Pokemon: The 10 Most Powerful Cards in Paradox Rift

Discover Pokemon TCG: The 10 Most Powerful Cards in Paradox Rift in the latest expansion with new mechanics and strategies.

The 10 Most Powerful Cards in Paradox Rift - Pokemon TCG

The Pokemon TCG Paradox Rift expansion is a new set that was released on November 4, 2023. It features over 180 new cards, including the new Ancient and Future Pokémon, type-shifted Tera Pokémon ex, and more than 15 brand-new Pokémon ex. With new mechanics and Pokemon, this Pokemon TCG: The 10 Most Powerful Cards in Paradox Rift, shares details on the strongest card from this newest series.

Table of Contents

What Are the Most Powerful Cards in Paradox Rift

Roaring Moon Ex, Gholdengo Ex, and Jirachi are the three most powerful cards in the Paradox Rift Pokemon TCG set. These cards have incredible damage potential, abilities that counter other decks and can be the centerpiece of any deck.

Roaring Moon Ex is the strongest card in the entire Paradox Rift set, featuring an automatic KO attack called Frenzied Gouging. Gholdengo Ex not only helps you draw cards but can also do devastating damage with its Make it Rain attack. And while it’s a basic Pokémon, Jirachi can counter decks that damage bench Pokémon.

Below are the 10 most powerful cards in Paradox Rift Pokemon TCG:

Most Expensive Paradox Rift Cards

10 Professor Sada’s Vitality

Professor Sada’s Vitality features in Pokemon TCG:

Trainer: Supporter
Usage: Choose up to 2 of your Ancient Pokémon and attach a Basic Energy card from your discard pile to each of them. If you attached any Energy in this way, draw 3 cards.
Set: Paradox Rift170/182 Uncommon

Pokemon Paradox Rift features a variety of items and supporters to aid in your gameplay, including Ancient in Future Cards. Professor Sada’s Vitality helps you draw cards and generate energy, attaching basic energy from your discard pile to up to two Ancient Pokémon. Brute Bonnet, Sandy Shock, and the mighty Roaring Moon Ex are some of the strongest Ancient Pokémon in the series and make a powerful combination when you’re trying to accelerate energy and do damage early.

The synergy between Professor Sada’s Vitality and Roaring Moon Ex is no accident. Roaring Moon Ex allows you to instantly KO the opponent’s Pokémon with the Frenzied Gouging attack for only 3 energies. Discarding and accelerating energy quickly is the path to victory with the Roaring Moon Ex deck, and Professor Sada’s Vitality is a popular card for this reason. The only downside to this supporter is that it’s limited to Ancient Pokémon; otherwise, it would be higher on our list of the 10 most powerful cards in Pokémon TCG: Paradox Rift.

9 Cofagrigus Ex

Cofagrigus Ex features in Pokemon TCG:

Pokémon: Stage 1 Ex
Evolves From: Yamask
Type: Psychic
HP: 260
Ability: Gold Coffin If this Pokémon is Knocked Out by damage from an attack from your opponent’s Pokémon, search your deck for a card and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Attack: 2 Psychic Energy Hollow Hands 110 damage and Put 5 damage counters on your opponent’s Benched Pokémon in any way you like.
Pokémon ex rule: When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
Weakness: Darkness x2
Resistance: Fighting -30
Retreat Cost: 2 Colorless Energy
Set: Paradox Rift 76/182 Double Rare

To add damage to your standard Psychic deck, consider using Cofagrigus Ex Pokémon. The main benefit of Cofagrigus Ex is the Hollow Hands attack, which deals 110 damage to the opposing Pokémon and places 5 damage counters on your opponent’s bench Pokémon in any way you like. This is a great card to use against a retreating and wounded Ex Pokémon with limited remaining health.

The Gold Coffin ability helps you quickly access a new Pokémon if Cofagrigus Ex is knocked out. You can search your deck for any card and put it in your hand immediately after a knockout. Hopefully, the card you select will help you gain the advantage on your next turn and turn the tables of the fight.

However, Cofagrigus Ex has a weakness to Darkness, and with a strong Roaring Moon Ex deck meta, you’re likely to encounter this deadly card frequently online or in person, only to take 2x damage. Additionally, the new Tera mechanic prevents all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks when one is on your bench.

8 Mewtwo Ex

Mewtwo Ex features in Pokemon TCG:

Pokémon: Basic Ex
Type: Lighting
HP: 230
Tera: As long as this Pokémon is on your Bench, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks (both yours and your opponent’s).
Attack 1: 1 Psychic. Energy Transfer Charge Attach up to 2 Basic Psychic Energy cards from your discard pile to your Pokémon in any way you like.
Attack 2: 2 Psychic Energy. Photon Kinesis 10+. This attack does 30 more damage for each Psychic Energy attached to all of your Pokémon.
Pokémon ex rule: When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
Weakness: Fighting x2
Resistance: None
Retreat Cost: 2 Colorless Energy
Set: Paradox Rift 58/182 Double Rare

Mewtwo Ex is a powerful Lighting-type Pokémon in Paradox Rift that uses Psychic Energy. It is also a Tera Pokémon, which helps prevent damage to your bench and shuts down incoming damage to your bench Pokémon.

