Mastering the Dragonite Deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket
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Dragon types have long been revered in the Pokémon universe for their power, especially before the introduction of Fairy types. In Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket (Pokémon TCG Pocket), there’s no Fairy type or inherent weaknesses, which might suggest Dragon types could be dominating. However, the current Dragonite deck, though promising, has its challenges and is best suited to a strategic approach rather than raw overpowering force.
Overview of the Dragonite Deck
In Pokémon TCG Pocket, the only available Dragon type line is Dragonite, which relies on a combination of Water and Electric energy types. This makes the Dragonite deck more accessible, as there’s no specific EX card required for its build. Dragonite’s playstyle involves stalling tactics to set up powerful attacks, making it a strong, B-tier choice for players seeking a reliable deck without the pressure of obtaining EX cards.
Key Cards for the Best Dragonite Deck
To make the most out of a Dragonite deck, certain cards are essential for building up a solid strategy:
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Main Cards:
- 2x Dratini, 2x Dragonair, 2x Dragonite
- 2x Koffing, 2x Weezing
- 2x Koga, 2x Professor’s Research, 2x Sabrina, 2x Poké Ball, 2x X Speed
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Alternate Options:
- 2x Eevee and Vaporeon, 2x Articuno EX, 2x Giovanni
The deck’s core tactic revolves around stalling the game long enough to unleash Dragonite’s “Draco Meteor” attack. This attack distributes 50 damage across the opponent’s board, randomly targeting Pokémon and dealing an impressive 200 damage if only one Pokémon is in play. Although it requires evolving Dragonite to Stage 2 and using four energy (1 Water, 1 Lightning, and 2 Colorless), the damage potential is highly effective for disrupting the opponent’s bench.
Support Cards: Koffing, Weezing, and Koga
Weezing’s “Gas Leak” ability is critical for stalling, as it poisons the opponent’s active Pokémon without the need for Darkness energy. Combined with the Koga Trainer card, players can retrieve a Weezing line from play, fully heal it, and replay it to keep the wall intact. This approach buys time for Dragonite to build up its energy and prepare for a devastating attack.
If Weezing is unavailable, alternatives like Articuno with Misty (for Sleep effects) or Snom and Frostmoth (for freezing potential) provide additional stalling mechanisms, though Weezing remains the most dependable.
Best and Worst Matchups for Dragonite
The Dragonite deck holds up well against slower, setup-intensive decks like Venusaur EX and Charizard EX, both of which struggle to break through the Weezing defensive wall. However, the deck has some challenging matchups, particularly against the popular Pikachu EX and Marowak EX decks. Pikachu EX counters Dragonite’s strategy due to its speed, while Marowak EX poses a threat to Weezing, weakening the deck’s primary defense. These weaknesses limit Dragonite’s dominance but don’t negate its effectiveness entirely.
Budget-Friendly Substitutes
Dragonite is a 3-diamond rarity card, making it relatively accessible, as is Weezing. For those who may not have duplicates or lack the Koga Trainer card, budget-friendly substitutes include cards like Meowth for additional draw power to find Dragonite faster, or standard Articuno with Misty, providing viable stalling power. These substitutions maintain the deck’s core functionality while offering flexibility for players with limited resources.
Final Thoughts
The Dragonite deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket is an approachable yet rewarding option for players who prefer a tactical, stall-heavy approach over rapid offense. Despite a few unfavorable matchups, the deck remains a competitive choice in the current meta, especially with the strategic use of Koffing, Weezing, and Koga cards.
For those looking to strengthen their deck and improve their game experience, exploring pokemon tcg pocket top up options can help build a comprehensive Dragonite deck with all the necessary components to bring this strategy to life.
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