The 10 Best Pokemon TCG Decks (November 2024)
What are the best Pokemon TCG meta decks right now?
The latest Pokemon TCG set, Surging Sparks, is here and with it new strategies and decks to try. While the meta hasn’t changed drastically since the last Pokemon set that introduced the powerhouse Terapagos ex into the game, there are still some notable shifts in the game that you should know about.
With that being said, here’s a rundown of the current Pokemon TCG meta decks in the standard format you need to know about based on both online and in-card tournament data.
#1. Raging Bolt ex is the Best Pokemon TCG Deck
1st of 4893 players – Champions League – Japan by Haruto Fujita
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Pokémon: 12
4 Raging Bolt ex TEF 123
4 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25
1 Sandy Shocks TEF 98
1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
Trainer: 36
4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Briar SCR 132
1 Iono PAL 185
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
3 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
3 Trekking Shoes ASR 156
3 Night Stretcher SFA 61
3 Pokémon Catcher SVI 187
1 Energy Retrieval SVI 171
1 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
1 Pal Pad SVI 182
1 Lost Vacuum LOR 162
1 Switch Cart ASR 154
1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
3 PokéStop PGO 68
Energy: 12
6 Grass Energy SVE 9
3 Fighting Energy SVE 14
3 Lightning Energy SVE 12
Raging Bolt is still arguably the best Pokemon TCG deck right now, and it doesn’t look like its dominance will be slowing down anytime soon, especially not with the support it gets from Briar. Of course, you will need to be taking KOs with Ogerpon ex in order to take advantage of Briar. Manage to get this right, however, and you could easily sneak up from behind and take the win.
Apart from Briar, this deck runs virtually the same as always. It’s a powerful turn one attacker and probably your most reliable option for getting a big knock out right out the gate in the current meta.
Meanwhile, Raging Bolt ex has no trouble scaling its damage output to match anything you are likely to see out there in the open field.
In a meta filled with attackers that like to take out small HP Pokemon for added advantage via Cursed Blasts or Phantom Dives, Raging Bolt ex stands out as both a strong defensive and offensive strategy.
Read my Raging Bolt Ogerpon ex deck list and guide for more on how to play this powerful and aggressive deck.
#2 Charizard ex $73.44
Deck credit: 1st Place City League Tōkyō 11/04 - KIMUTAN
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Pokémon: 18
2 Charmander MEW 4
1 Charmander PR-SV 47
1 Charmeleon PAF 8
2 Charizard ex OBF 125
2 Pidgey OBF 162
2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
2 Duskull BRS 60
1 Dusclops SFA 19
1 Dusknoir SFA 20
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Lumineon V BRS 40
1 Rotom V LOR 58
1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20
Trainer: 36
3 Arven OBF 186
2 Iono PAL 185
2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Thorton LOR 167
1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
1 Briar SCR 132
4 Rare Candy SVI 191
3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
3 Nest Ball SVI 181
3 Ultra Ball SVI 196
2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
2 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Tera Orb SSP 189
1 Unfair Stamp TWM 165
1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
1 Lost Vacuum LOR 162
1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
1 Defiance Band SVI 169
1 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137
1 Gravity Mountain SSP 177
Energy: 6
5 Fire Energy SVE 10
1 Mist Energy TEF 161
Talk about a deck that just doesn’t know when to quit!
Players quickly jumped aboard the Dusknoir line and its unparalleled cursed blast ability when it came out in Shrouded Fable. When combined with the powerful Briar supporter from Stellar Crown, Charizard is capable of taking an insane four prizes in a single turn.
However, the overwhelming dominance of Regidrago VSTAR at the time Shrouded Fable released made the playing field a bit unfriendly for decks like Charizard ex that rely on small benched Pokemon, easily within range of getting knocked out with the effect of Phantom Dive. Since then, the meta has evened out and Charizard ex remains comfortably positioned at the very top of the food chain.
Not much has changed in this deck’s strategy since the release of Surging Sparks other than a few possible tech cards. In this list that won a tournament in Japan, we see Tera Orb included here, giving you the ability to search out your Charizard ex without needing to discard any cards the way you would with an Ultra Ball. Another interesting inclusion is Gravity Mountain which can help put Stage 2 decks within reach of Burning Darkness.
Read my comprehensive guide to see the latest ways to play Charizard ex.
