What to Play - Budget Decks

BRS-SSP

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.

Important Note: Before committing to purchasing the cards required for any of the decks below, it’s crucial to examine the decks on the Meta Decks page to see if a suitable archetype also fits your budget. Often, meta decks can be budget decks themselves!

Deck Archetypes

$25

Wugtrio

Last updated 11 June 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 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 2 Energy Loto ASR 140
  • 2 Great Ball PAL 183
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Secret Box TWM 163
  • 2 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 4 Magma Basin BRS 144

Energy - 10

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

$25

Torterra

Last updated 11 June 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

  • 5 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1
  • 4 Reversal Energy PAL 192
  • 1 Neo Upper Energy TEF 162

$30

United Wings

Last updated 28 November 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

Source: Rob Hansen, 288th Place, Sacramento Regional Championships

Pokémon - 23

  • 4 Dartrix SFA 4
  • 4 Flamigo PAL 170
  • 4 Murkrow PAL 131
  • 4 Wattrel PAL 80
  • 2 Ditto CRZ 107
  • 2 Rowlet SFA 3
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
  • 1 Tatsugiri TWM 131

Trainer Cards - 30

  • 4 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 2 Carmine TWM 145
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 2 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
  • 1 Brilliant Blender SSP 164
  • 1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 1 Dusk Ball SSP 175
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Great Ball PAL 183
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 2 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137

Energy - 7

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

$30

Festival Grounds

Last updated 11 June 2024

Illus. MARINA Chikazawa

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down and evolve Grookey and Applin into Thwackey and Dipplin, respectively. With the Festival Grounds stadium card in play, attack with Dipplin’s Do the Wave attack, which does 20 damage for each of your Benched Pokémon. Then, because of the effect of Dipplin’s Festival Lead Ability, attack once again before your opponent starts their turn. With Dipplin in the Active Spot, make use of Thwackey’s Boom Boom Groove Ability, which lets you search your deck for any 1 card if your Active Pokémon has the Festival Lead Ability.

KEY CARDS

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 18

  • 4 Applin TWM 17
  • 4 Dipplin TWM 18
  • 4 Grookey TWM 14
  • 3 Thwackey TWM 15
  • 1 Goldeen TWM 44
  • 1 Rabsca TEF 24
  • 1 Rellor TEF 23

Trainer Cards - 36

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Kieran TWM 154
  • 1 Lana's Aid TWM 155
  • 1 Roseanne's Backup BRS 148
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 4 Bug Catching Set TWM 143
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Defiance Band SVI 169
  • 1 Maximum Belt TEF 154
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 1 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
  • 1 Vitality Band SVI 197
  • 4 Festival Grounds TWM 149

Energy - 6

  • 6 Basic Grass Energy SVE 1

$30

Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR

Last updated 11 June 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 - 18

  • 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 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Munkidori TWM 95
  • 1 Radiant Alakazam SIT 59

Trainer Cards - 35

  • 4 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Kieran TWM 154
  • 4 Capturing Aroma SIT 153
  • 4 Damage Pump LOR 156
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 2 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Maximum Belt TEF 154
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 4 Gapejaw Bog ASR 142

Energy - 7

  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
  • 2 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 1 Jet Energy PAL 190

$30

Oinkologne ex

Last updated 11 June 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 - 13

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

Trainer Cards - 37

  • 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
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 10

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

$30

Dondozo

Last updated 11 June 2024

Illus. Souichirou Gunjima

BASIC STRATEGY

Using Mesagoza, Great Ball, and Ultra Ball, fish each of your Tatsugiri out of the deck. Discard the Tatsugiri with Professor’s Research, Serena, Ultra Ball, or Kirlia’s Refinement Ability. Use Double Turbo Energy or Mela 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 - 18

  • 4 Dondozo SVI 61
  • 4 Kirlia SIT 68
  • 4 Ralts ASR 60
  • 4 Tatsugiri TWM 131
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 33

  • 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 Maximum Belt TEF 154
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 1 Artazon PAF 76
  • 1 Mesagoza SVI 178

Energy - 9

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

$30

Gardevoir ex League Battle Deck

Sealed product, meta-upgradable

 
 

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down and evolve Ralts into Kirlia, or with Rare Candy, into Gardevoir ex. Use Gardevoir ex Psychic Embrace Ability to attach Psychic Energy from your discard pile to your Pokémon to prepare them to attack. Use Drifloon, Cresselia, Scream Tail, and even Gardevoir ex itself to take knockouts as needed.

