Hoopa ex Darkrai ex Deck Guide
Hoopa ex Darkrai ex is a Pokémon TCG Pocket archetype that generally aims to set up Hoopa ex alongside Darkrai ex as its main attacker, supported by the deck's energy. Based on 13 recent tournament lists.
Deck List
Pokémon (3)
Hoopa ex
Darkrai ex
Trainers (14)
Cyrus
Professor's Research
Copycat
Poké Ball
Deceptive Needle
Field Blower
Starting Plains
Pokémon Center Lady
Small Balloon
Source decklists
Source decklists referenced for this guide:
Strengths
- Highly consistent core: Hoopa ex appears in nearly every tournament list, so the build has a settled identity.
- Clear win condition built around Hoopa ex paired with Darkrai ex, so lines of play are easy to rehearse.
- Single-type the deck's energy keeps attachments efficient and rarely bricks on the wrong type.
- Built from 13 tournament lists across 8 events, so the consensus reflects real competitive play rather than ladder theory.
Weaknesses
- Needs its evolution line on board; a slow opener can leave the deck without a fully powered Hoopa ex.
- Predictable single-type the deck's energy lets opponents plan blockers and resistance once your attacker shows up.
- Disruption Supporters like Cyrus and Sabrina chain knockouts against the benched Pokémon this deck needs to keep alive.
- Stage 1/2 Pokémon in the list take an extra turn to come online — pure-Basic decks can race you before Hoopa ex attacks.
Key Matchups
- Aggressive Basic-only decks Even
- Mirror or other Hoopa ex lists Even
- Disruption / Cyrus + Sabrina decks Unfavored
Strategy Overview
Common builds of Hoopa ex Darkrai ex aim to evolve into Hoopa ex and Darkrai ex as quickly as possible, then trade prizes through repeated knockouts. The deck leans on the deck's energy attachments each turn, with draw Supporters and search items to find the key pieces. The list shown here is a consensus across 13 tournament decklists (top card appears in nearly every tournament list, average 2.00 copies).
Gameplay Video
Key Cards
Hoopa ex
appears in nearly every tournament list (average 2.00 copies). Core part of the archetype's engine.
Darkrai ex
appears in nearly every tournament list (average 1.15 copies). Core part of the archetype's engine.
Early Game
On turn one, prioritise finding Hoopa ex or Darkrai ex and getting a basic on the bench so you can evolve next turn. Use Professor's Research or Poké Ball aggressively if your opener is weak. Avoid attaching key energy to a Pokémon that will never attack.
Mid Game
By the mid game, Hoopa ex should be online with a back-up attacker on the bench. Sequence knockouts so each attack sets up the next. Use Cyrus to drag damaged opposing Pokémon active, and Sabrina to force unfavorable switches.
Late Game
Late game, count remaining prizes and build the exact line that closes the game. If ahead, deny the comeback with Sabrina; if behind, look for a single-turn knockout chain through Hoopa ex.
Card Replacements
Hoopa ex appears in nearly every tournament list and defines the archetype. If you cannot craft it, consider a different deck rather than substituting.
Sabrina forces a switch from the opponent's choice; less precise than Cyrus but keeps disruption pressure.
Iono is the closest universal draw Supporter if you are short on Professor's Research, though it trades raw card quantity for a hand reset.
Pokémon Communication swaps a Pokémon in hand for any from the deck — useful if Poké Ball's random pull is unreliable for this build.
Common Mistakes
- Benching Hoopa ex before you can protect it, letting the opponent snipe your main attacker.
- Attaching energy to a Pokémon that will not attack this game.
- Spending Cyrus or Sabrina too early when they would close a prize two turns later.
- Auto-attacking the active Pokémon instead of sequencing knockouts with Sabrina/Cyrus.
- Burning Professor's Research with a full hand and losing closing-turn resources.
Tips & Tricks
- Mulligan aggressively for Hoopa ex or Darkrai ex in the opener.
- Bench every basic you intend to evolve as early as possible — empty benches lose tempo wars.
- Track prize counts carefully; this deck usually wants to chain knockouts in the mid game.
- If you fall behind on board, pivot to a single-prize attacker and rebuild rather than giving up a multi-prize knockout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hoopa ex Darkrai ex deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Hoopa ex Darkrai ex is an archetype built around Hoopa ex and Darkrai ex, using the deck's energy. This guide is built from 13 real tournament decklists across 8 events.
Is Hoopa ex Darkrai ex good right now?
Based on current tournament lists, Hoopa ex Darkrai ex appears regularly in competitive play. We do not claim a win rate — refer to the tier list for current placement.
What are the key cards in Hoopa ex Darkrai ex?
The most-played cards across tournament lists are Hoopa ex and Darkrai ex. The list usually runs around 9 different Trainer cards for consistency and disruption.
What energy does Hoopa ex Darkrai ex use?
Energy choice varies across tournament lists for this archetype.
Where does this guide's data come from?
This is a generated draft based on 13 tournament decklists imported from Limitless. The card list reflects what appears most often in real competitive play, not a fixed recipe.
How This Deck Guide Was Generated
This guide is based on 13 tournament decklists across 8 tournaments imported from Limitless. The decklist shown reflects the most common competitive build at the time of generation.
