Dragapult
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Dragapult ex wins by spreading damage: Phantom Dive does 200 to the Active and puts 6 damage counters on the Bench. Place those counters so Munkidori, Boss's Orders or the next Phantom Dive turn them into Prizes.
Your turn-2 goal
- Two or three Dreepy benched on turn 1 with Buddy-Buddy Poffin, evolving into Drakloak on turn 2 so Recon Directive digs every turn.
- Budew Active using Itchy Pollen (no Energy needed): they can't play Items on their next turn.
- Fire and Psychic Energy split across two Drakloak, so one Crushing Hammer or KO doesn't stop your first Phantom Dive.
- Munkidori on the Bench with a Darkness Energy, ready to move 3 damage counters a turn.
Your attackers
200 to the Active + 6 counters on Bench
Every turn once set up. Put counters where Munkidori or your next attack finishes them.
70 for one Energy
An Energy was discarded by Crushing Hammer, or 70 is all you need to finish a KO.
Move up to 3 counters to them
Every turn with Darkness attached. Move Risky Ruins damage off your Pokémon onto a Pokémon about to fall.
100 to any opposing Pokémon
Snipe a damaged Benched Pokémon. Flip the Script draws 3 after they KO one of yours.
20, or 110 against an Active ex
Tech: one Fire Energy punishes an Active Pokémon ex; 220 if it's weak to Fire.
Key decisions
- Build the engine before attacking. Get two or three Drakloak out first; a lone Dragapult ex with no draw behind it runs out of cards.
- Plan the 6 counters two turns ahead. A 70-HP Basic needs 7 counters (Phantom Dive's 6 + 1 from Adrena-Brain); a 90-HP Stage 1 needs 6 + 3.
- Play Risky Ruins after your own Basics. Every non-Darkness Basic benched with it in play takes 2 counters (Dreepy drops to 50). Do it on purpose only to feed Munkidori.
- Hammer the attacker they just powered. One heads on Crushing Hammer can cost them a turn; after they KO something, Unfair Stamp leaves them with 2 cards.
- Sometimes delay a KO. Their Fezandipiti ex and Unfair Stamp need a KO on your last turn; leaving damage and taking two Prizes next turn can deny them.
Common mistakes
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex when you won't use their Ability this turn: each is 2 easy Prizes.
- Attaching the wrong Energy early: Phantom Dive needs exactly Fire + Psychic, and Darkness only powers Adrena-Brain.
- Spending Boss's Orders without a real KO behind it.
- Loading one attacker only: a single Crushing Hammer or Boss's Orders leaves you with nothing to Phantom Dive with.
Versions
4 Crushing Hammer, 2 Risky Ruins, 2 Munkidori and 2 Budew. Slows Energy-hungry decks and is strongest in the mirror.
Moltres adds a one-Energy answer to an Active Pokémon ex: 110, or 220 against Grass ex weak to Fire.
Dudunsparce draws 3 and reshuffles, letting you rebench Dunsparce for Risky Ruins damage; Shaymin shields your non-ex Bench from spread attacks.
Matchups
Dragapult vs Basic Box
Even. Lillie's Clefairy ex turns their Psychic attackers into one-hit KOs on Dragapult ex, while their Bench is full of 2-Prize ex for Phantom Dive. Remove Clefairy fast and finish Kangaskhan in two turns.
Their plan
- Lillie's Clefairy ex: Fairy Zone makes Dragapult ex weak to Psychic. Latias ex's Eon Blade then does 400, and Full Moon Rondo KOs with 7 Benched Pokémon on both sides (320).
- Mega Kangaskhan ex: 300 HP, Run Errand draws 2 each turn from the Active Spot, and Rapid-Fire Combo hits 200 + 50 per heads. One Phantom Dive leaves it at 100.
- Bench snipes: Torrential Pump does 120 to a Benched Pokémon (KOs Drakloak or Munkidori), and Fezandipiti ex's Cruel Arrow (100) KOs Dreepy or Drakloak.
- Chien-Pao's Snow Sink discards your Risky Ruins when it hits their Bench, and Area Zero Underdepths replaces it too.
Your prize plan
- Boss's Orders the Clefairy ex first. Phantom Dive's 200 KOs its 190 HP for 2 Prizes and removes the Weakness that makes every Psychic attack double.
- Let Risky Ruins do half the work. A Latias ex or Teal Mask Ogerpon ex benched under it has 190 left: Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive is another 2-Prize KO.
- Kangaskhan takes two turns. After a Phantom Dive (200) it has 100 left: next turn's 6 counters + 2 Adrena-Brain (120) KO it on the Bench for 3 Prizes.
- Budew + Crushing Hammer slow the 3-Energy attackers. Itchy Pollen blocks Energy Switch, Glass Trumpet and Ultra Ball; Run Errand still works, so Hammer the charged attacker.
Against their Active ex (no Hero's Cape)
Don't
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex for value: Boss's Orders + Rapid-Fire Combo (200+) makes them 2 easy Prizes.
- Playing your Risky Ruins before you bench Dreepy: the 20 carries to Dragapult ex, and Rapid-Fire Combo then KOs it with 2 heads (300) instead of 3.
- Leaving a half-damaged Kangaskhan for later: Snow Sink on Area Zero Underdepths makes them discard Benched Pokémon down to 5, and a discarded Kangaskhan gives you nothing.
Key turn
- The turn Clefairy ex hits their Bench: answer with Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive right away; while it lives, each Dragapult ex is a one-hit KO for Eon Blade.
- Your 4th-to-last Prize: a Kangaskhan KO (3) plus one 2-Prize ex ends it. Save Boss's Orders for the damaged Kangaskhan, not a 1-Prize Chien-Pao.
If they play…
Love Resonance hits 200 if you share a type (Munkidori is Psychic): 400 on Dragapult ex under Fairy Zone. Phantom Dive KOs its 120 HP.
Kangaskhan goes to 400: it needs 200 damage before your Phantom Dive. Jamming Tower, if you play it, turns the Cape off.
Twin Shotels does 50 to two Pokémon, ignoring effects: KOs Budew and Dreepy that took 20 from Risky Ruins.
Dragapult vs N's Zoroark
Even. Rampaging Thunder needs two boosts to KO Dragapult ex, and Phantom Dive needs 80 of spread to KO N's Zoroark ex. Spread first, never leave a Zoroark half-dead, and take their Zekrom away.
Their plan
- Rampaging Thunder via Night Joker: 250 for two Darkness Energy. With Black Belt's Training (+40) and one Adrena-Brain (+30) it's 320: exactly a Dragapult ex KO.
- Powerful Rage: 20 per damage counter on the attacking Zoroark. A Zoroark ex you left with 200 damage hits back for 400.
- Pecharunt ex + Binding Mochi: Subjugating Chains poisons their new Active and Mochi adds 40: 250 + 40 + 40 = 330.
- Team Rocket's Watchtower + Judge: your Meowth ex and Dudunsparce lose their Abilities; Drakloak is a Dragon and keeps Recon Directive.
Your prize plan
- Spread onto the next Zoroark first. Phantom Dive a cheaper Active (Pecharunt ex at 190 is a 2-Prize KO) and put all 6 counters plus Adrena-Brain on a Benched Zoroark ex.
