We’ve finally gotten our hands on Team Rocket’s Ambition! This themed set did exactly what we expected it would. It brought us new, strong, but not overpowered cards to play with alongside our current offerings from weeks past. I really like this set, not because it’s the most competitive one out there, but because it’s fun. DeNA has really amped up the performance for the pack that feels very refreshing every time I open the app. I hope we see more of this cosmetic overhaul as we go into C series.

The cards themselves have brought new mechanics and interesting builds that allow the creatives among us to go wild. With the limited amount of data we have available to us, we have already seen how TRA is altering the tournament scene just enough to keep us on our toes. Old archetypes are springing up again, while good decks stay good. We’re going to see a fuller picture this weekend with both PMP #43 and the Dankest Cup(which had to move because of Limitless not updating in time), but what we can already see is both fun and surprising. Let’s take a look at a few of these decks!

Don’t forget to sign up for PMPT#43, the first PMPT of the season!

Hoopa & TR Weezing

1. ×2Hoopa ex
2. ×2Team Rocket’s Koffing
3. ×2Team Rocket’s Weezing ex
4. ×1Mega Absol ex
5. ×2Cyrus
6. ×2Deceptive Needle
7. ×2Lucky Ice Pop
8. ×2Poké Ball
9. ×2Professor's Research
10. ×1Copycat
11. ×1Pokémon Center Lady
12. ×1X Speed

See this deck on PocketMads

I expect to see a whole lot of this deck in the next few days. It’s already won the first tournament since Limitless updated, and though it was a smaller field size the deck is now being piloted by some big names in the competitive scene.

Team Rocket’s Weezing ex takes Dark Hoopa and makes it more energy-effictient by swapping out the Darkrai ex for the new TR Pokemon. Setting up both burn and poison on a stick to be played whenever it’s most convenient is just great, especially in a deck that favors multiple, smaller pings over a heavy attack. Not having to attach to Weezing to activate its ability means you can build up anywhere you’d like on the board. Deceptive Needle with Hoopa ex and Weezing’s triggered ability means a total of 70 damage for one energy, not including the 20 to the bench or the extra 30 if both statuses stick around for another turn. This deck is devious, as you’d expect a Team Rocket Pokemon to be.

Umbreon & Greninja

1. ×2Eevee
2. ×2Froakie
3. ×2Greninja
4. ×2Umbreon ex
5. ×2Copycat
6. ×2Poké Ball
7. ×2Professor's Research
8. ×2Rare Candy
9. ×2Team Rocket’s Goo-zooka
10. ×1Hiking Trail
11. ×1Team Rocket’s Boss

See this deck on PocketMads

Team Rocket’s Goo-zooka has empowered a few decks forgotten to time, one of those being Umbreon with Greninja. 𝗙𝗚𝗥 || Sinorci200 is currently running this in BEC’S NEW SET PARTY which is still ongoing, so I can’t say if it’ll make it far. What I’ve seen, though, is quite impressive a deserves recognition.

Everything in this cook works together like a well-oiled machine. Team Rocket’s Boss forces the opponent to drop any basics in hand, Greninja bench snipes it, Umbreon ex brings it to the active spot, and the Goo-zooka keeps it there. Of course, each of these could be used independently of each other, and I imagine it can navigate several archetypes by making the active spot inescapable. This deck works great against those with Pokemon meant solely for the bench.

Whimsicott EX

1. ×2Ariados
2. ×2Cottonee
3. ×2Spinarak
4. ×2Whimsicott ex
5. ×2Copycat
6. ×2Leaf Cape
7. ×2Professor's Research
8. ×2Team Rocket’s Goo-zooka
9. ×1Fragrant Forest
10. ×1Quick-Grow Extract
11. ×1Sabrina
12. ×1X Speed

See this deck on PocketMads

The Goo-zooka does more than just lock in the opponent’s active; it also can help reach breakpoints. Whimsicott ex already uses Ariados to increase retreat costs. Goo is great when you haven’t fully built your board state yet, giving you another option you didn’t previously have, but it also acts a +30 damage for the lovable sheep. Against Pokemon with a single retreat cost, two spiders on the bench plus two goos makes Whimsi hit for 190 damage. Taking out Megas have never been easier, and the grass package gives this deck the legs it needs to sustain itself.

I love it when decks like this pop back up. It traps enemies, hits hard, and takes minimal energy to build. Goo was exactly what this archetype needed to get back up on its feet.

Meowscarada

1. ×2Meowscarada ex
2. ×2Sprigatito
3. ×1Floragato
4. ×1Meowscarada
5. ×1Teal Mask Ogerpon ex
6. ×2Copycat
7. ×2Fragrant Forest
8. ×2Leaf Cape
9. ×2Professor's Research
10. ×2Rare Candy
11. ×1Cyrus
12. ×1Lucky Ice Pop
13. ×1Team Rocket’s Boss

See this deck on PocketMads

It’s amazing how one card can alter an entire deck. Boss throws a wrinkle in the opponent’s plans against decks that can hit the bench, especially one like Meowscarada ex.

Not much is different in this archetype, taking out the potential Sabrina or Giovanni for, well, Giovanni. It is worth showcasing, though, that 20 card decks can have a massive shift in strength by swapping out a single card.

Mega Kang

1. ×2Happiny
2. ×2Zeraora
3. ×1Mega Kangaskhan ex
4. ×2Elemental Switch
5. ×2Poké Ball
6. ×2Professor's Research
7. ×1Copycat
8. ×1Cyrus
9. ×1Giovanni
10. ×1Lucky Ice Pop
11. ×1Pokémon Center Lady
12. ×1Red
13. ×1Rocky Helmet
14. ×1Serena
15. ×1Starting Plains

See this deck on PocketMads

FrogEX | Njord is currently running this in BEC, and I love what I see. Happiny is +20 damage to attacks every turn, making the baby Pokemon deal 30 on its second turn, or to whatever you bring up to the active right after. The kicker, though, is that Mega Kangaskhan ex makes two attacks. This brings Kang up from 120 total damage to 160, even before a Giovanni or Red. Kang becomes a one-two punch powerhouse, ramped by a Zeraora + Elemental Switch package. Zera also can one-shot any Oricorios that might get in the way with Happiny’s help.

Conclusion

We are just getting into what TRA has to offer! I’m excited to see what the metagame looks like going into his weekend, but if you can’t wait, there’s always PM Match Play. If you feel like you have a fun and competitive cook, show us by bringing it to this week’s PMPT!