3.1% of the meta · Updated July 25, 2026
Signature card
Darkrai ex
Special Art Rare
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Whenever you attach a {D} Energy from your Energy Zone to this Pokémon, do 20 damage to your opponent's Active Pokémon.
Darkrai ex uses its Nightmare Aura ability to deal 20 passive damage every time you attach a Darkness Energy from your Energy Zone, turning energy acceleration into a weapon. The goal is to accumulate chip damage and finish targets with Dark Prism for efficient two-point knockouts.
Open by playing Darkrai ex into the Active Spot so Nightmare Aura triggers from your very first energy attachment. Each Darkness Energy you attach from your Energy Zone deals 20 damage to the opponent's Active Pokemon, softening targets before you even attack. Mid-game, Dark Prism at three energy deals 80 damage, enough to knock out most softened ex Pokemon for 2 points. Rocky Helmet punishes attackers further while Cyrus manipulates positioning to land the finishing hit on the target you want.
Nightmare Aura passive
20 damage per Darkness Energy attached from Energy Zone
Two attachments before attacking = 40 pre-damage on the Active; stacks with Dark Prism
Dark Prism finishing hit
80 base damage; 40 pre-damage from two Nightmare Aura triggers = 120 effective
Enough to knock out most 120 HP non-ex Pokemon in one attack after setup turns
Keep Darkrai ex in the Active Spot from the opening turn so every Energy Zone Darkness attachment deals 20 damage to the opponent's Active Pokemon. Two attachments before attacking puts 40 pre-damage on the target, letting Dark Prism at three energy finish most non-ex Pokemon and heavily damage ex targets for a quick 2-point score.
Rocky Helmet punishes any attacker that hits Darkrai ex with additional chip damage, combining with Nightmare Aura's passive pressure. Together they drain opponent HP without using the attack step. Cyrus forces the right target into the Active Spot before Dark Prism delivers the final blow, maximizing every energy attachment you make.
Darkrai ex has 140 HP and is a Basic, making it reachable by powerful attackers in the first two turns. Aggressive Darkness-weak targets aside, high-damage Fighting or Fairy-type attackers can knock it out before multiple energy attachments accumulate. Scoring 2 points early collapses the opponent's game plan immediately.
Darkrai ex needs to be in the Active Spot for Nightmare Aura to deal damage to your Active Pokemon. Use Sabrina to drag a weaker non-ex to the front, forcing Darkrai ex's player to spend turns maneuvering. This delays their damage accumulation and disrupts the rhythm of energy attachment into finishing attacks.
Rocky Helmet punishes your attacker each time it hits Darkrai ex. Bring in a high-HP non-ex attacker to absorb the Rocky Helmet damage without risking a 2-point loss. Use Lucky Ice Pop to offset the chip damage on that attacker, letting your tank outlast the counter-pressure.
Secondary attacker
Damage buffer tool
Threats — Weak Against
Based on type weakness analysis of core cards. View full matchup matrix →