- Hit a Zoroark ex only for the KO. Phantom Dive (200) + last turn's 6 counters + 1 Adrena-Brain = 290 on its 280 HP.
- Boss's Orders their menu. N's Zekrom and N's Reshiram (130) are 1 Prize each, but without them Night Joker has no 250 and no Powerful Rage.
- Risky Ruins hits their support only. Zorua, Zoroark and Pecharunt ex are Darkness; their Munkidori takes 20, and 6 counters + 1 Adrena-Brain finish its 110 HP.
Against an Active N's Zoroark ex (280 HP)
Don't
- Hitting a Zoroark ex for 200 without the KO: Powerful Rage then does 400 to whatever you have Active.
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex: Boss's Orders + Virtuous Flame (170) KOs Meowth ex, and Virtuous Flame + Black Belt's Training (210) KOs Fezandipiti ex.
- Charging only one Dragapult ex: Rampaging Thunder + Black Belt's Training + Adrena-Brain takes it in one hit, so keep the next Drakloak's Energy ready.
Key turn
- Their first Rampaging Thunder: without Black Belt's Training or a poisoned Mochi carrier it doesn't KO. Budew's Itchy Pollen the turn before blocks Mochi, N's PP Up and Buddy-Buddy Poffin.
- The two-Prize turn: Phantom Dive KOs the Active while 6 counters plus Adrena-Brain finish a Benched N's Zorua (70). That pulls you ahead in the trade.
If they play…
Hitting its Darkness holder puts 4 counters on your Dragapult ex; at 280 left, Rampaging Thunder + 1 Adrena-Brain (280) KOs it.
Clutch stops your Active from retreating. Its 110 HP falls to Phantom Dive; Risky Ruins doesn't touch it (Darkness).
Flamebody Cannon does 90 to the Active and 90 to a Benched Pokémon: KOs Drakloak (90). Keep a second Drakloak.
Dragapult vs Dhelmise
Dhelmise needs two Vengeful Anchors for a Dragapult ex unless Lillie's Clefairy ex is in play. KO Clefairy on sight, trade Phantom Dive into Dhelmise every turn, and don't fill their discard for them.
Their plan
- Vengeful Anchor does 170 for one [P] once 4 Hide 'n' Sneak Pokémon are in their discard: it KOs Dreepy and Drakloak, and needs two hits on Dragapult ex (320).
- Lillie's Clefairy ex makes your Dragapult ex weak to [P]: Vengeful Anchor then does 340 and KOs it in one hit, and Latias ex's Eon Blade does 400.
- Hide 'n' Sneak blocks Phantom Dive's Bench counters and Adrena-Brain on Shuppet, Banette, Poltchageist and Sinistcha; only damage gets through.
- Matcha Spin (6+ in the discard) puts 4 damage counters on each of your Pokémon: Budew (30) falls and a Dreepy hit by Risky Ruins drops to 10.
Your prize plan
- KO Lillie's Clefairy ex on sight. Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive (200) KOs it (190) for 2 Prizes and removes the Weakness that lets Dhelmise one-hit Dragapult ex.
- Then trade into Dhelmise. Phantom Dive KOs Dhelmise (140); Fezandipiti ex's Cruel Arrow does 200 to an Active Dhelmise through Weakness [D].
- Aim Bench counters at Pokémon without Hide 'n' Sneak. Six counters KO a Dunsparce (70) benched under Risky Ruins; extra counters go on Dhelmise or their ex for later.
- Prize math: almost every KO is 1 Prize (7 KOs with Legacy Energy), so their ex are shortcuts. Without Clefairy, each Dragapult ex costs them two attacks.
Against their Active Pokémon
Don't
- KOing Hide 'n' Sneak Pokémon for no reason. Each one in their discard brings Matcha Spin (6) and Spiritomb (13) closer; spend attacks on Dhelmise and ex.
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex early. Dudunsparce ex's Tenacious Tail does 60 for each ex you have in play, and each is a 2-Prize Boss's Orders target.
- Playing Risky Ruins before your own Basics. Your Dreepy drops to 50, 10 after a Matcha Spin; bench first, then the Stadium.
Key turn
- The turn Lillie's Clefairy ex hits their Bench. KO it right away: then Dhelmise needs two Anchors for each Dragapult ex and you win the race.
- The turn their discard reaches 4. From then each Dhelmise hits for 170: keep a second Dragapult ex charged so you KO back every turn.
If they play…
Watchful Eye stops Adrena-Brain from moving counters. Team Rocket's Watchtower turns it off, and Phantom Dive's counters still land on Patrat.
Blood Moon (240) gets cheaper per Prize you take but doesn't KO Dragapult ex alone. Ursaluna (260) needs 60 on it before Phantom Dive.
With 13 Hide 'n' Sneak Pokémon discarded, Spiritual End quadruples counters on 2 Pokémon: a damaged Dragapult ex falls. Late-game only.
Dragapult vs Slowking
Slowking's turn-2 Trifrost can wipe your Dreepy line, and Lillie's Clefairy ex puts Dragapult ex in one-hit range. Slow Slowking with Budew and Crushing Hammer, KO Slowking and Clefairy first, and finish on Kangaskhan's 3 Prizes.
Their plan
- Trifrost (copied by Slowking) does 110 to 3 Pokémon: Benched Dreepy (70) and Drakloak (90) all fall at once, as early as their turn 2.
- Lillie's Clefairy ex makes your Dragapult ex weak to [P]: Trifrost then does 220, and Metallic Hammer with Brave Bangle (360) or Latias ex's Eon Blade (400) KO it.
- Thunder Raid (copied from Zeraora) does 210 to one Benched ex: your Fezandipiti ex (210) or Meowth ex (170) is 2 Prizes without a gust.
- Academy at Night and Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking set the top card, so they choose each attack; Academy also replaces your Risky Ruins.
Your prize plan
- Slow the turn-2 Trifrost. Itchy Pollen blocks Wondrous Patch, Ultra Ball and Poké Pad, and a Crushing Hammer on Slowking's Energy stops Seek Inspiration ([P][C]).
- KO Slowking first. Phantom Dive (200) or Cruel Arrow (200 through Weakness [D]) KOs Slowking (120); a Benched Slowpoke under Risky Ruins (60 left) dies to the 6 counters.
- Then Lillie's Clefairy ex. Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive KOs it (190) for 2 Prizes, and your Dragapult ex lose their Weakness to [P].
- Finish on Kangaskhan. Put 100 on Mega Kangaskhan ex with Bench counters and Adrena-Brain, then Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive takes its 3 Prizes.
Against their Active Pokémon
Don't
- Benching more Dreepy than you need. Trifrost hits 3 Pokémon for 110; if you play Shaymin, Flower Curtain stops that damage on your Benched Pokémon without a Rule Box.
- Benching Fezandipiti ex or Meowth ex against Zeraora. Thunder Raid's 210 KOs either one from the Bench for 2 Prizes.
- Leaving Academy at Night in play. It lets them set the next attack every turn; replace it with Risky Ruins whenever you can.
Key turn
- Their turn 2. If Trifrost hits two Dreepy or Drakloak, your engine collapses; Budew's lock or a Hammer on Slowking that turn is worth more than your own setup.
