Pokémon TCG: Top 10 Best Ampharos of All Time

This time, we'll cover the best Ampharos in Pokémon TCG, including all cards ever printed, since the Wizards of the Coast era until today.

10 - Ampharos (Wizards of the Coast Era: Neo Genesis)

We'll start with this card from the WotC era, whose effect is incredibly strong if you hit your coin toss. Besides making the enemy Pokémon Paralyzed, this Pokémon deals 10 damage to all Pokémon on the enemy bench - a "spread" tactic.

9 - Ampharos (Sun/Moon: Lost Thunder)

This card stands out because of its ability, Unseen Flash: if you discard two Basic Lightning Energy sv1 257 from your hand into the Lost Zone, you'll make your opponent's active Pokémon Paralyzed. However, it is a risk because you have to discard your energies.

8 - Dark Ampharos (Ruby/Sapphire: Team Rocket Returns)

Its ability, Darkest Impulse, is what makes this card so great. Any time your opponent evolves a Pokémon from their hand directly into play, this evolved Pokémon gets 2 damage counters. So, you'll chip away at your opponent's Pokémon bit by bit, and, in the long-run, knock them out with the other attackers in the deck.

7 - Ampharos (Black/White: Dragon Exalted)

This is the best "baby" version of this Pokémon so far.

With its ability, Electromagnetic Wall, any time your opponent attaches an energy from their hand to one of their Pokémon, that Pokémon will get 3 damage counters.

As for Electrobullet, it is a "sniper" attacker that deals 70 damage to the opponent's active Pokémon and 20 damage to one Pokémon on the enemy bench.

6 - Ampharos ex (Scarlet/Violet: Promo Card - Starter Deck)

As our first ultra rare card, we have Ampharos ex PR-SV 16, whose second attack, Thunderstrike Tail stands out among all others, particularly in Expanded. With Magnezone FLI 36 and its ability, Magnetic Circuit, you'll be able to attach any Basic Lightning Energy sv1 257 from your hand to your Ampharos ex PR-SV 16 and use this attack. It's worth it, even if Tunderstrike Tail forces you to discard these energies to deal 240 damage.

Nonetheless, you can easily remedy this drawback with Superior Energy Retrieval PLF 103 and get all of these Basic Lightning Energy sv1 257 from the discard pile. Then, just restart the loop and enjoy how much damage this Ampharos deals!

5 - Ampharos V (Sword/Shield: Vivid Voltage)

As this is a "Pokémon V", it has two excellent attacks:

Dazzle Blast makes the enemy Pokémon Confused, so, in the next round, if your opponent tries to attack with it and misses their coin toss, they'll take 30 recoil damage.

As for its second attack, Damaging Spark, it is a great "sniper" attack: it deals 30 damage for each Pokémon on the enemy bench that has a damage counter.

One of the "baby" Pokémon that may help you set up this combo is Tapu Koko PR-SM SM30.

4 - Ampharos "Prime" (Heart Gold/Soul Silver: Base Set)

On our fourth spot, we have Ampharos "Prime", which is just all around great:

Its ability, Conductivity, is similar to Ampharos DRX 40's, but, instead of giving enemy Pokémon 3 damage counters whenever your opponent attaches one energy from their hand to one of their Pokémon, it gives them 1 damage counter.

Its only attack, Lightning Crush, has two great effects: you'll flip a coin and, if it's heads, your opponent will take extra damage; 80 in total. If it's tails, your opponent will only take 40 damage, but they will have to discard one energy attached to their defending Pokémon. It is great to sabotage your opponent's setup.

3 - Ampharos ex (Ruby/Sapphire: Dragon)

On our third spot, we have Ampharos' "ex" version, from the Ruby/Sapphire era. This is the original inspiration for Conductivity, the ability that other Ampharos, like Ampharos HS 105 have.

Its attack is similar to Ampharos HS 105 as well, but with key differences:

- If you hit heads when you flip your coin, you'll deal 40 + 30 damage, so 70 damage in total.

- If you hit tails, besides dealing 40 damage, you'll make the defending Pokémon Paralyzed, which is one of the best "bad status" you can apply to enemy Pokémon. It is a true nightmare for your opponent, as they won't be able to attack or retreat.

2 - Ampharos-GX (Sun/Moon: Team Up)

On our second spot, we have Ampharos' GX version.

It stands out because of its first attack, Power Recharge: in Sun & Moon's Standard format, there was a popular combo with Electropower LOT 172, which increased the damage this archetype dealt. You could use up to four of them at once, and deal 120 extra damage.

This way, Power Recharge could deal up to 150 damage for just one energy (30 + 120)!

1 - Mega Ampharos-EX (X/Y: Ancient Origins)

And, in our first place, we have Ampharos' Mega Evolution version. This mechanic might not be that great, considering that, to evolve your Pokémon, you have to give up a turn, but, when this card was around, you could go around this rule with Ampharos Spirit Link AOR 70.

Nonetheless, this card stands out because of its attack, Exavolt, which dealt, besides 120 base damage, 50 extra damage. If you decided to deal this extra damage, you'd also make the enemy Pokémon Paralyzed. Then, your Mega Ampharos-EX would take 30 damage.

In Expanded, going around recoil effects is very easy. You can use Tool Scrapper RCL 168 to discard the tool above from your Pokémon and attach Protection Cube FLF 95. This way, it won't take any recoil damage. You can also just use heals.

Honorable Mentions

Ampharos (Diamond/Pearl: Platinum)

What did you think of our picks? What would your "Top 10 Best Ampharos" list look like? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time.