UPDATE 18/11/24: We have been diligently creating additional Pokémon TCG Pocket deck build guides, now including cards from the newly introduced Mythical Island mini-set, unveiled on December 17, 2024.
Overview of Pokémon TCG Pocket Deck Building
With a collection exceeding 200 cards, the Pokémon TCG Pocket offers players a wealth of options for creating formidable decks. Each deck comprises merely 20 cards, which on the surface seems manageable. However, assembling the best decks in this casual mobile TCG often hinges on serendipity due to the inclusion of rare cards.
Key Deck Composition Strategies
Many dominant decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket revolve around rare ex cards, like Mewtwo ex or Charizard ex. While possessing a single copy of either card can significantly impact your strategy, players can also explore various alternative ‘mons while they await a lucky draw for rarer cards. Below, we present some of the most effective Pokémon TCG Pocket decks that not only perform well but also feature free-to-play-friendly alternatives to aid in your chase for rare cards.
Top Decks to Build in Pokémon TCG Pocket
The construction of premier Pokémon TCG Pocket decks can be an expensive endeavor; many require multiple copies of valuable cards to optimize their effectiveness. For instance, decks centered around Charizard ex or Blastoise ex typically demand two copies of the respective ex cards, alongside other essential components. To aid players, we have curated alternative, wallet-friendly card options within these deck guides, encouraging experimentation while you gather the necessary pieces.
Additionally, our guides feature free-to-play-friendly decks such as the Rapidash/Ninetales setup. However, be mindful that they often require multiple duplicates of Common or Uncommon cards. We welcome your suggestions for further deck options and strategies in the comments!
Utilizing Pack Points for Card Crafting
Don’t forget, you can create cards using Pack Points. However, exercise caution to avoid depleting your points too quickly; prioritize spending these on Trainer Cards before amassing enough to craft the Pokémon you desire.
Featured Decks for Competitive Play
Charizard ex Deck
The Charizard ex deck is currently one of the strongest setups in the game, thanks largely to Charizard ex’s Crimson Storm attack, capable of eliminating opposing ex Pokémon in a single blow.
- 2x Charizard ex
- 2x Charmeleon
- 2x Charizard
- 2x Moltres ex (or alternative Pokémon)
- 1x Meowth
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x X Speed
- 1x Red Card
- 2x Potion
Although Charizard ex is incredibly powerful, he requires meticulous setup and substantial Energy. If you manage to include Moltres ex early in the match, victory will likely be in your grasp, assuming fortunes don’t falter.
Mewtwo ex Deck
The Mewtwo ex deck excels by relying on Gardevoir to consistently stack Energy and enable the Psydrive attack.
- 2x Mewtwo ex
- 2x Ralts
- 2x Kirlia
- 2x Gardevoir
- 1x Meowth
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Potion
- 2x X Speed
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Sabrina
- 1x Red Card
A free-to-play alternative substitutes the Gardevoir evolution chain with Weezing, creating a slightly slower yet viable setup.
Venusaur ex Deck
This Grass-type Venusaur ex deck is particularly enjoyable. It utilizes Lilligant to accumulate Energy on Venusaur ex, allowing it to heal while attacking—a formidable combination.
- 2x Venusaur ex
- 2x Ivysaur
- 2x Bulbasaur
- 2x Lilligant (can be swapped for Exeggutor ex or Butterfree)
- 2x Petilil (can be swapped for Exeggcute or a combination of Caterpie and Metapod)
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x X Speed
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x Erika (alternatively, use Potion cards)
Including Erika facilitates consistent healing for your Pokémon, making Venusaur ex a difficult opponent to defeat. Though you may substitute Lilligant with Exeggutor or Butterfree, Lilligant currently represents the best partner for Venusaur ex.
Blastoise ex Deck
The Blastoise ex deck is centered entirely around Water types, supported by Lapras ex— a high-HP, self-healing ally that can absorb damage during the setup phase.
- 2x Squirtle
- 2x Wartortle
- 2x Blastoise ex
- 1x Lapras ex
- 1x Meowth
- 2x X Speed
- 2x Misty
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 1x Potion
- 1x Poke Ball
Meowth offers an additional card-drawing option to help you complete the Blastoise evolution chain. Depending on your card availability, you might even exchange Meowth for another Lapras ex or Articuno ex.
