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The Pikachu ex and Zapdos ex deck is a fan favorite in Pokemon TCG Pocket, and that’s not without reason. This deck is exceptionally reliable, deals impressive damage, and stands strong against other top decks, such as Starmie and Articuno ex.
At the core of this deck is Pikachu ex’s Circle Circuit ability, which increases damage based on how many Pokemon you have sitting on the bench. We’ll go over the essential cards needed to construct this deck, strategies for playing it effectively, and its key matchups.
Pikachu and Zapdos ex Deck List
The key players in this deck are Pikachu ex and Zapdos ex, both formidable Electric-type attackers. Pikachu’s Circle Circuit can deliver 90 damage for just two Energy, but it requires having three Pokemon on your bench. To help with this, we include two Voltorb and two Electrode to fill the bench quickly and maximize Circle Circuit’s potential.
Zapdos provides an alternative attack method, although it depends on coin flips for higher damage. This aspect can be unreliable, especially since Zapdos requires three Energy, making Pikachu more consistent overall.
The additional cards in the deck serve to support Pikachu and Zapdos, featuring staples like Giovanni, Sabrina, Poke Ball, and Professor’s Research. Here is the complete list of cards you’ll need:
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Pikachu ex/Zapdos ex |
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Pikachu ex x2 |
Zapdos ex x2 |
Voltorb x2 |
Electrode x2 |
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Giovanni x2 |
Sabrina x2 |
Potion x2 |
X Speed x2 |
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Poke Ball x2 |
Professor’s Research x2 |
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To fully assemble this deck, you’ll need to draw cards from all three Genetic Apex packs, so some luck is involved. As an alternative, you can replace Zapdos ex with a standard Zapdos or include Pincurchin for Paralyze support.
Deck Strategy
The main approach of this deck is to quickly get Pikachu in play and fill your bench with other Pokemon. Since the deck is primarily composed of Basic Pokemon, you can use Poke Ball to draw the remaining Pokemon and set them on your bench efficiently.
Zapdos and Voltorb/Electrode are also solid opening cards, especially against decks that incorporate Energy acceleration cards like Misty, Gardevoir, or Moltres ex. Electrode has no retreat cost, which makes it ideal for charging Energy onto Pikachu. With only a one Energy retreat cost, Zapdos ex can also be easily switched out using X Speed.
Zapdos features Peck, which only requires one Energy, making it a great early damage option, especially against Water-type decks where Peck is particularly effective.
In summary, the strategy of this deck is straightforward and user-friendly, which contributes to its strength.
Deck Matchups
This deck performs particularly well against Water-type opponents, especially against the Starmie and Articuno ex deck. If they set Staryu as their active Pokemon, a Zapdos ex using Peck in conjunction with Giovanni can quickly eliminate it, giving you an opportunity to build up Energy on your Zapdos or Pikachu.
Overall, this deck is strong against most neutral matchups thanks to Pikachu’s high energy-to-damage efficiency. However, it does struggle against Fighting-type decks like Marowak ex or Machamp ex. Fortunately, these decks aren’t as commonly played, so the types that pose a risk to Pikachu ex are relatively limited.