There are plenty of strategies that can be implemented in online battles, whether it be using different Pokémon types or experimenting with Pokémon Tools and their various effects. There are so many in fact that we thought we’d do another article on more Do’s and Don’ts in online battles!
DO: Have at least one Pokémon EX Card in your deck:
Pokémon EX cards are a lot more powerful than regular Pokémon cards, even more so than a lot of Stage 2 evolutions. This isn’t to say that regular evolution cards aren’t useful (one of this writer’s personal favorites is Typhlosion) but if you want something with a little more firepower than EX and Mega EX Pokémon are the way to go. This also doesn’t mean that you should fill your whole deck with EX Pokémon. Try to find a synergy between your powerful Pokémon and your support Pokémon (which we’ll detail later in this article).
DON’T: Play Pokémon that require lots of Energy to attack without preparation:
Pokémon that have very powerful moves by extension require a lot of Energy to use those moves. For some moves it can require up to 5 Energy to use that Pokémon’s most powerful move! Obviously you will need a degree of strategy to utilize these Pokémon properly as you don’t want these to be your only attacking Pokémon. Since it takes a while for these Pokémon to get ready to attack, opponents who are more prepared will be able to take it down before you even attack once! If you’re using these Pokémon make sure you keep them on the bench until it’s time for them to attack. These Pokémon will also likely have a high retreat cost which will use up that Energy you’ve waited a long time to put on. If this is the case, come prepared with a Leaf Supporter card or a Big Air Balloon Tool card that can lower your retreat cost.
DO: Use Rescue Scarfs in your deck:
Rescue Scarfs are turning out to be one of the most useful Pokémon Tool cards in the game. If this Tool is attached to a Pokémon, when it is defeated instead of sending it to the discard pile it will be sent back to your hand to play again. This includes all Evolutions that have been attached to your Pokémon. This can be a lifesaver during a game, especially if there’s an Evolution that you haven’t had the chance to play yet. Ordinarily if a Pokémon is defeated its Evolution cards are just sitting in your hand taking up space, but this Tool gives you a second chance to play your cards. It may cost you the Energy you’ve built up but it’s worth it to get your Pokémon back!
DON’T: Have lots of Pokémon that don’t attack:
This might sound like an obvious point but there are plenty of Pokémon that have moves which don’t actually attack opposing Pokémon. These will usually apply status effects like Sleep or Confuse or they will let you draw more cards. While these are useful support cards, having too many will deplete your overall attacking potential and since these cards are usually very weak they will be wiped out in a couple of turns if you’re not careful!
DO: Try to utilize Pokémon that add additional Energy:
If you create your deck in the right way you won’t just get 1 Energy per turn. There are plenty of Pokémon and Trainer cards that allow you to draw more Energy from the Energy Zone, whether it involve using a Tool card to give your Pokémon their Energy attached to them or using a Pokémon’s ability to add extra Energy to itself. If you can create a deck around this feature correctly you’ll be an Energy generating machine that can get your Pokémon to attack extremely quickly!
DON’T: Use “Roadblock” Pokémon without preparation:
Our definition of “Roadblock” Pokémon are Pokémon that you place in the Active spot intentionally not for attack but to protect your Pokémon on the bench so you can prepare them in a safer way. Usually these Roadblocks will have Abilities where every time they take damage from an Active Pokémon it will do 20 damage to that Pokémon. However this can be countered with a Sabrina card or Pokémon that can bypass the Active spot and attack benched Pokémon, so make sure you have a backup plan if things go awry.
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