Gengar ex Deck
This Gengar ex deck isn’t prohibitively expensive if you already have two Gengar ex cards. By partnering with Hypno or an alternative disruptor like Weezing or Pidgeot, it becomes a challenging opponent for many decks.
- 2x Gengar ex
- 2x Haunter
- 2x Gastly
- 2x Drowzee
- 2x Hypno (can replace Drowzee/Hypno with Weezing or Pidgeot evolution chains)
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x X Speed
- 2x Potion or Giovanni
Even with a single Gengar ex, standard Gengar cards can hold their own until you acquire more.
Blaine Fire-type Deck
Among the most accessible entries in this collection, the Blaine deck utilizes a revamped Rapidash setup to create a solid Fire-type strategy. Nonetheless, it may not be quite as potent as the aforementioned Charizard ex deck.
- 2x Ninetales
- 2x Vulpix
- 2x Ponyta
- 2x Rapidash
- 1x Growlithe and 1x Arcanine ex (or 2x Magmar, or Fossil Cards)
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x X Speed
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Blaine
- 2x Sabrina
Ninetales and Rapidash serve as your primary damage dealers, with Blaine to amplify their efforts. There’s plenty of scope for customization; for example, if you have Moltres ex or prefer Fossil Cards to protect your key Pokémon during setup, adjustments can enhance your strategy.
Lapras ex Deck
This streamlined Lapras ex deck utilizes only four Pokémon cards. Its formidable combination has often left opponents conceding prematurely.
- 2x Lapras ex
- 1x Staryu
- 1x Starmie ex
- 2x Fossil Cards
- 2x Misty
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x John
- 2x X Speed
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Potion
This build leverages the Misty Supporter Card to rapidly equip Lapras ex with Energy. If the luck aligns, you can conclude matches before turns three or four, particularly if your opponent lacks bench support. Once charged, Lapras ex can utilize its Bubble Drain attack to inflict damage while healing for every hit. If situations grow tenuous, Starmie ex steps in as a reliable alternative requiring just two Energy for a solid 90 damage output.
Starmie ex Deck
This powerful deck featuring Starmie ex needs little introduction, as it often appears in competitive PvP environments. Leveraging Misty’s support allows you to supply Energy to Lapras ex or Articuno ex while Starmie ex diminishes your opponent’s HP.
- 2x Staryu
- 2x Starmie ex
- 2x Articuno ex (or 2x Lapras ex)
- 1x Froakie
- 1x Frogadier
- 1x Greninja
- 1x Fossil Card
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Misty
- 2x Sabrina
- 1x John
- 1x X Speed
With zero retreat costs, Starmie ex excels at delivering heady blows, while the ability to switch to a powerful Lapras ex or Articuno ex at crucial moments ensures adaptability in strategy. Each turn presents fresh opportunities to wreak havoc on your opponent.
Zapdos ex Deck
Focusing on Zapdos ex as the main powerhouse, this deck also includes support from Raichu and Lt. Surge for potent finishing moves when Zapdos ex’s durability wanes.
- 2x Zapdos ex (can swap one for Pikachu ex)
- 2x Voltorb
- 2x Electrode
- 1x Pikachu
- 1x Raichu
- 2x Fossil Cards (can substitute for Eevee and Jolteon)
- 2x Lt. Surge
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x Potion
Your goal is to get Zapdos ex into action as swiftly as possible, utilizing Voltorb and Electrode as interim damage dealers. Fossil Cards shield your lower HP Pokémon from risks posed by disruptive support cards like Sabrina. When your opponent nears defeat, Raichu enters the fray alongside Lt. Surge for a powerful final strike.
Pikachu ex Deck
The Pikachu ex deck features a combination of prized ex cards, including multiple Pikachu ex and Zapdos ex. Alternatively, you can incorporate Raichu and Lt. Surge for a more volatile yet entertaining theme around the beloved character, Pikachu.
- 2x Pikachu ex
- 2x Zapdos ex
- 2x Voltorb
- 2x Electrode
- 2x John
- 2x Potion
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x X Speed
If the recommended meta deck posed challenges due to scarce rare cards like Zapdos ex, substitute them for Pikachu and Raichu alternatives while switching out Potions for Lt. Surge cards. Execute tactics that revolve around filling your bench with Electric-types, culminating in high-impact damage through Raichu’s finishing moves.
