What to Play - Budget Decks

BRS-TEF

These decks aren’t likely to win any big tournaments, but many of them offer a relatively cheap way to get into the Pokémon Trading Card Game and are steppingstones toward more competitive decks. Pricier cards like Prime Catcher from Temporal Forces and Forest Seal Stone from Silver Tempest are used sparingly in these lists but are present in several of them. As you continue your journey as a player of the Pokémon Trading Card game, you’ll often find it’s worth it to pick up these less-than-budget-friendly staples as they’re common components for many decks.

Decks with a star (☆) are the most competitively viable options—or can be upgraded to be competitive with relative ease.

Deck Archetypes

$15

Wugtrio

Last updated 10 March 2024

Illus. KIYOTAKA OSHIYAMA

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Wiglett into Wugtrio and Charcadet into Armarouge. Power up Wugtrio with a combination of manual attachments of Double Turbo Energy and the combination of attaching a Basic Fire Energy to Armarouge from your discard pile with Magma Basin and moving it to your active Wugtrio with Armarouge’s Fire Off Ability, which reads, “As often as you like during your turn, you may move a [R] Energy from 1 of your Benched Pokémon to your Active Pokémon.“ Attack with Wugtrio’s Sea Tunneling attack, which has you flip three coins and discard the top 3 cards of your opponent’s deck for each heads.

KEY CARDS

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 19

  • 4 Wiglett SVI 55
  • 4 Wugtrio SVI 57
  • 3 Armarouge SVI 41
  • 2 Bibarel BRS 121
  • 2 Bidoof CRZ 111
  • 2 Charcadet OBF 43
  • 1 Charcadet SVI 39
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41

Trainer Cards - 31

  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 3 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 3 Great Ball PAL 183
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 2 Energy Loto ASR 140
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 4 Magma Basin BRS 144

Energy - 10

  • 6 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

$15

Torterra

Last updated 10 March 2024

Illus. Oswaldo KATO

BASIC STRATEGY

Going second, evolve benched Turtwig into Grotle with the help of Technical Machine: Evolution. On your following turn, Use Grotle’s Sun-Drenched Shell ability to search for Torterra and evolve Grotle into Torterra or, with the help of Rare Candy, Turtwig into Torterra. Evolve unevolved Pokémon as soon as possible to increase the damage of Torterra’s Evo Press attack, which does 50 damage for each of your Evolution Pokémon in play.

KEY CARDS

Deck List

Pokémon - 19

  • 4 Grotle BRS 7
  • 4 Torterra BRS 8
  • 4 Turtwig BRS 6
  • 2 Bibarel BRS 121
  • 2 Bidoof CRZ 111
  • 2 Gengar LOR 66
  • 1 Luxray PAL 71

Trainer Cards - 31

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Roxanne ASR 150
  • 4 Great Ball PAL 183
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 2 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
  • 1 Luxurious Cape PAR 166
  • 2 Town Store OBF 196

Energy - 10

  • 6 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1
  • 4 Reversal Energy PAL 192

$15

United Wings

Last updated 10 March 2024

Illus. Shibuzoh.

BASIC STRATEGY

Using every discarding resource in the deck, put all or most of your “United Wings” attackers in the discard pile. Then, attach Energy to Ditto to use its Sudden Transformation Ability to copy the United Wings attack from your discarded “United Wings” attackers.

KEY CARDS

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 24

  • 4 Flamigo PAL 170
  • 4 Murkrow PAL 131
  • 4 Wattrel PAL 80
  • 3 Kirlia SIT 68
  • 3 Ralts SVI 84
  • 2 Ditto PGO 53
  • 2 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
  • 1 Gallade ASR 62
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41

Trainer Cards - 28

  • 4 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Morty's Conviction TEF 155
  • 1 Serena SIT 164
  • 4 Great Ball PAL 183
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Capturing Aroma SIT 153
  • 1 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 2 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137
  • 1 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 8

  • 4 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

$15

Oinkologne ex

Last updated 10 March 2024

Illus. aky CG Works

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Lechonk into Oinkologne ex and attack using its Maddening Scent attack, which does 30 damage for each Pokémon on your opponent’s bench. Alternatively, attack with Oinkologne ex’s Heavy Stomp attack, which does 210 damage. Reduce the damage Oinkolonge ex takes using Radiant Gardevoir and Rigid Band and sweep away damage on your Oinkologne ex with Cheren’s Care.

