One of the most consistent types in terms of strategies in the Pokemon TCG is the Fighting-type. Unlike in the Pokemon video games, this type is actually a combination of three different ones merged together for convenience: Fighting, Rock, and Ground. This group specializes in the most straightforward, brutal, and often reckless, tactics.
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Although Fighting-type pokemon can dish out some of the most damage with their moves, there are often downsides to their unrelenting power, like taking recoil damage or hurting one's own benched pokemon. This means that those putting together a Fighting deck should be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each one of these heavy-hitting moves. A few also have moves that rely on a bit of luck to have the most impact, like how Rock-type attacks in the games usually have lower than average accuracy. Furthermore, there are also some counters to the mighty VMAX cards that exist in this TCG type that can help trainers take down some of the biggest threats currently in this card game.
4 Earthquake
One of the staple moves that have been appearing on Fighting-type cards in the TCG since the very first sets released in the early 1990s is Earthquake. It is renowned, in both the TCG and video games, as being a devastating attack that many pokemon can learn. In the TCG, it usually deals high direct damage against the opposing Active Pokemon but has the secondary effect of hurting all of one's own benched pokemon for a relatively low amount (most often 20 HP).
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Whiscash from the Rebel Clash set has this move as well as an Ability that grants it immunity to the secondary effects of Earthquake and other similar moves. For an Earthquake-heavy deck, this Whishcash would not be a bad choice as it is not affected by moves that can hurt benched pokemon indirectly. Donphan from the Vivid Voltage set also possesses this powerful attack, though also is equipped with Heavy Impact as an alternative offensive maneuver. It should be noted that resistances and weaknesses are not factored in when benched pokemon are hurt by Earthquake, so the damage taken will always be a flat 20 HP per pokemon.
3 Lucky Shots
Fighting-type cards also are the most common kind that need a bit of luck to unleash the full potential of some of their moves. There are many variables that can be tacked onto attacks in order to balance their huge damage output, and the most common of these is requiring a coin flip.
Grapploct V from the Champion's Path set is a prime example of this because of their Moonsault Press move. It already deals a hefty 120 bade damage, though, with a successful coin flip it can hit for an additional 100. Having to flip a coin is not uncommon for moves in the TCG, though they are seen more often on attacks that have a chance to deal a special condition instead of those that purely deal damage.
2 Risky Recoil
Even more reckless than those cards that carry the move Earthquake, there are those that can damage themselves with certain attacks. What these attacks are called will vary, though always come with a risk of damaging their user enough to let the opponent knock them out. These moves should always be used with caution and require proper timing in order not to leave one too vulnerable.
Rigid and reckless Regirock from the Vivid Voltage set's attack, Megaton Fall, can deal out enough damage to one-shot a pokemon with the same base health as themselves, though this Fighting-type card will take 30 damage every time they do so. With relatively low base HP for a rare card of this type, Regirock is best used against those weak to Fighting attacks, such as Darkness, Lightning, and some Colorless pokemon cards.
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Since these kinds of moves are meant to hit as hard as possible, Machamp from the Champion's Path set can be considered to have a more successful variant of this more archetype. Their Dynamite Punch unloads a colossal 200 damage, which is as much as some Pokemon EX and Pokemon GX moves, though without the one-time usage. However, since it takes 50 HP away from Machamp each time it is used, trainers should maybe save this tactic for later in the battle or if there's a major threat on the field that needs to be taken out quickly.
1 Counter Powerhouse Cards
With the appearance of VMAX cards, trainers have a fresh, new threat to contend with in addition to the other powerhouse card variants. In order to balance things out a bit, the creators of the Pokemon TCG have released a few cards that can combat the mighty VMAX menace. The one that can be found among Fighting-type cards is the legendary pokemon Zamazenta.
Their strongest move, Amazing Shield, deals a substantial 180 damage to foes, though its secondary effect allows them to negate all incoming damage done by VMAX pokemon. This is an effective way to go up against such big threats, though will need a variety of different energies to pull off. Thankfully, Zamazenta's Metal Armament move can allow it to pick up energy from the discard pile, which will make using Amazing Shield a bit easier.