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Pokémon TCG: Top 10 Best Shiftry of All Time

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Today, we gathered the top 10 best Shiftry in the history of Pokémon TCG, both in the competitive scene and in Expanded. Check it out!

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Table of contents

  1. > Introduction
  2. > Top 10 Best Shiftry of All Time
    1. 10 - Shiftry (Ruby/Sapphire: Deoxys)
    2. 9 - Shiftry (Diamond/Pearl: Rising Rivals)
    3. 8 - Shiftry (X/Y: Steam Siege)
    4. 7 - Shiftry (Sword/Shield: Evolving Skies)
    5. 6 - Shiftry (Scarlet/Violet: Temporal Forces)
    6. 5 - Shiftry (Sword/Shield: Vivid Voltage)
    7. 4 - Shiftry (X/Y: Flashfire)
    8. 3 - Shiftry ex (Ruby/Sapphire: Crystal Guardians)
    9. 2 - Shiftry ex (Ruby/Sapphire: Power Keepers)
    10. 1 - Shiftry-GX (Sun/Moon: Celestial Storm)
  3. > Final Words

Introduction

Greetings!

In this article, we'll keep exploring Hoenn Pokémon and discuss Shiftry, a Pokémon whose design was inspired by Japanese mythology, more specifically Tengus and Kabuki theater. Shiftry is known for its relevance in control strategies and its support effects.

For this ranking, we're considering cards since it was first released, in the Ruby & Sapphire block (2003) to its most recent versions, including "baby" Pokémon and its more impactful "ultra rare" versions.

Without further ado, let's start!

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Top 10 Best Shiftry of All Time

10 - Shiftry (Ruby/Sapphire: Deoxys)

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This card stands out because of its ability, Fan Action, which forces your opponent to swap their active Pokémon with one of their benched Pokémon.

Though your opponent will be able to pick which Pokémon they want to switch, you can use this effect to disrupt their game plan and set up your own strategies more freely.

This card is not available in Expanded. You can only play it in the U150 and Palace formats.

9 - Shiftry (Diamond/Pearl: Rising Rivals)

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This Shiftry from the Diamond & Pearl era stands out because of its ability, Unlucky Wind, which sets all enemy coinflips to "tails" as long as it is your active Pokémon.

Its attack, Seal Off, is a way to control the game, as it disables any Pokémon abilities on your opponent's active Pokémon in the following turn.

It is only available in the U150 and Palace formats.

8 - Shiftry (X/Y: Steam Siege)

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This Shiftry has a really interesting attack. Wicked Wind disables Stadiums and Tools on your opponent's turn, even if they were played that turn.

7 - Shiftry (Sword/Shield: Evolving Skies)

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This Shiftry sabotages your opponent by returning their active Pokémon to their hand, but only if it has any damage counters. This effect is devastating against evolved Pokémon or Pokémon that need a lot of energies.

Its second attack lets you discard a random card from your opponent's hand.

6 - Shiftry (Scarlet/Violet: Temporal Forces)

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Its attack, Expelling Tornado, shuffles up to three Pokémon on the enemy bench back into their deck.

You can use it with Avery CRE 130 to basically destroy all your opponent's resources and leave them with no choice but to surrender on the spot. After all, they won't have any Pokémon left after you play these two cards.

5 - Shiftry (Sword/Shield: Vivid Voltage)

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This Shiftry's ability, Shiftry Substitution, limits your opponent to only drawing 3 cards with their Supporters. To use it, Shiftry needs to be your active Pokémon.

This completely destroys strategies centered around cards like Iono, Marnie, or Boss's Orders in the Expanded format.

4 - Shiftry (X/Y: Flashfire)

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Its ability, Leaf Draw, draws 3 cards if you discard one basic Grass energy from your hand.

Its attack, Deranged Dance, deals more damage according to how many Pokémon are on each player's bench.

3 - Shiftry ex (Ruby/Sapphire: Crystal Guardians)

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This Shiftry ex from the Ruby & Sapphire block stands out because of the combo with its ability, Dark Eyes, and its attack, Target Attack.

Its ability puts two damage counters on an enemy Pokémon whenever your opponent uses that Pokémon's Poké-Power. As for its attack, Target Attack, it can hit any enemy Pokémon if they have any damage counters.

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This card is only available in the U150 and Palace formats.

2 - Shiftry ex (Ruby/Sapphire: Power Keepers)

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Its attack, Skill Hack, lets you copy the attacks of any Pokémon in your opponent's hand without using any energies, as long as you meet its restrictions.

It is a unique, but highly strategic card. Unfortunately, you can only use it in the U150 and Palace formats.

1 - Shiftry-GX (Sun/Moon: Celestial Storm)

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Its attack, Extrasensory, deals up to 180 damage if both players have the same number of cards in their hands. It works really well with Judge FLI 108.

Its GX attack, Den of Iniquity, returns any enemy Pokémon to your opponent's deck, as well as any card attached to it, so it is a powerful way to control the game.

Final Words

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

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!