accidentally deleted my last post! oopsies 🍃🍃

i got shiny infernape ex today and wanted to make a build around it. this combo with blacephalon ex has turned out to be both effective and fun, even keeping up with meta decks.

 

the ideal strategy is magby/chimchar into infernape ex, transitioning into blacephalon ex and then jumping between the two, or spamming one depending on how cards draw. 

two lines of infernape ex and the variety of draw cards guarantee it’s your most *likely* pokemon to get set up first. usually within 2-3 turns. 

infernape ex only requiring 2 energy means you’ll usually be ready to attack for 140 by the time you’re evolved. you usually can start hitting for 140 by about turn 4.

infernape’s 0 retreat cost allows it to bounce out whenever needed, be it to let something else tank a hit or to transition into another hitter. flame patches allow infernape to keep hitting and lusamine allows a smooth transition into blacephelon (ex or not). leading to consistent hits of 130/140 with fairly tanky pokemon.

non ex blacephelon is included as a wall breaker. usually for oricoro, though it even 1 hit kos shadow void dusknoir.

i’ve played dozens of rounds now with decent success. i’ve found the deck doesn’t brick often. unless you draw magby/blacephelon with no other pokemon, leading to 0 ramp-up and 0 defense. though, that can happen to any deck.

oricorio isn’t an issue. the deck out paces mega charizard and mega gardevoir. it even keeps up with mega alteria and is bulky enough to tank a hit and swing back. suicune could be annoying, but that meta has thankfully died. chingling is frustraiting, but leaning on supporters and minimizing items helps combat that.

you could even add lillies and capes to boost infernape ex’s bulk. ponchos could be a good addition that might be worth playing around with.

genger ex would hard counter this, #nerfgengar lol

it’s versatile, competitive with the meta, and a breath of fresh air!!

blacephalon the sleeper hit? (repost)