0.2% of the meta · Updated July 25, 2026
Signature card
Donphan ex
Shiny Super Rare
#5 — Elvazu
Lagoon Serenity Format Pop Up (5 USD) · 5W-2L-1T
#10 — 𝗕𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗘| keeks
Lagoon Serenity Format (FA Choice Prize) · 5W-2L
#29 — DevastazioneH88
🐸FrogEX JaggerGrimm's Cup • 50 USD [2/3]🐸 · 5W-3L
If this Pokémon has at least 2 extra {F} Energy attached, this attack does 60 more damage.
Donphan ex uses Gigantic Press to deal 50 damage base, jumping to 110 damage when at least 2 extra Fighting Energy are attached, making it a high-damage Stage 1 ex that rewards energy stacking. The win condition is powering up Donphan ex quickly with Fighting Energy and trading favorably against non-fighting-resistant decks.
Start with Phanpy and use Poké Ball to secure it early, then draw into Donphan ex through Professor's Research and Copycat. Training Area helps accelerate Fighting Energy attachment each turn, and Old Amber or Aerodactyl ex can apply early pressure while Donphan ex charges on the bench. Lucario provides a second fighting-type threat that does not cost Donphan ex's ex-rule vulnerability, giving the deck a 1-point attacker option. Once Donphan ex has at least 3 Fighting Energy, Gigantic Press hits 110 — a strong 2HKO on all ex Pokemon — and Rocky Helmet or Heavy Helmet punishes opponents who attack into it. Pokémon Center Lady and Big Malasada keep Donphan ex alive across multiple swings.
Gigantic Press with fewer than 3 total Fighting Energy
50 base (condition not met) = 50
Below the threshold; avoid attacking until 3 Energy are attached
Gigantic Press with 3+ Fighting Energy (2 extra)
50 base + 60 = 110
Full damage; 2HKO on all ex Pokemon, 1HKO on most non-ex
Gigantic Press at base 50 damage loses every trade. Never attack with Donphan ex before at least 3 Fighting Energy are attached. Use Lucario or Aerodactyl ex as your Active while Phanpy evolves and charges on the bench. Training Area accelerates the energy count and Sightseer plus Professor's Research find it quickly. A charged Donphan ex on its first swing justifies the patience.
Once Donphan ex is active and swinging for 110, keep it alive with Pokémon Center Lady, Big Malasada, and Rocky Helmet or Heavy Helmet. Rocky Helmet deals return damage each time the opponent attacks Donphan ex, applying passive chip damage. Cyrus forces the opponent's best attacker out of the Active spot to extend Donphan ex's lifespan.
Donphan ex hits for only 50 damage until it has 2 extra Fighting Energy. Aggressive decks that force a trade before turn 3-4 put Donphan ex in a losing damage race at base output. Scoring 1-2 points on the evolution line or early Donphan ex turns before it reaches full power denies the 110-damage turns that make it dangerous.
If Donphan ex is charging on the bench, Sabrina forces it into the Active spot before it has 3 Energy attached, locking it into 50-damage attacks or forcing the opponent to use their turn retreating. This tempo loss disrupts the entire energy-stack plan and opens a window to score 2 points on a sub-powered Donphan ex.
Lucario is the deck's primary non-ex blocker, forcing the opponent to think twice before sending in their ex attacker. KO Lucario first to remove this point-buffer — it costs you only 1 point but forces Donphan ex to step up sooner, potentially before it is fully charged. This collapses the deck's tempo plan and exposes the 2-point ex-rule target.
Early pressure attacker
Threats — Weak Against
Based on type weakness analysis of core cards. View full matchup matrix →
