CARD INFORMATION

SUBTYPES:
- Basic
HP: 120
TYPES:
- Lightning
WEAKNESSES:
- TYPE: Fighting
- VALUE: ×2
RETREATCOST:
- Colorless
RETREAT COST: 1
RARITY: Illustration Rare
REGULATIONMARK: H

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

NAME: Combat Thunder
COST:
- Lightning
- Colorless
ENERGY COST: 2
DAMAGE: 20+
DETAILS: This attack does 20 more damage for each of your opponent's Benched Pokémon.

MARKET PRICES FOR ZERAORA 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	59.99	USD
MID	6.75	USD	TREND
LOW	5.15	USD

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Zeraora (sv7-151) emerges as an electrifying force in the Stellar Crown set, bringing a clever punisher mechanic that rewards players for their opponent's board development.

This Basic Lightning-type combines a manageable energy cost with a scaling attack that grows more threatening as your opponent builds their bench.

Offensive rating: 7/10

Combat Thunder forms the core of Zeraora's offensive capabilities, requiring just two energy (one Lightning, one Colorless) to deliver a scalable punch.

The base 20 damage is modest, but the additional 20 damage per opponent's Benched Pokémon transforms this attack into a potential powerhouse.

Against a full bench of 5 Pokémon, Zeraora deals an impressive 120 damage - enough to threaten KOs on many popular Basic Pokémon.

The scaling mechanism rewards strategic timing, allowing players to maximize damage when opponents extend their board.

However, the attack lacks any secondary effects like energy acceleration or card draw, and its effectiveness diminishes significantly against opponents running minimal bench strategies.

Survival rating: 6/10

With 120 HP, Zeraora offers moderate durability for a Basic Pokémon but falls short of the tankier options in the format.

Its Fighting weakness is particularly concerning in a meta where Fighting-type attackers remain prevalent threats.

The single Colorless retreat cost is a significant bright spot, providing essential mobility that allows Zeraora to pivot in and out of the active position with minimal resource investment.

This flexibility can save crucial energy attachments and maintain momentum during critical game states.

However, Zeraora lacks any built-in defensive abilities or effects that would enhance its survivability, making it vulnerable to being picked off after delivering its attack, especially after taking chip damage.

Versatility rating: 7/10

Zeraora demonstrates moderate versatility as a single-prize attacker that can slot into various Lightning-focused strategies.

Its relatively low energy requirement makes it accessible in both dedicated Lightning decks and as a tech option in multi-type builds.

The scaling damage mechanic provides flexible utility against different archetypes, becoming more impactful against set-up decks that rely on multiple Benched Pokémon.

However, Zeraora struggles against streamlined strategies that maintain minimal bench presence, and it lacks utility outside its attacking role.

The card doesn't offer support capabilities, draw power, or energy acceleration that would broaden its strategic applications, limiting its versatility compared to more multi-dimensional options in the format.

Speed/Setup rating: 8/10

Zeraora's setup requirements hit a sweet spot of accessibility and efficiency.

As a Basic Pokémon, it enters play immediately without evolution steps, eliminating the consistency issues that plague Stage 1 and Stage 2 attackers.

The two-energy attack cost means Zeraora can be battle-ready by turn two with a standard energy attachment pattern, or even turn one with appropriate energy acceleration support.

Its single Colorless retreat cost enhances its setup flexibility, allowing for strategic repositioning without heavy resource commitment.

The straightforward attack mechanics require no additional card combinations to function effectively, though the damage output is heavily dependent on the opponent's board state rather than your own setup pieces.

Zeraora performs best alongside cards that can accelerate Lightning energy, preserve its mobility advantages, and amplify its damage output.

Energy multipliers and stadium cards that punish opponents for having full benches create natural synergy with Combat Thunder's scaling damage mechanic.

Perfect Partners examples:

Raikou

Raikou's energy acceleration abilities can power up Zeraora's Combat Thunder attack ahead of schedule, enabling surprise attacks before opponents can thin their bench or set up defenses.

Electropower

This Trainer card adds 30 damage to attacks from Lightning Pokémon, pushing Zeraora's damage into more threatening knockout thresholds against higher-HP targets when facing a developed bench.

Path to the Peak

This Stadium card shuts down Pokémon V abilities, potentially forcing opponents to develop larger benches to compensate for lost ability-based strategies, which directly feeds into Zeraora's damage scaling.

Zeraora positions itself as a nimble, opportunistic attacker that capitalizes on opponents' board development strategies.

Its strength lies in its accessibility as a Basic Pokémon, efficient energy requirements, and excellent mobility with a single retreat cost.

Combat Thunder delivers respectable damage scaling that can punish setup-heavy decks, though its effectiveness varies significantly based on the opponent's bench count.

The card shows its limitations in matchups against streamlined strategies or when facing higher-HP VMAX or VSTAR Pokémon that can absorb its maximum damage output.

To maximize Zeraora's potential, pair it with energy acceleration, damage modifiers, and cards that incentivize opponents to fill their bench.

In the right meta environment, this electrifying attacker offers a compelling single-prize option that can deliver surprising knockouts while maintaining resource efficiency.