Kingler Single Card Strategy

By Kim Cary

The EX Crystal Guardians expansion features several interesting Pokémon, many of which have special abilities to match their crystalline landscape. One such Pokémon, the Delta Species Kingler (#22/100) will be popular in decks at your league or City Championships this fall. Its popularity will come from the speed and power of Kingler’s attacks. So, let's take a look at how to use Kingler δ in your deck!

Kingler's first attack, Body Slam, does 30 damage and, if you flip heads, Paralyzes your opponent’s Pokémon. While you are powering Kingler δ for its second attack, Body Slam does decent damage and gives it a chance to avoid being attacked. But Kingler’s second attack, Prop-up Pinchers (say that 10 times fast!), provides its maximum power. This attack does 40 damage, but with a Pokémon Tool attached to Kingler, it does 80 damage! This is enough to Knock Out most Pokémon in one attack and nearly all in two attacks. Of course, to dominate using Prop-up Pinchers, you’ll need to get a Pokémon Tool and the right type of Energy attached to Kingler δ as quickly as possible.

So, you might be wondering: what’s a Pokémon Tool? Well, it’s a Trainer card labeled "Pokémon Tool" in the upper-right corner of the card. You play it by attaching it to one of your Pokémon. Only one Pokémon Tool may be attached to each Pokémon at a time, and there may be other conditions for attachment, so be sure to read the card! Two of the great "crystalline" Pokémon Tools in the EX Crystal Guardians expansion are Mysterious Shard (#81/100) and Cessation Crystal (#74/100). Mysterious Shard prevents damage from attacks by Pokémon-ex for one turn. You can attach Mysterious Shard to power up Kingler’s 80 HP attack, and protect it from counter-attack at the same time. This great combo is just what you need to take down a powerful 150 HP Pokémon-ex in just two attacks. When Kingler δ is your Active Pokémon and has a Cessation Crystal attached to it, its Prop-up Pinchers attack is at full power and all Poké-Powers and Poké-Bodies cease to work. This combo is what you need to stop other decks built around Poké-Powers and Poké-Bodies.

How do you get these Pokémon Tools attached quickly to Kingler δ? Include some Castaway (#72/100) Trainer cards in your deck in order to be able to search for a Pokémon Tool and a basic Energy card and a Supporter card in the same play.

Finally, Kingler’s Body Slam attack requires Metal Energy and Prop-up Pinchers requires Fire Energy. Fortunately, the Double Rainbow Energy (#88/100) in this set provides two of every type of Energy with just one card! It does reduce damage done by Kingler's attacks by 10 HP, but being able to attack quickly can be worth that minor drawback!

Have fun attacking with (and saying) Prop-up Pinchers!