This list compiles 10 beginner-friendly decks that focus on card synergy, featuring Pokémon that work well together to defeat the opponent from the start. Whether players are entirely new to the game or looking for a fresh deck idea, these options will be reliable options for starting in Pokémon TCG Pocket.

10 Raichu Deck

Quickly Gives Raichu Energy

This Lighting-type deck is ideal for players who haven’t yet acquired a strong ex card, with its cards working seamlessly together to give Raichu energy. Electrode serves as a primary card, holding the active spot for the majority of the battle with its high-damage, low-energy-cost attacks. Also, Electrode's free retreat cost enables players to swap it out for Raichu when the timing is right, making this deck both versatile and free flowing.

Two standout cards for this deck are Lt. Surge and Magneton, each playing a key role in energy production. Lt. Surge’s ability lets players transfer all energy from benched Pokémon to the active Pokémon, ensuring a swift energy setup for Raichu. As well as this, the Magneton’s Volt Charge ability will give the player an additional lighting energy to use, setting up Raichu’s 140-damage attack.

9 Arbok & Pidgeot Deck

Disrupts The Opponent's Strategy

This deck maximizes the potential of Colorless-type Pokémon, alongside some powerful Darkness-type cards, creating a disruptive strategy that keeps opponents off balance. Arbok and Pidgeot play key roles in both attacking and disruptive plays. Arbok’s attack, Corner, prevents the opponent from retreating their active Pokémon for their next turn, trapping their card in play.

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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 excels against stronger opponents by disrupting their tactics and preventing them from bringing out their heavy-hitting cards. Also, by using Giovanni, players can boost their attack power, giving them a better chance of taking down rare or high-powered cards.

8 Articuno Ex Deck

Very Powerful Water-Type Deck

This Water-type deck centers around Articuno ex, whose low-energy-cost attacks make it an ideal card to build a deck around. As a Basic Pokémon, Articuno ex can enter play right from the start of a match, allowing players to quickly enter the action of the battle. Its Blizzard attack costs only three energy and deals a solid 80 damage, making it very efficient.

Other cards in this deck, like Tentacruel and Golduck also bring consistent damage in the active spot, making this deck have a focus on offensive play. Additionally, the Misty Trainer card will give energy to a Water-type Pokémon, allowing players to flip a coin until they get tails, with each heads granting an extra energy to the chosen card. This deck gives players a chance to start dealing damage from the outset.

7 Ninetales & Rapidash Deck

Use The Potential Of Blaine For Aggressive Tactics

This Fire-type deck is built to maximise the potential of the Blaine Trainer card, allowing players to overwhelm the opponent with relentless, high-powered attacks. Blain’s ability boosts the attacks of Ninetales and Rapidash, adding 30 extra damage, making these Pokémon more effective than they might first appear. Blaine also enhances the attack of Magmar, meaning this deck has the flexibility to swap in Magmar in place of the Sabrina er cards.

A major advantage of Ponyta and Rapidash is that they only require one energy to start attacking, enabling an aggressive tactic from the beginning of a battle. Ninetales delivers high damage but discards energy when used, so players need to be mindful when balancing energy management with damage. Ninetales can be extremely effective when subbed in and out 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

Unleash Arcanine ex At The Right Time

This Fire-type deck is similar to the previous Nintales and Rapidash strategy, catering to players that want to use and harness the power of Arcanine ex. By using the Blaine Trainer card, players can boost the attacks of Ponyta, Rapidash, and Magmar, building a strong foundation for bringing Arcanine ex into play. Arcanine ex’s Inferno Onrush delivers an impressive 120 damage, but with its three-energy cost, players need to build this card up on the bench.

An often overlooked, yet crucial card in this deck is the X Speed Item card, which reduces the retreat cost by one for the turn. This helps players protect Arcanine ex by retreating strategically or subbing it in at the perfect time to deal serious damage to the opponent's active Pokémon. As well as this, the Professor’s Research card is important to draw out the cards needed for evolution.

