Diamond & Pearl Revolution

The next generation of Pokémon has arrived! The revolutionary Pokémon TCG: Diamond & Pearl (DP) expansion begins a revolution in strategy as well. This expansion introduces many rules changes, and the greatest strategy impact will come from changes in starting the game, how Trainer cards are played, and the addition of LV. X Pokémon. Let's go through these three changes briefly, and then take a look at a strong DP combo strategy.

 

The player who wins the flip and goes first will now get to draw a card on his or her first turn! However, on that turn, that player will only be able to play Pokémon and Energy cards. Some players might decide to say, "In that case, I want to go second!" They would rather play Trainer, Supporter, and Stadium cards on their first turn to give them an early advantage or try to avoid a turn-two KO from Munchlax (DP #33) or Machop (DP #86) bulked up with a PlusPower (DP #109)! Since a coin flip will help decide who goes first, its best to build a strategy that does not depend on playing Trainers on your first turn.

 

Trainer cards don’t include EVERYTHING: Older cards that say "Trainer" also referred to Stadium and Supporter cards. Diamond & Pearl Trainer cards only refer to the non-Supporter, non-Stadium Trainers when they say "Trainer." This means Mawile from EX Crystal Guardians (#9) can use its Mining attack to get Trainers, Supporters, or Stadiums, but Budew (DP #43) can use its Errand-Running attack to get only non-Supporter, non-Stadium Trainer cards. This change means you'll have to do some careful planning to put together the correct cards for your deck strategy.

 

LV. X Pokémon are the ultimate form of that Pokémon. They are played on the Active Pokémon of the same name. They add their Poké-Power, Poké-Body, and attacks to that earlier Pokémon. But a LV. X counts against the limit of 4 Pokémon of the same name, so you can have 3 Torterra and 1 Torterra LV. X but not 3 Empoleon and 2 Empoleon LV. X! Starting with this set, players will begin to work their strategies around LV. X powerhouses. So, let’s take a look at a LV. X combo.

 

Infernape (DP #5) hits hard for 90 damage with Flare Blitz for . You have to discard all  Energy for the attack, but 2 Energy are easy to replace! (Double Rainbow Energy from EX Crystal Guardians (#88) will do it in one turn.) Also with a free Retreat Cost, if you could get out two Infernape and Blaziken (EX Power Keepers #5), you could use Blaziken’s Firestarter Poké-Power to energize the Benched Infernape before you send it out each turn. Either way, there will soon be a lot of Fire Energy in the discard pile. And Infernape LV. X has the Flare Up attack. For just  and no discard, you shuffle 8  Energy cards into your deck from your discard pile and do 150 damage—just right for a KO to your opponent’s big hitter! You keep your Energy and you can still use Flare Blitz for 90 damage on your next turn; in two turns, that’s 240 damage!

 

Many other strategies are possible with Diamond & Pearl. Join the revolution today and begin to plot your Pokémon TCG: Diamond & Pearl deck strategy for Battle Roads!