Vengeful Anchors (340) are needed for its 300 HP; with Hero's Cape (400) it takes three, and you take a Prize every turn.
- Prize math: you need 6 one-Prize KOs (7 with Legacy Energy); they need Kangaskhan (3) plus more ex. Bench only Latias ex and your next attacker.
Against an Active Dhelmise (140 HP)
Don't
- Filling the Bench with ex. Each one adds 60 to Tenacious Tail and is a 2-Prize Boss's Orders target; a Benched Meowth ex dies to one Anchor.
- Feeding their discard. KOing Shuppet, Banette, Poltchageist or Sinistcha brings Matcha Spin (6) and Spiritomb (13) closer; when you have a choice, take Prizes on Dhelmise.
- Raging Bolt ex into Lillie's Clefairy ex. Fairy Zone makes your [N] Pokémon weak to [P]: Vengeful Anchor does 340 and KOs Raging Bolt ex (240).
Key turn
- The turn their discard reaches 4. Every Dhelmise now hits for 170: have Kangaskhan Active with 3 Energy so each Dhelmise that attacks is KO'd right back.
- The first Matcha Spin. After 40 on everything your 210-HP ex fall to one Anchor, but Kangaskhan survives at 90: keep it Active and keep taking Prizes.
If they play…
Flower Curtain stops damage to their Benched Pokémon without a Rule Box: Cruel Arrow and Torrential Pump can't snipe. Use Boss's Orders instead.
Blood Moon (240) gets cheaper per Prize you take and KOs your 210-HP ex. Ursaluna (260) needs 2 heads on Rapid-Fire Combo (300).
With 13 Hide 'n' Sneak Pokémon discarded, Spiritual End quadruples damage counters on 2 Pokémon: a damaged Kangaskhan falls. A late-game threat.
Basic Box vs Lucario Hariyama
Mega Lucario ex is weak to Psychic: Eon Blade hits it for 400 and takes 3 Prizes in one swing. Win by answering each Lucario in one hit and never handing them a Kangaskhan to Aura Jab.
Their plan
- Aura Jab + Premium Power Pro: 160 ×2 = 320 KOs Mega Kangaskhan ex (300) for 3 Prizes, and recharges up to 3 Fighting Energy on their Bench.
- Aura Jab alone does 260 to Meowth ex (170) and Fezandipiti ex (210): both weak to Fighting, 2 Prizes each.
- Mega Brave (270) KOs any of your 2-Prize ex, including Latias ex through its Resistance (240).
- Hariyama: Heave-Ho Catcher drags a Benched Kangaskhan or Meowth ex Active when it evolves; Wild Press (210) does 420 to Kangaskhan.
Your prize plan
- Early pressure with Kangaskhan: Rapid-Fire Combo (200) KOs Solrock, Lunatone (110), Riolu, Makuhita or Hariyama (150). Taking Solrock or Lunatone shuts off Lunar Cycle.
- Charge Latias ex on the Bench ([P][P][C]) before Riolu evolves. When Mega Lucario ex attacks, Eon Blade does 400 and KOs it: 3 Prizes.
- Next turn, retreat for free (Skyliner) into Lillie's Clefairy ex or the second Latias. Full Moon Rondo with 8 Benched Pokémon total does 180 ×2 = 360, KO.
- Two Lucario KOs win. Enamorus is a 1-Prize answer to Hariyama: Love Resonance 80 ×2 = 160 KOs it (150).
Against an Active Mega Lucario ex (340 HP)
Don't
- Leaving Kangaskhan Active or Benched when Lucario is ready: Aura Jab + 1 Premium Power Pro takes 3 Prizes. Hero's Cape (400 HP) survives Aura Jab + 2 Premium Power Pro (380).
- Chipping Lucario without a KO: Wally's Compassion heals all its damage. Hit it once, for the full KO.
- Wasting Psychic Energy: you only run 3. Use Energy Switch and Night Stretcher to keep [P][P] for the next Eon Blade.
Key turn
- The turn their first Mega Lucario ex attacks: you must answer with Eon Blade or Full Moon Rondo the next turn. Have Latias ex charged on the Bench by then (Crispin finds the Psychic Energy).
- After the first Lucario KO, they need a second Lucario and you are 3 Prizes from winning; don't give them a Kangaskhan or Meowth ex to catch up.
