How to Build a Pokemon Deck

Consider the type of deck you want to build. Do you prefer a deck with Water and Fire-type Pokémon, or Psychic and Fighting-types? Most players include only two different types of Pokémon in their decks. Occasionally, some decks effectively use more than two types, while others focus on a single type.

• Try to create synergy between types where possible—for example, Water and Electric types work well together, as do Fire and Grass.
• Account for type weaknesses. If your Psychic-type Pokémon are weak against Dark-types, consider including Fighting-types to counter Dark Pokémon (since most Dark-types are weak against Fighting).
• Remember, you can use Colorless Pokémon (those requiring no specific energy type) in any deck to fill gaps and meet energy requirements. They are versatile and often provide useful utility. Be cautious, as no Pokémon is weak against Colorless types.

Plan a winning strategy or a way to make your opponent concede. In Pokémon TCG, you can win in one of three ways: Collecting six Prize cards (drawn when you defeat an opponent’s Pokémon), making your opponent run out of Pokémon on the field, or causing your opponent to run out of cards to draw at the start of their turn. Ask yourself:

• What condition will your deck focus on to secure a win? How can you best achieve that condition?
• How might your opponent counter your strategy? Which cards can you use to minimize weaknesses and maximize strengths?

Maintain a good balance when making selections. Many decks consist of around 20 Pokémon, 25 trainers, and 15 energy cards for a balanced setup, though this often depends on the type of deck you’re playing. You might need to include more energy cards, as shuffling can sometimes result in drawing an uneven ratio of Pokémon and energy.

• For example: The Blastoise/Keldeo-EX deck from the 2012 City Championships included 14 Pokémon, 32 trainers, and 14 energy cards. It all depends on your strategy.

Think of the game as playing three roles. First, you need multiple main attacking Pokémon and more Basic Pokémon than Stage 2 Pokémon, along with fully evolved Pokémon, to ensure you always have a Pokémon on the field and several in reserve.

• Basic Pokémon can be knocked out quickly, so keep some Stage 1 or Stage 2 cards as backups. Evolve your Pokémon swiftly to make the match more competitive after deploying weaker Pokémon.
• Include "backups"—multiple evolution chains—so you can still deploy Stage 1 & 2 Pokémon. If you only have one Pokémon, losing its pre-evolved form means you can’t play your strongest card.
• Plan from start to finish. Most decks include 'starter' cards like Cleffa or Pichu. These can prepare you for battle. Include one or two powerful Pokémon capable of delivering a knockout blow in the latter half of the match.

Balance your cards effectively. Use cards that complement each other. Your deck should be well-rounded! Strategy is key!

• Look for cards with synergy. For instance, Hydreigon and Darkrai-EX excel at freely switching positions and energy. Seek out such combinations to gain an advantage.

Choose trainers that best support your Pokémon. You’ll need around 5 to 8 trainers that help you draw cards. Without drawing the right cards, you can’t win.

• Remember, you can include up to 4 copies of the same card in your deck. If your deck relies heavily on a specific card, increase your chances of drawing it by adding multiple copies.
• Include about 5 cards that can support and strengthen your Pokémon. The rest can counter commonly used cards, exploit weaknesses, or refresh your hand/bench Pokémon.

Test your deck by drawing cards as if you’re facing an opponent. Remember: To start the game, you must draw at least one Basic Pokémon, so ensure you have enough Basics for a smooth opening. While testing, consider adjusting the number of Energy cards, as it’s hard to determine how many you’ll need in your deck.

Include plenty of trainer and support cards in your deck. The strongest decks often feature more trainer/supporter cards than any other type. Focus on trainers/supporters that help you draw the cards you need. Also, look for trainers/supporters that align with your deck’s strategy.

Avoid overloading your deck with evolution cards. Evolving Pokémon consumes valuable time during a match. Only include evolution cards that are crucial to your strategy and ensure you have trainers to speed up the process. The more time you spend evolving, the more opportunities your opponent has to prepare and attack. For example: Charizard GX has a powerful attack dealing 300 damage, but it’s a challenging card to use. You must evolve it twice and attach five energy cards before it can unleash its main attack (and then discard three attached energy).