Quick Links
The Lost Zone is a well-loved mechanic in thePokemon TCG. From acting as a draw engine to a way to accelerate Energy attachments, the Lost Zone mechanic is versatile, allowing it to be adapted into a wide variety of decks. This includes the Lost Box Dragapult deck.
In the Lost Box Dragapult deck, you’ll navigate familiar Lost Zone mechanics as a way of powering up your Dragapult ex in order to deal powerful attacks. You’ll also have the chance to utilize a variety of attackers, from Sableye to Radiant Charizard, depending on the deck you’re facing. Discover how to build and play the Lost Box Dragapult deck below.
Dragapult ex TWM (x3)
Iono (x2)
Switch (x2)
Temple of Sinnoh (x1)
Jet Energy (x2)
Best Cards In Lost Box Dragapult Deck
As a Lost Box deck, the Lost Box Dragapult deck plays a variety of cards essential to the archetype. This includesComfeyandColress’s Experiment. However, there are additional cards added to this deck that help it stand out.
Dragapult Ex
Dragapult ex is the namesake for this deck, as well as the unique card that sets it apart from other Lost Box archetype decks. ThisStage Two ex Pokemonreleased in the Scarlet and Violet: Twilight Masquerade expansion brings with it both ahigh HPand apowerful attack.
Dragapult ex’sPhantom Dive requires aBasic Psychic Energyand aBasic Fire Energy, which can be difficult to rapidly achieve in other decks. However,thanks to Mirage Gate, you’ll have the potential to set and attack with your Dragapult ex within one turn. This attack does200 damageto your opponent’s Active Pokemon, and60 in damage countersto the Bench.
Rescue Board
Rescue Board is essential in seamless pivotingbetween Comfeys in the beginning of the game.
Although this deck plays a variety of switching cards, Rescue Board is attached to your Comfey, and it can only be removed through a Lost Vacuum. Thisreduces the need for a switching card each turn, as one of your Comfeys will essentially have a free Retreat Cost through the effects of this card.
This card can also be helpful later in the gameon other Pokemon if you do not attach it to Comfey. Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex and Radiant Charizard both high Retreat Costs. If they are able to survive an attack with 30 or less HP, they will have a free Retreat Cost through Rescue Board.
Buddy-Buddy Poffin
Buddy-Buddy Poffin is vital in a deck like Lost Box Dragapult that playsseveral different low HP Pokemon. This card can be used to search your deck and placeComfey, Dreepy, or Manaphyinto your hand.
It is an Item card, so it can be played at any point during the game, plus as often as you would like each turn.
Best Strategy For Lost Box Dragapult Deck
Because the Lost Box Dragapult deck utilizes theLost Zone mechanic, it will be played in a method similar to other Lost Box decks, at least in the early portions of gameplay. This means that you’ll want to spend yourbeginning turns stocking your Lost Zonein order to utilize the cards in this deck to their fullest potential.
The Lost Box Dragapult deck can thrive going first or second, depending on the match-up. If you go first, you won’t be able to use Supporter cards that may be essential, such as Colress’s Experiment. However, it will give you anextra opportunity to use Comfey’s Flower SelectingAbility to draw cards and place them into the Lost Zone.
If you go second, however, you’ll often be able tosecure an early Knock Out using Cramorant. In order to attack using Cramorant’s Spit Innocently without any need for Energy attachments, you’ll need four cards in the Lost Zone. This can be done through two Comfey’s Flower Selecting Abilities and a Colress’s Experiment.
Along with your Energy attachment for turn that can be used to retreat, this deck plays a variety of switching options to help you utilize a variety of Pokemon in the Active Spot each turn.
If you go second, your opponent will likely be unable to evolve any of their Pokemon before passing their turn.
As a result, as you begin your first turn going second, you’ll be faced with a Basic Pokemon. In many of the most common decks, this is often a Pokemon with low HP.
With four in the Lost Zone, you’ll be able todeal 110 damage with Cramorant’s Spit Innocently, often securing the Knock Out. In the case of higher HP Pokemon, like Chien-Pao ex, two turns will be enough.
Regardless of whether you go first or second, as you work on stockpiling your Lost Zone and taking early Prize Cards,you’ll want to set up your Dragapult ex.
Having a Dragapult ex in play can be done by evolving into Drakloak and then Dragapult ex, or through the use of Rare Candy.
Dragapult ex will be the star of your deck during the middle of the game. Mirage Gate, once you reach seven cards in your Lost Zone, can help meet the Energy requirements for Dragapult ex’s Phantom Dive. This attack will allow you to attack your opponent’s Active Pokemon as well as their Benched Pokemon.
The damage counters applied through Phantom Dive can only be applied to the Bench, not to the Active Pokemon.
This deck also utilizes several options to help at the end of the game, especially if you are falling behind in Prize Cards. BothBloodmoon Ursaluna exandRadiant Charizardrequire less Energy to attack based on the Prize Cards taken by your opponent thanks to their Abilities. This allows you to utilize powerful attacks without needing large amounts of Energy.
Technical Machine: Crisis Punchis also a highly beneficial addition to this deck. Because of Cramorant’s Ability, as long as you have four cards in the Lost Zone and meet the requirements of this Tool card, you can attack without any Energy attachments. This can be useful in countering decks likeCharizard ex.
Common Threats For Lost Box Dragapult Deck
The Lost Box Dragapult deck suffers from many of the common threats that other Lost Box decks do.One of the main examples of this is Iron Hands ex.
Because this deck plays so many low HP Pokemon, Iron Hands ex can easily Knock Out your Active Pokemon. However, what makes this such a dangerous match-up is the fact that Iron Hands ex can utilize Amp You Very Much. This allows your opponent totake an extra Prize Card on Knock Outs, turning your singe-Prize Pokemon into double-Prize Knock Outs.
Amp You Very Much only triggers its effect if your Pokemon is Knocked Out by that attack, not Iron Hands ex’s other attack, Arm Press.
Iron Hands ex may be present in other decks as well. This includes decks likeChien-PaoandFuture Box. Because of this, while these decks may overall not be large threats for Lost Box Dragapult, they have the potential to be.
Lost Box Dragapult may alsostruggle when faced with Iron Thorns ex. That’s because Iron Thorns ex’s Abilitydeactivates all Abilities except for Future Pokemon. This prevents Comfey, Cramorant, Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex, and Radiant Charizard from using their Abilities.