Machamp Deck
The Machamp deck stands out as predominantly accessible, requiring only two Machamp cards as the most valuable assets. Still, it can effortlessly be enhanced with Machamp ex or by swapping Mankey and Primeape with Cubone and Marowak ex if those are available.
- 2x Machamp
- 2x Machoke
- 2x Machop
- 2x Mankey
- 2x Primewater
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Sabrina (adjust if using Grapploct)
- 2x X Speed
- 2x Potion
Overall, the deck presents a thrilling yet challenging experience, especially when fortune favors your draws. The synergy between Primeape and Machamp enables consistent high-output damage, rendering you competitive against prevailing meta setups, provided you draw the right cards promptly.
Dragonite Deck
Dragonite decks offer versatile building options because this Pokémon requires both Electric and Water Energy for its prime attack. The optimal deck will depend on personal card availability, but a Water-type Dragonite deck emerges as the most effective if you possess associated Water-type ex Pokémon.
- 2x Dragonite
- 2x Dragonair
- 2x Dratini
- 2x Lapras ex (alternatives available)
- 2x Fossil Card
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x X Speed
- 2x Potion
If lacking Water-type ex Pokémon like Starmie ex or Lapras ex, consider pairing Dragonite with Electric types such as Pikachu ex, Zapdos ex, or easier-to-obtain Pokémon like Electrode or Pincurchin.
Alakazam Deck
The Alakazam deck leverages its namesake to deliver potent attacks while utilizing Hypno to incapacitate opponents. An impressive asset, Alakazam excels against opponents that utilize multiple Energy for their strategies, such as Mewtwo ex and Charizard ex.
- 2x Abra
- 2x Kadabra
- 2x Alakazam
- 2x Drowzee
- 2x Hypno
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x X Speed
- 2x Potion
Hypno’s coin flip mechanic allows for sleep-inducing attacks from the bench, granting Alakazam ample time to accrue Energy, evolve, and strike opponents vigorously. This capability effectively dismantles many ex Pokémon.
Vileplume Deck
The Vileplume deck makes an unconventional yet surprisingly effective choice in Pokémon TCG Pocket, leveraging just two evolutionary lines—Lilligant and Vileplume—to put opponents to sleep, serving as a tactical deterrent against powerful entities like Mewtwo ex and Zapdos ex.
- 2x Vileplume
- 2x Gloom
- 2x Oddish
- 2x Lilligant
- 2x Cottonee
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Erika
- 2x Potion
- 2x Sabrina
With favorable draws, Lilligant can chip away at the enemy while powering Vileplume. When Vileplume is ready to strike or Lilligant is diminished, switch in Vileplume to disrupt opponents’ gameplay by inducing sleep—hoping they remain in a slumber!
Celebi ex Deck
The latest entry from the Mythical Island mini-set, the Celebi ex deck utilizes Serperior’s ability to double Energy, positioning Grass-type decks like Venusaur ex in a precarious state.
- 2x Celebi ex
- 2x Serperior
- 2x Servine
- 2x Snivy
- 2x Dhelmise
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Erika
- 2x Poke Ball
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x X Speed
Players accumulating cards might also enjoy mixing either Celebi ex or Serperior into their existing Grass-type decks to leverage Serperior’s Jungle Totem ability, providing enhanced Energy counts for their Grass-type Pokémon.
Gyarados ex Deck
While Gyarados from the Genetic Apex set serves its purpose, Gyarados ex, alongside newer Water-type options like Vaporeon, opens avenues for robust Gyarados-centric setups. Due to its significant Energy requirements, it may not measure up to formidable ex cards such as Articuno ex or Lapras ex in certain matches.
- 2x Magikarp
- 2x Gyarados ex (or standard Gyarados)
- 2x Eevee
- 2x Vaporeon
- 2x Articuno ex
- 2x Misty
- 2x Sabrina
- 2x Leaf (or X Speed)
- 2x Professor’s Research
- 2x Poke Ball
The introduction of Vaporeon from the Mythical Island set provides significant utility with its Wash Out Ability, transferring Water-type Energy from Benched Pokémon to Gyarados ex. Start with Articuno ex, then shift energies to Gyarados ex for finishing maneuvers.
For further exploration of Pokémon TCG Pocket, discover our guides on adding Flair to your cards or learn about the rarest cards available in the game.
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