Pokemon TCG Pocket isn’t just about collecting cards. Players can engage in battles both on their own and against other players. However, bringing the right deck to the match is crucial to winning.
In this guide, we will be ranking the best Pokemon TCG Pocket decks by power, playability, and accessibility. Because cards are currently only attainable via opening packs with random pulls, not all of these decks will be easy to build. However, those who can put an S-Tier list together will be able to stand any challenge down fearlessly.
Currently, we have been hard at work testing each of these decks, and have found specific success in some of the best options the meta currently offers.
10. Mewtwo ex & Gardevoir deck
Taking the bottom of the list is the Mewtwo ex & Gardevoir deck. This isn’t an easy deck to build, as Mewtwo ex is a very rare card, and setting up Gardevoir can be tricky. However, if set up, this monster of a strategy won’t be easy to overcome.
Gardevoir’s Ability allows you to accelerate Energy to the active Pokemon every turn. This is critical, as Mewtwo ex requires four Energy attached to hit with Psydrive, and it discards two with every use.
Like Pikachu, Mewtwo doesn’t need to evolve, so players are able to set it up immediately once it’s been pulled. If you have enough Energy cards available on the Psychic Legendary, it will obliterate opponents with 150-point damage until victory is secured.
If despite using the Poke Ball, Professor’s Research, and Mythical Slab cards, you cannot start building up Mewtwo or are still waiting to get Gardevoir out, you can use Mew ex to immediately deal damage with Psyshot.
Recommended build
- x2 Mewtwo ex
- x2 Gardevoir
- x2 Kirlia
- x2 Ralts
- x1 Mew ex
- x1 Sabrina
- x2 Mythical Slab
- x1 Leaf
- x1 Pokemon Communication
- x1 Cyrus
- x1 Dawn
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
9. Celebi ex & Serperior deck
Having debuted in Mythical Island, Celebi ex has made a surprising splash in Pokemon TCG Pocket and it still stands strong.
At first glance, this doesn’t appear to be particularly powerful, but when partnered with Serperior’s Ability “Jungle Totem”, it becomes a damage-dealing beast only stoppable by quick action or a strong Fire-type.
The trick with Celebi ex is to get it on the bench early with a red-herring card in the active slot. This buys time to load it down with Energy. At the same time, players should be evolving Snivy on each turn. By turn three, players can switch Celebi ex into the active position, and with Serprior ready to go, utilize the double-energy boost to flip extra damage coins.
When properly loaded up, this deck can deal hundreds of points in damage despite the needed setup.
Recommended build
- x2 Celebi ex
- x2 Serperior
- x2 Servine
- x1 Snivy
- x2 Erika
- x1 Sabrina
- x1 Pokemon Communication
- x2 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 X Speed
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
8. Pikachu ex & Zebstrika deck
Pikachu ex has already earned its place as a crown jewel of the Pokemon TCG Pocket meta. Pikachu ex’s special secret is a heavy hit without the need for evolution. All players need to do is get the bench loaded up quickly with Electric-type Pokemon, and slap two Energy on to start toasting the opponent before they have time to get set up.
Pikachu ex isn’t a slow build. In fact, players will be at a disadvantage if they don’t get Pikachu out and working as quickly as possible. The electric mouse doesn’t have a huge HP count, and this is where the Zapdos ex can come in handy as a buffer if something goes sideways early in the match.
Simultaneously, players can build Zebstrika to target the opponent’s Benched Pokemon, which can then be pulled to the Active spot using the Cyrus card and finish them off.
Recommended build
- x2 Pikachu ex
- x1 Zapdos ex
- x2 Blitzle
- x2 Zebstrika
- x1 Rotom
- x1 Sabrina
- x1 Blue
- x1 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 Dawn
- x2 X Speed
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
7. Charizard ex & Moltres ex deck
Not first place for Charizard? While this may sound like a crime, Charizard ex has struggled to hold the top position due to an expensive Energy cost and a lack of Energy acceleration options for Fire-types.
Charizard ex is no different than any other Charizard TCG card. It hits hard, with Crimson Storm dealing 200 points of damage, and Slash dealing 60 points. However, Crimson Storm requires four Fire Energy, and it discards two when the attack is used. This makes Charizard ex an Energy inferno, and not in a good way.
To run this deck successfully, throw a few Moltres ex in to help accelerate Energy placement, and be sure to protect Charmander and Charmeleon when working through evolutions. If you get Charizard ex out with enough Energy and without too much initial damage, you’ll blaze right through the opponent’s bench.
Recommended build
- x2 Charizard ex
- x2 Charmeleon
- x2 Charmander
- x2 Moltres ex
- x1 Shaymin
- x1 Sabrina
- x2 Leaf
- x2 Pokemon Communication
- x2 Giant Cape
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
6. Gyarados ex & Greninja deck
Gyarados ex was a late bloomer from the Mythical Islands card list. While Celebi came out and quickly dominated, the build for Gyarados ex takes some polish, and requires a number of cards that aren’t easy to pull.
This deck is best run with Greninja and makes use of the Misty Supporter card to load Energy for attacks. Greninja can snipe opponent Pokemon on the bench, while Gyarados ex deals substantial damage with a Basic and Stage 1 evolution line. Though, you’ll require a lot of luck to get many heads while flipping the coin.
You can set up Druddigon on the Active spot to act as a buffer while you deal passive damage with its Ability “Rough Skin”. Once you build Greninja, its Ability “Water Shuriken” can help deal more passive damage while you finish charging Gyarados ex.
