0.2% of the meta · Updated July 25, 2026
Signature card
Infernape ex
Shiny Super Rare
#1 — Shellj25
Lagoon Serenity Format (FA Choice Prize) · 7W-1L-1T
#1 — Yumi | 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗧
Lagoon Serenity Format (OAK FA) · 7W-1L-1T
#5 — PierFigo
Lagoon Serenity Format (FA Choice Prize) · 7W-1L
Discard all {R} Energy from this Pokémon.
Infernape ex uses Flare Blitz to deal 140 damage for 2 fire energy, making it one of the highest-damage Stage 2 attackers in the format. The deck wins by evolving quickly via Rare Candy and Flame Patch, then trading KOs on the opponent's biggest threats.
Open by playing Chimchar and using Poké Ball to find additional Basics. Use Rare Candy on the second or third turn to skip Monferno and land Infernape ex directly. Flame Patch pre-loads fire energy onto a Benched Chimchar or Infernape ex between attacks, offsetting Flare Blitz's full-discard cost. Mid-game, cycle between two Infernape ex so the second is always charged when the first falls. In the finishing turns, Professor's Research and Copycat refill your hand to maintain momentum.
Any Pokémon
base 140 (Flare Blitz) — discards all Fire Energy after the attack
Flame Patch is required between attacks to re-attach energy to the next Infernape ex.
Rare Candy skips Monferno and puts Infernape ex directly from Chimchar. Because Poké Ball can only find Chimchar (a Basic), you rely on Professor's Research and Copycat to draw into Rare Candy and Infernape ex itself. Run 2 copies of both Rare Candy and Infernape ex so a single missing piece does not stall your evolution.
Flame Patch attaches a fire energy from your discard pile to a Benched Pokémon each turn, directly countering Flare Blitz's discard effect. Keep a second Infernape ex or Chimchar on the Bench and patch energy onto it every turn so you always have a powered attacker ready when the first Infernape ex falls.
Flare Blitz discards all fire energy after each use, so Infernape ex must re-attach before attacking again. Cyrus can bounce a key Pokémon back to the hand mid-setup, breaking the energy loading chain. Rocky Helmet on your Active Pokémon adds chip damage to Infernape ex each time it attacks, shortening its lifespan.
Infernape ex needs Rare Candy plus at least one additional draw supporter to arrive on turn 2-3. Aggressive decks that score a KO in the first two turns force Infernape ex into deficit immediately. Targeting the Chimchar before Rare Candy fires prevents the 140-damage threat from ever appearing.
Flare Blitz hits for 140, but fire-resistant Pokémon or water-type attackers that hit Infernape ex for weakness can flip the damage race. The matchup data shows Moltres ex and Flygon ex win 75% against this deck. Build a lineup that either resists fire or trades more efficiently than Infernape ex.
Bench attacker / pivot option
Damage booster
Utility / healing
Threats — Weak Against
Based on type weakness analysis of core cards. View full matchup matrix →
