Pokemon Pocket: Gyarados ex/Vaporeon Deck Guide

Pokemon TCG Pocket's Mythical Island mini-set has brought with it some real shakeups in the launch-era meta. The Celebi ex/Serperior deck is arguably the greatest example, but there are several runners-up for noteworthy status, including one which combines the raw strength of Gyarados ex with the Energy-infusing ability of Mythical Island's version of Vaporeon.

In this guide, we'll tell you precisely how to build this latest in a growing line of terrifying Water-type decks, from the basic build and insight into its star cards to potential variations if you feel like shaking things up (or simply lack certain cards).

How To Build A Gyarados ex/Vaporeon Deck In Pokemon Pocket

There isn't much sleuthing around to be done for the Gyarados ex/Vaporeon deck, as almost every core card can be found either through Mythical Island's sole booster pack or the shop's standard Trainer card selection.

The one exception is Articuno ex, a staple of the Genetic Apex scene. Hopefully, you've already got it; if not, try saving up some Genetic Apex pack points or taking a detour and using another card (which we'll drum up some suggestions for below).

Decklist

Gyarados ex and Vaporeon Deck
Gyarados ex x2	Vaporeon x2	Articuno ex x2	Magikarp x2
Eevee x2	Misty x2	Leaf x2	X Speed x2
Poke Ball x2	Professor's Research x2

How To Play The Gyarados ex/Vaporeon Deck In Pokemon TCG Pocket

The most pivotal cards for this deck are, naturally, Gyarados ex and the version of Vaporeon found in Mythical Island. It won't work as intended if you tap into Genetic Apex's Vaporeon instead, so keep that in mind!

We also recommend you stick with Mythical Island's versions of Eevee and Magikarp if possible. Genetic Apex's will work in a pinch, to be sure, but Mythical Island Magikarp can quickly jump out of harm's way, and Mythical Island Eevee can deal surprising damage.

Gyarados ex

A powerhouse Pokemon with bulk in spades, Gyarados ex has 180 HP and one attack: Rampaging Whirlpool. For three Water Energy and one more Energy of any type, Rampaging Whirlpool deals 140 damage.

It also causes a random Energy from either you or your opponent to be destroyed. That can be a drawback, obviously, but once Gyarados ex is your active Pokemon, it's highly unlikely that you will be relying upon anything else. And, if you're lucky, this can really cripple your foe.

Gyarados ex's bulk is enough to prevent Mewtwo ex from one-shotting it with Psydrive, even with a Giovanni attached. Its 140 damage comes without a personal Energy sacrifice, which already separates it boldly from several other destroyers, Mewtwo ex included.

Vaporeon

On the other hand, Gyarados ex's one flaw is that Rampaging Whirlpool's four-Energy cost is substantial. Without a lucky Misty flip, it would be hard-pressed to catch up to many speedier meta decks, especially as an evolution card.

This is where Mythical Island Vaporeon comes in. Vaporeon's stellar Wash Out ability allows you to remove Water Energy from your benched Pokemon and attach them to your active Pokemon as many times per turn as you'd like.

Did you give an Eevee a single Energy so that its Continuous Steps attack, which deals 20 damage for every heads you flip, for as long as you flip heads (!), could help out in the early game? Give it to Gyarados ex. Did you use Articuno ex's Blizzard? Give its Energy to Gyarados ex.

Other Cards

First, Gyarados ex's hefty retreat cost necessitates as many retreat support options as possible. As of this writing, with just Genetic Apex and Mythical Island on the market, that means two X Speeds as well as two Leafs.

This same issue applies to Articuno ex as well, albeit to perhaps a lesser extent. If you start with Articuno ex, getting it to the bench for Gyarados ex without sacrificing Energy is always a good thing.

It's not great that a full fifth of the Gyarados ex/Vaporeon deck is committed to getting out of harm's way, but it is what it is - and it wouldn't be a strong meta consideration if it wasn't worth the effort.

Articuno ex has been a menace since launch, and that continues to be the case here. As always, this is thanks in large party to Misty. If you start with Articuno ex, and you either have Misty in your opening hand or immediately thereafter, lucky coin flips can win you the game from the get-go.

Gyarados ex/Vaporeon Substitution Ideas

You'll find that there is a degree of flexibility inherent to the Gyarados ex/Vaporeon deck that isn't necessarily seen in all of Pokemon TCG Pocket's meta decks. Broadly speaking, treat these substitutions as replacements specifically for Articuno ex.

Druddigon

Druddigon's a strange one. We're not completely sold on its long-term viability, but it can still make its mark. If you favor greater safety during earlier rounds, as you build up Gyarados ex, Druddigon's 100 HP is less than Articuno ex's 140, but losing it only costs you one point.

Of course, that alone wouldn't mean much. Pivotally, Druddigon's Rough Skin ability harms any Pokemon whose attack successfully lands to the tune of 20 damage each time.

This means there's a solid chance that your opponent will be choiced between automatically suffering 20 damage or not attacking at all, and either way, you benefit.

Starmie ex

A tad more frail than Articuno ex, but ruthless in its two Water Energy, 90 damage, attack, you can always rely on Starmie ex to fit a deck. The trouble is that this also involves adding Staryu, so we'd recommend only including one Staryu/Starmie ex set rather than two.

Chatot

This whimsical bird Pokemon has one "attack": Chatot's Mimic doesn't deal damage, but instead, you discard your hand and draw as many cards as your opponent presently has in their hand.

This comes with the clear caveat that, well, your offensive output takes a major hit. On the flip side, plenty of players find themselves with quite a few cards in their hands, and if you can't find Gyarados ex, this can go far toward helping you do so.

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