Best Pokemon Starter Deck

Best Pokemon Starter Deck For Pokemon Card Beginners

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I remember Pokemon cards as the most coveted toy when I was a kid. I’m shocked to see Pokemon toys are still going strong! So much so to where Pokemon sold 3.7 billion cards last year!

If you’re just now starting to play the Pokemon Trading Card Game, choosing a deck can be daunting. Fortunately, Pokemon creates starter decks for people like you. And consider yourself lucky. Back in my day, we would buy a pack of Pokemon cards from the store. Whatever was in that pack was your starter deck.

Okay, but seriously, let’s get into this guide regarding the best Pokemon starter deck.

What Are Pokemon Starter Decks?

Pokemon starter decks are pre-made decks designed for beginners. Most have about 60 cards. As soon as you get the box, you’re ready to start playing. That’s because starter decks include everything you need. You don’t need to build your deck, and starter decks help you understand the rules of the game.

What Your Pokemon Started Deck Should Contain

  • Pokemon (amount and type depends on the deck)
  • Damage counters
  • Energy card
  • Trainer card
  • Potion
  • Switch

Damage counters are tools that count how much damage a Pokemon receives. The potion heals damage. An energy card powers your Pokemon‘s moves. A trainer card simply identifies you as a trainer and Switch cards let you switch out your active Pokemon.

Theme Decks vs Battle Decks

When looking for starter decks, you may also see a theme and battle decks. Theme and starter decks are often interchangeable. Battle decks are very similar, though they appeal to specific players.

A Pokemon theme deck is what you would expect. They cater to specific types of Pokemon. For example, there’s a theme deck for bug types of Pokemon. Some theme decks are named after a specific Pokemon, such as a Charizard theme deck. This deck will contain fire-type Pokemon as well as other cards that help fire Pokemon.

Theme decks get more complex than this. For example, you can find ones that cater to two types of Pokemon, such as fighting and fire types.

Battle decks are slightly different. These are targeted to advanced players because they usually contain sought-after and rare cards, such as holographic and power cards. But battle cards are also popular for players who enjoy a specific theme since a battle deck can take a theme deck to the next level.

V, VMax, and GX Pokemon TCG Cards

TCG Online is a Pokemon video game based on the classic trading card. When playing Pokemon cards on TCG, you can play different types of cards such as V, VMax, and GX. What does this mean?

V

Simply put, V Pokemon cards have a higher HP than average Pokemon cards and include their abilities and moves. They can be played without evolution, even if the Pokemon is in its second or third evolution form. For example, you can play Venusaur without Bulbasaur or Ivysaur. You can easily identify V cards because of the holofoil or the full-card art.

V cards are also powerful for your opponent. If your opponent knocks out a V card, they take two prize cards instead of one.

pokemon cards

VMax

VMax is recent, only introduced a couple of years ago. They come with stronger attacks and higher health bars. Though they’re exclusive to the Gigantamax Pokemon from the Sword and Shield video game, they can be equipped with any V Pokemon cards. Equipping these cards result in even more powerful attacks.

Defeating VMax cards is also beneficial to your opponent. When they win against a VMax card, they earn three prize cards.

GX

GX cards also have stronger attacks and higher HP compared to normal Pokemon cards. The opponent also takes two prize cards for defeating a GX card, instead of one.

But what makes GX cards stand out is something called a GX attack. These moves are based on the Z-moves introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon. GX attacks have powerful effects, resulting in more damage output. However, players can only use one GX move per game.

You can identify GX cards by the full-art design and the blue bar with the GX symbol.

How We Chose These Pokemon Starter Decks

We chose this criterion based on three main factors: type, relevance, and power. Even beginners may lean toward a specific type of Pokemon, such as grass as opposed to fire, which is why theme decks are mentioned here. I’m a Gen 1 kid, but I don’t expect all readers to be a Gen 1 player. That’s why relevance and modernity were also big deciding factors.

Just because these are beginner decks doesn’t mean they’re weak. We also considered power, ensuring you have great Pokemon in your arsenal as well as plenty of energy, potions, and other cards that will help you in battle. Last but not least, we want you to have fun. These starter decks all have amazing Pokemon, and you won’t be bored during battle.