- The first Lillie's Clefairy ex. Once it's in play, every Active Dragapult ex is in KO range: take Clefairy before anything else.
If they play…
Voltaic Fist (copied) with Brave Bangle and Clefairy in play does 320 and KOs Dragapult ex; it can also Paralyze your Active.
Ghostly Blow (copied) does 100 to the Active plus 5 damage counters on a Benched Pokémon: enough for any Benched Dreepy.
Gusts one of your Benched Pokémon and switches their Active in one Item: a damaged Drakloak or Fezandipiti ex becomes an easy Prize.
Dragapult vs Sharpedo Toxtricity
Even trade. Hungry Jaws one-shots Dragapult ex once Binding Mochi, Gravity Mountain or their Munkidori add up, and you need two big turns for each 3-Prize Mega Sharpedo ex. Spread on their engine decides it.
Their plan
- Hungry Jaws: 120, or 270 once Mega Sharpedo ex has any counter. Binding Mochi on a Poisoned Sharpedo makes 310; one Adrena-Brain more (340) KOs Dragapult ex (320).
- Toxtricity's Sinister Surge attaches a Darkness Energy to a Benched Pokémon and puts 2 counters on it: their Sharpedo arrives charged and with Hungry Jaws' bonus active.
- Pecharunt ex: Subjugating Chains switches that Sharpedo in and Poisons it, which turns Binding Mochi on. Irritated Outburst does 60 per Prize you've taken.
- Team Rocket's Watchtower (2): your Meowth ex loses Last-Ditch Catch and Dudunsparce loses Run Away Draw. Drakloak is a Dragon and keeps Recon Directive.
Your prize plan
- Spread on the engine. Toxel and Carvanha (70) die to Phantom Dive's 6 counters + 1 Adrena-Brain. Their Munkidori benched under Risky Ruins (90 left) dies the same way.
- Take Pecharunt ex with Boss's Orders. Phantom Dive does 200 to its 190 HP: 2 Prizes and no more free switches or Poison for Binding Mochi.
- Pre-load the Benched Sharpedo. Sinister Surge gives it counters anyway, so put spare Phantom Dive counters there; next turn Phantom Dive + 2 Adrena-Brain finishes it for 3.
- Hammer their attacker. Hungry Jaws needs 2 Darkness Energy: one Crushing Hammer heads on the Active Sharpedo can cost them the attack that turn.
Against Mega Sharpedo ex (330 HP, 3 Prizes)
Don't
- Leaving Gravity Mountain in play: your Dragapult ex drop to 290 and Hungry Jaws with Binding Mochi (310) KOs one with no help. Replace it with Risky Ruins.
- Benching Meowth ex for a Supporter under their Watchtower: Last-Ditch Catch is off and you've just handed them 2 easy Prizes.
- Chipping a Sharpedo you can't finish next turn: their Munkidori moves those counters onto your Pokémon and Sharpedo still keeps Hungry Jaws' bonus.
Key turn
- The turn after Hungry Jaws takes a Dragapult ex: you're down 2 Prizes. Boss's Orders on Pecharunt ex or a pre-damaged Sharpedo is how you catch up.
- Your turn 2: Budew's Itchy Pollen stops Ultra Ball and Poké Pad while they still need Sharpedo and Pecharunt ex; their Abilities still work.
If they play…
Dragapult ex becomes 290 HP: Hungry Jaws with Binding Mochi (310) KOs it alone. Play Risky Ruins over it immediately.
Whirling Envy does 110 once it has 2 counters, ignoring Weakness. At 90 HP, Phantom Dive's 6 counters + 1 Adrena-Brain KO it on the Bench.
Heals a Mega Sharpedo ex completely but returns all its Energy to hand. Plan one-turn KOs on Sharpedo, not two-turn ones.
Dragapult vs Dragapult Blaziken
Favored. Both sides Phantom Dive, but their two Stage 2 lines crowd the Bench with spread targets, and your Crushing Hammer plus Boss's Orders on Blaziken ex (retreat 2) wins the energy race.
Their plan
- Phantom Dive: 200 to your Active and 6 counters on your Bench, the same as yours. Dreepy and Drakloak are their targets too.
- Blaziken ex: Seething Spirit reattaches a Basic Energy from the discard each turn, so single Hammers hurt less. Smolder-sault does 200 but can't attack next turn.
- Lillie's Clefairy ex (common): Fairy Zone makes your Dragapult ex weak to Psychic. Their Munkidori's Mind Bend then does 120 to it.
- Team Rocket's Watchtower: your Meowth ex and Dudunsparce lose their Abilities; Chi-Yu's Ground Melter (120) discards your Risky Ruins.
Your prize plan
- Spread on the extra Bench. Torchic (70) benched under Risky Ruins sits at 50: 5 counters KO it. Drakloak (90) dies to 6 counters + 1 Adrena-Brain.
- Hammer the attacker, Boss the Blaziken. Crushing Hammer the Energy on their Dragapult ex, then Boss's Orders Blaziken ex (retreat 2): they need 3 attachments to Phantom Dive again.
- Take their 2-Prize Pokémon in two steps. Six Phantom Dive counters on a Benched Dragapult ex or Blaziken ex, then Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive + 2 Adrena-Brain KOs it (320).
- Clefairy ex goes first when it shows up. Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive (200) KOs its 190 HP for 2 Prizes and removes your Psychic Weakness.
Against an Active Dragapult ex or Blaziken ex (320 HP)
Don't
- Spreading counters onto Pokémon that are about to evolve into 320 HP: finish Torchic and Dreepy first, while 5-7 counters still KO them.
- Benching Meowth ex for value under their Watchtower: Last-Ditch Catch is off and they get 2 easy Prizes.
- Charging only one attacker: their Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive on your charged Drakloak costs you the next turn's attack. Spread Energy over two Drakloak.
Key turn
- The turn after Smolder-sault: Blaziken ex can't attack. Hammer its Energy or Boss's Orders around it and Phantom Dive their Bench while it sits there.
- Your turn 2: Budew locks their Items when they need Rare Candy and Ultra Ball for two Stage 2 lines; you build Drakloak meanwhile.
If they play…
Your Dragapult ex become weak to Psychic. KO Clefairy ex (190) with Phantom Dive before it powers up Full Moon Rondo or Mind Bend.
Ground Melter does 120 and discards your Risky Ruins. Keep a second Ruins; 110 HP falls to Phantom Dive in the Active.
A bigger Bench for them means more targets for your 6 counters; don't fill your own Bench to match.
Dragapult vs Ogerpon Meganium Hydrapple
Their damage depends on Meganium and on how many Grass Energy they have in play. KO Meganium, use Crushing Hammer on their Grass Energy, take Ogerpon with Moltres, and set up Hydrapple ex so one Phantom Dive finishes it.
Their plan
- Hydrapple ex (330) survives Phantom Dive, and Syrup Storm grows with every Grass Energy: with Meganium in play, 5 Grass Energy cards make 330 and KO Dragapult ex.
- Teal Mask Ogerpon ex counts Energy on both Actives: with Meganium, 4 Grass on Ogerpon against your 2 Energy is 330, a one-hit KO.
- Tapu Bulu gives up 1 Prize while Wood Hammer (220) hits hard, and Celebi's Traverse Time gets them past Budew's Item lock.
