Lycanroc-GX Deck Build: Combos, Tactics, and Synergy

Lycanroc-GX card art from the Sun & Moon SMA set, illustrated by 5ban Graphics

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Deck Building with Lycanroc-GX: Core ideas, Combos, and Synergy

Lycanroc-GX hits the battlefield with a bold mix of offense and mind games that can reshape how you approach early turns and bench management. This Fighting-type GX from the SMA Yellow A Alternate series stands out not just for its 200 HP, but for the tactical edge its Bloodthirsty Eyes ability gives you on a crucial turn. When you play Lycanroc-GX from your hand to evolve Rockruff during your turn, you may swap one of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon with their Active. That one-action disruption can pull a threat off the bench and set up your Claw Slash or Dangerous Rogue-GX for a bigger payoff later in the turn. ⚡🔥

Card snapshot

Set: SMA — Yellow A Alternate (SV66) • 94-card Official total
Rarity: Common • Illustrator: 5ban Graphics
HP: 200
Type: Fighting
Evolution: Evolves from Rockruff
Attacks:
- Claw Slash — 110 damage (Fighting, Colorless, Colorless)
- Dangerous Rogue-GX — 50 damage times the number of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. (GX attack; you can't use more than 1 GX attack in a game.)
Ability: Bloodthirsty Eyes — When you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokémon during your turn, you may switch 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokémon with their Active Pokémon.
Weakness: Grass ×2
Retreat Cost: 2

Illustrator credit, backstory, and the alt-art presentation all add to the deck-building narrative. The Yellow A Alternate variant showcases a dynamic art direction that resonates with collectors and players alike, while the card’s practical mechanics demand precise timing and a flexible plan on the table. The synergy between Lycanroc-GX’s ability and its GX-era potential makes it a centerpiece for midrange Fighting decks that care about tempo and bench control. 🎴🎨

How to leverage Bloodthirsty Eyes in play

The centerpiece of your strategy is to prepare Lycanroc-GX in hand so you can evolve Rockruff on your turn and trigger Bloodthirsty Eyes at the exact moment that achieves maximum disruption. If your opponent has a volatile bench with two or more threats, you can swap one of those Pokémon into the Active slot and threaten a swift swing with Claw Slash on the same turn. The synergy is not just about eliminating a bench threat; it’s about shaping the ensuing exchanges so your opponent’s resources are misdirected while your own board state climbs toward victory. 💥

Combos and tactical synergies

Bench manipulation + GX payoff: Trigger Bloodthirsty Eyes to target a key Benched Pokémon, then respond with Claw Slash for solid early damage, or wait for the GX surge with Dangerous Rogue-GX when the bench is loaded in your favor.
Evolution timing: Since the ability activates when you play Lycanroc-GX from your hand to evolve Rockruff, you can pair it with draw or search support to ensure Lycanroc-GX is in your hand on the turn you want to pivot the game. This is a classic “play-and-evolve” tempo move that catches opponents unprepared.
GX attack caution: Dangerous Rogue-GX scales with the number of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon, which makes it a powerful late-game finisher if you’ve whittled down the field and forced a crowded bench. Remember the GX rule: you can only use one GX attack per game, so plan when that moment will maximize impact.
Energy discipline: The Claw Slash cost includes Fighting and Colorless energy. A lean energy base that includes enough Fighting energy to cover the core costs, along with Colorless diversification, helps you stay flexible for both main attacks and bench-disruptive plays.

Deck-building guidelines: a practical skeleton

While exact card pools depend on your local metagame, here are practical guidelines to shape a Lycanroc-GX-centered deck that respects the card’s timing and resources:

Core lineup: 3–4 Rockruff (basic), 2–3 Lycanroc-GX (the evolution you’ll draw into for the disruptive Bloodthirsty Eyes play), plus a small suite of reliable, flexible attackers to complement the GX engine.
Supporters and draw: Include a balanced mix of draw and hand-refresh options to ensure Lycanroc-GX is in hand on the turn you want to evolve. Consistent access matters more than brute force in this build.
Energy mix: A lean distribution of Fighting Energy with the right number of Colorless to guarantee every attack’s cost is approachable on mid-game turns. A target of roughly 10–12 energy across a 60-card deck is common for midrange Fighting builds.
Bench control tools: Include cards that help you manage opponent threats or recover Pokémon, so you can maximize Safe Bloodthirsty Eyes disruption and set up the Dangerous Rogue-GX finisher when it’s most punishing.
Utility tech: Depending on your local environment, small tech options like switching effects, stadiums that accelerate setup, or searchers can transform your consistency without diluting the core synergy.

Playstyle notes and matchups

Against bulky control or spread-focused teams, Lycanroc-GX shines when you can press early pressure while keeping Rockruff and Lycanroc-GX protected behind a lean energy line. The ability to swap a bench threat into the Active can derail a smooth opponent setup, forcing them to adjust their retreat costs and attack sequencing. In mirror matches where both players are aiming for big GX swings, the timing of Dangerous Rogue-GX becomes the deciding factor—start with a disrupt-first move, then tip the field in your favor with the GX-finisher when the bench math lines up with your advantage. 🔥

Collectors will appreciate the alt-art presentation and the collectible narrative around this variant, while players will savor the tactical depth of Bloodthirsty Eyes as a turning point mechanism in fast or midrange games. The card’s 200 HP across a Fighting-type frame gives it durability on the field, ensuring it can carry the tempo if you protect its setup and execute the evolving play cleanly. 💎

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