There are some pretty gnarly decks coming out in Surging Sparks, but the craziest among them might just be Hydreigon ex. Just looking at this deck makes me feel like you’d have to have at least a few screws loose to even try and play this competitively.

And yet, sometimes the greatest strategies are the ones you never see coming.

I could totally see this Hydreigon ex deck list working like a charm. But you have to pilot it correctly. Below, we’ll be looking at the ins-and-outs of how this powerful deck works, and how you can work towards accelerating that odd assortment of energy to maximize results.

Pokémon: 18
3 Deino SV8 70
1 Zweilous SV8 71
3 Hydreigon ex SV8 72
2 Pidgey OBF 162
2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
1 Bidoof BRS 120
1 Bibarel BRS 121
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Pecharunt ex SFA 39
1 Rotom V LOR 58
1 Manaphy BRS 41
1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20
Trainer: 34
4 Iono PAL 185
3 Arven OBF 186
1 Crispin SCR 133
1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Roseanne's Backup BRS 148
4 Rare Candy SVI 191
3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
3 Nest Ball SVI 181
3 Ultra Ball SVI 196
2 Dark Patch ASR 139
2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
1 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
1 Counter Gain LOT 170
1 Technical Machine: Devolution PAR 177
1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
1 Calamitous Wasteland PAL 175
Energy: 8
4 Darkness Energy SVE 15
1 Metal Energy SVE 16
1 Psychic Energy SVE 13
1 Fire Energy SVE 10
1 Neo Upper Energy TEF 162

Hydreigon ex card breakdown

If the cards released in Stellar Crown didn’t help you realize it, this set should – the future of Pokemon TCG (for now) is Tera. Tera Pokemon have access to several absolutely broken abilities that no other Pokemon type can lay claim to. Hydreigon is one which also benefits from being a stage 2 ex, meaning its got a walloping 330 HP just like Charizard ex.

This HP alone acts as a powerful defense against most other decks in the format as few have an answer to take these super buff Pokemon down in a single blow.

Crashing Headbutt

Asides from that, Hydreigon’s got a powerful and easy attack to get off in the form of Crashing Headbutt. This attack hits for 200 for just two energy. Getting two energy onto Hydreigon is actually very easy to do and we’ll get into that in a moment. But while 200 damage might not normally be a ton of damage, because you can survive a hit with Hydreigon ex, it’s actually not too bad. You also might manage to discard some valuable cards this way, making it a compelling deck in certain scenarios where decking out your opponent might be an option.

Obsidian

While the first attack might be a bit more reliable, Obsidian is the attack that turns heads. Actually, this attack is pretty insane, and it’s actually not all that hard to get the required energy attachment to get it off.

For anyone who remembers the days of Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX, this attack is basically the same thing as G-Max Rapid Flow only stronger as it hits for 130 and can hit up to three Pokemon in total. Urshifu was an absolute killer in its day, totally dominating the meta. The only thing that put that dominance to an end was an unfavorable typing against Mew VMAX and eventually Manaphy. While Manaphy is still played in many decks, if you run a Canceling Calogne and Prime Switcher and manage to get this insane attack off, you could easily win the battle.

Not to mention Manaphy will be rotating out soon, making this deck even more attractive in a post-Manaphy format.

Hydreigon ex has a plethora of energy acceleration options

Normally getting an attack off that requires two different basic energy plus one colorless attack cost would be a tall enough of an order to bar a card from competitive play.

However, there are a plethora of ways you can make this attack not only manageable to get off but even easy and reliable.

Here are the options available to you, those listed in the example deck list above as well as peripheral ones you might want to consider.

Crispin

Released in Stellar Crown, Crispin feels like the answer to most of these Stellar Tera decks that have multiple costs attached to attacks. Playing it not only lets you search your deck for the energy you need, it lets you attach one for free. If you happen to have a Counter Gain attacked, Crispin is all you need to get an Obsidian attack off.

Dark Patch

Dark Patch is so good it’s essentially a staple in every Dark type deck. It lets you attach an energy from your discard to your dark type Pokemon – no strings attached.

Neo Upper Energy

Lastly, this deck runs Neo Upper Energy. That’s a strong card in a deck like this, and again it single-handedly fills the requirements for Obsidian – all you need to do is have one other energy of any kind attached.

With all of these reliable ways to get Obsidian off plus a very easy attack available, Hydreigon is looking very strong.

Card search and draw support in Hydreigon ex

Hydreigon ex follows what appears to be the formula for competitive-grade stage 2 decks right now. You have your Pidgeot ex which you can take advantage of because of the Rare Candy you’ll be running anyways. Meanwhile, because early game you’re just looking to set up, you’ll probably take a hit or two before you start taking multiple KOs in a turn via Obsidian.

For that reason, you can afford to run Rotom V and use its “Instant Charge” ability on your opening first turn.

Of course, taking a hit or two is also a benefit indirectly given you can then play Counter Catcher and Counter Gain.

Secondary attackers and special techs

While Punching holes in your opponent’s defenses and taking multiple KOs in a turn with Hydreigon ex is your main strategy, you also have Radiant Charizard as a Pinch hitter, and a few other supporting Pokemon and techs that can help you out.

Pecharunt ex for starters gives you free guaranteed mobility, letting you switch in your Hydreigon ex whenever you need. A special tech this deck is running that you can either do with or without is the Calamitous Waste Stadium. This Stadium will slow your opponent down by adding an extra retreat cost. Meanwhile, it shouldn’t affect you much given you have Pecharunt ex.

Hydreigon ex is a scary strong deck with a ton of potential. When we lose Manaphy in the format it could end up being even the strongest deck in the format. Until then, it should be a fun and strong disruptive deck with plenty of solid matchups.

Hydreigon ex Deck List and Guide