If you’ve been playing Pokémon TCG Pocket and you’re itching to add Darkrai ex to your collection, you’re in the right place. In this article, you’ll learn the methods and tricks to get this powerful card, plus tips to use it well in your decks. Let’s dive in.
Darkrai ex is a Basic Darkness-type ex card in Pokémon TCG Pocket. It has 140 HP and uses the Dark Prism attack, which deals 80 damage. Its real power comes from its ability called Nightmare Aura: whenever you attach a Darkness Energy from your Energy Zone to Darkrai ex, it deals 20 damage to the opponent’s Active Pokémon — even while sitting on your Bench. This kind of passive or “chip” damage makes Darkrai ex a feared card in the meta.
Because of that ability, many players use it in bench-damage or chip damage decks, where Darkrai ex weakens the opponent over time. It is also often used alongside cards that benefit from the opponent being damaged.
Methods to Acquire Darkrai ex
There are a few ways to get Darkrai ex in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Here’s a breakdown:
- Pull from Booster Packs (Space-Time Smackdown: Dialga Pack)
Darkrai ex is part of the Space-Time Smackdown expansion (often referred to as A2). If you open Dialga booster packs from that set, you have a chance of pulling Darkrai ex.
Because of rarity, the pull rate is low. The odds vary depending on the rarity version (for example, a 2-Star version is rarer than more common variants). You might need to open many packs to get it just by luck.
- Crafting with Pack Points
If you’re unlucky with pulls, you can still craft Darkrai ex using Pack Points. For example, one known variant costs 500 Pack Points to craft. Important tip: the Pack Points you use must be from the same expansion (i.e. Space-Time Smackdown) to craft a card from that expansion. So if your Pack Points come from other expansions, they may not work.
- Premium Pass / Promo Versions
Occasionally, the game offers promo versions of Darkrai ex through the Premium Pass. If you purchase (or have access to) the Premium Pass and complete certain missions or login rewards, you might unlock a Darkrai ex Promo card (for example, version P-A 042). This version cannot be pulled from booster packs, but comes as a reward externally.
Step-by-Step To Get Darkrai ex
Here’s a stepwise plan you can follow:
- Focus on Space-Time Smackdown packs. When you open packs, stick to the Dialga Pack from that expansion so that your chance of getting Darkrai ex is possible, and so the Pack Points you gain are usable for crafting it.
- Accumulate Pack Points. Whenever you open a booster pack, you typically receive Pack Points (especially from duplicate or lower-rarity cards). Save those, and when you have enough, use them to craft Darkrai ex.
- Check the Premium Pass promotions. Keep an eye on the events, missions, and login rewards tied to the Premium Pass. If a promo Darkrai ex is offered, complete the tasks necessary to unlock it.
- Trade with other players. Although not always ideal, you might find someone willing to trade Darkrai ex. Make sure the rarity and version match. Be cautious and only trade fairly.
- Patience + persistence. Because the pull rates are low, getting Darkrai ex purely by opening packs can take many tries. Combining pack opening with crafting is often the more reliable path.
Tips to Optimize Your Chances
- Concentrate your pack openings on Space-Time Smackdown (Dialga) rather than scattering across many expansions.
- Don’t waste Pack Points on crafting unnecessary cards — reserve them until you have enough to craft Darkrai ex.
- Watch for limited time events or premium pass windows when promo Darkrai ex may be available.
- Monitor trading boards or communities where players sometimes post trade offers; sometimes people trade duplicates.
- Manage expectations. Even with the best strategy, luck plays a big role.
How to Use Darkrai ex Well in Decks
Once you have Darkrai ex, you’ll want to make it shine. Here are some popular strategies:
- Bench damage strategy. Because of Nightmare Aura, you can deal damage while Darkrai ex stays on the Bench. This weakens the opponent gradually.
- Combine with low-cost attackers. Cards like Weavile ex are great partners, because they can make use of the chip damage and require minimal energy.
- Use a tank or stall card in the Active spot. For example, Druddigon or other high-HP Pokémon can soak attacks while your Darkrai ex chips away. Then you can switch when ready.
- Use trainer cards like Cyrus. Cyrus can force your opponent to bring up a damaged Pokémon to the Active spot, letting you finish it.
- Include cards that reduce retreat cost (like Leaf) so that switching between your active and bench is easier.
- Complement with chip damage tools. Cards like Rocky Helmet in certain decks help push extra damage, making your strategy more lethal.