KEY CARDS

Deck List

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

Pokémon - 18

  • 4 Kirlia SIT 68
  • 4 Ralts SIT 67
  • 3 Drifloon SVI 89
  • 3 Gardevoir ex SVI 86
  • 1 Cresselia LOR 74
  • 1 Lumineon V BRS 40
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 29

  • 4 Iono PAL 185
  • 3 Professor's Research SVI 189
  • 2 Arven SVI 166
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Jacq SVI 175
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Rare Candy PAF 89
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 3 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 13

  • 13 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

Upgrades

$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

 
 

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.

$35

Espathra ex

Last updated 11 June 2024

Illus. takuyoa

BASIC STRATEGY

Play down and evolve Natu into Xatu, using Xatu’s Clairvoyant Sense Ability to attach a Psychic Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Benched Pokémon and draw two cards. Attack using Espathra ex’s Psy Ball attack, which does 30 damage plus 30 more damage for each Energy attached to both Active Pokémon, all while Espathra’s Ability, Dazzling Gaze, and Pokémon League Headquarters (against Basic Pokémon) make it cost [C] more each for their Pokémon to attack.

KEY CARDS

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Source: Carlos Román Cruz - 70th Place, Bologna Special Event

Pokémon - 20

  • 3 Espathra ex PAF 6
  • 3 Flittle SVI 100
  • 2 Natu PAF 25
  • 2 Shuppet SVI 87
  • 2 Xatu PAF 26
  • 1 Banette ex SVI 88
  • 1 Banette LOR 73
  • 1 Flutter Mane TEF 78
  • 1 Manaphy BRS 41
  • 1 Mew ex MEW 151
  • 1 Mimikyu PAF 37
  • 1 Radiant Alakazam SIT 59
  • 1 Spiritomb PAL 89

Trainer Cards - 29

  • 4 Iono PAF 80
  • 3 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Arven OBF 186
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Great Ball PAL 183
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Energy Retrieval SVI 171
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 1 Rigid Band MEW 165
  • 2 Pokémon League Headquarters OBF 192

Energy - 11

  • 11 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5

$35

Snorlax

Last updated 11 June 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
  • 1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 13

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

$40

Ancient Box

Last updated 11 June 2024

Illus. Teeziro & hncl

BASIC STRATEGY

Early on, slow your opponent’s setup with Flutter Mane’s Midnight Fluttering Ability. After building your discard pile up with a large number of Ancient cards, attack with Roaring Moon and its Vengeance Fletching attack, which does 70 damage plus 10 more damage for each Ancient card in your discard pile.

KEY CARDS

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Source: Andrew Kennett - 42nd Place, North America International Championships

Pokémon - 14

  • 4 Flutter Mane TEF 78
  • 4 Roaring Moon TEF 109
  • 4 Walking Wake TWM 63
  • 1 Great Tusk TEF 97
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 39

  • 4 Explorer's Guidance TEF 147
  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Penny SVI 183
  • 1 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Secret Box TWM 163
  • 1 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
  • 4 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
  • 2 PokéStop PGO 68
  • 1 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 7

  • 7 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7

$40

Blissey ex

Last updated 11 June 2024

Illus. Iwamoto05

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Chansey into Blissey and use Technical Machine: Turbo Energize to help power up Blissey ex’s Return attack, which does 180 damage and lets your draw until you have 6 cards in your hand. Use Munkidori’s Adrena-Brain Ability to move up to 3 damage counters off of Blissey ex and onto an opponent’s Pokémon to assist with knocking out your opponent’s Pokémon. Use Hero’s Cape and Cheren’s Care to make Blissey ex a real menace to knock out.

KEY CARDS

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 11

  • 4 Blissey ex TWM 134
  • 4 Chansey MEW 113
  • 3 Munkidori TWM 95

Trainer Cards - 39

  • 4 Arven OBF 186
  • 3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 3 Cheren's Care BRS 134
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Professor's Research PAF 88
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 1 Energy Loto ASR 140
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Switch SVI 194
  • 2 Technical Machine: Turbo Energize PAR 179
  • 1 Exp. Share SVI 174
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 3 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 10

  • 5 Basic Darkness Energy SVE 7
  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
  • 1 Mist Energy TEF 161

$40

Hisuian Goodra VSTAR

Last updated 11 June 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 - 31

  • 4 Colress's Experiment LOR 155
  • 2 Roxanne ASR 150
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 4 Mirage Gate LOR 163
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Switch SVI 194
  • 3 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 1 Rescue Board TEF 159
  • 1 Technical Machine: Crisis Punch PAF 90
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 13