#3. Terapagos ex $94.35
1st place deck by Tord Reklev
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Pokémon: 22
3 Terapagos ex SCR 128
3 Hoothoot SCR 114
3 Noctowl SCR 115
2 Pidgey OBF 162
2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
1 Duskull SFA 18
1 Duskull BRS 60
1 Dusknoir SFA 20
2 Fan Rotom SCR 118
2 Bouffalant SCR 119
1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
Trainer: 34
2 Iono PAL 185
1 Professor's Research SVI 189
1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Penny SVI 183
1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
1 Thorton LOR 167
1 Briar SCR 132
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
4 Rare Candy SVI 191
3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
1 Feather Ball ASR 141
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
1 Pal Pad SVI 182
1 Lost Vacuum LOR 162
3 Area Zero Underdepths SCR 131
Energy: 4
4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
Terapagos ex makes its debut in Stellar Crow, and it quickly made an indelible dent in the Pokemon TCG meta. It quite literally changed the way you play the game with the very board itself shifting and expanding depending on whether or not you have a Tera Pokemon in play.
Of all the Tera type Pokemon currently in the game, Terapagos ex benefits the most from the stuff that got released in Stellar Crown. It gains added power from Area Zero Underdepths, swings for additional prizes when paired with Briar, and of course works seamlessly with Noctowl for added consistency. Apart from the Tera advantage that’s becoming very real in the current Pokemon TCG, Terapagos ex gains a huge HP buff with a new Bouffalant some of you may have gotten in your Stellar Crown Build and Battle prerelease kits.
Perhaps one of the best things about Terapagos ex is how easy to play it is and how consistent it can be. The main strategy here is to simply power up Terapagos ex and start taking knockouts. That being said, tricked-out decks like this one created by Pokemon TCG mastermind Tord Reklev have some very advanced plays in it that help take this strategy to the next level.
Read my guide on how to play Terapagos ex.
#4. Regidrago VSTAR – $150.35
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Pokémon: 18
4 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25
3 Regidrago V SIT 135
3 Regidrago VSTAR SIT 136
2 Dragapult ex TWM 130
1 Giratina VSTAR LOR 131
1 Hisuian Goodra VSTAR LOR 136
1 Kyurem SFA 47
1 Mew ex MEW 151
1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
1 Cleffa OBF 80
Trainer: 32
4 Professor's Research SVI 189
3 Iono PAL 185
2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
4 Energy Switch SVI 173
2 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
1 Switch SVI 194
1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
1 Temple of Sinnoh ASR 155
Energy: 10
8 Grass Energy SVE 1
2 Fire Energy SVE 2
Ardent Pokemon TCG players and fans get very excited when a formerly rogue deck makes it into the big leagues. Regidrago had quite the success story, going from a deck on the fringe to the very top of competitive play almost overnight. Of course, what made this possible was the introduction of the very helpful Teal Mask Ogerpon ex. Today, this deck is so popular that you are likely to run into it no matter if you play at big tournaments, local challenges, or just online to grind the ranked ladder.
What makes this deck so incredibly versatile is the combination of Teal Mask’s energy acceleration and Regidrago’s attack that lets you use a broad range of attackers from any Dragon in the game (as long as they are in your discard).
Also, Regidrago’s Legacy Star stands out as a very powerful ability. Not only does this ability make it more likely that you are going to have a powerful Dragon type Pokemon in your discard to leverage as an attack – you an pick any two cards in your discard and add them to your hand!
Lastly, This deck gets a serious buff in Shrouded Fable thanks to two new Dragon Type Pokemon with handy attacks including Kyurem’s attack that dishes out sizable damage to three different Pokemon.
Read the Regidrago VSTAR deck guide for more details on this versatile dragon-box deck.
#5. Palkia VSTAR/Terapagos ex
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Pokémon: 11
3 Origin Forme Palkia V ASR 39
2 Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR ASR 40
2 Terapagos ex SCR 128
1 Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 64
3 Hoothoot TEF 126
4 Noctowl SCR 115
2 Fan Rotom SCR 118
1 Bidoof CRZ 111
1 Bibarel BRS 121
1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
Trainer: 16
4 Area Zero Underdepths SCR 131
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
3 Ultra Ball SVI 196
2 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
2 Glass Trumpet SCR 135
1 Switch SVI 194
1 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
3 Irida ASR 147
3 Iono PAF 80
2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
2 Energy Switch SVI 173 PH
Energy: 1
7 Basic {W} Energy Energy 11
Total Cards: 60
You didn’t think we were done talking about Terapagos ex, did you? While Terapagos ex works well on its own, some would argue it’s stronger when paired with Palkia VSTAR. Palkia does added damage for each benched Pokemon, making it fit seamlessly alongside Terapagos ex and Area Zero Underdepths.
