Pokemon TCG Reveals 2025 World Champion's Decklist: Riley McKay’s Gardevoir ex Deck Analysis

The Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) World Championships 2025 took place from August 15 - 17 in Anaheim, California, bringing together the strongest players on the planet. When the dust settled, Canada’s Riley McKay emerged as the new World Champion.

With the official release of his winning decklist, fans and competitors are already dissecting every card choice and considering how it will shape the metagame moving forward.

Riley McKay’s TCG World Championships 2025 Journey

Competition this year was fierce, fueled by new expansions like White Flare and the highly anticipated Mega Evolution. Top contenders included Gholdengo ex, Dragapult ex, and the ever-reliable Gardevoir ex. Each deck brought unique strategies - whether focused on damage spread, disruption, or sheer consistency.Riley piloted his carefully refined Gardevoir ex list through intense Swiss rounds and elimination matches, eventually defeating America’s Justin Newdorf and his Dragapult Dusknoir deck in a decisive 2 - 0 finals victory.

Riley McKay’s Pokemon TCG World Championships 2025 Decklist

Pokemon used by Riley (17)

• Ralts (SVI) ×4 • Kirlia (PAF) ×2 • Gardevoir ex (SVI) ×2 • Munkidori (TWM) ×4 • Scream Tail (PAR) ×1 • Flutter Mane (TEF) ×1 • Lillie’s Clefairy ex (JTG) ×1 • Mew ex (MEW) ×1 • Fezandipiti ex (SFA) ×1

Trainers used by Riley (28)

• Professor’s Research ×4 • Iono ×4 • Arven ×2 • Ultra Ball ×4 • Earthen Vessel ×3 • Nest Ball ×2 • Rare Candy ×2 • Night Stretcher ×2 • Counter Catcher ×2 • Super Rod ×1 • Secret Box ×1 • Technical Machine: Evolution ×2 • Technical Machine: Devolution ×1 • Bravery Charm ×1 • Artazon ×2

Energy (11)

• Basic Psychic Energy ×7 • Basic Darkness Energy ×4

What Makes This Pokemon TCG World Championships 2025 Deck Special

• Gardevoir ex: The deck’s core, powered by Psychic Embrace for rapid Energy acceleration and huge late-game swings.

• Munkidori: A full four copies highlight its role as a damage spread enabler, amplifying pressure across the board. • Tech Options: Lillie’s Clefairy ex for disruption and Fezandipiti ex for tough matchups give the deck flexibility. • Consistency First: Four copies each of Professor’s Research and Iono keep the engine running, with strong recovery potential. • Ball Search Variety: Ultra Ball, Nest Ball, and Earthen Vessel ensure reliable setup in a meta defined by fast attackers. • Notable Omission: Riley left out Drifloon, a card previously considered a staple, showing his adaptability to the current meta.

Why Gardevoir ex Reigns Supreme

Since its debut in the Scarlet & Violet base set, Gardevoir ex has consistently remained a top-tier choice. Its combination of Energy acceleration, comeback mechanics, and flexible techs allow it to thrive in shifting environments.With support from White Flare and new cards in the upcoming Mega Evolution expansion - especially Mega Gardevoir ex - the deck is poised to stay dominant.

Additional tools like Jellicent ex add even more control elements, ensuring that Gardevoir remains versatile as the season develops.

Top 10 Decks at TCG World Championships 2025

This spread shows a balanced field where Gardevoir, Dragapult, and Gholdengo were major players, while creative builds like Raging Bolt Ogerpon also found success.

Pokemon TCG World Championship 2025 Highlights and What’s Next

The Anaheim stage delivered plenty of unforgettable moments - from late-game swings fueled by Iono to clutch Night Stretcher plays that kept games alive.

The finals between Gardevoir ex and Dragapult Dusknoir capped off the event in dramatic fashion, with Riley’s precision play and preparation sealing his victory.Looking forward, the competitive scene is set to evolve again with the release of Mega Evolution. Cards like Mega Gardevoir ex will open new deck-building possibilities, ensuring that the 2026 season is packed with surprises and new strategies.Riley McKay’s triumph with Gardevoir ex at the 2025 World Championships is more than just a personal milestone - it marks a turning point in the game’s evolving meta.

His bold card choices and calculated adjustments show how adaptability can define a champion.Also read: The entire Pokemon TCG Pocket Ho-Oh card controversy explainedAs the community experiments with his winning list, one thing is clear: the lessons from Anaheim will ripple through tournaments for months to come. Whether you’re collecting, testing strategies, or competing at the highest level, the path to Worlds 2026 begins now.