Pokémon TCG: Top 10 Best ACE SPECs!

Today, we'll discuss the top 10 ACE SPECs in the history of Pokémon TCG. Apparently, the last time The Pokémon Company will ever release this mechanic is now, in the Prismatic Evolutions set. Once the 2025 Standard format is over, ACE SPECs will disappear.

Let's go through the most relevant ACE SPECs, both the old Black & White versions and the most recent versions from the Scarlet & Violet block. We'll see how relevant they have been both in Standard and in Expanded.

10 - Scramble Switch (Black/White: Plasma Storm)

Scramble Switch is great with those heavy Pokémon that need a lot of energies to attack, particularly if you want to keep in play the energies attached to them when you retreat it or when your opponent Knocks it Out. This ACE SPEC lets you swap a Benched Pokémon into the active spot, but still use the same energies from the old active Pokémon.

Oh, and the best part, it also works with special energies!

This Coalossal VMax list is one of the ways you can use this ACE SPEC.

9 - Treasure Tracker (Scarlet/Violet: Prismatic Evolutions)

This is a relatively new card, as it was released in the Scarlet & Violet block. It is quite interesting in decks that use many Tools, as that way you won't have to rely on Arven sv3 186 in Standard, nor Adventure Bag LOT 167 in Expanded.

This card lets you get up to 5 Tools from your deck and add them to your hand.

8 - Hyper Aroma (Scarlet/Violet: Twilight Masquerade)

Hyper Aroma TWM 152 is incredibly strong with Gardevoir ex sv4pt5 29 because, with it, you can evolve Ralts into Kirlia SIT 68. This Pokémon, in turn, lets you discard one card in your hand to draw 2 cards. It all comes together in the end because you'll use this ability to discard Psychic energy and get them back with Gardevoir ex sv4pt5 29's ability.

You can also use this card with Kingambit.

Essentially, it lets you get 3 stage 1 evolution Pokémon from your deck and use them to evolve your Pokémon!

7 - Precious Trolley (Scarlet/Violet: Surging Sparks)

This ACE SPEC has been a bit more popular lately. It lets you look for and get any basic Pokémon from your deck. Then, you can add them to your bench directly.

It is interesting in the current Standard format, as it isn't tied to any specific conditions like Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144, which only gets Pokémon with up to 70HP. Recently, this ACE SPEC has even popped up in a few Standard decks.

In Expanded, it will be useful in decks that need to be fast and set up, already on turn 1, basic Pokémon that can attack straight away, as well as recursive Pokémon.

6 - Unfair Stamp (Scarlet/Violet: Twilight Masquerade)

Unfair Stamp TWM 165 is Reset Stamp UNM 206's spiritual successor. The Pokémon Company decided to turn it into an ACE SPEC to try to balance it, as, that way, you can only play one copy of it in your deck.

Before, in Sun & Moon's Standard format, Reset Stamp UNM 206 was incredibly strong, as it sabotaged your opponent's hand quite easily. It was even stronger in Expanded, but then it was quickly banned precisely because of how strong it was in certain "control" lists.

Unfair Stamp TWM 165 is just as "control-centered", but you can only play one copy of it in your deck, and, as such, it is "balanced".

5 - Megaton Blower (Scarlet/Violet: Surging Sparks)

This ACE SPEC is quite powerful. It is like Startling Megaphone FLF 97, Field Blower GRI 125, and Enhanced Hammer DEX 94, all in one card: it discards all enemy Tools, special energies, and Stadiums in play.

Basically, it combines three powerful effects at once. Once you play this card, your opponent will be left with only Pokémon and regular energies on their board.

4 - Prime Catcher (Scarlet/Violet: Temporal Forces)

If you thought Guzma BUS 115 was strong, then wait until you see this card. Remember, Guzma became a long-term staple in Expanded despite being just a Supporter. Well, this is an ACE SPEC that does exactly the same thing, but it is an Item!

This card was released in Scarlet & Violet's Standard format, and quickly became incredibly strong. It works like a "Boss's Orders", as it pulls Pokémon on your opponent's bench into the active spot. Next, you'll have to do the same with your active Pokémon, so you can take this opportunity to Knock Out a specific Pokémon or just stall your opponent, who'll have to "fix" their board afterward.

And, the best of all, it is an Item, so you will be able to play another Supporter on the same turn you play this card.

3 - Dowsing Machine (Black/White: Boundaries Crossed)

Dowsing Machine has been a powerful recycler ever since it was released, in the Black & White era.

It recycles any Trainer in your discard pile if you discard two cards in your hand.

It became even stronger with Sableye DEX 62, which eventually forced The Pokémon Company to ban it.

You can only use this ACE SPEC in Expanded nowadays.

2 - Secret Box (Scarlet/Violet: Twilight Masquerade)

This ACE SPEC lets you look for a Trainer of each type: a Supporter, a Stadium, an Item, and a Tool.

It is basically an essential setup card for the first few turns, and even later on in some cases. It will certainly see a lot of play in Expanded, as you can use it in many ways.

1 - Computer Search (Black/White: Boundaries Crossed)

Our first place is Computer Search. This card has existed since the very early days of Pokémon TCG, in the WotC era, but it was so strong because it was used as a "regular Item". At the time, you could still use more than one ACE SPEC in your deck - this only changed in the Black & White era.

Basically, it lets you look for any card in your deck and add it to your hand if you discard two cards in your hand.

It remained strong after ACE SPECs changed in Black & White, seeing a lot of play in Standard at the time. To this day, it is a powerful card and sees play in 95% of all Expanded decks!

Which ACE SPEC do you think is the strongest? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!