The Pokémon card game is one of the most popular games among adults and children. This cult cartoon has won millions of hearts among anime fans and cute characters. At the same time it has been able to build a huge business and establish an industry. So, Pokémon cards are often used for competitions with big prizes and home games. In addition, the cards are also often collected and sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Given the above, we can conclude that Pokémon has become an integral part of the lives of many people and have been able to capture different areas of our lives.
This article will tell you how to build your Pokémon deck for playing at home or in competitions, discuss the fundamental principles of card selection, and teach you how to find the golden mean.
Unpack your booster pack and get your play mat ready!
Think Out The TCG Deck You Want
After all, with so many cards to choose from, it can seem daunting to try and figure out which cards will work well together.
The first step is to figure out what deck you want to build. Do you want a deck that's focused on attacking? Or do you want a deck that's more balanced and can defend as well as an attack?
Once you know what kind of Pokémon deck you want to build, you can start narrowing down your card options:
- You have to consider what types of Pokémon you will use in advance. Think of a mix of different types of Pokémon, such as water and electricity;
- It would be best if you also thought about your Pokemon's weaknesses and how you can compensate or neutralize them;
- Also, consider using Pokémon that don't require specific energy cards and can use any to attack. Such fighters can be versatile in any fight and give certain advantages over the enemy.
Building a winning Pokémon deck takes time and effort, but it's worth it when you see your opponent's shocked expression when they realize they're about to lose! By following these tips, any Pokémon trainer can create a competitive deck that will win matches.
Think Of A Strategy For Your Pokémon Beginner Deck
All players know that there are several ways to win the game:
- Kill all enemy Pokémon;
- Collect all prize cards;
- Force the opponent to take all the cards from their deck.
Now you need to understand how you will achieve these goals.
Consider what type of strategy you want your deck to have:
- Are you looking for a quick and aggressive approach?
- Or do you want something slower and more methodical?
There's no right or wrong answer here - it all comes down to personal preference. Once you have a strategy in mind, selecting the right cards will be much easier.
Pokémon Deck Size
The card balance in the Pokémon game is 80 percent to win. According to the game's rules, each player must have 60 cards, seven cards in hand and six prize cards on the play mat.
The average indicators of an adequate balance of cards in a player's deck show that there should be:
- 20 Pokémon;
- 25 trainer cards;
- 15 energy cards.
However, this rule may change depending on the type of Pokémon and trainers you intend to choose.
When building a deck, choose the most compromise cards for your set and the most lethal cards for the enemy.
Trainer Cards
The other thing you need to do is identify which cards in your collection need the most training.
Trainer cards can be used to give your Pokémon a temporary boost or allow you to switch out weaker Pokémon for stronger ones. By including plenty of Trainer cards in your deck, you can be sure that your Pokémon are always ready for battle.
Building a set of trainers for the deck can also cause some difficulty for Pokémon fans. So, at the moment, there are three types of trainers:
- Item. This card can be played any number of times in one turn;
- Stadium. This type of card can only be played one card per turn. In addition, this card will affect not only you but also the opponent's Pokémon;
- Support. Such a card is played once per turn, but it also helps to change the course of the game in your favor.
So, when choosing trainer cards, ensure that out of 25 trainer cards, you have 5-8 cards, making it possible to take cards from the deck/discard if you have a few useful cards in your hand. You also need to pay attention to trainer cards, which can strengthen your Pokémon. There must be at least 5 such cards.
Energy Cards
Next, look at the energy requirements for the cards you're considering. You'll want to make sure that your TCG deck has enough of the right type of energy to power all of the Pokémon. For example, if you're building a fire-type Pokémon deck, you'll need plenty of fire energy cards. Otherwise, your attacks won't be as strong as they could be.
Remember that Pokémon energy cards can work in two ways:
- Specific energy is placed on the corresponding Pokémon's energy type;
- Any energy is placed on the Pokémon.
So, you can add any energy to your deck and choose Pokémon that can use any energy type to attack. You can also pay attention to a specific energy Pokémon and draw 15 energy cards of a specific type.
The best option would be to look for a balance between these indicators.
Basic And Evolution Cards For Pokémon Deck Build
One of the most critical indicators during deck building is the Pokémon themselves. So, you need:
- Choose a type of Pokémon;
- Take the basic versions of Pokémon (preferably a few pieces, but no more than 4 per Pokemon);
- Pick up evolution cards for them;
- Make sure there are no more than 20 Pokémon in total according to the deck size.
The main challenge when selecting a Pokémon is to choose strong Pokémon with convenient abilities and a low level of vulnerability. You should also pay attention to the type of energy the Pokémon will need and how much it will cost to retreat from the battlefield.
With the right balance, you can quickly assemble a high-quality and strong deck of characters for an exciting battle.
FAQ
What Is A Pokémon Deck?
A Pokémon deck is a collection of cards representing the Pokémon you have caught and trained. Each card has different stats and abilities and can be used in the battle against other trainers' Pokémon. Your goal when building a deck is to create a well-rounded collection of cards that will give you the best chance of winning battles.
Why Building The Right Pokémon Deck Is Essential?
It's crucial because the way you'll be able to battle, and the winning chances depend on the right card selection and balance keeping.
How Many Cards Should I Have In My Pokémon Deck?
A typical Pokémon deck contains 60 cards. This is the maximum number of cards you can have in your deck during a match, so it's essential to make sure each card you include is worth its slot.
What Types Of Cards Should I Include In My Pokémon Deck?
Your Pokémon deck should contain three main types of cards: Pokémon, Energy, and Trainer.