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This guide will show you how to build some of the strongest Darkrai Decks. We'll cover the best Darkrai Deck builds, how to use them, as well how to beat Darkrai Decks, and more!
| The decks on this page reflect the meta around the Everyday Wonders Expansion. |
List of Contents
| Darkrai Deck Variants | Strengths and Weaknesses |
|---|---|
Mega Altaria ex and PD Espeon Deck
[★ Best ★] |
Strengths:
• Can deal up to 80 damage on your first attack. • With a lot of Basic Pokemon included in the deck, Area Zero becomes more useful for searching cards. • Mega Altaria ex's Mega Harmony can deal up to 130 damage with a full Bench for only 2 Energy. Weaknesses: • Prone to bad starts if you open with Darkrai. |
Darkrai and Mega Altaria ex Deck |
Strengths:
• Darkrai synergizes with Igglybuff, who is able to put the opponent's Active Pokemon to Sleep. • Mega Altaria ex's Mega Harmony can deal up to 130 damage with a full Bench for only 2 Energy. Weaknesses: • Prone to bad starts if you open with Darkrai. • Can have trouble finding Mega Altaria ex from the deck. |
Milotic ex and Darkrai Deck
|
Strengths:
• Put opposing Pokemon to sleep using Milotic, Igglybuff, or Darkrai. • Darkrai's Ability allows it to automatically deal 20 damage to sleeping Pokemon at the end of each turn. Weaknesses: • Relies heavily on the opponent's Pokemon being asleep. • Other than Milotic ex, the Pokemon in this deck do not have much HP. |
Terapagos ex and Darkrai Deck |
Strengths:
• Starting Plains also allows Igglybuff to survive for longer in the early game. • The Igglybuff and Darkrai combo can stall the opponent while Terapagos ex tries to get 3 different Energy types. • Darkrai synergizes with Igglybuff, who is able to put the opponent's Active Pokemon to Sleep. Weaknesses: • Lack of Energy acceleration makes Terapagos ex a bit difficult to set up. • Prism Impact's damage boost heavily relies on RNG. • Prone to bad starts if you open with Darkrai. |
Darkrai and Mega Absol ex Deck |
Strengths:
• Darkrai synergizes with Igglybuff, who is able to put the opponent's Active Pokemon to Sleep. • Mega Absol ex has an inexpensive Attack in Darkness Claw, which can 2HKO most ex Pokemon. Weaknesses: • Prone to bad starts if you open with Darkrai. • Only runs 1 Darkrai, making the Igglybuff and Darkrai strategy a little less powerful. |
Wigglytuff ex and Darkrai Deck |
Strengths:
• Makes use of Jigglypuff and Wigglytuff ex to put opponents to Sleep instead of simply relying on Igglybuff. • Darkrai synergizes with Igglybuff, who is able to put the opponent's Active Pokemon to Sleep. Weaknesses: • Susceptible to getting donked by other Darkrai decks. |
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| Energy Used |
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This is a standard Mega Altaria ex and Darkrai deck that adds Paradox Drive Espeon as another enabler for Darkrai's Bad Dreams. It also uses Mega Rising Eevee so it can evolve and attack as Espeon on its first turn, which is very advantageous if you are going second.
