The Destined Rivals set for the Pokemon Trading Card Game explodes with powerful new cards, deep strategies, and refreshing deck archetypes. Whether you’re looking to dominate tournaments or simply build a fun and competitive deck, this guide will help you create the best builds from Destined Rivals. Let’s dive deep into top-tier decks, strategies, and tips to conquer your matches!
🔥 1. Dragon Ascent Deck – Overwhelm with Raw Power
Dragon-types in Destined Rivals make a massive comeback, focusing on big energy acceleration and overwhelming attacks. This deck focuses on loading up massive Dragon Pokémon quickly and swinging for colossal damage.
Key Cards:
- Rayquaza VMAX
- Dragonite EX
- Stormy Mountains
- Energy Recycler
- Professor’s Research
Sample Decklist:
- 4x Rayquaza VMAX
- 4x Dragonite EX
- 3x Flaaffy
- 3x Mareep
- 4x Stormy Mountains
- 3x Energy Recycler
- 4x Professor’s Research
- 4x Quick Ball
- 2x Boss’s Orders
- 10x Lightning Energy
- 6x Fire Energy
Playstyle Tips:
Prioritize getting Mareep and Stormy Mountains early to set up energy acceleration with Flaaffy. Once set, charge Rayquaza VMAX for quick, massive knockouts.
Matchups:
- ✅ Dominates slow control decks.
- ❌ Struggles against disruption decks like control or hand-lock variants.
⚡ 2. Electric Blitz Deck – Aggressive and Fast
Electric types leverage incredible speed and aggression, capitalizing on quick knockouts before opponents can stabilize. If you love taking early leads, this is your go-to deck.
Key Cards:
- Electivire V
- Zapdos
- Electropower
- Speed Energy
Sample Decklist:
- 4x Electivire V
- 4x Zapdos
- 2x Raikou V
- 4x Speed Energy
- 3x Electropower
- 2x Switch
- 3x Boss’s Orders
- 4x Ultra Ball
- 3x Quick Ball
- 9x Basic Lightning Energy
Playstyle Tips:
Open aggressively with Zapdos and punish your opponent before they can set up. Speed Energy not only accelerates attacks but keeps your hand full for pressure plays.
Matchups:
- ✅ Strong vs. slow decks (Grass, Psychic, Water).
- ❌ Struggles against high-HP tank decks like Steel types.
🌿 3. Grass Guardians Deck – Heal and Control
Grass strategies in Destined Rivals lean toward tanky builds that heal consistently while slowly wearing down opponents. If you enjoy outlasting opponents and careful planning, this is your deck.
Key Cards:
- Venusaur VMAX
- Leafeon VSTAR
- Gardenia’s Vigor
- Turffield Stadium
Sample Decklist:
- 3x Venusaur VMAX
- 3x Bulbasaur Line
- 3x Leafeon VSTAR
- 3x Eevee Line
- 4x Gardenia’s Vigor
- 4x Switch
- 3x Turffield Stadium
- 2x Choice Belt
- 4x Grass Energy
Playstyle Tips:
Prioritize evolving your tanky Pokémon early and consistently heal using Gardenia’s Vigor and Turffield Stadium combos. Delay and exhaust your opponent’s options.
Matchups:
- ✅ Excellent vs. fast decks that burn out quickly.
- ❌ Weak against Fire-type high damage builds.
🔥 4. Firestorm Deck – Heavy Hitting Aggression
Firestorm decks thrive on explosive setups and massive firepower. Featuring the mighty Charizard EX, this deck punishes any opponent foolish enough to stall.
Key Cards:
- Charizard EX
- Infernape
- Rare Candy
- Fire Crystal
Sample Decklist:
- 4x Charizard EX
- 3x Charmander Line
- 2x Infernape Line
- 3x Rare Candy
- 4x Fire Crystal
- 2x Choice Belt
- 3x Boss’s Orders
- 11x Fire Energy
Playstyle Tips:
Prioritize early Rare Candy evolutions into Charizard. Use Fire Crystal to recover energy and repeatedly pressure the opponent into defensive misplays.
Matchups:
- ✅ Excellent vs. Grass decks and slow decks.
- ❌ Struggles against Water decks packing disruption.
🌊 5. Aqua Surge Deck – Battlefield Control
Water Pokémon strategies offer adaptability, status manipulation, and battlefield disruption. If you prefer flexible strategies, Aqua Surge is your build.
Key Cards:
- Gyarados EX
- Lapras
- Melony
- Capacious Bucket
Sample Decklist:
- 3x Gyarados EX
- 3x Magikarp Line
- 3x Lapras
- 4x Melony
- 4x Capacious Bucket
- 3x Boss’s Orders
- 4x Water Energy
- 2x Wash Energy
Playstyle Tips:
Use Lapras early for status effects to stall, while Gyarados becomes your mid/late-game sweeper. Melony accelerates recovery after KO losses.
Matchups:
- ✅ Strong vs. Fire and Fighting decks.
- ❌ Weak against Electric blitz decks.
🛡️ 6. Steel Fortress Deck – Ultimate Defense
Steel Fortress decks specialize in extreme tankiness and mitigating incoming damage. If you enjoy playing methodically and grinding opponents down, look no further.
Key Cards:
- Metagross VMAX
- Bronzong
- Steel Shelter
- Metal Saucer
Sample Decklist:
- 3x Metagross VMAX
- 3x Beldum Line
- 3x Bronzong
- 3x Bronzor
- 4x Metal Saucer
- 3x Boss’s Orders
- 9x Metal Energy
Playstyle Tips:
Setup Bronzong as soon as possible to manipulate energy placement and protect Metagross. Use Steel Shelter to avoid disruptive status effects and force opponents into bad trades.
Matchups:
- ✅ Great against fast low-damage decks.
- ❌ Struggles against decks that can ignore tankiness like Rayquaza VMAX.
🎯 Bonus Tech Cards for Destined Rivals Decks
- Choice Belt – Great for boosting damage against V Pokémon.
- Switch – Essential for high retreat cost decks.
- Boss’s Orders – Always crucial for controlling key knockouts.
- Escape Rope – Extra switching pressure for disruptive plays.
- Big Charm – Bulks up your tanks to survive crucial turns.
📋 FAQ – Best Deck Builds from Destined Rivals
Q: What’s the most beginner-friendly deck from Destined Rivals?
A: Electric Blitz featuring Electivire V and Zapdos is easy to learn and very aggressive, making it great for beginners!
Q: Which deck has the highest tournament win potential?
A: Dragon Ascent featuring Rayquaza VMAX has consistently shown the highest ceiling for major event success.
Q: Are there any cheap decks worth building?
A: Aqua Surge with Lapras and Gyarados is relatively low-cost and very competitive against popular decks.
Q: Should I focus on offense or control decks?
A: It depends on your playstyle — offense suits fast players, while control decks reward patient, methodical play.
🏆 Conclusion: Master Your Build, Master the Game
Destined Rivals offers tremendous diversity for players. Whether you love speed, control, overwhelming strength, or tactical flexibility, there’s a perfect deck for you in this set. Take the time to refine your builds, practice different matchups, and tweak your strategy — the best trainers adapt and overcome!
Which deck will you take into battle?