KEY CARDS

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 14

  • 4 Lechonk OBF 181
  • 3 Oinkologne ex SVI 158
  • 2 Bibarel BRS 121
  • 2 Bidoof CRZ 111
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Radiant Gardevoir LOR 69
  • 1 Skwovet SVI 151

Trainer Cards - 36

  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 4 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Cheren's Care BRS 134
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 4 Trekking Shoes CRZ 145
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 4 Rigid Band MEW 165
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 10

  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
  • 3 Mist Energy TEF 161
  • 3 Therapeutic Energy PAL 193

$20

Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR

Last updated 10 March 2024

Illus. aky CG Works

BASIC STRATEGY

Build up your bench, with Gapejaw Bog in play if possible (and/or with the help of Gengar’s Netherworld Gate Ability) and use Damage Pump to ensure that each of your Pokémon has at least a single damage counter on it. Take knock outs with Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR’s Shredding Curse attack, which does 50 damage for each of your Pokémon that has any damage counters on it.

KEY CARDS

Deck List

Pokémon - 19

  • 4 Hisuian Zoroark V LOR 146
  • 4 Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR LOR 147
  • 3 Gengar LOR 66
  • 2 Bibarel BRS 121
  • 2 Bidoof CRZ 111
  • 1 Flutter Mane TEF 78
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Radiant Alakazam SIT 59
  • 1 Skwovet SVI 151

Trainer Cards - 35

  • 3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 3 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145
  • 1 Serena SIT 164
  • 4 Capturing Aroma SIT 153
  • 4 Damage Pump LOR 156
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Great Ball PAL 183
  • 2 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Defiance Band SVI 169
  • 4 Gapejaw Bog ASR 142

Energy - 6

  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
  • 2 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

$20

Dondozo

Last updated 11 March 2024

Illus. Souichirou Gunjima

BASIC STRATEGY

Using Level Ball, fish each of your Tatsugiri out of the deck. Discard the Tatsugiri with Ultra Ball or with Kirlia’s Refinement Ability. Use Double Turbo Energy, Mela or, if forced to start a Tatsugiri, Tatsugiri’s Preparations attack, to power up Dondozo’s Vent Wrath attack, which does 50 damage for each Tatsugiri in your discard pile.

KEY CARDS

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 19

  • 4 Dondozo SVI 61
  • 4 Kirlia SIT 68
  • 4 Ralts ASR 60
  • 4 Tatsugiri SVI 62
  • 1 Gallade ASR 62
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 31

  • 4 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Mela PAR 167
  • 1 Serena SIT 164
  • 4 Great Ball PAL 183
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 2 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Artazon PAF 76
  • 1 Mesagoza SVI 178

Energy - 10

  • 6 Basic Fire Energy SVE 2
  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

$25

Snorlax

Last updated 10 March 2024

Illus. 0313

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Natu into Xatu. Power up Snorlax, Deoxys, or Mew ex with Xatu’s Clairevoyant Sense Ability, which states, “Once during your turn, you may attach a Basic [P] Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. If you attached Energy to a Pokémon in this way, draw 2 cards.” Attack with Snorlax’s Thumping Snore attack, which does 180 damage and leaves Snorlax Asleep. Alternatively, attack with Deoxys and its Genome Spiral which does 120 damage and has you move the Energy attached to Deoxys to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. As situationally advantageous, use Mew ex’s Genome Hacking to copy 1 of your opponent’s Active Pokémon’s attacks.

KEY CARDS

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 15

  • 4 Natu PAR 71
  • 4 Xatu PAR 72
  • 3 Snorlax LOR 143
  • 2 Deoxys PAR 74
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151

Trainer Cards - 32

  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 3 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Tulip PAR 181
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Switch SVI 194
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Capturing Aroma SIT 153
  • 2 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 13

  • 11 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 2 Jet Energy PAL 190

$30

Miraidon ex League Battle Deck

Sealed product, meta-upgradable

 
 

BASIC STRATEGY

With the help of Miraidon ex’s Tandem Unit Ability, get Regieleki V into play. Evolve Regieleki V into Regieleki VMAX so that Miraidon ex’s damage is boosted by Regieleki VMAX’s Transistor Ability, which adds 30 damage to the attacks of your Basic Lightning Pokémon.

KEY CARDS

Deck List

The list below reflects the cards contained in the sealed product.

Pokémon - 14
2 Bibarel BRS 121
2 Bidoof CRZ 111
2 Miraidon ex SVI 81
2 Regieleki ASR 51
2 Regieleki V SIT 57
2 Regieleki VMAX SIT 58
2 Zeraora SIT 56

Trainer Cards - 31
4 Arven OBF 186
4 Boss's Orders PAL 172
4 Professor's Research SVI 190
4 Electric Generator SVI 170
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
3 Nest Ball SVI 181
2 Switch SVI 194
2 Vitality Band SVI 197
1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
1 Leafy Camo Poncho SIT 160
2 Beach Court SVI 167

Energy - 15
15 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4

Upgrades

$30

Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR League Battle Deck

Sealed product, meta-upgradable

 
 

BASIC STRATEGY

Using the deck’s various search cards and draw options, seek out and bench as many Pokémon as possible to boost the damage of Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR’s Subspace Swell attack which does 60 damage plus 20 more damage for each Benched Pokémon (both yours and your opponent’s). Throughout the game, discard Water Energy via Ultra Ball and Radiant Greninja’s Concealed Cards ability. As needed, use Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR’s Star Portal ability to power up either another Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR or Radiant Greninja.

