Pokémon TCG Pocket allows players to collect some of the strongest cards in the game in their Genetic Apex set (the only set so far) through boosters, but beginners may have difficulty knowing where to start building a deck and which cards to use. Some may be tempted to stack a deck of cards with PocketThe cooler looking cards or those with higher HP and damage, but this approach is far from an efficient starting point.
This list compiles 10 beginner decks that focus on card synergy, featuring Pokémon that work well together to defeat the opponent from the start. Whether players are completely new to the game or are looking for a new deck idea, these options will be reliable options to start with. Pokémon TCG Pocket.
10
Raichu Deck
Quickly gives Raichu energy
Card name |
Card type |
Amount |
---|---|---|
Pikachu |
Basic |
2 |
Raichu |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Voltorb |
Basic |
2 |
Electrode |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Magnemite |
Basic |
2 |
Magneton |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Teacher Research |
Supporter |
2 |
Lieutenant Outbreak |
Supporter |
2 |
Sabrina |
Supporter |
2 |
Poké Ball |
Item |
2 |
This Enlightenment-type deck is ideal for players who have not yet acquired an ex forte card, with its cards working perfectly together to power Raichu. Electrode serves as the primary card, taking the active spot for most of the battle with its high-damage, low-energy-cost attacks. Also, Electrode’s free pickup cost allows players to exchange it for Raichu when the time is right, making this deck versatile and free-flowing.
Two standout cards for this deck are Lieutenant Surge and Magnetoneach playing a key role in energy production. Lieutenant Surge’s ability allows players to transfer all energy from benched Pokémon to active Pokémon, ensuring a quick energy setup for Raichu. Additionally, Magneton’s Volt Charge ability will give the player additional lighting energy to use, setting up Raichu’s 140 damage attack.
9
Arbok and Pidgeot Deck
Disrupts the opponent’s strategy
Card name |
Card type |
Amount |
---|---|---|
Pidgey |
Basic |
2 |
Pidgeotto |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Pidgeot |
Stage 2 |
2 |
Ekans |
Basic |
2 |
Arbok |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Teacher Research |
Supporter |
2 |
John |
Supporter |
2 |
Potion |
Item |
2 |
X Speed |
Item |
2 |
Poké Ball |
Item |
2 |
This deck maximizes the potential of Colorless-type Pokémon, along with some powerful Darkness-type cards, creating a disruptive strategy that keeps opponents off balance. Arbok and Pidgeot play important roles in both attacking and disruptive plays. Arbok’s attack, Corner, prevents the opponent from retreating their Active Pokémon for the next turn, trapping your card in play.
Pidgeot’s Drive Off ability forces the opponent to swap their active Pokémon with one from their bench, similar to Sabrina’s ability. This deck stands out against stronger opponents disrupting their tactics and preventing them from using their most impactful cards. Additionally, by using Giovanni, players can increase their attack power, giving them a better chance of dropping rare or high-power cards.
8
Articuno Ex Deck
Very powerful water type deck
Card name |
Card type |
Amount |
---|---|---|
Articuno ex |
Basic |
2 |
Psychoduck |
Basic |
2 |
Golduck |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Tentacool |
Basic |
2 |
Tentacruel |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Fossil Propeller |
Item |
2 |
Potion |
Item |
2 |
Poké Ball |
Item |
2 |
Misty |
Supporter |
2 |
Teacher Research |
Supporter |
2 |
This Water-type deck revolves around Articuno ex, whose low energy cost attacks make it an ideal card for deck building. As a Basic Pokémon, Articuno ex can come into play at the beginning of the matchallowing players to quickly jump into the battle action. Its Blizzard attack only costs three energy and deals a solid 80 damage, making it very efficient.
Other cards in this deck, such as Tentacruel and Golduck, also bring consistent damage to the active point, making this deck focus on offensive play. Additionally, the Misty Trainer card will give energy to a Water-type Pokémon, allowing players to flip a coin until it turns tails, with each head granting an extra energy to the chosen card. This deck gives players a chance to start dealing damage early on.