  • 4 Basic Metal Energy SVE 8
  • 3 Basic Water Energy SVE 3
  • 2 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 5
  • 2 Jet Energy PAL 190
  • 2 Mist Energy TEF 161

$45

Klawf

Last updated 11 June 2024

Illus. Yuya Oka

BASIC STRATEGY

Attack with Klawf and its Unhinged Scissors attack, which does 30 damage plus 160 more damage if Klawf is affected by a Special Condition. Use Brute Bonnet’s Toxic Powder to inflict the Poisoned Special Condition on both Klawf and the opponent’s Active Pokémon. Boost the damage done by the Poisoned Special Condition with Radiant Hisuian Sneasler’s Poison Peak Ability, which reads, “During Pokémon Checkup, put 2 more damage counters on your opponent's Poisoned Pokémon.” Throughout the game, put cards into the Lost Zone with Colress’s Experiment and Lost Vacuum so that you can take advantage of Cramorant’s Lost Provisions Ability, which lets it attack for no Energy either with its Spit Innocently attack, which does 110 damage, or with the attack Crisis Punch from an attached Technical Machine: Crisis Punch, which does 280 damage if your opponent has only 1 Prize card remaining.

KEY CARDS

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Source: Ezra Saenz - Top 8, North America International Championships (Junior Division)

Pokémon - 16

  • 3 Bibarel BRS 121
  • 3 Brute Bonnet PAR 123
  • 3 Cramorant LOR 50
  • 3 Klawf PAR 105
  • 2 Bidoof BRS 120
  • 1 Bidoof CRZ 111
  • 1 Radiant Hisuian Sneasler LOR 123

Trainer Cards - 40

  • 4 Colress's Experiment LOR 155
  • 3 Iono PAF 80
  • 2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Arven OBF 186
  • 1 Kieran TWM 154
  • 4 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 3 Switch SVI 194
  • 2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 1 Enhanced Hammer TWM 148
  • 1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
  • 4 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
  • 1 Technical Machine: Crisis Punch PAF 90
  • 2 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 4

  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

$50

Great Tusk Mill

Last updated 11 June 2024

Illus. GIDORA

BASIC STRATEGY

Using either Double Turbo Energy or Professor Sada’s Vitality and a manual attachment, use Great Tusk’s Land Collapse attack, which discards the top card of your opponent’s deck and, if you’ve played an Ancient Supporter card from your hand during your turn, discards 4 cards from their deck instead. Win by decking your opponent out of cards such that they are unable to draw a card at the start of their turn.

KEY CARDS

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 6

  • 4 Great Tusk TEF 97
  • 1 Pidgeot V LOR 137
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 44

  • 4 Explorer's Guidance TEF 147
  • 4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
  • 4 Counter Catcher PAR 160
  • 4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
  • 3 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 2 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 2 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 1 Hand Trimmer TEF 150
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 4 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
  • 1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
  • 1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
  • 3 Artazon PAF 76

Energy - 10

  • 6 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 6
  • 4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151

$60

Gholdengo ex

Last updated 11 June 2024

Illus. aky CG Works

BASIC STRATEGY

Evolve Gimmighoul up into Gholdengo and Ralts into Kirlia. Draw cards with Coin Bonus and Refinement, building your hand so that you have a stockpile of Basic Energy cards. Attack with Gholdengo ex’s Make it Rain, which does 50 damage for each Energy card your discard from your hand.

KEY CARDS

EXAMPLE DECK LIST

Pokémon - 13

  • 4 Gholdengo ex PAR 139
  • 3 Gimmighoul PAR 87
  • 1 Bibarel BRS 121
  • 1 Bidoof CRZ 111
  • 1 Gimmighoul PAR 88
  • 1 Origin Forme Palkia V ASR 39
  • 1 Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR ASR 40
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46

Trainer Cards - 36

  • 3 Irida ASR 147
  • 2 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145
  • 1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
  • 1 Cyllene ASR 138
  • 1 Iono PAF 80
  • 1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
  • 4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
  • 4 Nest Ball PAF 84
  • 4 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
  • 3 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 3 Ultra Ball PAF 91
  • 1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
  • 1 Energy Retrieval SVI 171
  • 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
  • 1 Hyper Aroma TWM 152
  • 1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
  • 1 Pal Pad SVI 182
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 PokéStop PGO 68

Energy - 11

  • 7 Basic Water Energy SVE 3
  • 4 Basic Metal Energy SVE 8