Pikachu makes a splash in the competition from the very start of TCG Pocket. And it has a very good argument for that: with no need to evolve, Pikachu ex rocks an attack that can deal up to 90 damage with just 2 Energies. Circle Circuit deals 30 damage times the number of L Pokémon on the Bench (the Active Pikachu ex is not included).
The strategy is simple : fill your bench with as much L Pokémon as possible and bring Pikachu ex with 2 L Energy attached to the front line for a rampage. As you want to capitalize on this attack, the rest of the deck contain only L Pokémon to deal the maximum amount of damage possible with Circle Circuit. Zapdos ex and Raichu are also capable of strong hits on their own
One of the earliest revealed Pokémon has set the tones for expectations of what the power level had to be for Pokémon TCG Pocket. So far, it is the one that dictates the pace of the whole metagame.
Pikachu ex - Zebstrika variant
Rarity requirements
◊◊◊◊ – Pikachu ex, Zapdos ex
◊◊ – Zebstrika, Pincurchin, Giovanni, Sabrina
Booster requirements
Pikachu ex
Zapdos ex
Sabrina
Giovanni
Zebstrika’s Thunder Spear can target any Pokémon on the field, including Benched Pokémon, making it an ideal tool for finishing off opponent’s Pokémon that have retreated after an attack from Pikachu ex or Zapdos ex. This version is particularly good against the mirror match where 20-30HP is often what is needed to get 2 points.
Pikachu ex - Raichu variant
Rarity requirements
◊◊◊◊ – Pikachu ex, Zapdos ex
◊◊◊ – Raichu
◊◊ – Pincurchin, Lt. Surge, Sabrina, Giovanni
Booster pack requirements
Pikachu ex
Zapdos ex
Pikachu line
Lt. Surge
Sabrina
Giovanni
This version lately gained a lot of popularity as the combination of X Speed and Lt. Surge opens up plays such as retreating a damaged Pikachu ex to promote Raichu and use Lt. Surge for a big damage push. Raichu’s own Thunderbolt is the most powerful, non-nrg lightning attack in the game and it takes down a bunch of Pokémon, including Pokémon ex, in a single hit. Raichu in particular shines in the mirror match where it takes down everything in one hit.
Pikachu ex - Lt. Surge variant
Rarity requirements
◊◊◊◊ – Pikachu ex, Zapdos ex
◊◊◊ – Raichu, Magneton
◊◊ – Lt Surge, Sabrina
Booster requirements
Pikachu ex
Zapdos ex
Pikachu line
Lt. Surge
Sabrina
Although more specific to the 1-point Lightning archetype, Magneton can also find a place in Lt. Surge variants of Pikachu ex decks thanks to its Volt Charge ability. Magnemite serves as a decent attacker for the first turn, but beware of Magneton’s 2-retreat cost. Its Spinning Attack, although fairly weak, is a decent damage starter or finisher when you don’t want to expose a 2-point Pokémon or a Raichu that you intend to keep for a beefy Pokémon.
The downside of this variant is that it requires to play two evolution lines, hurting the consistency of the deck.
Pikachu ex - Electrode variant
Rarity requirements
◊◊◊◊ – Pikachu ex, Zapdos ex
◊◊◊ – Raichu, Magneton
◊◊ – Electrode, Sabrina, Giovanni
Booster requirements
Pikachu ex
Zapdos ex
Pikachu line
Lt. Surge
Sabrina
Voltorb and Electrode attacks curve out to deal up to 90 on turn 2 with no other conditions than 2 L Energies, which besides Pikachu ex is an unmatched damage output for the cost among L Pokémon (besides Heliolisk’s Quick Attack high roll). It also has no retreat cost, so you can start with Voltorb in the Active spot, power up a benched Pikachu ex, and retreat freely after evolving for an operational turn 2 Pikachu ex without needing X Speed. Although it’s also a possible target for Lt. Surge, they’re very rarely played together.
Other possible cards in Pikachu ex decks
Electabuzz
Electabuzz is a Basic L Pokémon with decent bulk. Its Thunder Punch attack deals a good base 40 damage which can increase to 80 with a lucky coin flip. However, an unlucky coin flip reduces its HP by 20. Its attack also costs 2 Energy, which can take away from Pikachu ex or Zapdos ex, both of which are stronger attackers. To mitigate, Electabuzz is a good option if you play Lt.Surge: you can retreat a weakened Pikachu ex and immediately sends its Energies to Electabuzz.
Pincurchin
Pincurchin is similar to Electabuzz in that they share the same HP, attack cost and retreat cost. Its Thunder Shock attack, while less powerful in terms of raw damage, has the potential to Paralyze the opponent's Pokémon—essentially giving you a free turn if they can’t evolve it.
Weaknesses
- A big constraint on deckbuilding: there’s little room to play Pokémon that are not L type to fill your bench. You also need a critical number of Pokémon in your deck to make it happen.
- The fragile build of Pikachu ex (120 HP for a 2-point monster)
- The inability to take down the bulkiest Pokémon in one hit (Mewtwo ex, Charizard ex, Venusaur ex…). Only Zapdos ex is capable of doing it, and does so unreliably.
Pikachu EX falls victim to the very strategy it thrives on: while it’s incredibly fast at racking up damage, it becomes helpless once the opponent establishes control of the board. But its unparalleled efficiency to set up in no time makes it one of the biggest threat in the Genetic Apex metagame.
