Rampardos + Lucario — The Non-EX Powerhouse

Looking for a deck that trades efficiently, hits hard, and goes toe-to-toe with the best decks in the current meta?
Meet Rampardos + Lucario, a Tier 1 non-EX deck that thrives on aggressive plays and smart trades. If you want to win games while only giving up one point per knockout, this is the deck for you.

Why Play Rampardos + Lucario?

Rampardos + Lucario combines power, efficiency, and adaptability. With no EX Pokémon, you force your opponent to make three KOs every game while dishing out high, scalable damage.

Whether you’re facing Arceus, other top decks, or even the mirror, this deck has the tools to win — if you pilot it carefully.

✅ Strengths

• Non-EX attackers — give up just one point per KO.
• Great matchups vs. top decks, including Arceus.
• Aggressive and fast — pressure opponents from turn one if going second.
• Lucario boosts Rampardos’s damage, creating huge swings of 150 or 170 damage!

❌ Weaknesses

• 2 Retreat Cost on multiple Pokémon makes pivoting tough.
• Skull Fossil is not searchable — you’ll need to draw into it to evolve.

Game Plan

Early Game: Pressure and Setup

• Start strong with Sudowoodo or Riolu — Sudowoodo is ideal for early pressure, especially against Arceus EX.
• Use Pokecommunication to set up Rampardos and Lucario lines.

Tip: If you're forced to start with Marshadow, prioritize switching it out if possible, otherwise, use it as a shield to set up the rest of your Pokémon.

Mid Game: Stabilize and Trade Smartly

• With Lucario boosting Rampardos’s power, you’re ready to start swinging big.
• Marshadow comes in to counter opposing Rampardos decks or help stabilize if you fall behind.
• Use Cranidos to soften up opponents and avoid overextending into Rampardos too soon. Just beware that this is not always optimal. You’ll need to know your opponent’s deck to do this effectively.
• Attacking with Rampardos is fine as long as you have a backup plan in case it dies on the following turn.

Key Move: In the mirror match, avoid attacking with Rampardos first if possible. If you do, you’re often handing the game to your opponent.

Late Game: Rampardos Dominance

Once you’re ahead or set up:

• Rampardos should close out the game, hitting for 130 (150 with a Lucario or 170 with two).
• Choose KOs carefully — remember, your opponent still needs to make 3 points, so trade efficiently.
• Sudowoodo can pick off weakened EX Pokémon for the final point if necessary.

Key Card Roles & Highlights

• Rampardos - Late-game sweeper — 130-150 damage, efficient trades
• Lucario - Boosts all pokemon, backup attacker, synergy piece
• Marshadow - Mid-game pivot, strong comeback card
• Sudowoodo - EX counter — 50/70 damage to pick up early prizes

Tech Options & Variants

• Hitmonchan is a budget choice or backup attacker, but Sudowoodo is the better choice in this meta.

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Deck

Rampardos + Lucario isn’t just a powerful deck — it’s one that rewards smart, efficient trades.

• Non-EX efficiency lets you outlast EX-heavy lists.
• Lucario’s damage boost can make Rampardos and other Pokémon in the deck lethal.
• Sudowoodo and Marshadow provide flexibility for multiple matchups.

But remember:

Efficient trading wins games. The player who switches into Rampardos first usually loses in the mirror match.

If you’re looking for a top-tier, tournament-ready deck that feels great to play and tough to beat, Rampardos + Lucario is the deck to play.

Deck Status:

🏆 Tier 2 — Tournament Proven
✅ Strengths: Meta matchups, consistent point trades, scalable aggression.
⚠️ Weaknesses: Fossil draw dependency, pivot struggles if unprepared.

Ready to build it?

Start cracking into SpaceTime Smackdown (Dialga) and assemble one of the best decks in the current meta!