The Darkness archetype has captured the interest of many within the Pokemon Pocket community, showcasing a unique ebb and flow in its competitive viability. At times, it has surged to prominence, only to retreat into the shadows shortly thereafter. This rollercoaster of performance has not deterred dedicated players, who continue to believe in the latent power of Darkness decks. Their enthusiasm is fueled by the idea that with the right strategy and card selection, these decks can truly shine in the competitive landscape.
The Best Darkness Deck in Pokemon Pocket
At present, the most effective Darkness deck in the Pocket META revolves around the combination of Scolipede and Weezing. To create a powerful setup, you should include a selection of complementary cards that enhance the synergy of this duo. Key additions to your deck would be Venipede and Whirlipede, which help in evolving your strategy, along with Koffing to support Weezing’s abilities.
| Card | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Venipede | 2 |
| Whirlipede | 2 |
| Scolipede | 2 |
| Koffing | 2 |
| Weezing | 2 |
| Koga | 2 |
| Leaf | 2 |
| Sabrina | 1 |
| Professor’s Research | 2 |
| X Speed | 1 |
| Poke Ball | 2 |
Darkness-Type Deck’s Synergies
- Venipede and Whirlipede evolve into Scolipede. (Whirlipede also poisons the opponent, setting up Scolipede’s ultimate attack.)
- Koffing and Weezing are the backup poison lineup. (Weezing’s ability can substitute for Whirlipede’s poison effect.)
- Koga and Leaf assist with retreats. (They allow you to swap Scolipede in and out to maximize damage output.)
Tip:-Use the old Koffing from the Genetic Apex expansion, as the new version’s higher retreat cost doesn’t align with the deck’s strategy.
Why Scolipede’s Deck Is the Ideal Darkness Lineup
The combination of Scolipede and Weezing decks provides a level of consistency that sets them apart from the traditional Arbok-Weezing setups. Scolipede has emerged as a prominent figure within the Darkness archetype, and it brings two significant advantages to the table. First, its evolutionary line fits seamlessly into the overall progression of the deck, ensuring that players can develop their strategy without any hiccups.
Scolipede Has a Curve-Friendly Evolution
Scolipede, despite being classified as a Stage Two Pokémon, has the advantage of being able to launch attacks early in the game thanks to its main move, which only demands two Energy cards. This allows players to utilize Scolipede’s offensive capabilities sooner than they might expect from a Pokémon of its stage. The strategic flexibility this provides can be a game-changer, especially in fast-paced matches where every turn counts.
Sabrina Cannot Hurt Scolipede
Scolipede strategically depends on making frequent retreats to execute its powerful attack that deals a whopping 120 damage. To effectively unleash this attack, you must first place Scolipede on the Bench, then use another Pokémon to inflict poison on your opponent’s Pokémon. Once the enemy is poisoned, you can bring Scolipede back into the game, allowing it to capitalize on the situation and deliver its devastating blow.
Darkness Decks’ Performance in the META
I took a close look at ten recent Pokémon Pocket tournaments, all of which featured more than 100 participants. Notably, at least one of these tournaments included a deck centered around Darkness-type Pokémon. However, the findings were not particularly encouraging for this archetype, as Darkness decks ended up with an average placement of 61.3, which means they did not manage to break into the top 50 rankings.
The standing of this archetype within the META has shown considerable inconsistency over time. Prior to the launch of Mythical Island, the Arbok-Weezing combinations experienced a short-lived surge in popularity within the competitive scene, only to diminish rapidly shortly thereafter. This pattern of brief prominence followed by a swift decline highlights the challenges faced by this archetype in maintaining relevance.
How One Card Ruined Darkness Decks
Darkness-type cards have traditionally struggled against Fighting-type Pokémon, a challenge that was relatively manageable during the Genetic Apex era. At that time, the competitive landscape allowed Darkness cards to maintain their relevance without facing overwhelming threats. However, the introduction of the Mythical Island mini-set changed the dynamics significantly by adding a new card designed specifically to counter Darkness types: Golem. This shift has had a profound impact on how Darkness cards are perceived and utilized in gameplay.
At present, Golem teams are the reigning champions in PvP battles and tournaments, creating a challenging environment for the Darkness archetype to flourish. This dominance has made it quite difficult for Darkness-type Pokémon to find their footing in competitive play. Unfortunately, it seems that this trend is not expected to shift until the next expansion arrives, leaving fans of the Darkness archetype in a tough spot.