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Are you looking for the best Pokemon TCG decks for the Standard? Well you’re in luck. The Pokemon TCG has just got some new toys with the Obsidian Flames set. While there’s only been a couple events where the new cards have made an impact, the meta seems to be rather healthy. So let’s dive into the decks.
We’re going to talk about the archetypes that are the top dogs and give you a sample deck list and where it came from. If you want to test out some of these deck lists, a perfect way to do that is online with Pokemon TCG Live. A good way to get started with that is to check out our guide on how to redeem codes for Pokemon TCG Live. This way you can get plenty of packs and cards to build your deck.
Best Pokemon TCG decks for Standard – Archetypes
First, let’s look at the different deck archetypes that are prevalent right now in the metagame. These aren’t going to be listed in any particular order, as these decks seem to be rather balanced with each other and each can win games against any other.
- Lost Zone decks
- Gardevoir decks
- Lugia Archeops decks
- Fusion Mew decks
- Chein-Pao decks
- Inteleon Urshifu decks
- Miraidon Flaaffy decks
The decks that we’re going to be looking at are going to be from the World Championships and forward, as this is the first tournament where Obsidian Flames was legal. Not to say that you couldn’t find a deck from a tournament prior to this and play it to success, we’re just looking at the most recent events. With that, let’s break down each archetype.
Best Pokemon TCG decks – Lost Zone
Our first best Pokemon TCG deck archetype that we’re going to look at is Lost Zone. This is one that has a simple goal, get cards in the Lost Zone, and abuse Sableye’s Lost Mine move to provide a lot of damage spread. There is typically a core set of support Pokemon that’s used in every version of this deck. Where this deck can differ in its plans is what big boss Pokemon it wants to use to deal the knockout blows.
The different variations of this deck include Pokemon like Giratina V / V Star, Raikou V and Dragonite V, Hisuian Goodra V / V Star, and the brand new Charizard EX. Charizard is a newer variation, with the most common ones being the ones that run Dragonite, Raikou and Drapion. The deck list we have below is the deck that took 1st place in the Pittsburgh Regionals, piloted by Andrew Estrada.
Pokémon (13)
4 Comfey LOR 79
2 Sableye LOR 70
1 Cramorant LOR 50
1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
1 Dragonite V PR-SW 154
1 Raikou V BRS 48
1 Kyogre CEL 3
1 Manaphy BRS 41
1 Hawlucha SVI 118
Trainer (36)
4 Colress's Experiment LOR 155
1 Roxanne ASR 150
4 Mirage Gate LOR 163
4 Battle VIP Pass FST 225
4 Switch Cart ASR 154
3 Escape Rope BST 125
3 Nest Ball SVI 181
3 Super Rod PAL 188
2 Energy Recycler BST 124
2 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
1 Echoing Horn CRE 136
1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
1 Artazon PAL 171
1 Beach Court SVI 167
1 PokéStop PGO 68
Energy (11)
5 Water Energy 3
3 Psychic Energy 5
3 Lightning Energy 4Gardevoir decks
Next up we have the Garedvoir decks. These decks typically are constructed the same way with some minor variances. This deck has a few game plans. Firstly, it wants to utilize Gardevoir EX as a means to cheat psychic energy cards onto your own Pokemon. It will then use Cresselia’s Moonglow Resverse to shift the damage counters from your pokemon to your opponents, potentially knocking them out.
The second plan you’re working with is where you put those energy cards. Your main targets for them are the normal Garevoir and Zacian V. These Pokemon have moves that get stronger for each psychic energy on them. The list that we have for you is a deck piloted by Tord Reklev to a 5th place finish in the Special Event Barcelona that happened on September 16, 2023.
