The new Promo Mankey has just dropped in Pokémon Pocket, and players are excited to put it to the test! While we previously had a Vanilla Mankey card, it lacked synergy with Primeape. This new version, however, pairs perfectly with Primeape, making decks featuring both cards much stronger in the early game.
In this guide, I’ll break down how Mankey and Primeape work together, explain their synergy, and highlight a couple decks where Mankey shines!
Mankey and Primeape
Primeape is a Stage 1 Pokemon that evolves from Mankey. Its Fight Back attack deals 40 damage, but if it already has damage on it, then it’s dealing an extra 60 damage, going for 100 damage for just 2 Fighting Energy.
Here is where Primeape‘s problem was. How do we get that damage on it? We’ll need opponent to attack it, but a some players might avoid attacking it and wait until they can one shot it.
The new Pormo Mankey removes that problem from the equation. With Reckless Charge, Mankey deals 30 damage to the opponent’s Pokemon and 10 damage to itself, making Primeape will join in with 80 HP, ready to deal 100 damage with Fight Back attack.
Primeape Sandslash
Pokémon: 8
2 Sandshrew A1 137
2 Sandslash A1 138
2 Mankey P-A 17
2 Primeape A1 142
Trainer: 12
2 Professor's Research P-A 7
2 Giovanni A1 223
2 Sabrina A1 225
2 X Speed P-A 2
2 Potion P-A 1
2 Poké Ball P-A 5
This is a budget list that uses Primeape and Sandslash as win conditions. Primeape‘s 100 damage can get early knock outs before opponents get their win condition online. Sandslash is dealing 70 damage with each Slash, so you can knock out most Pokemon with two attacks + Giovanni. Since this deck has no Ex Pokemon, opponents will need to knock out 3 Pokemon to win the game.
If you’re looking for a F2P version deck, this is the cheapest you’ll get with a full Fighting deck. You can add colorless Pokemon like Farfetch’d if you’re missing cards.
Primeape Marowak ex
Pokémon: 8
2 Cubone A1 151
2 Marowak ex A1 153
2 Mankey P-A 17
2 Primeape A1 142
Trainer: 12
2 Professor's Research P-A 7
2 Giovanni A1 223
2 Sabrina A1 225
2 X Speed P-A 2
2 Potion P-A 1
2 Poké Ball P-A 5
This version uses Marowak ex as its main win condition, a Stage 1 Pokemon that evolves from Cubone. The Bonemerang attack can carry games on its own if you’re lucky enough. Bonemerang flips 2 coins and for each heads, Bonemerang will deal 80 damage. So you can deal 0 damage, 80 damage, or 160 damage with Bonemerang depending on the number of heads you get.
Getting to hit a 160 damage on high HP Pokemon can be a game changer, probably winning you the game on the spot. However, the 0 damage can be devastating, potentially losing you games.
Machamp ex
Pokémon: 10
2 Mankey P-A 17
2 Primeape A1 142
2 Machop A1 143
2 Machoke A1 144
2 Machamp ex A1 146
Trainer: 10
2 Professor's Research P-A 7
1 Giovanni A1 223
1 Sabrina A1 225
2 X Speed P-A 2
2 Potion P-A 1
2 Poké Ball P-A 5
Machamp ex is a slower version than the other two decks I just talked about. This is a Stage 2 Pokemon so you need to evolve Machop into Machoke and then play Machamp ex.
Machop doesn’t push much damage with Knuckle Punch, however, Machoke‘s Strength attack deals 50 damage. You’re still not presenting a high threat, but that 50 damage can knock out a damaged Pokemon. Once Machamp ex joins in, Mega Punch starts threatening some heavy punches with 120 damage, capable of knocking out most Pokemon. Its 180 HP makes it a tough Pokemon for opponents to knock out with one attack, and will force multiple attacks to deal with it.