[Update 25 Mar 2025] Rotation has caused this deck to drop off sharply in Japan; the same will likely be true internationally once it arrives on 11 April. This is because with rotation, the Miraidon ex deck loses access to three crucial cards: Raichu V from Star Birth [S9], Raikou V from Start Deck 100 [SI], and Rotom V from Lost Abyss [S11].

[Update 27 Feb 2025] The Miraidon ex deck has been on a recent hot streak. Despite a somewhat disappointing showing at the Pokémon Europe International Championships (EUIC) where it topped out in 26th place in the hands of Brazilian player Alejandro Luciano Eijo, the deck had won three notable tournaments over the two weeks before EUIC: the Mérida Regionals, the Korean League Season 3, and the Puerto Rico Special Event.

Further backing up this deck’s ascension were three other top-10 finishes in Mérida and Puerto Rico—including the third-place finisher in both tournaments.

In addition, several players have been experimenting with a new deck variant including the Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex card from Crimson Haze [SV5a].

[Update 28 Nov 2024] Two new additions have elevated the status of the Miraidon ex deck in the metagame: Pikachu ex from Super Electric Breaker [SV8] and Latias ex from Paradise Dragona [SV7a]—a pair of cards which just entered the meta after having been released internationally. As proof that the new-look Miraidon ex deck is the real deal, a Miraidon ex mirror match was the final of the Sacramento Regionals; Landen Kaetler of Canada beat American Kenneth Gilman to claim the title.

[Update 19 Aug 2024] As was expected, the Miraidon ex deck was among the World Championships’ most impactful—highlighted by Jesse Parker. The US player made it to the semifinals using this deck.

[Update 19 Jun 2024] Recent metagame shifts have seen decks which inflict heavy damage in the early game rise to prominence. The Miraidon ex deck is one such deck; as such, use of this deck in tournament play has surged. Expect to see a lot of this deck at the World Championships in August.

[Update 6 May 2024] Following an extended period in which Miraidon ex decks had fallen off the top of the meta, this deck has made a triumphant return to the top. Akira Kurasaki used this deck to claim the title at Champions League Sapporo. It’s the first time a Miraidon ex deck has won a major tournament since Juho Kallama won the Pokémon Latin America International Championships (LAIC) in November 2023.

Ever since its release in the Violet ex [SV1V] expansion set, Miraidon ex has become a mainstay of the Pokémon TCG metagame. It should therefore come as little surprise that decks built around Miraidon ex have become increasingly popular.

This deck makes use of a rapid tempo. Its primary card is especially potent in the early stages of the game. Miraidon ex’s Tandem Unit ability permits the player to take two Basic Electric-type Pokémon from the deck and put them on the Bench. In this way, a player can establish an early numerical advantage.

Ideally, one of the Pokémon taken from the deck would be Iron Hands ex from Future Flash [SV4M]. By loading up this Paradox Pokémon early, the attack Amp You Very Much can be used. Connecting for 120 damage, a player may take two Prize Cards instead of one if using that attack scores a KO.

To further speed things up, the ACE SPEC Item card Reboot Pod from the Cyber Judge [SV5M] set can be used. This card allows the player to attach a Basic Energy card from the player’s discard pile to a Future Pokémon such as Miraidon ex or Iron Hands ex.

Buying all the cards from a Miraidon ex deck will cost at least ¥6,000 (~US$41).

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