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On paper,Pokemon TCG Pocket’s ex version of Snorlax seems quite strong. After all, it’s a 160-HP Pokemon with the ability to heal 20 damage from itself at the end of each turn, as long as it’s in the Active Spot.
However, current PvP data suggests that Snorlax ex hasn’t made a big impact onPokemon TCG Pocket’s metagame. It has become one of the decent staller-attacker options, thanks to its chunky HP and heavy strike, but it fails to provide reliable protection against the currently popular cards.
One of Snorlax ex’s biggest drawbacks is that it is a Pokemon ex. The problem with Pokemon ex tanks and stallers is that if they fail to survive, they cost the player two points right at the start of the match. This, along with the fact that Snorlax ex has multiple effective counters, has pushed it to the lower tiers ofPokemon TCG Pocketmultiplayer.
Charizard ex + Sylveon ex
~ 72%
Nihilego + Darkrai ex
~ 70%
Flareon ex + Turtonator
~ 67%
Greninja + Sylveon ex
~ 62%
Based on recent PvP data, Snorlax ex is significantly weak against the new Charizard ex and Sylveon ex decks. The Fire-Psychic duo has won nearly 72% of its games against the sleepy Pokemon, showing its effectiveness. Another reliable counter is therelatively new Nihilego and Darkrai ex combo. These Darkness-type decks have won about 70% of matches against Snorlax ex decks.
The Fire-Psychic deck’s agility and high damage are key to winning against Snorlax ex. Sylveon ex’s ability accelerates Charizard ex evolution, which is further boosted byPokemon TCG Pocket’s Rare Candy. You also have the A2b copies of Charmander and Charmeleon that enable early-game damage. Additionally, the A3b Eevee lets you double down on Sylveon ex’s ability and draw cards much faster than your opponent.
One of the best counters to Snorlax ex is the currently popularDarkness-type decksfeaturing Nihilego and Darkrai ex. These setups poison Snorlax ex, with Nihilego’s More Poison ability making the condition worse. What makes this duo superior to most Snorlax ex decks is its ability to negate Snorlax ex’s self-healing effect.
After each round, Snorlax ex tries to heal 20 damage from itself. However, most Nihilego-Darkrai ex decks deal up to 50 chip damage per turn, excluding the Active Pokemon’s attack. In other words, Snorlax ex’s healing effect becomes essentially useless because the damage it takes is much greater than its HP-regen.
Silvally + Rampardos
One of thebest counter decks in the previousPokemon TCG Pocketexpansion, the Silvally-Rampardos team-up is highly effective against Snorlax ex. The deck includes two powerful Fighting-type Pokemon, Cranidos and Rampardos, both with a +20 damage advantage against the Fighting-weak Snorlax ex. It also benefits from the Silvally lineup, known as one of the best low-Energy, high-damage evolutions in the game.
Silvally-Oricorio decks are also excellent counters to Snorlax ex. MostLightning-type Oricorio decksperform well against this staller because the yellow bird prevents all damage from Snorlax ex while dealing 50 damage each round.
One of the promisingmid-tier decks in the Eevee Grove era ofPokemon TCG Pocketis Flareon ex’s alliance with the classic Turtonator. These two Fire-type Pokemon excel at breaking down enemy walls—like Snorlax ex—thanks to their high early-game damage.
For two Energy points, Turtonator deals a 90-damage blow to Snorlax ex, which can be devastating. The only drawback is that Turtonator discards two Energy points per attack, but this is offset by Flareon ex’s ability. After each Turtonator attack, Flareon ex’s Combust ability recovers one lost Energy point, allowing Turtonator to repeat the 90-damage attack and knock out Snorlax ex in a couple of rounds.
Greninja was almost forgotten untilJune’s Eevee Grove expansionbrought it back. It is now one of the best counters to Snorlax ex, thanks to its long-range attack that counters Snorlax ex’s self-healing. If you set up two Greninja on the Bench with Sylveon ex in front, you can deal up to 110 damage to Snorlax ex per turn, which is enough to take it out in two rounds.
It’s worth noting that the Sylveon ex + Greninja deck is currently the meta’s top performer. With a win rate of about 53% and a meta share around 12%, the Psychic-Water duo is an excellent counter to most decks, not just those featuring Snorlax ex.
Snorlax ex Performance Report
Things aren’t looking up for Snorlax ex in the current meta. Despite its potential as a reliable tank, it hasn’t made a significant impact compared to other cards in the category. For example,Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Druddigonhad a huge impact on the meta when released, forcing many players to use specific counter decks. With Snorlax ex, however, things are much less intense. While it remains a strong staller, it hasn’t posed a tangible threat to top decks nor enhanced them.
Fewtop-tierPokemon TCG Pocketdeckscurrently use Snorlax ex. One reason this giant Pokemon hasn’t matched the success of cards like Druddigon is recent meta changes. Players now have many counters, such as the deadly Nihilego and Darkrai ex combo, which easily demolishes Snorlax ex. In other words, the metagame is too competitive for a card like Snorlax to dominate.
Snorlax ex requires two conditions to become a meta-shaking staller: 1) an HP-boostingPokemon Tool like Leaf Capeto push its HP beyond 180, and 2) a Supporter card to help charge its attack more quickly. If these changes happen, Snorlax ex could become a consistent, aggressive tank again.
