The legendary Eon Duo has arrived in Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Secluded Springs expansion, bringing incredible synergy that’s shaking up the meta! While Latios and Latias aren’t ex cards, their perfect teamwork creates a powerful hit-and-run strategy that catches opponents off guard.
Ready to master this dynamic duo? Let’s dive into everything you need to build the perfect Latios & Latias deck!
Table of Contents
Why Pokemon Latios & Latias Work So Well Together
The strength of this deck comes not just from raw damage output, but from how well they complement each other in play. Here’s the magic: Latias can deal a solid 40 damage for only one Energy if Latios is on your Bench, while Latios has Free Retreat if Latias is on your Bench.
This synergy creates a “hit-and-run” playstyle where Latios delivers devastating 120-damage attacks, then retreats safely while Latias holds the line.
Core Pokemon Cards Breakdown
| Pokemon | HP | Key Ability/Attack | Energy Cost | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latios | 110 | Luster Purge (120 damage) | 3 Psychic | Main Attacker |
| Latias | 90 | Crossing Flights (20/40 damage) | 1 Psychic | Support/Setup |
| Gardevoir | – | Psy Shadow (Energy acceleration) | – | Energy Support |
| Ralts/Kirlia | – | Evolution line for Gardevoir | – | Setup |
Latios – Your Heavy Hitter
Latios serves as your main attacker with Luster Purge’s 120 damage that disrupts opponents’ plans or secures knockouts. The downside? Its heavy energy cost and the requirement to discard all energy after attacking. This is where Latias becomes crucial!
Fantastical Floating Ability: When Latias is in play, Latios has zero retreat cost, enabling perfect hit-and-run tactics.
Latias – The Perfect Support
Latias plays a more supportive role, holding the line while you’re refueling Latios’ Energy. For just one Psychic energy, it deals 40 damage when Latios is benched – excellent chip damage that sets up knockouts.
Gardevoir – Energy Acceleration Engine
Gardevoir’s Psy Shadow ensures Latios goes to the front faster and takes lesser turns to charge up, making the deck smoother and more reliable.
Essential Support Cards for Maximum Impact
Trainer Cards:
- Red: +20 damage against ex Pokemon (perfect counter-meta choice)
- Red Card: Disrupts opponent’s hand to 3 random cards
- Rare Candy: Skip Kirlia evolution entirely
- Dawn: Move energy between Pokemon for faster setup
- Professor’s Research: Draw power for consistency
Tool Cards:
- Giant Cape: +20 HP boost for survivability
- Pokemon Communication: Search for specific Pokemon
Strategy Cards:
- Cyrus: Force damaged bench Pokemon active for easy knockouts
- Poke Ball: Basic Pokemon search
Winning Strategy & Gameplay Tips
Early Game (Turns 1-3):
- Set up Ralts and evolve to Gardevoir ASAP using Rare Candy
- Get both Latios and Latias on the field
- Use Gardevoir’s Psy Shadow to accelerate energy
Mid Game (Turns 4-6):
- Start aggressive attacks with Latios’ Luster Purge
- Use free retreat to swap between attackers
- Latias chips damage while Latios recharges
Late Game (Turn 7+):
- Use Red for +20 damage against ex Pokemon
- Cyrus to target weakened bench Pokemon
- Maintain pressure with constant attacker rotation
Countering the Current Meta
This deck excels against popular ex-heavy strategies thanks to Red’s damage boost. The free retreat mechanism also frustrates stall decks that rely on trapping your active Pokemon.
Strong Against: Pikachu ex, Mewtwo ex, other high-HP ex Pokemon Weak Against: Fast aggro decks, energy disruption strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this deck competitive in the current Secluded Springs meta?
A: While it may not outpace the giants in the meta, it’s a creative and fun deck to try out the Eon Duo. It performs well as a counter-pick against ex-heavy lineups and offers unique gameplay that many opponents won’t expect.
Q: What’s the biggest weakness of this deck?
A: Energy management is crucial since Latios discards all energy after attacking. Without proper Gardevoir setup or Dawn usage, you might struggle to maintain consistent pressure. The deck also relies heavily on having both Latios and Latias in play for maximum effectiveness.
