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Upon the release ofPokemon TCG Pocket’s Celestial Guardians set, most attention was drawn to the “silly yellow chicken” that could potentially end the era for all ex Pokemon in the game—and yes, that chicken was the infamous Oricorio. However, as everyone focused on Oricorio, another Pokemon quietly rose through the PvP ranks. Solgaleo ex, one of the faces ofPokemon TCG Pocket’s sixth set, quickly dethroned DarkTina, the previous set’s reigning champion, and became the new top deck in the metagame. But how did this happen?
This is ananalysis of Solgaleo ex’s rise to the top, aided by Skarmory. Our goal is to break down how the duo’s synergy works and clarify why it has become one of the most popular setups in the game. Here’s how the Solgaleo ex & Skarmory meta works.
Solgaleo ex & Skarmory is the most common deck shell in the current meta. The strategy is to use Skarmory as the main staller, giving the ex Pokemon on the Bench enough time to prepare for an attack. Fortunately, sinceSolgaleo ex only requires two Energies, Skarmory’s below-average HP doesn’t disrupt the plan. You typically have enough time to set up Solgaleo ex before the enemy takes down Skarmory.
However,some creative variants replace Skarmory with other tank options. One example is the Solgaleo ex & Snorlax setup, where Snorlax serves as an early-game wall while building up Solgaleo ex on the Bench. This combo works well because Solgaleo ex’s ability removes Snorlax’s retreat cost, allowing players to switch it into the Active Spot as needed.
How the Solgaleo ex & Skarmory Decks Work
Solgaleo ex and Skarmory’s synergy is straightforward: Skarmory stalls the enemy while gradually chipping away at their HP. Meanwhile, Solgaleo ex prepares a 120-damage attack on the Bench. In an ideal setup, the duo can deal up to 170 damage with back-to-back attacks (50 from Skarmory, 120 from Solgaleo ex).
Solgaleo ex & Skarmory’s Ideal Playline
Solgaleo & Skarmory Meta Performance Report
Solgaleo ex & Skarmory have taken the metagame by storm, currently sitting at the top ofPokemon TCG Pocket’s PvP ladder. While the meta is still adjusting to the new cards from the Celestial Guardians set, it’s clear that the Steel-type duo will maintain a strong presence for quite some time.
Many argue that the deck’s popularity will eventually fade as more practical lineups emerge. However, several factors suggest that Solgaleo ex’s partnership with Skarmory will not be easily outpaced.
For one, the duo’s strategy is simple and effective, with cards like Rare Candy making it highly consistent. Additionally, as DarkTina (Darkrai ex & Giratina ex decks) becomes overly repetitive, more players are seeking fresh synergies, and this is where the Solgaleo ex & Skarmory combo shines. Most importantly, Solgaleo ex & Skarmory decks are among the few ex-oriented setups that can effectively counter the Oricorio meta, helping to keep them relevant as long asthe overpowered “silly bird” ofTCG Pocketremains in play.
How to Counter the Solgaleo & Skarmory Meta
Based on recentPokemon TCG Pockettournaments, DarkTina (Darkrai ex & Giratina ex) remains the best response to Solgaleo ex & Skarmory decks. The Psychic-Darkness duo boasts a 69% win rate against the popular Steel-type combo, despite its own PvP presence taking a significant hit sincethe release of Celestial Guardians. Before the new set, DarkTina decks accounted for over 20% of the meta, but that number has since dropped to only 7%.
Other counters to Solgaleo ex & Skarmory includeCharizard ex & Moltres ex(60% win rate) and Beedrill ex & Meowscarada (59% win rate).
Why Solgaleo ex & Skarmory Has Dominated Pocket’s PvP
There are four reasons why this Steel-type duo has been successful:
