Pokémon TCG: Top 10 Best Luxray of All Time

In this article, we'll keep exploring the Sinnoh Pokédex by going over one of the most popular Electric Pokémon of all time: Luxray, which is both visually stunning and majestic.

We'll go through the best Luxray ever released, from the "baby" versions to the stronger "ultra rare" versions.

10 - Luxray (Diamond/Pearl: Legends Awakened)

This Luxray stands out because of its ability, Rivalry (or Poké-Body, as it was called in the Diamond & Pearl era).

This passive ability makes Luxray deal 50 extra damage to enemy Pokémon LV.X.

Furthermore, its attacks work really well together. The first attack, Shock Bolt, deals 100 damage but forces you to discard all Electric energies attached to it. The second attack, Plasma, besides dealing 40 damage, recycles these energies from the discard pile and lets you attach them back to this Pokémon. This loop used to be incredibly strong.

And, the best part of all, you can retreat it for free, which is always welcome.

9 - Luxray (Diamond/Pearl: Legends Arceus)

This Luxray from the Diamond & Pearl era has cohesive attacks that don't force you to discard Electric energies from it, unlike the Legends Awakened version.

The first attack makes Luxray "immune" to enemy damage on the next turn when the opponent attacks it. But, before that, first they have to flip a coin and get "tails". If they do, their attacks won't deal any damage. If they get "heads", their attack will go through.

Its second attack deals either 60 damage or 100 damage if you attach a tool to it. However, if you do decide to deal 100 damage, you'll have to discard this tool afterward.

And the best of all? You can also retreat this Luxray for free!

8 - Luxray (Sun/Moon: Ultraprism)

This Luxray from the Sun & Moon block is great because of its attack, Volt Bolt, which deals 150 "sniper" damage to an enemy Pokémon (you can target any enemy Pokémon, active or Benched) if you also discard all energies attached to it.

In rogue decks, with Magnezone FLI 36 as energy support, this Pokémon is a decent option, particularly if you want to focus on "sniper" damage.

7 - Luxray (Scarlet/Violet: Paldea Evolved)

This Luxray is still available now in 2025, so you can play it in Standard. It was originally from Scarlet & Violet's Paldea Evolved, as well as a fast "single prize" attacker because of its ability, Swelling Flash. With it, you can put it directly on your bench (so you don't have to go through the entire evolution line - just summon it automatically) when you're losing the game (that is, when you have more Prize cards left than your opponent).

Coincidently, this same set also gave us Reversal Energy sv2 192, which you can attach to an evolution Pokémon without a "Rule Box" to give it any 3 energies you want, but only if you're losing the game... Which interacts really well with its other effects!

6 - Luxray (Sword/Shield: Brilliant Stars)

Another excellent option is this Brilliant Stars' Luxray, which has great attacks:

The first one, for just one Electric energy, deals 50 damage for each energy attached to all enemy Pokémon.

The second is a "sniper" attack that deals 110 damage to the opponent's active Pokémon and 30 damage to one of their Benched Pokémon.

5 - Luxray (Sword/Shield: Battle Styles)

This Battle Styles version does everything "Rapid Strike" Pokémon do and interacts really well with other "Rapid Strike" support cards.

It deals more damage if the opponent's active Pokémon has any damage counters. So, the combo is: the first attack, Electrostep, deals 40 damage to any enemy Pokémon. The second attack, Scar Strikes, deals 100 damage, and, if the opponent's active Pokémon has any damage counters, it deals an extra 100 damage. This makes 200 damage!

4 - Luxray (Sword/Shield: Crown Zenith)

This is one of the best Luxray of all time because of its ability, Explosiveness, which lets you "summon" it automatically if you draw it at the beginning of the match.

Its main attack lets you draw 2 Trainer cards from your deck, a great way to get resources in the first few turns.

Besides incredibly popular in Standard in its time, it it still quite useful in Expanded and GLC.

3 - Luxray "Gym Leader" (GL) LV.X (Diamond/Pearl: Rising Rivals)

This card was critical in the Diamond & Pearl era, as well as a notable Pokémon LV.X in the meta at the time.

If you don't remember LV.X cards, here's a refresher: these Pokémon can use attacks and abilities of their previous versions. For instance, this Luxray can use the effects and abilities of Luxray GL RR 9, so you have even more options.

Its ability (or Poké-Power), Bright Look, when you evolve Luxray GL RR 9 into Luxray GL LV.X RR 109, forces your opponent to retreat their active Pokémon and swap it with another from their bench. It's a sort of "Boss's Orders".

Its attack, Flash Impact, deals 60 damage to the opponent's active Pokémon and 30 damage to one of their Benched Pokémon. It is a very welcome "sniper" attack.

This card also features the "Trainer's Partner" mechanic with Volkner, the Electric Sinnoh gym leader that famously plays this Pokémon in other titles of the franchise.

2 - Luxray V (Sword/Shield: Astral Radiance)

Our second best Luxray is the Pokémon V version. It has interesting "disruptive" attacks, that is, it sabotages the opponent's resources or delays their strategies.

Its first attack forces them to discard a Trainer from their hand, and the second attack Paralyzes their active Pokémon, though it also forces you to discard all Electric energies attached to it.

This actually won't be an issue because you can use Levincia JTG 150 to recycle these energies and Magnezone FLI 36 to move them. With these two cards, you can keep playing and using Radiating Pulse consistently.

1 - Luxray ex (Scarlet/Violet: Twilight Masquerade)

Our best Luxray is this Pokémon ex version from the new block, Scarlet & Violet. Its first attack is very similar to Luxray V ASR 50's first attack.

Piercing Gaze is a "disruptive" attack that lets you look at your opponent's hand and discard 1 card from it, so it's another way to sabotage them.

Its second attack, Volt Strike, deals 250 damage but also forces you to discard all energies attached to it.

In Standard, this Luxray sees play with Eelektrik BLK 31, whose ability, Dynamotor, lets you recycle the energies you discarded.

What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!