Pokemon TCG Pocket isn’t just about collecting cards. Players can engage in battles both on their own and against other players. However, bringing the right deck to the match is crucial to winning.
In this guide, we will be ranking the best Pokemon TCG Pocket decks by power, playability, and accessibility. Because cards are currently only obtainable via opening packs with random pulls, not all of these decks will be easy to build. However, players who can put an S-Tier deck together will drastically increase their win rate.
Currently, we have been hard at work testing each of these decks and have found success with these meta options.
Pokemon TCG Pocket deck tier list
TIER | DECKS |
|---|---|
S-TIER | |
A-TIER | |
B-TIER | |
C-TIER |
Our tiers explained
Though there are standouts, most of our decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket are strong enough to be viable in high-level play, so bear in mind that even the worst ones can still win matches. Here’s a brief explanation of what our tier list placements mean:
- S-Tier (Winrate above 52%): The best decks in the meta, extremely powerful and consistent. With a good output, these decks leave no chance to less powerful decks.
- A-Tier (Winrate between 49% and 51%): Top meta decks, capable of holding their own against Tier S, although they are less explosive and/or less consistent.
- B- Tier (Winrate between 46% and 48%): Meta decks, which have a chance against all higher decks, provided they have a decent release and are well played. Less popular, they sometimes have the advantage of the element of surprise.
- C-Tier (Winrate below 45%): Underdogs, who have certain qualities but lack a little something to fully enter the meta. Some are too slow, while others are severely countered by popular meta decks.
S-Tier decks
Suicune ex & Greninja ex deck
DEXERTOThe Suicune ex and Greninja ex deck relies on the Legendary’s durability and the Kalo’s starter fast, disruptive sniping.
Even though Suicune ex’s damage is not what you would expect from a Legendary (unless both Benches are full), setting it in the Active Spot early on is a must. Its massive HP is enough to take all the damage you’ll endure while setting up regular Greninja on your bench to act as a sniper. Plus, its ‘Legendary Pulse’ will allow you to draw one extra card at the end of your turn, making this process even faster.
If Suicune ex is about to be KOed and you haven’t set Giratina ex, use Greninja ex, as it has the highest HP in the deck.
Related
Recommended build
- x2 Suicune ex
- x2 Froakie
- x1 Greninja ex
- x2 Greninja
- x1 Giratina ex
- x2 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x1 May
- x2 Irida
- x2 Rare Candy
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Giratina ex & Darkrai ex deck
The Pokemon CompanyThe release of Shining Revelry on March 27, 2025, made one of TCG Pocket’s strongest decks even better, and while there’s a variation that includes Mythical Island‘s Druddigon, our recommended deck relies on more Trainer cards instead.
The game plan is simple. Stick Darkrai in your active slot, preferably with a Rocky Helmet equipped to deal passive damage whenever the opponent attacks, and charge it with Darkness energy. It will automatically deal 20 damage to the opponent thanks to its “Nightmare Aura” Ability.
While Darkrai works its magic, use the end of your turns to juice up Giratina via its “Broken-Space Bellow” Ability, which allows it to gain one free Energy per turn. Once it has all four Energies, hit your opponent hard. Don’t forget to attach a Giant Cape to help Giratina last longer on the battlefield.
Recommended build
- x2 Darkrai ex
- x2 Giratina ex
- x1 Sabrina
- x1 Leaf
- x2 Rocky Helmet
- x2 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x1 Mars
- x1 Red
- x1 Silver
- x2 Pokemon Center Lady
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Espeon ex & Sylveon ex deck
DEXERTOThis particular mix of Wisdom of Sea and Sky and Eevee Grove expansions thrives on consistency, healing, and sustainable tempo control. Sylveon ex accelerates your setup by drawing you 2 cards when you evolve an Eevee into it, while Espeon ex brings serious staying power with its healing Ability and raw power with just 2 Psychic Energy.
For this to work, you must first set Eevee and evolve it into Sylveon ex. After getting the two extra cards, switch Sylveon ex with Espeon ex as soon as you can. Use Espeon to heal your bench while you charge up an extra Espeon ex and your first Sylveon ex, and maybe a regular one.
Keep your Eevee Bags close to deal more damage while also healing your party.
