Pokémon TCG: Top 10 Best Entei of All Time!

Hey, guys!

Today, we'll continue reviewing Pokémon from Johto as we explore this region. Our next stops are Ho-Oh's creations, the legendary beasts Entei, Raikou, and Suicune*.

More specifically, we'll cover Entei today.

Without further ado, let's go!

10 - Entei (Diamond/Pearl: Secret Wonders)

Let's start with an Entei from the Diamond & Pearl block that has an incredibly strong ability, Burning Coat. This ability forces your opponent to discard 3 cards from the top of their deck whenever Entei knocks out one of their active Pokémon.

Its attack, Blaze Roar, is also interesting, as it deals damage both to your opponent's active Pokémon and their bench. However, it does rely on a coin toss: if you get "tails", you'll need to discard the two Fire energies attached to Entei.

Unfortunately, we can't use this Entei in the official Expanded format; we can only use it in specific formats, such as Palace or U150.

9 - Entei (Sun/Moon: Cosmic Eclipse)

Its attack, Rally Back is great, as it deals 30 base damage + 90 extra damage to your opponent's active Pokémon if one of your Pokémon was knocked out on the previous turn. Despite situational, it is very powerful when you use it at the right time.

8 - Entei (Sword/Shield: Evolving Skies)

This Entei earned a spot in our list because of its attack, Angry Fang, which deals damage according to how many damage counters your benched Single Strike / Ichigeki Pokémon have.

To get the most out of this strategy, you'll have to build a deck around this mechanic, and include tools like Single Strike Scroll of Scorn BST 133, which buff this attack and make it more efficient.

7 - Entei (Sword/Shield: Crown Zenith)

This Entei, from the Sword & Shield block, stands out because of its ability, Explosive Heat Dash. It makes its retreat cost zero as long as it has any Fire energies attached.

You can easily use its attack as well, as you only need three colorless energies. You can also optimize it with Welder UNB 189a and Supereffective Glasses ASR 152, which triples weakness damage.

6 - Entei (Sun/Moon: Lost Thunder)

Out of all "baby" Entei, this one stands out because of its attack, Eruption, which forces both players to discard cards from the top of their decks. Each energy you discard adds 60 extra damage to this attack, so, in the best-case scenario, you can deal 80 base damage plus 120 extra damage with this effect.

Strategies that use Oranguru SSH 148 and Magcargo CES 24 are common with this Pokémon; with them, you'll be able to manipulate the top cards in your deck and get the most out of this attack.

5 - Entei & Raikou "LEGEND" (Heart Gold/Soul Silver: Unleashed)

LEGEND cards are unique. You need to combine both halves to play them. This one includes Entei & Raikou.

Detonation Spin deals 90 damage, but forces you to discard one Fire energy attached to this card. Considering that, at the time, Pokémon had, in average, 130 to 140 HP, this attack was very powerful.

Thunder Fall forces you to discard all energies attached to this Pokémon to deal 80 damage to all Pokémon with Poké-Power in play (both yours and your opponent's).

You can play this card in the Legacy format.

4 - Suicune & Entei "LEGEND" (Heart Gold/Soul Silver: Unleashed)

We have another LEGEND card! This combination of Suicune and Entei stands out because of its attack, Torrent Blade, which deals 100 damage to a benched enemy Pokémon. You can easily get the two Water energies you need to use it, which essentially makes it efficient in "sniper" strategies.

You can use this card in the Legacy format, and Blastoise BCR 31 is the perfect support Pokémon to play with it.

3 - Entei-EX (Black/White: Dark Explorers)

Its attack, Grand Flame, lets you recycle one Fire energy from your discard pile and put it on one of your benched Pokémon. It is an excellent support Pokémon.

If you use Welder UNB 189a, you'll have no issues attaching the energies you need to use this attack.

2 - Entei-GX (Sun/Moon: Shining Legends)

Entei-GX stands out in "Fire Box" decks. Its GX attack, Brave Burn, is a powerful "sniper" attack, as it deals 150 damage.

1 - Entei V (Sword/Shield: Brilliant Stars)

Entei V leads our ranking! It is similar to both Suicune V EVS 31 and Raikou V BRS 48, but it has more HP (230) and its retreat cost is higher.

Its ability draws you cards if it is your active Pokémon, while its attack deals damage according to how many benched Pokémon both players have, so it's a very offensive attack.

As it is a Pokémon V, you can also equip Forest Seal Stone SIT 156 to it and get extra cards from your deck. Or, you can use Sky Seal Stone CRZ 143 to be more aggressive.

Entei (Wizards of the Coast Era: Neo Revelation)

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

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!