If you're looking for the best Pokémon TCG Pocket decks, you're in the right place. We've spent hours battling online to determine the top picks for the current competitive meta, using different ex cards, trainers, and engines to determine which are the most reliable before bringing together our best deck builds in one place. All you have to do is check that you've got the right cards, build the deck yourself, and get battling.
For more on this creature-collecting card game, be sure to check out our Pokémon TCG Pocket tier list and our guide on how to get the rare Pokémon TCG Pocket Mew card. Or, if you'd rather get a bit old school, check out our guide to the best Pokémon games, including classics for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and beyond, and our complete Pokédex.
Here are the best Pokémon TCG Pocket decks:
Mewtwo ex / Gardevoir
Decklist: Mewtwo ex (x2), Ralts (x2), Kirlia (x2), Gardevoir (x2), Professor's Research (x2), Sabrina (x2), Giovanni (x1), Poké Ball (x2), X Speed (x2), Potion (x2), Red Card (x1)
Mewtwo ex is easily one of the best Pokémon TCG Pocket cards, and thanks to Gardevoir's ability, you can regularly get enough energy to unleash the psychic type's 150 damage Psydrive attack. It can be a bit of a slow burn, given that Mewtwo needs at least two energy for its less powerful attack and Gardevoir takes at least three turns to set up, but if your opponent can't successfully stall you, there's almost no stopping the devastation of a Mewtwo ex with access to two energy per turn.
While it's fair to say this deck is a bit of a one-trick pony, there are other options if you don't want to rely too much on Mewtwo ex. Jynx is a solid pick for a basic Pokémon attacker, with its Psychic attack dealing 30 base damage with an extra 20 for every energy attached to the enemy Pokémon. If you want to get experimental, you can also look into including the Gengar ex and Alakazam evolution lines. However, this takes even more time to develop and can give the opponent too much scope to counter.
Charizard ex / Moltres ex
Decklist: Moltres ex (x2), Chamander (x2), Charmeleon (x2), Charizard ex (x2), Charizard (x1), Professor's Research (x2), Sabrina (x2), Poké Ball (x2), X Speed (x2), Potion (x2), Red Card (x1)
The Charizard ex / Moltres ex deck is a bit more of a gamble, as Moltres ex doesn't guarantee you extra energy per turn. The fiery bird's Inferno Dance move flips three coins and can attach the same number of fire energy as you get heads to your benched Pokémon. So, if you get lucky, you can put enough energy on Charizard ex to unleash its 200 damage attack in as little as a single turn, which is guaranteed to knock out any other Pokémon currently in the game. It's more likely two turns, but we've seen it happen in one.
Another difference between the Moltres ex engine and the Gardevoir engine from the Mewtwo ex deck is that Moltres provides energy from the active position, whereas Gardevoir offers it from the bench. With that in mind, it's pivotal to include two copies of both Potion and X Speed in your deck to keep Moltres in the game for longer with healing and sub the engine out when Charizard is ready to unleash. Just look out for Starmie ex and Articuno ex, as the heavy-hitting water types can exploit the fire Pokémon weakness.
Venusaur ex / Exeggutor ex
Decklist: Bulbasaur (x2), Ivysaur (x2), Venusaur ex (x2), Exeggcute (x2), Exeggutor ex (2), Erika (x2), Professor's Research (x2), Poké Ball (x2), X Speed (x2), Potion (x2)
While this deck might take a little longer to set up as it has no basic ex Pokémon, it's worth it if you can pull it off. Both Venusaur ex and Exeggutor ex function as fantastic tanks, especially when you can heal them at least twice with two copies of Erika in your deck. There isn't an energy engine like you might find in some of the other best Pokémon TCG Pocket decks, but thanks to the healing factor, your cards can stay in the game longer to build up energy on a turn-by-turn basis.
The best way to play this deck is to lead with Exeggutor ex, dealing either 40 or 80 damage a turn, depending on coin flips, while building up Venusaur ex from the bench. Venusaur ex's strongest attack deals 100 damage while also providing a handy 30HP boost for the grass-type, which can flip the game on its head in a single turn. The only issue is switching the two around, as Exeggutor ex has a pretty high three energy retreat costs, so we recommend holding onto both your copies of X Speed for as long as possible.
