Starmie Dusknoir

TCG Live Import List

Pokémon: 26
4 Duskull PRE 35
3 Dusclops PRE 36
2 Dusknoir PRE 37
4 Meowth ex POR 62
3 Staryu POR 20
2 Mega Starmie ex POR 21
2 Budew ASC 16
2 Latias ex SSP 76
1 Snorunt ASC 46
1 Mega Froslass ex ASC 47
1 Fezandipiti ex ASC 142
1 Shaymin DRI 10

Trainer: 27
4 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
3 Hilda WHT 84
2 Boss's Orders MEG 114
1 Wally's Compassion MEG 132
1 Carmine TWM 145
4 Poké Pad POR 81
4 Ultra Ball MEG 131
3 Night Stretcher ASC 196
3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
1 Scoop Up Cyclone TWM 162
1 Switch MEG 130

Energy: 7
3 Ignition Energy WHT 86
2 Bubbly Water Energy CRI 84
2 Water Energy MEE 11

Strategy Overview

Mega Starmie Dusknoir is a flexible Pokémon TCG Live Standard deck that blends aggressive pressure with tactical damage control. Instead of relying on one single attacker to carry the entire game, this list uses several different tools to create awkward board states for the opponent. Mega Starmie ex gives the deck a strong main attacker, while the Dusknoir line, Munkidori, Risky Ruins, Boss’s Orders, and late-game Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex allow the deck to turn chip damage into important Knock Outs. The Pokémon lineup is built around two main evolution packages. The first is the Starmie package: three Staryu and two Mega Starmie ex. This gives the deck a focused but not overcommitted attacker line. Mega Starmie ex is the card that applies direct offensive pressure, especially once the deck has established its Energy attachments and early support Pokémon. Because the line is relatively compact, the deck still has room for a strong Dusknoir package and several utility Pokémon. The second major package is Duskull, Dusclops, and Dusknoir. With a 3-3-2 line, this deck is more committed to Dusknoir than many lists that only use it as a tiny one-of package. That matters because Dusknoir is not just a bonus card here. It is part of the deck’s core game plan. The deck wants to create damage across the opponent’s board, then use Dusknoir pressure to finish targets, force awkward prize trades, or make Mega Starmie ex numbers much easier to reach. Munkidori is another important part of this damage-control plan. The list plays two copies, which signals that Munkidori is not just a random tech. It helps the deck manage damage placement and can make prize mapping much harder for the opponent. When combined with Dusknoir and Risky Ruins, Munkidori gives the deck several ways to convert small damage increments into meaningful turns. The Trainer engine is built for consistency and disruption. Lillie’s Determination, Hilda, Poké Pad, Pokégear 3.0, Buddy-Buddy Poffin, and Ultra Ball help the deck set up quickly and find the right pieces. Buddy-Buddy Poffin is especially important because the deck wants to open with multiple low-HP Basics: Staryu, Duskull, Budew, Munkidori, and sometimes Meowth ex depending on the hand. Ultra Ball then helps find Mega Starmie ex, Dusclops, Dusknoir, Fezandipiti ex, Latias ex, or Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex later in the game. The Energy lineup is also interesting. The deck plays Water Energy, Ignition Energy, Legacy Energy, and Darkness Energy. Water Energy supports Mega Starmie ex, Darkness Energy enables Munkidori, Ignition Energy can help accelerate or smooth certain attack turns, and Legacy Energy gives the deck a powerful special Energy option for prize-trade situations. Because the Energy base is mixed, sequencing matters a lot. You need to know early whether your next turns are focused on attacking with Mega Starmie ex, enabling Munkidori, or preparing a late-game attacker. Overall, Mega Starmie Dusknoir is a strategic deck. It does not only win by attacking every turn. It wins by setting up multiple threats, spreading or shifting damage, forcing the opponent to play around Dusknoir, and closing games with precise prize math.

Game Plan

Key Cards

• Duskull: Played in 100% of recent lists at an average of 3.1 copies.
• Dusclops: Played in 100% of recent lists at an average of 2.6 copies.
• Dusknoir: Played in 100% of recent lists at an average of 1.6 copies.
• Staryu: Played in 100% of recent lists at an average of 3.0 copies.
• Lillie's Determination: Trainer staple — 100% inclusion across the sample.
• Hilda: Trainer staple — 100% inclusion across the sample.

Matchups

• EvenAggressive Pokémon ex buildsTrade efficiently and prioritize knocking out two-prize attackers before they set up multi-prize swings.
• FavoredSetup / Stage 2 control decksApply early pressure before the opponent finds Rare Candy and Stage 2s.
• UnfavoredSingle-prize toolbox decksSave Boss/gust effects for the right turn; you cannot afford to take wrong knockouts.

Tips & Tricks

• Practice mulligan decisions ‑ a clean opening hand is worth more than perfect mid-game play.
• Track your opponent's energy attachments to predict next-turn threats.
• When in doubt, prioritize keeping Duskull active and powered.

Common Mistakes

• Attaching energy to the wrong attacker on turn 1.
• Using Boss/gust effects on the wrong target ‑ always count prizes first.
• Over-committing Pokémon to the bench, exposing yourself to spread damage.

Card Replacements

• Munkidori → Flexible slot — Included in 61% of lists ‑ swap based on expected matchups.
• Latias ex → Flexible slot — Included in 57% of lists ‑ swap based on expected matchups.
• Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex → Flexible slot — Included in 46% of lists ‑ swap based on expected matchups.

FAQ