Charizard ex Deck Guide

Charizard ex deck guide, strategies, deck lists and more! Build up your benched Pokémon slowly before unleashing Crimson Storm!

Introduction

Global release is coming soon but before that, here is a Charizard ex Deck Guide to help you prepare for what's coming. Our deck is a powerful, high-risk, high-reward strategy built around unleashing Charizard's stronk "Crimson Storm" attack, capable of one-shotting all Pokémon in the current format in the Genetic Apex set.

Setup your Charizard ex from the bench and go BOOM!

This deck focuses on quickly powering up a1-253-charizardex using a1-255-moltresex energy-boosting ability, enabling a1-253-charizardex to dominate the field. With a key support Pokémon, a1-231-rapidash/ for flexible matchups, and strategic tools like Professor’s Research and a1-272-sabrina, players can adapt to various situations and counter faster decks that features a1-96-pikachuex, a1-76-starmieex, and a1-84-articunoex.

Deck List

Charizard ex / Moltres ex and Rapidash Deck List

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The "Tuned" Version of Charizard ex Deck

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1-2-2 Charizard Ex Deck List

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Core Cards

These are the core cards for the deck (best to have 2 copies of each in the deck):

  • a1-33-charmander
  • a1-34-charmeleon
  • a1-280-charizardex
  • a1-255-moltresex
  • a1-42-ponyta
  • a1-231-rapidash (Some players cut off the Rapidash line to avoid bricking their hand)

As explained earlier, the a1-253-charizardex deck centers on a1-253-charizardex high-damage Crimson Storm attack, with a1-255-moltresex accelerating energy onto a1-253-charizardex for quicker setup. a1-231-rapidash provides early-game pressure, while Charmander and Charmeleon evolve into Charizard. Simple strategy but how to pilot effectively? We go to the guide below.

Charizard evolution line

The a1-33-charmander and a1-34-charmeleon evolution line is the foundation for getting a1-280-charizardex into play. Some players run a one-two-two line (one a1-33-charmander, two a1-34-charmeleon, two a1-280-charizardex), though this can make the deck vulnerable if a1-33-charmander is knocked out early. Managing this evolution line effectively is essential since losing a1-33-charmander too soon often spells defeat. Evolving carefully and timing a1-33-charmander development is key for getting a1-280-charizardex into action without delays.

Charizard ex Deck Guide

Early game

In your opening hand, aim to play a1-255-moltresex first to get energy on your bench quickly. a1-255-moltresex ability Inferno Dance allows you to flip three coins, adding one energy per heads to any Fire-type Pokémon on your bench. This sets up a1-33-charmander for a smooth evolution into a1-280-charizardex, so prioritize placing a1-255-moltresex if available.

The Mid and End Game

While a1-255-moltresex is setting up, work on evolving a1-33-charmander into a1-34-charmeleon and then a1-280-charizardex. Make sure you’re also attaching energies as they come, so a1-280-charizardex will have five energies ready for back-to-back Crimson Storm attacks. This timing is essential to maximize a1-280-charizardex power, allowing you to take down anything in front of it with consecutive 200-damage attacks.

Plan B: Use Rapidash

a1-231-rapidash is a reliable, low-cost attacker that can help control the early game. With only one energy required to attack for 40 damage, a1-231-rapidash can pick off weaker Pokémon or weaken larger threats while you build up a1-280-charizardex energy. Using Rapidash early allows you to stay on the offensive without over-committing to a1-280-charizardex.

Item and Supporter Cards

Trainer cards are essential for deck control and board manipulation. Use Professor’s Research to draw cards and keep your hand refreshed, and play Potions to keep your key Pokémon, like a1-33-charmander and a1-255-moltresex, in the game longer. Sabrina’s ability to force a switch can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and pull out high-priority targets for a Crimson Storm KO.

Deck Weaknesses

  • Water beats fire. Any decks that features heavy hitters like a1-84-articunoex, a1-76-starmieex, a1-82-omastar, a1-61-poliwrath, a1-93-frosmoth or even a1-58-golduck spells trouble for any of our Charizard ex Deck lists.
  • A Mewtwo ex Deck that is able to get their strategies faster.
  • Sometimes, the coinflip RNG doesn't favor your match for some reason.
  • A fast Pikachu ex Deck that can knock out your Moltres before your a1-280-charizardex gets the chance to be ready for battle.

Closing

Thank you for reading my Charizard ex Deck Guide! This deck packs a punch even though it's not considered on top of the META for now, you'll never know what other Fire type pokemon that will be added in the future to cover this deck's weak points.

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A. P. Raphael
A. P. Raphael

Mr. Rapha has over 20 years of experience playing trading card games (TCGs), starting with Magic: The Gathering during the release of the Mercadian Masques expansion. A regular at his local MTG game store, he is often found competing in Friday Night Magic events or assisting friends in preparation for MTG APAC tournaments. In the digital space, he has reached Dad Legend in Hearthstone multiple times. Now, he brings his passion and expertise to Pokémon TCG Pocket, eager to share his knowledge with our readers.

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