Greninja
Decklist: Froakie (x2), Frogadier (x2), Greninja (x2), Bruxish (x2), Lapras ex (x2), Potion (x1), Poké Ball (x2), X Speed (x1), Professor's Research (x2), Misty (x2), Sabrina (x2)
This is a fun tech deck that can irritate opponents to no end. The idea is to set up Lapras as your tank while you evolve Froakie into Greninja on the bench before making the most of its Water Shuriken ability. That ability pairs nicely with Bruxish's attack, which hits for an extra 60 damage points if your opponent's Pokémon already has a damage counter on it.
As with every other water-oriented deck, two copies of Misty are a must, especially if you want to attack with Lapras rather than just use it as a tank. Outside of that, Sabrina can be useful for forcing your opponent to switch to a benched Pokémon with less than full health, allowing Bruxish to finish the job. If you don't have a Lapras, you can substitute in any tank water-type, and it should still get the job done.
Celebi ex / Serperior
Decklist: Celebi ex (x2), Snivy (x2), Servine (x2), Serperior (x2), Dhelmise (x1), Poké Ball (x2), X Speed (x2), Potion (x1), Sabrina (x2), Professor's Research (x2), Erika (x2)
The Celebi ex / Serperior deck might be the best to emerge from the Mythical Island mini-set, with the two combining to deal devastating damage. Serperior's effect makes every grass energy worth double, and Celebi ex gets a coin flip to deal 50 damage for every grass energy attack. That means with just two energy attached to Celebi ex and Serperior on your bench, you can potentially hit for 200 damage in a single turn.
The only weakness of this deck is that it's a bit of a one-trick pony, and if you don't get Celebi ex early on or can't find a way to fully evolve into Serperior, you're going to have a hard time finding another win condition. Fortunately, with two Poké Balls, you should at least be able to find the grass-type mythical and start dealing damage early on. Just look out for Charizard and Blaine players.
Arceus ex / Dialga ex
Decklist: Arceus ex (x2), Dialga ex (x2), Shaymin (x1), Shaymin (x1), Giovanni (x1), Sabrina (x1), Dawn (x1), Adaman (x1), Cyrus (x1), Mars (x1), Professor's Research (x2), Giant Cape (x2), Potion (x2), Poké Ball (x2)
The arrival of Pokégod Arceus ex in Pokémon TCG Pocket has inspired a lot of creative deckbuilding, but according to the data, Dialga ex combines best with the legendary normal-type. By leading the line with Dialga ex, you can give your Arceux ex enough energy for its heavy-hitting Ultimate Force attack in just three turns, dealing up to 130 damage, provided you have three Pokémon waiting on your bench.
To fill out those bench spots, we recommend one copy of the grass-type Shaymin and one copy of the normal-type Shaymin, with their abilities offering regular healing and lower retreat costs. Between those two Pokémon and two copies of Giant Cape, you should be able to avoid any one-shot kills from your opponent's team coming at either Arceus ex or Dialga ex, so you don't lose any points early in the game.
Beedrill ex / Meowscarada
Decklist: Weedle (x1), Kakuna (x1), Beedrill ex (x1), Sprigatito (x2), Floragato (x2), Meowscarada (x2), Erika (x2), Pokémon Communication (x1), Giant Cape (x1), Cyrus (x1), Red (x1), Team Rocket Grunt (x1), Poké Ball (x2), Professor's Research (x2)
I never thought the sight of a Beedrill would fill me with fear, but this deck is a popular meta option, and for good reason. Beedrill ex discards a random energy from your opponent's Pokémon, which in some instances is enough to stop them from attacking or retreating on the next turn, which can completely turn the tide of a match.
In terms of firepower, Meowscarada brings the pain, dealing 130 damage to ex Pokémon. If you combine that attack with the trainer card Red, you can knock out any ex Pokémon with 150HP or less, such as Arceus ex, Dialga ex, and more. The only problem with this deck is that both Beedrill ex and Meowscarada are glass cannons, but with two copies of Erika, you've got some reliable healing to fall back on.
Solgaleo ex
Decklist: Cosmog (x2), Cosmoem (x1), Solgaleo ex (x2), Skarmory (x2), Sabrina (x1), Cyrus (x1) Professor's Research (x2) Poison Barb (x1), Rocky Helmet (x2), Giant Cape (x2), Poké Ball (x2), Rare Candy (x2)
The best Pokémon TCG Pocket deck to emerge from the Celestial Guardians stars Solgaleo ex, with the big cat Pokémon offering a low-cost 120 damage attack and a useful ability that allows it to switch into the active spot without sacrificing any resources. Better still, with the addition of Rare Candy, you can get the steel-type on the board in just two turns.