| Expansions | Cards to Get and Packs to Open |
|---|---|
| Genetic Apex (A1) | Sabrina x 1 (Charizard Pack) |
| Mythical Island (A1a) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Spacetime Smackdown (A2) | Cyrus x 1 (Palkia Pack) |
| Triumphant Light (A2a) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Shining Revelry (A2b) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Celestial Guardians | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Extradimensional Crisis | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Eevee Grove | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Wisdom of Sky and Sea | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Secluded Springs | Igglybuff x 2 (Suicune Pack) |
| Mega Rising | Mega Altaria ex x 1 (Mega Altaria Pack) Eevee x 2 (Mega Gyarados Pack) Swablu x 1 (Mega Altaria Pack) Copycat x 2 (Mega Gyarados Pack) |
| Crimson Blaze | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Fantastical Parade | Training Area x 1 (Mega Gardevoir Pack) |
| Paldean Wonders | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Mega Shine | Darkrai x 2 (Mega Gengar Pack) |
| Pulsing Aura | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Paradox Drive | Espeon x 2 (Paradox Pack) |
| Everyday Wonders | Small Balloon x 1 (Picnic Pack) |
| Ruler of the Skies | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Team Rocket's Ambition | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Promo-A | Poke Ball x 2 (Promo-A Pack) Professor's Research x 2 (Promo-A Pack) |
| Promo-B | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Alternate Cards | Possible Cuts |
|---|---|
![]() Poke Ball (P-A 005) |
![]() ![]() • Add another Poke Ball to increase the chance of drawing Darkrai. • Lisia is a better choice for thinning the deck and ensuring Mega Altaria ex gains at least 60 more damage in its attack, so this alternative depends on your preference. |
![]() Sabrina (A1 225) |
![]() ![]() ![]() • There are a lot of situations where you Sabrina is more useful, especially when getting the last point. |
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| Energy Used |
Scan Code Save image to scan in-game. |
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Darkrai and its Bad Dreams Ability synergizes with Igglybuff's Sleepy Lullaby which puts the defending Pokemon to Sleep.
This is a powerful early-game strategy that's usable as early as turn 1.
Mega Altaria ex can score KOs in the late-game, giving this deck an advantage at any point in the game.
| Expansions | Cards to Get and Packs to Open |
|---|---|
| Genetic Apex (A1) | Sabrina x 1 (Charizard Pack) |
| Mythical Island (A1a) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Spacetime Smackdown (A2) | Cyrus x 1 (Palkia Pack) |
| Triumphant Light (A2a) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Shining Revelry (A2b) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Celestial Guardians | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Extradimensional Crisis | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Eevee Grove | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Wisdom of Sky and Sea | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Secluded Springs | Igglybuff x 2 (Suicune Pack) |
| Mega Rising | Mega Altaria ex x 1 (Mega Altaria Pack) Eevee x 2 (Mega Gyarados Pack) Swablu x 1 (Mega Altaria Pack) Copycat x 2 (Mega Gyarados Pack) |
| Crimson Blaze | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Fantastical Parade | Training Area x 1 (Mega Gardevoir Pack) |
| Paldean Wonders | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Mega Shine | Darkrai x 2 (Mega Gengar Pack) |
| Pulsing Aura | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Paradox Drive | Espeon x 2 (Paradox Pack) |
| Everyday Wonders | Small Balloon x 1 (Picnic Pack) |
| Ruler of the Skies | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Team Rocket's Ambition | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Promo-A | Poke Ball x 2 (Promo-A Pack) Professor's Research x 2 (Promo-A Pack) |
| Promo-B | No cards needed from this expansion. |
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| Energy Used |
Scan Code Save image to scan in-game. |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
It is recommend to have Igglybuff in the Active Spot at the very start of the battle, since it requires no Energy and can immediately put the opponent to sleep. Then, once you have Milotic ex available, swap it immediately into your Active Spot.
Get Milotic ex as soon as possible with the help of Lisia and Wallace. The Poke Ball and Professor's Research cards are also helpful Trainer cards for this purpose. Milotic ex is your main attacker and the only card you'll really want in your Active Spot past the first turn.
Darkrai is best kept on the Bench, since you mainly need it for its Ability. Darkrai's Bad Dreams Ability allows it to deal 20 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon if they're asleep, which means you can deal up to 120 damage if you attack with Milotic ex and have Darkrai on your Bench.
