Although all trading card games have their own unique language and terminology, the Pokemon TCG has a vast array of terms that may require some time to become accustomed to. Despite being an easily accessible TCG, there are certain technical terms that may give the impression of complexity, but it is actually quite simple in practice.
‘When looking for deck lists or updates on the newest card reveals, you may come across the term BDIF. This acronym stands for ‘Best Deck In Format’ and is commonly used to describe the top decks in the Standard Format.’
In this section, we will delve into a more comprehensive understanding of BDIF and provide you with some strategies for identifying the top decks in a format and utilizing them to your benefit.
Examples of Cards from Notable Best Decks
Gardevoir ex (233/091), Lugia VSTAR (211/195), and Charizard ex (125/197) Pokemon cards.
As its name implies, a deck dubbed the BDIF is currently surpassing the majority of other decks in rotation. The image above displays some cards that have been deemed essential components of the top-performing decks in the format over the past few months.
A BDIF doesn’t have to dominate every deck ever created, but it should have a strong advantage against many of the popular and competitive decks that are widely used. While some cards in a BDIF may be rare, others can be common cards that are often overlooked and considered to be of little value.
It should be noted that BDIF is not an official term coined by The Pokemon Company. Rather, it is a term predominantly used by fans on social media and forums, and can encompass a variety of decks, ranging from pre-made to custom lists.
Because this term is created by fans and the Pokemon meta is constantly evolving, it is uncommon for a deck to remain the BDIF for an extended period of time. Monitoring the top decks in the current format is an excellent way to improve your deck-building abilities and knowledge of the competitive community.
How to Identify the Best Decks in Format
In order to determine the current BDIF and possibly interact with it, there are several helpful steps to take. These include:
- Pay attention to heavily memed decks. Usually, the most overpowered decks in Pokemon will be heavily memed and poked at online by fans – a good example here is Charizard ex, pre-NAIC 2024. There’s usually a fair amount of irritation surrounding decks that outshine the others by a significant amount, so lots of memes can be an indicator of a BDIF or potential BDIF.
- Keep up to date with the competitive scene. Following along with championships and keeping an eye on what competitive players are favoring is a great way to keep your knowledge sharp. While some competitive players like to push boundaries and use creative decks, a fair amount will opt for the strongest deck in the meta, perhaps with some customization or tweaking.
- Monitor current card prices. This isn’t always set in stone, but keeping an eye on current Pokemon card prices and watching for any unlikely cards that suddenly shoot up in value can be an indicator of an important card in the current meta. If people are suddenly flocking to a specific Pokemon card, have a search online to see if it’s part of a new deck list.
While not necessary, it is possible to gain a basic understanding of the meta by browsing Reddit or watching Pokemon TCG live streams. However, if you want to stay updated and optimize your deck’s effectiveness, it is advisable to follow these tips.
These upcoming sets will feature powerful Pokemon, some with the potential to significantly impact the competitive scene.
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