Pokémon TCG Pocket: Lucario's deck that is unbeatable in tournaments

The metagame of Pokémon TCG Pocket continues to evolve with the arrival of the Spacetime Struggle expansion and its mini-expansion Triumphant Light. Although the duo Dialga Ex and Arceus Ex dominates the scene, some players have found effective alternatives to compete without relying on Ex cards. This is the case of the user yuriisle, who surprised in the 18th Ursiiday weekly tournament by becoming champion with a deck based on Lucario. With an unconventional strategy and without resorting to Ex cards, he managed to win a prize of 400 dollars, showing that there is still room for creativity in competitive play. The strategy behind the Lucario deck This deck focuses on an aggressive and attrition mechanic. Unlike traditional decks, it doesn't seek to rely on a single powerful Pokémon, but on a well-structured synergy. The goal is to quickly evolve Riolu into Lucario to activate its Combat Trainer ability, which grants +20 damage points to all Fighting-Type Pokémon in the deck. Thus, each card becomes a threat without needing to resort to Ex Pokémon.

One of the key points of the strategy is to minimize the penalty for card defeat. Since there are no Ex in play, the opponent only gets one point for each defeated Pokémon, giving the player room to regroup and continue attacking without a significant disadvantage on the scoreboard. Lucario deck card list The deck is composed of a balance of Pokémon, support cards, and defensive strategies. Main Pokémon: - 2x Cranidos (Spacetime Struggle): Necessary to evolve into Rampardos. - 2x Rampardos (Spacetime Struggle): The strongest card in the deck against Ex. With just one Fighting-Type Energy, it deals 130 damage points. - 2x Riolu (Spacetime Struggle): Only used to evolve into Lucario. - 2x Lucario (Spacetime Struggle): Doesn't fight directly, but boosts the attack of the entire deck with its Combat Trainer ability. - 1x Marshadow (The Singular Island): Acts as a finisher when a Pokémon falls in battle. - 1x Sudowoodo (Triumphant Light): Absorbs damage in the early turns and serves as a temporary shield. Support cards: - 2x Professor's Research - Professor Oak (Promo-A, store): Allows drawing two cards to improve the hand. - 1x Sabrina (Formidable Genes): Can force the opponent to place another Pokémon in the Active spot. - 1x Helio (Spacetime Struggle): Prevents the opponent from escaping with an injured Pokémon and allows finishing it off. - 2x Skull Fossil (Spacetime Struggle): Necessary to evolve into Cranidos. - 2x Pokémon Communication (Spacetime Struggle): Allows exchanging Pokémon in hand to search for a key evolution. - 2x Pokéball (Promo-A, store): Essential for searching for basic Pokémon.

How to play the Lucario deck 1. Use Sudowoodo as the first line of defense. Its role is to absorb damage while key cards are prepared on the bench. 2. Avoid playing Riolu or Skull Fossil in the Active spot. They are necessary to evolve into Lucario and Cranidos, respectively. 3. Prioritize evolving Lucario as soon as possible. Its ability will boost all the deck's attacks. 4. Use Rampardos against the opponent's Ex cards. Its attack is strong, cheap, and difficult to counter. 5. Use Sabrina and Helio strategically. Sabrina protects you while you prepare the offense, and Helio prevents the opponent from withdrawing an injured Pokémon. 6. When a Pokémon falls, use Marshadow as a finisher. Its attack gains power after an ally's defeat. Advantages and disadvantages of the deck Advantages: - It's a low-cost Energy deck, allowing great flexibility. - It can eliminate Ex cards without losing advantage on the scoreboard. - Maintains a constant flow of damage thanks to Lucario's ability. - Doesn't rely on a single powerful card, making it less vulnerable. Disadvantages: - It doesn't have an Ex Pokémon that can deliver a decisive blow. - If the initial hand has too many Skull Fossils without Cranidos, the game pace is lost. Is it worth trying this deck? Without a doubt, the Lucario deck offers an interesting alternative for those looking for a different playstyle in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Its focus on synergy and attrition makes it a viable option in competitive play, especially against decks that rely on Ex cards. If you're looking for an effective, Energy-economical strategy with a touch of creativity, this deck is an excellent option to try in your upcoming games.