Recommended build
- x2 Eevee
- x2 Eevee ex
- x1 Sylveon
- x2 Sylveon ex
- 1 Espeon
- x2 Espeon ex
- x1 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x1 Eevee Bag
- x1 Silver
- x1 Sabrina
- x1 Mars
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Pom-Pom Oricorio & Magnezone deck
DEXERTOPom-Pom Oricorio is still prominent in the meta as it is the only card that can put a stop to ex cards due to its “Safeguard” Ability, which prevents any ex Pokemon attack.
Setting Oricorio in the Active spot will keep you safe while it also buys you time to build up Magnezone on the bench. Once Magnezone is fully set, you can equip it with the Giant Cape and pull it to the Active spot to deal incredibly serious damage (110).
Keep Shaymin close to using its “Fragrant Flower Garden” Ability to heal 10 damage from all of your Pokemon.
Recommended build
- x2 Magnemite
- x2 Magneton
- x2 Magnezone
- x2 Oricorio
- x1 Shaymin
- x1 Sabrina
- x1 Pokemon Communication
- x2 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 Potion
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Decidueye ex deck
DEXERTOAs a Stage 2 Pokemon, Decidueye ex can be quickly set up thanks to the Rare Candy card. That way, players can start attacking very early on with Razor Leaf, as it requires just two Grass Energy. Moreover, if one of the opponent’s Pokemon has damage, the Pierce the Pain move can deal 100 damage to it.
Keep Erika and Lillie close to heal your Grass-type attackers and equip any of them with the Leaf Cape for +20 HP.
Recommended build
- x2 Decidueye ex
- x2 Decidueye
- x2 Rowlet
- x2 Dartrix
- x1 Erika
- x2 Lillie
- x2 Copycat
- x2 Rare Candy
- x2 Leaf Cape
- x1 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Mega Altaria ex & Chingling deck
DEXERTOMega Altaria ex thrives due to its bulk, consistency, and steady pressure without needing complex combos.
You can start setting up this deck by building up regular and Mega Altaria ex with Swablu. Use Sableye, Jirachi and Chingling to buy time. The first two can snipe at early targets, while the third makes sure your opponent cannot use any items.
Once Mega Altaria ex is ready, you can deal up to 130 damage with a full bench for just two Energy.
Recommended build
- x2 Mega Altaria ex
- x1 Altaria
- x2 Swablu
- x2 Chingling
- x1 Jirachi
- x1 Sableye
- x1 Sabrina
- x2 Rocky Helmet
- x1 Cyrus
- x1 Mars
- x1 Red Card
- x1 Lisia
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Mega Absol ex & Hydreigon deck
DEXERTOMega Absol ex shines thanks to its very high HP and the ability to disrupt the opponent’s setup, revealing their hard and discarding a Supporter card. However, it lacks damage, which Hydreigon can surely take care of by hitting 130 for three Energy.
To keep your opponent from setting up, you can use the Red Card and Mars, forcing them to make weak moves due to unpredictable cards.
For this to work, you must get Deino and turn it into Hydreigon with the Rare Candy early on. Then use Cleffa’s Twinkly Call, Professor’s Research, and Poke Ball to reach Mega Absol ex quickly. The deck wins by hitting early, disrupting constantly, and never letting opponents recover.
Recommended build
- x2 Mega Absol ex
- x2 Deino
- x2 Hydreigon
- x1 Cleffa
- x1 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x1 Mars
- x1 Pokemon Center Lady
- x1 Red
- x2 Rare Candy
- x2 Red Card
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
A-Tier decks
Guzzlord ex & Nihilego deck
DEXERTOGuzzlord and Nihilego are all about disrupting your opponent while mass applying the Poison status effect to slowly chip away at the health of your opponent’s Pokemon. While Guzzlord isn’t able to inflict Poison by default, attaching a Poison Barb to it while active will do the trick.
Your opponent will then be forced to decide between being poisoned by Poison Barb’s reflect damage or letting Guzzlord trigger its Grindcore attack, potentially resulting in them being forced to discard multiple Energy from their own Pokemon. Adding to that, with a Nihilego in play, Poison damage from any source you inflict will be amplified by 10.
For support, you can use Lusamine and Celesteela to swap your active Ultra Beast in and out, making it incredibly difficult for your opponent to reliably knock out Guzzlord or Nihilego.
