Pokemon TCG Pocket: Best Lightning Type Decks

Aside from opening booster packs from the various expansions available in-game to add to their collections and complete each set, Pokemon Trading Card Game Players can also get value from their cards by utilizing them in deck building. Decks are made up of any 20 cards of the player’s choice, depending on what they have available in their collection. These decks can then be used in either PvP battle matches or player vs. computer opportunities such as Step-Up battles and limited-time events.

Among the various elemental Types available in Pokemon TCG Pocket, the Lightning Type has several notable cards that have made their way into the overall meta. These cards, which often involve ex Pokemon to run as the Ace, selective secondary Pokemon to assist them, and notable Supporter cards to help put your strategy into play, all come together brilliantly to create some strong synergy. If you’re wondering about some of the best Lightning Type decks available in the game and how to create them, a complete breakdown has been included in the guide below, as well as a card list for each build.

Best Lightning Decks In Pokemon TCG Pocket

In Pokemon TCG Pocket, there are fewer cards that have remained in the meta as valuable Lightning Type Aces, in comparison to some of the other Types. However, some of the key Lightning Type Ace cards have remained the core structure of some of the strongest decks overall, meaning they are more than worth taking the time to create. From the brilliant Pikachu ex card to the likes of Lt. Surge, which can provide additional Energy support for certain Lightning Pokemon, the best overall Lightning Type deck builds have been indicated below.

Pikachu ex

Pikachu ex made a huge entry during the initial release of the Genetix Apex set and has since remained one of few decks builds to consistently place high in the meta. Pikachu has the unique ability to deal increasing damage per turn, depending on how many benched Pokemon you have in play, as the Circle Circuit move will inflict 30 damage per friendly benched card. Zapdos ex works brilliantly as a secondary Pokemon alongside Pikachu ex, as it is also a strong attacker with the Thundering Hurricane move, which does 50 damage per successful coin flip, for a maximum of 200 damage per turn – enough to knock out almost any ex card including Venusaur ex.

Blitzle and Zebstrika are solid bench additions, and can also do okay as your initial Active Pokemon until you get your ex cards into your hand, if needed. Zebstrika only has a 1-Energy Retreat cost, so with the addition of X Speed, players can easily pivot into playing one of their ex cards. Electabuzz is another addition that works mostly for bench purposes but can also jump right into battle as a basic Pokemon, if needed, being quick to set up and eligible for KO-ing many early-match non-ex cards. The remainder of Supporter cards have been included to assist in interrupting your opponent’s strategy, and enabling your ex cards to live as long as possible in the Active Spot through health restoration and reduced incoming damage.

Lt. Surge

Lt. Surge is a very solid Supporter card that benefits several key Lightning Type Pokemon, such as Raichu, Electrode, and Electabuzz. Out of those Pokemon, Raichu is without a doubt the best at operating as an Ace, and Electabuzz runs a solid secondary Poemon – whilst Electrode falls a little flat, so is best left out in favor of other supporting Pokemon.

Raichu has the ability to attack all Pokemon on your opponent’s bench whilst also dealing big damage to the Active Pokemon, Dedenne provides utility through the ability of Paralyzing and being able to immediately enter battle as a Basic Pokemon, and Electabuzz is a decent early match pick, as its 40 damage per turn attack can KO many non-ex basic/early game Pokemon in 2 turns. Lastly, Zapdos ex runs alongside Raichu as a powerhouse Ace that can deal massive damage through lucky coin flips, and pivot into battle to KO almost any enemy ex card in 1-2 turns, so long as luck is on your side.

Lt. Surge enables you to move all Energy from benched Pokemon to your Active Raichu, which is perfect for making a pivot into playing it in the Active Spot. Finally, cards such as Giovanni, Sabrina, and X Speed give you more flexibility in disrupting your opponent and rotating cards into play, whilst Professor’s Research and Poke Ball help you get needed cards into your hand.

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Pokemon TCG Pocket: Best Pidgeot ex Deck

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Pachirisu ex

With the arrival of the Space-Time Smackdown expansion, Pachirisu ex has made its way into the game and quickly become a prominent Lightning Type ace within the meta. This Pokemon has the huge benefit of being a basic Pokemon, meaning it can go right into play on turn 1, and when paired with a Pokemon Tool, is capable of dealing 80 damage per turn. Pikachu ex is the perfect secondary Ace to run alongside Pachirisu ex, as it can be pivoted into play to deal ramping damage once you have your bench set up properly. Lastly, Zapdos ex completes the lineup as another powerful attacker capable of 1 or 2-hit KOing any ex card, depending on the luck of coin flips.

Giant Cape and Rocky Helmet are incorporated as Pokemon Tool cards to benefit Pachirisu’s Sparking Gadget attack, increasing the damage whilst also providing benefits such as extra HP or reduced incoming damage. Cyrus applies pressure by forcing in a benched Pokemon who has already taken damage for an easy KO, and the standard X Speed, Poke Ball, and Professor’s Research Cards complete this build.

Pikachu ex / Raichu

Lastly, another variant of the classic Pikachu ex deck features Genetic Apex Raichu as another huge damage dealer with the possibility to discard all energy and deal 140 damage in a single turn, which is enough to knockout many ex cards known to operate as the Ace of a deck. Pikachu ex provides consistent damage early on with only a 2 Energy cost, and once again the support of Zapdos ex comes in with powerful blows depending on the luck of coin flips, with the best case scenario enabling you to deal 200 damage in a single turn – knocking out almost any card as a 1-hit KO.

Dedenne is featured for some utility through applying Paralyzed, which can help to disrupt and stall the opponent. Lt. Surge comes in clutch for shifting all Energies on your bench to Raichu and/or Zapdos ex to deliver those powerful blows, and Sabrina can help to disrupt following a switch out from an Active Paralyzed Pokemon by forcing them or another card back into play. The remainder of the deck is concluded with X Speed, Potion, Professor’s Research, and Poke Ball.

Systems

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Released

October 30, 2024

Developer(s)

DeNA, Creatures Inc.

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Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

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