5 Exeggutor Ex & Parasect Deck

Harness Exeggutor ex’s Power

This Grass-type deck is built around the power of the Exeggutor ex card, which is arguably one of the best in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Exeggutor ex can use the impressive 80-damage attack, Tropical Swing, for only one energy, allowing players to get this card into the active spot early on in the battle, and keep it fighting for as long as possible. To sustain this consistent damage, the Erika Trainer card will heal 50 HP for a chosen Grass-type Pokémon, keeping the Exeguttor ex in play. The Potion Item card can be useful for this too.

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The Parasect card will be extremely useful to bring off the bench, building up energy to swap in after the possible defeat of the Exeggutor ex. With a three-energy cost, Parasect can deliver substantial damage when in play, delivering a powerful back-up to continue the pressure.

4 Marowak & Sandslash Deck

High Impact Fighting-Type Deck

This Fighting-type deck is built around Marowak ex, a strong card that is capable of taking down most opponents' Pokémon. With just two energy, Marowak ex can use its Bonemerang attack, dealing 80 damage for each heads in two coin flips. To further boost Marowak ex’s power, the Giovanni Trainer card can be used to increase its attack strength further, making it a threat to tough opponents.

The Sandslash card offers a reliable backup with 100 HP and a solid attack that deals 70 damage, making it effective for gradually damaging the opponent’s health. Additionally, the Sabrina Trainer card disrupts the opponent’s strategy by slowing down the development of their stronger cards, allowing the player to target weaker Pokémon.

3 Exeggutor Ex & Victreebel Deck

Grass-type Deck That Frustrates The Opponent

This Grass-type deck is another way of harnessing the potential of Exeggutor ex. Due to its strength, the Exeggutor ex card will be highly effective at taking down opponents from early on. This is complemented by the Erika Trainer card, which is important for keeping the Exeggutor ex in play longer and gives players ample opportunity to evolve the Bellsprout line.

Once the player is able to run Victreebel, players can use its Fragrance Trap ability, a majorly disruptive move that forces the opponent to swap their active Pokémon with one from the bench. This ability frustrates the opponent’s strategy by preventing them from fully deploying their strongest cards. With Fragrance Trap in play, there’s no need for the Sabrina Trainer card, allowing players to free up deck space for other Pokémon or items.

2 Psychic Deck

Entirely Built To Disrupt Opponents

This Psychic-type deck is focused around causing the maximum amount of disruption to the opposition, utilizing the ability of Hypno to ruin the progression of the opposition. The ability Sleep Pendulum will give the player an opportunity to send the opponent's active Pokémon to sleep with a coin flip, which could leave them in a frustrating situation. This, partnered with the Sabrina Trainer card, will have the player questioning their next move.

The Alakazam card is a surprisingly powerful one, that, for three energy, can destroy the opponents heavy-hitters. Its attack, called Psychic, starts at 60 damage and will do 30 more damage for each energy attached to the opponent's active Pokémon, making it incredibly strong.

1 Pikachu Ex Deck

Built For Fast-Paced, Aggressive Players

This Lighting-type deck is one for players that enjoy utilizing an aggressive playstyle, having cards with low energy costs and consistent damage output. The Pikachu ex card is incredibly strong in Pocket, and is a card that players will enjoy building a deck around. For every Lighting-type Pokémon on the bench, this card will do 30 damage, meaning it can reach 90 damage for only two energy.

The Giovanni Trainer card will help boost the attack of cards like Electrode and Zebstrika, meaning players can consistently do damage across the board. The free retreat cost on the Electrode card should be noted, as it can open space to introduce the power of the Pikachu ex card. This will be a fun deck to battle with in Pokémon TCG Pocket.

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Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket

Digital Card Game

Systems

Released

October 30, 2024

Developer(s)

DeNA, Creatures Inc.

Publisher(s)

The Pokemon Company

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Franchise

Pokemon

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a mobile adaptation that reimagines the classic TCG experience for iOS and Android devices.

Platform(s)

Mobile

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