Best Pokemon Starter Decks

Now that you know the basics of Pokemon starter decks let’s round up the best decks out there!

Charizard Theme Deck

This deck centers around, well, Charizard. Charizard is the final form of Charmander. It’s a fire Pokemon that’s very popular among Pokemon fans, especially Gen 1 kids. I remember every kid picked Charmander as their main Pokemon with the games.

There are other reasons to choose this starter deck. It’s pretty straightforward. While Charizard is a fire Pokemon, the deck has a versatile mix of Pokemon. They do impressive damage, and the deck includes energy to inflict even more damage. The deck also doesn’t go crazy into strategy, so it’s ideal for all beginners.

The Pokemon featured in this deck include:

  • Charmander
  • Charmeleon
  • Charizard
  • Sudowoodo
  • Lugia
  • Slugma
  • Magcargo
  • Yanmega
  • Yanma

Trainer cards include:

  • Dan
  • Bede
  • Great Ball
  • Revolutionary Incense
  • Leon
  • Hop
  • Professor’s Research
  • Ordinary Rod
  • Switch
  • Sonia

Lastly, the deck also includes 18 energy cards.

Laser Focus

While Laser Focus is technically best for an advanced player, it’s a great deck if you want to perfect your strategy as a beginner. That’s because the deck includes specific Pokemon. You start with one Pokemon and bench-specific ones. You arrange these Pokemon and use certain moves to ensure you stay in the game while slowly defeating your opponent.

The deck includes these Pokemon:

  • Taurus
  • Audino
  • Gumshoos
  • Yungoos
  • Dedenne
  • Silvally
  • Mespirit
  • Inkay
  • Malamar
  • Necrozma

Trainer cards:

  • Cynthia
  • Bug Catcher
  • Lillie
  • Hau
  • Pokemon Fan Club
  • Mysterious Treasure
  • Tate & Liza
  • Switch
  • U-Turn Board

Energy cards:

  • Psychic Energy
  • Weakness Guard Energy

Relentless Flame

Don’t get the deck confused with the Charizard deck. Even though Charizard is the main Pokemon on here, it’s a far more powerful deck than the Charizard deck. First, Charizard can unleash some of its most powerful moves, such as the Continuous Blaze Ball.

This is also a great deck for those most familiar with Gen 1. In addition to Charizard, the deck includes many recognizable Pokemon such as Farfetch’d and Nidoqueen. While the deck is powerful, it’s simple enough for a beginner and doesn’t include many unnecessary cards.

Pokemon:

  • Charmander
  • Charmeleon
  • Charizard
  • Farfetch’d
  • Ponyta
  • Rapidash
  • Nidoran (female)
  • Nidorina
  • Nidoqueen

Trainer cards:

  • Copycat
  • Brock’s Grit
  • Hau
  • Cynthia
  • Pokemon Fan Club
  • Nest Ball
  • Switch
  • Professor Kukui
  • Timer Ball

Energy cards:

  • Fire Energy

Soaring Storm

If versatility is what you’re looking for, then choose this deck. All of the cards here are powerful, and you can get plenty of use from the entire deck. The deck features great Pokemon that can take down your opponent. In addition, there are plenty of means to evolve other Pokemon, and you can boost attacks with plenty of energy.

Pokemon:

Trainers:

  • Cynthia
  • Bug Catchers
  • Fisherman
  • Energy Recycle System
  • Lillie
  • Hau
  • Pokemon Fan Club
  • Pokemon Communication
  • Tate & Liza
  • Switch

Energy:

  • Water Energy
  • Lightning Energy

Drednaw Theme Deck

Drednaw is a water-based Pokemon. It’s best known for resembling a turtle and its powerful moves. So it’s no surprise that the Drednaw Theme Deck comprises the best water Pokemon. These Pokemon can deliver powerful attacks, you have opportunities to evolve your Pokemon, and you have plenty of Energy cards to improve damage.

