Pokémon TCG: Top 10 Best Sableye of All Time

Today, we'll keep exploring Hoenn Pokémon, more particularly Sableye. This Darkness Pokémon is obsessed with rocks and crystals, and first appeared in the Ruby & Sapphire block.

We'll go through the best Sableye, as well as the most relevant, from "baby" versions to the stronger "ultra rare" versions.

Let's go!

10 - Sableye (Sun/Moon: Unified Minds)

This Sableye from Unified Minds is a bit aggressive, as it relies on a "vengeance" strategy. If it takes any damage on your opponent's turn, you can put 8 damage counters (80 damage) on the Pokémon that dealt damage to it. This works even if Sableye is Knocked Out in the process!

In Expanded, it is incredibly strong in combos with other Pokémon with this mechanic, like Sableye V SSH 120 itself, as well as "vengeance" cards like Rocky Helmet BCR 133, and, currently, Deluxe Bomb SCR 134!

9 - Sableye (X/Y: Ancient Origins)

This Pokémon stands out because of its attack, Bewitching Eyes, which can copy any Supporter on your opponent's discard pile.

You can use it in Expanded.

8 - Sableye (Sword/Shield: Vivid Voltage)

This Sableye's main attack is Torment. It lets you pick an enemy attack and prevent your opponent from using it on that turn, which is a classic strategy in Pokémon TCG known as "Amnesia".

It is a great option for control decks if you like this sort of deck.

You can use it in Expanded.

7 - Sableye (Ruby/Sapphire: Crystal Guardians)

This Sableye is recursive.

Its ability lets you look at the top card in your deck and either keep it or discard it. That way, you can somewhat filter the card you'll draw once it's your turn to play again.

Its main attack was also an "Amnesia" attack, so it let you pick an enemy attack and prevent your opponent from using it.

You can only use it in the U150 and Palace formats.

6 - Sableye (Ruby/Sapphire: Deoxys)

This Pokémon stands out because of its ability, which lets you look at the cards in your opponent's hand as long as Sableye is your active Pokémon.

Furthermore, its attack, Limitation, prevents your opponent from playing Supporters on the following turn, so it is a way to control them.

You can only use it in the U150 and Palace formats.

5 - Sableye (Diamond/Pearl: Stormfront)

This Sableye was extremely important in the Diamond & Pearl block, as it was a recursive staple popular in many decks.

Firstly, its ability lets you start the game first if it is your active Pokémon as soon as the match starts.

Its first attack, then, lets you get a Supporter card from your deck and use it as your attack that turn. This essentially lets you play two Supporters on the same turn! And, the best of all? Without spending any energies!

Its second attack is efficient. If your opponent's active Pokémon has less HP than Sableye, you'll deal 40 instead of 10 damage, which is perfect to Knock Out certain Pokémon.

You can only use it in the U150 and Palace formats.

4 - Sableye (Black/White: Dark Explorers)

One of the staples in the Black & White era was this Sableye. The reason? Its attack, Junk Hunt, which lets you recycle two Items from your discard pile (including Tools, as, at the time, they were the same type of card).

This effect was powerful because you could use it to recycle ACE SPECs, such as the classic Computer Search BCR 137.

It was considered so strong that it was banned from Expanded on November 27th, 2020, but you can still use it in the Legacy format.

3 - Sableye (Sword/Shield: Lost Origin)

Our third place is this Sableye that you can still use in Standard nowadays. It will rotate out of the format in April 2025, though, so, after that, you'll only be able to use it in Expanded.

It stands out because of its attack, Lost Mine, which lets you put 12 damage counters on enemy Pokémon as long as you have at least 10 cards in the Lost Zone.

As such, it is essential in the iconic Lost Box strategy, which centers around this mechanic.

2 - Sableye V (Sword/Shield: Base Set)

This was Sableye's first V version. It was a great option for Dark Box decks at the end of the Sun & Moon era and the beginning of the Sword & Shield block.

Its first attack recycles any Trainer in your discard pile and adds it to your hand, so you can use it to get Supporters, Stadiums, Items, and Tools.

Its second attack, Crazy Claws, deals 10 base damage + 60 extra damage for each damage counter on the opponent's active Pokémon. If it has 5 damage counters, Sableye V will deal 310 damage!

You can use it in the Expanded format.

1 - Mega Sableye & Tyranitar-GX (Sun/Moon: Unified Minds)

Our first place, Mega Sableye & Tyranitar-GX UNM 126, stands out because of Hydreigon DAA 110's ability, which lets you attach energies to it.

Its attack, Greedy Crush, deals 210 damage and gives you one extra Prize card if you Knock Out a Pokémon-GX, EX, or ex with it.

Do you agree with our picks? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!