| Expansions | Cards to Get and Packs to Open |
|---|---|
| Genetic Apex (A1) | Sabrina x 1 (Charizard Pack) |
| Mythical Island (A1a) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Spacetime Smackdown (A2) | Cyrus x 1 (Palkia Pack) |
| Triumphant Light (A2a) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Shining Revelry (A2b) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Celestial Guardians | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Extradimensional Crisis | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Eevee Grove | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Wisdom of Sky and Sea | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Secluded Springs | Feebas x 2 (Suicune Pack) Igglybuff x 2 (Suicune Pack) |
| Mega Rising | Lisia x 2 (Mega Altaria Pack) |
| Crimson Blaze | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Fantastical Parade | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Paldean Wonders | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Mega Shine | Darkrai x 2 (Mega Gengar Pack) |
| Pulsing Aura | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Paradox Drive | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Everyday Wonders | Milotic ex x 2 (Picnic Pack) Elegant Cape x 1 (Picnic Pack) Wallace x 2 (Picnic Pack) |
| Ruler of the Skies | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Team Rocket's Ambition | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Promo-A | X Speed x 1 (Promo-A Pack) Poke Ball x 2 (Promo-A Pack) Professor's Research x 2 (Promo-A Pack) |
| Promo-B | No cards needed from this expansion. |
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| Energy Used |
Scan Code Save image to scan in-game. |
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This Terapagos ex deck utilizes the Igglybuff and Darkrai combo to stall and deal chip damage to the opponent's Defending Pokemon while Terapagos ex tries to accumulate 3 Energy types in the bench.
| Expansions | Cards to Get and Packs to Open |
|---|---|
| Genetic Apex (A1) | Sabrina x 1 (Charizard Pack) |
| Mythical Island (A1a) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Spacetime Smackdown (A2) | Giant Cape x 1 (Dialga Pack) Cyrus x 1 (Palkia Pack) |
| Triumphant Light (A2a) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Shining Revelry (A2b) | Pokemon Center Lady x 1 (Shiny Charizard Pack) |
| Celestial Guardians | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Extradimensional Crisis | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Eevee Grove | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Wisdom of Sky and Sea | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Secluded Springs | Igglybuff x 2 (Suicune Pack) |
| Mega Rising | Copycat x 2 (Mega Gyarados Pack) |
| Crimson Blaze | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Fantastical Parade | Lucky Ice Pop x 1 (Mega Gardevoir Pack) Starting Plains x 1 (Mega Gardevoir Pack) |
| Paldean Wonders | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Mega Shine | Darkrai x 2 (Mega Gengar Pack) |
| Pulsing Aura | Field Blower x 1 (Mega Lucario Pack) |
| Paradox Drive | Terapagos ex x 1 (Paradox Pack) |
| Everyday Wonders | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Ruler of the Skies | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Team Rocket's Ambition | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Promo-A | X Speed x 2 (Promo-A Pack) Poke Ball x 2 (Promo-A Pack) Professor's Research x 2 (Promo-A Pack) |
| Promo-B | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Alternate Cards | Possible Cuts |
|---|---|
![]() Starting Plains (B2 154) |
![]() ![]() • Having a second Starting Plains allows you to overwrite your opponent's Stadium instead of just removing it. |
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| Energy Used |
Scan Code Save image to scan in-game. |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Darkrai and its Bad Dreams Ability synergizes with Igglybuff's Sleepy Lullaby which puts the defending Pokemon to Sleep.
Darkrai ex and Rocky Helmet can help pile on damage for a big KO later in the game.
Giant Cape and Starting Plains are used to give your Pokemon some staying power, especially against opposing Darkrai decks with Igglybuff.