KEY CARDS

Deck List


Example Deck List

The list below reflects the cards contained in the sealed product. Cards in red have rotated from the Standard format. A suggested set of minimal changes is available via the "Post-Rotation Updates" tab above to update the deck to the current Standard format.

Pokémon - 15

  • 3 Bibarel BRS 121
  • 3 Bidoof BRS 120
  • 3 Origin Forme Palkia V ASR 39
  • 2 Hisuian Basculin ASR 43
  • 2 Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR ASR 40
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 36

  • 4 Irida ASR 147
  • 3 Boss's Orders BRS 132
  • 3 Melony CRE 146
  • 1 Klara CRE 145
  • 1 Roxanne ASR 150
  • 4 Battle VIP Pass FST 225
  • 4 Trekking Shoes ASR 156
  • 4 Ultra Ball BRS 150
  • 2 Energy Search SSH 161
  • 2 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 2 Switch SSH 183
  • 1 Echoing Horn CRE 136
  • 3 Choice Belt BRS 135
  • 2 Lake Acuity LOR 160

Energy - 9

  • 9 Basic Water Energy SVE 3

Post-Rotation Minimal Changes

Removed

Trainer Cards - 11
3 Melony CRE 146
1 Klara CRE 145
4 Battle VIP Pass FST 225
1 Echoing Horn CRE 136
2 Choice Belt BRS 135

Added

Trainer Cards - 11
3 Iono PAF 80
1 Super Rod PAL 188
4 Nest Ball PAF 84
3 Exp. Share SVI 174

Upgrades

  • An additional each of Origine Forme Palkia V and Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR.

  • Prime Catcher as an Item-based gusting option that’s searchable via Irida.

$40

Hisuian Goodra VSTAR

Last updated 10 March 2024

Illus. 5ban Graphics

BASIC STRATEGY

Using the components of the Comfey engine, get first to seven and then later ten cards in the Lost Zone—use Comfey’s Flower Selecting Ability, with which you look at the top two cards of your deck and put one in your hand and the other into the Lost Zone. Use Mirage Gate and manual attachments to power up Hisuian Goodra VSTAR’s Iron Press attack, which does 200 damage and reduces the damage Hisuian Goodra VSTAR takes during your opponent’s next turn by 80.

KEY CARDS

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 16

  • 4 Comfey LOR 79
  • 3 Hisuian Goodra V LOR 135
  • 3 Hisuian Goodra VSTAR LOR 136
  • 2 Sableye LOR 70
  • 1 Cramorant LOR 50
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Zamazenta CRZ 97

Trainer Cards - 32

  • 4 Colress's Experiment LOR 155
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Roxanne ASR 150
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 3 Mirage Gate LOR 163
  • 3 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 12

  • 4 Basic Metal Energy SVE 8
  • 3 Basic Water Energy SVE 3
  • 3 Jet Energy PAL 190
  • 2 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

$50

Lost Box

Last updated 10 March 2024

Illus. Midori Harada

BASIC STRATEGY

Using the components of the Comfey engine, get first to four, then seven, and finally ten cards in the Lost Zone—use Colress’s Experiment and Comfey’s Flower Selecting Ability to do so. Attack using Cramorant and its Spit Innocently attack, which does 110 damage (without the benefit of Weakness) for 0 Energy if you have four cards in the Lost Zone, and attack using Sableye and its Lost Mine attack, which allows you to put 12 damage counters on your opponent’s Pokémon in any way you like, provided you have 10 cards in the Lost Zone.

KEY CARDS

WATCH THE ARCHETYPE IN ACTION

Example Deck List

Pokémon - 13

  • 4 Comfey LOR 79
  • 2 Cramorant LOR 50
  • 1 Hoopa ex PAR 98
  • 1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
  • 1 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
  • 1 Roaring Moon ex PAR 124
  • 1 Sableye LOR 70

Trainer Cards - 36

  • 4 Colress's Experiment LOR 155
  • 2 Roxanne ASR 150
  • 4 Mirage Gate LOR 163
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 4 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 2 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 1 Technical Machine: Crisis Punch PAF 90
  • 1 Artazon PAF 76
  • 1 Temple of Sinnoh ASR 155

Energy - 11

  • 4 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 3 Basic Water Energy SVE 3
  • 2 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 4
  • 2 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5