Facebook
Reddit
Email
Indulge in a throwback to the Pokemon TCG RockLock classic combination with the best Team Rocket’s Ampharos Deck.
The Team Rocket’s Ampharos deck in the Destined Rivals expansion plays similarly to an old strategy in the Pokemon TCG. Nicknamed “RockLock,” this strategy involved using Dark Ampharos, Dark Tyranitar, and Ancient Technical Machine Rock to wear down the opponent’s team. This new deck uses similar cards, with the core now focusing on Team Rocket’s Ampharos, Team Rocket’s Tyranitar, and Technical Machine: Devolution.
Pokemon TCG Best Team Rocket’s Ampharos Deck Guide Overview
The core gameplay of this deck involves using the abilities of Team Rocket’s Ampharos and Team Rocket’s Tyranitar. The ability of Team Rocket’s Ampharos, Darkest Impulse, forces four damage counters on any Pokemon about to evolve. Meanwhile, Team Rocket’s Tyranitar adds to the damage by placing two damage counters on all of the opponent’s Basic Pokemon each turn with its ability, Sand Stream. Technical Machine: Devolution is used to devolve any Pokemon that has evolved on your opponent’s side, reducing their ability to fight back and causing them to take even more damage if they evolve again.
All Cards in Best Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals Team Rocket’s Ampharos Deck
- Team Rocket’s Mareep x2
- Team Rocket’s Flaffy x2
- Team Rocket’s Ampharos x2
- Team Rocket’s Larvitar x4
- Team Rocket’s Pupitar x3
- Team Rocket’s Tyranitar x4
- Team Rocket’s Mimikyu x1
- Team Rocket’s Ariana x4
- Team Rocket’s Archer x2
- Team Rocket’s Giovanni x3
- Team Rocket’s Petrel x2
- Team Rocket’s Proton x 4
- Team Rocket’s Factory x4
- Team Rocket’s Transceiver x4
- Team Rocket’s Great Ball x2
- Technical Machine: Devolution x4
- Rare Candy x4
- Night Stretcher x1
- Super Rod x1
- Neutralization Zone x1
- Team Rocket’s Energy x4
- Basic Fighting Energy x2
How To Play This Best Team Rocket’s Ampharos Deck in Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals
Ideal Starting Hand
You want Team Rocket’s Larvitar and Team Rocket’s Mareep in your starting hand for an optimal start. Team Rocket’s Proton is great if you get it on the first turn, as it can be used immediately. Team Rocket’s Archer is not very useful in your starting hand.
Best Team Rocket’s Ampharos Deck in Pokemon TCG: Key Cards
Here’s how to pull off the “RockLock” strategy with this deck:
- Get Team Rocket’s Tyranitar in the Active Spot. While it will mainly deal damage with its ability, you may attach Basic Fighting Energy and Team Rocket Energy to it so that it can use its move Demolition Tackle later on.
- Team Rocket’s Ampharos should be set up on the Bench, forcing opponents to reconsider evolving damaged Pokemon or risk putting them in KO range.
- Technical Machine: Devolution should be attached to Team Rocket’s Tyranitar once your opponent has evolved a Basic Pokemon. This will cause those cards to take damage from Tyranitar’s ability and, if they evolve again, from Ampharos’s ability.
Best Team Rocket’s Ampharos Deck in Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals: Performance
Best Matchups
Decks that rely heavily on Basic Pokemon can struggle with this deck, as they can be worn down to the point that Tyranitar’s Demolition Tackle will take them out.
Counters to Team Rocket’s Ampharos Deck in Pokemon TCG
RockLock relies heavily on setting up and having the right cards at the right time. This may allow Evolution cards with high HP to survive the damage dealt to them and strike back hard. Since none of the cards in this deck have high HP compared to the modern meta, they can be KO’d by commonly used cards in the format.
Best Team Rocket’s Ampharos Deck Guide in Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals: Tips and Tricks
Some things to consider while using this deck.
- Neutralization Zone is a great card when facing decks with Pokemon ex, as it prevents all damage from them if it is on the field.
- Team Rocket’s Mimikyu can help out against Tera Pokemon in a pinch.
Thank you for reading the article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!
