Table of Contents
This is just the Darkrai version of the Silvally Pichu guide so refer to that guide before reading this first.
Let's find out why this deck is even stronger than before.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Pros | Cons |
| + Darkrai fixes the limited damage issue of the Oricorio variant making some matchups more favourable. | - More inconsistent since we’re not running Lightning energy having less focus on Oricorio. |
| + Mirror advantage due to Oricorio + Darkrai ping can beat Oricorio and Darkrai’s higher HP can withstand a Sabrina. | - Starting with Darkrai. |
| + Higher ceiling with Pichu + Darkrai start going second. | - Darkrai being an EX becomes vulnerable to bench swaps. |
| + Easy retreat + Pichu combo ensures starting with the energy gain. |
How to Play Silvally Oricorio Pichu Darkrai
Please refer to the other guide since I will just list the differences from this one. We will only use Darkness energy since we want to make sure of using Darkrai's abiity every turn. We will lead with A4-066 most of the time since you want to attack with A3a-060 into A3a-061 or A3-066 going first. If going second, you now always want to start with Pichu since you can now charge a A2-110 making it an even stronger play than just Silvally.
Turn 1 Breakdown
If starting with A4-066:
Opening with Pichu becomes more extremely important because you need the Lightning energy for A3-066. Going second, it also feeds A2-110 so it can attack the next turn which is a strong play.
If starting with A3a-060:
Best starter when going second—it can attack right away and then evolve into A3a-061, your main damage dealer for most of the game. Starting with A4-066 into A3a-060 right away is also fine.
If starting with A2-110:
You also don't want to start with A2-110 and hope to get Leaf if you start with it to retreat and use A4-066 instead to charge energy already.
If starting with A3-066:
You never want to lead with A3-066 unless you’re sure you’re up against an EX deck. Against Psychic, it’s also fine to open A3-066 if you don’t have A4-066, since you may be playing into Espeon Sylveon.
- Not only do you always want to start with A4-066 because A2-110 is an option now if going second.
- Leaf is also incredibly important early on since it fixes your starts even more making you focus on just getting into A4-066 right away. So if you ever started with A3a-060 or A3-066, you can just use Leaf then switch to A4-066 and use A4-066 to gain energy.
- A2-110 can now add more damage with its ability. So you have more choices instead of relying only on A3a-061.
- One strong caveat now is since we're only using Darkness energy, you can only put Lightning energy on A3-066 using A4-066 so there might be times you have to give up a A4-066 just to put an energy into it making it really strong weakness. So A3-066 is less of a win condition here unlike the other deck and just functions more like a wall against EX decks and have to push more damage with A2-110.
Card Choices
Core
Must-have cards the deck relies on to function.
- A3a-060 – Priority for energy when going first with A4-066. Still your best opener going second since it can attack right away.
- A3a-061 – Your main damage dealer—make the most of it since it’s your strongest attacker.
- A3-066 – Can now attack on turn 2 going second with the help of A4-066 if A3a-060 and A3a-061 aren’t available.
- A4-066 – Opening with Pichu becomes more extremely important because you need the Lightning energy for Oricorio. Going second, it also feeds Darkrai so it can attack the next turn.
- Darkrai - provides additional damage increasing the 100 damage threshold. Can also be an attacker if needed and can be charged by Pichu enabling faster attack. Higher HP can winstand more hits.
- PROMO-007 – Sometimes best to hold if you already have a good hand, to protect against A2b-069 and A2-155.
- PROMO-005 – Usually better to play PROMO-007 first, since you want to grab basics as early as possible.
- A3a-067 – Often best to hold until you’re ready to attack with A3a-061, but can be used earlier if A3a-060 is still in deck.
- Leaf - Crucial for retreating any starter into Pichu, letting you start gaining energy immediately.
Optional
Cards that can be cut without hurting core consistency.
- A4-158 – Easy Brave Buddies proc for A3a-061 while also slowing down the opponent, making it easier for an aggressive start.
- A1-225 – Incredibly potent in an aggressive deck since it controls the board early.
- A2-150 – Your answer to high-HP threats that retreat, or for securing high-priority knockouts.
- A2-155 – Good Supporter that easily procs A3a-061 and is strong against a card-draw-heavy meta.
Situational
Techs that only matter in specific matchups.
- A2-147 – Can remove Giant Cape but mainly used to stop Rocky Helmet from A2-110.
- Ditto - put in replacement for Darkrai in tournaments since you can easily select energy having a very flexible non-EX attacker.
Final Thoughts
This is a flexible but less consistent version of the Silvally Pichu guide so it is something that might fit your bill if you want a higher ceiling of the deck.
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!
