Pokemon TCG is easy to learn but hard to master. It won’t take you long to get a grip on the basic rules, and it only takes reading a simple guide to be able to play a casual game with a friend. If you want to play competitively, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. In addition to learning about all the strongest Pokemon of the current generation, you’ll also have to become an expert on the most effective strategies.
At first, it may seem as though the best way to get good is to simply collect the most powerful cards. This is false! Take a step back, expand your vision, and you’ll discover that Pokemon TCG is a constantly changing game, and winning requires a varying set of skills depending on what’s going on in the Pokemon TCG scene.
Consequently, you’ll want to get a grip on the metagame – this is a term that refers to the “game about the game” and encompasses how Pokemon TCG plays out in the real world. Which cards are popular? What strategies are being used? Knowing the answer to these questions will help you craft the best meta deck.
How the Pokemon TCG metagame works
Much like the video games, Pokemon TCG goes through generations. During each generation, you’ll have new cards released, and new types of cards such as ex cards and V cards. You’ll also have to contend with power creep, which is the tendency for newer cards to be stronger than older ones.
Because of these factors, the cards and strategies that will be popular in the Pokemon TCG community will change. Understanding how these factors and how they change is the key to understanding the metagame.
Once you have a hang of the metagame, you’ll be able to construct a good meta deck. This is a deck featuring cards that work together well and are competitive in the current metagame. It’s good to know what meta decks are popular because you’re likely to encounter them a lot when playing against others.
A good metagame strategy takes into account the strongest cards available, but it also looks at which cards are being commonly used. Consequently, the best strategy isn’t always to have the strongest cards.
Sometimes, you’ll have to design your deck to combat common Pokemon. For example, if Blastoise dominates the metagame (it doesn’t currently), this would mean that in a tournament you can expect most of your competitors to whip out the cannoned turtle. Consequently, it would be wise to consider constructing a deck that’s effective against Water types.
If you’re trying to learn how to construct a good meta deck, there are some useful resources online. Keep an eye on JustInBasil, as the site features constantly updated guides on how to build the best decks for the current metagame.
You should also visit LimitlessTCG, a site that keeps track of the latest tournament-winning decks. This is a vital resource, as strategies used in tournaments are often adopted by regular players. You can also use the site to learn more about upcoming tournaments.
What does the current Pokemon TCG metagame look like?
In the current Pokemon TCG metagame, ex cards are popular, especially Miraidon ex. Lugia VSTAR is also popular. If you’re a beginner, it’ll be a good idea to design a deck around these Pokemon, as they can be used in proven effective strategies. Turn to JustInBasil, and you’ll find the best strategies on how to construct a meta deck featuring Lugia or Miraidon.
Ready to jump into Pokemon TCG? Read this guide to learn about all the sets that have been released. You may also be interested in the Classic set which features everything you need to get started.