Recommended build
- x2 Gyarados ex
- x2 Magikarp
- x2 Druddigon
- x2 Greninja
- x2 Frogadier
- x2 Froakie
- x2 Misty
- x1 Leaf
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
5. Exeggutor ex & Celebi ex deck
Grass types haven’t been the easiest to run, but after the launch of the Mythical Island set, their popularity skyrocketed and Exeggutor ex became a reliable choice with many variations.
The Grass-type three-faced Pokemon is one of the few with a damaging attack that requires only 1 Energy card to work. Moreover, if you’re a lucky player and get heads when flipping the attack’s coin toss, it will deal an extra 40 damage.
Its massive HP – and having Erika on its side – makes Exeggutor ex an incredibly strong card to play. It can be played with many partners, but the most common are Celebi ex, Yanmega ex, and more recently Arceus ex.
Going with Celebi ex, you can put Exeggutor on the Active spot to deal damage while you charge the Mythical with all the Energy you can since Exeggutor only requires one to work. The same happens with Yanmega ex and Arceus ex, both great final hitters.
Recommended build
- x2 Exeggutor ex
- x2 Exeggcute
- x1 Celebi ex
- x1 Mew ex
- x2 Erika
- x2 Leaf
- x2 Pokemon Communication
- x1 Rocky Helmet
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 Potion
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
4. Darkrai ex & Magnezone deck
Darkrai ex made a splash in the meta following the release of the Space-Time Smackdown expansion and has had a kind of ‘resurrection’ with the Triumphant Light set, as not a lot of players are using Grass-type decks to target its weakness.
The Darkrai ex deck can be played with many different companions, but the trick with this card is to load it down with trainer cards that accelerate what you have on the bench and in your hand. Additionally, Darkrai can technically do damage twice in a turn thanks to its Ability “Nightmare Aura”, which deals 20 damage to the active opponent Pokemon when Dark energy is attached to Darkrai ex.
Weezing, Greninja, Weavile ex, and Magnezone are the most used partners, though the last one is currently the most used.
The strategy sets Druddigon in the Active spot to deal 20 damage with its Ability “Rough Skin” while setting an Energy on Darkrai ex will result in 20 extra damage per turn. Moreover, Magneton will get charged in the Bench thanks to its Ability “Volt Charge”.
Recommended build
- x2 Darkrai ex
- x2 Magnezone
- x2 Magneton
- x2 Magnemite
- x2 Druddigon
- x1 Sabrina
- x2 Leaf
- x1 Pokemon Communication
- x1 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
3. Palkia ex & Palkia Origin Forme deck
Similar to Exeggutor and Darkrai, Palkia ex can be played with many different companions like Vaporeon, Starmie ex, and Yanmega ex, but currently a full Palkia deck is the best choice.
The strategy is quite simple. Players focus on getting Manaphy on the Active spot as fast as possible and then set up all their Palkia cards on the Bench as soon as they draw them.
The Mythical Pokemon’s attack “Oceanic Gift” charges two Pokemon with one Energy each every turn, so the Palkia cards can be ready in just a few turns.
Irida can help keep all the Pokemon in play alive, while Misty can aid in getting more Energy out fast.
Recommended build
- x2 Palkia ex
- x2 Palkia Origin Forme
- x2 Manaphy
- x2 Misty
- x1 Sabrina
- x2 Leaf
- x2 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 Irida
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
2. Arceus ex & Dialga ex deck
Since the God Pokemon – Arceus – was added to the game with the Triumphant Light set, plenty of decks featuring any of its cards have been dominating the meta.
As a consistent attacker, Arceus ex can work nicely with Pokemon like Carvine, Exeggutor, Heatran, Abomasnow, and Crobat. However, its partnership with Dialga is undeniably the strongest option.
Ideally, players need to set Dialga ex on the Active spot and use its Metalic Turbo attack (which only costs 2 Energy) to deal damage while charging up Arceus ex.
Arceus ex will get two Energy every time Dialga hits, while Shaymin can heal 10 damage to all Pokemon with its Ability “Fragment Flower Garden” to keep them from being KOed.
Recommended build
- x2 Arceus ex
- x2 Dialga ex
- x1 Shaymin
- x2 Giovanni
- x1 Sabrina
- x2 Leaf
- x2 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x1 Dawn
- x2 Potion
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
1. Giratina ex & Darkrai ex deck
Recommended build
The release of Shining Revelry on March 27 made one of TCG Pocket’s strongest decks even better, and yes, Mythical Island’s Druddigon is once again a must-have to make this stall deck as consistent as possible.
The game plan is simple. Stick Druddigon in your active slot, preferably with a Rocky Helmet equipped to double the passive damage it inflicts to 40 whenever the opponent attacks.
While Druddigon stalls, you’ll spend your turns juicing up Giratina via its Broken-Space Bellow ability, which essentially allows it to gain two Energy per turn. If you’re being pressured and need to dish out some immediate retaliation, Darkrai ex’s Nightmare Aura can add further chip damage to Druddigon’s.
- x2 Druddigon
- x2 Darkrai ex
- x2 Giratina ex
- x1 Sabrina
- x2 Leaf
- x2 Rocky Helmet
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 Red
- x2 Potion
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
If you are looking for more interesting information about Pokemon TCG Pocket, check out our Promo list, or see whether or not the Premium Pass is the right option for you.
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