Gholdengo EX is a 260 HP Stage 1 metal-type Pokémon that’s got a sick ass ability and a sick ass attack. Gholdengo’s ability “Coin Bonus” states: Once during your turn, you may draw a card. If this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, draw 1 more card. This allows Gholdengo to be its source of draw power. If you have 3 or 4 Gholdengos up at the same time, then you're drawing 4 or 5 cards before you even play one. Its attack “Make it rain” states: Discard any number of Basic Energy cards from your hand. This attack does 50 damage for each card you discarded in this way. This means you can OHKO anything in the game if you get enough energy. This is a pretty sick combo and makes for a very scary deck.
Pretty much, you wanna get almost all of your energy in your hand on your second or third turn to take a big OHKO and take the first 2 prize cards. Getting all your energy in your hand seems like it could be hard to do if you don’t know about one card. Energy Search Pro, this ACE SPEC (one per deck) states: Search your deck for any number of Basic Energy cards of different types, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck. Before this card came out, Gholdengo EX was still a popular and successful deck, but you were relying on Earthen Vessels and raw draw for your energy. Since the release of ESP in Surging Sparks, this deck has never been more powerful. Gholdengo now plays one of each energy, and 3 steel for your attackers.
Once you have used your energy to attack, and it’s in the discard pile, Superior energy retrieval will be your best friend. This card makes you discard 2 cards from your hand to use it, but once you do, you may take 4 energy from your discard pile and put it back in your hand.
The newest expansion, Black Bolt, has added some very powerful cards to this deck, but to understand how much of an improvement they made, I’ll break down the strategy from the previous format.
If you win the coin flip, you want to go second for sure, so you can play a supporter and attack. Finding an Arven in your opening hand can legit make or break your entire game. Arven allows you to search your deck for an item and a tool. Buddy Buddy Poffin and Technical Machine Evolution are the bestest of friends. Poffin will enable you to search out two basic Pokémon that have 70 HP or less, so you can grab 2 Ghimmighoul. The TM Evo tool will allow you to use your attack for the turn to evolve two of the Pokémon on your bench by searching the evolutions out of the deck (you need to attach an energy to use TM Evo). This makes it 100x easier to get into your Gholengo and be ready to attack on your second turn. Once turn 2 rolls around, you’ll have draw power ready on the bench if you don’t have what you need in your hand.
This is entirely matchup dependent, but let’s just say we’re playing against Raging Bolt. If they Ko your active 1 prize Ghimmighoul, then they just threw, and you will probably win! Now that they’ve left a juicy 2 prize Pokémon in the active spot, all you have to do is find 5 energy to attack. Arven can help you find ESP and thin your remaining Evo out of the deck. Ciphermaniac’s Codebreaking is also a very good card in this deck. It allows you to search your deck for any two cards and place them on top of your deck. It can be better or worse than Arven. It allows you to get two cards of any type, as long as you have draw power left. If you use Cipher for ESP and a poffin, you’ll be able to get the KO on their active 2 prize Pokémon, and you can play poffin to get some more basic Pokémon in play. From here, the game would be very straightforward, as you just need to find superior energy retrievals and Gholdengo to attack with.
This previous format’s builds relied pretty heavily on TM Evolution to find your attackers and get your draw power in play. Now I’ll tell you about the cards from Black Bolt.
First, we have Air Balloon. This tool card decreases the retreat cost of the Pokémon it’s attached to by 2. Where you would have to attach 2 energy to retreat, this card makes it free. Attaching these to your Gholengo EX allows you to draw 1 extra card per turn, because you can push one, draw 2, retreat, and draw 2 more. This card is very good for mobility in case your opponent brings something useless to the active spot, like Fezandipiti EX, you’ll be able to attach an air balloon and retreat for free. The second addition from Black Bolt is even more impactful. Genesect EX has the ability “Metallic Signal.” It states: Once during your turn, you may search your deck for up to 2 Evolution Metal Pokémon, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck. This makes it so that we don’t have to even include TM Evo in your deck. The game plan changes a little bit with these additions. If you win the coin flip, you want to pick first, but going second feels pretty good too. Going first allows you to hopefully find some Ghimmighouls to bench, attach a metal energy if you can find it, and simply pass. On your second turn, Nest Ball for Genesect EX will find two Gholdengo EX for you, and your second turn will mostly play out the same way. Genesect also benefits from Air Balloon because it could get trapped without it. These additions allow you to not need nearly as much on your first turn and add some consistency in finding your evolution Pokémon. With this addition, you also play 4 nest ball and 4 Buddy poffin, so finding basics going first shouldn’t be an issue. Imma hop into a game of TCG Live and tell y’all how it goes.