One of the most powerful things about Mewtwo Ex is its Photon Kinesis attack. This attack does 30 more damage for each Psychic energy attached to all of your cards. This is like the Calyrex VMAX card but without the chance to lose 3 prize cards when it’s knocked out. Additionally, Mewtwo Ex is weak to Fighting, not Darkness, which is helpful when facing countless Charizard Ex decks.

However, Mewtwo Ex doesn’t have the ability to accelerate drawing or energy. While it does have a Transfer Charge, this card requires Mewtwo Ex to be in the active spot to attach 2 basic energies from your discard. With multiple sources of energy acceleration, Mewtwo Ex can pack a punch when put into the active spot.

7 Xatu

Xatu features in Pokemon TCG:

Pokémon: Stage 1
Type: Psychic
Evolves From: Natu
HP: 100
Ability: Clairvoyant Sense Once during your turn, you may attach a Basic Psychic Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. If you attached Energy to a Pokémon in this way, draw 2 cards.
Attack: 1 Psychic 2 Colorless. Super Psy Bolt 80 damage.
Weakness: Darkness x2
Resistance: Fighting -30
Retreat Cost: 1 Colorless Energy
Set: Paradox Rift 72/182 Rare

Like Calyrex VMAX before it, Xatu can attach basic Psychic energy from your hand to a bench Pokémon while drawing 2 cards. This Stage 1 Pokémon has the best ability from Calyrex VMAX without the risk of losing 3 prize cards. Ironically, you can combine Mewtwo Ex and Xatu to match the damage and drawing potential of Calyrex VMAX while limiting your risk.

Xatu will most likely do nothing but sit on your bench and accelerate energy and drawing potential. That’s the main downside of the card: its weak attack Super Psy Bolt. If this Pokémon is forced into the active spot, you will most likely be destroyed with only 100 health. However, Xatu remains on our list of the 10 most powerful cards in Pokemon TCG: Paradox Rift because of its Clairvoyant Sense ability.

6 Garchomp Ex

Garchomp Ex features in Pokemon TCG:

Pokémon: Stage 2 Ex
Type: Water
Evolves From: Gabite
HP: 320
Tera: As long as this Pokémon is on your Bench, prevent all damage done to this Pokémon by attacks (both yours and your opponent’s).
Attack 1: 1x Fighting energy Hydro Lander 160 damage. Attach up to 3 Basic Fighting Energy cards from your discard pile to your Benched Pokémon in any way you like.
Attack 2: 2x Colorless energy Sonic Dive. Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon. This attack does 120 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon. (Don’t apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
Pokémon ex rule: When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
Weakness: Lighting x2
Resistance: None
Retreat Cost: None
Set: Paradox Rift 38/182 Double Rare

If you’re looking for the ultimate Fighting Energy accelerator, look no further than the new Paradox Rift Garchomp Ex. For only one Fighting Energy, Garchomp Ex can attach up to 3 Basic Fighting Energy cards from your discard pile to any bench Pokémon, while also dealing 160 damage. This attack is a much-improved version of the Koraidon Ex Dino Cry ability.

However, Garchomp Ex is a Stage 2 Pokémon, not a Basic Pokémon. This means you’ll need to use Rare Candy or slowly progress into Stage 2, by which time it might be too late to accelerate energy. Additionally, Garchomp Ex’s 320 HP may seem appealing, but Roaring Moon Ex can instantly KO it, giving away 2 precious prize cards.

Despite these drawbacks, Garchomp Ex’s pros still outweigh its cons. It is a powerful addition to any Fighting deck and is worth collecting.

5 Iron Hands Ex

Iron Hands Ex features in Pokemon TCG:

Pokémon: Basic Ex
Type: Lighting
HP: 230
Attack: 2 lighting energy, 1 colorless energy. Arm Press 160 damage.
Attack 2: 1 lighting energy, 3 colorless energy. Amp You Very Much 120 damage. If your opponent’s Pokémon is Knocked Out by damage from this attack, take 1 more Prize card.
Pokémon ex rule: When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
Weakness: Fighting x2
Resistance: None
Retreat Cost: 1x Lighting Energy, 3x Colorless Energy.
Set: Paradox Rift 70/182 Double Rare

Iron Hands Ex’s strength lies in its Amp You Very Much attack, which allows it to collect an additional prize card. While this attack only does 120 damage, this Future Pokémon can instantly turn the tide of a match and win very early with an extra prize card. The initial energy cost of 4 energy may be daunting for most players, but Lightning decks are known for their massive energy acceleration. With cards like Electric Generator and Flaaffy, you can easily generate 4 energies within two turns.

However, Iron Hands Ex is limited by its lower HP of 230 and lack of the Tera Ex feature. With a whopping 4x retreat cost, you will most likely have to use item cards to retreat this vulnerable Pokémon. Nevertheless, current decks are being built around the prize card-stealing potential of Iron Hands Ex, making it one of the most powerful new cards in the Paradox Rift meta.

