Tsareena ex Attack Lock Pokémon Deck Tech

Pokémon ex (as opposed to Pokémon EX) were introduced in the Scarlet and Violet base set and immediately made an impact on the game. Some of these ex Pokémon have the Tera type, which makes them immune to damage while on the bench and changes the Pokémon’s type as well. Tsareena ex is such a Pokémon, and while it isn’t meta-defining, it can be very powerful with the right backup.

Tsareena ex is a Water Pokémon that uses Grass energy for attacks. The most important of which is Icicle Sole, which costs 1 Grass and places damage counters on an opposing Pokémon until they have 30 HP remaining. This is important for two reasons. First, placing counters doesn’t count as damage, so Manaphy doesn’t stop it, and second, since Tsareena ex isn’t basic, Jirachi doesn’t negate the counters. You want to evolve to Tsareena ex as quickly as possible and put counters on different Pokémon every turn, starting with the opposing active.

When the damage counters start piling up, the other aspects of the deck shine. Panic Mask is a Pokemon Tool that prevents damage from opposing Pokemon with 30 HP or less. While this stops most attacks from happening, it still allows things like Roaring Moon ex using Frenzied Gouging to knock out Tsareena. To counter this, and to account for potential Lost Vacuums, the deck also runs Vanilluxe, which prevents opposing Pokémon with 40 HP or less from even attacking. This may be enough to force a forfeit.

In cast it isn’t, the deck also runs Vespiquen ex to act as the game ender. While the Phantom Queen attack requires a hefty 3 Grass to use, it can be worthwhile. It deals 200 to the active Pokemon, while placing 3 damage counters on anything your opponent has benched that has any damage counters previously. A few turns of Tsareena ex sniping down to 30 HP means that Vespiquen ex can easily give you all 6 prize cards in 1 turn. That being said, if your oppnent is playing a powerful Dark type, keep Tsareena ex in the active and use Trop Kick to take the knock out.

The deck runs the usual Trainer support most decks use. Of special note are Irida, which let you grab a Tsareena ex or Vanilluxe along with the Rare Candy to evolve them. This is a better play for turn 2 so you can use them instantly. Gardenia’s Vigor is the best Grass has for acceleration now. Drawing 2 cards is always handy, but adding 2 Grass to a benched Vespiquen is the real use of it. I should note that as of now, the deck doesn’t use an Ace Spec card. Maximim Belt may work to Vespiquen to help with tougher targets, or Hero’s Cape to keep Tsareena ex around an extra turn. Prime Catcher is likely the best option, as it allows you to pull something weak into the active spot as well as pivot into Vespiquen ex to sweep the opponent.

Overall, this is a deck that combines aggressive attacking with control elements to create a 1-turn win. While it isn’t the perfect deck, it is very fun to play (and frustrating to play against). I should point out most versions of this deck don’t run Vanilluxe or Vespiquen ex, using Brute Bonnet and Radiant Hisuian Sneasler to poison the opposing active and putting 3 damage counters during checkup. While it knocks out the opposing active, it does leave Tsareena ex vulnerable to attacks on subsequent turns. Another thing to look out for is Professor Turo’s Scenario or Penny, both of which heal a Pokémon and create space for a new, undamaged replacement. You can’t do anything to stop either from being played, but it is something to be aware of.