A Powerful Tatsugiri ex Deck from China

Today, we’re sharing a playful Tatsugiri ex deck that can build a spectacular board when the cards fall in the right order. Known among players in China as “The Khan’s Grand Muster,” this offbeat build aims to overwhelm opponents with powerful Pokémon. Here is the full 60-card list.

The 60-Card Deck List

Pokémon (22)

• 4 × Blaziken ex
• 4 × Dusknoir
• 2 × Greninja ex
• 4 × Hydreigon ex
• 4 × Tatsugiri ex
• 1 × Ditto
• 3 × Pidgeot ex

Trainers (24)

• 4 × Crispin
• 4 × Colress's Tenacity
• 2 × Iono
• 2 × Boss's Orders
• 4 × Pokégear 3.0
• 1 × Counter Catcher
• 3 × Town Store
• 1 × Academy at Night
• 1 × Sparkling Crystal
• 1 × Defiance Band
• 1 × Counter Gain

Energy (14)

• 4 × Basic Fire Energy
• 4 × Basic Water Energy
• 3 × Basic Darkness Energy
• 1 × Basic Metal Energy
• 1 × Basic Psychic Energy
• 1 × Luminous Energy

Format note: this is the original casual build shared in China, not an updated list for the current international Standard format. Check the rules and legal card pool for the format you plan to play.

How the Deck Plays

The core plan starts with Tatsugiri ex’s Cinnabar Lure. This attack lets you look at the top 10 cards of your deck and put any Pokémon you find there directly onto your Bench, including Stage 2 Pokémon. That is why the list can include powerful evolved Pokémon without their earlier evolution stages.

If you need Energy, Crispin can search for two Basic Energy cards of different types, attach one to a Pokémon, and put the other into your hand. Colress’s Tenacity searches for a Stadium and an Energy card to put into your hand. Once Blaziken ex is in play, its Seething Spirit Ability can attach a Basic Energy card from your discard pile to one of your Pokémon once during your turn.

If too many of your big Pokémon end up in your hand, Academy at Night can place one on top of your deck for Cinnabar Lure. Iono offers a different option by refreshing your hand. Getting two or three powerful Pokémon onto the board can give the deck room to build momentum.

Setting Up the Payoff

Town Store can help you find the Pokémon Tools you need. Sparkling Crystal reduces a Tera Pokémon’s attack cost by one Energy of any type. Counter Gain reduces the attached Pokémon’s attack cost by one Colorless Energy when you have more Prize cards remaining than your opponent, while Defiance Band adds damage to attacks against the opponent’s Active Pokémon under the same Prize-card condition. Counter Gain does not replace the specific Fire, Water, and Darkness Energy required for Cinnabar Lure.

With a smooth setup, the aim is to build pressure around turns three or four. Hydreigon ex’s Obsidian deals 130 damage to the Active Pokémon and 130 damage to each of two Benched Pokémon. In the right board state, this can lead to multiple Knock Outs and potentially a four-Prize swing. The result depends on the opposing Pokémon, existing damage, and any effects that protect the Bench.

Further reading: Official Surging Sparks strategy guide

Card scans: Limitless TCG. Card artwork © Pokémon / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Author: Letter0-