Pokemon TCG Pocket: Magcargo Deck Mastery

Pokemon TCG PocketThe expansion “Wisdom of Sea and Sky” was unable to stop DarkTina’s dominance. However, it did bring in a few new deck strategies, some of which are enjoyable to play. One of the most significant ones revolves around the A4-exclusive, slug-shaped Pokemon Magcargo, which utilizes area-of-effect damage to achieve early-game victories.

If all factors align and luck is in your favor, Magcargo can help you secure a victory within the initial rounds of the match. However, the approach involves significant risk, as you’ll typically need to start with just one Magcargo on the field to maximize its impact.

Creating a cohesive deck inPokemon TCG PocketThe meta surrounding an unpredictable card like Magcargo is not a simple challenge. However, it’s not entirely unachievable either. Although you can’t make Magcargo as dependable as Darkrai EX and Giratina EX decks, you can enhance it with the appropriate combination of Trainer Cards to minimize its randomness and boost its damage output. This guide offers one example of how to achieve this, along with more detailed analysis on how Magcargo can be integrated into the game.current metagame.

Magcargo’s text is very comparable toPokemon TCG Pocket‘s Wugtrio EXand the classic Dragonite. The catch, however, is that Magcargo can also attack your own cards. For instance, if you have two cards on the Bench and your opponent has only one in the Active Spot, the chances of Magcargo damaging your side are greater than it hitting the opponent. Conversely, if you keep your Bench empty, you can ensure that Magcargo will only target your opponent’s cards since it never attacks itself.

The Top Magcargo Deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket

In Pokemon TCG Pocket‘S Wisdom of Sea and Sky era, the perfect Magcargo deck structure closely mirrors the 18-Trainer archetype. You only include two main Pokémon—Slugma and Magcargo—while the rest of the deck consists of Trainer Cards. The crucial part, however, is choosing those Trainer Cards with care.

Magcargo-compatible Trainer Cards can be divided into three categories: Search & Draw, Disrupt, and Boost. The Search & Draw group includes Iono, Pokemon Communication, Poke Ball, and Professor’s Research, which allow you to search through your deck or retrieve specific cards. Disrupt contains cards such as Silver, Guzma, Cyrus, and Team Rocket Grunt, which hinder your opponent’s plans. Finally, Boost includes HP-recovery and support cards like Pokemon Center Lady, Giant Cape, Potion, and Rescue Scarf.

Only through maintaining equilibrium among these three groups can you create a dependable Magcargo deck. The following table outlines one of the most powerful combinations for the slug-like Fire-type Pokemon.

Magcargo Deck Shell

How to Use Magcargo Decks Efficiently

Magcargo decks limit your board presence significantly. Typically, you’ll only have one card in the Active Spot, which also acts as your only way to win. The true complexity of the strategy comes from how you utilize your Trainer Cards—Supporters, Items, and Tools.

1. Prioritize Disruption: Concentrate on hindering your opponent as much as possible. An early Red Card combined with Silver can significantly restrict their hand. Using this combination, you can attack one of the opponent’s crucial Supporters and return it to the deck, while also decreasing the number of cards in their hand. Additionally, utilize Guzma fully, and eliminate the opponent’sPokemon Toolswhenever you have the opportunity
2. Don’t Go All In: The Rescue Scarf offers you a second chance to remain in the game by reviving the Pokemon that it’s linked to, which has been discarded. If you need to play your other Slugma onto the Bench, use this Tool to safeguard it and prevent losing your alternative option.
3. Use Your Search Cards Effectively: Your main focus should be on drawing the Slugma-Magcargo combination as soon as possible, but you should also try to hinder your opponent’s development using Trainer Cards. Be cautious when using search and draw effects such as Iono, Pokemon Communication, Professor’s Research, and Poke Ball. Focus on retrieving Pokemon that have Items, and reserve your Supporter cards primarily for causing disruption unless you have no other options.

Magcargo’s Meta Performance Report

• Win Rate: ~42%
• Meta Share: ~1%
• Tournament Appearance: ~60

Among No-EX decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket, Magcargo decks are considered among the more powerful options. However, they have not been able to achieve a high ranking in competitive settings, with Magcargo decks not even making it into the top 20 of the current meta.

One of the primary causes of this lackluster performance is that Magcargo is typically forced to operate by itself. Furthermore, depending on its random number generation-based attack is dangerous, as you’re essentially hoping it always hits the correct opponent. If it fails, the opponent frequently gets a clear chance to defeat this 120-HP Fire-type in one move and end the battle with minimal opposition.

Magcargo’s poor win rate indicates that numerous popular deck types can easily overpower it. Here are some example counters you can employ against this Fire-type Pokémon.

How to Defeat Magcargo Decks in the Pokémon TCG Pocket Game

Unfortunately for Magcargo enthusiasts, the card is easily countered inPokemon TCG Pocket‘s meta. Top-performing setups like Buzzwole EX Pheromosa and Espeon EX Sylveon EXhave consistently been in control. And unsurprisingly, Magcargo has also had difficulties facing the notorious DarkTina (Darkrai EX and Giratina EX) decks.

That being said, Magcargo has demonstrated solid performance against slower strategies. It frequently emerges victorious in battles against Charizard EX and Sylveon EX, which is a significant accomplishment for such an unpredictable Pokémon.

The Future of Magcargo in the Pokémon TCG Pocket

Magcargo is considered one of the least dependable decks from the Wisdom of Sea and Sky period. It’s certainly enjoyable to use, as it can produce some remarkable victories when everything goes according to plan. However, its risky approach makes it much less suitable for competitive formats such asPokemon TCG Pocket‘s Ranked PvP or tournaments.

Magcargo won’t ever be a genuine staple unless future sets provide a dependable method to counter its friendly fire. For example, a Supporter card that shields your Benched cards from Magcargo’s damage for a single turn could immediately boost it to a top-tier deck.

Currently, most Magcargo decks struggle to provide reliable victories. Their ongoing presence in the competitive scene is mainly due to the enjoyment they offer. Occasionally, a series of fortunate draws allows Magcargo to finish a game in just a few turns, catching the opponent off guard. At other times, the opponent withstands the initial pressure and then strikes back for an effortless win. It’s a deck that carries significant risk and potential reward, ideal for players who are willing to deal with those outcomes.