Pokemon TCG: Best Ethan’s Ho-oh ex Deck Guide (Destined Rivals)

Learn to use the best possible Ethan’s Ho-oh ex deck and the cards that work the best alongside this Legendary Pokemon.

Ethan's Ho-oh ex (Image via TPC)
Ethan’s Ho-oh ex (Image via TPC)

Ethan’s Ho-oh ex is a Pokemon ex card built to support the cards on its side of the playing arena. It can both add energy and heal its teammates, making this card deadly if it can stick around long enough. With additional support from other Ethan’s Pokemon like Pinsir and Magcargo, as well as the Supporter Ethan’s Adventure, Ethan’s Ho-oh can be tricky to deal with.

Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals Best Ethan’s Ho-oh Ex Deck Guide Overview

Ethan’s Ho-oh ex’s ability, Golden Flame, will add extra Basic Fire Energy to help set up any Benched Pokemon. It’s move, Shining Feathers, also heals each Pokemon on the player’s side by 50. However, it depends a lot on other cards like Ethan’s Magcargo and Ethan’s Pinsir to deal damage. Additionally, players will need to rely on a lot of Basic Fire Energy as cards like Ethan’s Magcargo not only have high energy costs to their moves but also need to discard Fire Energy to deal more damage. Even Ethan’s Ho-oh ex’s Shining Feathers needs five Basic Fire Energy.

All Cards in Best Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals Ethan’s Ho-oh Ex Deck

  • Ethan’s Ho-oh ex x4
  • Ethan’s Slugma x3
  • Ethan’s Magcargo x3
  • Ethan’s Pinsir x1
  • Mew ex x1
  • Latias ex x1
  • Fezandipiti ex x1
  • Squawkabilly ex x1
  • Professor’s Research x4
  • Iono x3
  • Ethan’s Adventure x2
  • Boss’s Orders x2
  • Nest Ball x4
  • Earthen Vessel x4
  • Superior Energy Retrieval x4
  • Ultra Ball x3
  • Night Stretcher x2
  • Prime Catcher x1
  • Counter Catcher x1
  • Bravery Charm x1
  • Team Rocket’s Watchtower x2
  • Fire Energy x11
Ethan's Ho-oh ex decklist (Image via TPC)
Ethan’s Ho-oh ex decklist (Image via TPC)

How To Play The Best Ethan’s Ho-oh Ex Deck in Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals

Ideal Starting Hand

Getting a combination of Ethan’s Adventure, Ethan’s Ho-oh ex, and Ethan’s Slugma on the first turn would be ideal. Place Ethan’s Ho-oh ex in the Active Spot and Ethan’s Slugma on the Bench. Use Ethan’s Adventure to get an Ethan’s Magcargo and two Fire Energy for the next turn. Then use Ethan’s Ho-oh ex’s ability to attach Fire Energy on Slugma.

Key Cards in Ethan’s Ho-oh Ex Deck in Pokemon TCG

Ethan's Magcargo, Ethan's Adventure, and Ethan's Pinsir (Image via TPC)
Ethan’s Magcargo, Ethan’s Adventure, and Ethan’s Pinsir (Image via TPC)

Here’s the strategy involved with this deck:

  • Ethan’s Ho-oh ex will quickly attach Fire energy to any Pokemon on the Bench.
  • Play Ethan’s Adventure to get Fire Energy and Ethan’s Pokemon. Additionally, Earthen Vessel can also be used to get a few more Fire Energy if Ethan’s Adventure is needed to get a few more Pokemon cards.
  • Ethan’s Magcargo is the primary attacker of this deck. If it has five Fire Energy attached to it, which it can discard, it deals a whopping 350 damage with its move Lava Burst. The best part is that once there is no Energy attached to it, its Retreat Cost becomes zero.
  • Superior Energy Retrieval needs to be used to get back any Fire Energy discarded.
  • Ethan’s Pinsir acts as a mix between a revenge killer and a late-game cleaner, using its move Rallying Horn to deal 170 damage if any of your Ethan’s Pokemon were KO’d last turn.
  • While there are several Pokemon ex that are in this deck for support, Latias ex is the most necessary as it lets Basic Pokemon retreat for no cost. This helps Ethan’s Pinsir and Ethan’s Ho-oh ex re-position themselves.

Best Matchups

Toedscruel ex and Gholdengo ex (Image via TPC)
Toedscruel ex and Gholdengo ex (Image via TPC)

This deck works in fits and bursts. It can deal massive damage in a single turn with Ethan’s Magcargo, but can also use Ethan’s Ho-oh ex to heal off some damage done so far to its teammates. It is a setup-reliant deck and needs a few turns before it can get going, unless you get really lucky with your draws.

Grass-type and Steel-type decks struggle with this deck the most, as they cannot deal with Ethan’s Magcargo’s Lava Burst.

Counters to Ethan’s Ho-oh Ex Deck in Pokemon TCG

Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex and Milotic ex (Image via TPC)
Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex and Milotic ex (Image via TPC)

This deck is very reliant on setting up with Ho-oh’s ability. Combined with the high energy costs of the moves involved, aggro players will be able to deal a lot of damage early on. This might force players to continuously heal with Ho-oh instead of attacking.

Water-types, especially those that are not weak to Grass-types like Ethan’s Pinsir, give this deck the most trouble.

A Tip for Best Ethan’s Ho-oh Ex Deck Guide in Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals

  • Try not to use too many Pokemon ex with a single Ethan’s Ho-oh ex. A card like Latias ex emerges as the most ideal. As the main attackers of this deck are single Prize Pokemon, this is a great way to prevent double Prize losses on your side of the field.

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