- Ripening Charge heals 30 from the Pokémon that gets the Energy, so partial damage on Hydrapple ex disappears.
Your prize plan
- Meganium first. Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive (200) KOs Meganium (160); without Wild Growth each Grass Energy counts once and their attacks lose half their damage.
- Moltres for Ogerpon. Fighting Wings costs one [R] and does 110 to an Active ex, 220 to Teal Mask Ogerpon ex through Weakness: your 1-Prize Pokémon takes 2.
- Hammer the Grass. Each Crushing Hammer heads removes Energy that Syrup Storm and Myriad Leaf Shower count, often turning their KO into a miss.
- Set up Hydrapple ex. Put 130 on it first with Phantom Dive counters and Adrena-Brain, then one Phantom Dive takes its 2 Prizes before Ripening Charge heals it.
Against their Active Pokémon (Dragapult ex hits without Weakness)
Don't
- Phantom Dive into a healthy Ogerpon. 200 leaves Teal Mask Ogerpon ex at 10; use Moltres, or have Risky Ruins in play before they bench it.
- Chipping Hydrapple ex. Ripening Charge heals 30 per attachment; hit it only on the turn Phantom Dive finishes it, otherwise take Meganium.
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex for nothing. They need only three 2-Prize KOs; each extra ex on your Bench shortens their race.
Key turn
- Right after their first Meganium. Forest of Vitality lets them evolve in one turn; KO Meganium before Hydrapple ex has 5 Grass Energy in play.
- The Moltres turn. When Teal Mask Ogerpon ex steps up with 3-4 Grass Energy, Moltres KOs it for one Fire Energy and leaves them only a 1-Prize target.
If they play…
Itchy Pollen locks your Items for a turn: Crushing Hammer, Buddy-Buddy Poffin and Poké Pad wait. Recon Directive still digs.
Noctowl is [C]: Team Rocket's Watchtower turns off Jewel Seeker and their Meowth ex's Last-Ditch Catch.
Once you're at 3 Prizes or fewer, they can send your hand to the bottom and leave you 3 cards; keep Drakloak in play to rebuild.
Dragapult vs Lucario Hariyama
Mega Lucario ex survives one Phantom Dive, but their deck runs on Items and Gravity Mountain. Lock Items with Budew, replace their Stadium with Risky Ruins, and take two Lucario (3 Prizes each) with two hits apiece.
Their plan
- Mega Brave does 270: with Gravity Mountain your Dragapult ex drops to 290, so Mega Brave + one Premium Power Pro (300) KOs it; two Premium Power Pro (330) KO it anyway.
- Aura Jab (130 for one Energy) KOs Drakloak (90) and attaches 3 Basic Fighting Energy from the discard to their Bench, so the next attacker is always ready.
- Hariyama's Heave-Ho Catcher pulls one of your Benched Pokémon Active when it evolves, on top of 2 Boss's Orders: Drakloak and damaged Pokémon are targets.
- Wally's Compassion heals all damage from a Mega Lucario ex: a lone Phantom Dive on it can be wiped away.
Your prize plan
- Lock their Items early. Fighting Gong, Premium Power Pro, Ultra Ball and Poké Pad all stop under Budew's Itchy Pollen, slowing both Lucario and its damage boosts.
- Replace Gravity Mountain with Risky Ruins. Dragapult ex keeps 320 HP, so Mega Brave needs two Premium Power Pro, and every Riolu, Makuhita or Solrock they bench takes 20.
- Snipe Riolu. A Riolu or Makuhita benched under Risky Ruins (60 left) dies to Phantom Dive's 6 counters before it becomes a 3-Prize Lucario or a gust.
- Two hits per Lucario. Mega Lucario ex (340) survives one Phantom Dive at 140; the second takes 3 Prizes. Two Lucario win the game.
Against an Active Mega Lucario ex (340 HP)
Don't
- Leaving Dragapult ex Active into Gravity Mountain. At 290 HP it falls to Mega Brave plus one Premium Power Pro (300); remove the Stadium first.
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex. Both are weak to Fighting: Aura Jab alone does 260 and takes 2 easy Prizes.
- Half-damaging a Lucario you can't finish. Wally's Compassion heals it fully; place damage so the 3-Prize KO comes on the next turn.
Key turn
- Their first Mega Brave turn. With Budew's lock or Risky Ruins in play, Mega Brave (270) can't KO a healthy Dragapult ex, and you swing back with Phantom Dive.
- The second Lucario. Put Phantom Dive counters on the Benched Riolu or Lucario ahead of time, so one more Phantom Dive takes their last 3 Prizes.
If they play…
Blocks attack effects on that Pokémon, so Phantom Dive's Bench counters can't land on it. Adrena-Brain is an Ability and still can.
+50 to your Active ex: Mega Brave does 320 and KOs a healthy Dragapult ex even without Gravity Mountain or Premium Power Pro.
Mega Lucario ex goes to 440 HP: two Phantom Dives (400) fall short, so add Bench counters or Adrena-Brain before the second.
Dragapult vs Alakazam Dudunsparce
Every Phantom Dive KOs an Active Alakazam or Dudunsparce (140), while they need 16 cards in hand to KO one Dragapult ex. Win by slowing their Rare Candy and keeping their Bench and hand small.
Their plan
- Powerful Hand: 2 damage counters per card in their hand, for one [P]. Counters ignore Weakness: 16 cards KO Dragapult ex (320), 5 KO Drakloak (90), 4 KO Dreepy (70).
- Draw to build the hand: Psychic Draw on Kadabra (2) and Alakazam (3), Run Away Draw on Dudunsparce (3), Enriching Energy (4). Dudunsparce shuffles itself away, so it rarely stays as a Prize.
- Battle Cage stops Phantom Dive's 6 counters and Adrena-Brain from landing on their Bench. Damage to the Active still goes through.
- Fezandipiti ex: Cruel Arrow does 100 to any Pokémon, enough for a Benched Drakloak (90) or Dreepy (70).
Your prize plan
- Turn 1: Budew. Itchy Pollen stops Rare Candy, Buddy-Buddy Poffin and Poké Pad on their turn 2, so Alakazam comes a turn late. Dawn and Hilda still work.
- Put Risky Ruins over Battle Cage before you attack. Each Abra they Bench drops to 30 HP, so 6 counters KO two of them; healthy Abra (50) need 5.
- Phantom Dive the Active every turn. 200 KOs Alakazam, Dudunsparce (140), Genesect (110) and Lillie's Clefairy ex (190). Spread counters on Abra and Dunsparce before they evolve or shuffle away.
- Count to 6 single Prizes. Use Boss's Orders on Kadabra (80) or a damaged Abra for 2-Prize turns with Munkidori's 3 counters, and keep your own ex off the Bench.
Against an Active Alakazam (140 HP)
Don't
- Filling the Bench while Lillie's Clefairy ex is in play: Full Moon Rondo adds 20 per Benched Pokémon on both sides, and your Dragons are weak to it.
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex just to have them: they need six KOs on a deck of 1-Prize Pokémon, and each of your ex is a 2-Prize shortcut.
- Using Judge when their hand is already small: it can refill them to 4. Save it, or Unfair Stamp, for the turn their hand is big.
