Summary
New players jumping intoPokemon Trading Card Game Pocketmay find building a deck intimidating, especially if they lack the cards. However, over time, as players open packs, they will naturally be able to form an idea of their playstyle. Building a strong and easy-to-use deck can make all the difference to newcomers.
Thesebeginner-friendlydecks typically feature straightforward strategies and low reliance on complex combos or extremely rare pulls. While some of these decks require a rare pull or two, they will be limited to one or two pack types to focus on. These will allow players to focus on learning core mechanics and type matchups without getting overwhelmed. The following are some of the best beginner-friendly decks to build inPokemon TCG Pocket.
From:Genetic Apex (Mewtwo) & Celestial Guardians Packs
Key Cards:Mewtwo ex & Gardevoir
This deck is built around Psychic-types, focusing on a synergy involving Gardevoir and Mewtwo ex. To maximize energy management, players should concentrate on getting Gardevoir out as soon as possible, as this Pokemon allows players to get a free Psychic energy on their active Pokemon once per turn.Rare Candies are most vitalin this deck, but if this card isn’t available, Ralts with Teleport and X Speed can help rotate Pokemon.
If players can get Gardevoir on the bench with MewTwo ex in the active spot, MewTwo’s Psydrive can be used more often. Mew ex is a powerful Pokemon with only a single energy cost to retreat, making it a useful Pokemon to rotate in and out.
From:Genetic Apex (MewTwo) & (Pikachu) Packs
Key Cards:Articuno ex & Misty
Should players find two Articuno exes, or even just one, they can make a powerfulWater-type deck. Blizzard is Articuno’s most powerful move that also deals 10 damage to every Pokemon on the bench. Misty will help get a chance at stocking up on energy to make this move happen faster.
Staryu and Starmie ex are suggestions for a powerful, low-cost, and high-damage play, but they can be exchanged for other cards like Manaphy or Eevee and Vaporeon if possible. With the limited number of Pokemon in this deck, this remains beginner-friendly by offering straightforward attack tactics.
From:Mythical Island & Genetic Apex (Charizard) Packs
Key Cards:Celebi ex & Serperior
The strategy for this deck is simple, hinging on a combination of Serperior’s Jungle Totem ability and Celebi ex’s amazing damage. This deck requires quite a few rare pulls, but if players only have one Celebi ex and Serperior evolution line, they can interchange them for other basic Pokemon or useful items or supporter cards.
Serperior’s best placement on the field is on the bench, where it is safe and able todouble all Grass energies. When Serperior is out with Celebi ex in the active position, Celebi’s chance to deal enough damage to 1-hit KO goes up. Basic Dhelmise is a great addition to this deck alongside Serperior if players can’t get Celebi ex on the board.
From:Space-Time Smackdown (Palkia) Pack
Key Cards:Palkia ex & Vaporeon
Palkia ex is capable of being alone in this deck if players don’t have any of the matching cards, as it’s still one of the most powerful cards inPokemon TCG Pocket. Vaporeon and Manaphy are included as a way to increase Water energy placement, but require abit of setting up to happen. At the very least, players should utilize Manaphy as soon as possible with Palkia ex or Articuno ex on the bench.
This deck all depends on how fast the player can gain energy, with item cards as a way to rotate Pokemon and keep them alive. After dealing damage with Articuno’s Blizzard or Palkia’s Dimensional Storm, Cyrus is an effective card for controlling opponents’ Pokemon placement and getting an edge on points.
From:Genetic Apex (Charizard) Pack
Key Cards:Ninetales & Blaine
Ninetales and Rapidash are powerful Pokemon for being basic, and Blaine’s addition to this deck will help players deal more damage. This deck is a great beginner deck for how few rare cards are in it, and being viable against uneven type matchups due to Blaine. Ponyta is a useful early game card for dealing damage, and Vulpix stalls the opponent on alucky coin toss.
The supporter cards and items will help rotate the deck and Pokemon. Every Pokemon in this deck has low attack and retreat costs, which makes dealing damage and rotating between them all easier. Ninetales can effectively match up against an ex Pokemon or easily take out a weaker basic Pokemon.
From:Shining Revelry & Space-Time Smackdown (Dialga) Packs
Key Cards:Lucario ex & Sudowoodo
This deck requires at least one Lucario ex and Sudowoodo with Marshadow as support to function. It’s a very straightforward strategy involving brute force, with Sudowoodo dealing decent damage at the start and super effective against Pokemon ex types, and Lucario & Lucario ex dealing a substantial amount of damage. Basic Lucario’s ability Fighting Coach boosts the active fighting-type Pokemon’s damage.
Marshadow’s Revenge comes in clutch whenever the player’s Pokemon faints. Any missing cards in this deck can be filled with colorless energy Pokemon, so they can help Marshadow when they faint. The Red supporter card gives every Pokemon, especially Sudowoodo, a chance to shine against Pokemon ex types. This deckbenefits greatly from Rocky Helmetto apply consistent damage and Cyrus to manipulate the playing field, but Potions will do just fine.
From:Genetic Apex (Pikachu) Pack
Key Cards:Pikachu ex & Zapdos ex
This deck’s strategy is very easy and involves a straightforward setup centered around Pikachu ex with Zapdos ex as backup and reliable damage. Pikachu ex’s Circle Circuit attack benefits from having the bench full, dealing 30 damage for each benched Electric-type Pokemon. The X Speeds will help Pikachu ex rotate and give space for Zebstrika to deal damage to opponents' benched Pokemon.
Electrode has no retreat cost, so this is the perfect Pokemon to stack up on if players need to fill up their deck. Zapdos ex is a powerful card and benefits from the Dawn supporter card, but its Thundering Hurricane attack can be a little inconsistent. Overall, this deck relies on rushing the opponent andoverwhelming them with Pikachu’s speed.
From:Space-Time Smackdown Packs
Key Cards:Darkrai ex & Weavile ex
This is an alternate version of the Koga Deck, utilizing Darkness in the form of Darkrai ex and Weavile ex, supported by Weezing and Koga. Spiritbomb is suggested as a good early start card with its attack capable of applying damage to benched Pokemon, which is a useful setup for Weavile ex. Darkrai ex’sability is the most important part of this synergy, as it applies free damage to the active opponent Pokemon every turn it’s on the field.
Weezing is useful for its Gas Leak ability, and Koga can return it to the player’s hand to keep it safe. Players can exchange Spiritbomb for another Koffing as a way to give Weezing another life, but the Koga/Weezing synergy is mostly for preventing the opponent from scoring. Overall, this deck is extremely effective and versatile, capable of facing off against almost every type.