Pokemon:

  • Drednaw
  • Chewtle
  • Arrokuda
  • Oshawott
  • Cramorant
  • Barraskewda
  • Wishiwashi
  • Dewott
  • Samurott

Trainer cards:

  • Dan
  • Bede
  • Great Ball
  • Evolutionary Incense
  • Nessa
  • Hop
  • Sonia
  • Professor’s Research
  • Switch

Energy cards:

  • Water Energy

Victini V Battle Deck

If attack power is what you’re looking for, then you’ll appreciate this battle deck. While it is a battle deck, it’s a suitable one for beginners who want to come out strong. The Pokemon all work well together. You also have plenty of Energy cards. Plus, this deck is pretty inexpensive.

Pokemon:

  • Victini
  • Raboot
  • Cinderace
  • Ninetales
  • Scorbunny
  • Turtonator
  • Vulpix
  • Minccino
  • Cinccino
  • Chatot

Trainer:

  • Dan
  • Bede
  • Great Ball
  • Evolution Incense
  • Hop
  • Gym Trainer
  • Milo
  • Level Ball
  • Sonia
  • Professor’s Research
  • Switch
  • Quick Ball
  • Boss’s Orders
  • Marnie

Energy:

  • Fire Energy

Blastoise V Battle Deck

If kids from Gen 1 didn’t pick Charizard, they surely picked Blastoise! Blastoise is Squirtle’s final evolution and is one of the most well-known Pokemon. It’s another solid beginner battle deck if you want the best water Pokemon. It offers a ton of great attacks, HP, and energy. It’s also a straightforward deck and easy to create a strategy.

The only drawback is the Pokemon selection isn’t as impressive. But if you can get over that, this is another good water Pokemon deck option.

Pokemon:

  • Blastoise
  • Chewtle
  • Drednaw
  • Carvanha
  • Sharpedo
  • Arrokuda
  • Barraskewda
  • Cramorant
  • Volcanion
  • Wishiwashi

Trainer cards:

  • Capacious Bucket
  • Bede
  • Energy Retrieval
  • Dan
  • Great Ball
  • Evolution Incense
  • Hop
  • Gym Trainer
  • Switch
  • Sonia
  • Quick Ball
  • Boss’s Orders
  • Turbo Patch
  • Marnie

Energy:

  • Water Energy

Unseen Depths

Other than the Drednaw deck, I like this water-based Pokemon deck. The deck features some of the strongest water Pokemon, such as Kyogre. The Pokemon here all have powerful attacks, and there are plenty of Energy Cards to deliver even more damage.

Even though some strategy is required to get the most out of the plays, it’s still an easy deck for beginners to play.

Pokemon:

  • Kyogre
  • Prinplup
  • Piplup
  • Empoleon
  • Golduck
  • Psyduck
  • Aipom
  • Ambipom
  • Phione
  • Pyukumuku

Trainer cards:

  • Hau
  • Cynthia
  • Pokemon Communication
  • Lillie
  • Roller Skater
  • Pokemon Fan Club
  • Tarte & Liza
  • Switch
  • Viridian Forest

Energy cards:

  • Draw Energy
  • Water Energy

Storm Caller

I haven’t mentioned a lightning battle deck, so this last spot might as well be reserved for this other preferred Pokemon type. While I wouldn’t call it the strongest deck, it’s the best lightning deck, and you can win games with it. The deck is filled with powerful lightning Pokemon, such as Raikou. The deck also includes plenty of energy to inflict more damage.

Pokemon:

  • Raikou
  • Flaaffy
  • Ampharos
  • Zebstrika
  • Mareep
  • Naganadel
  • Blitzle
  • Smeargle
  • Poipole
  • Furfrou

Trainer cards:

  • Energy switch
  • Copycat
  • Hau
  • Escape rope
  • Lady
  • Kahili
  • Nest Ball
  • Lillie
  • Professor Kukui
  • Pokemon Fan Club
  • Switch
  • Rescue Stretcher
  • Timer Ball
  • Tate & Liza
  • Ultra Ball

Energy Cards:

  • Lightning Energy

FAQs

Question: What Is the Strongest Pokemon?