Key turn
- Their turn 2: if Budew's Itchy Pollen blocks Rare Candy, Alakazam needs Kadabra first and you get a free turn to Phantom Dive their Abras.
- The turn their hand reaches double digits: Unfair Stamp after a KO leaves them 2 cards (40 damage) and Judge leaves 4 (80). That buys a full turn.
If they play…
Fairy Zone makes your Dragons weak to [P]: with 7 Benched Pokémon, Full Moon Rondo does 320. Keep Benches small and Phantom Dive it (190) first.
When you hit the Fan holder, an Energy moves from your attacker to your Bench. Keep a second Drakloak with Energy ready.
Flower Curtain stops attack damage to their Benched non-ex Pokémon, so Fezandipiti ex can't snipe them there. Aim Cruel Arrow at the Active instead.
Dragapult vs Mega Excadrill
A fully loaded Mega Excadrill ex does 330 and KOs Dragapult ex, but it gives 3 Prizes. Hammer its Energy, break the Metang engine early, and take it down in two hits before Jumbo Ice Cream heals it.
Their plan
- Maximum Drilling: 200, or 330 with 2 extra Energy (5 in total). 330 KOs Dragapult ex (320); Kieran adds 30 against your Active ex.
- Metal Maker: each Metang attaches every Metal Energy in the top 4 cards. Three Metang reload an Excadrill quickly, even after Crushing Hammer.
- Snipers: Fezandipiti ex's Cruel Arrow (100) KOs a Benched Drakloak (90); Mega Skarmory ex's Sonic Ripper (220) KOs Meowth ex (170) or Fezandipiti ex (210) anywhere.
- Bulk: Mega Excadrill ex has 340 HP, 440 with Hero's Cape, and Jumbo Ice Cream heals 80 when it has 3+ Energy.
Your prize plan
- Break the engine first. Under Risky Ruins a Benched Beldum or Drilbur sits at 50: 5 Phantom Dive counters KO it. A Metang evolved from a damaged Beldum has 80 left.
- Crushing Hammer the Excadrill. Below 5 Energy, Maximum Drilling does only 200, and Dragapult ex survives it.
- KO Excadrill in back-to-back turns. Two Phantom Dives (400) KO a 340 HP Excadrill. If Ice Cream heals 80, add Munkidori's 3 counters or Moltres.
- Spend your counters on their ex. 6 counters on Genesect ex (220) let a later Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive KO it. An Active Mega Skarmory ex (260) with no Energy left is 3 Prizes.
Against an Active Mega Excadrill ex (340 HP, no Hero's Cape)
Don't
- Loading a single Dragapult ex while Excadrill has 5 Energy: 330 KOs it. Keep Energy spread over two Drakloak.
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex without need: Sonic Ripper (220) KOs either from the Bench for 2 Prizes.
- Hitting Excadrill once and then looking elsewhere: Jumbo Ice Cream heals 80 and the first 200 is wasted. Follow up the next turn.
Key turn
- The turn Excadrill reaches 5 Energy: Hammer it down, or have the KO ready that turn. 3 Prizes swing the game.
- Your first two Phantom Dives: the Bench counters decide whether they still have 2-3 Metang. With one Metang left, Excadrill can't recover from Hammers.
If they play…
Excadrill goes to 440: two Phantom Dives (400) fall short. Add Munkidori's counters or Moltres (220) to the second hit.
Your Dragapult ex drops to 290 and Metagross's Metallic Hammer (300) KOs it. Replace it with Risky Ruins.
Emperor's Stance blocks Phantom Dive's counters on it. Hit it in the Active: Iron Feathers makes it take 60 less next turn.
Dragapult vs Alakazam Dusknoir
Even. Their damage is the size of their hand, so hand disruption matters most. Phantom Dive KOs Alakazam and Dusknoir in one hit and its counters clean up Abra and Duskull; every Cursed Blast hands you a Prize.
Their plan
- Powerful Hand: 2 counters on your Active per card in their hand. Dragapult ex (320) needs 16 cards; after a Dusknoir Cursed Blast (13 counters), 10 cards.
- Cursed Blast: Dusknoir puts 13 counters (130) on any Pokémon, Dusclops 5. It KOs a Drakloak (90) or Munkidori (110) on your Bench, but gives you 1 Prize each time.
- Budew and Special Red Card: Itchy Pollen locks your Items; once you have 3 or fewer Prizes left, Special Red Card resets your hand to 3.
Your prize plan
- Budew on the turn before their first Rare Candy. Their engine is Items (Rare Candy, Poké Pad, Poffin, Strange Timepiece); one locked turn delays Alakazam.
- Spread onto Abra and Duskull. Risky Ruins drops Abra to 30 and Duskull to 40: 6 Phantom Dive counters KO two of them. A Kadabra evolved from a damaged Abra has 60 left: 6 counters.
- One hit for each attacker. Phantom Dive 200 KOs Alakazam (140) and Dusknoir (160). Fezandipiti ex's Cruel Arrow does 200 to them in the Active (Darkness Weakness) too.
- Shrink their hand. Unfair Stamp after their KO leaves 2 cards (4 counters); Judge leaves 4. Do it the turn before their big Powerful Hand.
Against an Active Alakazam (140 HP) or Dusknoir (160 HP)
Don't
- Sitting on 3 Prizes: their Cursed Blasts give you Prizes fast and Special Red Card waits there. Jump from 4 to 2 or fewer with a multi-KO Phantom Dive.
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex early: Cursed Blast (130) plus 2 cards in hand KOs Meowth ex (170); plus 4 cards KOs Fezandipiti ex (210). Each is 2 Prizes.
- Playing Risky Ruins before your own Dreepy: a Dreepy at 50 dies to one Dusclops Cursed Blast.
Key turn
- Your first Phantom Dive: KO the Active and spend the 6 counters on Abra and Duskull at 30-40. Without them, Alakazam and Dusknoir never come back.
- The turn they fill their hand: after Psychic Draw and Gwynn they threaten 10+ cards. Unfair Stamp or Judge right before cuts Powerful Hand to 8 counters or fewer.
If they play…
Midnight Fluttering turns off your Active's Ability (an Active Drakloak loses Recon Directive). Hex Hurl does 90 plus 2 counters. Phantom Dive KOs it (90).
Skyliner gives their Basics free retreat. Latias ex (210) is 2 Prizes: Phantom Dive + Adrena-Brain (230) KOs it.
It only hits Special Energy. Your list plays only basic Energy, so it does nothing here.
Dragapult vs Dragapult Dusknoir
Your Crushing Hammers and Munkidori beat their Cursed Blasts. Their best play, Phantom Dive plus Dusknoir for 330, costs them a Prize; deny their Energy and clear Duskull before it evolves.
Their plan
- Phantom Dive + Cursed Blast: 200 + 130 = 330 KOs your Dragapult ex (320) in one turn. They give you 1 Prize for 2.
- Cursed Blast on your Bench: Dusknoir (130) KOs a Drakloak (90) alone; Dusclops (50) plus 4 Phantom Dive counters does it too.
- Dawn and Rare Candy: Dawn is a Supporter, so Budew doesn't stop it from finding Duskull, Dusclops and Dusknoir; Rare Candy skips a turn when Items are open.
- Special Red Card and Rosa's Encouragement: each Cursed Blast moves you closer to 3 Prizes and puts them behind, which turns both cards on.