If they play…
Flower Curtain blocks Torrential Pump and Cruel Arrow on their Benched Pokémon without a Rule Box. Use Boss's Orders to bring the target Active.
Run Errand and Last-Ditch Catch stop working. Discard it with Chien-Pao's Snow Sink or replace it with Area Zero Underdepths.
Aura Jab + 1 Premium Power Pro does 420 to a Kangaskhan with Hero's Cape: Cape no longer saves it.
Basic Box vs Ogerpon Meganium Hydrapple
Uphill. With Meganium in play, Hydrapple ex hits 330 and KOs Mega Kangaskhan ex for 3 Prizes, while it survives your base 200. Remove Meganium early and save Raging Bolt ex for Hydrapple ex.
Their plan
- Meganium's Wild Growth: each Basic Grass Energy provides two, so Syrup Storm and Myriad Leaf Shower count double. It is their whole damage engine.
- Hydrapple ex (330 HP): with Meganium, 5 Grass Energy in play make Syrup Storm 330, a KO on Mega Kangaskhan ex (300). Ripening Charge heals 30 each time it attaches.
- Teal Mask Ogerpon ex: Myriad Leaf Shower adds 30 for every Energy on both Active Pokémon, so the Energy on your attacker feeds it.
- Tapu Bulu and Forest of Vitality: Wood Hammer does 220 for a single Prize, enough for Latias ex or Clefairy ex; Forest lets their Basics evolve the turn they're played.
Your prize plan
- Boss's Orders the Meganium. It has 160 HP: Rapid-Fire Combo's base 200 KOs it, and their damage halves until they rebuild one.
- Clear the Stage 1s on the Bench. Torrential Pump's 120 KOs a Bayleef (110) or Dipplin (80); Cruel Arrow (100) KOs Chikorita, Applin or Dipplin.
- Take Stadium control. Chien-Pao's Snow Sink or your Area Zero Underdepths discards Forest of Vitality, so new Basics must wait a turn to evolve.
- Prize math: they need 6 Prizes from your ex. Take Meowth ex (170) or Tapu Bulu (140) with base Rapid-Fire Combo, and spend Raging Bolt ex on Hydrapple ex.
Against an Active Hydrapple ex (330 HP)
Don't
- Hitting Hydrapple ex for 200 and walking away: Ripening Charge heals 30 per attachment. KO it in one turn or hit Meganium instead.
- Loading Energy on your Active against Teal Mask Ogerpon ex: each one adds 30 to Myriad Leaf Shower. Move spare Energy with Energy Switch before attacking.
- Benching every ex at once: Tapu Bulu's 220 takes 2 Prizes from any of your 210-220 HP ex while giving up only 1.
Key turn
- Your first two turns: KO Meganium or its Bayleef before Hydrapple ex has 5 Grass Energy; after that, Syrup Storm KOs Kangaskhan every turn.
- The Raging Bolt ex turn: discard 5 Energy for 350 on a Hydrapple ex when it takes their last loaded attacker or the game.
If they play…
Itchy Pollen locks Ultra Ball, Energy Switch and Glass Trumpet. Run Errand and Last-Ditch Catch are Abilities and still work; Cyrano and Crispin are Supporters.
Jewel Seeker finds 2 Trainers when it evolves with Ogerpon in play. Noctowl has 100 HP: Cruel Arrow KOs it on the Bench.
With 3 or fewer Prizes left, your hand goes to the bottom for 3 cards. Keep Kangaskhan Active so Run Errand refills it.
Basic Box vs Slowking
Slowking gives 1 Prize and snipes your 2-Prize ex on the Bench with a copied Thunder Raid. You need six KOs, they need three: keep the Bench thin and trade with 1-Prize attackers.
Their plan
- Thunder Raid (copied from Zeraora): 210 to one Benched ex. It KOs Meowth ex, Lillie's Clefairy ex, Latias ex, both Ogerpon and Fezandipiti ex without Boss's Orders.
- Trifrost (copied from Kyurem): 110 to 3 Pokémon. Nothing of yours dies from full HP, but Chien-Pao and Enamorus drop to 10 for the next hit.
- Slowking is a 1-Prize attacker (120 HP) and Slowpoke can Dangle Tail fallen Pokémon back, so they keep attacking while you spend ex.
- Academy at Night and Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking set the top card, so they pick the attack every turn.
Your prize plan
- Slowpoke (80) before it evolves: Cruel Arrow (100) KOs it on the Bench. Each missing Slowking is a turn they can't attack.
