Ultra Beasts have undeniably taken the Pokemon TCG Pocket meta by storm, with Buzzwole ex standing out as the clear frontrunner. This powerhouse recently teamed up with a new Grass-type card, Pheromosa, creating a dominant combo that's quickly risen to the top of the PvP scene.
Pokemon TCG Pocket: The Best Ultra Necrozma ex Deck
Pokemon TCG Pocket’s latest Promo-A card, Ultra Necrozma ex, has the potential to make mill a viable archetype in this new deck.
So, what makes the Buzzwole ex and Pheromosa pairing so effective? This Pokemon TCG Pocket guide breaks down the synergy behind this unique duo and shows you how to make the most of it. You'll also find tips for building and piloting your own Buzzwole ex deck, along with expert advice on how to counter the Grass-type Ultra Beast.
The performance report section is based on the latest data from active Pokemon TCG Pocket tournaments. Keep in mind that the meta is always evolving, so the numbers may vary slightly by the time you read this.
Buzzwole ex Pheromosa Deck Overview
- Energy Type: Grass
- Strategy: Rearranging
- Key Synergies: Celesteela's ability and Buzzwole ex's card text
Pokemon TCG Pocket's new Grass-type meta deck revolves around the alliance of Buzzwole ex and Pheromosa. However, the duo's strength hinges entirely on Celesteela's ability to enable consistent damage through a rearrangement strategy.
Here's how "rearranging" works in Buzzwole ex Pheromosa decks: Celesteela's ability lets you swap the main attacker, Buzzwole ex, with Pheromosa (or Kartana) to bypass its restrictive text. Without this, Buzzwole ex's Big Beat attack can only be used every other turn.
The Best Deck for Buzzwole ex and Pheromosa
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In the current Pokemon TCG Pocket meta, the strongest Buzzwole ex and Pheromosa deck uses a retreat and rearrangement strategy featuring Celesteela and Kartana. The core plan is to chip away at the opponent's HP with Pheromosa while setting up Buzzwole ex on the Bench. Once ready, Buzzwole ex can deal 120 damage each turn. To bypass its cooldown after attacking, you swap it with a Benched Pokemon using Celesteela's ability, then bring it back the same turn for another hit.
How to Play a Buzzwole ex Pheromosa Deck
- Lead with Pheromosa. Use it to poke and mark the opponent's Benched Pokemon, so Cyrus can pull them into the Active Spot.
- Build Buzzwole ex as quickly as possible. If your Active Pokemon gets knocked out, play Lusamine to recover its lost Energy and attach it to Buzzwole ex to speed up charging.
- Aim to have two Celesteelas on the Bench. This lets you swap Buzzwole ex in and out of the Active Spot without cost. If you only have one Celesteela, you'll need to retreat the replacement Pokemon using Zone Energy.
- Use Kartana as a secondary damage dealer. It deals 40 damage for just one Energy, making it an ideal early-game substitute for your main attacker.
Tips for Maximizing Performance
- Watch out for the opponent's Guzma. Keep a copy of your Pokemon Tool Cards handy to offset Guzma’s disruptive effect.
- Set up targets with Pheromosa. Early on, chip away at the opponent's Benched Pokemon HP to make them easier to snipe later with Cyrus, using Buzzwole ex or Kartana.
- Use Lusamine strategically. Sometimes it's better to let your Active get knocked out so you can revive its Energy with Lusamine. Other times, it’s best to rely on Erika and Leaf Cape to keep your Active alive longer.
How to Counter Buzzwole ex Pheromosa Decks
Buzzwole ex Pheromosa decks can be countered by Solgaleo ex Shiinotic setups. The Steel-Psychic deck currently holds a strong 63% win rate against the Grass-type Pokemon. You can also challenge the new meta with refined Fire-type decks, like the popular A2b Charizard ex and Silvally.
Interestingly, Buzzwole ex Pheromosa performs well against Pokemon TCG Pocket's most popular new deck, Silvally Rampardos. Despite the Fighting-Colorless combo's success against many lineups, it struggles to dominate Buzzwole ex Pheromosa, which holds a favorable win rate of around 57%.
A budget counter to Buzzwole ex Pheromosa decks is a Charizard ex Incineroar ex shell. This duo currently has a strong 66% win rate against the Ultra Beasts.
Buzzwole ex Pheromosa Performance Report
- Win Rate: ~ 11%
- Meta Share: ~ 53%
- Tournament Appearance: ~ 700
Recent data from Pokemon TCG Pocket tournaments show that Buzzwole ex Pheromosa setups are the second most popular decks in the game, just behind the infamous Silvally Rampardos. Interestingly, the Grass-type duo holds the highest win rate among the top three decks, though the other two remain close behind.
Recently, Buzzwole ex Pheromosa decks have started using Kartana, and it's proven effective. This new Ultra Beast works perfectly with Celesteela's ability, providing an extra option to switch into Buzzwole ex's spot during its cooldown. Plus, Kartana deals 40 damage for just one Energy, making it a strong early-game attacker.
The Future of Buzzwole ex Pheromosa in Pokemon TCG Pocket's Meta
Pokemon TCG Pocket's Extradimensional Criss set has been a game-changer. It ended the long dominance of DarkTina (Darkrai ex & Giratina ex) decks and introduced new favorites, mostly Ultra Beasts like Buzzwole ex.
However, Buzzwole ex may not have lasting power in PvP. Its reliance on Celesteela's ability creates a vulnerability, making it an easy target for disruption cards. If a card emerges that can shut down Celesteela's ability, Buzzwole ex could quickly fall out of the meta.
On the other hand, Pheromosa and Kartana are likely to stick around. Their strong synergy with other Grass-type decks gives them a secure spot in PvP, meaning they'll remain relevant even if Buzzwole ex fades away.
- Released
- October 30, 2024
- Developer(s)
- DeNA, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- The Pokemon Company
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Digital Card Game
