Top Decks: Power, Synergy, and Winning Plays
- Suicune EX Deck: This build relies on ace card synergy: Suicune, Greninja (Amphinobi), Helio, all brought together with Mantyke (Babimanta) for the maximum Water energy retrieval. Suicune’s Legendary Beat ability lets you draw an extra card at the end of your turn, which helps you fish out that clutch Rare Candy to rapidly evolve Froakie into Greninja. The plan? Deal heavy bench damage to the opponent’s Pokémon and call on Helio if the rival tries to retreat. Efficient, flexible, and splashy (literally)!
- Giratina EX Deck: Without question, Giratina EX is the star of the Radiant Revels expansion. Massive damage, quick play thanks to its ability to grab extra energy—do we need to say more? This deck remains a powerhouse over six months since its release.
- The Electric Horde (Zeraora/Arceus Deck): Energy decks are everywhere for one big reason: the dazzling skills of two specific cards. Zeraora’s Flashing Bolt ability lets you retrieve energy on turn one, turbo-charging you toward a Quick Claw strike that can KO your opponent’s first Pokémon in a flash. Oricorio (Plumeline) is renowned in tournaments for its Rune Protect talent, rendering it immune to all damage from opposing EX Pokémon attacks. Yet, the linchpin is Arceus. Throw in Pichu and an Elemental Exchange, and you have an Arceus with three energies dealing at least 90 damage (and potentially another 40 if your bench is stacked). Reddit user data brags of a win rate above 70%—pretty electrifying!
- Mentali EX Deck (Espeon EX): The strategy here is simple: survive the horde of aggressive builds by drawing quickly with Sylveon (Nymphali), strike, then switch to Espeon EX to heal back at least 60 HP after tanking a hit. This healing, which doesn’t consume resources or end your turn, offers real staying power. In lengthy matches, Espeon EX can also finish off energy-hungry enemy Pokémon.
Disruption, Healing, and Sneaky Setups
- Tyrantrum EX Deck (Engloutyran EX): The disruptor’s choice! The deck focuses on stopping the opponent’s strategy rather than pure offense. With its Grindcore skill (helped by Clemont), you discard at least one of your opponent’s energies each turn. Only three Pokémon in the deck makes it easy to fetch them with just 2 Poké Balls. The plan: keep Tyrantrum healthy while blocking your opponent, then hammer home with Hole Tyrant for 120 damage. Scraps of HP left? Finish with Rocky Helmet or Red. Superb synergy with Celesteela (Bamboiselle) helps you swap out between Tyrantrums for maximum annoyance (and time-wasting, of course).
- Solgaleo EX Deck: Solgaleo EX is your win-condition here! Its ability to swap places with your active Pokémon for free means it can spring into action without warning. Its 120-damage attack costs only 2 energy and 10 HP, which is manageable via your Supporter and Item cards. Suicune EX and Entei EX keep you drawing, while Magearna poses a major threat in a meta dominated by ability-laden Pokémon.
- Sylveon Everywhere: As a supporting card, Sylveon shines in any deck; its ability means you draw loads of cards, setting up Greninja to strike from afar. Combine with Giratina’s 130-damage hit, and most enemy Pokémon are toast. But beware: there’s little healing in this deck—if Giratina starts taking hits, things can go downhill fast!
Pro tip: You can swap the latest set’s Eevee for the Eevee from Eevee Glade—drawing “just” one card can help you grab that crucial Rare Candy.
Note 2: Want more damage and to capitalize on Crobat EX’s low energy? Consider replacing a Giant Cape with either Darkrai EX or a second Nihilego.
Alternative Decks and Niche Powerhouses
- Crobat EX Deck: The star here is Crobat’s ability to dish out big damage fast—and the poison is a surefire bonus! Plenty of HP, only one Darkness Energy needed, and Crobat EX is clearly the heart of this deck. The Eevee/Sylveon duo helps you draw, Nihilego boosts poison damage, Helio swoops in to finish off the wounded, while Lillie and the Giant Cape add a little survival buffer.
- Tartare EX Deck: This bad boy dishes up to 180 damage! The key: maximize Hydro-Tart’s ability, which gives an extra 40 damage if a Water energy is attached, plus another 40 if you have a Politoed (Tarpaud) on the bench. Start with Fighting energy; fetch Water with Mantyke, complete your combo, and the rest is history. Red helps make up any missing damage if the combo falls short, and Speed+ boosts can make Politoed even more dangerous.
- Buzzwole EX Deck (Mouscoto EX): Mouscoto EX’s deadly Breakbeat attack is only available every other turn—but, with Celesteela, you can swap your Ultra Beast out for free each round, rotating in a fresh Mouscoto EX just in time. Ultra stylish, ultra dangerous.
- Raikou-based Electric Deck: The classic opening: hunt for Zeraora or Pichu, load up energy, and unleash devasting attacks. Raikou fills the gap before Pikachu EX enters the scene. Its Legendary Beat keeps the deck moving, Voltaic Projectile pings the opponent’s bench for 10, and late-game can mean Pikachu EX’s 150-damage Thunder, paired up with Helio, closes the deal.
- Volcarona Deck (Volcaropod): This 5-Pokémon deck (Silvally, Slugma, and Volcarona) is all about optimizing Flame Eruption:
“Another Pokémon (yours or your opponent’s) is chosen at random 3 times. Each time, that Pokémon takes 50 damage.”
The smart move here: keep your bench as empty as possible (ideally none!) so your opponent soaks all that fiery punishment. To find Volcarona or Slugma quick, use Gladion and Pokémon Communication to swap in Silvally.
- Fossil Deck Note: Don’t forget—you can always swap Old Amber and Aerodactyl (Vieil Ambre, Ptera) for Riolu and Lucario for more damage, and trade Clemont for Lillie for a little HP boost.
- Rampardos (Charkos) Deck: Since crashing onto the scene, Rampardos has terrified trainers everywhere. Its Head Smash deals out 130 damage, enough to KO major threats with help from a Red card. Melo acts as your Poké Ball substitute, while the Pteras fill a disruptive role, letting you get the most out of that big Rampardos hit. Reddit users happily share their Master Ball-ranked builds, swearing this deck was their ticket to the top.
- Whimsicott EX Deck (Cotovol EX): With the Zephyr Storm attack—
“You may switch this Pokémon with one of your Benched Pokémon.”
—the goal is simple: evolve Cottonee (Granivol) with Rare Candy, fire off Zephyr Storm for pinpoint damage, then swap into Oricorio, who can’t be touched by opposing EX attacks. Your Whimsicott, thus, stays safe and annoyingly durable.
Ready to Level Up?
Whether you prefer aggressive combos, counter-disruption tactics, or decks that simply refuse to quit, Pokémon TCG Pocket is packed with ways to outplay, out-draw, and outlast your rivals. Try out these builds and who knows? Next time you open a pocket booster, you might just be unwrapping your next win.
