Pokemon TCG: Gholdengo Ex Deck Guide

Learn the best way to use a Gholdengo Ex Deck in the current Pokemon TCG meta and which cards work well in this archetype.

Gholdengo ex from the Paradox Rift expansion of the Pokemon TCG has been a powerful additional to the meta. Its dominance has been so high, it saw the highest usage at the 2025 Pokemon World Championships. So in this article, lets take a look at what makes this card so good.

Pokemon TCG Best Gholdengo Ex Deck Guide Overview

Gholdengo ex has a few things going for it. For starters, its ability Coin Bonus lets it draw the top card of your deck, two if its in the Active spot. But its main claim to fame is its move Make It Rain. For each Basic Energy card discarded from your hand, this move deals 50 damage. As a comparison, seven Energy discarded this way will KO Gardevoir ex from full HP.

All Cards in Best Pokemon TCG Gholdengo Ex Deck

• Gimmighoul x4
• Gholdengo ex x4
• Solrock x2
• Lunatone x2
• Genesect ex x1
• Fezandipiti ex x1
• Boss’s Orders x4
• Arven x4
• Ciphermaniac’s Codebreaking x2
• Professor Turo’s Scenario x2
• Iono x1
• Superior Energy Retrieval x4
• Fighting Gong x4
• Earthen Vessel x3
• Nest Ball x1
• Buddy-Buddy Poffin x1
• Precious Trolley x1
• Counter Catcher x1
• Picnic Basket x1
• Night Stretcher x1
• Air Balloon x3
• Vitality Band x1
• Artazon x1
• Basic Fighting Energy x8
• Basic Metal Energy x3

How To Play This Best Gholdengo Ex Deck in Pokemon TCG

Ideal Starting Hand

The new Solrock and Lunatone duo from Mega Evolution fulfill a role similar to what Radiant Greninja once did for this deck. The two act as a draw engine early on, letting you set up faster. Additionally, Genesect ex can help you find Gholdengo ex faster thanks to its ability Metallic Signal.

Best Gholdengo Ex Deck in Pokemon TCG: Key Cards

Here’s the strategy behind the deck:

• Gholdengo ex serves as the attacker for this deck as well as a draw engine. The player can adjust how many Basic Energy they need to discard for Make It Rain depending on the opponent’s Active Pokemon’s HP.
• Genesect ex helps getting Gholdengo ex on the field faster, while Solrock and Lunatone let you draw three cards by discarding a Basic Fighting Energy.
• Ciphermaniac’s Codebreaking helps place Energy cards on the top of your deck to draw with Coin Bonus, while Superior Energy Retrieval helps retrieve discarded Basic Energy.

Best Matchups for a Gholdengo Ex Deck in Pokemon TCG

Gardevoir ex struggles against this deck, which was one of the main reasons why Gholdengo ex was the highest used deck at 2025 Worlds.

Counters to Gholdengo Ex Deck in Pokemon TCG

Flareon ex deals double damage to Gholdengo ex.

Best Gholdengo Ex Deck Guide in Pokemon TCG: Tips and Tricks

Something to consider while using this deck

• Precious Trolley is the ACE SPEC of this deck placing Basic Pokemon like Gimmighoul, Solrock, Lunatone, and Genesect ex directly on your Bench.
• Fighting Gong and Earthen Vessel help draw more Energy for Make It Rain.
• Air Balloon helps you move around your damaged Gholdengo ex without worrying about its Retreat Cost.

FAQs about Gholdengo Ex Deck in Pokemon TCG

Are There Other Cards That Work Well With Gholdengo Ex?

In recent tournaments, Gholdengo ex has worked well as a part of Joltik Toolbox decks.

How Many Tournaments Has Gholdengo Ex won?

Fuguan L. from China won the 2025 Pokemon TCG World Championships in the Senior Division with a Gholdengo ex and Joltik Toolbox combination deck.

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