Every time a new set is released inPokemon TCG Pocket, new decks make their debut and old ones either get new tools or fall by the wayside. With the release of Shining Revelry, Paldean Pokemon like Clodsire can finally have their day in the sun.

Clodsire ex is the Poison-enabler Dark-type players have been waiting for since the game was released in November, and is backed by another equally useful Pokemon in the Toxic Monkey Pokemon, Grafaiai. Between the two of them, you can win with a one-two punch of poison and Paldean power!

The Paldean Clodsire ex illustration rare, from Shining Revelry.

Clodsire ex

Paldean Wooper (A2b) x2

The Paldean Wooper card, from Shining Revelry.

Paldean Clodsire ex (A2b) x2

Shroodle (A2b) x2

The Paldean Clodsire ex card, from Shining Revelry.

Grafaiai (A2b) x2

Sabrina x1

The Shroodle card, from Shining Revelry.

Cyrus x1

Leaf x2

The Grafaiai card, from Shining Revelry.

Iono x1

Red x1

Professor’s Research Professor Oak Supporter in Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket

Poke Ball x2

Giant Cape x2

Since Leaf reduces Paldean Clodsire ex’s retreat cost to one colorless Energy,replacing one Leaf with an X Speed can allow it to retreat for free. However, this is a little less reliable than being able to reduce the cost by two on two separate occasions.

If you don’t have Shroodle or Grafaiai, Koffing and theGenetic Apex Weezing can substitute for them. If you use that combo, you’ll want to include two copies of Koga in order to both apply Poison and attack on the same turn, making that combination more resource-intensive.

The Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket Sabrina two diamond card.

As the metagame shifts, be aware of how often single-prize decks show up. If they become really common,Red can be replaced with Giovannior an extra Sabrina.

Clodsire ex Deck Strategy

Paldean Clodsire ex iscapable of dealing a whopping 120 damage with only two Darkness Energyusing its powerful Venoshock attack. The only tricky part is that you need to Poison your opponent’s Active Pokemon first.

If you lose the initial coin flip, you’ve got a huge advantage: Paldean Wooper caninflict Poison on your first turnfor one Darkness Energy. If your opponent doesn’t retreat or evolve that Poisoned Pokemon, it’ll take 30 damage (two turns of Poison plus 10 from Wooper’s Poison Jab),then 120 more on your next turn after you evolve your Clodsire ex.

The Cyrus card, from Space-Time Smackdown.

Clodsire ex is your main attacker, but you’ve got another method to Poison your opponent’s Active Pokemon: Grafaiai’s Poison Coating!Poison Coating can Poison your opponent’s Active Pokemon from your Bench, allowing you to use Venoshock each turn for maximum effect.

Grafaiai’s Poison Coating requires a winning coin flip, so it’s a good idea toget both on your Bench in order to get an extra flipeach turn. With two copies of Poison Coating available, you should Poison your opponent’s Active Pokemon three out of every four turns.

Leaf, from Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Mythical Island expansion.

Because of Poison’s effect, Clodsire ex effectively deals 130 damagewith a good Venoshock. This is plenty for non-ex Pokemon, and lower-HP ex Pokemon like Pikachu ex. However, it can be a problem against Pokemon with 140 or more HP, which is where Red comes in.

Red adds 20 damage to your Pokemon’s attack, but only if your opponent’s Active Pokemon is an ex Pokemon. It’sa double-Giovanni, but only against the most powerful Pokemonin the game. It may not seem like a big boost, with high-HP Pokemon likeVenusaur exaround, but it’s enough to OHKO Lucario ex and other threats.

The Iono card, from Shining Revelry.

Clodsire ex Matchups

Arceus ex / Dialga ex

The Arceus ex / Dialga ex deckthat was so common in the Triumphant Light meta is a big problem for Clodsire ex. The Steel-type immunity to Poison doesn’t carry over to Pokemon TCG Pocket, butArceus ex’s Fabled Luster makes it immune to Poisonand other status effects, making it an almost insurmountable obstacle.

While you’re at a disadvantage, there’s still a path to victory:Clodsire ex can OHKO Dialga ex with Red (and Poison), leaving only one Prize Point between yourself and victory. you’re able to grab that last point from Mew ex or Shaymin, which are commonly included.

to facilitate this, it can be advantageous toleave one of them with some damage from Poison until late-game, then use Cyrus to boss it forward for the final hit.

Giratina ex / Darkrai ex

Right out of the gate, the Giratina ex / Darkrai ex archetype is a dominant force in the Shining Revelry meta, soyou’re likely to see a lot of them. It features similar gameplay to the famousDarkrai ex / Magnezone deck, but with more consistency thanks to only using Basic Pokemon.

Thankfully, Clodsire ex has a huge advantage here: With Poison,Venoshock can OHKO Druddigon and Giratina after using its Broken-Space Bellow abilityjust once, and leave Darkrai at 10 HP and Poisoned. With a good hand, these matchups should be over by your fourth turn.

Charizard ex / Moltres ex

Charizard and its partner, Moltres, are back, with a twist:This is a whole new Charizard ex! The Shining Revelry Charizard ex can accelerate its own Energy using Stoke, then attack for 150 damage with Steam Artillery without discarding any Energy, making it more consistent than the Genetic Apex version, in exchange for doing a little less (but still really high!) damage.

Charizard ex can OHKO Clodsire ex with Giovanni, but it takes two Poison-boosted Venoshocks to KO Charizard ex. Fortunately, you’ve got a couple of turns while your opponent evolves his Charizard, which means thatyou can KO Charmeleon before your opponent can even get started. Take advantage of those turns, and this match is yours.