The "Pokémon TCG Pocket" metagame changes with every expansion, but one thing has remained the same: Darktina, the unstoppable combo of Darkrai Ex and Giratina Ex, is still one of the most formidable decks in competitive play.
Despite the popularity of the newer decks as part of the "Eevee Grove Expansion," Darktina shows that consistency and tenacity quite often defeat flash and novelty.
Darktina Deck Still Unstoppable in Today's Meta
Brought to the game in the "Shining Revelry" expansion, Darktina is a top player with a grindy, passive playstyle that many competitive players enjoy for its predictability.
Unlike flavor-of-the-month lists that reach a peak in popularity and then fade away because of counter decks (such as the one-time top-ranked Charizard Ex and Sylveon Ex list that faltered with Oricorio's return to popularity), Darktina has adjusted to each format adjustment, GameRant wrote.
Despite the emerging threats, this list has maintained a nearly original core strategy for more than four sets. Even with the Eevee Grove expansion and the onset of new counters such as Buzzwole Ex and Pheromosa, Darktina is still a competitive—if not top-tier option.
Longevity Supported by Tournament Outcomes
Darktina's endurance is not theoretical. It still puts up strong performances in online events and has just won another title, demonstrating that even as the meta evolves, there aren't many decks that can compare to its performance.
Though its usage rate has fallen somewhat, that's less an indication of weakness and more a reflection on the meta's diversity. Darktina has outlasted more outright counters than any other deck, including hard-hitting Grass decks that theoretically would be able to take advantage of Darkrai Ex's weaknesses.
Minimal Changes, Maximum Results
A further strength of Darktina is that it remains consistent through expansions. Whereas some decks have tested tech cards such as Nihilego and Poison Barb (particularly in the Extradimensional Crisis set), the deck's overall strategy hasn't required much adjustment.
This kind of consistency is unheard of in "Pokémon TCG Pocket," where decks often turn significantly to new sets to remain competitive.
Can Any Deck Knock Out Darktina?
The upcoming July 2025 expansion may introduce tools that could finally dethrone Darktina. But after four months of dominance, there's little reason to believe the deck's reign is nearing its end.
If you're a free-to-play (F2P) player, a Redditor recommends that you use the Darktina deck. Still, the original poster says that using this deck is not an automatic win since more players are figuring out how to counter this deck.
