With the release of the new Triumphant Light set in Pokemon TCG Pocket, a wave of high-impact cards has washed over the competitive scene. These new additions are not only shaking up tournaments but are also crucial for mastering the demanding Emblem Event, which challenges players to secure five straight victories for top accolades. As ranked matches loom on the horizon, players are diving deep into strategic deck-building, aiming to dominate the scene or disrupt the meta through unexpected tactics. Among the standout cards, Arceus Ex has quickly emerged as a powerhouse. This card, capable of delivering an impressive 130 damage with a single attack, is revolutionizing decks—though it does have a notable Achilles’ heel that a crafty player could exploit with a single A2a uncommon card.
Despite its relatively modest size, with just 75 cards, the Triumphant Light set has introduced a slew of formidable additions. Noteworthy entries include Leafeon Ex, Irida, and Shaymin, equipped with Sky Support. Yet, Arceus Ex has become a go-to choice for players thanks to its remarkable flexibility; it can attack with any type of Energy as long as three are attached. Decks like Dialga Ex have benefited greatly from incorporating Arceus Ex, prompting opponents to strategize ways to counter it. Surprisingly, the answer might lie in an unconventional choice: the new uncommon Sudowoodo.
Sudowoodo, despite its in-game notoriety for struggling against water, is making waves in the Pokemon TCG Pocket meta thanks to its dynamic new version in Triumphant Light. This card boasts an attack called Fighting Headbutt, which requires just a single Energy to deliver 20 damage, with an additional 30 if the opponent’s Pokemon is an Ex card. Given Arceus Ex’s vulnerability to Fighting-type moves, Sudowoodo can unleash a staggering 70 damage in a single, cost-effective strike, making it a potent counter against this and other formidable Ex cards in the meta.
To amplify Sudowoodo’s impact, pairing it with a Lucario Fighting deck in Pokemon TCG Pocket can elevate its effectiveness. Lucario’s special ability, Fighting Coach, grants Fighting-type Pokemon an extra 20 damage in their attacks. With a pair of Lucario on standby and Sudowoodo in play, this unassuming Pokemon can tackle Ex opponents with ferocity, delivering 90 damage before considering weaknesses and other potential enhancements, such as those from Giovanni. Optimally equipped, a Sudowoodo can unleash 120 damage against Arceus Ex. Adding a Rocky Helmet ensures a definitive knockout if Arceus Ex dares to retaliate.
While this setup is undeniably potent, even in a standard scenario, the capacity to inflict 70 damage for a minimal Energy cost against a dominant meta Pokemon shouldn’t be underestimated. However, Sudowoodo isn’t invulnerable. Its Grass weakness leaves it open to threats from the new Leafeon Ex and Celebi Ex decks. Leafeon Ex, with its Solar Beam, can eliminate Sudowoodo with one blow, and Celebi Ex can potentially achieve the same with just two Energy if luck with coin flips is on its side. Nonetheless, Sudowoodo’s ability to disrupt the current Ex-centric meta is substantial.
Merely having one Lucario on your team allows Sudowoodo to consistently eliminate most Ex cards with a two-hit strategy. The potential to deliver 50 damage right from the first turn (if the opponent starts the match) solidifies its value in any Fighting deck. Although fitting Sudowoodo into decks featuring multiple Energy types might be challenging due to current deck-building constraints, the moment is ripe for Fighting-type decks. The forthcoming ranked matches in Pokemon TCG Pocket are sure to influence the game significantly, and Sudowoodo just might play a critical role in those shifts.