- Trade 1 Prize for 1 Prize. Chien-Pao's Icicle Loop (120) and Enamorus's Love Resonance (200, both decks run Psychic) KO an Active Slowking without exposing an ex.
- Torrential Pump for two: 100 to an Active Slowpoke plus 120 to a Benched Slowking KOs both.
- Kangaskhan only when it matters. Rapid-Fire Combo (200) KOs anything they bench; their Mega Kangaskhan ex (300) needs 2 heads or Raging Bolt ex with 5 Energy (350).
Against an Active Slowking (120 HP, weak to Darkness)
Don't
- Benching ex of 210 HP or less you don't need this turn: each one is a free 2 Prizes for Thunder Raid.
- Raging Bolt ex into a Slowking: 5 Energy for 1 Prize. Save it for their Mega Kangaskhan ex (3 Prizes).
- Filling the Bench with Area Zero Underdepths: more Pokémon means more Thunder Raid and Trifrost targets.
Key turn
- Turn 1 board: whatever ex you bench is their turn-2 Thunder Raid target. Bench Latias ex and one search ex, not three.
- Chien-Pao's Snow Sink on Academy at Night: without it they can only stack with Codebreaking, and many turns they flip a blank.
If they play…
Slowking's copied attacks do +30 to your Active ex: Trifrost becomes 140 there. Attack with 1-Prize Pokémon when you can.
Copied Ghostly Blow: 100 + 5 counters on your Bench, finishing Pokémon that took Trifrost.
Copied Voltaic Fist: 130 and Paralysis. KOs Chien-Pao or Enamorus and freezes your Active.
Basic Box vs N's Zoroark
N's Zoroark ex is weak to Grass, so Iron Leaves ex and Teal Mask Ogerpon ex KO it in one hit, while your Mega Kangaskhan ex survives a plain Rampaging Thunder. Win the race by keeping Run Errand online.
Their plan
- Night Joker copying N's Zekrom's Rampaging Thunder: 250 for [D][D]. It KOs every 2-Prize ex you have except Kangaskhan; that Zoroark can't attack next turn.
- Boosters: Black Belt's Training (+40 to your Active ex) and Munkidori's Adrena-Brain (30) take Rampaging Thunder to 320, enough for Kangaskhan (300).
- Team Rocket's Watchtower turns off Run Errand and Meowth ex's Last-Ditch Catch, your draw engine.
- Darkness hits Latias ex and Iron Crown ex double: copied Virtuous Flame (170) does 340 to them.
Your prize plan
- KO Zoroark with Grass. Iron Leaves ex's Prism Edge does 180 ×2 = 360; Rapid Vernier brings it Active with the Energy from your other Pokémon.
- Teal Mask Ogerpon ex as the second hit: Myriad Leaf Shower with 4 Energy on both Actives is 150 ×2 = 300, a KO.
- Boss's Orders on N's Zekrom (130): Rapid-Fire Combo KOs it, and without it Night Joker has no 250. Cruel Arrow (100) KOs N's Zorua (70) on the Bench first.
- Kangaskhan up front. It takes 250 and lives with 50; Hero's Cape (400 HP) makes it survive every boost they have.
Against an Active N's Zoroark ex (280 HP, weak to Grass)
Don't
- Leaving a Zoroark badly damaged when N's Reshiram is benched: copied Powerful Rage does 20 per counter on Zoroark, up to 400.
- Latias ex or Iron Crown ex Active: Darkness Weakness turns even Shred (70) into 140.
- Late Prize lead with Pecharunt ex in play: Irritated Outburst does 60 per Prize you took, 300 at five.
Key turn
- Their first Rampaging Thunder: have Kangaskhan Active so it can't take 2 Prizes, then KO that Zoroark with Grass while it's locked.
- When Watchtower lands, Chien-Pao's Snow Sink or your own Area Zero Underdepths removes it the same turn and Run Errand is back.
If they play…
A Poisoned Zoroark adds 40: Rampaging Thunder + Black Belt's Training + Mochi is 330, a KO on Kangaskhan without Hero's Cape.
Back Draft does 30 per Basic Energy in your discard; Raging Bolt ex and Ultra Ball feed it. Flamebody Cannon hits your Bench for 90.
Clutch stops your Active from retreating even with Skyliner. Keep an attacker able to hit from the Active Spot.
