Top Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket: A Guide for Every Deck Type

In the world of Pokémon TCG Pocket, the right cards can elevate any deck, whether you’re focusing specifically around them or simply trying to enhance your strategy in a certain category. Within the community, these sought-after cards are often called "chase cards." It’s important to note that the best cards don’t always translate to the rarest; while there may be similarities, it’s not always a direct correlation.

After extensive gameplay in Pokémon TCG Pocket recently, we’ve compiled a list of the top cards from the Genetic Apex set so you can pinpoint what to seek out to maximize your deck’s effectiveness.

Best Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket for Every Type

This guide highlights some of the best cards across different types, providing players with a resource for filling any gaps in their collections or inspiration for deck building. Here’s a quick overview of 10 essential cards you should aim to acquire, ideally obtaining two of each:

1. Pikachu ex (Electric)
2. Mewtwo ex (Psychic)
3. Misty (Supporter / Water)
4. Zapdos ex (Electric)
5. Sabrina (Supporter)
6. Starmie ex (Water)
7. Moltres ex (Fire)
8. Articuno ex (Water)
9. Charizard ex (Fire)
10. Giovanni (Supporter)

While some of these cards are indeed rare, many other strong cards are easier to come by. The "ex" cards play pivotal roles in decks, but they often rely on supporting cards that may be less remarkable, with certain types—like Dark-types—thriving on common or basic cards.

Best Fire Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Fire-type cards typically pack a punch with high damage and energy consumption, frequently involving energy discards. Here are three standout Fire cards:

• Charizard ex: With the power to deal a whopping 200 damage in one attack, Charizard ex does come with the cost of discarding two energy each time you strike.
• Moltres ex: Its Inferno Dance ability allows you to distribute up to three energy to benched Pokémon, making it a strategic early-game card.
• Ninetales: A solid choice for mid-game with 90 damage for just one discarded energy, though you’ll need to evolve Vulpix first to deploy it.

Best Water Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Water-type cards are known for being resilient, often boasting high health and surprising abilities. Notable mentions include:

• Articuno ex: A quick deployment option with a Blizzard attack doing minor damage to opponents’ benched Pokémon.
• Starmie ex: With a cost of just two energy for 90 damage and a zero retreat cost, this card provides excellent battlefield control.
• Golduck: Solid damage at 70 for two energy, making it a reliable and common card.
• Greninja: Although it requires evolving Froakie twice, its Water Shuriken ability lets you deal damage to any opponent Pokémon on the field.

Best Grass Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Grass-type Pokémon often offer longevity with healing and energy generation. Here are the top picks:

• Venusaur ex: While it doesn’t deal the most damage, it can heal itself while attacking, giving it exceptional survivability.
• Lilligant: Not only does it inflict 50 damage, but it also allows you to provide one energy to a benched Pokémon.
• Exeggutor/Exeggutor ex: Both versions are budget-friendly tanks with low-cost attacks that can double their power based on a coin flip.

Best Electric Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Electric cards typically emphasize speed and early strikes, often skimping on health for higher damage outputs.

• Pikachu ex: With the ability to deal 30 damage per benched Pokémon, this card can deal significant damage early in a match.
• Zapdos ex: A powerful card with an attack costing only one energy and a flip-based attack that can hit for major damage.
• Pincurchin: Offers a cheap attack with a decent chance to paralyze foes, buying time to charge up stronger cards.
• Electrode: While lacking special effects, it hits for 70 damage at a low energy cost, and it sports a free retreat option, providing versatility.

Best Psychic Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Psychic cards blend control and defense, making them formidable opposition. Key cards in this category include:

• Mewtwo ex: One of the strongest cards in the game, allowing for powerful configurations in your deck.
• Gengar ex: This card acts as a tank while preventing opponents from using Supporter cards when active.
• Gardevoir: Its ability to supply energy makes it an invaluable support for active Pokémon.
• Hypno: Has a 50% chance to put opposing cards to sleep, disrupting opponent strategies effectively.
• Jynx: Deals higher damage based on the energy on enemy Pokémon, adapting to different situations.

Best Fighting Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Fighting-type cards often lean on raw damage and randomness. Strong options include:

• Marowak ex: With an attack that hits 80 damage for every successful coin flip, its unpredictability can sometimes lead to great payoff.
• Machamp ex: A straightforward option with a high health pool and decent damage.
• Dugtrio: An excellent mid-game option, with its 1-energy attack that offers a 50% chance to avoid all damage on the next turn.
• Sandslash: Provides good damage potential with above-average health.
• Grapploct: Forces opponents to substitute their Pokémon, potentially derailing their strategy.

Best Dark Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Dark-type cards focus on control and status effects. Top choices include:

• Weezing: Cost-effective, this tank can poison opponents while being synergistic with other Dark cards.
• Arbok: Its attack ensures your opponent cannot retreat, making it a powerful player for controlling battle dynamics.

Best Dragon Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Presently, there are only three Dragon-type cards, all linked by evolution:

• Dragonite: The standout of the trio, its ability to deal 200 distributed damage makes it a potent threat.

Best Steel Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Steel cards may not be the top choice in today’s meta, but there are still a few worth considering:

• Melmetal: a sturdy Pokémon that can deal 120 damage, though it requires a significant energy investment first.
• Mawile: Early-game disruptor that can attack quickly and remove energy from targets with a successful flip.

Best Normal Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Normal-type Pokémon can fill crucial roles in broader decks. Notable mentions include:

• Kangaskhan: A durable tank able to hold an active spot while you set up other Pokémon.
• Meowth/Persian: Meowth generates card draw, while Persian can force opponents to discard, disrupting their strategy.
• Farfetch’d: A reliable option with simple damage output suited for filling out decks.

Best Item Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Every deck benefits from Item cards, and here are the essential picks:

• Poke Ball: A staple for drawing basic Pokémon, crucial in both early and late-game scenarios.
• X Speed: Reduces retreat costs for a turn, helping maintain battlefield control without expending energy.
• Potion: While healing may seem minor, it can be a game-changer in tight matches.

Best Supporter Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Supporters are powerful gameplay elements that can enhance strategies significantly. Key cards include:

• Professor’s Research: A must-have that offers card drawing capabilities essential in deck construction.
• Misty: A card reliant on chance, offering substantial energy boosts if luck favors you.
• Sabrina: Forces opponents to swap their active Pokémon, allowing for strategic advantages.
• Koga: This card resets Muk or Weezing, bringing them back to your hand and fully revitalizing them.

For those interested in exploring unique cards, the Mew card unlocks through completing secret challenges, which you can find detailed in various guides alongside information on secret missions.

Whether you’re focusing on building your deck or finding new strategies to dominate opponents, these cards will guide you in constructing a winning setup in Pokémon TCG Pocket.