| Expansions | Cards to Get and Packs to Open |
|---|---|
| Genetic Apex (A1) | Sabrina x 1 (Charizard Pack) |
| Mythical Island (A1a) | Leaf x 1 (Mew Pack) |
| Spacetime Smackdown (A2) | Darkrai ex x 1 (Dialga Pack) Giant Cape x 1 (Dialga Pack) Rocky Helmet x 2 (Palkia Pack) Cyrus x 1 (Palkia Pack) Mars x 1 (Palkia Pack) |
| Triumphant Light (A2a) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Shining Revelry (A2b) | Pokemon Center Lady x 1 (Shiny Charizard Pack) |
| Celestial Guardians | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Extradimensional Crisis | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Eevee Grove | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Wisdom of Sky and Sea | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Secluded Springs | Igglybuff x 2 (Suicune Pack) |
| Mega Rising | Mega Absol ex x 1 (Mega Gyarados Pack) Copycat x 1 (Mega Gyarados Pack) |
| Crimson Blaze | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Fantastical Parade | Lucky Ice Pop x 1 (Mega Gardevoir Pack) Starting Plains x 1 (Mega Gardevoir Pack) |
| Paldean Wonders | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Mega Shine | Darkrai x 1 (Mega Gengar Pack) |
| Pulsing Aura | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Paradox Drive | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Everyday Wonders | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Ruler of the Skies | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Team Rocket's Ambition | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Promo-A | Poke Ball x 2 (Promo-A Pack) Professor's Research x 2 (Promo-A Pack) |
| Promo-B | No cards needed from this expansion. |
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| Energy Used |
Scan Code Save image to scan in-game. |
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Darkrai and its Bad Dreams Ability synergizes with Igglybuff's Sleepy Lullaby which puts the defending Pokemon to Sleep. It also synergizes with Promo Jigglypuff and Wigglytuff ex who can also put Pokemon to sleep.
Darkrai ex can help pile on damage for a big KO later in the game.
Giant Cape is used to give your Pokemon some staying power, especially against opposing Darkrai decks with Igglybuff.
| Expansions | Cards to Get and Packs to Open |
|---|---|
| Genetic Apex (A1) | Wigglytuff ex x 2 (Pikachu Pack) Sabrina x (Charizard Pack) |
| Mythical Island (A1a) | Leaf x 1 (Mew Pack) |
| Spacetime Smackdown (A2) | Darkrai ex x 1 (Dialga Pack) Giant Cape x 2 (Dialga Pack) Cyrus x 1 (Palkia Pack) Mars x 1 (Palkia Pack) |
| Triumphant Light (A2a) | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Shining Revelry (A2b) | Pokemon Center Lady x 1 (Shiny Charizard Pack) |
| Celestial Guardians | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Extradimensional Crisis | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Eevee Grove | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Wisdom of Sky and Sea | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Secluded Springs | Igglybuff x 1 (Suicune Pack) |
| Mega Rising | Copycat x 1 (Mega Gyarados Pack) |
| Crimson Blaze | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Fantastical Parade | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Paldean Wonders | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Mega Shine | Darkrai x 2 (Mega Gengar Pack) |
| Pulsing Aura | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Paradox Drive | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Everyday Wonders | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Ruler of the Skies | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Team Rocket's Ambition | No cards needed from this expansion. |
| Promo-A | Poke Ball x 2 (Promo-A Pack) Professor's Research x 2 (Promo-A Pack) Jigglypuff x 2 (Promo-A Pack) |
| Promo-B | No cards needed from this expansion. |


This is a powerful one-two combo that can deal as much as 30 to 50 damage as early as your first turn. Besides the high damage, the disruptiveness of Sleep also plays a huge part and can swing a game's momentum in your favor.

Mega Altaria ex and its Mega Harmony Attack can consistently deal 130 damage for only 2 Energy. This can cleanly KO most Pokemon, especially after taking damage from Darkrai and Igglybuff.


Pokemon Center Lady can heal a Pokemon from Sleep and get it back into the battle right away. Clear Veil can protect your Pokemon from Sleep simply by being attached. These are effective techs to have ready against other Darkrai decks.


Darkrai has a hefty 2 Retreat Cost and a steep 3 Attack Cost. Stranding it in the Active Spot can often be disadvantageous for Darkrai players and can help you catch up to their board state.

TR Articuno ex |
TR Zapdos ex |
TR Weezing ex |
TR Slowking ex |
TR Raticate ex |
TRA Garchomp |
TR Moltres ex |
TR Wobbuffet |
Mega Garchomp ex |
- | - | - |
Best Darkrai Decks and Card List

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Unfortunately the sleeping power is easily counterable