While Palkia VSTAR/Terapagos ex is definitely a strong build and a bit more versatile than basic Terapagos ex on its own, it also has a higher skill threshold, meaning newer players might find all of its moving parts harder to manage and win with.
Still, with the ability to take massive KOs against virtually any deck while also managing to enable bench sniping with Radiant Greninja, Palkia VSTAR/Terapagos ex has a lot of tricks up its sleeves, and you can bet it’s going to perform well at some big tournaments in the Stellar Crown format.
Read my guide on how to play Palkia VSTAR/Terapagos ex.
#6. Ceruledge ex $68.07
1st Place City League Kanagawa 11/04 - 小波川
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Pokémon: 14
4 Charcadet SSP 32
3 Ceruledge ex SSP 36
1 Hoothoot SCR 114
1 Noctowl SCR 115
1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Chatot TEF 132
1 Fan Rotom SCR 118
1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
Trainer: 27
4 Carmine TWM 145
1 Professor's Research SVI 189
1 Serena SIT 164
1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Briar SCR 132
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
3 Night Stretcher SFA 61
2 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
1 Pal Pad SVI 182
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Brilliant Blender SSP 164
1 Rigid Band MEW 165
2 PokéStop PGO 68
Energy: 19
13 Fire Energy SVE 10
4 Jet Energy PAL 190
2 Mist Energy TEF 161
Ceeruledge ex is my favorite of the new decks introduced in Surging Sparks. It’s pretty insane how fast this deck runs thanks to being paired with the likes of Carmine and Squawkabilly, enabling you to get through a large amount of your deck even just on turn one.
Brilliant Blender enables you to quickly and reliably get energy cards into your discard, powering up Ceruledge’s insane Abyssal Flames attack – one that quickly ramps up to an incredible 300+ damage output based on how many energies are in your discard.
This deck has incredible potential and some early, positive results in Japan. If you are looking to get in on the ground floor of a deck that’s not overly complicated, works fast and hits hard, I highly recommend Ceruledge ex.
Read my guide on how to build and play the formidable Ceruledge ex deck.
#7. Lugia VSTAR $77.80
9th Place World Championships 2024 - Rahul Reddy
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Pokémon: 21
4 Archeops SIT 147
3 Lugia V SIT 138
3 Lugia VSTAR SIT 139
2 Lumineon V BRS 40
1 Minccino TEF 136
1 Cinccino TEF 137
1 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
1 Wyrdeer V ASR 134
1 Raikou V BRS 48
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
Trainer: 23
4 Boss's Orders PAL 172
3 Professor's Research SVI 189
2 Iono PAL 185
1 Jacq SVI 175
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
4 Capturing Aroma SIT 153
2 Nest Ball SVI 181
1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
2 Mesagoza SVI 178
Energy: 16
4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
4 Gift Energy LOR 171
4 Jet Energy PAL 190
1 Legacy Energy TWM 167
1 Mist Energy TEF 161
1 V Guard Energy SIT 169
1 Lightning Energy SVE 4
Lugia VSTAR is a deck archetype that has refused to go away since its came out in Silver Tempest and quickly became the most dominant deck in the game.
After showing some strong promise after the 2024 standard rotation, Lugia further doubles down on its power and effectiveness thanks to several new additions to the game including Legacy Energy, Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex, and Carmine. Not only does Legacy Energy deny your opponent the chance for a more favorable prize trade (it reduces the prizes they take by one), it can also count as any type of energy, making it possible for Lugia VSTAR to take advantage of Iron Hands ex (which is pretty incredible).
Additionally, Lugia VSTAR is helped by Mist Energy and Cinccino. Cinccino makes taking OHKOs much more possible than with Lugia alone while Mist Energy adds a defensive layer against other top tier decks out there.
Other than that, Lugia VSTAR still works largely the way it always has – setting up quickly, accelerating energies, and using a powerful combination of colorless attackers to do well against any deck on the field.
It’s nice to see this powerful deck back making waves in the standard format once again, and it’s sure to be a popular deck for some time to come.
Read our Lugia VSTAR deck list and guide for more info.