I lost the coin flip, and my opponent decided to go first. I’m not mad about this because I started with a Ghimmighoul and no way to find basics.
Turn 1: On my turn, I just played Arven for Buddy Poffin and an air balloon. I got some Ghimmighouls down and passed.
My opponent is playing Miraidon and unfortunately hit me with the turn 2 Amp You Very Much on my Ghimmi for two prizes. This is honestly fine with me because I don’t know how they’re gonna take 2 more once I KO this hands.
Turn 2: I evolved both of my Ghimmighouls without the help of Genesect EX. I played ESP and KOed their Iron Hands.
On their next turn, they did nothing, pushed a 1 prize tynamo, and passed.
Turn 3: I had Boss’s Orders in hand and just needed to find 1 of my Superior energy retrievals to Boss KO their Miraidon. Unfortunately, after drawing 5 cards, I whiffed and had to KO their active 1 prize Pokémon. I’m not mad about this because one of the Pokémon they will have to use if they want a KO is Magneton. This gives me a prize card in order to power up one of their Pokémon. This evens the prize trade for me.
Surprise, surprise, they did exactly that to Power up their Zekrom EX. This is a very powerful mid and late game attacker that does a lot of damage. They got the KO on my active Gholengo, but I went from 3 to 2 prizes on their turn, so I just insta win.
Turn 4: Once they got the KO, I didn’t want to BM, so I just played Arven to get Superior energy retrieval, discarded any two cards, and dealt 200 damage by discarding the 4 energy to take my last 2 prize cards.
I hope you all have enjoyed my little Gholdengo EX breakdown, and I sincerely hope at least one of you downloads the game and tries this deck out. It’s straightforward, a lot of fun, and you draw a bunch of cards every turn, so how could you not have a good time?
I will include my deck list below so you can try it out.
Pokémon: 5
4 Gholdengo ex PAR 139
4 Gimmighoul SSP 97
2 Genesect ex BLK 67
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Munkidori TWM 95
Trainer: 17
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
1 Energy Search Pro SSP 176
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
4 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
1 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
4 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Switch SVI 194
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
4 Arven SVI 166
2 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145
1 Picnic Basket SVI 184
2 Levincia JTG 150
1 Iono PAL 185
2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
2 Air Balloon BLK 79
1 Professor Turo's Scenario PRE 121
Energy: 8
1 Basic {D} Energy Energy 15
1 Basic {F} Energy Energy 14
1 Basic {G} Energy Energy 1
2 Basic {L} Energy Energy 12
3 Basic {M} Energy Energy 16
1 Basic {P} Energy Energy 13
1 Basic {R} Energy Energy 10
1 Basic {W} Energy Energy 11
Total Cards: 60
Here's the battle log if anyone is interested
Setup
WalmartPack chose tails for the opening coin flip.
MOMOcy won the coin toss.
MOMOcy decided to go first.
WalmartPack drew 7 cards for the opening hand.
- 7 drawn cards.
• Arven, Night Stretcher, Gimmighoul, Arven, Basic Metal Energy, Professor Turo's Scenario, Gholdengo ex
MOMOcy drew 7 cards for the opening hand.
- 7 drawn cards.
WalmartPack played Gimmighoul to the Active Spot.
MOMOcy played Latias ex to the Active Spot.
Turn # 1 - MOMOcy's Turn
MOMOcy drew a card.
MOMOcy played Iron Hands ex to the Bench.
MOMOcy played Zapdos ex to the Bench.
MOMOcy attached Basic Lightning Energy to Iron Hands ex on the Bench.
MOMOcy ended their turn.
Turn # 2 - WalmartPack's Turn
WalmartPack drew Air Balloon.
WalmartPack played Arven.
- WalmartPack drew 2 cards.
• Buddy-Buddy Poffin, Air Balloon
- WalmartPack shuffled their deck.
WalmartPack played Buddy-Buddy Poffin.
- WalmartPack drew 2 cards and played them to the Bench.
• Gimmighoul, Gimmighoul
- WalmartPack shuffled their deck.
WalmartPack attached Basic Metal Energy to Gimmighoul in the Active Spot.
WalmartPack's Gimmighoul used Minor Errand-Running.
- WalmartPack drew 2 cards.
• Basic Metal Energy, Basic Metal Energy
- WalmartPack shuffled their deck.
Turn # 3 - MOMOcy's Turn
MOMOcy drew a card.
MOMOcy played Nest Ball.
- MOMOcy drew Miraidon ex and played it to the Bench.
