EX Deoxys
EX Deoxys is the twenty-fourth set in the Pokémon Trading Card Game It comes after EX Team Rocket Returns and before EX Emerald. Its symbol is a shooting star, representing Deoxys' arrival from outer space. The EX part of its title comes from the presence of Pokémon-ex in the set. The Deoxys part is obviously emphasis on Deoxys' starring role in this set.
EX Deoxys revolves around the struggle between Deoxys and Rayquaza as seen in the straight-to-video animated movie Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys. In the film, Deoxys and Rayquaza are in a constant deadlock to incapacitate the other, though Deoxys is only wishing to find its twin and leave Earth. Both Deoxys and Rayquaza are heavily represented in this set, both as ordinary Pokémon and as Pokémon-ex (and Rayquaza also as a Pokémon-star), particularly Deoxys.
In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Deoxys has the unique ability to change into one of three forms depending on which version is being played and against whom it's being played: The "normal form," the "attack form," and the "defense form." EX Deoxys has two versions of all three of these forms, each interchangeable with each other in a deck and their only difference a different attack to reflect its form, very similar to the Unown in EX Unseen Forces. Deoxys received a fourth form in Pokémon Emerald known as "speed form." This was not present in this set because it was released before Pokémon Emerald; the speed form would show up in EX Emerald as a continuation of the two versions featured in this set.
While the rest of the Pokémon themselves have little (if any) to do with Deoxys and Rayquaza, the Trainer cards in this set feature the areas and people involved with astronomy, such as Professor Cozmo's Discovery (of a meteorite) and Space Center. This set also slightly expands the list of Special Energy cards with three different but versatile types.
Interestingly, EX Deoxys is almost exclusively third-generation Pokémon. Both previous generations appear in this set but only in small amounts.
Notable cards
Claydol's Poké-Body "Muddy Eye" increases the amount of Energy required to use an attack--obviously major problems for its opponent but not for itself, which grows stronger as more Energy cards are put into play.
Deoxys and particularly Deoxys ex can do massive amounts of damage, often for low amounts of Energy. Because they can be interchanged with another Deoxys in the deck (though they can only switch between their own categories), they can adapt well to any situation.
Dusclops has two potentially-useful attacks. "Psychic Removal" has a 25% chance of removing all Energy cards from the Defending Pokémon (the main opponent Pokémon), and "Powerful Hand" grows stronger with each card in the user's hand (though not more than 7).
Ludicolo's "Swing Dance" Poké-Power is half of the popular "Ludicargo" deck scheme: Magcargo's "Smooth Over" Poké-Power brings one card from the deck of the player's choice to the top of the deck, then Swing Dance draws it. These two Pokémon, when used in tandem, let the user find any card he or she wants every turn.
Magcargo's "Smooth Over" Poké-Power is half of the popular "Ludicargo" deck scheme. See above for its use.
Ninjask features some of the most efficient charge damage ever seen in the trading card game: For a single Energy of any color, it can charge for one turn then do 80 damage the next (enough to Knock Out a good number of Pokémon). Ninjask is also completely immune to Basic Pokémon, which can potentially buy it time to charge.
Pelipper's "Bay Dance" attack does no actual damage but makes the attack next turn do more damage--it doesn't necessarily have to be Pelipper.
Knocking Out Shedinja gives no reward other than getting it out of the way. (Normally, a player draws a Prize Card after knocking Out a Pokémon.) This can make it a guaranteed staller, though with low HP it doesn't last very long.
Strength Charm increases the holder's damage dealt for a turn. It's the descendant of the PlusPower from the Base Set.