Magnezone shines primarily due to the mechanics of its earlier forms. In the exciting Space-Time Smackdown expansion, the new variant of Magnemite delivers a modest 10 damage. Despite this, its flexibility is impressive, allowing you to use any type of Energy to kick things off. To be honest, you might not frequently rely on this attack, but having that option up your sleeve can be a lifesaver in the early stages of the game if options are limited. The real MVP is the Magneton from the base Genetic Apex set, and it’s all because of its Volt Charge ability. Remember to use it each turn to attach an Electric Energy to our magnetic friend. Both Magneton and Magnezone only need one Electric Energy, so feel free to strategically mix in some Dark-type Energy to supercharge your attacks.
In an ideal match, the strategy with Darkrai ex and Magneton unfolds like this: start by putting up a durable wall like Druddigon or Kangaskhan. Keep your Darkrai ex and Magnemite safely on the bench. Once you’ve evolved Magnemite into Magneton, focus on stalling the game so that Magneton can steadily stack up Electric Energy. Meanwhile, continue attaching Dark Energy to Darkrai ex and gradually chip away at your opponent’s HP. When it’s time for Magnezone to shine—either when your wall goes down or by using the Leaf Trainer Card—unleash its formidable Thunder Blast, delivering a hefty 110 damage. Should Magnezone fall or exhaust its Electric Energy, bring in Darkrai ex to wrap things up. Since Darkrai ex is your only ex card, it’s wise to deploy it after your opponent has already bagged two KOs, unless you’re sure it can secure a win later on.
Magnezone’s power is undeniable, even if stalling doesn’t pan out perfectly. Imagine starting the game with a Magnemite, Magneton, and Magnezone. The key is to swiftly evolve Magnemite into Magneton and trigger Volt Charge as soon as you can. On your next turn, use Volt Charge again before upgrading to Magnezone, and voilà, you have two Electric Energy ready for two doses of Thunder Blast. Add some Dark Energy to hit the three Energy minimum, and you’re poised to land some easy knockouts. Alternatively, if your opponent leads with a weaker Pokémon, keep Magneton in play, using Spinning Attack to claim a KO without dipping into your precious Electric Energy reserves. It’s this kind of versatility that makes Magnezone a standout choice.
Assembling doubles of each Pokémon for your deck can be a hassle (I’ve been working with just one Darkrai ex and feel fortunate to have it). Once you’ve completed this setup, a few trainer cards are all you need to finish your deck. Essentials like Professor’s Research, Poké Ball, and Leaf are staples in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and having two of each is advisable. You only need one Cyrus, while a Giovanni can help secure KOs. To complement your strategy, consider fitting in a Sabrina, Dawn, Giant Cape, or Rocky Helmet for support. Always stay on top of evolving trends because new Trainer Cards might rise in popularity to counter fresh challenges.
