Hi there. In this Pokemon TCG Pocket post, I feature this Lucario and Rampardos deck. When I first saw Lucario I thought that this is good. With Rampardos I thought that a one energy attack for 130 damage is pretty powerful even though Rampardos is a Stage 2 Pokemon.
Lucario & Rampardos Cards
Lucario
Lucario is the evolved form of Riolu. The ability allows all Fighting Pokemon deal 20 more damage from its attack (including its own). The attack on Lucario is not too bad either. For two Fighting Energy you deal 60 damage (40 + 20).
Rampardos
Rampardos is the evolved form of Cranidos which evolves from the Skull Fossil. For one Fighting Energy the Head Smash attack deals 130 damage. If this attack results in a knockout of the opponent's Pokemon then Rampardos does 50 damage to itself.
Combine the Rampardos with one Lucario to deal 150 damage. This is one hit knockout power on many Pokemon ex. This Rampardos alone one shots Arceus ex.
Sudowoodo
Sudowoodo is a pretty strong Basic Fighting attacker. It does 20 damage from one Fighting Energy. If the opponent's active Pokemon is a Pokemon ex then Sudowoodo's attack does 50 damage instead.
As Fighting is a good offensive type, Sudowoodo deals 70 damage to Pokemon ex that are weak against Fighting types. These are Arceus ex, Pikachu ex, Pachirisu ex, Lickilicky ex (not as common). Sudowoodo is a hard counter to these (especially Arceus ex).
Optional Attacker: Hitmonchan
Hitmonchan is a good attacker in Lucario themed decks. It has a good amount of HP at 80 HP, one retreat cost and a simple powerful attack. For one Fighting Energy Jab does 30 damage. One Lucario would boost this attack to 50 damage.
Hitmonchan would be an alternative to Sudowoodo if you find that you are not against many Pokemon ex.
Optional Attacker: Marshadow
Marshadow is another option. The Revenge attack costs one Fighting Energy and one Colourless Energy to deal 40 damage. If any of your Pokemon were Knocked out by damage from an attack during your opponent's last turn then Revenge does 100 damage instead. With one Lucario in play Marshadow does 120 damage from Revenge at its maximum.
Marshadow does provide more firepower but it costs a little more Energy and is conditional on a knockout by damage on your Pokemon.
Deck Profile
The Lucario & Rampardos deck does have different variations. The core cards are Lucario and Rampardos.
Here is my version of the deck. (I used Limitless TCG Builder.)
Two Pokeball and two Professor Research are staples in pretty much every deck. I have 2-2-2 of Skull Fossil, Cranidos and Rampardos. A 2-2 line of Riolu and Lucario. For alternate attackers I don't put in Marshadow as I want quick hits until I get Rampardos. I use Hitmonchan and Sudowoodo as the alternate attackers for early game. Marshadow is still good but it is not for me in this deck. Reddit user clydestrife has a guide on this deck with alternate attacking options too.
I put in two Giant Cape to boost HP for the early game to avoid certain knockouts. Is there something better than this? Not sure but I do like the Capes. I use one X Speed for retreating for safety or for bringing an attacker. My gust option is just one Sabrina. Cyrus could be okay too but I prefer to do one hit knockouts with the Rampardos.
Advantages
- Easy to use
- No Pokemon ex needed so its easy to build
- Fighting type is good against Arceus ex, Pikachu ex, Pachirisu ex
- Low cost attacks
- Rampardos one hit knockout power on most Pokemon ex
- Sudowoodo as good early game hitter versus Pokemon ex
Disadvantages
- Weak to Psychic for Lucario
- Weak to Grass for Rampardos
- Stage 2 setup for Rampardos can be difficult.
- Reliant on Rampardos for big damage.
- Skull Fossil not searchable and weak at 40 HP
- Retreat cost of 2 for Lucario, Sudowoodo and Cranidos.
Closing Notes
My favourite deck that did not have any Pokemon ex was Rapidash and Ninetales with Blaine. It was easy to use, it had quick easy power and was favourable against Celebi ex decks that were common in Mythical Island.
Now this Lucario and Rampardos deck is my favourite non Pokemon ex deck. Rampardos is too good of an attacker to ignore even if it is a Stage 2 Pokemon. Lucario's ability to boost damage for Fighting Pokemon is pretty good. You usually get one Lucario in play. Two Lucarios in play is rare but it does provide a major damage boost.
A infographic image from reddit user Clydestrife has a good overview of the Lucario Rampardos deck. I have it here. It summarizes the deck and shows some variations.
This deck is good for newer players and for experienced players. It should not be too difficult to build this deck in the Pokemon TCG Pocket game.