You just started Pokémon TCG Pocket and after reading the beginner’s guide, you might still be unsure about which cards to prioritize as you collect from Genetic Apex.
We’ve compiled a list of the best cards from each pack that either fit into many decks (staples) or serve as the core of several current top decks in TCG Pocket.
Charizard pack
Starmie ex - Greninja
Starmie ex is the basis of the most successful water decks. It’s an efficient attacker with no retreat cost. When combined with cards like Articuno ex and Greninja, these decks are considered among the best in this format. When you open Charizard packs, you should certainly focus on getting this water Pokémon.
Charizard ex - Moltres ex
The cover card of the pack is also one of the best cards to pull. Charizard ex has to be associated to Moltres ex, which powers up its Crimson Storm attack.
Long-term, Moltres ex is arguably the most future-proof cards of the two as it can power up any R Pokémon. If you’re low on resources or prefer to save for future sets, you should prioritize Moltres ex over Charizard ex.
Sabrina
Unsurprisingly, forcing your opponent to retreat their Active Pokémon for a less prepared one on the Bench is a powerful effect and a staple in most decks. Catching a Benched Pokémon before it can evolve; securing a last easy point despite the opponent’s Active Pokémon ex walling you out; disrupting your opponent’s flow by forcing them to promote a Pokémon with a high retreat cost from their Bench…
The sheer threat of Sabrina shapes how people play the game, as any careless commitment on the Bench could be punished by her effect.
Honorable mentions
- Exeggutor ex is an easy inclusion in most Grass deck as it’s quite powerful. Boasting 160 HP as a Stage 1 Pokémon, it can deal an average of 60 damage starting from turn two.
- Erika is a vital supporter for G Pokémon, as she can deny your opponent a KO by healing 50 damage. It’s currently a staple in the Venusaur deck.
Mewtwo pack
Mewtwo ex - Gardevoir
Mewtwo ex is one of the top decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket, thanks to its powerful attacks and Gardevoir’s ability to pump Energy, threatening the use of Psydrive every turn—essentially creating a game-ending setup. Gardevoir’s Psy Shadow ability applies to all P Pokémon, so we can expect it to remain strong in sets to come.
Articuno ex
You only need two Articuno ex as your entire Pokémon lineup to build an 18-trainer deck—that’s how good Articuno ex is. It’s also a key player in most W decks, thanks to its high bulk and strong Blizzard attack.
Venusaur ex
Venusaur ex packs the highest HP among Pokémon in Genetic Apex. Its powerful Giant Bloom attack also heals 30 damage, making it a very hard Pokémon to deal with once established, especially with further support from Erika. As a result, Venusaur ex is currently one of the best-positioned decks in the metagame.
Weezing - Koga
Weezing is an unparalleled Pokémon for stalling your opponent and chipping away at their HP with its ability and cheap attack. Tanking most attacks coming from Basic and Stage 1 Pokémon, it resists a fully-charged Circle Circuit from Pikachu ex and Hydro Splash from Starmie ex.
When threatened with getting KO’d, you can bounce it back with Koga to deny your opponent a point and promote the Pokémon you charged on the Bench while Weezing held the fort in the Active Spot. You can also immediately play it back by evolving a Benched Koffing, attaching a D Energy, and getting back to your strategy.
Multiple top decks play the Weezing-Koga combination as a variant to keep their opponents busy while powering up their Bench (Venusaur ex, Dragonite…). Most don’t even bother to include D Energy; the staying power of Weezing is that good.
Giovanni
Adding 10 damage to your attacks can easily make a difference in the race, especially when that amount separates a knockout from a Pokémon that can retreat or evolve on the next turn. While Giovanni may seem unimpressive at first glance, its effect often shines in the flow of the game to secure points.
Honorable mentions
- Marowak ex is currently the cornerstone of F decks, thanks to its quick evolution and cheap attack with solid base damage.
Dragonite makes for one of the best decks that don’t use any Pokémon ex: in fact, one of the best budget decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket. It runs one or more stall engines (Frosmoth; Weezing; Hypno; Snorlax…) to build Energy on the Dratini Line so Dragonite can use Draco Meteor, one of the most devastating attack in the game.
Pikachu pack
Pikachu ex - Zapdos ex
Highly anticipated, Pikachu ex delivered all of its promises and is considered the best or second-best deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket, thanks to its ease of setup and prodigious damage output for LL. Zapdos ex is a natural partner for Pikachu ex; it’s also a Basic L Pokémon that can deal over 90 damage, has a small retreat cost, and enough bulk to stay around for some time and deal colossal damage… should you be lucky with your coin flips.
Raichu - Magneton - Electrode - Lt. Surge
The Pikachu pack is all about Lightning-types. Raichu and Electrode can complement the Pikachu ex variants, while all of these Pokémon—plus Magneton and Lt. Surge—can be played in the single-point Lightning deck.
Misty
How strong would Starmie and Articuno be without Misty? This is probably the best Supporter in energy acceleration of the set and certainly one of the most unfair one.
Honorable mentions
- Hypno generally serves as an engine in decks that aim to stall their opponents while setting up, thanks to its Sleep Pendulum ability. It can also utilize its own attack in P shells, partnered with Pokémon such as Alakazam.
