Last Updated: 2024-11-12
Deck Rating Criteria
Pokemon TCG Pocket decks are rated across five tiers:
| Tier | Description | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| SS Tier (Tier 1) | Meta-Defining Decks | - Highest win rate and popularity - High draw consistency, rarely get bad hands |
| S Tier (Tier 2) | Upper-Meta Decks | - Second-highest win rate - Usage rate close to SS Tier |
| A Tier (Tier 3) | Mid-Meta Decks | - Can compete with top-tier decks - Relatively lower usage rate |
| B Tier (Tier 4) | Low Usage Decks | - Low usage rate - Lower win rates |
| C Tier (Tier 5) | Challenging Decks | - Lowest win and usage rates - Difficult to succeed in current meta |
Top Meta Decks (Tier 1)
1. Starmie EX Deck
- Advantages:
- Deals 90 damage with just 2 Water Energy
- Quick Energy acceleration through Misty
- Key Cards:
- Staryu
- Starmie EX
- Articuno EX
- Potion
- X Speed
- Poke Ball
- Red Card
- Professor
- Misty
- Sabrina
2. Pikachu EX Deck
- Advantages:
- Consistent 90 damage output
- Can deal 140 damage with Raichu
- Key Cards:
- Pikachu EX
- Pikachu
- Raichu
- Zapdos EX
- Zapdos
- Potion
- X Speed
- Poke Ball
- Professor
- Giovanni
- Sabrina
- Lt. Surge
- Pikachu EX Deck Ultimate Guide
3. Mewtwo EX Deck
-
Advantages:
- Can repeatedly deal 150 damage
- Powerful Mewtwo EX and Gardevoir combination
-
Key Cards:
- Mewtwo EX
- Ralts
- Kirlia
- Gardevoir
- Potion
- X Speed
- Poke Ball
- Red Card
- Professor
- Giovanni
- Sabrina
High-Tier Decks (Tier 2)
1. Articuno EX Deck
-
Advantages:
- Forces opponent to KO two EX cards
- Strong Energy acceleration with Misty
- Highly dependent on Misty
2. Charizard EX Deck
- Advantages:
- Charizard EX's high damage attacks
- Energy acceleration through Moltres EX
- Stage 2 evolution makes it luck-dependent
- Charizard EX Deck Ultimate Guide
3. Venusaur EX Deck
- Advantages:
- High durability with Venusaur EX
- Multiple HP recovery options with Erika
- Stage 2 evolution can be challenging
4. Marowak EX Deck
- Advantages:
- Primarily Stage 1 Pokemon for aggressive starts
- Can deal up to 160 damage with 2 Energy
- Damage output depends on coin flips
5. Dragonite Deck
-
Advantages:
- Competitive against any deck type
- Strong non-EX Pokemon battles
- Stage 2 evolution requiring 4 Energy
Mid-Tier Decks (Tier 3)
1. Alakazam Deck
- Advantages:
- High damage potential
- Strong attack power
- Disadvantages:
- Time-consuming setup
- Inconsistent hands
- Evolution challenges
2. Blaine Deck
- Advantages:
- Strong early-game attacks
- Powerful damage boost effect
- Disadvantages:
- Lower overall HP
- May lack late-game staying power
3. Koga Deck
- Advantages:
- Strong Poison and Arbok combination
- Pokemon return-to-hand capability
- Disadvantages:
- Vulnerable when Poison is cured
4. Greninja Deck
- Advantages:
- Specialized in Bench attacks
- Articuno EX as main attacker
- Strong Energy acceleration with Misty
5. Blastoise EX Deck
- Advantages:
- High durability and attack power
- Less reliant on Misty
- Disadvantages:
- Supporting Pokemon easily defeated
Secondary Decks (Tier 4)
1. Arcanine EX Deck
- Advantages:
- Strong Arcanine EX attacks
- Energy acceleration through Moltres EX
- Disadvantages:
- Self-damage drawback
2. Misty Deck
- Advantages:
- Early game Energy acceleration
- Sleep effects with Frosmoth
- Easy to build
3. Primeape Deck
- Advantages:
- Quick evolution from Mankey (Promo)
- Strong against Lightning and Colorless
- Disadvantages:
- Significant first/second turn difference
4. Centiskorch Deck
- Advantages:
- Powerful moves
- Energy boost through Moltres EX
- Disadvantages:
- Concerning HP levels
5. Melmetal Deck
- Advantages:
- Excellent durability
- Strong Bisharp backup
- Disadvantages:
- Struggles against fast decks
Low-Tier Decks (Tier 5)
1. Omastar Deck
- Advantages:
- Impressive attack power
- Early Energy acceleration with Misty
- Disadvantages:
- Difficult Fossil Pokemon evolution
2. Lapras EX Deck
- Advantages:
- HP recovery with attacks
- Energy acceleration through Misty
- Disadvantages:
- Vulnerable to one-hit KOs
3. Machamp EX Deck
- Advantages:
- High-durability Pokemon
- Victory depends on Machamp evolution
- Disadvantages:
- Challenging Energy management
4. Brock Deck
- Advantages:
- Powerful Golem attacks
- Energy acceleration with Brock
- Disadvantages:
- Difficult without Dugtrio stalling
5. Nidoqueen & Nidoking Deck
- Advantages:
- 180 damage without EX Pokemon
- Disadvantages:
- Limited support card space
- High Energy requirements
Conclusion
The November 2024 meta of Pokemon TCG Pocket offers rich deck diversity and strategic depth. Whether you're a beginner or veteran player, choosing a deck that matches your playstyle is crucial. We recommend experimenting with different tier decks based on your preferences and experience to find your optimal strategy.
