Pokeballing: Dark.Deck

Dark Explorers hits stores May 9th with players first chances to get the cards from this amazing set starting this coming weekend. Perhaps the biggest things to come out of this set is perhaps the dark deck support we are receiving.

Dark Pokemon have not been in the spotlight of this game since Sableye took the world by storm with the Sablelock deck that dominated most big tournaments during its time. Since then the type has become neglected, with Zoroark from Black&White seeing play for a short time as a Revenge Killer.

With Dark Explorers release we see a brand new Zoroark come onto the scene with Darkrai EX, Dark Patch, and Dark Claw in tow.

Zoroark – Dark – HP100
Stage 1 – Evolves from Zorua
[C][C] Beatdown: Does 20 damage times the number of Dark-type Pokemon you have in play.
[D][D] Dark Rush: Does 20 damage times the number of damage counters on this Pokemon.
Weakness: Fighting (x2)
Resistance: Psychic (-20)

Darkrai EX – Dark – HP180
Basic Pokemon
Ability: Darkness Cloak
As long as this Pokemon is in play, all of your Pokemon with any Dark Energy attached to them have no Retreat cost.
[D][D][C] Night Spear: 90 damage. Choose 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokemon, and this attack also does 30 damage to that Pokemon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance when damaging the Bench.)
Pokemon-EX Rule: When Pokemon-EX is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
Weakness: Fighting (x2)
Resistance: Psychic (-20)
Retreat: 2
Dark Patch – Trainer
Choose 1 Basic Darkness Energy card from your discard pile and attach it to one of your Benched Darkness-type Pokemon.
You can use any number of Trainer cards during your turn.

Darkness Claw – Tool
Pokemon Tool: To use a Pokemon Tool, attach it to one of your Pokemon. Each Pokemon can only have 1 card attached, and the card remains attached.
The attacks of the Darkness-type Pokemon that this card is attached to do an additional 20 damage to any Active Pokemon.
You can use any number of Trainer cards during your turn.

Zoroark can be a very devastating powerhouse hitting hard as you fill your bench with Dark Pokemon. Darkrai EX provides free retreat to anything with a Dark energy attached to it. Dark Patch is amazing as its gonna provide you with Energy Acceleration without having to worry about your accelerator being Pokemon Catchered up. Darkness Claw is very much like a Expert Belt letting you do a additional 20 damage (keep in mind Special Dark allow you to do another 10 damage as well)

With the Nationals Approaching can this potential powerhouse deck knock Zekeels off of its throne and perhaps keep the dreaded Mewtwo EX in check only time will tell.

Sample Decklist

Pokemon 15
4 Zorua (Ascension)
3 Zoroark (Dark Explorers)
1 Zoroark (Black&White)
3 Darkrai EX
2 Mewtwo EX
2 Cleffa

Supporter 11
3 Pokemon Collector
3 N
3 Sages Training
1 Juniper
1 PONT

Trainer 19
4 Junk Arm
3 Ultra Ball
3 Pokemon Catcher
3 Dark Patch
3 Darkness Claw
2 Lost Remover
1 Super Rod

Energy 15
7 Basic Dark
4 Special Dark
4 Double Colorless

This is just a base skeleton of what a Dark beat deck could look like. Obviously you need to add in a fighting counter or Terrakion/Landorus will rip you apart. Mewtwo unfortunately is a requirement for any deck to counter Mewtwo though in this deck its not totally necessary as all your Dark Pokemon come with a Resistance to Psychic.

This is a idea that is for sure gonna be tested and with Spring Battle Roads the last stop before the biggest tournament of the year commences it will also be Dark.Decks first chance to shine.