The Charizard ex/Pidgeot ex deck has quickly become a powerhouse in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) due to its flexibility, strategic depth, and strong matchup potential.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the deck’s composition, strategies, and techniques for maximizing its strengths, especially in Prize trades.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, this guide will give you insights into mastering this deck.

Understanding the Charizard ex/Pidgeot ex Deck Composition

Key Pokémon Cards

• Charizard ex: The deck’s primary attacker, Charizard ex can consistently deal heavy damage while keeping the Prize trade favorable.
• Pidgeot ex: Known for its powerful Quick Search ability, Pidgeot ex allows you to pull any card you need once per turn, a game-changing tool for consistency.
• Radiant Charizard: A single-Prize attacker that becomes essential when switching to a single-Prize strategy, allowing you to sustain trades without giving up multiple Prizes.
• Bibarel: Bibarel’s Industrious Incisors ability enables you to draw cards until you have five in hand, ensuring you never run out of options.

Supporting Trainers and Items

• Collapsed Stadium: Helps control the bench, giving you flexibility in handling crowded board states and preventing excessive Prize giveaways.
• Professor Turo’s Scenario: Useful for either removing unnecessary Pokémon from the bench or discarding specific cards.
• Canceling Cologne: This card is critical in dealing with specific threats such as Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex, which could otherwise pose a severe challenge.

Core Strategies for Success

Setting Up the Board

A solid setup is crucial to this deck’s success. Focus on getting Pidgeot ex and Bibarel onto the board early. While Charizard ex is the primary attacker, prioritizing Pidgeot ex can often pay off.

Quick Search provides valuable control over card selection, and Bibarel’s draw support with Industrious Incisors helps you keep your hand stocked, providing consistency that keeps your board in a favorable state.

Using Charizard ex as the Main Attacker

Charizard ex thrives in games where you can lead the Prize trade. By setting up multiple attackers, you make it challenging for your opponent to keep up. Even if Charizard ex is knocked out, having a backup Pidgeot ex or Radiant Charizard ready can keep the momentum on your side.

Leveraging Pidgeot ex’s Quick Search Ability

Quick Search allows you to find any card you need each turn, making Pidgeot ex a pivotal card. This ability lets you assemble key pieces, set up attackers, or pull clutch cards like Canceling Cologne for specific matchups.

With Quick Search, you effectively reduce the randomness that can disrupt other decks, giving you control over the game’s pacing.

Managing Prize Trades and Single-Prize Tactics

In most matchups, managing the Prize trade is key. Starting with Charizard ex, you aim to take early Prizes while keeping Pidgeot ex on the board for consistency. As the game progresses, Radiant Charizard allows you to switch to a single-Prize strategy, a valuable tactic that ensures you stay ahead even if your opponent manages to take a few Prizes early.

Navigating Key Matchups

• Regidrago VSTAR Matchup: The Regidrago VSTAR matchup can be challenging due to its high HP and Teal Mask Ogerpon ex’s ability to KO a powered-up Charizard ex in one hit. Your main goal is to control the Prize trade and prepare Radiant Charizard as a backup. If you can KO a Squawkabilly ex or Mew ex early, that can also shift momentum.
• Raging Bolt Matchup: Against Raging Bolt, Prize management is essential. If you take the first two Prizes, continue with two-Prize turns to control the game. However, if you don’t secure the first KO, adjust by building a single-Prize board and evolving Charizard ex only when your opponent is down to one Prize. Utilizing Professor Turo’s Scenario and Thorton will help you achieve this setup smoothly.

Additional Deck Insights and Supporting Cards

• Hisuian Heavy Ball and Thorton: These two cards offer flexibility by pulling essential Pokémon or setting up Charizard ex without having to reveal Charmander too early. Thorton is especially valuable for transforming your board when you need a sudden Charizard ex for a counterattack.
• Skwovet’s Role in Hand Cycling: Skwovet may seem like an unconventional choice, but it ensures that you don’t run out of cards, especially during long games. Using Skwovet’s Nest Stash allows you to recycle your hand with Bibarel, giving you a fresh draw each turn and preventing deck-out situations.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Setting up a Single-Prize Board: When your opponent takes the lead, shifting to a single-Prize board becomes crucial. With Radiant Charizard as your attacker, you can keep the Prize trade favorable. Collapsed Stadium and Professor Turo’s Scenario can help you manage your bench to avoid losing extra Prizes.

ACE SPEC Choice: Unfair Stamp acts as an early-game consistency tool, allowing you to refresh your hand. Compared to other ACE SPEC cards like Prime Catcher, Unfair Stamp fits this deck’s need for steady draw power, ensuring you have access to key cards early on.

Important Card Interactions

• Dusclops and Dusknoir Line: While not essential, this line provides unique utility. Dusclops and Dusknoir can pressure certain decks, especially in matchups where you can force a two-Prize lead. Cursed Blast is effective against specific threats, giving you flexibility against decks like Lugia VSTAR and control decks.
• Adjusting for Stellar Crown Format Changes: With new expansions, this deck remains a strong choice. The upcoming Stellar Crown format may introduce cards like Giant Tree and Briar, which could boost consistency or enable new strategies. Players should consider adding these cards once they’re released.

Sideboard Options and Alternate Tech Choices

This deck can be adjusted based on metagame shifts. Consider alternative cards like Prime Catcher or Hero’s Cape for different matchups, and evaluate potential cards that might add flexibility.

Top Strategies for Winning with Charizard ex/Pidgeot ex

Effective play with this deck involves anticipating your opponent’s moves and making calculated trades. Knowing when to bring out Charizard ex versus Radiant Charizard can make all the difference in close games. Adjusting your strategy turn-by-turn, especially in Prize management, will secure wins against a variety of opponents.