Basic Box vs Sharpedo Toxtricity
Every Mega Sharpedo ex is Weak to Grass: Prism Edge or a 5-Energy Myriad Leaf Shower KOs it for 3 Prizes, and two of those win. Keep drawing through Watchtower and don't feed Hungry Jaws extra ex.
Their plan
- Hungry Jaws: 270 once Sharpedo has counters, 310 with Binding Mochi and Poison. It KOs any of your ex; Kangaskhan (300) falls to Mochi or one Adrena-Brain.
- Sinister Surge: Toxtricity attaches a Darkness Energy and 2 counters to a Benched Sharpedo, powering it and turning on Hungry Jaws in one move.
- Team Rocket's Watchtower (2): turns off Run Errand and Meowth ex's Last-Ditch Catch. With 3 Judge and Unfair Stamp, they go after your hand.
- Gentle Slap (Toxtricity, 100): Latias ex and Iron Crown ex are Weak to Darkness, so it does 200, and 230 with Adrena-Brain: KO.
Your prize plan
- Keep a Grass attacker ready. Teal Mask Ogerpon ex charges with Teal Dance; Iron Leaves ex comes down with Rapid Vernier, takes the Energy and goes Active that turn.
- KO each Sharpedo the turn it attacks. Prism Edge does 180 ×2 = 360; Myriad Leaf Shower with 5 Energy across both Actives does 180 ×2 = 360.
- Alternate Grass attackers. Prism Edge locks Iron Leaves ex next turn: line up Ogerpon for the second Sharpedo. Two Sharpedo are your 6 Prizes.
- Rapid-Fire Combo the support. 200 KOs Toxtricity (140), Pecharunt ex (190) or Munkidori (110); without Toxtricity, Sharpedo loses its Energy and its self-damage.
Against an Active Mega Sharpedo ex (330 HP, Weak to Grass)
Don't
- Leaving Kangaskhan Active against a powered Sharpedo: Hungry Jaws + Adrena-Brain is 300, and that's 3 Prizes. Retreat it for free with Latias ex's Skyliner.
- Benching ex you don't need this turn: each is 2 Prizes for a single Hungry Jaws.
- Hitting a Sharpedo without KOing it: Wally's Compassion (occasional) heals it fully, and any damage already turns on Hungry Jaws.
Key turn
- The first Sharpedo goes Active: KO it at once with Grass for 3 Prizes, before it swings twice.
- Watchtower turns: without Run Errand your hand dries up. Chien-Pao's Snow Sink or a new Area Zero Underdepths removes it.
If they play…
Poisons their Active without Pecharunt ex, so Binding Mochi works more often. Expect 310 from any Sharpedo.
Clutch stops your Active from retreating, even with Skyliner. Don't let Kangaskhan get stuck Active in front of a powered Sharpedo.
Basic Box vs Dragapult Blaziken
Even. Lillie's Clefairy ex turns Dragapult ex into an easy KO, but Blaziken ex is Fire and ignores Fairy Zone. Keep Kangaskhan up front and have a non-Psychic answer for Blaziken ex.
Their plan
- Phantom Dive: 200 to your Active plus 6 counters on your Bench. Mega Kangaskhan ex (300) survives at 100; a second hit or Munkidori finishes it for 3 Prizes.
- Blaziken ex: Smolder-sault (200) KOs Lillie's Clefairy ex (190), and Teal Mask Ogerpon ex or Iron Leaves ex take 400 from Fire Weakness. It can't attack the next turn.
- Team Rocket's Watchtower and Chi-Yu: Watchtower turns off Run Errand and Last-Ditch Catch. Ground Melter (120 with a Stadium) discards your Area Zero Underdepths, dropping your Bench to 5.
- Seething Spirit: Blaziken ex reattaches basic Energy from their discard every turn, so their attackers reload fast after a KO.
Your prize plan
- Kangaskhan Active early. Run Errand is an Ability, so Itchy Pollen doesn't stop it. Rapid-Fire Combo's 200 KOs Drakloak, Munkidori, Combusken or Chi-Yu.
- Clefairy ex plus Latias ex for Dragapult ex. With Fairy Zone, Eon Blade does 400. Bench Clefairy ex the turn you use it: Smolder-sault KOs it.
- Water for Blaziken ex (320). Torrential Pump does 200 to it (Water Weakness) plus 120 to a Benched Drakloak or Munkidori. Raging Bolt ex with 5 Energy (350) KOs it.
