How to Build a Strong Basic Pokémon Trading Card Game Deck
Introduction
Pokémon has been a universal feature of almost everyone’s childhood for over 25 years. From movies to TV shows to books and games, the world of Pokémon has always been a fun and fantastic universe that many people enjoy. Among the many ways to experience Pokémon, playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game is one unique way that many players, young and old, love doing. It's a game where you use a deck of Pokémon cards to battle against other players' decks of cards. Each card represents a different Pokémon with different abilities, making the game a strategic and enjoyable pastime. But if you're new to the game, building a deck might seem intimidating. But don't worry, we’ll guide you through the process of building a strong Pokémon Trading Card Game deck in this post.
The 20/20/20 Rule
First, let's talk about the 20/20/20 rule. This rule is simple: your basic deck should have 20 Pokémon, 20 energy cards, and 20 trainer cards. These numbers don't have to be exact; it's just a general guideline and starting point to help you build your deck. But why these numbers, you may ask? Having a balance of Pokémon, energy, and trainer cards helps you have a well-rounded deck that works consistently. Too many Pokémon cards may mean you don't have enough trainer cards to support them and vice versa. Too little energy and your Pokémon can’t attack. You want to have a good balance of all three types of cards in your deck.
Choosing Your Pokemon
Next, let's talk about choosing your Pokémon cards. There are over 800 Pokémon in the franchise, so you have plenty of options to choose from when building a deck. But for a beginner, it’s best to stick with one or two types of Pokémon (preferably one!) to make it easier to build a cohesive deck. For example, you could use only Psychic Pokémon or Fire Pokémon in your deck. It's also good to choose Pokémon of different evolution levels (Basic, Stage 1, and Stage 2) and with different abilities to have a versatile deck.
Pokemon EX/V/VMAX/VSTAR Cards
A special type of Pokémon card to consider is Pokemon EX/V/VMAX/VSTAR cards. These are powerful, rare cards that have higher HP and stronger attacks than regular Pokémon cards. If you can you’ll want to have 2-4 of these strong cards in your deck. But beware, they also give your opponent two prize cards instead of one when defeated.
Energy Cards
Now, let's talk about energy cards. Energy cards are what you use to power your Pokémon's attacks. It's essential to have enough energy cards in your deck to ensure that your Pokémon can use their abilities when you need them to. You should choose energy cards that match the type of Pokémon you have in your deck. For example, if you have mostly Fire-type Pokémon, you'll want to have mostly Fire energy cards in your deck. But be careful not to have too many energy cards; a good rule of thumb is to have around 18-20 energy cards in a 60-card deck. This is also roughly enough to power up 6 Pokémon with 3-4 energy cards each, allowing you to have a well-balanced deck.
Trainer Cards
Lastly, let's talk about trainer cards. Trainer cards are support cards that help you retrieve cards from your deck, get energy cards, or draw more cards from your deck. They can help you set up your Pokémon in the early stages of the game, draw more cards, or thwart your opponent's strategy. There are many different types of trainer cards available, and you should choose ones that complement your Pokémon's abilities. There's no limit to the number of trainer cards you can have in your deck, but around 20 is usually a good amount.
Item Cards, Support Cards, Stadium Cards
Trainer cards are divided into three subtypes: item cards, support cards, and stadium cards. Item cards can be used immediately and discarded once used (e.g., Potion card). Support cards can be played only once per turn but have a more powerful effect (e.g., Professor's Research card). Stadium cards affect the entire playfield and remain in play until another stadium card replaces it (e.g., Viridian Forest card). Remember to have a variety of trainer cards, as they are essential for setting up your Pokémon and helping you win battles.
To start, we recommend 8 Item cards, 8 Supporter cards, and 4 Stadium cards, but you can adjust this depending on your deck's needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building a strong Pokémon Trading Card Game deck isn't as difficult as it might seem. Using the 20/20/20 rule, choosing Pokémon of the same type, selecting energy cards that match your Pokémon, and including trainer cards that help support your strategy, you'll be able to build a coherent and successful deck. With a bit of practice and maybe even a little luck, you'll be a master of the Pokémon Trading Card Game in no time.
