0.2% of the meta · Updated July 25, 2026
Signature card
Whimsicott ex
Shiny Super Rare
#6 — 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗧| Satoru Gojo
Lagoon Serenity Format (Any FA or RR Paradox) · 6W-2L-1T
#10 — FrogEX | Njord
Lagoon Serenity Format (5 USD) · 4W-1L-1T
#5 — Talisus
Lagoon Serenity Format (FA Choice Prize) · 5W-2L
Whimsicott ex exploits high-retreat-cost Active Pokemon with Grass Knot, dealing 40 base damage plus 30 more for each Energy in the defender's Retreat Cost. The win condition is baiting out slow, heavy attackers and punishing them for sitting in the Active spot.
Open by getting Cottonee into play with Poké Ball and attaching a Grass Energy, aiming to evolve into Whimsicott ex as quickly as possible via draw from Professor's Research or Copycat. Quick-Grow Extract accelerates the evolution line and Leaf Cape supports Whimsicott ex's 140 HP against early aggression. Once Whimsicott ex is attacking, you target high-retreat threats; against a 3-cost retreater Grass Knot swings for 130, threatening a KO and 2 points on any ex. Ariados applies early bench pressure through Spinarak's spider web of effects, softening targets for Whimsicott ex to close out.
Pokemon with 1-cost retreat
40 base + 30 x 1 = 70
Low-retreat targets; rarely worthwhile to attack
Pokemon with 2-cost retreat
40 base + 30 x 2 = 100
Hits a wide range of mid-tier attackers
Pokemon with 3-cost retreat
40 base + 30 x 3 = 130
Threatens KO on many Stage 2 and large Basic ex
Whimsicott ex's entire game plan revolves around punishing Active Pokemon that cannot easily retreat. Identify 2-3 retreat targets early. Use Sabrina to pull a favorable target to the Active spot when your opponent tries to hide a bulky Pokemon on the bench. Grass Knot then hits for 100-130, often achieving a 1-shot KO.
Spinarak and Ariados put damage on the board before Whimsicott ex is ready, using the bench to threaten multiple targets simultaneously. This two-axis pressure forces opponents to address the spider line while leaving their high-retreat attackers exposed for Grass Knot. Lisia helps speed the setup if the evolution is not in hand.
Field Pokemon with 0-1 retreat cost to limit Grass Knot damage to 40-70. Glaceon ex, Wugtrio ex, and Mimikyu ex all fit this profile. You take efficient trades because Whimsicott ex's damage output drops sharply when the retreat modifier is small, making each exchange point-positive for the anti-Whimsicott deck.
Whimsicott ex awards 2 points when KO'd. Race to 3 points by targeting it directly with efficient single-hit KOs before it can power through your side. Any attacker hitting 140+ damage removes Whimsicott ex in one shot, netting 2 points and putting you one KO from victory.
Whimsicott ex needs consistent energy attachment and Leaf Cape to function. Using Cyrus to shuffle away a powered attacker, or denial trainer plays that force redraws, buys turns where Grass Knot does not fire at full power. Delaying the Cottonee-to-Whimsicott ex evolution with hand disruption is equally effective.
Hand disruption / opponent manipulation
Threats — Weak Against
Based on type weakness analysis of core cards. View full matchup matrix →