Recommended build
- x2 Nihilego
- x2 Guzzlord ex
- x2 Celesteela
- x1 Sabrina
- x1 Cyrus
- x1 Mars
- x2 Pokemon Center Lady
- x1 Red
- x2 Poison Barb
- x2 Lusamine
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Flareon ex deck
DEXERTOThis Flareon-focused deck thrives on raw damage, with Eevee ex offering consistent early pressure while Flareon ex provides heavy-hitting Fire finishers.
For this deck to work, you have to start the match with either Eevee or Magby, though the second choice is preferred as its attack takes a Fire Energy from your Energy Zone and attaches it to one of your Benched creatures – Flareon ex.
Once you have Flareon ex powered up, you can start dealing massive damage with Fire Spin. Even though it loses 2 Fire Energy every time it hits, you can recover an extra one thanks to its ‘Combust’ ability.
Use your Support, Item, and Tool cards to keep Flareon ex active or to power up a second Flareon ex.
Recommended build
- x2 Eevee
- x2 Eevee ex
- x2 Flareon
- x2 Flareon ex
- x2 Magby
- x1 Sabrina
- x1 Giant Cape
- x1 Red
- x1 Pokemon Center Lady
- x2 Eevee Bag
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Buzzwole ex & Pheromosa deck
DEXERTOExtradimensional Crisis marked the introduction of Ultra Beasts to TCG Pocket, many of which have massive synergy with each other and supporting Trainer cards.
For the early game offensive, you can set up Pheromosa on your Active Spot to start dealing damage to all of your opponent’s creatures. That way, you’ll have the possibility to use Cyrus at any time.
You can keep Kartana nearby in case your other Ultra Beasts are lost in your deck. Set it up with Beastite, so it deals a bit more damage. For the late game, pair Buzzwole with Lusamine to get two Energy and use its Big Beat attack to deal 120 damage.
Use the Leaf Cape to get +30 HP and Erika to heal your beats. As for Celesteela, you can use the “Ultra Thrusters” ability to trigger a free Active Pokemon switch for Ultra Beasts only.
Recommended build
- x2 Buzzswole ex
- x2 Pheromosa
- x2 Celesteela
- x1 Kartana
- x2 Erika
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 Leaf Cape
- x1 Guzma
- x2 Lusamine
- x1 Beastite
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Sylveon ex & Greninja deck
DEXERTOWhen the Eevee Grove set released, the meta was changed once more, as Sylveon ex’s “Happy Ribbon” ability allowed players to draw two cards when evolving it from Eevee. This way, they can get to the Rare Candy card faster to turn Froakie into Greninja.
Greninja and Sylveon can also be used as attackers – if needed –, so while Giratina ex gathers its four Energy with its “Broken-Space Bellow” ability, they can take the lead. Keep Lillie nearby in case you need to heal Greninja.
With Greninja hitting opponents with its ability “Water Shuriken” and a fully loaded Giratina ex on the Active Spot, you’re guaranteed 150 damage per turn.
Recommended build
- x2 Froakie
- x2 Greninja
- x2 Eevee
- x2 Sylveon ex
- x1 Giratina ex
- x1 Pokemon Communication
- x2 Rare Candy
- x1 Silver
- x1 Giant Cape
- x2 Cyrus
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Silvally & Pom-Pom Oricorio deck
DEXERTOEx Pokemon are the main stars of almost every deck, so a good way to approach competitive play is to target them with Pom-Pom Oricorio’s Ability, Safeguard, which gives it immunity against ex attacks.
Get your Oricorio to the bench to protect yourself from ex creatures while you use Support cards to find Pichu and Silvally. Pichu will get one extra Lightning Energy per turn, which you can then move with Elemental Switch to Silvally.
When Silvally is charged up, move it to the Active Spot. Keep in mind that if you use a Supporter card on that turn, its Brave Buddies attack will deal +50 damage, giving it a total of 100 in just one hit and for just two random Energy.
This deck is ideal to take down slower decks built around high-power ex Pokemon.
Recommended build
- x2 Type: Null
- x2 Silvally
- x2 Pichu
- x2 Oricorio
- x1 Sabrina
- x2 Pokemon Center Lady
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 Gladion
- x2 Elemental Switch
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Flareon ex & Leafeon ex deck
DEXERTODespite focusing on Flareon ex and Leafeon ex, this deck – known as the Eevee box – runs 3 Eeveelutions plus their base form.
