The best meta decks and cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket

Following the best Pokemon TCG Pocket decks meta can help you win match after match, fueling the growth of your colleciton with free pack rewards and shop tokens.

With a pared-down battle system comprised of 20-card stacks, Pokemon TCG Pocket isn’t just about collecting shiny bits of digital cardboard. And by collecting meta decks and cards to use yourself, you’ll stand a better chance of earning those sweet victory rewards.

What are the best meta decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket?

Here’s a quick breakdown of how to structure some 20-card meta decks in Pokemon Pocket via the Genetix Apex set at launch.

Focus on the Core inclusions where you can, then fill any holes in your collection with the Backfill suggestions to create a balance between Basic, Stage 1+, and items cards that work well together.

We’ll try to keep this updated with new and emerging decks as the game evolves. Meta decks and essential cards can change rapidly.

Exeguttor EX and Venusaur EX

• Energy: Grass
• Core: Exeggutor EX, Venusaur EX, Exeggcute, Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Erika, Sabrina, Oak’s Research, Potion, Pokeball
• Backfill: Venonat, Venomoth, Giovanni, Farfetch’d, Sabrina

Moltres EX

• Energy: Fire
• Core: Moltres EX, Growlithe, Arcanine EX, Ponyta, Rapidash, Heatmor, Magmar, Oak’s Research, Pokeball
• Backfill: Sizzlipede, Centiskorch, Farfetch’d, Red Card, X Speed, Sabrina

Dragonite EX

• Energy: Electric, Water
• Core: Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite EX, Koffing, Weezing, Pokeball, Oak’s Research, X Speed, Koga, Sabrina
• Backfill: Farfetch’d, Giovanni, Meowth, Potion, Sabrina

Brock’s rocks

• Energy: Fighting
• Core: Marowak EX, Sandslash, Cubone, Sandshrew, Onix, Golem, Graveler, Geodude, Pokeball, Brock, Oak’s Research, X Speed, Potion
• Backfill: Diglett, Dugtrio, Machop, Machoke, Machamp, Red Card, Farfetch’d, Sabrina

With Onix as a powerful base Pokemon and Marowak as a long-term play, this Fighting-focused deck with copies of Brock on hand can be incredibly easy to use early on. If Marowak’s coin flip strategy isn’t looking sound, rely on Golem instead.

Mewtwo EX

• Energy: Psychic
• Core: Mewtwo EX, Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir, Potion, X Speed, Pokeball, Oak’s Research, Sabrina
• Backfill: Farfetch’d, Golett, Golurk, Giovanni, Meowth, Jynx, Sabrina

This focused Psychic deck can use Golurk as a backup. Bide time with bulky Basic Pokemon while Mewtwo powers up and the sheer lack of Darkness cards in the game will all but secure an easy win.

Just keep feeding him Energy to ensure you’re not caught out by the drawbacks of his powerful attack. Save that for the quick takedown of a threatening opponent.

Zapdos EX

• Energy: Electric
• Core: Zapdos EX, Voltorb, Electrode, Blitzl, Zebstrika, Pikachu, Lt. Surge, Oak’s Research, Pokeball, Potion
• Backfill: Red Card, X Speed, Gionvanni, Farfetch’d, Pinkurchin, Sabrina

Starmie EX

• Energy: Water
• Core: Starmie EX, Staryu, Magikarp, Gyarados, Snom, Frosmoth, Misty, Oak’s Research, Pokeball, Sabrina
• Backfill: Sabrina, Giovanni, Potion, Psyduck, Golduck, Farfetch’d

What are the meta cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket?

At any player level, you’re likely to see the same few cards powering meta Pokemon Pocket decks. These are essentially viewed as meta picks: must-have cards few decks should go without.

If you don’t have any two of the below cards, consider checking out the shop and spending those tokens, looking for them in the Wonder Pick, or opening their respective packs. They could supercharge your deck.

Oak’s Research: There’s no drawback to drawing additional cards. More cards means more room to strategize.

Pokeball: Basic Pokemon are essential. And with powerful options like Moltres EX and Mewtwo EX among them. Anything that speeds up getting them on the field is a big benefit.

Sabrina: Whether you force a powerful Pokemon out of the Active slot or pull a high retreat cost one in, Sabrina can save you from a tight situation or completely upend your opponent’s whole strategy in a second.

Mewtwo EX: Though you’ll have to focus a whole deck around him, Mewtwo’s two attacks can deliver high chip damage or a powerful OHKO to most Pokemon in a pinch. And being a Basic Pokemon, he’s incredibly easy to play and very hard to take down.

Farfetch’d: Though not rare by any stretch, Farfetch’d can round out any deck thanks to its Colorless typing, Base Pokemon status, and powerful, single-energy attack.

How to get Mew in Pokemon TCG Pocket

If you’re just looking to build a deck around some of your favourite Pokemon, you may be wondering how to add Mew to that list.

Mew can be obtained for free in Pokemon TCG Pocket simply by collecting a card of all 150 Pokemon from the original Kanto Pokedex. Any one card will do.

Got that Pokemon itch? See if you can add to your collection with new Pokemon TCG Pocket codes. And if you’re not too far in, it might be worth looking into the best starter pack in Pokemon TCG Pocket. That first choice determines more than you might think.