Dragapult ex is Getting a League Battle Deck – Here’s How to Upgrade It
We’ve been getting some killer League Battle decks lately in the Pokemon TCG and the next one coming up is going to be just as fire. The Dragapult ex League Battle Deck – featuring one of the strongest attackers currently in the game – will be releasing on April 25, 2025 and will be available for $29.99 online and at stores.
A deck well suited for a post 2025 rotation world, people looking to build a top tier Dragapult ex deck have a great place to start thanks to this League Battle deck and the many top notch staples included here.
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Pokémon: 21
4 Dreepy PRE 71
4 Drakloak PRE 72
4 Dragapult ex PRE 73
3 Natu PAF 25
3 Xatu PAR 72
2 Tatsugiri TWM 131
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
Trainer: 29
3 Arven OBF 186
3 Iono PAF 80
1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Mela PAR 167
1 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
2 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
2 Rare Candy PAF 89
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Switch SVI 194
1 Unfair Stamp TWM 165
2 Rescue Board PRE 126
1 Technical Machine: Devolution PAR 177
1 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
Energy: 10
6 Psychic Energy SVE 5
4 Fire Energy SVE 2
Above we have what comes with the deck. And that’s a pretty solid collection of cards. Indeed, it’s so solid you could probably get away with bringing this deck to league and do fairly well. However, there are some simple changes you can make to the deck to make it a lot better without investing a ton into it.
Once we look at that, we’ll then look at the more advanced method to make your Dragapult ex deck truly top tier.
How to upgrade the Dragapult ex League Battle Deck: easy upgrade method
There are a few very easy steps you can take to leverage the majority of what’s available here but still make this deck even more competitively viable. Those steps are:
Replace Mela with Crispin
Crispin is a solid card and going to be stronger in Dragapult ex than Mela. Using Cripsin you can actually get what you need the turn you play it to get Dragapult ex’s powerful “Phantom Dive” attack off. Every Dragapult ex should have this fundamental staple supporter.
Add in Budew
Budew is a very powerful Pokemon you can and should use in your Dragapult ex deck. A very affordable card, Budew acts as your turn one attacker, letting you lock your opponent out of using any items the following turn.
Run a Jacq
While most Dragapult ex decks are using the powerful Lance supporter to search out Dragon type Pokemon in their decks, post rotation Lance won’t be playable. Instead, you could run a one-of of Jacq. This will help you get the Dragapult ex cards you need even if your opponent has used Budew to item lock you. Budew is popular enough in the meta that having some sort of a back up plan to deal with it is not a bad idea
Once you’ve made these changes, your deck should look something like this:
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Pokémon: 19
4 Dreepy PRE 71
4 Drakloak PRE 72
4 Dragapult ex PRE 73
2 Natu PAF 25
2 Xatu PAR 72
1 Tatsugiri TWM 131
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Budew PRE 4
Trainer: 31
3 Arven OBF 186
3 Iono PAF 80
1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121
1 Crispin PRE 105
1 Jacq SVI 175
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
2 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
2 Rare Candy PAF 89
2 Nest Ball PAF 84
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Switch SVI 194
1 Unfair Stamp TWM 165
1 Rescue Board PRE 126
1 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
1 Mesagoza
Energy: 10
6 Psychic Energy SVE 5
4 Fire Energy SVE 2
Dragapult ex – advanced deck upgrade
If you really want to swing for the fences and don’t mind veering substantially from what you get in this kit, there are some further upgrades you can make.
The cool thing about this deck upgrade is that it is totally rotation proof, meaning you will be able to play all of these cards post 2025 rotation. Replacing Unfair Stamp with Sparkling Crystal makes it easier and more reliable to get Dragapult ex’s strongest attack off. Meanwhile, Mesagoza gives you additional Pokemon search (that isn’t stoppable via Budew) while Pokemon League HQ reduces the effectiveness of decks that rely on Basic Pokemon.
Additionally, the top Dragapult ex decks run the powerful Dusknoir line, enabling you take added KOs against the opposing bench. This is particularly strong in Dragapult ex decks as you will already be spreading damage around via Phantom Dive. Dusknoir and Dusclops can help you maximize this damage by taking even bigger or more strategic knockouts.
A few more alterations to the original deck here include adding in Mew ex – a solid draw supporter that will be even more relevant in a post Rotom V/ Lumineon V world. Using Mew ex you can draw additional cards per turn depending on how many cards you have in your hand. Also, Mew ex is especially handy if you drop Natu/Xatu. While those cards are a fine strategy, there are easier and more reliable ways to accelerate additional energies availalbe to Dragpult ex in the current format, making Mew ex an excellent choice for replacing that draw engine.
Also, Night Stretcher is a solid option for this deck, giving you the choice between bringing back a needed energy or a Pokemon.
Dragapult ex is a very solid deck and one that is likely to be even more dominant post rotation. Follow these steps to upgrade your own Dragpult ex deck and you might just be surprised how far it can take you!
