Summary
Ancient and future cards debuted in Paradox Rift, the fifth set in thePokemon Trading Card Game’s Scarlet and Violet series.
While close to 50 cards have been printed that are either ancient or future cards, some are better than others. So, let’s head back to the future and explore some of the top future cards around.
10Miraidon ex
The Power Level Is High For Pokemon Scarlet’s Box Art ‘Mon
Miraidon ex is the rare case of theusually stronger “ex”card not quite reaching the power level of its non-augmented version, but the box art ‘mon for Pokemon Violet still packs a wallop in its “ex” variant.
220 HP, no weaknesses and only a single-energy retreat cost are certainly attractive, but it’s not a format-warping card by any means. Of note is its Repulsion Bolt attack, which can deal an impressive 160 damage for only one lightning and one psychic energy (as long as the opposing ‘mon already has damage on it).
9Iron Bundle
Future Delibird Gives You A Free Boss’s Orders
It’s good to see Delibird (or at least its future version) rewarded with a fairly strong TCG card, as Iron Bundle’s Hyper Blower ability, in particular, is quite useful in a variety of situations. Often found in Baxcalibur decks or sometimes as a one-of in future-themed decks, the ability to get a free Boss’s Orders (orGust of Windfor old heads) against your opponent can be extremely important.
While its attack, Refrigerated Steam, is nothing to write home about as a three-energy 80 damage joint, the ability to stop evolution ‘mons from attacking can be pretty warping against all the Charizard ex decks running amok currently.
8Future Booster Energy Capsule
20 More Damage And No Retreat Cost For Future ‘Mons
Pokemon aren’t the only cards in the TCG that can have the “future” designation. This Pokemon Tool might not scream “ultra-powerful,” but it does provide rather important utility in a future card-themed deck.
Tacking on 20 damage to any attacks your future Pokemon do is already nice, and then add in the fact that this card reduces the retreat cost to zero to whatever ‘mon is equipped with this, and you’re looking at a top-tier tool for the future deck archetype.
7Iron Valiant ex
Blow Your Opponent To (Tachyon) Bits
This future version of one of Ralts’ final evolutions, Gallade, is notable mostly for its highly powerful – and highly annoying, depending on what side of the table you’re on – ability, which is called Tachyon Bits.
The ability says that every time this card moves into the active spot from the bench, you may place two damage counters on one of your foe’s Pokemon. Obviously, this card synergizes well with both Future Booster Energy Capsule’s ability to reduce retreat costs to nothing as well as cards that switch both active Pokemon – such as Switch Cart or theACE SPECcard Prime Catcher.
6Reboot Pod
A Highly Powerful ACE SPEC Future Card
Attaching energy cards from your discard pile to Pokemon in play is almost always an eminently beneficial play. With this future card, you can attach up to six, assuming you have a bench full of future ‘mons.
As an ACE SPEC card, you’re only allowed one of these in your deck, and many decks – even future-themed ones – will likely opt for generally higher-powered ones, such as Hero’s Cape, Maximum Belt and Prime Catcher, but Reboot Pod still provides an extremely powerful effect as a future card.
5Techno Radar
This Item Should Definitely Be On Your Future Deck’s Radar
All decks, no matter how strong they are, need Trainer cards that can help players get to their main strategy as quickly as possible. While cards such as Buddy-Buddy Poffin and Ultra Ball are generally strong options, future decks have this specific Trainer card to help produce these results.
The only “drawback” of the card is discarding another card from your hand, but the payoff is the ability to nab any two future Pokemon cards from your deck, aiding you massively no matter what your board state looks like.
4Miraidon
The Stronger Miraidon Card For Future Decks
Energy acceleration is always a key component of top-tier decks, and the non-“ex” version of Miraidon provides that talent in spades for future decks. While its sole damaging attack is not overly impressive, the card’s Peak Acceleration attack is where its real power lies.
The ability to search your deck for two energy cards and attach them any way you’d like to your future ‘mons is extremely powerful, as you can power up any number of extremely strong attacks after just one usage of this move.
3Iron Leaves ex
One-Shot Charizard Ex Out Of Nowhere? Sign Me Up
This Temporal Forces card synergizes beautifully with Miraidon, as you can set up a surprise attack against your opponent by using Miraidon’s Peak Acceleration to attach to a ‘mon that doesn’t seem too threatening (such as Miraidon itself). Then, play this next turn and use its Rapid Vernier ability to immediately scoot it to the active spot, taking all the useful energy along the way, and then swing in for big damage.
This is especially useful against the reigning top deck in the meta, Charizard ex, as that hugely powerful ‘mon is actually weak to grass-type ‘mons – such as Iron Leaves ex.
2Iron Hands ex
The Main Build-Around For Future Decks
One of the more interesting Pokemon TCG cards released in recent memory, thisfuture version of the fighting-type ‘mon Hariyamadisplays one of the best attacks ever on a card – not in terms of sheer power, but rather in terms of its warping effect on the game.
Iron Hands ex’s Amp You Very Much attack deals 120 damage for one lightning energy and a rather high three colorless energy. While that rate doesn’t scream out “incredible attack,” its effect says otherwise: “If your opponent’s Pokémon is Knocked Out by damage from this attack, take 1 more Prize card.”
1Iron Crown ex
Future Cobalion Is Number One With A Bullet
This Temporal Forces card immediately vaulted to the top of the list in terms of best future cards, as its Cobalt Command ability adds 20 damage to the attacks from your other future ‘mons. This ability stacks too, so if your bench is full of Iron Crown ex, your active future Pokemon is dealing a whopping 80 more damage a turn.
For example, if you have four Iron Crown ex in play and an Iron Hands ex in your active spot with a Future Booster Energy Capsule attached, the Iron Hands ex’s Amp You Very Much attack is now dealing 220 HP a pop – enough to one-shot many major threats in today’s standard metagame.
