Hydreigon EX Deck Build: Obsidian Attack Strategy Guide

Welcome to our in-depth guide on the Hydreigon EX deck build, designed around the powerful Obsidian Attack. In this article, we'll break down how to maximize Hydreigon EX's potential, explain key card synergies, and share tips on how to use this deck for competitive Pokémon TCG play. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the meta, this guide will help you understand how to effectively build and play with Hydreigon EX.

What Makes Hydreigon EX Stand Out?

Hydreigon EX is a Stage 2 Pokémon with a massive 330 HP, making it one of the most durable Pokémon in the game. It has two main attacks:

• Crashing Heads: For just a Dark and Colorless energy, this attack deals 200 damage and discards the top three cards of your opponent's deck. This can pressure your opponent both offensively and disruptively.

• Obsidian Attack: Hydreigon EX’s signature move, requiring Psychic, Dark, Metal, and Colorless energy. It deals 130 damage to the active Pokémon and 130 damage to two of your opponent’s benched Pokémon, making it a heavy-hitting spread attacker.

While the attack costs are high, this build focuses on efficiently ramping up energy and taking advantage of Hydreigon EX’s spread damage capabilities to dominate the game.

Key Cards in the Hydreigon EX Deck Build

1. Pidgeot EX (Support Engine)

The Pidgeot EX engine provides essential support with its Quick Search ability, allowing you to search for any card from your deck once per turn. This guarantees you can always find crucial cards like Rare Candy or Turbo Energize to speed up the setup of Hydreigon EX.

2. Enamorus V

Enamorus V is included to counter Pokémon like Dusknoir that could disrupt your strategy by targeting benched Pokémon. Its Guardian Love ability prevents your opponent’s abilities from affecting any of your Pokémon with Psychic energy attached, ensuring that your Hydreigon EX stays protected from annoying effects.

3. Turbo Energize (Technical Machine)

This card plays a pivotal role in the deck by accelerating energy to your Pokémon early on. For just one Colorless energy, Turbo Energize allows you to search your deck for two Basic Energy cards and attach them to your Pokémon in any way you like. This makes it much easier to power up Hydreigon EX for its expensive Obsidian Attack.

4. Neo Upper Energy

This Special Energy card provides two energy of any type when attached to a Stage 2 Pokémon like Hydreigon EX, drastically reducing the number of manual energy attachments required. Combined with Counter Gain, which reduces the attack cost when you're behind on prize cards, this energy allows for quicker access to Hydreigon EX’s powerful moves.

5. Counter Gain

When you're behind on prize cards, Counter Gain reduces the attack cost of Hydreigon EX's Obsidian Attack by one Colorless energy. This synergizes perfectly with Neo Upper Energy, enabling you to hit for big damage with fewer attachments.

Strategy and Gameplay Tips

1. Early Game Setup: Prioritize Turbo Energize

The ideal start revolves around getting Turbo Energize off on your second turn. Use Rodom V to draw cards and stabilize your early game, and look for opportunities to accelerate energy to your benched Hydreigons. By doing this, you can power up your first Hydreigon EX quickly and set up for a Turn 3 Obsidian Attack.

2. Using Pidgeot EX Efficiently

Pidgeot EX's Quick Search is invaluable for finding critical pieces like Rare Candy or energy acceleration cards. Make sure to establish Pidgeot EX early on to keep your deck running smoothly.

3. Managing Your Bench: Protecting with Enamorus V and Manaphy

While Enamorus V protects your Psychic-type Hydreigon from abilities, Manaphy adds another layer of defense, preventing bench sniping from cards like Radiant Greninja. Ensure you have these two cards set up early to protect your evolving Dino line.

4. Maximizing Obsidian Attack

Once powered up, Obsidian Attack can spread 130 damage to multiple Pokémon, putting immense pressure on your opponent. The key to success is maintaining energy on your Hydreigon EX and planning your energy acceleration turns with Turbo Energize and Counter Gain.

5. Comeback Potential

Hydreigon EX shines when you're behind on prize cards. The deck is designed to catch up quickly using Counter Catcher to pull key targets into the active slot and Obsidian Attack to chip away at your opponent’s resources.

Sample Deck List

Here’s a sample Hydreigon EX deck list to get you started:

Pokémon (16):

• 2 Hydreigon EX
• 1 Hydreigon (Stage 1)
• 4 Dino (Basic)
• 2 Pidgeot EX
• 1 Enamorus V
• 1 Manaphy
• 1 Rodom V
• 1 Lumineon V
• 1 Phanpy Dippity

Trainer Cards (28):

• 4 Rare Candy
• 4 Arvin
• 2 Iono
• 1 Colress’s Tenacity
• 3 Ultra Ball
• 4 Buddy-Buddy Puffin
• 2 Counter Catcher
• 1 Terra Orb
• 1 Night Stretcher
• 1 Earth and Vessel
• 2 Nest Ball
• 1 Town Store
• 1 Turo Scenario

Energy (12):

• 3 Psychic Energy
• 3 Dark Energy
• 3 Metal Energy
• 3 Neo Upper Energy

Conclusion

Hydreigon EX’s Obsidian Attack deck is a unique and powerful strategy that can overwhelm opponents through high HP, spread damage, and energy acceleration. With smart setup through Turbo Energize and Counter Gain, Hydreigon EX becomes a formidable force in competitive play.

Give this deck a try and see how it fares against your local meta. Keep experimenting with the deck list, and be sure to adapt to evolving strategies as new sets are released. Good luck, and happy battling!