Table of Contents
This combination of Lightning Pokémon with A2a-071 is easily one of the strongest Lightning builds I’ve ever played. A3a-021’s free energy, A4-066’s acceleration, A3-066’s walling against EX, and A2a-071’s 130 damage all come together for a fast, cohesive game plan that hits before your opponent even knows what happened. Let’s break down what makes this deck shine!
Lightning's best carry is Arceus?!
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Pros | Cons |
| + Fast energy generation from A3a-021 or A4-066 allows you to start attacking as early as turn 2. | - Starting with A2a-071 can be bad. |
| + Energy transfers from A4-151 enable surprise attacks and sudden pressure shifts. | - Can struggle against other A3-066 builds, as the deck’s A2a-071 focus targets EX matchups more. |
| + A2a-071 is the most consistent non-evolving damage dealer, solving A3-066’s limited damage issue and enabling one-hit knockouts. | |
| + A3-066 acts as a wall against EX decks, forcing opponents to carefully navigate their attacks. |
How to Play Arceus ex Oricorio
Start strong with A3a-021 and A4-066 to gain energy, use A3-066 to wall off EX threats, and bring in A2a-071 for big knockouts.
Turn 1 Breakdown
If starting with A4-066:
Best opener going first — its attack charges any Pokémon so they’re ready to swing next turn. You can also retreat it for free after attaching to set up another attacker without losing tempo. If going second, charging A2a-071 can be good since you can give 1 Energy to A2a-071 and manually attach 1 Energy into A2a-071, then next turn attach 1 more Energy enabling it to attack.
If starting with A3a-021:
Ideal starter if going first since it lets you attack right away next turn with its ability letting it gain Energy when played on turn 1. With A1-223 you can one-shot 60 HP Basics right away. You can also retreat with its 1 Energy in case you want to charge up another attacker instead.
If starting with A3-066:
Not ideal since you're not generating Energy unlike A3a-021, unless you can transfer the Energy from A3a-021 with A4-151. Can be decent against Psychic since they’re either Espeon ex Sylveon ex or Greninja Sylveon, which both can't attack reliably against A3-066 at the start.
If starting with A2a-071:
Definitely the one you don't want to open up unless you already have A4-151 and A3a-021 at the start. May try to retreat with PROMO-002 to another attacker or commit to filling up the 3 Energy already and hope you can deal damage.
Early Game
- Trying to find A3a-021 on turn 1 is the highest priority since you want to take advantage of its ability. Playing 2 on board is good if you started with A3a-021 but if not, usually 1 is enough to not take up space too much.
- Playing PROMO-007 first before PROMO-005 is much more recommended in this deck due to how you want to find A3a-021 on turn 1.
- While benching Pokémon right away is ideal to prevent hand disruption such as PROMO-006 and A2-155, you may want to hold off especially if you already have 2 on the board already since the Pokémon you need will be crucial later on.
- Play PROMO-006 and A2-147 if you want to reduce your hand size.
- If you already have A1-223 and can attack with A3-066 or A3a-021, you can knock out 60 HP Basics already such as Eevee.
- As in my other guides: if you’re planning to reset your hand, it’s smart to bait PROMO-006, A2b-069, or A2-155. Keep your hand at four or more if you're okay with a reset, and below three if you want to avoid one.
Midgame Strategy
- If you started with A3-066 or A3a-021 and started attacking with it already, you want to charge up an A2a-071. A2a-071 will become your main damage dealer or burst damage option if you want to knock something out.
- With the help of A4-151, you can easily transfer Energy from any of your Pokémon. You will mostly get the Energy you need from the A3a-021’s ability on turn 1. You can also retreat any of your Active Pokémon and transfer to another attacker. For example, if you already have A2a-071, you mostly only need 1 Energy and then next turn transfer an Energy and manually attach, letting it attack right away — which can be devastating early in the game.
- PROMO-002 can be efficient in preserving an Energy of your Active Pokémon, letting it be able to transfer with A4-151. It can also be crucial in retreating A2a-071 early if you started with it.
- At this stage of the game, A2-150 can catch you off guard, especially if any of your Pokémon is damaged. A2b-070 or A2-147 can help you recover and avoid being vulnerable to A2-150.
Late Game
- You should already know the 4 Pokémon you want on the board and mainly at least 1 A2a-071.
- A2a-071 should be charged up and ready to attack or knock out an opposing Pokémon.
- Not putting Pokémon on the Bench until you are ready to attack with A2a-071 is a great play to surprise your opponent, not expecting you can deal the highest damage — especially alongside A1-223.
- If you're running A3-151, this can be an important phase in removing A2-147s, making it easier for A2a-071 to do one-hit KOs, especially when paired with A1-223.
Pokemon Priority
Since we're running a lot of Pokémon, which Pokémon to prioritize and put on the Bench is important in setting up win conditions.
