At this point we can all agree Giratina EX is the best card to come out of shining revelry. Broken-Space Bellow allows it to ramp energy onto itself every turn. Unlike Magneton, when you activate Giratina’s ability the turn automatically ends. I really like this aspect of Giratina’s design. This paired with Chaotic Impact’s specific energy requirement makes it so that Giratina can’t be combined with literally everything, instead…

Outside of pure Psychic decks, Giratina is designed to combine with slower attackers.

This card is phenomenal for the game as it allows Pokemon who require a lot of energy to attack, who lack ramp support, to shine. Naturally people have gravitated towards a combination with what I believe to be the most broken pokemon card in the game. This is really an issue with Darkrai himself being a bit overtuned. The Dragonite deck I shared a couple of days ago really showcases how Giratina significantly enhances slow 4 energy attackers who hit very hard. So I wanted to follow up on this concept and throw the limelight at a Pokemon whose attack lines up extremely well into the meta, yet lacks ramp support to accelerate it.

Rhyperior’s Mountain Swing deals 150 damage. Arceus, Darkrai, Giratina, Mewtwo, Palkia, Articuno, Magnezone and Meowscarada will all go down in just one blow. Let’s take the core concept behind the Dragonite deck and apply it here.

Today we hit them with a Mountain. We run a lineup of Pokemon with high HP stats to slow the game down, build up 2 heavyweights and enhance their attacks with key supporters. Both Giovanni and Red are essential here, allowing us to counter Giant Cape plays. In order to knock out Mewtwo and Palkia with a Cape Rhyperior needs Red, but for most other EX Basics Giovanni is enough, this allows us to also one hit KO non-EX meta threats such as Magnezone and Meowscarada with a Giant Cape as well. Running a one off of each enables us to enhance our attack without becoming too matchup dependent.

Rhyhorn and Rhydon may seem like they got very little going on for them, with slow generally underwhelming attacks paired with an insane retreat cost of 3. Yet there’s something special about these 2. Rhyhorn has an HP stat of 80, while Rhydon’s reaches 110. For a basic and stage 1 members of a stage 2 evolution line, these HP stats are significantly above average. This allows both Rhyhorn and Rhydon to survive several mid game attacks which helps you to stay in the game even when you’re being run down by a fast paced beginning. And once Rhyperior is ready, mom spaghetti, you’ll immediately flip the tables and go from victim to bully.

Rhyperior needs time, yet being able to build him up alongside a back up heavy hitter truly allows him to shine. His attack may delete your deck in the process, but who needs cards anyways when his mere presence carries all that excess.