What are the best decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket? [Tier List #1]

The best decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket in September 2026 are dominated by Arceus EX, Palkia EX and Darkrai EX.

This is the tier list A complete guide, from Rank S to Rank C, including the card-by-card breakdown of each deck, along with its strengths and weaknesses.

The system ranges from S rank to Class C so you can see at a glance which deck is worth building:

• Rank S : The strongest card combinations in the meta.
• Rank A : a great alternative to S-rank decks.
• Rank B : Solid decks if you don't have anything better yet.
• Rank C : Correct combinations, but not exceptional ones.

Tier List of the Best Decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Here is the complete ranking of the best decks right now on Pokémon TCG Pocket. This ranking changes with each new expansion and is updated regularly.

S Rank: The Best Decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket (META)

1. Arceus EX Deck

✅ This deck Arceus EX is one of the most powerful in the meta. Its main strength: Arceus EX attack using any type of energy, so you're never held back by the color of your energies.

Pair it with Dialga EX, which speeds up energy generation and withstands impacts thanks to its High fines. Once the combo is set up, you can unleash a rapid-fire series of attacks, and your opponent will have a hard time keeping up.

❌ The weak point: the deck only becomes truly formidable when Arceus EX is active in the field. A bad start really slows you down.

2. Palkia EX Deck

✅ With this deck, you'll go wild the devastating attack by Palkia EX. The opponent's active Pokémon takes damage 150 damage, and every Pokémon on the opposing bench takes 20 damage as a bonus.

Palkia EX is based on energy Water. Be sure to install Aquali and to play Ondine to speed up implementation and take action sooner.

❌ Since it revolves entirely around Palkia EX, this deck remains vulnerable to decks built around specific types Fairy and Dragon.

3. Darkrai EX Deck

✅ Darkrai EX is a [type] Pokémon Obscure which relies on Massive damage right from the start of the game. Its ability allows it to deal more damage over the course of several turns, making it increasingly difficult to counter.

Pair it with Smogogo and to Spiritomb to distract your opponent while you build up Dark energy. Koga lets you go home Darkrai EX on the bench to treat him between attacks.

❌ This deck remains vulnerable to Fighting and Fairy types, which resist its attacks or negate their effects.

4. Mewtwo EX Deck

✅ The Mewtwo EX deck is pretty easy to use, but above all, it’s very powerful. After all, let’s not forget that Mewtwo’s attacks can deal massive damage to many Pokémon!

❌ Unfortunately, this card combination is fairly weak against a Darkness deck.

5. Pikachu EX Deck

✅ The Pikachu EX deck is the perfect choice for players who prefer to deal damage quickly. Its ability to deal significant damage in just a few turns makes it a formidable opponent.

❌ On the other hand, its low HP can make it vulnerable during longer matches.

Tier A: Pokémon TCG Pocket Decks for Winning Matches

1. Artikodin EX Deck

✅ The deck Artikodin EX is perfect for dealing rapid damage to the opponent's Pokémon, including those on the bench. With Ondine, Artikodin EX becomes particularly formidable and can strike very early in the game.

❌ This deck is unfortunately weak against Electric decks. Furthermore, if the attack Blizzard If you fail, your chances of winning the fight drop dramatically.

2. Firecracker EX Deck

✅ This deck is based on two complementary key cards: Dracaufeu EX, capable of taking out any Pokémon in one hit, and Sulfura EX, which keeps the enemy occupied while the trump card replenishes its Fire energy.

❌ The deck Dracaufeu EX is vulnerable to decks Water and Electricity. Be especially wary of decks Staross EX and Pikachu EX, which are quicker to implement.

3. Leviator EX Deck

✅ One powerful water deck focused on Léviator EX, capable of withstanding even the most formidable attacks thanks to its very high health points, while inflicting the maximum damage to opposing Pokémon.

❌ The deck's strength relies heavily on Ondine. If that fails, the setup takes a long time, and the deck loses its effectiveness.

4. Florizarre EX Deck

✅ The deck Florizarre EX allows you to deal massive damage to your opponent right from the start. Its unique advantage: Florizarre EX is capable of’to attack and heal at the same time, which makes it difficult to eliminate quickly.