- A3a-021 – Mainly one of the Pokémon you will be putting on the board, especially on turn 1. Its value diminishes after turn 1 unless you just need the 50 damage or its 90 HP.
- A3-066 – If you're fighting an EX Pokémon, prioritizing a space for this is definitely needed. Much better if you can have space for 2, since this can prevent a A1-215 play.
- A2a-071 – Most of the time you need 1 on the board since this will be your biggest source of damage with its 130 damage, and it can deal up to 140 with A1-223, letting you take down most threats. Having space for 1 is something to always think about.
- A4-066 – Only useful when you start with it. If you don't start with it, putting it on the Bench isn’t recommended anymore unless you just desperately want to avoid a hand disruption or the additional 20 damage for A2a-071.
Board Management
A major decision point is what the 4 Pokémon will make up your board. You'll often hold off on filling up your Bench unless you're sure — and it can also be a surprise play, especially when you want to one-hit knockout with A2a-071.
- 1 A2a-071, 1 A3a-021, 2 A3-066 – If you're fighting against an EX lineup, this is the usual setup and mainly the lineup you'll be playing.
- 1 A2a-071, 2 A3a-021, 1 A3-066 – Mainly your lineup if you're fighting a non-EX lineup such as Silvally Oricorio, since you prefer the higher HP of A3a-021.
- 1 A4-066, 1 A2a-071, 1 A3a-021, 1 A3-066 – If you started with A4-066, you may have to give up another A3-066 slot unless there’s a space when something gets knocked out.
Point Management
Since A2a-071 is an EX Pokémon, point priority can change some of your plays.
1-1-2 Path – If you started with A3a-021 and A3-066 and one of them got knocked out, it may make sense to bring out another A3a-021 or A3-066 so that you can take advantage of another 1-point Pokémon. But you can always bring out A2a-071 if it can secure you the win, especially if you’re going to one-hit knock something out.
2-2 or 2-1 Path – If you are able to bring out A2a-071 very early with the help of A4-151 or A4-066 and haven’t lost a point, starting with A2a-071 can be very powerful and win games on its own. Then, charge up another A2a-071 or A3-066 depending on what is ready.
Tapu Koko ex
A3a-019 is another option to run in the deck by giving up an A2a-071 slot and also removing A4-066. We are removing A4-066 since there's less of an incentive to rush Energy into your Pokémon into something like A2a-071. By using A3a-019, you have another decent starter unlike A2a-071, which can't attack, although the potential of the deck goes lower since A3a-019 has lower damage, relying on attacking multiple turns. Losing A4-066 also means you lose burst of the deck, making it more like a midrange Lightning deck. You are also able to run in an A3a-065 since that is another Lightning Pokémon transferring Energy when it gets knocked out early.
Card Choices
Core
Must-have cards the deck relies on to function.
- A2a-071 – Main or burst damage as long as Energy is available.
- A3a-021 – Second-best starter going first; attacks next turn. With A1-223, deals 60 turn 1.
- A4-066 – Ideal starter going first; charges any other Pokémon to attack next turn.
- A3-066 – Backup attacker mainly for EX Pokémon.
- A4-151 – Transfer Energy mainly gained from A3a-021 on turn 1, or if you want to switch attackers, transferring the Energy that retreated.
- PROMO-005 – Usually better to play PROMO-007 before PROMO-005 since you want to grab most Basics early.
Optional
Cards that can be cut without hurting core consistency.
- A1-223 – +10 combines with A3a-021 or A3-066, hitting for 60 to knock out Basics; A2a-071 hitting for 140.
- A2-150 – Finish off targets after a A3a-021 or A3-066 hit.
- PROMO-002 – Preserves Energy while retreating, letting you use it for A4-151. Also eases up starting with A2a-071.
- PROMO-006 – To counter high draw decks, especially against other A3-066 decks, and as a hand dump option.
- Silver – Slows down and lets you see opponent’s game plan, letting you plan ahead.
- A2-147 – Just adds more survivability, mainly protecting A2a-071, and as a hand dump option.
Situational
Techs that only matter in specific matchups.
- A4-066 (extra copy) – Another copy can dilute the Basic pool to avoid starting with A2a-071, but also lowers your chances of finding needed Pokémon.
- A2b-070 – Heals early damage to protect against A2-150.
- A3-151 – Can be important in securing the 60 HP and 140 HP breakpoints. Also protects against Rocky Helmet.
Final Thoughts
A2a-071 A3-066 A3a-021 A4-066 is one of the fastest Lightning decks in the meta. It pressures from turn 1, pivots between walls and burst damage, and closes games quickly. While it can stumble against other A3-066 builds, its speed and flexibility make it a top pick for almost any matchup in today's meta.
You can also check out our other guides for more insights! With the ranked format here, now is the perfect time to master these strategies, climb the leaderboard, and dominate matchups!
