Building Your Deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket: The 20-Card Method

Twenty cards is three times fewer than a deck in the classic TCG. Every slot counts, and an unbalanced deck shows its flaws by the second turn. Here is a simple method, usable with any featured Pokémon, for building a deck that draws well and attacks fast.

Size

exactly 20 cards

Copies

2 maximum per card name

Energy types

1 to 3 (1 recommended)

Energy cards

none

Featured card

your choice, shown at the top of the deck

Deck-building rules

A deck contains exactly 20 cards, Pokémon and Trainers. You can include at most two cards with the same name: two Pikachu and two Pikachu ex, for example, are allowed because their names differ. Different rarities of the same card count as the same name: a ★★ version and a ♦♦♦♦ version of Mewtwo ex make two copies. When you save the deck, you choose the Energy types the Energy Zone will generate, its featured card, and its accessories (card sleeves, play mat, coin).

Step 1: choose your attacker

Every deck starts with a Pokémon that can deal a lot of damage quickly. Ask yourself three questions:

1. How much Energy does it need? Two Energy means an attack by turn three. Four Energy is often too slow without acceleration.
2. Is it a Basic Pokémon? A Basic attacker enters play right away. A Stage 2 Pokémon takes three cards and two turns of setup.
3. How many points does it give up? A Pokémon ex gives your opponent 2 points, a Mega Pokémon ex gives 3. The riskier it is, the more it needs protection.

Step 2: evolution lines

For a Stage 1 Pokémon, count on 2 Basic Pokémon and 2 evolutions. For a Stage 2, the “2-2-2” line is the safest, but it takes up six slots. Many players settle for a “2-1-2” or a “2-2-1” to free up room.

Step 3: essential Trainer cards

These shop cards appear in nearly every deck. Start with them, then add the Supporters specific to your type. Supporters tied to a specific type or Pokémon are often the strongest: Misty accelerates Water Pokémon, Erika heals Grass Pokémon, Giovanni adds damage to all your attacks for the turn. Our guide to Trainer cards goes through them.

Step 4: Energy types

Choosing a single Energy type guarantees that every Energy generated will be useful. Two types are only justified if your attackers truly need them, for example for Dragon Pokémon, which often require two different Energy types. Three types make the deck very inconsistent.

Step 5: test and adjust

Test your deck against the computer, then in a friendly or ranked battle. Note what you miss most often: your evolutions (add more draw), a replacement for the Active Spot (add Basic Pokémon), or damage to finish off opposing Pokémon ex (add Giovanni or a second attacker).

A worked example

Here is the structure of a deck built around Mega Lucario ex, a Stage 1 Fighting-type Mega Pokémon ex from the Pulsing Aura expansion. The idea: play Riolu on the first turn, evolve it on the second and hit hard by the third, while the second attacker absorbs the first blows. It is a template to adapt to the cards you own.

• Battle rulesEnergy Zone, points, a Bench of three Pokémon: the whole flow of a game.
• Types and WeaknessesThe ten Energy types, the +20 damage rule and dual-type Pokémon.
• Trainer cardsItems, Supporters, Tools and Stadiums: the cards that win games.
• Decks and archetypesThe main deck families and the cards to build around.