EX Dragon Frontiers Marker Strategy

The newly released EX Dragon Frontiers set contains powerful Pokémon ex and Delta Species Pokémon, some of which will be the focus of the next few articles and many decks this fall. This new set also brings a battle mechanic that has rarely been seen in the more familiar regions of the Pokémon TCG world: markers. In this article, we'll take a look at ways to battle using Shock-wave and Imprison markers as well as how to defend against them. Both of the Pokémon highlighted in this article are Delta Species Pokémon.

Gardevoir ex (93/101) puts Imprison markers using its Poké-Power, Imprison. When Gardevoir ex is your Active Pokémon, you may put an Imprison Marker on one of your opponent’s Pokémon. Once a marker is put on, and until it is removed, the marked Pokémon can’t use any of its Poké-Powers or Poké-Bodies! This means you can shut down dominating Poké-Bodies like Wise Aura from Medicham ex (EX Emerald, 95/106) or Gengar’s Shadow Curse (EX Legend Maker, 5/92). You can stop Dragonite (EX Delta Species, 3/113) from using Delta Charge to load extra Energy on your opponent’s Pokémon or keep Psychic Vision on Mew ex (EX Holon Phantoms, 100/110) from revealing your hand. Any Poké-Body or Poké-Power that gets in the way of your strategy can be shut down with an Imprison marker. And don’t forget that Gardevoir ex also has the powerful Flame Ball attack that does 80 damage.

Tyranitar ex (99/101) puts a Shock-wave marker on any one of your opponent’s Pokémon by using its Electromark attack. These markers don’t do anything except show which Pokémon have been attacked with Electromark. However, Tyranitar ex can then use its Shock-wave attack so you can choose any of your opponent’s Pokémon that has a Shock-wave marker... and Knock Out that Pokémon! One effective use of Tyranitar ex is to attack with its Hyper Claws attack for 70 damage (or 90, if the Defending Pokémon is Stage 2). This will likely Knock Out or weaken several of your opponent’s Pokémon. Of course, your opponent will likely try to build a heavy-hitter on the Bench to strike back. Then you can use Electromark to put a Shock-wave marker on those Benched Pokémon, and when that big hitter attacks, have a fresh Tyranitar ex ready to use Shock-wave for a devastating victory.

Shock-wave and Imprison markers remain on a Pokémon until it evolves or de-evolves or something else specifically removes the marker. These effects are not considered Special Conditions like Burned, Poisoned, Asleep, Confused, or Paralyzed, so cards that remove Special Conditions or retreating do not remove these markers. Special Shock-wave and Imprison markers are included in the Shadow Blaze and Power Wave theme decks, but you can use any unique item for these markers.

Finally, Tropius (23/101) can save your own Pokémon from Imprison or Shock-wave. When Tropius is put into play from your hand its Tropical Heal Poké-Power can be used to remove all Shock-wave markers, Imprison markers, and Special Conditions from all of our Pokémon. You may want to add a Tropius to your deck for its exotic healing powers.

Shock-wave and Imprison will be new and exciting strategies. Be ready to play them... or play against them!