4 Earthen Vessel

Earthen Vessel features in Pokemon TCG:

Trainer: Item
Usage: You can use this card only if you discard another card from your hand. Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Energy cards, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Set: Paradox Rift 124/182 Double Rare

Earthen Vessel is the most powerful item card to come from Paradox Rift, thanks to its energy search feature. Most of the cards in the set rely on discarding and harvesting discarded resources. Earthen Vessel does both, allowing you to obtain two basic energy cards for discarding one. A simple combo is to use Radiant Greninja with a supporter that brings back energy, like Klara.

With this combination, you’ll have a lot of energy cards and the ability to discard on demand. The only two drawbacks are that you have to discard (which can be beneficial) and that you can only select two basic energy cards. However, Earthen Vessel is a much-improved version of Energy Search and will be one of the most powerful cards in the Paradox Rift series for months to come.

3 Jirachi

Jirachi features in Pokemon TCG:

Pokémon: Basic
Type: Metal
HP: 70
Ability: Stellar Veil Prevent all damage counters from being placed on your Benched Pokémon by effects of attacks used by your opponent’s Basic Pokémon.
Attack: 1x colorless energy. Charge Energy Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Energy cards, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Weakness: Fire ×2
Resistance: Grass -30
Retreat Cost: 1 Colorless energy
Set: Paradox Rift 126/182 Common

Jirachi may look small and inconspicuous, but its Ability and Charged Energy attack make it one of the best and most powerful cards in Paradox Rift. Its Stellar Veil Ability shuts down incoming damage to your bench Pokémon from your opponent’s Basic Pokémon. This can negate decks that specifically target your bench, simply by having Jirachi on your bench with zero energy attached.

On turn one, its Charged Energy attack allows you to search your deck for up to two Basic Energy Cards and put them in your hand for just one Colorless Energy. In combination with Earthen Vessel, Jirachi gives you two resources for finding Basic Energy cards.

Jirachi’s obvious downside is that it cannot do damage and has only 70 HP. However, its passive Ability and Energy search Ability make it one of the most powerful cards in the set.

2 Gholdengo Ex

Gholdengo ex features in Pokemon TCG:

Pokémon: Stage 1 Ex
Type: Metal
Evolves from: Gimmighoul
HP: 260
Ability: Coin Bonus Once during your turn, you may draw a card. If this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, draw 1 more card.
Attack: 1x Metal energy. Discard any number of Basic Energy cards from your hand. This attack does 50 damage for each card you discarded in this way.
Pokémon ex rule: When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.
Weakness: Fire x2
Resistance: Grass -30
Retreat Cost: 2 colorless energy
Set: Paradox Rift 139/182 Double Rare

With powerful abilities and attacks, Gholdengo ex is a Stage 1 Pokémon that evolves from Gimmighoul. Gholdengo ex power lies in its ability to discard any number of basic energy to do 50x the amount of energy discarded. The Pokémon Standard meta has many ways to retrieve discarded energy, such as Superior Energy Retrieval, Klara, and Energy Retrieval. This allows you to focus on loading up your hand and dealing a flurry of damage to your unsuspecting opponent for just one energy.

In addition, Gholdengo ex’s Coin Bonus ability helps you draw cards. You can draw an additional card per turn, and another one if it’s in the active spot. With 260 HP and no need to evolve into a Stage 2 Pokémon, Gholdengo ex is one of the strongest Pokémon in the game.

The only considerations are that you need to build your deck around retrieving energy and having a lot of cards in your hand. A stadium card like Path to Peak, Judge, or Iono can disrupt your process. However, with its high health, massive damage potential, and additional drawing capabilities, Gholdengo ex is one of the best cards in the Pokémon TCG currently.

1 Roaring Moon Ex

Roaring Moon ex features in Pokemon TCG:

Roaring Moon ex is the strongest card in Paradox Rift due to its instant KO potential for only three energies. Its Frenzied Gouging attack instantly knocks out an opposing Pokémon but also deals 200 damage to yourself. This damage can be countered with a variety of healing item cards or Ancient Booster Energy Capsule, which gives an extra 60 HP.

With the right deck, you can get this Pokémon to attack on turn two or three. Once in play, you can shut down the opposing Pokémon’s abilities with a Path to Peak stadium card and then consume it when using Calamity Storm for an extra 120 damage. Additionally, this Pokémon doesn’t require evolution, and a simple Nest Ball can bring it to your bench.

The downside of the card is that it requires precision on when to use Frenzied Gouging. Early in the game, you’re likely to trade kills rather than finish a target before it can power up. The trick is to unleash a massive flood of energy acceleration with Earthen Vessel and Professor Sada’s Vitality. You’ll also need to combo with other Pokémon like Galarian Moltres V or Darkrai Vstar.

Overall, Roaring Moon ex is the number one most powerful Paradox Rift card in the current Pokémon TCG meta.

Looking For More?

Thank you for reading Pokemon TCG: The 10 Most Powerful Cards in Paradox Rift Article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, and more. Also, watch me play games on Twitch or visit my YouTube channel!

Pokemon: The 10 Most Powerful Cards in Paradox Rift