- Prize math: their ex give 2 each, so three ex KOs win. Your Kangaskhan gives 3: when it's damaged, move it out free with Latias ex's Skyliner.
Against an Active Dragapult ex (320 HP) with Lillie's Clefairy ex in play
Don't
- Planning only for Dragapult ex: Blaziken ex is Fire, so Fairy Zone does nothing to it. Keep Torrential Pump or Raging Bolt ex ready.
- Teal Mask Ogerpon ex or Iron Leaves ex Active against Fire attackers: Smolder-sault does 400 and Chi-Yu's Ground Melter 240, both KOs.
- Flooding the Bench with ex under Area Zero: Phantom Dive's counters plus Munkidori finish a damaged Meowth ex (170), and Chi-Yu can force you back to 5.
Key turn
- The turn their Dragapult ex attacks first: answer with Clefairy ex and Latias ex for 400 right away, before Blaziken ex is online.
- After a Smolder-sault: Blaziken ex can't attack next turn. Hit it with Torrential Pump or Raging Bolt ex, or Boss's Orders a Drakloak while it waits.
If they play…
Their Fairy Zone makes your Raging Bolt ex (Dragon) weak to Psychic. Clefairy ex has 190 HP: Rapid-Fire Combo KOs it.
Flower Curtain stops Torrential Pump's 120, Cruel Arrow and Twin Shotels on their Benched non-ex Pokémon. Bring targets Active with Boss's Orders.
Every Basic you Bench except Fezandipiti ex takes 2 counters. Replace it with Area Zero Underdepths, or Snow Sink it with Chien-Pao.
Basic Box vs Dragapult Dusknoir
Even. Phantom Dive + Cursed Blast (330) is their way through your 300-HP Kangaskhan; Lillie's Clefairy ex is yours through their 320-HP Dragapult ex. Snipe the Duskull line and protect Clefairy until it attacks.
Their plan
- Phantom Dive + Cursed Blast: 200 + Dusknoir's 13 counters = 330 KOs your Mega Kangaskhan ex (300). They give up 1 Prize to take 3.
- Cursed Blast on your Bench: 13 counters + Phantom Dive's 6 = 190, exactly Lillie's Clefairy ex. They remove Fairy Zone without a Boss's Orders.
- Team Rocket's Watchtower: Kangaskhan and Meowth ex are Colorless, so Run Errand and Last-Ditch Catch switch off.
- Budew: Itchy Pollen locks Ultra Ball, Energy Switch and Glass Trumpet for a turn. Run Errand still works.
Your prize plan
- Snipe the Duskull line first. Cruel Arrow (100) KOs a Benched Dusclops (90), Duskull (60) or Drakloak (90); Torrential Pump's 120 does the same. No Dusknoir, no 330 turn.
- Fairy Zone, then Eon Blade. With Lillie's Clefairy ex in play, Dragapult ex is weak to Psychic: Latias ex's Eon Blade does 400. Bench Clefairy the turn you attack.
- Rapid-Fire Combo for everything else. 200 KOs Dusknoir (160), Munkidori, Moltres or any Drakloak, and Kangaskhan keeps drawing 2 with Run Errand.
- Hero's Cape on Kangaskhan. At 400 HP, Phantom Dive + Dusknoir (330) falls short; they would also need Dusclops (50) and Adrena-Brain (30).
Against an Active Dragapult ex (320 HP) with Lillie's Clefairy ex in play
Don't
- Benching Lillie's Clefairy ex a turn early: Phantom Dive's counters + Cursed Blast (190) KO it on the Bench for 2 Prizes.
- Raging Bolt ex into a Dragapult ex you can't KO: left damaged, Boss's Orders turns it into 2 easy Prizes.
- Extra Meowth ex on the Bench: 170 HP is Cursed Blast + 4 counters.
Key turn
- The turn Dusknoir hits the board: if your Active Kangaskhan has no Hero's Cape, retreat it for free with Latias ex's Skyliner and send up Chien-Pao or another 1-Prize Pokémon.
- At 3 Prizes left: Special Red Card can send your hand to the bottom. Play out key cards first; Run Errand rebuilds.
If they play…
Hero's Cape stops working. Replace it with Area Zero Underdepths, or Chien-Pao's Snow Sink discards it.
Spread Energy: Crispin attaches every turn, and Energy Switch moves it to whoever attacks.