Pokémon (18)
3 Ralts ASR 60
1 Ralts SIT 67
3 Kirlia SIT 68
1 Kirlia CRE 60
2 Gardevoir CRE 61
2 Gardevoir ex SVI 86
1 Cresselia LOR 74
1 Mew CEL 11
1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
1 Lumineon V BRS 40
1 Zacian V CEL 16
1 Manaphy BRS 41
Trainer (30)
3 Iono PAL 185
2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Professor's Research SVI 189
1 Worker SIT 167
4 Battle VIP Pass FST 225
4 Level Ball BST 129
3 Ultra Ball SVI 196
3 Rare Candy SVI 191
2 Fog Crystal CRE 140
2 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Pal Pad SVI 182
1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
1 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137
1 Artazon PAL 171
Energy (12)
10 Psychic Energy 5
2 Reversal Energy PAL 192Lugia Archeops decks
Next, we have the Lugia Archeops decks. This is a Single Strike deck, that wants to use Lugia V Star to get Archeops onto the bench. Then Archeops will help search up special energy to put onto your heavy hitters. Variations on the deck include using Urshifu V and VMAX for another option, but every version plays Tyranitar V and Yvetal Single Strike versions.
The version of the deck we have below took 4th place at the Pittsburgh Regional, and it was piloted by Andrew Hedrick.
Pokémon (19)
4 Lugia V SIT 138
3 Lugia VSTAR SIT 139
4 Archeops SIT 147
2 Lumineon V BRS 40
2 Tyranitar V BST 97
1 Yveltal FST 175
1 Stonjourner BST 84
1 Radiant Tsareena SIT 16
1 Pumpkaboo EVS 76
Trainer (27)
4 Professor's Research SVI 189
3 Iono PAL 185
3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Professor Burnet PR-SW 167
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
4 Capturing Aroma SIT 153
3 Urn of Vitality BST 139
2 Nest Ball SVI 181
2 Mesagoza SVI 178
1 Collapsed Stadium BRS 137
Energy (14)
4 Single Strike Energy BST 141
3 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
3 V Guard Energy SIT 169
3 Gift Energy LOR 171
1 Jet Energy PAL 190Fusion Mew decks
Our next archetype is the Fusion Mew decks. This is a Fusion Strike focused deck, where you’re rewarded for playing all Fusion Strike Pokemon. This deck wants to use Mew VMAX to great effect. It’s Cross Fusion Strike move allows you to copy a move from a bench Fusion Strike Pokemon and use it for the attack.
These decks will always use a Genesect V. Its Techno Blast being a huge damage ability is great for Mew VMAX to use. Additionally, these decks all play a Meloetta, which can deal a ton of extra damage if you have all of your Fusion Strike Energy in play. Finally, they round out the Pokemon list with a Pokemon that can do spread damage. The list we’re giving you uses Oricorio, but there are other versions that will also use Eiscue. The deck list that we have is the deck that won the World Championships 2023, and was piloted by Vance Kelley.
Pokémon (13)
4 Mew V CRZ 60
3 Mew VMAX FST 114
4 Genesect V FST 185
1 Meloetta FST 124
1 Oricorio FST 42
Trainer (40)
2 Elesa's Sparkle FST 233
2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Iono PAL 185
1 Judge SVI 176
4 Power Tablet FST 236
4 Battle VIP Pass FST 225
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
4 Cram-o-matic FST 229
2 Nest Ball SVI 181
2 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
2 Switch Cart ASR 154
1 Escape Rope BST 125
1 Pal Pad SVI 182
3 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
2 Choice Belt PAL 176
1 Box of Disaster LOR 154
2 Lost City LOR 161
1 Path to the Peak CRE 148
1 Crystal Cave EVS 144
Energy (7)
4 Fusion Strike Energy FST 244
3 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151Chien-Pao decks
Chien-Pao EX is an insanely strong addition to the format from Paldea Evolved. Its ability lets you find water energy, so you’ll never have a shortage. Then, its second move lets you dish out a ton of damage by discarding energy off your Pokemon. This can result in a huge burst of damage to get a quick knock out.
Alongside Chien-Pao, we have Origin Forme Palika V and V Star. The V Star Power will allow you to take those discarded Water energies and put them back on a Pokemon. This lets you get a quick and early prize lead. Now some variations on this deck will include Baxcalibur from Paldea Evoled, as well as Superior Energy Retrieval. Baxcalibur’s ability lets you play as many water energy from your hand as you want. This is a great way to set up Chien-Pao.
