Hi there. In this Pokemon TCG overview post I cover the upcoming Rival Battle Decks. These feature Marnie's Pokemon and Steven's Pokemon. Yes I am late on this as I covered other stuff. (There was a lot of news in late February & March 2025)
Both of these decks are at level 2 out of 3. These are not really beginner decks but they are not super competitive out of the box. Some adjustments can be made to either of these decks so it can be a competitive deck. (Will these be in the top 5 of the metagame? Not sure.)
Each Deck Has An Illustration Rare Card
In 2023 and 2024 the sealed deck products did not featured illustration rare cards. In these Rival Battle decks you have one illustration rare card in either deck. These deck products are very similar to the Japan versions which is good. If the Pokemon Company International releases deck products similar to Japan then that would be great for newer and experienced players.
For the Marnie deck you have an illustration rare of Marnie's Morpeko.
With the Steven deck you get one illustration rare of Steven's Beldum.
Marnie's Grimmsnarl Deck
Core Cards In Marnie's Deck
Marnie's Grimmsnarl
Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex is the main attacker in this deck. It is a Stage 2 Pokemon with 320 HP, grass weakness and two retreat cost. The Punk Up ability activates when you evolve in this Grimmsnarl from hand. The ability allows for up to 5 Basic Dark Energy from your deck to your Marnie's Pokemon in any way you like.
The Shadow Bullet attack requires 2 Dark Energy to deal 180 damage to the Active Pokemon plus 30 damage to 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokemon. This 180 damage can one hit key support Pokemon like Mew ex, Squawkabilly ex but it is underpowered. You are likely to two hit larger HP Pokemon ex with Marnie's Grimmsnarl.
Spikemuth Gym
Spikemuth Gym is a stadium card that specializes in searching for Marnie's Pokemon once during the player's turn (Both players have access to Stadium cards). A Marnie Pokemon search makes it easier and faster for setup purposes and for evolving Marnie's Pokemon.
Marnie's Morpeko
Marnie's Pokemon is an alternate attacker to Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex. The Spiky Wheel attack requires 3 Colourless Energy for its attack cost. The base damage for Spiky Wheel is 20. It does 40 more damage for each Dark Energy attached to this Marnie's Morpeko. Three dark energy attached to it would be 140 damage (20 plus 40 x 3 = 20 + 120). If there is five Dark Energy on it then Marnie's Morpeko does 220 damage which is a good number for one hit knockout on most Basic Pokemon ex.
The trainer cards in the Marnie deck are pretty good overall. These cards for the most part can be used in other competitive decks. The good cards are:
- Professor's Research
- Boss's Orders
- Iono
- Ultra Ball
- Buddy Buddy Poffin
- Rare Candy
- Switch
- Super Rod
- Energy Recycler
- Drayton (kind of good)
Steven's Metagross Deck
Core Cards In Steven's Metagross Deck
Steven's Metagross ex
Steven's Metagross ex is the featured main attacker in this deck. It actually looks good. This is a Stage 2 Metal Pokemon with a bulky 340 HP, 3 retreat cost, Grass resistance and Fire weakness.
The Metal Stomp attack is a generic looking attack that requires one Metal Energy and two Colourless Energy to deal 200 damage.
The X-Boost ability from Metagross ex is quite powerful in terms of energy acceleration. Once during your turn you may search your deck for a Basic Psychic Energy card and a Basic Metal Energy card or 1 of each and attach them to your Psychic and Metal Pokemon in any way you like. (Then Shuffle your deck.) I think the text means 1 Psychic and 1 Metal Energy to 2 of any combination of Psychic and Metal Pokemon from this ability. I could be incorrect here.
Steven's Metagross ex looks to be powerful as an attacker as an engine. Add other attackers like Lillie's Clefairy ex for a better matchup against Dragon Pokemon like Raging Bolt ex and Dragapult ex.
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Granite Cave
Granite Cave is a Stadium that benefits Steven's Pokemon on both sides of the field. When the stadium is in play, Steven's Pokemon take 30 less damage from attacks (after Weakness & Resistance). It is a defensive effect.
Steven's Carbink
Steven's Carbink is a supportive Pokemon that is not really meant for attacking. When Steven's Carbink is on your Bench all of your Steven's Pokemon take 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness & Resistance).
Other Good Cards
This deck product has other good cards included. These are:
Closing Notes
Both of these decks are good starter decks for newer players but they are also good for active players who want either the Marnie's Grimmsnarl archetype or the Steven's Metagross archetype.
If you had to choose one I would say the Steven's Metagross ex deck. The Metagross energy acceleration provides flexibility for other attackers. You can also include more attackers in the deck like Lillie's Clefairy ex.