The Best Dark Decks

What’s poppin’ PTCGO Store readers? Have you been enjoying our new format filled with awesome Pokémon Online decks from Chilling Reign? I certainly have, and this article serves as a way to share my findings with all of you! I’ve been searching around for decks to beat the new powerful Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX (Chilling Reign) decks, and that forces me to search in dark places. What I mean by dark places is Darkness-type decks - ya know, the ones that hit Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX for twice the normal amount of damage! I’ve been putting in those late nights and long testing hours with my group to find the best Darkness-type decks for you to play with! These are the absolute best ones right now, and I hope they serve you well when you’re testing with your friends or playing in events! If you’re looking for any cards for these Pokémon Online decks, use code zlesage5 to save 5% on your next order of PTCGO codes at PTCGO Store. Let’s check out these decks!

ムゲンダイナVMAX (Darkness Ablaze) has been one of the best Pokémon Online decks in format since its release around a year ago, but it hasn’t really been able to exploit Weakness the way it can now. Historically, decks like Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX (Battle Styles) and Coalossal VMAX (Vivid Voltage) have seen more success by hitting Eternatus VMAX for Weakness but I guess the tides have turned. We aren’t necessarily looking to target those decks, but we can now do lots of damage to the best deck in our Chilling Reign format, Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX. This deck functions the same as always - slap on two Energy, build a big bench with Eternal Zone, and hit hard with Dread End. Galarian Moltres V (Chilling Reign) allows you to accelerate Energy because we can move those newly acquired Energy with Weavile-GX (Unified Minds). This deck is relatively easy to play, effective, and one of the best decks in our format.

4 Crobat V SHF 44

4 Eternatus V PR-SW 64

2 Galarian Moltres V CRE 177

2 Galarian Zigzagoon SHF 151

2 Sneasel UNM 131

1 Yveltal TEU 95

2 Weavile-GX UNM 132

4 ムゲンダイナVMAX PR-SW 45

1 Pal Pad SSH 172

2 Phoebe BST 130

2 Chaotic Swell CEC 187

4 Quick Ball SSH 179　

4 Pokémon Communication TEU 152

2 Air Balloon SSH 156　

3 Boss's Orders SHF 58

4 Professor's Research SHF 60

4 Great Ball CPA 52

4 Marnie SSH 169　

9 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7

Malamar VMAX (Rebel Clash) never got the chance to shine, but that's because it never had the chance to be played with Galarian Moltres V and Weavile-GX before. Taking a similar strategy from Eternatus VMAX, this deck becomes more unique because it can run with Red & Blue (Cosmic Eclipse) to accelerate even more Energy into play. This deck more or less functions as a Darkness-type Toolbox with Malamar VMAX as a tank, but it certainly gets the job done against Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX. 

1 Crobat V SHF 44

2 Galarian Moltres V CRE 177

3 Malamar V RCL 121

1 Mega Sableye & Tyranitar-GX UNM 226

1 Umbreon & Darkrai-GX PR-SM 241

2 Weavile-GX UNM 132

3 Malamar VMAX RCL 122

1 Eldegoss V CPA 5

1 Kricketune V BST 6

2 Dedenne-GX UNB 195

1 Marshadow UNB 81

1 Mewtwo & Mew-GX PR-SM 191

3 Sneasel CRE 30

1 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189　

2 Cheryl BST 123

4 Quick Ball SSH 179　

2 Red & Blue CEC 202

3 Pokémon Communication TEU 152

3 Air Balloon SSH 156　

2 Boss's Orders SHF 58

3 Professor's Research SHF 60

1 Reset Stamp UNM 206

3 Tag Call CEC 206

4 Marnie SSH 169　

10 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7

 

Most Darkness-type Pokémon Online decks will share similarities, like the Galarian Moltres V and Weavile-GX combo, but this deck is the true toolbox. Using unique cards like Mega Sableye & Tyranitar-GX (Unified Minds), drawing cards with Silvally-GX (Cosmic Eclipse), and stealing games with Umbreon & Darkrai-GX (Unified Minds) gives this deck cool options. I personally enjoy how this deck can become a pseudo-Psychic-type deck because it plays a couple of copies of Mewtwo & Mew-GX (Unified Minds), which really opens this deck up. If you love playing around with different tech cards, this is the deck for you.

2 Type: Null UNM 183

2 Silvally-GX CEC 184

2 Galarian Moltres V CRE 177

1 Greninja & Zoroark-GX UNB 201

1 Mega Sableye & Tyranitar-GX UNM 226

1 Umbreon & Darkrai-GX PR-SM 241

2 Weavile-GX UNM 132

2 Dedenne-GX UNB 195

1 Marshadow UNB 81

2 Mewtwo & Mew-GX PR-SM 191

3 Sneasel CRE 30

1 Cynthia & Caitlin CEC 189　

3 Viridian Forest TEU 156

2 Mallow & Lana CEC 198

4 Quick Ball SSH 179　

3 Red & Blue CEC 202

4 Pokémon Communication TEU 152

2 Air Balloon SSH 156　

3 Boss's Orders SHF 58

2 Professor's Research SHF 60

1 Guzma & Hala CEC 193

1 Great Catcher CEC 192

4 Tag Call CEC 206

1 Capture Energy RCL 171

10 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7

 

Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX (Cosmic Eclipse) Pokémon Online decks typically focus on Zacian V (Sword and Shield), but this version also includes Galarian Moltres V. Being able to use Direflame Wings, attach to Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX, and use Intrepid Sword in the same turn is absolutely bonkers. Other techs that are included in this deck are Galarian Zapdos V (Chilling Reign) to beat Eternatus VMAX and Aegislash V (Vivid Voltage) to get around Decidueye (Shining Fates). This is one of my personal favorite decks in this format, so feel free to give it a whirl.

1 Crobat V SHF 44

3 Galarian Moltres V CRE 177

2 Arceus & Dialga & Palkia-GX CEC 221

1 Galarian Zapdos V CRE 174

1 Eldegoss V CPA 5

2 Dedenne-GX UNB 195

1 Aegislash V VIV 126

2 Zacian V PR-SW 18

1 Marshadow UNB 81

2 Cherish Ball UNM 191

3 Viridian Forest TEU 156

4 Metal Saucer SSH 170

4 Quick Ball SSH 179　

1 Tool Scrapper RCL 168

2 Air Balloon SSH 156　

4 Boss's Orders SHF 58

4 Professor's Research SHF 60

1 Skyla RCL 166　

4 Energy Switch SSH 162

3 Switch SSH 183

1 Water Energy SWSHEnergy 3

4 Darkness Energy SWSHEnergy 7

5 Metal Energy SWSHEnergy 8

4 Aurora Energy SSH 186

All of the above lists are amazing, and I’ve handcrafted them myself to help you see the most success! Feel free to interchange cards or try that spicy new tech to give them a personal spin if you like! Otherwise, they’re ready to go as long as you have the cards! If you don’t, no worries at all! Use code zlesage5 to save 5% on your next order of PTCGO codes from the PTCGO Store. Happy testing and have a great day!

Zach Lesage is a contributing writer for PTCGO Store. As a Toronto local, he has been playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game since 2005 and creates Pokémon content as his full time career. Under the moniker of theloneblown, he creates YouTube content, streams on Twitch, and provides hot takes on his Twitter. With multiple prestigious accomplishments in the game, such as the 2020 Players Cup 2 Champion and the 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 @ZachLesagePTCG.