While this deck doesn't really need much support, Skarmory is a great pick to lead the line if you're struggling to get the cards you need to attack with Solgaleo ex, especially if you include the five tool cards we've suggested, boosting the bird's attack power. Outside of that, Sabrina and Cyrus offer a way to force your opponent to switch their active Pokémon, which can potentially help you pick up the final point you need to win the game.
Buzzwole ex / Phermosa
Decklist: Buzzwole ex (x2), Phermosa (x2), Kartana (x1), Celesteela (x2), Erika (x2), Guzma (x1), Cyrus (x1), Lusamine (x2), Professor's Research (x2), Poké Ball (x2), Red Card (x1), Leaf Cape (x2)
Following the arrival of the Ultra Beasts in the Extradimensional Crisis mini-set, this Buzzwole ex deck is one of the best in the current meta. The core pairing is Buzzwole ex and Celesteela, as you can use the latter to bring Buzzwole ex in and out of the action position, enabling it to hit for 120 damage every turn.
Outside of the core combination, Phermosa plays a key role in damaging your opponent's backline so that you can cheese out the Pokémon you're trying to take down with Buzzwole ex by using the Cyrus trainer card. It's also important to include two copies of both Erika and Leaf Cape, so you can keep Buzzwole ex on the field of play for as long as possible.
Sylveon ex
Decklist: Eevee (x2), Sylveon ex (x2), Froakie (x2), Greninja (x2), Giratina (x1), Cyrus (x2), Professor's Research (x2), Giant Cape (x1), Pokémon Communication (x1), Rare Candy (x2), Poké Ball (x2), Red Card (x1)
We got a lot of great Eeveelution cards from the Eevee Grove mini-set, but Sylveon ex is the best of the bunch. With two copies of this card, plus Poké Ball and Professor's research, you can easily mill through your deck to find the offensive cards you need.
The strategy in this deck is all about hitting your opponent's benched cards with Greninja's ability, dealing 20 damage, switching them in with Cyrus, and then building up to big damage-dealing attacks with Giratina ex. Sylveon itself is a pretty nifty hitter, dealing 70 damage for just two energy, but its Happy Ribbon ability is what makes it such a reliable drawing engine.
Ho-Oh ex / Lugia ex
Decklist: Zeraora (x2), Pichu (x1), Ho-Oh ex (2), Lugia ex (x1), Guzma (x1), Dawn (x2), Leaf (x2), Professor's Research (x2), Giant Cape (x2), Pokémon Communication (x1), Poké Ball (x2), Elemental Switch (x2)
It should come as no shock that the best deck out of the Wisdom of Sea and Sky set features a combination of its two stars, Ho-Oh ex and Lugia ex. It's a pretty simple win condition for this one; just get Ho-Oh ex out early as your active Pokémon, find a way to get Lugia ex on the bench, and keep Ho-Oh ex alive long enough to hit for 80 damage while also providing Lugia ex with the three different energy types it needs to hit for 180. Yes, you read that right, 180 damage.
If you don't draw Ho-Oh ex at the start of the game, Zeraora is a solid substitute, hitting for 50 damage within two turns. You've also got two copies of Leaf on hand to store your energy if either of your big birds needs to retreat, which helps keep your options open in close games.
Suicune ex / Greninja
Decklist: Froakie (x2), Greninja (x2), Giratina ex (x1), Suicune ex (x2), Cyrus (x2), Mars (x1), Irida (x2), Professor's Research (x2), Giant Cape (x1), Pokémon Communication (x1), Rare Candy (x2), Poké Ball (x2)
Out of the Secluded Springs set, this Suicune ex setup is a meta beast, with the water-type legendary capable of hitting for 120, providing both you and your opponent have stacked benches. Not only that, but Suicune ex's ability gets you drawing cards quicker, making it easier to evolve from Froakie into Greninja using Rare Candy.
The aim of this deck is to use Greninja's ability to hit your opponent's benched cards for 20 damage, before forcing them in with Cyrus and using Suicune to finish them off. The only drawback is that this setup relies on your opponent running a full bench, but even if they don't, you can still hit for a solid 80 damage with your own full bench and one card on theirs.
Mega Absol ex / Hydreigon
Decklist: Mega Absol ex (x2), Deino (x2), Hydreigon (x2), Cleffa (x1), Giant Cape (x1), Rare Candy (x2), Poké Ball (x2), Red Card (x2), Red (x1), Mars (x1), Cyrus (x1), Pokémon Center Lady (x1), Professor's Research (x2)
This dark-type-oriented deck is an absolute nightmare to play against, with Mega Absol ex dealing decent damage for just two energy while also forcing your opponent to discard a supporter. Given how important supporter cards are to a lot of the other best Pokémon TCG Pocket decks, this ability alone can ruin your opponent's strategies in the mid-game.