7
Ninetales and Rapidash deck
Use Blaine’s potential for aggressive tactics
Card name |
Card type |
Amount |
---|---|---|
Vulpix |
Basic |
2 |
Ninetales |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Ponyta |
Basic |
2 |
Rapidash |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Blaine |
Supporter |
2 |
Sabrina |
Supporter |
2 |
Teacher Research |
Supporter |
2 |
Potion |
Item |
2 |
Poké Ball |
Item |
2 |
X Speed |
Item |
2 |
This Fire-type deck was built to maximize the potential of the Blaine Trainer card.allowing players to dominate the opponent with relentless, high-powered attacks. Blain’s ability boosts Ninetales and Rapidash’s attacks, adding an extra 30 damage, making these Pokémon more effective than they might first appear. Blaine also buffs Magmar’s attack, meaning this deck has the flexibility to swap out Magmar in place of Sabrina’s Supporter cards.
A big advantage of Ponyta and Rapidash is that they only require one energy to start attacking, allowing for an aggressive tactic from the start of the battle. Ninetales deals high damage but drops energy when used, so players need to be careful when balancing energy management with damage. Ninetales can be extremely effective when inserted and withdrawn at the right times. For players who enjoy an offensive playstyle but don’t have access to cards like Charizard ex, this deck offers a strong alternative.
6
Arcanine Ex Deck
Free the former Arcanine at the right time
Card name |
Card type |
Amount |
---|---|---|
Growlithe |
Basic |
2 |
Ex arcane |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Ponyta |
Basic |
2 |
Rapidash |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Magmar |
Basic |
2 |
Teacher Research |
Supporter |
2 |
Blaine |
Supporter |
2 |
Potion |
Item |
2 |
X Speed |
Item |
2 |
Poké Ball |
Item |
2 |
This Fire-type deck is similar to the previous Nintales and Rapidash strategy, catering to players who want to use and harness the power of Arcanine ex. By using the Blaine Trainer card, players can increase the attacks of Ponyta, Rapidash, and Magmar, building a solid foundation to bring Arcanine ex into the game. Former Arcanine’s Inferno Onrush deals a whopping 120 damagebut with its cost of three energy, players need to build this card on the bench.
An often overlooked but crucial card in this deck is the X Speed Item cardwhich reduces the withdrawal cost by one per turn. This helps players protect Arcanine ex by strategically retreating or substituting it at the perfect time to deal serious damage to the opponent’s active Pokémon. Furthermore, the Professor’s Research card is important for removing the cards necessary for evolution.
5
Exeggutor Ex and Parasect Deck
Harness the power of Exeggutor ex
Card name |
Card type |
Amount |
---|---|---|
Exeggcute |
Basic |
2 |
ex exeggutor |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Paragraphs |
Basic |
2 |
Parasite |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Farfetch’d |
Basic |
2 |
John |
Supporter |
2 |
Erika |
Supporter |
2 |
Teacher Research |
Supporter |
2 |
Potion |
Item |
2 |
Poké Ball |
Item |
2 |
This Grass-type deck is built around the power of the former Exeggutor card, which is without a doubt one of the best in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Exeggutor ex can use the impressive 80 damage attack, Tropical Swingfor just one energy, allowing players to place this card in the active location at the start of the battle and keep it fighting for as long as possible. To sustain this consistent damage, the Erika Trainer card will heal 50 HP to a chosen Grass-type Pokémon, keeping Exeguttor ex in play. The Potion Item card can also be useful for this.
The Parasect card will be extremely useful to get off the bench, accumulating energy to exchange after the possible defeat of the former Exeggutor. With a cost of three energy, Parasect can deal substantial damage when in play, providing powerful support to continue the pressure.
4
Marowak and Sandslash Deck
High-impact combat deck
Card name |
Card type |
Amount |
---|---|---|
Cube |
Basic |
2 |
Former Marowak |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Sandshrew |
Basic |
2 |
sand bar |
Stage 1 |
2 |
John |
Supporter |
2 |
Poké Ball |
Item |
2 |
X Speed |
Item |
2 |
Teacher Research |
Supporter |
2 |
Potion |
Item |
2 |
Sabrina |
Supporter |
2 |
This Fighting-type deck is built around Marowak ex, a strong card that is capable of taking down most opponents’ Pokémon. With just two energies, Marowak ex can use his Bonemerang attackdealing 80 damage for each head in two coin tosses. To further increase Marowak ex’s power, the Giovanni Trainer card can be used to further increase its attack strength, making it a threat to tough opponents.