The key to this deck is to start by using Sylveon ex’s ability to get extra cards. That way, you can set Flareon ex as your main attacker, while Leafeon ex’s ability “Forest Breath” feeds it an extra Grass Energy per turn.
Because Flareon ex has to discard two Energy every time it uses Fire Spin, get it a ton of Grass Energy from Leafeon. That way, all of those can be discarded, and you don’t stop hitting your opponent.
Keep a regular Leafeon close in case you come across Pom-Pom Oricorio, and your ex Pokemon gets neutralized.
Recommended build
- x2 Eevee
- x2 Eevee ex
- x2 Leafeon
- x2 Leafeon ex
- x2 Flareon ex
- x1 Sylveon ex
- x1 Giant Cape
- x1 Red
- x2 Eevee Bag
- x1 X Speed
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Mega Blaziken ex & Heatmor deck
DEXERTOThis deck combo offers explosive damage and fast energy acceleration, letting you overwhelm opponents before they can set up.
Your opening turns focus on Torchic, using Rare Candy to jump straight into Mega Blaziken ex’s damage curve, and drawing aggressively with Copycat, Poke Ball, and Professor’s Research. Meanwhile, Heatmor provides an early chip or a backup attacker if your setup is delayed.
Once Mega Blaziken ex is ready, give it the Giant Cape and use Flame Patch to recover an Energy (as you’ll sacrifice one each turn to inflict Burn). Remember, you can use Cyrus to bring forward any opponent previously weakened by Heatmor.
Recommended build
- x2 Mega Blaziken ex
- x2 Torchic
- x1 Combusken
- x1 Heatmor
- x2 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 Rare Candy
- x1 Lillie
- x2 Flame Patch
- x2 Copycat
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
B-Tier decks
Raikou ex & Zeraora deck
DEXERTOThis particular deck’s strengths rely on its balance between speed and relentless pressure.
Ideally, you start the encounter by setting up Raikou ex in the Active Spot. Its attack only requires two Lightning Energy to start dealing decent early game damage, but most of all, you’ll draw an extra card thanks to its ‘Legendary Pulse’ ability.
Similar to Suicune ex, the Legendary’s massive HP will keep you safe while you build Arceus ex in the Bench to then KO your opponents.
If you struggle to draw Raikou ex at the beginning, you can use Pichu to generate extra Energy or go with Zeraora’s ‘Thunderclap Flash’ ability along with Electrical Cord or Elemental Switch.
Recommended build
- x2 Raikou ex
- x2 Zeraora
- x2 Pichu
- x1 Arceus ex
- x1 Pom-Pom Oricorio
- x2 Cyrus
- x1 Mars
- x1 Pokemon Center Lady
- x2 Electrical Cord
- x2 Elemental Switch
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Silvally & Rampardos deck
DEXERTOThis build is set so Type: Null will always be your first Pokemon, as it is the only one that is Basic. The idea is to evolve it early on using the Gladion and Professor’s Research cards.
The trick to Silvally is to use a Supporter card each turn; that way, its attack gets a +50 damage boost, dealing an outstanding 100 for only two Energy.
Meanwhile, you can set up the Skull Fossil and use the Rare Candy to turn it into a Rampardos. This sturdy fella can deal a massive 130 damage for only one Energy, so it’s ideal to set it up as soon as Silvally is out.
Recommended build
- x2 Skull Fossil
- x1 Cranidos
- x2 Rampardos
- x2 Type: Null
- x2 Silvally
- x2 Rare Candy
- x2 Gladion
- x1 Cyrus
- x1 Giovanni
- x1 Sabrina
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Lucario & Rampardos deck
DEXERTOThe current meta still holds Lucario and its Ability “Fighting Coach” at the top of the ranks thanks to how the extra 20 damage stacks up with each Lucario card. Plus, due to no Psychic decks being commonly used right now, there’s no way to target its weakness.
Ideally, players should start by setting Hitmonchan on the Active spot to deal light pressure while setting the Skull Fossil and Riolu on the Bench while searching for the main Lucario and Rampardos cards or using the Rare Candy.
Rampardos’ attack with Lucario’s Ability can deal a solid 150 damage, and if the opponent is weak to Fighting-type Pokemon, it can reach an outstanding 170 – If another Lucario is at play, 190.
The key feature of this deck is that it is very energy-efficient, and its attacks are low-cost. Use Lillie to keep Rampardos alive and Red for when Lucario’s Fighting Coach damage buff isn’t enough.
