Pokémon TCG: Top 10 Best Moltres of All Time

Today, we'll show you the top 10 strongest and most interesting Moltres in the history of Pokémon TCG, considering cards since the Wizards of the Coast era until today.

Moltres is one of the three legendary Kanto birds, and, just like the other two, it first got a chance to shine in the Pokémon 2000 movie. It has been an iconic Pokémon ever since.

Note: I won't include Moltres' Galar form in this list because there are only two Galar Moltres in Pokémon TCG: Galarian Moltres V CRE 97 and Galarian Moltres EVS 93.

10 - Moltres (Sword/Shield: Brilliant Stars)

This Pokémon is relatively similar to Zapdos TEU 40 because it also doesn't apply weakness.

However, if Moltres BRS 21 has any damage counters on it, it will deal 20 base damage + 70 extra damage, which is 90 damage for just one Fire energy!

The most efficient combo with this card is with Magma Basin BRS 144. This Stadium lets you get one Fire energy from your discard pile and attach it to one of your benched Pokémon. Then, you'll promote it to the active spot and attack.

This Moltres, at the date this article was written, is still available in Standard.

9 - Moltres (Sun/Moon: Lost Thunder)

Its attack, Assisting Heater, is incredibly useful for Fire Pokémon: besides dealing a considerable amount of damage, it also helps you set up energies on your Pokémon, as it lets you attach one basic Fire energy from your hand to one of your benched Pokémon.

8 - Moltres (Black/White: Next Destinies)

This Pokémon is really straightforward when it comes to damage: its first attack deals 50 damage and Burns the enemy Pokémon. Its second attack deals 90 damage, but you need to discard at least one Fire energy from Moltres to use it. It is also very expensive.

The best way to make it a bit cheaper is with Charizard PGO 10; with this Charizard, all your Fire energies are worth double their usual value. So, with two Fire energies, you'll already be able to use this Moltres' second attack.

To deal even more damage, you can triple the damage you'd deal to Grass Pokémon with Supereffective Glasses ASR 152, and, like so, deal up to 270 damage!

7 - Moltres (Scarlet/Violet: 151)

Just like all Kanto birds in the special 151 set from Scarlet & Violet, this Moltres' ability states that, if it has any Fire energies attached, its retreat cost is zero.

As for its attack, it is a "sniper" attack: if you discard two Fire energies from Moltres, you'll deal 120 damage to one of your opponent's benched Pokémon.

6 - Rocket's Moltres (Wizards of the Coast Era: Team Rocket)

This Pokémon's attack, Fire Wall, was great in the WotC era, and, even if it dealt very little damage for the time (only 40 points), its effect was incredible: any time this Pokémon took enemy damage - even if this Rocket Moltres was knocked out in the process - it dealt 10 damage to the enemy Pokémon.

As for its ability, Rebirth, it worked like a "phoenix" in the sense that, when this Pokémon was knocked out, you could return it to your hand instead of sending it to the discard pile. However, you couldn't use this ability if Moltres was Confused, Paralyzed, or Asleep when it was knocked out.

I confess that it is an incredibly strong ability, and I would like it if The Pokémon Company brought back this concept.

5 - Moltres (Sun/Moon: Team Up)

Moltres TEU 19 is an upgraded version of Moltres FO 12 from the Fossil set, in the Wizards of the Coast era. It is almost a reprint.

Its first attack forces you to discard all Fire energies attached to this Pokémon. For each card you discard this way, you'll discard a card on the top of your opponent's deck. It is one of the best "baby" Moltres ever created by The Pokémon Company.

If you want to see more about this mechanic, click here.

4 - Moltres ex (Ruby/Sapphire: Fire Red/Leaf Green)

Just like the other Kanto birds from the Fire Red/Leaf Green set, this Moltres has the Legendary Ascent ability. If you played this Pokémon from your hand to your bench, you could put it in the active spot, and also get all Basic Fire Energy sv3 230 attached to your Pokémon and move them to it.

Its attack, Crushing Flames, is much nicer and has a fair price: if you discarded one energy attached to Moltres ex, you'd make your opponent "confused".

3 - Rocket's Moltres ex (Ruby/Sapphire: Team Rocket's Returns)

Out of all the Kanto birds that were corrupted by Team Rocket, Rocket's Moltres ex TRR 100 is the best;

Its ability, Dark Lift, lets you retreat this Pokémon for no cost at all if it has a Darkness Energy EM 86 attached.

As for its first attack, it gets one Basic Fire Energy sv3 230 from your discard pile and attaches it to Moltres ex. Then, you'll be able to use its second attack, which deals a fair 60 damage.

2 -Plasma's Moltres-EX (Black/White: Plasma Storm)

This Pokémon's first attack, Destructive Flame, deals 30 damage and also discards one energy from your opponent's active Pokémon if you hit your coin toss. Once again, you can use either Trick Coin PHF 108 or Glimwood Tangle DAA 162 to always get it right.

Its second attack, Power Flame, states that if this Moltres has a Plasma Energy PLS 127 attached, this attack will deal 80 + 40 damage, which is 120 damage in total!

Power Flame feels a bit heavy to use, so, ideally, it's best to play Charizard PGO 10 with Moltres as well. Your only issue will be getting your Plasma Energy PLS 127. Finally, if you want to triple the damage you deal to Grass Pokémon, you can use Supereffective Glasses ASR 152, which will increase your damage to 360!

1 - Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno TAG TEAM-GX (Sun/Moon: Hidden Fates)

On our first place, just like all the other Kanto birds, we have this Moltres, which definitely earned it. As we explained in the articles covering the top 10 best Articuno and the top 10 best Zapdos, its strength is its GX attack, Sky Legends.

Additionally, there's also an Expanded list with this TAG TEAM trio as attackers, which you can check out here.

Moltres ex (Ruby/Sapphire: Promo Card)

Moltres ex PR-NP 31, Zapdos ex PR-NP 33, and Articuno ex PR-NP 32's abilities all complement each other. If they're all in play, Moltres' retreat cost is zero.

Moltres ex PR-NP 31 is also a support Pokémon.

What did you think of our list? What would your list of the top 10 best Moltres look like? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.

Thank you for reading! See you next time!