The new Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket app captured the hearts of fans since launch late October. Once you reach Level 3, you unlock the option to battle solo (against CPU) or against players online. While you can utilize rental decks, it is fun to arrange your own customized deck!

The Basics

If you’re looking for deck building strategies, skip to “Deck Building Strategy: Selecting the Right Cards“.

In Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, each deck consists of 20 cards. This contrasts from 60 you would need in the traditional card game. Although it simplifies deck building, it can be more challenging, since you need to be more strategic and selective. The good news is that energy is not included in the 20-card deck; instead, it generates once per turn.

• Build your deck from selecting either My Cards or Battle on the bottom of your screen:

• Click on the blank (+) rectangle and select Build New Deck.

• In this screen, you can not only build your deck but customize everything about it such as: accessories (coin toss), highlight cards (cards in your deck to show off), and the color of your deck’s box. It is also where you select which energy(ies) you will need.

• When you’re ready to actually build your deck, begin by selecting the empty (+) rectangles, and your collection will pull up. The select the Pokémon and quantity, if applicable.

• Important: You can add only up to 2 of the same card in a deck (EX cards are counted separately). Also, you must have at least one Basic card (aka. a non-evolved Pokémon).

Deck Building Strategy: Selecting the Right Cards

With only 20 cards per deck, your choices are limited. Here are top tricks and tips for a successful deck:

• Stick to one, maybe two, energy types. If you are a beginner, go with one type. Once you are more experienced, you may be able to accommodate two; however, if you do, try and select Pokémon with flexible attack costs. Example: Moltres EX only requires one fire energy for Heat Blast. The other two energies do not need to be fire type.

• Build off one Basic Pokémon and its evolution cards. Due to you card limitations, try not to squeeze in too many evolved Pokémon. Pick a solid evolution line and build from there to your strongest card. Note that your strongest Pokémon will likely need to amass lots of energy, so you will need to help of your…

• Supporting Pokémon should have high health and moderate attack power for minimal energy cost. Examples include Electabuzz and Magmar. They are Basic Pokémon and only require two energy to deal 50 up through 80 damage.

• Aim to have 6-8 Trainer cards in your deck. Must haves include Professor’s Research and the Poke Ball to get you the cards you need quick. The Red Card can be useful to mess up your opponent’s rhythm.
• Sabrina is a great card if your pit against a powerful opponent that you aren’t ready for. Other Supporter cards can be useful depending on the type of deck you’re going for.
• Note: You can only utilize one Supporter card per turn, while you can use multiple Item cards in a turn.

Building a top-tier deck takes time and patience. It is vital to test your deck out to know it works. In the meantime, if you are still learning or waiting for better cards, do not hesitate to use the rental decks. They are actually very well curated and secured lots of wins for me–so there is no shame in that!

What Pokemon Pocket decks have you built so far? What are your strategies? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.

Featured Image Source: Pokémon