Top 5 Surging Sparks Decks | Pokémon
Sparks are Flying
If any of my early predictions were right for the “new” decks available from Surging Sparks, it would have had a yellow mouse wearing a crown as its own deck, and a certain “bridge” Pokémon nowhere close to the top 20 decks available - sometimes predictions aren’t everything. In this article, I will be going off of the opposite of guesses and hunches - I’m gonna be going off of results from online and major events alike! The decks featured in this article have all performed well at events, and are well positioned heading into future Surging Sparks legal events (considering Prismatic Evolutions is mainly a collector set - our current meta should be similar until our next major release in March 2025). I’ll be sharing the current top five best Surging Sparks Pokémon TCG decks, decklists, and more! Let’s jump into it!
5) Miraidon ex
Miraidon ex [Scarlet and Violet] isn’t a stranger to success, and has had many deep runs at events since the release of the card in the Scarlet and Violet base set. The goal of this deck is to fetch Lightning-type Pokémon out of the deck with Miraidon ex’s Ability, and load up Lightning Energy on those Pokémon with Electric Generator [Scarlet and Violet]. The big change to this deck, and what led it to win the Sacramento Regional Championships, is the inclusion of Pikachu ex [Surging Sparks]. It isn’t the star of the show, but allows the deck to have a stable Area Zero Underdepths [Stellar Crown] activator, and that means you can have a handful of support Pokémon on your bench to make this deck better than ever! The list featured is very similar to Landen Kaetler’s winning list, but I’ve added in a Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex [Twilight Masquerade] for the mirror match, and other aggressive decks. Let’s check out my list!
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You can copy and paste the following list directly into PPokémon TCG Live.
Pokémon: 162 Miraidon ex SVI 81 2 Iron Hands ex PAR 70 1 Magneton SSP 59 1 Magnemite SVI 63 1 Raikou V BRS 48 1 Raichu V BRS 45 1 Pikachu ex SSP 57 1 Lumineon V BRS 40 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38 1 Mew ex MEW 151 1 Latias ex SSP 76 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141 1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56 | Trainer: 274 Arven OBF 186 4 Boss's Orders PAL 172 4 Electric Generator SVI 170 4 Nest Ball SVI 181 3 Ultra Ball SVI 196 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61 1 Secret Box TWM 163 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156 1 Bravery Charm PAL 173 1 Rescue Board TEF 159 2 Area Zero Underdepths SCR 131 Energy: 1716 Lightning Energy SVE 12 1 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151 |
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4) Gholdengo ex
Gholdengo ex [Paradox Rift] has always been on the verge of being “meta”, but has maintained a “rogue-like” status among the Pokémon community. Until recently, I didn’t think that would change, but the inclusion of Togekiss [Surging Sparks] allows you to potentially draw additional Prize Cards throughout the game, and that might smooth over any issues this deck previously had against other aggressive decks or single Prize Card decks. The goal is to survive the first turn or so of Evolving, and pitch Energy with Gholdengo ex’s attack. The new Energy Search Pro [Surging Sparks] Ace Spec allows you to easily rip most of the Energy out of your deck off a single search, and means you can always get that first huge big attack - Superior Energy Retrieval [Paldea Evolved] will take care of the rest. After a few Regional Top Cuts, I’ve based my list off of some of the top performing lists around, so let’s check it out!
You can copy and paste the following list directly into Pokémon TCG Live.
Pokémon: 144 Gholdengo ex PAR 139 4 Gimmighoul SSP 97 1 Togekiss SSP 72 1 Togepi ASR 55 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56 1 Manaphy BRS 41 | Trainer: 363 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145 3 Irida ASR 147 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172 1 Thorton LOR 167 4 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144 4 Night Stretcher SFA 61 3 Nest Ball SVI 181 2 Ultra Ball SVI 196 2 Rare Candy PAF 89 1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160 1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136 1 Energy Search Pro SSP 176 3 PokéStop PGO 68 Energy: 103 Metal Energy SVE 16 1 Grass Energy SVE 9 1 Fire Energy SVE 10 1 Water Energy SVE 11 1 Lightning Energy SVE 12 1 Psychic Energy SVE 13 1 Fighting Energy SVE 14 1 Darkness Energy SVE 15 |
3) Klawf Terapagos ex
In a surprising turn of events, Klawf [Paradox Rift] has become part of the “meta” and a lot of it has to do with the strength of the Terapagos ex [Stellar Crown] / Area Zero Underdepths combo. Being able to hit for larger amounts of damage due to Brute Bonnet [Paradox Rift] creating Poison damage, Radiant Hisuian Sneasler [Astral Radiance] increasing that damage, and Binding Mochi [Shrouded Fable] taking it to another level takes this archetype to another level. You have many different attacking options, and can hit for various high numbers due to Weakness, Poison damage, or even with sneaky return KOs with Pecharunt [Scarlet and Violet Promo]. Similar to the Miraidon ex deck, this archetype benefits from having multiple support Pokémon on your Bench, and the amount of combos are endless! Let’s check out my list that is based on Robin Schulz’ Top Cut list from Stuttgart.
You can copy and paste the following list directly into Pokémon TCG Live.
