“Celestial Guardians” is a collection that emphasizes enhancing Stage 2 Pokémon. Traditionally, Basic Pokémon have often been among the more powerful choices.
Pokemon Pocket
Due to numerous former top-tier “Basics” exes, new cards have been introduced specifically to counter this archetype.
In the set Celestial Guardians, the fundamental Pokémon lack substantial health points or powerful direct attacks. Instead, these foundational cards are specialized and carefully designed for players who can think creatively to utilize them efficiently. Initially, the basic Pokémon from Celestial Guardians might seem undervalued; however, their significance will increase gradually. These cards tend to emphasize dominating the field rather than aiming to defeat opponents swiftly in a single move.
Sensu Oricorio
In “Celestial Guardians,” one of the two Psychic-type variations of Oricorio is Sensu Oricorio. Similar to Marshadow, this Pokémon serves as a form of vengeance or a finishing move. Although it deals less damage than Marshadow with an attack power of just 80, it needs only a single Energy card to execute this move. This characteristic lends your deck a surprising level of potency and unpredictability.
Typically, psychic-type Pokémon tend to accumulate substantial amounts of energy before executing potent moves. Consequently, Oricorio may lag behind because it doesn’t mesh well with some of the strongest Psychic-types. However, it serves as an excellent unconventional pick for trainers aiming to incorporate Psychics into swift, offensive strategies. Many adversaries might find themselves unprepared for this approach simply due to their lack of experience facing such tactics.
Komala
Komala boasts impressive statistics considering she only requires two Energy cards.
not being an uncommon card
A 70-attack move allows it to defeat most non-ex Basic Pokémon with a single hit, such as Oricorio. However, Komala’s downside disrupts its rhythm, making it require three turns rather than two because it falls asleep unexpectedly.
Komala’s vulnerability can be addressed using items that treat Special Conditions or through Comfey’s ability. Additionally, Komala has the potential to accumulate energy when sitting out and can enter battles to launch attacks with the help of X Speeds, Leafeons, and Pokémon with low retreat costs.
Tapu Koko
The expert in swift ambushes, Tapu Koko might just be the crucial element that
one-point Electric decks
has been missing for quite some time. Tapu Koko can avoid taking damage by basically using other Pokémon as sacrifices rather than facing direct retaliation.
The triple energy requirement makes Tapu Koko’s strategy more challenging to execute; however, Pachirisu’s ability to produce energy can effectively circumvent this issue. Combining Tapu Koko with Pokémon having low retreat costs—a frequent characteristic of Electric types—and X Speed cards forms a potent approach. As an alternative, consider swapping regular Pokémon for ones in the active position and using Llima to return them to your hand afterwards.
Comfey
One of the better abilities in the set, Comfey prevents any Special Condition from affecting any Pokemon with Psychic energy. With Poison Barb becoming prominent, Comfey can already save you damage in many matches.
A more suitable role for Comfey can be found in decks featuring Pokémon that tuck themselves into sleep. For instance, TL Snorlax and CG Komala are strong Basic Pokémon but they often end up snoozing. With Comfey around though, these Pokémon won’t face this issue at all; thus enabling them to dish out between 70-100 damage using only Basics during the initial stages of the match.
Passimian ex
Even though Passimian is a former Pokémon, it serves more as a supplementary character rather than a key component. Dealing 60 damage for two Energy cards isn’t particularly groundbreaking by itself. The idea behind Passimian ex is to have it taken down quickly; once this occurs, you can transfer a significant excess of Energy to your other Fighting-type Pokémon.
Historically, the most effective Fighting type Pokémon tend to be those with lower energy requirements, often being single-energy attackers. As such, they aren’t always optimal choices. However, delving further into the lineup reveals powerful options like GA Golem, MI Golem, Lucario ex, and Garchomp ex, which require more energy. Although these Pokémon previously faced challenges because of their slower pace, support from certain cards—such as Rare Candy, Brock, and Passimian ex’s special skill—can provide an abundance of energy for your use.
Dhelmise ex
One of the most peculiar-looking Pokémon has a fairly ordinary impact. Like GA Arbok and Houndoom, Dhelmise EX stops Pokémon from retreating. Earlier Pokémon with this ability weren’t EX cards, making them easier to overpower when pinning down an opponent’s creature. However, Dhelmise EX can perform this task more efficiently.
Its stats are fairly standard for an ex Basic. The Grass typing makes it more durable than many other Basic ex Pokemon. Leaf Cape will boost it up to 170 HP, making it nearly impossible to one-shot. Two Erika’s will give it 100 more HP of longevity.
Wishiwashi
On its own, Wishiwashi cannot launch any attacks. However, it brings out its win condition, Wishiwashi EX, and helps deplete your opponent’s deck. Wishiwashi serves as an excellent supporting card and is a key component of one of the more effective water-themed decks.
The greater the number of Wishiwashi Pokémon on your bench, the more damage you’ll inflict using Wishiwashi ex. The primary downside to this Pokémon is its low HP of just 30; as such, it may be defeated before it can call upon additional Pokémon—especially if you start the game.
Wishiwashi ex
This aligns closely with baby Wishiwashi. You can search for Wishiwashi EX using its Ability along with specific Poké Balls. Additionally, having just one Wishiwashi allows it to deal 70 damage, making it quite effective even when considering only three Energy cards.
A fully powered-up Wishiwashi ex can deal 140 damage, allowing it to knock out powerful Pokémon like Darkrai ex, Arceus ex, and Alolan Raichu ex, along with many others. Its Water typing makes it straightforward to attach three Energy cards due to support from Misty and Manaphy. Additionally, Wishiwashi ex benefits from multiple healing opportunities within this deck configuration thanks to Irida’s assistance.
Tapu Lele
This might be a card that gets ignored, yet it has the potential to surprise many opponents. Tapu Lele could very well stand out as one of the finest options for attacking from the bench in Pokémon TCG. Typically, skilled trainers stockpile energy on their benched Pokémon, but Tapu Lele requires just a single energy card to deal massive harm.
Since Tapu Lele reduces your opponent’s Energy, Pokémon sitting on their bench such as Gyarados ex and Giratina ex can quickly suffer between 60-80 points of damage from it. With just a single Retreat Cost, you can swiftly bring Tapu Lele back should it deliver its assault.
Pom-Pom Oricorio
There’s a chance that
Oricorio turns into the most impactful Pokémon in the game.
In Celestial Guardians, it has complete immunity to all attacks from EX Pokémon. This makes decks relying solely on EX Pokémon powerless against it since they have no method to overcome this defense.
Oricorio might cause a change in the Pokémon meta, leading players to include both EX and non-EX cards in their decks specifically to have a strategy against Oricorio. With its 50-damage output, it can defeat Stage 1 Pokémon such as those in the Charmander line. To counteract this, trainers will require a Pokémon capable of standing alone rather than relying solely on evolutions.