(For the deck’s competitive history before January 2025, please refer to the gallery.)

[Update 28 Feb 2025] This deck has been the subject of many recent experiments with new variants. Some of the cards which have been included in new Gardevoir ex deck variants include Secret Box from Mask of Change [SV6], Moonlit Hill from the SV-P Promotional Cards, Flutter Mane from Wild Force [SV5K], and Artazon from Ruler of the Black Flame [SV3].

[Update 3 Jan 2025] Although it had already been on its way out for a while, the Ralts card from Incandescent Arcana [S11a] has now almost entirely disappeared from this deck because it serves as essentially a free Prize card for opponents playing the Dragapult ex deck who can one-shot it with that deck’s titular Pokémon.

In addition, most Gardevoir ex deck players now run two copies of the Munkidori card from Mask of Change [SV6] while some have experimented with builds not using Scream Tail from Ancient Roar [SV4K] and Drifloon from Scarlet ex [SV1S] which had previously been deck mainstays.

It may seem counter-intuitive to run a Pokémon TCG deck with multiple “glass cannons”. However, this Gardevoir ex deck uses this concept of frail but hard-hitting Pokémon to tremendous effect. When paired with this deck’s signature Pokémon and its Ability, this deck can do a lot more than what one might initially assume.

The Gardevoir ex card from Shiny Treasure ex [SV4a] is as useful for setup as it is for attack. Its Psychic Embrace Ability attaches a Psychic Energy card from the discard pile to one of the player’s Psychic-type Pokémon. The Pokémon receiving the Energy card then has two damage counters placed on it. While this may seem to be a negative effect, it makes perfect sense when considering what other Pokémon are in this deck.

To get the most out of Psychic Embrace, use it to power up Scream Tail from Ancient Roar [SV4K] and Drifloon from Scarlet ex [SV1S]. Both Pokémon have attacks that increase in power as damage accumulates. Thus, although they have low maximum HP totals, they can do a great deal of damage via Psychic Embrace before they succumb—likely sooner rather than later. It’s also why Drifloon remains unevolved in this deck; no Drifblim card has an attack that powers up with more damage sustained.

Once Scream Tail and Drifloon have gone down, Gardevoir ex should be well-placed to finish opponents off. Dealing 190 damage for three Energy cards, Miracle Force will often serve as this deck’s final blow. However, in the event that the opponent is using a Pokémon VMAX, Zacian V from the VSTAR Special Set [SP6] and its Behemoth Blade is just the thing to clinch the W.

The latest prices show that the total cost of all the cards in a Gardevoir ex deck is at least ¥6,000 (~US$40).

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