- MOMOcy shuffled their deck.
MOMOcy's Miraidon ex used Tandem Unit.
- MOMOcy drew 2 cards and played them to the Bench.
• Tynamo, Magnemite
- MOMOcy shuffled their deck.
MOMOcy played Arven.
- MOMOcy drew 2 cards.
• Electric Generator, Bravery Charm
- MOMOcy shuffled their deck.
MOMOcy played Electric Generator.
- MOMOcy attached Basic Lightning Energy to Iron Hands ex on the Bench.
- MOMOcy attached Basic Lightning Energy to Iron Hands ex on the Bench.
- MOMOcy shuffled their deck.
MOMOcy attached Basic Lightning Energy to Iron Hands ex on the Bench.
MOMOcy attached Bravery Charm to Iron Hands ex on the Bench.
MOMOcy retreated Latias ex to the Bench.
MOMOcy's Iron Hands ex is now in the Active Spot.
MOMOcy's Iron Hands ex used Amp You Very Much on WalmartPack’s Gimmighoul for 120 damage.
WalmartPack's Gimmighoul was Knocked Out!
Basic Metal Energy was discarded from WalmartPack's Gimmighoul.
MOMOcy took 2 Prize cards.
A card was added to MOMOcy's hand.
A card was added to MOMOcy's hand.
WalmartPack's Gimmighoul is now in the Active Spot.
Turn # 4 - WalmartPack's Turn
WalmartPack drew Gholdengo ex.
WalmartPack attached Air Balloon to Gimmighoul in the Active Spot.
WalmartPack evolved Gimmighoul to Gholdengo ex in the Active Spot.
WalmartPack evolved Gimmighoul to Gholdengo ex on the Bench.
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex used Coin Bonus.
- WalmartPack drew Switch.
- WalmartPack drew Arven.
WalmartPack retreated Gholdengo ex to the Bench.
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex is now in the Active Spot.
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex used Coin Bonus.
- WalmartPack drew Boss's Orders.
- WalmartPack drew Earthen Vessel.
WalmartPack attached Basic Metal Energy to Gholdengo ex in the Active Spot.
WalmartPack played Arven.
- WalmartPack drew Energy Search Pro.
- WalmartPack shuffled their deck.
WalmartPack played Energy Search Pro.
- WalmartPack drew 7 cards.
• Basic Grass Energy, Basic Fire Energy, Basic Water Energy, Basic Lightning Energy, Basic Psychic Energy, Basic Fighting Energy, Basic Darkness Energy
- WalmartPack shuffled their deck.
WalmartPack played Night Stretcher.
- WalmartPack moved WalmartPack's Gimmighoul to their hand.
WalmartPack played Gimmighoul to the Bench.
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex used Make It Rain on MOMOcy’s Iron Hands ex for 300 damage.
- Damage breakdown:
• 6 selected Energy: 300 damage
- WalmartPack discarded 6 cards.
• Basic Grass Energy, Basic Fire Energy, Basic Water Energy, Basic Lightning Energy, Basic Psychic Energy, Basic Fighting Energy
MOMOcy's Iron Hands ex was Knocked Out!
- 5 cards were discarded from MOMOcy's Iron Hands ex.
• Basic Lightning Energy, Basic Lightning Energy, Basic Lightning Energy, Basic Lightning Energy, Bravery Charm
WalmartPack took 2 Prize cards.
Genesect ex was added to WalmartPack's hand.
Nest Ball was added to WalmartPack's hand.
MOMOcy's Latias ex is now in the Active Spot.
Turn # 5 - MOMOcy's Turn
MOMOcy drew a card.
MOMOcy's Miraidon ex used Tandem Unit.
- MOMOcy drew Tynamo and played it to the Bench.
- MOMOcy shuffled their deck.
MOMOcy evolved Tynamo to Eelektrik on the Bench.
MOMOcy played Ultra Ball.
- MOMOcy discarded 2 cards.
• Basic Lightning Energy, Basic Lightning Energy
- MOMOcy drew Magneton.
- MOMOcy shuffled their deck.
MOMOcy retreated Latias ex to the Bench.
MOMOcy's Tynamo is now in the Active Spot.
MOMOcy's Eelektrik used Dynamotor.
- MOMOcy attached Basic Lightning Energy to Miraidon ex on the Bench.
MOMOcy ended their turn.
Turn # 6 - WalmartPack's Turn
WalmartPack drew Buddy-Buddy Poffin.
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex used Coin Bonus.
- WalmartPack drew Buddy-Buddy Poffin.
