Tapu Fini GX: Top Trainer Cards to Power Up Water Decks

In Pokemon TCG ·

Tapu Fini GX card art from Burning Shadows

Tapu Fini GX stands tall in the Water-type family from Burning Shadows (SM3). With 170 HP and a three-attack suite, this Rare Pokémon-GX rewards both power and tempo in a Water deck. The illustration by 5ban Graphics captures a waves-and-melted-lantern elegance that mirrors the deck’s playstyle: steady pressure, precise energy management, and a splash of disruption that can turn the tide ⚡🔥. In this guide, we’ll explore the trainer cards that best empower Tapu Fini GX and help you ride the tide to victory.

Tapu Fini GX: Top Trainer Cards to Power Up Water Decks

Energy acceleration and consistency

  • Aqua Patch (Guardians Rising) — Attach a Water Energy from your discard pile to 1 of your Water Pokémon. This card is a cornerstone for Tapu Fini GX builds, because Hydro Shot requires you to discard two Water Energy from Tapu Fini itself. Aqua Patch lets you replenish energy quickly, keeping the pressure on while you threaten big damage. In practice, a well-timed Patch can convert a mid-game stall into a sustained assault, especially when you’re sequencing Aqua Ring switches and Hydro Shot bursts. 💧
  • Brooklet Hill (Guardians Rising) — This Stadium lets you search your deck for a basic Water Pokémon and put it onto your Bench when you play it. For Tapu Fini GX, Brooklet Hill accelerates board development, helping you set up multiple threats and preparing bench insurance for Aqua Ring swaps. It’s a classic tempo play that makes your early turns more aggressive, while smoothing out energy pacing for Hydro Shot’s heavier costs. 🎴
  • Ultra Ball (various sets) — A reliable search for any Pokémon when you need to pull Tapu Fini GX from your deck into play or find a supporting Water-type to shore up your board. In Water decks, Ultra Ball is about maintaining reach—getting the right receiver on turn one and keeping the deck’s flow uninterrupted as you approach Tapu Storm GX timing. 🔎

Board control and disruption

  • Guzma (Team Up era, frequently reprinted) — A quintessential disruptor, Guzma swaps your opponent’s Active Pokémon with a Benched one, enabling you to force unfavorable matchups or reposition threats after Tapu Fini GX lands a big hit. Pair it with Tapu Storm GX for a dramatic closer when your opponent’s board is exposed. The psychological edge of forcing a reset can be as valuable as the damage you deal 📣.
  • Escape Rope / Switch (Item or Special) — For a Water deck that leans on Tapu Ring and bench swaps, having a reliable way to reposition your Pokémon can stabilize your offensive lanes and protect Tapu Fini GX from a favorable matchup collapse. A timely Switch lets you preserve essential Hydros for the big scores.

Draw, consistency, and late-game polish

  • Professor's Research (Supporter) — Discard your hand and draw 7 cards. Tapu Fini GX plays with a lot of moving pieces, so a strong draw engine like Professor’s Research helps you find the exact combination of Aqua Patch, Brooklet Hill, and energy to sustain Hydro Shot pressure while keeping Tapu Storm GX in reach.
  • Marnie (Supporter) — Shuffle each player’s hand and draw 4, with your opponent discarding a few cards in the process. Marnie’s disruption can slow a hot start from the opponent, letting you reset the tempo and set up a powerful Tapu Storm GX finish if you’ve stacked your field advantage. 🕹️

Deck-building notes and strategy tips

Tapu Fini GX’s Aqua Ring attack is a flexible engine: you can slide it to the bench to reset energy pressure, while Hydro Shot’s 120 damage can punish single-prong threats or knock out mid-range Vishaps if you’ve prepared the energy correctly. The real trick is balancing energy attachment with discard costs. By weaving Aqua Patch into your turn plans, you ensure you don’t stall out after a big Hydro Shot hit. And when you’re ready to seal the deal, Tapu Storm GX can swing the battlefield by shuffling the Active and its attached cards into your opponent’s deck—though you can only use one GX attack per game, so timing is everything ⚡🎨.

Tip: In the late game, preserve a Water Energy in your hand to pay for Tapu Storm GX’s guard—don’t dump all your resources in one exchange. Tapu Fini GX rewards patient, precise attacks rather than brute-force spamming.

Collector insights: value and rarity

Tapu Fini GX is a Rare card from Burning Shadows (SM3). With 170 HP and Water type, it stands out as a sturdy finisher in modern Water decks. The illustration by 5ban Graphics captures the serene yet forceful aura of the tide, a perfect visual match for a deck that patiently builds to a dramatic GX moment. On the market, the card sees steady presence in holo foil copies; CardMarket prices show a low around €0.50 to €2.00 with a recent average around €1.94, while TCGPlayer reports holofoil variants with market prices around $2.05 on mid-price. These figures reflect tapers and demand tied to Water archetypes in the expanded format, where the Tapu family remains a popular staple for players who love big HP and big finishers. 💎

For collectors, the Burning Shadows set remains a touchstone, partly because its artwork from multiple artists — including 5ban Graphics — and its roster of GX rares offer strong display pieces as well as solid gameplay options. If you’re aiming for a multi-deck meta presence, Tapu Fini GX’s 170 HP, two solid water-energy attacks, and the iconic Tapu Storm GX provide a compelling centerpiece around which to center a water-centric lineup.

Deck list snapshot (60 cards, illustrative)

  • Tapu Fini GX — Burning Shadows (SM3) Rare, Water, HP 170, attacks Aqua Ring, Hydro Shot, Tapu Storm GX, illustrated by 5ban Graphics
  • Brooklet Hill (Stadium) — basic Water search
  • Aqua Patch (Item) — energy acceleration from discard
  • Ultra Ball (Item) — search for Water or other Pokémon
  • Guzma (Supporter) — disruption and repositioning
  • Professor's Research / Marnie (Supporters) — draw and disruption
  • Escape Rope / Switch (Items) — field control

With these trainer cards in your toolkit, Tapu Fini GX can stride through a typical Water matchup with composure and punch. The synergy is about energy parity, bench management, and timely disruption—elements that turn a well-tired deck into a sharp, competitive machine. Whether you’re revisiting nostalgia for Water archetypes or exploring modern expanded play, Tapu Fini GX delivers a satisfying blend of strategy and splash. 🎮🫧

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Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

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Tapu Fini GX

Set: Burning Shadows | Card ID: sm3-39

Card Overview

  • Category: Pokemon
  • HP: 170
  • Type: Water
  • Stage:
  • Dex ID: 788
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Regulation Mark:
  • Retreat Cost: 1
  • Legal (Standard): No
  • Legal (Expanded): Yes

Description

Attacks

NameCostDamage
Aqua Ring Colorless 20
Hydro Shot Water, Water, Colorless
Tapu Storm GX Water

Pricing (Cardmarket)

  • Average: €1.94
  • Low: €0.5
  • Trend: €2.25
  • 7-Day Avg: €2.78
  • 30-Day Avg: €2.05

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