Recommended build
- x2 Lucario
- x2 Riolu
- x2 Rampardos
- x1 Cranidos
- x2 Skull Fossil
- x1 Hitmonchan
- x1 Guzma
- x1 Iono
- x1 Red
- x2 Rare Candy
- x1 Lillie
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Pom-Pom Oricorio & Greninja deck
DEXERTOIf one card is going to shake up the entire Pokemon TCG Pocket meta, then it’s bound to be Oricorio. This Pokemon has quickly cemented itself as one of the most deadly in the game, with the ability to completely nullify any ex-powers.
This deck is based on the likelihood of your opponent having a pure ex deck, so Oricorio’s “Safeguard” Ability will prevent all damage coming from ex cards, allowing you to build up Giratina ex at the end of each turn while also setting up Greninja with the Rare Candy.
To keep you in battle, use Shaymin’s “Fragrant Flower Garden” Ability to heal 10 damage from all of your Pokemon, and if needed, use the Irida card.
Recommended build
- x2 Oricorio
- x1 Giratina ex
- x2 Froakie
- x1 Frogadier
- x2 Greninja
- x1 Shaymin
- x1 Giant Cape
- x1 Cyrus
- x2 Irida
- x2 Rare Candy
- x1 Guzma
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Charizard ex & Sylveon ex deck
DEXERTONote: This deck only works with the Charizard ex from the Shining Revelry set.
The Sylveon ex’s ability to draw extra cards, along with Poke Ball and Professor’s Research, can help you set up Charizard ex sooner.
With only one Fire Energy, you’ll be able to use Stoke to take 3 extra ones and attach them to your flaming dragon. This means that in just two turns, you’ll have the required amount to use Steam Artillery and deal a massive 150 damage.
Use Lillie to keep Charizard ex alive, and don’t forget to give it the Giant Cape for extra HP. In case you come across an Oricorio, you can use a regular Flareon to take the annoying bird down.
Recommended build
- x2 Charmander
- x2 Charizard ex
- x2 Eevee
- x1 Flareon ex
- x2 Sylveon ex
- x1 Sabrina
- x1 Giant Cape
- x2 Rare Candy
- x1 Red
- x2 Lillie
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
C-Tier decks
Ho-Oh ex & Snorlax ex deck
DEXERTOThe Ho-Oh ex & Snorlax ex deck brings as much acceleration as tanking power to the table, as the Legendary can get plenty of Energy with its Phoenix Turbo attack, while Snorlax benefits from massive HP and damage
To exploit this deck combination, you must set up Snorlax ex first. This card can take all the damage thanks to its Full-Mouth Manner Ability. Meanwhile, use the time to power up Ho-Oh.
Once Ho-Oh is ready, move it to the Active Spot. Its attack will deal good damage and charge another Pokemon (Darkrai ex or another Snorlax ex) simultaneously.
Use Leaf, Lyra, and Ilima to switch between your Pokemon without losing any attached Energy.
Recommended build
- x2 Ho-Oh ex
- x2 Snorlax ex
- x1 Darkrai ex
- x1 Red Card
- x1 Giant Cape
- x2 Ilima
- x1 Leaf
- x1 Lyra
- x2 Pokemon Center Lady
- x2 Rocky Helmet
- x1 Sabrina
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
Solgaleo ex & Sylveon ex deck
DEXERTOThis deck excels due to Solgaleo’s massive power and Sylveon’s support and consistency.
For this deck to work properly, you must evolve your Eevee into Sylveon ex as soon as possible. Once you do this, you’ll be able to draw 2 extra cards (hopefully Rare Candy) with its ‘Happy Ribbon’ ability to try and turn your Cosmog into the Legendary Solgaleo ex.
Use Leftovers and Lillie to keep your Pokemon alive, and if you come across a Pom-Pom Oricorio, then turn to Magearna to counter it.
Recommended build
- x2 Cosmog
- x2 Solgaleo ex
- x1 Magearna
- x2 Eevee
- x2 Sylveon ex
- x1 Sabrina
- x1 Red
- x2 Rare Candy
- x1 Guzma
- x1 Lillie
- x1 Leftovers
- x2 Poke Ball
- x2 Professor’s Research
If you are looking for more interesting information about Pokemon TCG Pocket, check out our Promo list, or see whether or not the Premium Pass is the right option for you.