Your prize plan
- Kill Duskull on the Bench. Duskull has 60 HP: 6 Phantom Dive counters KO it, or 4 if it came down under Risky Ruins (40 left). Two can die to one Phantom Dive.
- Hammer the Dragapult ex they charge. Phantom Dive needs Fire and Psychic exactly: one heads leaves Jet Headbutt (70). Follow up with Boss's Orders on a stuck attacker.
- Take their Drakloak next. A Drakloak evolved from a Dreepy hit by Risky Ruins has 70 left: 6 counters plus Adrena-Brain KO it.
- Prize math: their Cursed Blasts hand you Prizes. Take 2 Dragapult ex (4 Prizes) plus the gifts instead of chasing every small Pokémon.
Against their Active Dragapult ex (320 HP)
Don't
- One charged Dragapult ex: 330 from Phantom Dive plus Dusknoir removes it. Split Fire and Psychic Energy over two Drakloak.
- Sitting on 3 Prizes with a weak hand: Special Red Card puts your hand on the bottom. Jump from 4 to 2 with a double KO.
- Your Risky Ruins before your own Dreepy: a Dreepy at 50 dies to one Dusclops Cursed Blast (5 counters).
Key turn
- Your turn 2: Itchy Pollen or a Phantom Dive that kills both Duskull. If no Dusknoir reaches play, their deck is a weaker copy of yours.
- The turn their Dragapult ex gets its second Energy: Crushing Hammer it, then Boss's Orders if it retreats a damaged one.
If they play…
Watchful Eye stops all counter moving: your Munkidori does nothing. Patrat has 70 HP: 6 counters plus Risky Ruins KO it on the Bench.
Your Meowth ex and Dudunsparce lose their Abilities. Drakloak keeps Recon Directive; replace it with Risky Ruins.
They can strand your Dragapult ex too. Keep a second Drakloak with Fire and Psychic Energy, and Rosa's Encouragement for a reload.
Dragapult vs Festival Lead
Favored. Nothing they play survives Phantom Dive's 200, so it KOs the Active and its 6 counters clear their fragile Bench. They need a full Bench plus Brave Bangle and Kieran, or Gladion, to KO Dragapult ex.
Their plan
- Do the Wave twice: Festival Lead with Festival Grounds in play lets Dipplin attack two times, 20 per Benched Pokémon each. A full Bench is 100 + 100: not enough for Dragapult ex (320).
- Damage boosts: Brave Bangle and Kieran add 30 each per hit to an Active ex (160 + 160 = 320, a KO). Gladion's Final Battle adds 80 per hit.
- Thwackey: Boom Boom Groove searches any card each turn while their Active has Festival Lead. Several Thwackey find the whole combo.
- Rabsca: Spherical Shield stops your attacks' damage and effects on their Bench, Phantom Dive's 6 counters included.
Your prize plan
- Early Budew. Itchy Pollen stops Buddy-Buddy Poffin, Poké Pad, Ultra Ball and Secret Box while they still need Thwackey and Dipplin.
- Remove Rabsca first. Boss's Orders it Active: Jet Headbutt (70) or Phantom Dive KOs its 70 HP. Better yet, spread onto Rellor (50) before it evolves.
- Clear the Bench with counters. Under Risky Ruins Applin is at 20, Goldeen and Rellor at 30, Grookey at 50: one Phantom Dive takes 2 Prizes, plus the Active.
- Replace Festival Grounds. Risky Ruins discards it, and without Festival Grounds Do the Wave hits once. Every Bench KO also cuts 20 per hit.
Phantom Dive against their Pokémon, with Risky Ruins already in play
Don't
- Phantom Dive counters on their Bench while Rabsca is in play: Spherical Shield stops them. KO Rabsca or Rellor first.
- Leaving Festival Grounds in play when you hold Risky Ruins: every turn it stays, Dipplin and Seaking attack twice.
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex you don't need: Brave Bangle and Kieran add 30 per hit against an Active ex, and Boss's Orders can bring them up.
Key turn
- Your first Phantom Dive: take the Active and put the 6 counters on two Basics. Two or three Prizes in one turn leaves their Do the Wave short of Bench.
- When they hold one card: Gladion's Final Battle only works as the last card in hand. That turn their Do the Wave can KO Dragapult ex; keep a second one ready.
If they play…
Flower Curtain stops attack damage on their Benched Pokémon. Use the Active hit and Adrena-Brain for the KOs.
Grass Pokémon evolve the turn they're played, so Grookey and Applin escape your counters faster. Spread early.
They recover up to 3 KO'd Pokémon or Energy. Expect a refilled Bench and keep a Phantom Dive ready.
Dragapult vs Lopunny Dudunsparce
Even. Gale Thrust (230) needs two hits on Dragapult ex, but Mega Lopunny ex (330, 3 Prizes) shrugs off one Phantom Dive and Wally's Compassion resets it. The Stadium war, Risky Ruins against Battle Cage, decides it.
Their plan
- Gale Thrust: 230 for one Energy when Mega Lopunny ex moved up from the Bench that turn. Two hits KO Dragapult ex; Spiky Hopper (160) also finishes a damaged one.
- Battle Cage: no counters can be placed on their Bench by your attacks or Abilities. Phantom Dive is just 200 to the Active and Adrena-Brain only reaches the Active.
- Wally's Compassion (3): heals all damage from Mega Lopunny ex, Active or Benched. Damage you leave on it rarely survives to the next turn.
- Lillie's Clefairy ex: Fairy Zone makes your Dragon Pokémon weak to Psychic, so Full Moon Rondo (20 + 20 per Benched Pokémon) doubles against Dragapult ex.
Your prize plan
- Win the Stadium. Play Risky Ruins over Battle Cage the turn you attack. Buneary, Dunsparce and Fan Rotom then enter their Bench with 2 counters.
- KO Buneary before it evolves. Under Risky Ruins it has 50 left: 5 Phantom Dive counters. Without Ruins, 6 counters + 1 Adrena-Brain (70). Fewer Buneary, fewer Lopunny.
- Take the 2-Prize support. Lillie's Clefairy ex (190) and Meowth ex (170) fall to Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive; removing Clefairy also ends your Psychic Weakness.
- Lopunny in one turn only. Phantom Dive + 2 Adrena-Brain is 260: it needs 70 already on it, with no Wally's Compassion in between, for 3 Prizes.
Against an Active Mega Lopunny ex (330 HP, 3 Prizes)
Don't
- Chipping Mega Lopunny ex over two turns: Wally's Compassion heals it all. Spend counters on Buneary and Dunsparce instead.
- Keeping Dragapult ex Active while their Lillie's Clefairy ex is in play: Full Moon Rondo hits it for double. KO Clefairy first.
- Aiming Phantom Dive counters at a Pokémon with Mist Energy: it prevents the effects of your attacks, so the counters do nothing there.
Key turn
- The turn they play Battle Cage: your next Phantom Dive needs Risky Ruins in hand. Hold one, plus Boss's Orders for Clefairy ex.
- After their first Gale Thrust: your Dragapult ex has 90 HP left and the next hit KOs it. Take 2 or more Prizes that turn.
If they play…
Fighting Wings does 110 to an Active ex: with Gale Thrust (230) that is 340, a KO on Dragapult ex from full HP.