Answer: Not much has changed since I’ve been a kid. No matter how many Pokemon enter the Pokemon World, Mewtwo is still the strongest. In case you didn’t know, Mewtwo was the scientific creation that was born at the Pokemon Mansion on Cinnabar Island. It was made when scientists altered the DNA of a pregnant Mew.

It’s 6’7″, 269 pounds. But its size isn’t what makes it so powerful. It has teleportation and mind-controlling capabilities, so it can effortlessly defeat any Pokemon or human. Mewtwo has been the star of many Pokemon movies, including Pokemon the First Movie and Detective Pikachu.

Question: What Is the Weakest Pokemon?

Answer: I would think the answer would be Magikarp, but the weakest Pokemon is Kricketune. This is a bug-type Pokemon that looks like a little cricket.

It has the weakest stats of all Pokemon. However, it can still learn moves. While Magikarp can’t learn any TMs/HMs, it doesn’t learn Tackle or another move other than Splash until level 15. That’s why I’m shocked that many credit Kricketune as the weakest Pokemon.

Question: Should You Buy Pokemon Theme Decks?

Answer: Theme decks are great for beginners and if you want to target a specific Pokemon type. A theme deck typically includes coins and a rulebook, making them ideal for anyone just getting started. They’re also inexpensive-the average theme deck costs between $15 and $20. Even the great theme decks will cost you less than $50.

Question: What’s the Best Way to Improve My Pokemon Starter Deck?

Answer: If you’re building a starter deck on a certain Pokemon type, then you’ll want to pay attention to the Pokemon you choose in your deck.

The average deck contains between 12 and 16 Pokemon, and you should choose each one carefully. To evaluate a Pokemon, you’ll want to choose one with the best Hit Points (HP). This is the damage done by each attack, though you can also improve this with Energy cards.

You’ll also want to ensure the Pokemon in your deck complement each other, beyond simply going by type alone. For example, you can choose a powerful starter Pokemon to weaken the opponent while you evolve another type of Pokemon to seal the deal.

Other than Pokemon, you should have plenty of supporting cards. These include Energy cards and even Trainer cards. Trainer cards are especially important since they enhance your strategy or weaken your opponent’s.

The best way to add to your deck is through either shopping for specific cards online buying a certain type of booster pack in the hope of packing a great card.

Question: Can You Get Starter Decks in Pokemon TCG Online?

Answer: Can you build or access a starter deck via the video game? You can, but it’s more difficult than buying a physical starter deck. You’ll have to first play with beginner cards until you gain more coins. Then, you can use those coins to get a theme deck from the Shop. You need 500 coins to buy a theme deck.

Question: What’s the Best Starter Pokemon?

Answer: Whether you’re playing cards or one of the games, you’ll want a great starter Pokemon.

Your starter Pokemon is the first Pokemon you get that you will evolve over time. Every generation has the best starter Pokemon. For Gen 1, I would swear that Charmander would be the best starter Pokemon, but many give Bulbasaur that title. Venusaur is a very powerful Pokemon, though it was never my first choice.

Here are the additional best starter Pokemon:

  • Johto: Cyndaquil
  • Hoenn: Mudkip
  • Sinnoh: Chimchar
  • Unova: Tepig
  • Kalos: Froakie
  • Alola: Popplio
  • Galar: Scorbunny

Question: What’s the Rarest Pokemon Card?

Answer: I could have sworn it was a holographic Japanese Charizard. But I’m not surprised about the actual rarest Pokemon card. I’m blown away this card still even exists.

That card is the Pikachu Illustrator Pokemon Card, the Japanese version. There are only 39 copies ever released, and ten are certified by the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). The card shows Pikachu holding a pen on top of spilling ink. It’s holographic and even features artwork from original Pikachu illustrator Atsuko Nashida.

The card recently sold for $195k. It’s worth this much money if in superb condition with minor flaws. These cards are 21 years old. Yes, I’m letting that sink in.

Bottomline

Pokemon cards have been going strong for over 20 years. If you’re interested in playing Pokemon cards, try playing a starter deck. These are decks made for beginners since they contain all the essential cards you’ll need for battle. Most decks include various Pokemon, trainer cards, and Energy cards.

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