With the release of the Mythical Island expansion for Water-type TCGP card that offers the player expensive and unrewarding attacks, making it the worst ex card in the mobile game.

Water-type decks are extremely popular in competitive TCG Pocket battles. Due to this, Gyarados ex held some hype around it, though this did not last long. Now that players have had ample opportunity to try this card, the overwhelming negatives have taken over. While this card boasts two interesting and visually appealing designs, the positives end there.

Pokémon TCGP's Mythical Island Gyarados Ex Card Explained

High But Expensive Attack

Gyarados ex is a Water-type Pokémon with a few notable features. Firstly, and most importantly, this card has one attack called Rampaging Whirlpool. This hits for 140 damage but comes with an ability. When used, this attack will discard a random energy from among all the energy attached to Pokémon in the battle. This can be both the player's or the opponent's, selected at random. This card also has 180 HP, which is strong enough to withstand the majority of attacks available to opponents.

Gyarados is a Stage One card, meaning that it evolves from a lesser Basic Pokémon – in this case, Magikarp. This fish-like Water-type Pokémon has a Mythical Island version and a Genetic Apex version, both with a tiny 30 HP. The Genetic Apex version has an attack called Splash, which does 10 damage. The Mythical Island version has an attack called Leap Out that simply swaps the card for one on the bench.

What’s Wrong With The Gyarados Ex Card In Pokémon TCG Pocket?

Several Factors Make This Ex Card Unworthy of Its Cost

There are several factors that make Gyarados ex the worst ex card in Pokémon TCG Pocket, all of which are painfully obvious once utilized in a competitive battle. First, Rampaging Whirlpool is far too expensive, costing four energy (three Water Energy and one Colorless Energy). This takes a long time to set up, making Gyarados ex susceptible to taking heavy hitting attacks from faster-acting, opposing Pokémon, such as Pikachu ex or Celebi ex. As well as this, the attack’s ability can be a negative for the player, taking away attached energy, making it risky for those that use it.

Another notable negative is the fact that its pre-evolution is incredibly weak. With only 30 HP and futile attacks, Magikarp can be a liability when placed on both the bench and the Active Spot. If the player is unlucky and has to wait long for Gyarados ex to be drawn from the deck, Magikarp’s weaknesses may put them in a worrying position.

Better Options Make Gyarados Ex A Poor Choice

There Are Far Better Choices For Water-Type Decks

With there being some high-powered Water-type cards in the game, Gyarados ex becomes obsolete. Players won’t want to waste their time and energy on an ineffective card when both Articuno ex and Starmie ex make for better decks. It should be noted that Misty will help the energy production of Gyarados ex, but with its risky ability, this er card will be better used on another Water-type card. It could even be argued that the original, non-ex Gyarados would be stronger in a deck than its ex counterpart.

When Starmie ex, Articuno ex, and Blastoise ex can all cause huge amounts of damage with a simpler set-up, Gyarados ex becomes a strategically bad decision. This card feels unreliable and situational at best. In order to use this card effectively, players must have the time and to build it on the bench or utilize the Misty er card. When other tactics and cards are considered, both these options are pointless.

Overall, if players want to use a strong Water-type card, they should look elsewhere. Other choices are available that have a similar HP and damage output. Water deck s should direct their attention to faster-acting, aggressive cards like Articuno ex, which can do 90 damage for three energy. Gyarados ex will be too slow and too expensive to compete with meta decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket, especially as 180 HP will feel very small when facing the infinite attacking potential of Celebi ex.