The release of EX: Deoxys brings us a new set of Pokemon-ex, which usually prove to be pretty popular. A large portion of modified decks includes at least one Pokemon ex for some reason.
All of the new Pokemon ex already have some kind of deck that they can fit in, with the possible exception of Sharpedo ex..which I've decided to do this article on. Sharpedo ex definately has a nice punch to it. FireRed/LeafGreen's Legendary Birds in the Pokemon ex form proved to be pretty nice additions to modified with their incredible display of speed and power in the early game. For example, a deck built around Zapdos ex focused on getting Zapdos ex out doing 70 damage (80 with Strength Charm) by turn 2, using Pokemon that can attach energy to themselves.
In theory Sharpedo can work by the same method, except with it being a Darkness Pokemon, you can do more damage for a higher price. Well first let's take a look at it:
Sharpedo ex [D] 100HP
Stage 1 - Evolves from Carvanha
[CC] Drag Off 20
Before doing damage, you may switch 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokemon with the Defending Pokemon. If you do, this attack does 20 damage to the new Defending Pokemon. Your opponent chooses the new Defending Pokemon to switch.
[DDC] Darkness Blast 60+
You may discard a [D] Energy attached to Sharpedo ex. If you do, this attack does 60 damage plus 20 more damage and discard 1 Energy card attached to the Defending Pokemon.
Weakness: [G]
Resistance: [P]
There are a lot of interesting things to look at on Sharpedo ex (including the in your face art) before getting to making a deck around it. First off, since it's a Darkness Pokemon, you know you'll be able to add damage to its attacks with Darkness Energy. Drag Off seems just about average until you add in that fact.
Darkness Blast is extremely powerful, especially if you manage to use it by turn 3. If you pay for it with 2 Darkness Energy and let's say...a Dark Metal Energy, you can discard the Dark Metal to do 100 damage and discard an energy from the Defending Pokemon. It's a pretty good attack midgame as well as early game. Dark Metal and Rainbow Energy give Sharpedo ex more ammunition for Darkness Blast, but even with strong attacks Sharpedo ex does have its flaws.
Weakness to Grass isn't the worst thing to have, although it certainly isn't the best. Psychic resistance is a nice thing to have as Gardevoir ex will probably start showing up in modified again with the re-release of Boost Energy. Sharpedo ex also has free retreat to work with, which you could say is not all too common for a Pokemon ex.
Drag Off is pretty nice with its board control, although it is a bit weak. Darkness Blast is powerful indeed, but its flaw lies in the cost. You'll need at least 2 Dark energy of some kind to use the attack in the first place and you'll need to discard one of them to get the extra effects. Furthermore, you can only have 12 energy to discard (not counting using Energy Charge), so getting them in your hand and onto Sharpedo may be a bit tricky, thus the reason to really focus your deck on an early game Sharpedo ex.
In a Sharpedo ex deck there are 3 issues. The ability to draw into the Special Energy you need, getting back those special energy from the discard pile and most importantly getting Sharpedo ex out in the first place.
Pokemon: 14
4 Carvanha R/S
3 Sharpedo ex
3 Natu DX
3 Xatu SS
1 Wynaut SS
Trainers: 29
3 Professor Oak's Research
3 Steven's Advice
3 Copycat
4 Master Ball
1 Rocket's Admin
1 Pokemon Retriever
4 Energy Charge
3 Super Scoop Up
2 Switch
3 Team Aqua's Hideout
2 Strength Charm
Energy: 17
4 Darkness
4 Dark Metal
4 Rainbow
5 Psychic
Everything in this deck is heavy except for the amount of Pokemon. A Sharpedo line with a 3-3 Xatu line to counter the damage of Desert Ruins or to just heal if you're not facing that. Wynaut can help you get set up if you need. What's noticeable is the lack of Dunsparce even though getting multiple Xatus will do nothing but help; Dunsparce will only take up an energy that you'll likely want to save for Sharpedo. And you're trying to get Sharpedo doing a ton of damage by turn 3; Dunsparce will set you back a turn. Team Aqua's Hideout takes advantage of the deck's free retreaters to make Drag Off hurt your opponent more.
The idea of this deck is to start with Carvanha, evolve on turn 2 and use Drag Off, then start with your onslaught of Darkness Blast attacks. Use the massive amount of Drawing cards to get more energy into your hand and the Energy Charge to recycle them back to your deck.
Remember not to discard the energy if you don't need to, and to make use of strength charm as well. There are certainly other possible combos with Sharpedo...possibly FRLG Raticate or Pidgeot. Buuuut, we'll save that for another article. Thanks for reading this one and make sure to check out the rest of the Zeo analyst's EX: Deoxys articles!
-Bolt
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