Greninja EX Deck: A Comprehensive Guide to Building a Competitive Pokemon TCG Deck
In the ever-evolving world of the Pokemon Trading Card Game (PTCG), certain cards rise to the top as game-changers. One such card is Greninja EX, a powerful and versatile card that has been a staple in competitive decks since its release. If you’re looking to build a Greninja EX deck, you’ve come to the right place. This article will guide you through the ins and outs of constructing a competitive Greninja EX deck, including strategies, key cards, and tips to maximize its potential.
Understanding Greninja EX
Before diving into deck-building, it’s essential to understand what makes Greninja EX such a formidable card. Greninja EX is a Water-type Basic EX Pokemon with high attack power and a unique ability called “Giant Water Shuriken.” This ability allows you to discard a Water Energy from your hand and deal 30 damage to any of your opponent’s Pokemon. This ability is particularly useful for knocking out smaller Pokemon or setting up for a stronger attack.
Greninja EX also has a high HP of 170, making it a durable frontliner. Its attack, “Water Shuriken,” deals 50 damage for a single Water Energy, making it an efficient early-game attacker. Its second attack, “Giant Water Shuriken,” deals 120 damage for two Water Energies, which is a strong late-game finisher.
Core Components of a Greninja EX Deck
A successful Greninja EX deck revolves around maximizing its strengths while mitigating its weaknesses. Here are the key components you’ll need:
1. Greninja EX
The star of the show, Greninja EX, is the centerpiece of your deck. You’ll want to include multiple copies to ensure you can consistently draw into it. A standard deck includes 2-3 copies of Greninja EX.
2. Water Energy
Since Greninja EX relies heavily on Water Energy, you’ll need a reliable way to attach energy to your Pokemon. Include 8-12 Water Energies in your deck to ensure you can fuel your attacks.
3. Support Cards
Support cards are crucial for setting up your Greninja EX and keeping it alive. Some essential support cards include:
Professor’s Research: A versatile card that allows you to draw multiple cards, helping you find the pieces you need.
Marnie: A powerful card that can disrupt your opponent’s setup while you build up your own.
Quick Ball: A staple in many decks, Quick Ball allows you to search for Basic Pokemon, ensuring you can get Greninja EX into play quickly.
4. Consistency Cards
Consistency is key in competitive decks. Cards like Ultra Ball and Pokemon Communicator help you maintain a strong draw and ensure you can find the cards you need when you need them.
5. Tech Cards
Tech cards are optional but can make a big difference in specific matchups. Some popular choices include:
Aqua Patch: This card allows you to attach a Water Energy from your discard pile to one of your Pokemon, which is especially useful for fueling Greninja EX’s attacks.
Field Blower: This card can remove Stadium cards, which can be a game-changer if your opponent relies heavily on them.
Sample Greninja EX Deck List
Here’s a sample deck list to give you a better idea of how these components come together:
Pokemon (12)
Greninja EX x3
Staryu x2
Totodile x2
Froakie x2
Manaphy x1
Dedenne x1
Tapu Lele x1
Trainers (28)
Professor’s Research x4
Marnie x3
Quick Ball x4
Ultra Ball x4
Pokemon Communicator x2
Aqua Patch x2
Field Blower x2
Guzma & Hala x2
Cheryl x1
Lysandre Labs x1
Energy (12)
Water Energy x12
Strategies for Playing Greninja EX
Now that you have your deck built, it’s time to think about how to play it effectively.
Early Game
In the early game, focus on setting up