❌ This deck is pretty slow to climb, because we need to keep moving forward Bulbizarre before he can strike hard. He is also vulnerable to Fire decks.

5. Ossatueur EX Deck

✅ The deck Ossatueur EX allows you to eliminate opposing Pokémon by one round. It performs well against almost any team composition in the meta, making it a versatile choice.

❌ Its major flaw: this deck relies primarily on on luck, which makes it irregular, according to some parties.

Rank B: The best Pokémon TCG Pocket decks at the start of the game

1. Lucario Deck

✅ This is an aggressive battle deck that’s going to give your opponents a hard time! When both of your Lucario cards are in play, you get a double boost to its most powerful attacks. And while you’re dealing massive damage to the opposing team, Regirock has your back.

❌ This combo is weak against slow, powerful decks like Darkrai EX and Florizarre EX decks.

2. Deck Smogo

✅ With this deck, you'll be able to gradually defeat your opponent by putting their Pokémon to sleep.

❌ The Smogo deck relies heavily on luck.

3. Staross EX Deck

✅ The Staross EX deck is a great option if you’re looking for a powerful deck that’s also easy to get started with. Its lack of retreat costs, combined with effective support cards (Ondine, Giovanni…), makes it a solid and versatile choice for taking on any opponent!

❌ However, the Staross EX deck is vulnerable to Electrik decks, including the Pikachu EX combo.

4. Empiflor Deck

✅ If you like to surprise your opponents, the Empiflor deck is perfect for you! Thanks to your key card, you can force your opponent to switch their Active Pokémon with a Basic Pokémon on the Bench. This way, you can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and defeat them more easily.

❌ You absolutely need the Pokémon Flute card to boost the power of the Empiflor deck.

5. Dracolosse Deck

✅ With this powerful deck, you can deal 200 damage to your opponent in one go! This is, of course, thanks to Dracolosse and its Draco-Meteor attack. But to be at its best, Dracolosse will need Snowbell to attack first and Ondine to keep its energy up.

❌ It's essential to lay the groundwork properly for this to work! It'll all depend on your luck, too.

Rank C: Correct decks to use on Pokémon TCG Pocket

1. Grodoudou EX Deck

✅ With this card combo, you can put your opponent's Pokémon to sleep while attacking them. The Grodoudou and Smogogo duo will let you deal massive damage to your opponent.

❌ When played by Grodoudou, this deck is vulnerable to combos involving Steel- and/or Poison-type Pokémon.

2. Mackogneur EX Deck

✅ This battle deck lets you combine the power of Mackogneur EX and Ossatueur EX to effectively attack your opponent's Pokémon and deal heavy damage without any drawbacks.

❌ This deck takes a while to set up, since you have to evolve Machop and Machop.

3. Tortank EX Deck

✅ The Tortank EX deck is effective when the game drags on. Thanks to Ondine, you can boost your Key Card’s Energy and let it deal a powerful blow.

❌ This deck takes quite a while to get going. Plus, the Ondine trump card relies on luck.

4. Deck Nidoqueen

✅ Thanks to Nidoqueen and Nidoking, this deck lets you deal massive damage to your opponents. You can deal up to 180 damage without needing an EX Pokémon.

❌ This deck requires a fair amount of energy.

5. Deck Arbok/Roucarnage

✅ No instant KOs with this deck. The Arbox/Roucarnage combo is especially effective at countering decks that need time to get going. This duo lets you slow down your opponent’s Pokémon by gradually weakening them. Then, when the time is right, all you have to do is deliver the finishing blow.

❌ The Arbok/Roucarnage deck is powerless against ultra-aggressive opponents such as Charizard EX or Mewtwo EX.

You now have everything you need to win every battle in Pokémon TCG Pocket! Keep in mind, however, that this tier list isn’t set in stone. It will be updated as the game evolves.

In the meantime, which of these decks are you most excited to try? Tell us all about it in the comments.

And for even more information and interesting tips on Pokémon games:

• What is the strongest Pokémon card in the world?
• How much does a Pokemon booster cost?