Pokemon TCG Pocket has unveiled a variety of new ex Pokémon, with Aerodactyl ex emerging as a notable control card. Its controversial ability sparked enthusiasm among players who anticipated it might disrupt the existing META by hindering opponents’ Evolution lines. However, the card’s performance has left mixed impressions regarding its expectations. Upon further exploration, the combination of Aerodactyl ex with Marshadow and Primeape seems to be the optimal strategy, unlocking its potential—albeit modest—effectively.
Aerodactyl ex Card Overview
- HP: 140
- ATK: 80 DMG
- Stage: One (Evolves from Old Amber)
- Weakness: Lightning
- Ability: Primeval Law – Opponents can’t play any Pokémon from their hand to evolve their Active Pokémon.
- Energy Requirements: One Energy of any type to Retreat; Two Energies (one colorless and one Fighting) for attacks.
Aerodactyl ex is a Stage One Pokémon that evolves from Old Amber, an item card that facilitates its entry into play. Upon deployment, Aerodactyl ex obstructs opponents from evolving their Active Pokémon, compelling them to focus on Bench evolutions instead. However, as many players do not utilize their Active Spot for primary Damage Per Second (DPS) evolutions, this ability can often be rendered ineffective. Nevertheless, Aerodactyl ex serves as a control Pokémon, aimed at hindering the adversary’s game plan and creating tactical delays.
The Best Deck for Aerodactyl ex in Pokemon Pocket
For optimal performance, Aerodactyl ex pairs effectively in a counterattack deck featuring Primeape and Marshadow. This trio takes advantage of opponents’ early aggression, with both Primeape and Marshadow inflicting increased damage in response to injuries sustained. To enhance this setup, the Promo-A Mankey is an essential card (further details below).
Aerodactyle ex Deck Details
|
Card |
Quantity |
Effect |
|---|---|---|
|
Aerodactyl ex |
x2 |
Disrupts enemy evolution. |
|
Old Amber |
x2 |
Facilitates Aerodactyl’s evolution. |
|
Mankey (Promo-A) |
x2 |
Prepares Primeape for increased damage output. |
|
First |
x2 |
Inflicts extra damage based on health. |
|
Marshadow |
x2 |
Delivers 100 damage post-knockout. |
|
John |
x2 |
Boosts attack damage. |
|
Professor’s Research |
x2 |
Draws two cards. |
|
Poke Ball |
x2 |
Draws a Basic Pokémon card. |
|
Potion |
x2 |
Heals one Pokémon. |
|
Sabrina |
x2 |
Forces opponent’s retreat. |
How to Play Aerodactyl ex Effectively
To maximize the effectiveness of Aerodactyl ex, consider these strategies:
- Utilize Aerodactyl ex’s Bench Potential: Aerodactyl ex can disrupt from either the Bench or Active Spot. Although your opponent may still retreat to evolve from the Bench, clever timing can force them to expend extra Energy, significantly hindering their overall strategy.
- Avoid Centering Your Deck on Aerodactyl ex: While it has some capabilities within a control strategy, Aerodactyl ex shouldn’t be the focal point of your deck. Instead, leverage its ability to stall and create opportunities to advance your own Evolutions.
- Address Attack Damage Limitations: Giovanni and other supportive cards are crucial when using Aerodactyl ex. The 80 damage it inflicts through its Land Crush attack may not suffice against resilient opponents. Strategic planning, especially when utilizing Marshadow and Giovanni, can help augment this damage output.
How to Counter Aerodactyl ex
Strategically countering Aerodactyl ex is straightforward: simply place your Pokémon intended for evolution on the Bench. While this may incur some retreat costs, many players already deploy their primary DPS on the Bench, minimizing disruption to their overall game plan.
For a robust counter, consider Pikachu ex, due to its quick assembly as a Basic ex Pokémon, allowing you to bypass the need for Evolutions with your main damage dealer. Other Basic ex Pokémon such as Moltres ex, Articuno ex, and Zapdos ex also serve as effective counters, efficiently negating Aerodactyl ex’s hindrance. Furthermore, utilizing cards like Hitmonlee can target and eliminate inactive Aerodactyl ex cards, reinforcing your strategy.
Are Aerodactyl ex Decks META-Relevant?
Despite the increasing presence of Aerodactyl ex decks within the Pokemon Pocket metagame, its relevance to META remains limited. This limitation is primarily attributed to two factors: its easily countered ability and the dominance of current META decks like Pikachu ex that are particularly effective against it.
We suggest players experiment with Aerodactyl ex decks to uncover new synergies. However, for those entering competitive scenes or aiming for tournament success, this Pokémon may not serve as a definitive win condition. Nevertheless, Aerodactyl ex holds significance as a critical component in the less mainstream control archetype of Pokemon Pocket.
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