Best decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket – Meta tier list

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 win.

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. Alakazam deck

The Alakazam deck is a great option for beginners trying to get the hang of battling. While Alakazam isn’t always an easy card to pull, its odds are substantially better than an ex.

This deck relies specifically on the Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam line while throwing Kangaskhan into the mix to take hits while players get Alakazam set up. As with any Psychic deck, players will need to watch their low HP while managing higher Energy costs. However, Alakazam’s Psychic attack pounds the bench with 60 baseline damage, and an additional 30 damage points are added for every Energy attached.

Use Sabrina and Kangaskhan to buy time and get as much Energy as possible on the benched Alakazam, then whip it out to deal enormous damage while mitigating hits from the opponent with potions.

Recommended build

• x2 Alakazam
• x2 Kadabra
• x2 Abra
• x2 Kangaskhan
• x2 Poke Ball
• x3 Potion
• x1 X Speed
• x2 Sabrina
• x2 Professor’s Research
• x2 Giovanni

9. Exeggutor ex deck

Grass-types haven’t been the easiest to run, and those brave enough to try before the launch of Mythical Island perfected a solid build with Exeggutor ex. This deck takes advantage of the Kanto Grass-type’s bulky HP while switching opponent Pokemon out with Victreebel’s Ability “Fragrance Trap”.

Due to its Fire weakness, this strategy can be risky. If you end up pitted against Charizard ex or Moltres ex, outcomes won’t be favorable. However, when tackling Machamp ex or other Fighting-types, it has a solid advantage in matches.

Recommended build

• x2 Exeggutor ex
• x2 Exeggutor
• x2 Exeggcute
• x2 Victreebel
• x2 Weepinbell
• x2 Bellsprout
• x1 X Speed
• x2 Poke Ball
• x1 Sabrina
• x2 Erika
• x2 Professor’s Research
• x1 Giovanni

8. Zapdos ex deck

This deck isn’t as powerful as the Pikachu ex, but for those who have had no luck getting the electric mouse, Zapdos ex is a great stand-in.

In this deck, Heliolisk is used as a quick hitter and damage dealer while players get Zapdos ex charged up with Energy. Heliolisk is surprisingly powerful despite its low HP. Its Quick Attack does 40 baseline damage and can do an additional 40 with a successful coin toss.

Using Giovanni, it’s possible to superpower Zapdos ex as soon as it’s out on the field, and this Pokemon can do up to a devastating 200 points of damage. It isn’t without risk, however, as a full round of failed coin flips can result in a wasted turn.

Recommended build

• x2 Zapdos ex
• x2 Heliolisk
• x2 Helioptile
• x2 Potion
• x2 Red Card
• x3 Poke Ball
• x1 X Speed
• x2 Sabrina
• x2 Professor’s Research
• x2 Giovanni

7. Venusaur ex deck

Venusaur ex’s deck structure has a leg up on Blastoise and is a great option for anyone needing a Grass-type deck. Despite this, Venusaur ex takes a bit of skill to run at full potential. A high Energy cost balances high HP, and it takes creativity to get it out on the field.

In this build, we recommend mixing Venusaur ex with Lilligant, which accelerates Energy placement while also dealing damage to the opponent. Just watch Petilil if it is out first before evolving, as it has a fragile HP count and can’t deal any sort of damage. You’ll want to get it evolved before messing with the Bulbasaur needed for Venusaur.

We highly recommend running Erika in this deck, as she heals 50 damage from Grass-types, and can help buffer out the wait needed to get the big hitters ready to go.

Recommended build

• x2 Venusaur ex
• x2 Ivysaur
• x2 Bulbasaur
• x2 Petilil
• x2 Liligant
• x2 Poke Ball
• x2 Potion
• x2 Erika
• x2 Professor’s Research
• x2 Sabrina

6. Starmie ex deck

Starmie ex has quickly risen as a favorite Water-type deck in Pokemon TCG Pocket. The card is an all-around good choice for a deck. High base HP, low Energy cost, and a powerful attack make it a no-brainer choice for a Water-type leader.

Articuno ex and Lapras ex can be used interchangeably in this deck for a bit of extra power. Lapras is better than Articuno, as the Legendary Bird has a pretty high cost, but it can hit the bench when fully loaded down.

Like Blastoise ex, this deck does have some pretty hard weaknesses, but when going up against Charizard ex players, it is a solid and powerful option.

Recommended build

• x2 Starmie ex
• x2 Staryu
• x2 Articuno ex / Lapras ex
• x2 Potion
• x2 Red Card
• x2 Poke Ball
• x2 Misty
• x2 Sabrina
• x2 Professor’s Research
• x2 Giovanni

5. Artinuco ex deck

Articuno ex’s deck took some time to gain momentum in Pokemon TCG Pocket but now dominates thanks to its combination with Greninja. Articuno ex has a mid-tier attack with Blizzard, hitting the Active opponent for 80 damage. However, it also hits the bench for 10 damage on each card.

While it can be run on its own, using Misty to accelerate Energy placement, the best combo for this card is Greninja. The Ability Water Shuriken can do 20 additional damage to any Pokemon of the opponent’s. This allows players to little down the HP of a benched Pokemon while also attacking the Active spot. This is a great strategy for preventing the build of ex Pokemon on the bench.

Recommended build

• x2 Articunio ex
• x1 Articuno
• x2 Greninja
• x2 Frogadier
• x2 Froakie
• x2 X Speed
• x2 Poke Ball
• x1 Red Card
• x2 Misty
• x2 Professor’s Research
• x2 Sabrina

3. Celebi ex deck

Having debuted in Mythical Island, Celebi ex has made a surprising splash in Pokemon TCG Pocket. 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
• x2 Snivy
• x2 Eevee (MI Version)
• x2 X Speed
• x2 Poke Ball
• x1 Potion
• x2 Erika
• x2 Professor’s Research
• x2 Sabrina

3. Charizard ex deck

Not first place for Charizard? While this may sound like a crime, Charizard ex has a few setbacks that make this extremely powerful contender a third place instead of best-in-class.

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
• x2 X Speed
• x2 Poke Ball
• x2 Potion
• x2 Red Card
• x2 Professor’s Research
• x2 Sabrina

2. Pikachu ex 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.

Recommended build

• x2 Pikachu ex
• x2 Zapdos ex
• x2 Voltorb
• x2 Electrode
• x2 X Speed
• x2 Poke Ball
• x2 Potion
• x2 Red Card
• x2 Professor’s Research
• x2 Sabrina

1. Mewtwo ex deck

Taking the top of the list is the Mewtwo ex deck. This isn’t an easy deck to build, as Mewtwo ex is a very rare card. However, when set up alongside Gardevoir, this monster of a strategy won’t be easy to overcome.

Gardevoir is one of the few cards in the meta that currently possesses an Ability. It allows you to accelerate Energy to the active Pokemon every turn. This is critical, as Mewtwo ex requires four 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.

Recommended build

• x2 Mewtwo ex
• x2 Gardevoir ex
• x2 Kirlia
• x2 Ralts
• x2 X Speed
• x2 Poke Ball
• x2 Potion
• x1 Red Card
• x1 Giovanni
• x2 Professor’s Research
• x2 Sabrina

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.