Top Pikachu EX Deck for Pokemon TCG Enthusiasts

Pikachu remains one of the most recognizable Pokémon in the franchise, and within Pokémon TCG Pocket, there are numerous variations of this character you can discover. Among these, the most powerful is undoubtedly the Pikachu EX variant. Featuring a potent electric-type attack and significant versatility, incorporating this card into a well-structured deck can significantly influence your gameplay. Below, we present the ultimate Pikachu EX deck for Pokémon TCG Pocket.

Optimal Pikachu EX Deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Top Pikachu EX deck for Pokémon TCG Pocket. — Image courtesy of Pro Game Guides

If you’re aiming to create the premium deck centered around Pikachu EX, here’s a comprehensive list of cards to include:

Card	Importance	Copies	Description
Pikachu EX	Essential	2	This card is the foundation of your deck. By having electric Pokémon in your bench, it can inflict up to 90 damage per turn, escalating to 120 damage with appropriate trainer cards.
Zapdos EX	Valuable	2	Zapdos EX serves as a robust backup and harmonizes well with Pikachu EX. If Pikachu gets knocked out, you can rely on Zapdos.
voltorb	Interchangeable	2	Acting as a starter attacker or a support card on the bench, Voltorb can equip Pikachu with additional striking power.
Electrode	Interchangeable	2	As the evolution of Voltorb, Electrode provides a stronger attack option, enhancing mid-game capabilities.

This deck primarily includes four Pokémon to facilitate a swift transition to your core card (Pikachu EX) and to establish the necessary bench support with Zapdos and Voltorb.

Top Budget-Friendly Cards

Alternative cards for your Pikachu EX deck. — Image courtesy of Pro Game Guides

If you lack some of the key cards for an ideal Pikachu EX deck, consider these replacement cards that can serve until you acquire the complete set.

Card	Substitutes	Justification
Magneto	Electrode	A solid replacement for Electrode, provides comparable damage output and can attach extra energy while active, although its move necessitates four energy orbs instead of two.
Magnemite	voltorb	Functions similarly to Voltorb, effective as a starter and can serve as a support until Pikachu EX or Zapdos EX is operational.
Pikachu	Zapdos	If Zapdos is unavailable, the standard Pikachu card can act as useful support for Pikachu EX.
Raichu	Zapdos	Can evolve from the regular Pikachu during mid-game, often able to defeat most opposing cards in one hit, but proper energy management is crucial as they are discarded after each attack.

Recommended Trainer Cards

Trainer cards for the Pikachu EX deck. — Image courtesy of Pro Game Guides

Your deck should consist of 20 cards, including 12 trainer cards to complement your primary Pokémon. Here are the ideal trainer cards to integrate into your deck:

Card	Importance	Copies	Description
John	Essential	2	This trainer card works effectively with Pikachu’s attack, increasing its damage by +10 per hit, allowing you to nearly one-hit any opposing card.
Sabrina	Valuable	2	A highly useful trainer card that helps eliminate problematic Pokémon from your opponent’s active lineup.
X Speed	Valuable	2	A crucial card that enables you to swap your Active Pokémon when you’ve fully developed your core Pokémon.
Potion	Good	2	A handy option for healing your critical Pokémon when necessary.
Poke Ball	Interchangeable	2	A support card that allows for quick rotations to your essential Pokémon.
Professor’s Research	Interchangeable	2

Strategies for Playing the Pikachu EX Deck

Pikachu EX battling Pigeot in Pokémon TCG Pocket. — Image courtesy of Pro Game Guides

As with any deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket, simply having the cards isn’t sufficient to guarantee victory. You need to orchestrate your setup, from your initial hand to your late-game strategy. Below is what you should be aware of.

Initial Hand

This deck emphasizes early-game aggression, so be prepared to play aggressively right from the start. When drawing your first five cards, aim for the following:

Pikachu EX (crucial)
Zapdos EX (recommended)
voltorb

Regarding trainer cards, while many can be beneficial, ensure you secure at least one Potion card to prevent your floater from being knocked out early on, and an X Speed for switching your Active Pokémon when your strategy is established.

Initial Game Strategy

At the start of your match (rounds one to five), aim to position either Pikachu EX or Zapdos EX in your active slot, supported by your electric Pokémon on the bench.

This approach creates early pressure, allowing either of your primary cards to effectively combat most early opponents your rival may deploy.

Final Game Strategy

Regardless of your opponent’s game plan, your priority should be to eliminate any Pokémon in their active position within the first five rounds. Both Pikachu EX and Zapdos excel in delivering burst damage in the initial stages, effectively disrupting enemy strategies before they can fully develop.

Optimal and Challenging Matchups

Competing with this deck will pit you against various styles. Based on my experience with the Pikachu EX deck, here are the best and most challenging matchups:

Fighting-type Decks: Fighting decks present the toughest challenge for this deck. Given its reliance on Electric Pokémon, fighting types like Marowak and Machamp inflict extra damage and receive reduced damage due to their elemental advantage. If facing this type of deck, keep Pikachu EX at a distance and frequently switch your Pokémon to thwart defeats.
Water-type Decks: Electric types naturally hold the upper hand against water-type Pokémon. Consequently, the Pikachu EX deck performs exceptionally well against water-type decks, notably those featuring meta choices like Articuno EX and Blastoise.
Other-type Decks: This deck excels against non-specific types due to its formidable early damage capabilities, making it manageable against most other decks.

Weaknesses and Counters of Pikachu EX Deck

Every deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket has its vulnerabilities, including this Pikachu EX deck, which can be countered effectively with the right strategies. Here’s what you should be mindful of:

Card	Weaknesses	Counter Strategies
Machamp EX	Has an incredibly powerful attack that can deal 120 damage with just three energy orbs.	Swap Pikachu EX with Zapdos EX to possibly eliminate it, or disrupt its evolution.
Marowak EX	Like Machamp EX, Marowak can unleash devastating 240 damage attacks in one turn.	Disrupt its evolution by targeting Cubone or utilize Zapdos EX to knock it out.
Dragonite EX	This card can hit both the active and bench Pokémon at once.	Consider disrupting its evolution using Sabrina to force a swap and eliminate Dragonair.
Dugtrio	Has a 50% chance to nullify all damage taken in a round.	With low health, all it takes is a fortunate hit early on. It is susceptible to being taken down quickly.
Machamp	This standard version has slightly lower power but retains strong damage potential due to type advantages.	Follow the same strategy as with the EX version; focus on eliminating Machop or Machoke to halt its evolution or switch in Zapdos EX.