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Ever since its first appearance in Diamond and Pearl, Lucario has been one of the most popular Pokemon in the franchise, so, of course, it has received multiple prints inPokemon TCG Pocket. And while the Space-Time Smackdown version works well in most Fighting decks, sometimes the best partner for Lucario is… more Lucario.
With Lucario ex in front and a normal Lucario on the Bench providing support, you’ll be pounding your opponents all day. And while the fact that they both evolve from Riolu makes management a little tricky, we’ll provide all the fighting coaching you need!
4x Lucario
Riolu (A2) x2
Lucario (A2) x2
Lucario ex (A2b) x2
Sudowoodo (A2a) x2
Marshadow (A1a) x1
Sabrina x1
Cyrus x1
Red x1
Pokemon Communication x1
Rocky Helmet x2
Some deck lists use Giant Cape over Rocky Helmet. Which is better can change with the meta: Giant Cape is generally better when there are a lot of non-attacking damage dealers like Darkrai ex, whileRocky Helmet works better against decks that want to use multiple attacks.
If four Lucario are too many for you,cut one Space-Time Smackdown Lucarioand the Pokemon Communication. These can be replaced with an Iono and your choice of an extra Cyrus or Sabrina.
We favor the Space-Time Smackdown print of Riolubecause it can do chip damage with Jab if you’re forced to start with it in the Active position.The Shining Revelry one can be used as a substitute: it has 70 HP, allowing it to survive a little longer.
Lucario ex Lucario Deck Strategy
Lucario ex is your ace Pokemon and primary attacker, but since Fighting decks have severely limited Energy acceleration,it needs time to set up. That’s where Sudowoodo comes in: At 80 HP, it’s kind of tanky, and can deal 50 damage to your opponent’s ex Pokemon with Fighting Headbutt, immediately putting them on the defensive.
Give Sudowoodo a Rocky Helmetto make it more threatening, or a Giant Cape if it will buy you an extra turn.
While Sudowoodo keeps your opponent’s Pokemon on edge, search for andplay your Marshadow and both Riolu. Marshadow should get one Energy as soon as possible, so that it threatens a Revenge KO once your opponent KOs. Don’t worry about the second Energy until it needs to attack.
If you get both Riolu into play, evolve one to the non-ex Lucario right away togive Sudowoodo and all your other Fighting-type Pokemon a damage boost. If you only get one Riolu out, evolve to Lucario ex and start attaching Energy.
Aim for one less Energy than you need to attackon all Benched Pokemon. This will give you the flexibility to switch any Pokemon in, attach the last Energy, and attack.
Lucario ex has an excellent attack in Aura Sphere, which deals100 damage to the defending Pokemon plus thirty more to a Pokemon on your opponent’s Bench. Lucario’s Fighting Coach ability and Red can both increase the base damage, but the damage to the Benched Pokemon is not affected.
Before you switch in Lucario ex,attempt to set up for a double-KO. This may require you to use Sabrina early, to force your opponent to move their ace Pokemon forward and give you a chance to hit it with Sudowoodo. Then, before advancing Lucario, you’re able to use Cyrus to force it forward, leaving their weakened blocker on the Bench.
Since you have four Stage-1 Pokemon that evolve from only two Basic Pokemon, you’ll often end up with a “dead” card in your hand that you may’t play.Pokemon Communication allows you to trade that extra Lucarioor Lucario ex for Marshadow, Sudowoodo, or the last Riolu in an emergency.
4x Lucario Matchups
Gyarados ex Manaphy
Lucario decks have a distinct advantage againstGyarados ex / Manaphy decks: your deck can hit hard and fast, while your opponent needs several turns to set up. A first-turn hit on Manaphy will leave it within Aura Sphere’s Bench damage KO range, after which you canforce Gyarados ex out and start whittling it down.
Don’t spend too long focusing on Manaphy: If you wait until your opponent is ready, they can retreat Manaphy and KO two Pokemon before you can stop Gyarados ex. But a Fighting Coach-boosted Revenge and an Aura Sphere will still hook you a win.
Darkrai ex Giratina ex
Lucario has a tough matchup againstGiratina ex and Darkrai ex. Darkrai ex’s chip damage canKO Sudowoodo before you can score a Prize Point, leaving your next Pokemon open to a devastating Chaotic Impact. But the recent shift away from Druddigon makes it slightly more even.
Most of these decks will try to put Giratina ex up front. If you can hit it three times with Sudowoodo’s Fighting Headbutt, you canscore two Points before it attacks. If it uses a Giant Cape, it still won’t be able to attack thanks to the 20 damage it deals to itself. But if your opponent sets up the Giratina ex on their Bench, you’re out of luck.
Charizard ex Moltres ex
The evergreen classic,Charizard ex / Moltres ex combo, isa surprisingly even match against double-Lucario. Like the Giratina ex / Darkrai ex deck, this one gives you an opportunity to pound on an ex Pokemon (Moltres) for several turns before the major threat (Charizard ex) comes out.
Charizard ex can OHKO every Pokemon in your deck once it has five Energy, but you can stall it out by focusing on your single-Prize Point Pokemon. If you cantrade Sudowoodo for Moltres, then get a Revenge hitafter Marshadow is KOed, Charizard ex will be in range of an Aura Sphere takedown and a win.