- WalmartPack drew Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking.
WalmartPack played Genesect ex to the Bench.
WalmartPack played Buddy-Buddy Poffin.
- WalmartPack drew Gimmighoul and played it to the Bench.
- WalmartPack shuffled their deck.
WalmartPack's Genesect ex used Metallic Signal.
- WalmartPack drew 2 cards.
• Gholdengo ex, Gholdengo ex
- WalmartPack shuffled their deck.
WalmartPack evolved Gimmighoul to Gholdengo ex on the Bench.
WalmartPack attached Air Balloon to Gholdengo ex in the Active Spot.
WalmartPack retreated Gholdengo ex to the Bench.
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex is now in the Active Spot.
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex used Coin Bonus.
- WalmartPack drew Genesect ex.
- WalmartPack drew Fezandipiti ex.
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex used Coin Bonus.
- WalmartPack drew Boss's Orders.
WalmartPack attached Basic Metal Energy to Gholdengo ex in the Active Spot.
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex used Make It Rain on MOMOcy’s Tynamo for 50 damage.
- Damage breakdown:
• 1 selected Energy: 50 damage
- WalmartPack discarded Basic Darkness Energy.
MOMOcy's Tynamo was Knocked Out!
WalmartPack took a Prize card.
Scyther was added to WalmartPack's hand.
MOMOcy's Latias ex is now in the Active Spot.
Turn # 7 - MOMOcy's Turn
MOMOcy drew a card.
MOMOcy's Miraidon ex used Tandem Unit.
- MOMOcy drew Zekrom ex and played it to the Bench.
- MOMOcy shuffled their deck.
MOMOcy evolved Magnemite to Magneton on the Bench.
MOMOcy's Magneton used Overvolt Discharge.
- MOMOcy attached Basic Lightning Energy to Zekrom ex on the Bench.
- MOMOcy attached Basic Lightning Energy to Zekrom ex on the Bench.
- MOMOcy attached Basic Lightning Energy to Zekrom ex on the Bench.
- MOMOcy shuffled their cards.
MOMOcy's Magneton was Knocked Out!
Magnemite was discarded from MOMOcy's Magneton.
WalmartPack took a Prize card.
Nest Ball was added to WalmartPack's hand.
MOMOcy's Eelektrik used Dynamotor.
- MOMOcy attached Basic Lightning Energy to Zapdos ex on the Bench.
MOMOcy attached Basic Lightning Energy to Zapdos ex on the Bench.
MOMOcy retreated Latias ex to the Bench.
MOMOcy's Zekrom ex is now in the Active Spot.
MOMOcy's Zekrom ex used Voltage Burst on WalmartPack’s Gholdengo ex for 330 damage.
- Damage breakdown:
• Base damage: 130 damage
• 4 Prize cards: 200 damage
• Total damage: 330 damage
- Damage breakdown:
• Base damage: 30 damage
• 4 Prize cards: 200 damage
• Total damage: 30 damage
- MOMOcy's Zekrom ex took 30 damage.
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex was Knocked Out!
- 3 cards were discarded from WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex.
• Basic Metal Energy, Gimmighoul, Air Balloon
MOMOcy took 2 Prize cards.
A card was added to MOMOcy's hand.
A card was added to MOMOcy's hand.
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex is now in the Active Spot.
Turn # 8 - WalmartPack's Turn
WalmartPack drew Boss's Orders.
WalmartPack played Arven.
- WalmartPack drew Superior Energy Retrieval.
- WalmartPack shuffled their deck.
WalmartPack played Superior Energy Retrieval.
- WalmartPack discarded 2 cards.
• Boss's Orders, Boss's Orders
- WalmartPack moved WalmartPack's 4 cards to their hand.
• Basic Grass Energy, Basic Fire Energy, Basic Water Energy, Basic Lightning Energy
WalmartPack's Gholdengo ex used Make It Rain on MOMOcy’s Zekrom ex for 200 damage.
- Damage breakdown:
• 4 selected Energy: 200 damage
- WalmartPack discarded 4 cards.
• Basic Grass Energy, Basic Fire Energy, Basic Water Energy, Basic Lightning Energy
MOMOcy's Zekrom ex was Knocked Out!
- 3 cards were discarded from MOMOcy's Zekrom ex.
• Basic Lightning Energy, Basic Lightning Energy, Basic Lightning Energy
WalmartPack took 2 Prize cards.
Superior Energy Retrieval was added to WalmartPack's hand.
Basic Lightning Energy was added to WalmartPack's hand.
All Prize cards taken. WalmartPack wins.