Fighting Wings does 110 to an Active ex, and 220 to Teal Mask Ogerpon ex (weak to Fire): a KO.
Basic Box vs Alakazam Dudunsparce
Their damage is their hand size. Powerful Hand needs 15 cards for Kangaskhan and 11 for your 210-HP ex, while any of your attacks KOs Alakazam. Hit the Abra line early and keep their hand small.
Their plan
- Powerful Hand: 2 damage counters per card in their hand, ignoring Weakness. 11 cards KO a 210-HP ex; 15 KO Mega Kangaskhan ex (300) for 3 Prizes.
- Hand builders: Psychic Draw (Kadabra 2, Alakazam 3 when they evolve), Dudunsparce's Run Away Draw (3) and Enriching Energy (4).
- Handheld Fan: when you damage their Active, an Energy moves from your attacker to your Bench.
- Single-Prize board: you need 6 KOs; they need 3, or 2 if one is Kangaskhan.
Your prize plan
- Hit the Abra line early. Cruel Arrow (100) KOs a Benched Abra (50), Kadabra (80) or Dunsparce (70); Twin Shotels KOs two Abra at once.
- KO every Alakazam that attacks. Rapid-Fire Combo or Eon Blade (200) KOs Alakazam (140); Cruel Arrow does 200 to it Active through Darkness Weakness.
- Shrink their hand. After they take a KO, Unfair Stamp leaves them 2 cards (40 damage); Special Red Card at 3 Prizes or fewer leaves them 3.
- Hero's Cape on Kangaskhan. At 400 HP it needs 20 cards in their hand.
Against an Active Alakazam (140 HP, weak to Darkness)
Don't
- Benching extra ex: Meowth ex dies to 9 cards, Lillie's Clefairy ex to 10, your 210-HP ex to 11.
- Ignoring Handheld Fan: use Energy Switch to move the Energy back before Kangaskhan's next [C][C][C] attack.
- Leaving Kangaskhan Active when they hold 15+ cards: retreat it for free with Latias ex's Skyliner.
Key turn
- Your first two turns: Rare Candy can't be used on their first turn, so Alakazam comes turn 2 at the earliest. KO Abra before then.
- Every turn, count their hand: 15+ cards threatens Kangaskhan, 11+ any 210-HP ex. Choose your Active by that number.
If they play…
With a Tool attached, ACE Nullifier stops your ACE SPEC cards. Boss's Orders + Rapid-Fire Combo KOs it (110).
2 Prizes for Rapid-Fire Combo (200 vs 190). While it's in play, keep Raging Bolt ex (Dragon) off the Bench.
It replaces your Area Zero Underdepths, and both Benches drop to 5 with you discarding first.
Sources
- Natalie Millar, "Basic Box Deck Guide (Pokémon TCG)", TCGplayer, 6 oct 2026 · tcgplayer.com
- Natalie Millar, "The Best Pokémon TCG Decks Right Now (October 2026)", TCGplayer, 29 sep 2026 · tcgplayer.com
- Natalie Millar, "The Best Pokémon TCG Decks Right Now (September 2026)", TCGplayer, 25 ago 2026 (sección Raging Bolt/Kangaskhan, antes de 30C) · tcgplayer.com
- Natalie Millar, "The Top 5 Most Busted Cards in Pokémon TCG's 30th Celebration", TCGplayer, 15 sep 2026 (Mew ex) · tcgplayer.com
- PokéZentrum (redacción), guía de Basic Box (en alemán), pokezentrum.de, 7 oct 2026 · pokezentrum.de
- Limitless Play, matchups de Basic Box (online, 30C Standard 2026), consultado el 20 oct 2026 · play.limitlesstcg.com
- Listas de Basic Box en Limitless (may-oct 2026; ej. Justin Gilbert, Dylan Kasturi) · limitlesstcg.com
- Natalie Millar, "Slowking Deck Guide (Pokémon TCG)", TCGplayer, 22 sep 2026 (Kangaskhan bajo Itchy Pollen) · tcgplayer.com
- Natalie Millar, "Mega Sharpedo ex Deck Guide (Pokémon TCG)", TCGplayer, 13 oct 2026 (Watchtower + Judge contra Kangaskhan) · tcgplayer.com
- - (baja confiabilidad, solo snippet) Deltia's Gaming, "Pokemon TCG Tier List (September 2026) · deltiasgaming.com