Sandslash board offers reliable backup with 100 HP and a solid attack that deals 70 damage, making it effective in gradually damaging the opponent’s health. Additionally, the Sabrina Trainer card disrupts the opponent’s strategy by slowing the development of their strongest cards, allowing the player to target weaker Pokémon.
3
Exeggutor Ex and Victreebel Deck
Grass-type deck that frustrates the opponent
Card name |
Card type |
Amount |
---|---|---|
Exeggcute |
Basic |
2 |
Exeggutor |
Stage 1 |
2 |
ex exeggutor |
Stage 1 |
2 |
bell sprout |
Basic |
2 |
Bell crying |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Victreebel |
Stage 2 |
2 |
Erika |
Supporter |
2 |
Teacher Research |
Supporter |
2 |
Potion |
Item |
2 |
Poké Ball |
Item |
2 |
This Grass-type deck is another way to take advantage of the potential of Exeggutor ex. Due to its strength, the ex Exeggutor card will be highly effective in taking down opponents from the start. This is complemented by the Erika Trainer card, which is important for keeping the former Exeggutor in play longer and gives players ample opportunity to evolve the Bellsprout line.
Once the player is able to perform Victreebel, players can use their Fragrance Trap abilitya highly disruptive move that forces the opponent to swap their active Pokémon for a benched one. This ability frustrates the opponent’s strategy, preventing them from fully using their strongest cards. With Fragrance Trap in play, there is no need for the Sabrina Trainer card, allowing players to free up deck space for other Pokémon or items.
2
Psychic Deck
Fully built to disrupt opponents
Card name |
Card type |
Amount |
---|---|---|
Abra |
Basic |
2 |
Kadabra |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Alakazam |
Stage 2 |
2 |
Drowzee |
Basic |
2 |
Hypno |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Teacher Research |
Supporter |
2 |
Sabrina |
Supporter |
2 |
Potion |
Item |
2 |
X Speed |
Item |
2 |
Poké Ball |
Item |
2 |
This Psychic-type deck is focused on causing maximum disruption to the opposition, using Hypno’s ability to ruin the opposition’s progression. The Sleep Pendulum ability will give the player the opportunity to make the opponent’s active Pokémon sleep with a coin toss, which can leave them in a frustrating situation. This, in partnership with the Sabrina Trainer card, will make the player question their next move.
The Alakazam card is surprisingly powerful, which, for three energies, can destroy opponent’s heavyweights. Its attack, called Psychic, starts at 60 damage and will deal an additional 30 damage for each Energy attached to the opponent’s Active Pokémon, making it incredibly strong.
1
Ex Deck Pikachu
Built for aggressive, fast-paced players
Card name |
Card type |
Amount |
---|---|---|
Ex-Pikachu |
Basic |
2 |
Voltorb |
Basic |
2 |
Electrode |
Stage 1 |
2 |
Blitz |
Basic |
2 |
Zebstrika |
Stage 1 |
2 |
John |
Supporter |
2 |
Teacher Research |
Supporter |
2 |
Potion |
Item |
2 |
X Speed |
Item |
2 |
Poké Ball |
Item |
2 |
This Lighting-type deck is for players who like to play an aggressive style of play.having cards with low energy costs and consistent damage output. Pikachu’s former card is incredibly strong in Pocketand it’s a card that players will enjoy building a deck with. For each Lighting-type Pokémon on the bench, this card will do 30 damage, which means it can reach 90 damage with just two energy.
The Giovanni Trainer card will help boost the attack of cards like Electrode and Zebstrika, meaning players can consistently deal damage across the board. The free withdrawal cost on the Electrode card should be noted, as it can open up space to introduce the power of the ex Pikachu card. This will be a fun deck to battle in Pokémon TCG Pocket.