Every expansion shifts the balance of power, but Pokémon TCG Pocket decks always rest on a few big ideas: accelerating your Energy, hitting harder than the opponent’s Weakness, or making use of a Basic Pokémon that can attack right away. Here are the archetypes that have shaped the game, and what makes them work.
1. Mewtwo ex and Gardevoir: Psychic acceleration
The first big deck of the game. Gardevoir has the Ability Psy Shadow: once per turn, it takes a Psychic Energy from the Energy Zone and attaches it to the Active Pokémon. Combined with the normal Energy attachment for the turn, Mewtwo ex gets two Energy per turn.
Mewtwo ex attacks first with Psychic Sphere (50 damage for two Energy), then with Psydrive: 150 damage, discarding two Energy. Gardevoir recharges it right away.
- Strengths
- very high damage from turn four
- Weak point
- Gardevoir is a fragile Stage 2 and a priority target
- Weakness
- Darkness
2. Pikachu ex: Lightning speed
Pikachu ex is a 120 HP Basic Pokémon whose attack Circle Circuit does 30 damage for each of your Benched Lightning Pokémon, for only two Energy. With a full Bench, that is 90 damage from your second turn.
The deck surrounds itself with other Basic Lightning Pokémon to fill the Bench, and with Poké Balls to find them quickly. Simple, fast, consistent: the model of the “aggro” deck in Pocket.
3. Darkrai ex: damage with every Energy
Darkrai ex (Space-Time Smackdown) has the Ability Nightmare Aura: each time you attach an Energy to it from the Zone, it deals 20 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon. Combined with its attack Dark Prism (80 damage), it racks up damage without even attacking, which lets you finish off damaged Pokémon and makes setup turns worthwhile.4. Celebi ex: the coin-flip gamble
Celebi ex (Mythical Island) flips a coin for each Energy attached with Powerful Bloom, and deals 50 damage per heads. The more Energy it carries, the more devastating the attack becomes, hence the appeal of cards and Abilities that multiply Grass Energy. A spectacular but inconsistent deck.5. Mega Gardevoir ex: the Psychic engine of the B series
Mega Gardevoir ex (210 HP, Stage 2) attacks with Fantasy Force: 110 damage for two Energy, and it takes three Energy from the Zone to spread among your Psychic Pokémon. It thus powers a second attacker, such as Mega Altaria ex, whose Mega Harmony does 40 damage plus 30 for each Pokémon on your Bench.
The downside: with two Mega Pokémon ex, that is 3 points on the line twice over. The deck relies on fast KOs to never let the opponent catch their breath.
6. Mega Rayquaza ex: all or nothing
Rarely, Mega Rayquaza ex is a Basic Mega Pokémon ex: it enters play directly, with 180 HP. Its attack Mega Burst requires a Fire Energy and a Lightning Energy, then discards all of its Energy of those two types and deals 50 damage per Energy discarded.
The deck therefore has to pick two Energy types, and stack several Energy on Rayquaza before striking. The Stadium Rainbow Cave, which lets you regenerate the Energy in the Zone, helps limit the randomness.
7. Koraidon ex and Miraidon ex: propulsion
The two legendaries of Paradox Drive share the Ability Legendary Propulsion: when you play them to your Bench from your hand, you can switch them with your Active Pokémon and move all of your Energy in play onto them. A brand-new attacker thus arrives at the front already charged.| Pokémon | Attack | Deck idea |
|---|---|---|
| Koraidon ex (Fighting, 150 HP) | Wreak Havoc: 110 damage for three Fighting Energy | Set up Energy on a support Pokémon, then bring Koraidon in. |
| Miraidon ex (Lightning, 140 HP) | Hadron Blast: 20 damage plus 20 for each Energy attached | Build up as much Energy in play as possible for a massive finishing blow. |
8. Mega Lucario ex: Fighting, well supported
Mega Lucario ex (Pulsing Aura) is a Stage 1 that evolves from Riolu. Its attack Combat Pulse deals 90 damage for two Fighting Energy, and 50 more if it has an extra Energy attached. The Fighting type has effective support against Pokémon ex: the Supporter Korrina (+30 damage) and the Stadium Ancient Colosseum (+20 damage).9. Mega Charizard X ex: the counterattack
Mega Charizard X ex (Mega Shine, 220 HP) deals 100 damage with Raging Inferno, and 80 more when it has 110 HP or less remaining. It therefore becomes more dangerous once damaged. The deck tries to have it take a first hit, then retaliate for 180 damage.10. The Team Rocket birds
Team Rocket’s Ambition offers “Team Rocket’s” Pokémon ex. Team Rocket’s Moltres ex flips three coins with Charged Heat and attaches a Fire Energy for each heads, before striking for 130 with Hellwings. Together with Team Rocket’s Articuno ex and Zapdos ex, it forms a family of its own.Countering the archetypes
Against fast decks
Basic Pokémon with lots of HP, the Giant Cape and the Stadium Starting Plains (+20 HP for Basic Pokémon) make impatient attackers lose a turn.
Against Stage 2 Pokémon
Attack the Basic Pokémon before it evolves. Sabrina and Cyrus help you reach Pokémon hiding on the Bench.
Against Mega Pokémon ex
A single KO on a Mega Pokémon ex wins you the game. Keep something in reserve to finish it off: Giovanni, Red or Korrina depending on your type.