Pouncing Trap stops your retreat and adds 100 next turn: Gale Thrust then does 330, a one-hit KO on Dragapult ex. KO Stunfisk (110) first.
Tenacious Tail does 60 per ex you have in play. Three Dragapult ex plus Fezandipiti ex is 240: bench few ex.
Dragapult vs Grimmsnarl Froslass
Dragapult ex has no Ability, so Freezing Shroud never touches it, and Shadow Bullet (180) can't KO it alone. Lock their turn-2 Rare Candy with Budew, then let Phantom Dive's counters pick off their small Basics and Froslass.
Their plan
- Shadow Bullet: 180 to your Active plus 30 to a Benched Pokémon. Against Dragapult ex (320) it needs 140 more, so they must stack several Adrena-Brain moves first.
- Freezing Shroud: every Pokémon Checkup puts 1 counter on each Pokémon with an Ability. Drakloak, Munkidori, Meowth ex, Fezandipiti ex and Dudunsparce bleed; Dreepy and Dragapult ex don't.
- Four Munkidori: each Adrena-Brain moves 3 counters, healing their Grimmsnarl ex and finishing a damaged Drakloak (90) or Budew (30) on your Bench.
- Punk Up: Rare Candy into Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex attaches up to 5 Darkness Energy at once, so Crushing Hammer rarely stops the first Shadow Bullet. Item lock does.
Your prize plan
- Budew first. Itchy Pollen on the turn before their first Rare Candy turn shuts off Rare Candy, Secret Box, Poké Pad and Poffin. Build 2-3 Drakloak behind it.
- Spread onto the Basics. Risky Ruins puts 2 counters on Snorunt and Munkidori (not on Darkness Impidimp). Snorunt at 50 falls to 5 Phantom Dive counters; Munkidori at 90 to 6 counters plus Adrena-Brain.
- Froslass next. Evolved from a damaged Snorunt it has 70 left: 6 counters plus one Adrena-Brain KO it on the Bench. Without Froslass their damage engine stalls.
- Two hits for each Grimmsnarl ex (320). Phantom Dive twice is 400. Two Grimmsnarl ex are 4 Prizes; take the last 2 from Snorunt, Impidimp, Froslass or Munkidori.
Against an Active Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex (320 HP)
Don't
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex for value: both have Abilities, so Froslass chips them, and Shadow Bullet 180 KOs Meowth ex (170) or Fezandipiti ex (210) after 3 counters.
- Spreading counters you can't finish: their Munkidori move counters from their Pokémon onto yours. Place Phantom Dive counters where they KO this turn or next.
- A crowded Bench of Ability Pokémon: every Drakloak or Dudunsparce takes 2 counters a round, and Shadow Bullet's 30 plus Adrena-Brain finish a Drakloak (90).
Key turn
- Their first Rare Candy turn: Itchy Pollen from Budew the turn before keeps Grimmsnarl ex off the board and buys your first Phantom Dive on their Basics.
- Your first Phantom Dive: KO Snorunt or Froslass and set up a damaged Munkidori. Once Froslass is gone, Shadow Bullet rarely reaches 320.
If they play…
Clutch (20) stops your Active from retreating; Dark Feather (110) KOs a Drakloak. It is Darkness with Retreat 0, so Risky Ruins doesn't hurt it.
Exploding Needles hits the attacker that KOs it in the Active. Finish its 110 HP with Phantom Dive counters on the Bench and Adrena-Brain.
Your Meowth ex and Dudunsparce lose their Abilities (Colorless). Drakloak is a Dragon and keeps Recon Directive.
Dragapult vs Cynthia's Garchomp
An even race of big hits. Draconic Buster KOs Dragapult ex only with two boosts, so spread Phantom Dive counters onto Roselia, Gible and Gabite, and two Phantom Dives take each Garchomp ex.
Their plan
- Draconic Buster: 260, +30 per Cynthia's Roserade, +30 per Premium Power Pro. Any two boosts make 320 and KO Dragapult ex; it discards all of Garchomp's Energy.
- Corkscrew Dive: 100 for one Energy and refills their hand. Meowth ex is weak to Fighting: 200 KOs it. With one Roserade, 260 KOs Fezandipiti ex (210).
- Cynthia's Power Weight: +70 HP. Garchomp ex goes to 400, Roserade to 200, Gabite to 170.
- Cynthia's Spiritomb: Raging Curse does 10 per counter on their Benched Cynthia's Pokémon. Your Phantom Dive counters and a damaged Garchomp they retreat for free (Retreat 0) feed it.
Your prize plan
- Budew and Risky Ruins early. Itchy Pollen blocks Poffin, Poké Pad, Fighting Gong and Premium Power Pro; Gible and Roselia benched under Risky Ruins drop to 50.
- KO the boosters with counters. 5 Phantom Dive counters KO a Gible or Roselia at 50. A Gabite evolved from a damaged Gible has 80 left: 6 counters plus Adrena-Brain.
- Two Phantom Dives per Garchomp ex. 200 + 200 = 400, enough even with Power Weight. Use Boss's Orders on a damaged one they retreated before Spiritomb uses its counters.
- Prize math: two Garchomp ex are 4 Prizes; take the last 2 from Gible, Roselia, Gabite or Spiritomb (70, Darkness, so Risky Ruins skips it).
Against an Active Cynthia's Garchomp ex (330 HP, 400 with Cynthia's Power Weight)
Don't
- Chip counters on their Bench: each one is +10 for Raging Curse. Stack all 6 on one target to KO it, so the counters leave play with it.
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex: both are weak to Fighting and give 2 Prizes to a cheap Corkscrew Dive.
- Only one charged attacker: two boosts on Draconic Buster remove it in one hit. Keep Fire and Psychic Energy spread over a second Drakloak.
Key turn
- Your turns 2-3: if their Roselia and Gible die to your first spread, Draconic Buster needs both Premium Power Pro to reach 320.
- Right after a Draconic Buster: their Garchomp ex has no Energy. Crushing Hammer on the reattached Energy, or Unfair Stamp after your KO, delays the next Buster.
If they play…
Counters from attacks and Abilities can't go on Benched Pokémon: Phantom Dive's 6 counters and Bench Adrena-Brain do nothing. Replace it with Risky Ruins.
+30 against your Active Pokémon ex: one Roserade plus Kieran also makes Draconic Buster 320, a KO on Dragapult ex.
Garchomp ex arrives a turn earlier, on their second turn. Budew's Itchy Pollen on that turn matters even more.
Dragapult vs Lopunny Dusknoir
Uphill. Mega Lopunny ex (330) survives Phantom Dive and swings back for 230 on one Energy, while Cursed Blast snipes your Drakloak. Win by hitting the same Lopunny twice and spreading onto Duskull and Buneary.
Their plan
- Gale Thrust: 230 for one Energy when Mega Lopunny ex moved from the Bench to the Active Spot that turn, via Switch or a free retreat with Latias ex's Skyliner.
- Cursed Blast: Dusknoir puts 13 counters on any Pokémon. 230 + 130 = 360 KOs Dragapult ex, and 130 alone KOs a Benched Drakloak (90) or Munkidori (110).