Pokémon: 182 Klawf PAR 105 2 Terapagos ex SCR 128 2 Brute Bonnet PAR 123 1 Pecharunt PR-SV 149 1 Radiant Hisuian Sneasler LOR 123 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141 1 Hisuian Electrode V PR-SW 294 1 Oranguru V ASR 133 1 Latias ex SSP 76 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38 1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169 1 Lumineon V BRS 40 1 Pecharunt ex SFA 39 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56 1 Genesect SFA 40 | Trainer: 383 Arven OBF 186 3 Boss's Orders PAL 172 1 Professor's Research SVI 189 1 Carmine TWM 145 1 Colress's Tenacity SFA 57 1 Iono PAL 185 4 Nest Ball SVI 181 3 Night Stretcher SFA 61 2 Ultra Ball SVI 196 2 Switch Cart ASR 154 2 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146 1 Precious Trolley SSP 185 3 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140 3 Binding Mochi SFA 55 2 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156 2 Supereffective Glasses ASR 152 4 Area Zero Underdepths SCR 131 Energy: 44 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151 |
2) Charizard ex
Charizard ex [Obsidian Flames] has been one of the top performing decks in our format for well over a year now, and out of all of the decks on this list, it actually contains zero new cards from Surging Sparks? It’s also recently shot up in playability, so what gives? Well, the metagame has changed around it to allow it to be in a better position! With a strong matchup against decks like Miraidon ex, Raging Bolt ex [Twilight Masquerade], and even Roaring Moon ex [Paradox Rift] - Charizard ex seems to have it all! It did recently add in a copy of Cancelling Cologne [Astral Radiance] to help get around Pikachu ex (and some other annoying Pokémon), but otherwise is the same old build that has proven its success! Most Charizard lists are very similar nowadays, but I’ll share the version that I’ve been working on for months now!
You can copy and paste the following list directly into Pokémon TCG Live.
Pokémon: 192 Charizard ex OBF 125 1 Charmeleon PAF 8 3 Charmander MEW 4 2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164 2 Pidgey OBF 162 1 Dusknoir SFA 20 1 Dusclops SFA 19 1 Duskull BRS 60 1 Rotom V LOR 58 1 Lumineon V BRS 40 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38 1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20 1 Manaphy BRS 41 1 Cleffa OBF 80 | Trainer: 364 Arven OBF 186 2 Iono PAL 185 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171 1 Briar SCR 132 1 Thorton LOR 167 4 Rare Candy SVI 191 4 Ultra Ball SVI 196 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144 3 Nest Ball SVI 181 2 Super Rod PAL 188 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160 1 Night Stretcher SFA 61 1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136 1 Unfair Stamp TWM 165 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156 1 Defiance Band SVI 169 1 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137 Energy: 55 Fire Energy SVE 10 |
If you’re looking for a deck box that matches the aesthetic of the Fire Energy in this deck, and the Darkness-type of Charizard ex - check out Ultimate Guard’s Red / Black Synergy Sidewinder here.
1) Regidrago VSTAR
Ever since the results of the 2024 North American International Championships concluded, players started testing the Regidrago VSTAR [Silver Tempest] deck that utilized the then new Teal Mask Ogerpon ex [Twilight Masquerade]. Taking a cue from Mewtwo & Mew-GX [Unified Minds] decks from the past, this deck can copy Pokémon from your discard pile, and that gives Regidrago VSTAR more options than any other deck in format! One of those new options is Alolan Exeggutor ex [Surging Sparks], and it might just give this deck a better shot against decks that primarily feature Basic Pokémon! We’ve already seen Regidrago VSTAR make Top Cut at most Surging Sparks legal Regionals, it’s quickly become the “play” from top players, and it is quite a skillful deck with a variety of options! I’ve personally played Regidrago VSTAR to Worlds where I had my win-and-in to Top 8 with the deck, so I’ll feature my latest list here!
You can copy and paste the following list directly into Pokémon TCG Live.
Pokémon: 203 Regidrago VSTAR SIT 136 3 Regidrago V SIT 135 3 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25 1 Alolan Exeggutor ex SSP 133 1 Dragapult ex TWM 130 1 Giratina VSTAR LOR 131 1 Hisuian Goodra VSTAR LOR 136 1 Haxorus SFA 46 1 Kyurem SFA 47 1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169 1 Mew ex MEW 151 1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38 1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20 1 Cleffa OBF 80 | Trainer: 314 Professor's Research SVI 189 2 Iono PAL 185 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172 4 Ultra Ball SVI 196 4 Nest Ball SVI 181 4 Energy Switch SVI 173 4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163 2 Super Rod PAL 188 1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136 1 Switch SVI 194 1 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157 1 Temple of Sinnoh ASR 155 Energy: 97 Grass Energy SVE 9 2 Fire Energy SVE 10 |
Time to Play
Our format has been solidified with many of the same decks since the release of Twilight Masquerade back in June 2024, so there aren’t too many changes to our current metagame. Some of the top performing decks have changed tech cards, have had variations in strategy, or have shifted their metagame positioning, but it’s more or less a similar meta to what it has been! What does that mean? We know what to expect! You can play any of these decks, or you can try to counter them with any of the other 25 or so viable decks in format! Our format has grown immensely, so I expect to see some decks shift from meta changes alone, and maybe Prismatic Evolutions will change the game more than I currently think it will! As for me, I’m preparing for upcoming majors in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom - I’m hoping to lock in my invitation to Worlds soon enough! As always, I'll be sure to keep you all updated with all of the upcoming changes to the metagame, deck lists, and more!
Thanks for reading,
Zach Lesage
Author:
Zach Lesage
Zach Lesage is a contributing writer for Ultimate Guard. As a Toronto local, he has been playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game since 2005 and creates Pokémon content as his full time career. With multiple prestigious accomplishments in the game, such as 2020 Players Cup 2 Champion and 2020 Oceania International Championships Finalist, he has proven his success in the game. Outside of the game, he travels the world, enjoys the culture of designer streetwear, and is a professionally trained chef. You can catch him at most Pokémon events and follow him on Twitter.