Starmie EX In Pokémon TCG Pocket: Best Water Deck Builds And Strategy Guide

Starmie EX is one of the fastest and most consistent attackers in Pokémon TCG Pocket. With a low energy cost and excellent mobility, Starmie EX puts constant pressure on opponents from the very first turns. This guide covers the best Starmie EX deck builds, card synergies, and competitive strategies.

Starmie EX Card Overview

Starmie EX is a Stage 1 Water-type Pokémon evolved from Staryu. Its attack, Hydro Splash, deals 90 damage for only two Water Energy — one of the most efficient damage-to-energy ratios in the game. With 130 HP and no weakness (pure Water type), Starmie EX is surprisingly durable and can be retreated for just one energy, giving it exceptional board mobility.

Stat	Value
HP	130
Type	Water
Stage	Stage 1 (Evolves from Staryu)
Attack Cost	2 Water Energy
Attack	Hydro Splash — 90 damage
Weakness	None
Retreat Cost	1 Energy

Best Starmie EX Deck Build

Core Pokémon Line

2x Staryu + 2x Starmie EX — Your primary attacker. The 2-2 line ensures you find Starmie EX consistently.
2x Lapras EX — Bulky backup Water attacker with 140 HP and Surf dealing 80 damage for 3 Water Energy. Lapras provides sustain with its high HP.
1x Articuno EX — Secondary attacker with Blizzard dealing 80 damage to the active and 10 to each benched Pokémon. Great for spread damage.
1x Greninja — Provides Water Shuriken, dealing 20 damage to one of your opponent’s Pokémon when played from hand. Excellent for picking off low-HP Pokémon.

Trainer Cards

2x Professor’s Research — Draw engine to find Staryu and Starmie EX quickly.
2x Misty — Critical for energy acceleration. Attaching extra Water Energy lets you attack faster.
2x Sabrina — Force switches to disrupt your opponent’s setup or bring a vulnerable Pokémon into the active spot.
2x Poké Ball — Search for Staryu or your other Basic Pokémon.
2x X Speed — Free retreat for Starmie EX when needed.
2x Potion — Healing keeps your Starmie EX alive for another attack cycle.

Energy

10 Water Energy — All your attackers use Water Energy. Keep it lean for consistency.

How to Play Starmie EX

Early Game (Turn 1-2)

Lead with Staryu and attach Water Energy immediately. Use Poké Ball and Professor’s Research to find Starmie EX and Lapras EX. If you have Misty, use it to accelerate energy onto your benched Pokémon. The goal is to evolve into Starmie EX by turn 2 and start attacking with Hydro Splash for 90 damage.

Mid Game (Turn 3-5)

With Starmie EX active, you are hitting for 90 damage every turn with only two energy. This is enough to two-shot most EX Pokémon and one-shot many Basic and Stage 1 Pokémon. Use Sabrina strategically to pull up vulnerable targets or to force your opponent to waste energy retreating. If Starmie EX takes damage, retreat it using X Speed and bring in Lapras EX or Articuno EX to absorb hits.

Late Game (Turn 5+)

In the late game, cycle between Starmie EX and Lapras EX to maintain offensive pressure while healing your bench with Potion. Articuno EX’s Blizzard can spread damage across the opponent’s entire board, setting up kills for Hydro Splash. Greninja’s Water Shuriken is excellent for finishing off Pokémon that survive with low HP.

Key Synergies

Misty + Starmie EX — Misty’s energy acceleration allows Starmie EX to attack as early as turn 1 if you go second.
Sabrina + Hydro Splash — Sabrina brings in a weaker benched Pokémon, and Hydro Splash finishes it in one hit.
Articuno EX Spread + Starmie EX Cleanup — Blizzard softens the whole board, and Starmie EX picks off the damaged targets.
X Speed + Low Retreat Cost — Starmie EX’s 1 retreat cost with X Speed means you can pivot freely without discarding energy.

Matchup Analysis

Matchup	Difficulty	Strategy
Lightning Decks (Pikachu EX, Zapdos EX)	Tricky	Lightning is super effective against Water. Race to attack first and use Lapras EX’s bulk to absorb hits.
Fire Decks (Arcanine EX, Moltres EX)	Favorable	Water resists Fire. Starmie EX attacks faster than most Fire Pokémon and two-shots them easily.
Fighting Decks	Even	Fighting doesn’t hit Water for super effective. Out-speed them with Starmie EX’s low energy cost.
Grass Decks (Venusaur EX)	Even	Grass resists Water. You will need Articuno EX’s spread damage to wear down bulky Grass Pokémon.

Final Tips for Starmie EX

Starmie EX is all about tempo and efficiency. Its 90 damage for two energy is one of the best attack-to-cost ratios in Pokémon TCG Pocket, allowing you to apply constant pressure while conserving resources. The lack of weakness is a huge advantage — Starmie EX won’t be one-shot by super effective hits. Master the art of pivoting with X Speed and Sabrina to maintain board control, and you will consistently win the energy race against slower decks.

For more Water-type strategies, check out our Empoleon EX deck guide and our best Water-type decks guide.