The Milotic ex card from Super Electric Breaker [SV8] had been a coveted pickup for collectors in its Special Art Rare (SAR) form ever since the set’s release. This was understandable as the card’s spectacular Full Art illustration made it an obvious standout right from the jump.

However, Milotic ex had never seen widespread gameplay utility until recently, when the Pokémon TCG took a clear turn in favor of defensive decks. When combined with several other defensive cards, Milotic ex—especially when paired with the Farigiraf ex card from Cyber Judge [SV5M]—became a card evidently capable of being the focal point of one of the meta’s standout defensive decks. This was proven by four players taking the Milotic ex/Farigiraf ex deck to top-16 finishes at Champions League Fukuoka.

Strategy

Since this is a defensive deck, the standout features of both its titular cards are their respective Abilities. Milotic ex has Sparkling Scales while Farigiraf ex’s is Armor Tail. Sparkling Scales blocks all damage and effects from attacks launched by opposing Terastallized Pokémon from harming Milotic ex in any way. Similarly, Armor Tail prevents Farigiraf ex from sustaining any damage (but not any other effects) from the attacks of opposing Pokémon-ex.

Completing the deck’s defensive trifecta is Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex from Mask of Change [SV6] which is immune to damage from attacks by opposing Pokémon which have an Ability thanks to its own Ability of Cornerstone Stance. Some variants of the deck also include Mimikyu from Snow Hazard [SV2P]; post-rotation, Mimikyu’s Ability of Safeguard effectively has the same effect as Armor Tail now that Pokémon V (including Pokémon VSTAR and VMAX) have been rotated out of tournament play.

That being said, it’s not as though the deck is completely devoid of offensive firepower. Milotic ex’s Hypno Splash and Farigiraf ex’s Dirty Beam both deal 160 damage for three Energy cards; Dirty Beam also hits a Benched Pokémon for 30 damage. Finally, Munkidori from Mask of Change [SV6] adds to the deck’s damage output while simultaneously giving the deck’s main Pokémon more survivability by transferring damage counters to opposing Pokémon via Adrena-Brain, its Ability.

Price

Buying all the cards in a Milotic ex/Farigiraf ex deck will cost a minimum of 4,960 JPY (~US$33).

In other TCG-related news, check out the Relicanth Master Ball Mirror card from Terastal Festival ex [SV8a]. Alternatively, you can also head over to the SNKRDUNK App via the banner below and find the top trending and latest single cards and boxes.

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