- Bronzong's Evolution Jammer: 30 damage, and you can't evolve from your hand next turn. It stalls Dreepy → Drakloak → Dragapult ex.
- Lillie's Clefairy ex (common): Fairy Zone makes Dragapult ex weak to Psychic, so Latias ex's Eon Blade hits it for 400.
Your prize plan
- Spread onto their Basics early. Phantom Dive's 6 counters KO a Benched Duskull (60), or a Buneary (70) that took 20 from Risky Ruins, before it evolves.
- Hit the same Lopunny twice. Phantom Dive does 200; a second one on that Lopunny is a 3-Prize KO. If they bench it, Boss's Orders brings it back.
- Count Cursed Blast as your Prizes. Every Dusclops or Dusknoir that uses it gives you 1. One Lopunny (3) plus a Mega Kangaskhan ex (3) is the fastest 6.
- Keep two Drakloak. Dusknoir sniping your only Drakloak (90) is their way to stop your attacks; a second line on the Bench keeps Phantom Dive coming.
Against an Active Mega Lopunny ex (330 HP)
Don't
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex: Gale Thrust (230) KOs either after Boss's Orders, 2 easy Prizes in a race you're already behind in.
- Spreading counters on Latias ex or Kangaskhan when a Benched Duskull or Buneary can be KO'd instead: kill the Dusknoir and Lopunny lines before they evolve.
- Dropping to 3 Prizes left with a weak hand: their Special Red Card puts your hand on the bottom of your deck and leaves you 3 cards.
Key turn
- Your turn 1: Budew's Itchy Pollen blocks Rare Candy and Switch on their next turn, delaying both Dusknoir and the first 230 Gale Thrust.
- The turn after your first Phantom Dive on Lopunny: Boss's Orders + a second Phantom Dive takes 3 Prizes before Wally's Compassion or a retreat undoes it.
If they play…
Eon Blade does 400 and Shadow Bind 300 to Dragapult ex. Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive (200) KOs its 190 HP first.
Heals all damage on a Mega ex but returns its Energy to hand. Finish a damaged Lopunny the next turn, before they can play it.
Oceanic Gloom blocks your Items for a turn. Play Buddy-Buddy Poffin and Poké Pad early; its 80 HP falls to Phantom Dive.
Dragapult vs Crustle
Hard. Mysterious Rock Inn stops all damage from Dragapult ex, so the Active Crustle is a wall. Your Prizes come from Dwebble and Mega Kangaskhan ex, using Phantom Dive's Bench counters and Adrena-Brain.
Their plan
- Mysterious Rock Inn: Crustle takes no damage from attacks by your ex. Phantom Dive's 200 and Cruel Arrow do nothing to it; counters still go in.
- Superb Scissors (120, ignores effects on your Active): KOs Dreepy, Drakloak (90), Munkidori (110) and Budew, your only non-ex attackers.
- A big, healed wall: 150 HP, +20 per Growing Grass Energy, +100 with Hero's Cape (up to 290), and Jumbo Ice Cream heals 80 once it has 3 Energy.
- Eri and Xerosic's Machinations: Eri discards up to 2 Items from your hand, Xerosic's cuts it to 3 cards. Boss's Orders and Crushing Hammer get hard to keep.
Your prize plan
- Snipe Dwebble before it evolves. They play 3. Phantom Dive's 6 counters + 1 from Adrena-Brain KO a Benched Dwebble (70); under Risky Ruins it's already at 50.
- Load counters on Mega Kangaskhan ex. Even with Crustle Active, Phantom Dive puts 6 counters on the Bench: stack them, plus Adrena-Brain, on a Kangaskhan without Mist Energy.
- Boss's Orders + Phantom Dive for 3 Prizes. With 100 damage already on Kangaskhan, 200 finishes its 300 HP. Two Kangaskhan KOs win the game.
- Munkidori is your Crustle answer. Adrena-Brain ignores Rock Inn and Mist Energy: 3 counters a turn on a Benched Crustle, where Jumbo Ice Cream can't heal it.
Against an Active Mega Kangaskhan ex (300 HP, no Hero's Cape)
Don't
- Putting Phantom Dive counters on a Pokémon with Mist Energy: Mist prevents attack effects, so those counters are lost. Adrena-Brain still works on it.
- Chipping an Active Crustle with Mind Bend or Dragon Headbutt: Jumbo Ice Cream heals 80, Spiky Energy puts 2 counters on your attacker, and Superb Scissors KOs it.
- Benching Meowth ex or Fezandipiti ex: they can't hurt Crustle either, and Boss's Orders + Rapid-Fire Combo (200+) takes 2 Prizes.
Key turn
- Before their first Crustle: Budew's Itchy Pollen blocks Buddy-Buddy Poffin, Hero's Cape and Jumbo Ice Cream for a turn, and a Benched Dwebble is your cheapest Prize.
- The first Kangaskhan KO: 3 Prizes. Line up 100 damage on it before you spend Boss's Orders, then do it again on the next one.
If they play…
Cornerstone Stance only stops attackers with an Ability; Dragapult ex has none. Phantom Dive + 1 Adrena-Brain (230) KOs its 210 HP.
Crustle and Kangaskhan retreat for 1. Kangaskhan leaves the Active after Run Errand, so Bench counters on it matter more.
Damaging its holder moves 1 Energy from your attacker to your Bench. Have the next attachment ready to keep Phantom Dive online.
Sources
- Natalie Millar, "The Best Pokémon TCG Decks Right Now (October 2026)", TCGplayer, 29 sep 2026 (act. 6 oct) · tcgplayer.com
- Natalie Millar, "The Best Pokémon TCG Decks Right Now (September 2026)", TCGplayer, 25 ago 2026 · tcgplayer.com
- Natalie Millar, "Dragapult ex/Blaziken ex Deck Guide", TCGplayer, 11 ago 2026 · tcgplayer.com
- Natalie Millar, "Dragapult ex/Dusknoir Deck Guide", TCGplayer, 2 jun 2026 (anterior a Pitch Black) · tcgplayer.com
- Natalie Millar, "The Best Pokémon TCG Decks Right Now (June 2026)", TCGplayer, jun 2026 (antiguo) · tcgplayer.com
- Gregory Thornberry, "Pokémon TCG Dragapult ex Deck List (2026): Best Build & How to Play", Thornberry Media, 2 sep 2026 · thornberrymedia.com
- Mythras, "Pokémon TCG Dragapult ex Deck Guide: The Worlds-Winning 60", Gamertag Mythras, 21 sep 2026 (baja confiabilidad) · gamertagmythras.com
- Elena (Gaia Storm), "How Dragapult ex is dominating the Pokémon TCG metagame", Ultimate Guard, 1 jun 2026 (antiguo) · ultimateguard.com
- Simbozz, guía de Dragapult (TCG Live), 12 jun 2026 (genérica) · simbozz.gg
- Matt Bassil, "Pokémon Pitch Black has a spooky new deck that will haunt Dragapult's dreams", Wargamer, 4 jun 2026 · wargamer.com
- Limitless Play, matchups de Dragapult (online, set 30C), consultado el 20 oct 2026 · play.limitlesstcg.com
- - No usadas (de pago o inaccesibles): Andrew Hedrick, "How to Play Crushing Hammer Dragapult", Metafy, 22 may 2026 (de pago) · metafy.gg