Hyrdeigon is essentially here as a finisher, with few cards capable of sustaining an attack for 80 damage, followed by an even more powerful hit of 130 from the dragon. Add in two copies of Red Card, and this is the closest the TCG Pocket metagame has come to having a compromising control deck so far.
Mega Altaria ex / Gourgeist
Decklist: Swablu (x2), Mega Altaria ex (x2), Pumpkaboo (x2), Gourgeist (x2), Chingling (x2), Jirachi (x1), Cyrus (x2), Professor's Research (x2), Copycat (x2), Lisia (x1), Training Area (x1), Poké Ball (x1)
Mega Altaria ex is one of Pokémon TCG Pocket's true all-rounders, with a tanky 190HP stat and a two-energy move that can routinely hit for 130 damage. Not only that, but it has a single energy retreat cost, so you don't have to pack your deck with cards that make retreating easier, leaving more space for game-changing trainer cards.
While Mega Altaria ex is the start of the show, Gourgeist also comes in handy, dealing 70 damage for just one energy and a discard. Throw in Chingling for a bit of disruption, plus Jirachi's ability to hit your opponent's bench, making for a perfect combo with Cyrus, and this deck is one of your best options for reaching the top of the competitive ladder.
Bellibolt ex
Decklist: Tadbulb (x2),Bellibolt ex (x2), Magnemite (x2), Magneton (x2), Magnezone (x2), Clemont (x1), Copycat (x1), Cyrus (x1), Lisia (x1), Professor's Research (x2), Training Area (x1), Electric Generator (x2), Poké Ball (x1)
Bellibolt might not be a force to be reckoned with in the main series games, but in Pokémon TCG Pocket, this frog is an absolute powerhouse. Its High-Voltage Cannon attack deals 140 damage if you have four electric energy cards in play, which combines perfectly with Magneton's Volt Charge ability that creates energy every turn.
Clemont is a must-have inclusion in this deck as it's a great engine for pulling Magneton out of your deck, while Electric Generator offers an even quicker way of stacking energy. This deck also has a failsafe in Magneton, with Mirror Shot capable of disarming your opponent for a turn, if the coin flip falls in your favor.
Darkrai ex / Wigglytuff ex
Decklist: Darkrai (x2), Darkrai (x1), Igglybuff (x1), Jigglypuff (x2), Wigglytuff ex (x2), Professor's Research (x2), Cyrus (x1), Mars (x1), Pokémon Center Lady (x1), Copycat (x1), Leaf (x1), Sabrina (x1), Giant Cape (x2), Poké Ball (x2)
Darkrai and Wigglytuff ex are a match made in heaven, with both capable of putting your opponent's Pokémon to sleep, while Darkrai's ability deals 20 damage to any slumbering Pokémon at the end of each turn. Combine that with Darkrai ex's ability that deals another 20 damage each time you attach a dark energy to the legendary monster, and you've got a deck bound to frustrate opponents.
Two copies of Giant Cape are a must for this deck, as its primary weakness is that neither Darkrai ex nor Wigglytuff ex has more than 140HP, leaving you vulnerable to heavy-hitting attacks from the likes of Charizard ex and Mewtwo ex. It's also wise to include at least one copy of Cyrus, as it can force an unwanted switch-out on your opponent.
How we chose the best Pokémon TCG Pocket decks
Our guide to the best Pokémon TCG decks consists of decks we've had success with ourselves and have seen place highly in community tournaments. While the game doesn't necessarily lend itself to competitive formats, with no ranked ladder like Marvel Snap or Hearthstone, that hasn't stopped fans from putting on their own events, and we've seen each of the decks we've included regularly come in the top four, or even win, these gauntlets.
You might also notice that a lot of our decks include similar cards, such as Professor's Research, X Speed, and Poké Ball. These are staples, as they all offer a utility that isn't exclusive to a specific type of card. It's also worth pointing out that you're always guaranteed to draw at least one basic Pokémon in your first hand, so the more non-Pokémon cards you include, the more likely you are to draw the monster you need to start on a strong footing.
Unlike other mobile card games, such as Marvel Snap, we've not seen any balance updates for Pokémon TCG Pocket. That means strong decks from the first set are still pretty strong, but there are plenty of viable options from newer sets.