Hi there. In this Pokemon TCG Pocket post I cover the Rapidash, Ninetales and Blaine deck. I could have posted this before the Mythical Island set but here it is now. We have new Ponytas and Rapidash cards in the latest Mew set.
For those who follow and support me this year and over the years, thank you very much.
Core Cards
Here are the core cards in the Blaine Fire deck.
Blaine Supporter
Blaine is a powerful supporter card that gives an +30 damage attack boost for your Rapidash, Ninetales or Magmar. This supporter card can catch some opponents off guard as it can turn a two hit knockout into a one hit knockout.
Ninetales
Ninetales is a 90HP Stage 1 Pokemon that evolves from Vulpix. The Flamethrower attack requires 2 Fire Energy to do 90 damage. The drawback is discarding one Fire Energy from its attack. Ninety damage for two Energy is pretty good.
Using Ninetales plus Blaine can one hit Knockout a Pikachu ex or one hit Knockout the latest Celebi ex. Ninetales is a very dangerous attacker when used right.
Ponytas
There are 2 Ponyta card options. The old one is the 20 damage one. This new Ponyta has 10 base damage and can do 40 damage if you get a Heads.
Rapidash Cards
With the new set there are now two Rapidash cards.
Which Ponyta, Rapidash?
I don't think there is a correct answer when it comes to choosing the right Rapidash. I prefer the one Fire energy attack Rapidash as it fast. The big attacker is Ninetales with Flamethrower at a two Fire Energy cost so using the one Fire Energy attack makes the Fire deck fast and aggressive.
The new Rapidash with a two Fire Energy attack has a higher damage ceiling. If you flip Heads then you do more damage.
With the Ponyta cards I choose the new Ponyta that looks like weird toy. The other Ponyta with the one Fire Energy for 20 damage attack is good too. I like the new Ponyta based on expected value. The expected value of the new Ponyta is 25 damage in the long run. (10 times 50% plus 50% times 40 damage if heads = 5 + 20 =25 expected value damage.) In layman terms you do more damage with the coin flip new Ponyta over time than just the 20 damage Ponyta. Pick the Ponyta that looks like a wooden toy (see below).
Sample Decklist
There are different versions of the Ninetales, Rapidash, Blaine deck. Here is something I would go with.
- x2 Ponyta (Mythical Island 10+ 30 if heads)
- x2 Rapidash (Genesis Apex old version)
- x2 Vulpix
- x2 Ninetales
- x1 Farfetch'd
- x2 Blaine
- x2 Potion
- x2 X Speed
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor's Research
- x1 Sabrina
Set up the Rapidash and Ninetales as fast as you can. Use Ninetales for the large knockouts on Pokemon ex. Use Blaine only if you need the damage boost for the knockout.
Advantages Of This Fire Deck
- Sneaky one hit knockouts on Pikachu ex or Celebi ex with Ninetales + Blaine
- Favourable matchup versus Grass decks (not 100% guarantee but good odds)
- Fairly fast setup
- Fairly easy to build as there are no Pokemon ex.
Disadvantages Of This Fire Deck
- Attackers have 100 HP or less which are weak compared to Pokemon ex.
- Bad matchup versus Water decks
- Lack of firepower outside of Blaine and Ninetales.
- Vulpix can be vulnerable with a lack of attack and low 50 HP.
Closing Notes
I write this in late December 2024. If Celebi ex Grass decks are popular then a fire Blaine deck like this a good counter. The matchups against Pikachu is 50-50 I think. This fire decks does okay against Mewtwo ex provided that the Mewtwo ex player does setup slow.
This deck is a good starter deck and can do well if you get lucky with the matchups. The lack of one hit power on bulkier Pokemon ex with 140 HP and above makes Blaine decks far from S tier.