#8. Iron Thorns ex $60.14
5th Place Regional Joinville - Matias Matricardi
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Pokémon: 4
4 Iron Thorns ex TWM 77
Trainer: 45
4 Arven OBF 186
3 Professor's Research SVI 189
3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
2 Judge SVI 176
2 Colress's Tenacity SFA 57
1 Giovanni's Charisma MEW 161
4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
4 Pokémon Catcher SVI 187
4 Crushing Hammer SVI 168
3 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
2 Techno Radar PAR 180
1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
1 Lost Vacuum LOR 162
1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
1 Energy Loto ASR 140
1 Enhanced Hammer TWM 148
3 Future Booster Energy Capsule TEF 149
1 Technical Machine: Devolution PAR 177
1 Technical Machine: Turbo Energize PAR 179
2 Lost City LOR 161
1 Town Store OBF 196
Energy: 11
7 Lightning Energy SVE 12
4 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
Iron Thorns ex is a painfully strong deck. Anyone who has ever had to play against it knows what I’m talking about. This deck completely shuts off your Pokemon’s abilities as long as they have a rule box. And let’s face it – most of the strongest Pokemon in the game have rule boxes right now.
That being said, Iron Thorns ex isn’t invincible and there are plenty of ways around its ability shut off. The thing is, you have to make room in your deck for cards like Cancelling Cologne or Flutter Mane that can keep this powerful ability at bay. Most players aren’t going to do that for a deck relatively farther down in the meta play share pool, making Iron Thorns ex an effective anti-meta deck of sorts despite seeing great success at high level tournaments.
Here’s how to play Iron Thorns ex.
#9. Gardevoir ex
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Pokémon: 17
4 Ralts ASR 60
4 Kirlia SIT 68
2 Gardevoir ex SVI 86
2 Munkidori TWM 95
1 Drifloon SVI 89
1 Manaphy BRS 41
1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
1 Flutter Mane TEF 78
1 Scream Tail PAR 86
Trainer: 34
4 Iono PAL 185
4 Arven OBF 186
1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
3 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
2 Ultra Ball SVI 196
2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Nest Ball SVI 181
1 Unfair Stamp TWM 165
1 Enhanced Hammer TWM 148
2 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
2 Bravery Charm PAL 173
1 Technical Machine: Devolution PAR 177
2 Artazon PAL 171
Energy: 9
7 Psychic Energy SVE 5
2 Darkness Energy SVE 7
Gardevoir ex is going strong in the Stellar Crown format so far. Right off the heels of its high profile win at the Baltimore Regionals (still Shrouded Fable format), it’s doing quite well in the Stellar Crown meta. That’s not necessarily because new cards help it so much – most of the Gardevoir ex decks placing at tournaments aren’t running anything noticeable from Stellar Crown. However, the meta is friendlier towards it than it used to be.
Players are certainly excited to take advantage of the less hostile meta to start Psychic Embracing their way to victory once again!
Read my guide on how to play the powerful Gardevoir ex deck.
#10 Snorlax Stall $43.71
Deck credit: 6th Place Regional Joinville - Carlos Medina Astete
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Pokémon: 12
4 Snorlax PGO 55
2 Mimikyu PAL 97
2 Rotom V LOR 58
2 Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 112
1 Pidgeot V LOR 137
1 Chi-Yu ex PAL 40
Trainer: 46
4 Arven OBF 186
3 Miss Fortune Sisters LOR 164
3 Penny SVI 183
2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
2 Eri TEF 146
1 Team Yell's Cheer BRS 149
1 Erika's Invitation MEW 160
1 Xerosic's Machinations SFA 64
1 Cyllene ASR 138
4 Counter Catcher PAR 160
4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
4 Accompanying Flute TWM 142
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
2 Pal Pad SVI 182
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
1 Switch Cart ASR 154
1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
3 Handheld Fan TWM 150
1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
1 Artazon PAL 171
Energy: 2
2 Fire Energy SVE 10
Snorlax Stall is continuing its success in the Pokemon TCG. It punishes decks that rely on heavy attackers and few switch cards, keeping them forever off-balance thanks to cards like Counter Catcher. Meanwhile, neither the cards in your hand or in your deck are safe thanks to a powerful discard engine comprised of Eri, Chi-Yu ex, Miss Fortune Sisters and Xerosic's Machinations.
The latest innovation in this deck strategy is Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex. Cornerstone Mask is hard to beat for most of the decks out there right now that rely heavily on abilities to win. Decks like Charizard ex have a tough time getting around this defender.
Snorlax Stall has been a mainstay in the meta for sometime, and right now it’s a very popular control deck.
