Build a Winning Pokémon Deck
Pokémon TCG is a great game, but building a winning Pokémon deck is hard. This article will give you some tips for building a great deck (this is for people that already know how to play).
Steps
- First, decide on what type of Pokémon you want to use. There are eleven types to choose from. You can as many types as you want although it's recommended you use just one energy type (as in the energy of the attack). If you plan to use Pokemon in the deck that are support based and not to attack (one with a useful ability such as Hoopa-EX) then don't count this Pokemon's energy type when deciding on what type you choose
- If you decide to use one type, great! Just remember that you might not have much Pokémon to choose from that type. If you decide to use two or more types, you will have more Pokémon to choose from but will risk drawing the wrong energy cards during a game.
- Once you have decided on what types you want, find 8-14 energy cards that match the types you choose depending on the deck you build. Some may play more and some may play less but this is the average amount you will be using.
- Now it's time to choose your Pokémon! Decks can have any number of Pokemon in them depending on the deck and play style. The only rule for Pokemon in the deck is that you must have at least 1 Basic Pokemon. Usually you will have 7-15 in the deck though you might end up with more if you play a deck with stage 2's. Here is some general advice on how to structure your Pokemon depending on what you choose.
Non-Mega EX Pokemon are always Basic Pokemon so you can build a deck using only these. However, you should only do this if the other Pokemon help your deck as EX's are risky to use because they give up two prize cards when knocked out.
If you build a deck using Mega Evolutions, these have to evolve from the EX version of their non mega form (so for example, Mega Charizard EX has to evolve from Charizard EX). In most cases you want to use the same number of the base form as the mega or possibly 1 more (so you may want 3-4 Mega Charizard-EX and 3-4 Charizard-EX in your deck).
If you have a deck that uses mainly stage 1 cards Pokemon then you will usually want the same number of Stage 1's as the Basic Pokemon they evolve from (so if you use 4 Raichu then you will want 4 Pikachu to evolve into the Raichu)
If however you use a deck with Stage 2 Pokemon, you usually want the same number of Stage 2's as the Basic Pokemon they evolve from and less Stage 1's (see trainer's below for why). The exception to this is a deck using Grass Pokemon (see trainer's below for why)
If you use BREAK evolutions, you should use the same amount of one less than the number of cards they evolve from. Also, these cards can only evolve from the non-EX version of the card (so for example, Machamp BREAK cannot evolve from Machamp-EX)
- Choose Pokémon that have attacks that work well together. For example, if you decided to put Hippowdon (Rising Rivals 25) in your deck, consider also putting in Manectric (Platinum 11) in because Manectric can stop Hippowdon from hurting the Pokémon on your bench with its Electric Barrier Poke-body.
- After you have decided on your Pokémon, it's time to select some of the most important cards of your deck; Trainer and Supporter cards.
- Any trainer you choose should help your decks strategy for winning. So, for example, if you have a deck that uses Stage 2's, you will want to use Rare Candy in the deck to skip the Stage 1 and speed up the deck to get right to the powerful attacks of the Stage 2. If you run a Grass deck, you will want to use the Stadium card Forest of Giant Plants because it lets you evolve any grass type immediately which will also speed up your deck (this does not work with Rare Candy so you don't want to use that case even in a stage 2 grass deck).
The same does for the special trainer cards called Supporters. These can only be used once per turn so these tend to be limited in the deck to about 10-15 and should be chosen carefully to always help with what you plan to do to win.
- Keep in mind, there are always Trainer cards (and Pokemon) in the Pokemon TCG that are useful in many deck. These cards are called "Staple cards" and are constantly changing because of Pokemon's Rotation format. There are many guides online however that will list out the up to date list of the more useful cards in the game.
- Also keep in mind that there are some Pokemon that go against the tips given above. For example, a BREAKthrough Typhlosion actually tends to run about 30 fire energy in it and a Greninja BREAK, even though it uses stage 2 Pokemon and isn't a grass type deck, does not use Rare Candy. Always consider what your plan is, how the Pokemon you use work and what will make these Pokemon function in the best way when building your deck.
Tips
- Invite your friends to play against you when your deck is finished.
- Trading with your friends is a good way to get the cards you want for your deck.
- Don't cheat, this makes the game fun for no one.
- Look at other people's deck list first that may have built the same deck as you to figure out how much of what you should run. Then tweak your deck to your liking.
- Use opposites when in battle like water and fire.
- You may play with a deck of 30 cards at home, but not in tournaments.
- Use lots of normal Pokémon so you don't have to worry about drawing wrong energies when normal Pokémon are in play.
Warnings
- Don't load your deck with too many Pokémon. Leave room for Trainer, Supporter, and Energy cards.
Things You'll Need
- At least 60 Pokémon cards
Related Articles
- Make a Pokémon Trading Card Box Holding 60 Cards
- Build a Pokémon Deck
- Make a Pokemon Battle in PowerPoint
Sources and Citations
- http//www.bulbagarden.net