The version we have for you is a deck that took 10th at the Champions League Yokohoma, and was piloted by Susumu Kobayashi.
Pokémon (15)
3 Origin Forme Palkia V ASR 39
3 Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR ASR 40
2 Chien-Pao ex PAL 61
2 Bidoof CRZ 111
2 Bibarel BRS 121
1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
1 Lumineon V BRS 40
1 Spiritomb PAL 89
Trainer (35)
4 Irida ASR 147
3 Melony CRE 146
2 Iono PAL 185
2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Raihan CRZ 140
4 Cross Switcher FST 230
4 Battle VIP Pass FST 225
3 Ultra Ball SVI 196
3 Switch SVI 194
2 Escape Rope BST 125
2 Nest Ball SVI 181
1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
1 Lost Vacuum CRZ 135
2 Temple of Sinnoh ASR 155
1 Lost City LOR 161
Energy (10)
10 Water Energy 3Iteleon Urshifu decks
Next we have the Iteleon and Urshifu decks. This deck is a Rapid Strike deck that’s all about spread damage and moving damage counters around. But just because it spreads damage like wild fire, doesn’t mean that it can’t get a quick OHKO. In combination with Tower of Waters, Urshifu VMAX can quickly and efficiently retreat to the bench, and back out again the following turn for huge 120 damage power bump on Gale Thrust.
The rest of the cast is there as support and other ways to move damage counters around on your opponent’s Pokemon. This list here is the deck that took 1st at the special event in Barcelona, piloted by Francisco Toranzo Santiago.
Pokémon (18)
3 Inteleon V FST 78
3 Inteleon VMAX FST 79
2 Rapid Strike Urshifu V BST 87
2 Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX BST 88
2 Remoraid BST 36
2 Octillery BST 37
1 Medicham V EVS 83
1 Lumineon V BRS 40
1 Radiant Alakazam SIT 59
1 Spiritomb PAL 89
Trainer (32)
3 Professor's Research SVI 189
2 Irida ASR 147
2 Melony CRE 146
2 Iono PAL 185
1 Korrina's Focus BST 128
1 Klara CRE 145
1 Cheryl BST 123
1 Giacomo PAL 182
4 Battle VIP Pass FST 225
3 Ultra Ball SVI 196
2 Nest Ball SVI 181
2 Energy Retrieval SVI 171
1 Energy Search SVI 172
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
1 Escape Rope BST 125
2 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
3 Tower of Waters BST 138
Energy (10)
6 Water Energy 3
4 Rapid Strike Energy BST 140Miraidon and Flaaffy decks
For our final best Pokemon TCG Deck we have the Miraidon and Flaaffy decks. This deck is looking to use Miraidon EX and Flaaffy from Evolving Skies as a means to super charge your electric type Pokemon. Raichu V is your main conduit for big burst damage, but both Raikou V and Miraidon EX can also get some good work done as well. Additionally, Flying Pikachu V can be a great means of stalling out to get yourself set up.
This deck is pretty straight forward in its approach and can get some very quick knock outs. The version of the deck that we have for you is Jesse Parker’s list where he took 2nd place at the Pittsburgh Regionals.
Pokémon (16)
3 Miraidon ex SVI 81
2 Raikou V BRS 48
2 Raichu V BRS 45
2 Mareep EVS 54
2 Flaaffy EVS 55
1 Flying Pikachu V CEL 6
1 Zapdos PGO 29
1 Lumineon V BRS 40
1 Drapion V LOR 118
1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
Trainer (30)
4 Professor's Research SVI 189
3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
2 Iono PAL 185
1 Arven OBF 186
1 Judge SVI 176
4 Electric Generator SVI 170
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
2 Nest Ball SVI 181
2 Switch Cart ASR 154
1 Escape Rope BST 125
2 Bravery Charm PAL 173
2 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
2 Beach Court SVI 167
Energy (14)
14 Lightning Energy 4And that’s all that we have for you folks! Obviously, since Obsidian Flames has released only about a month ago, there’s still time for the meta to develop further. Be sure to check back as we’ll be updating this with any new lists that break through the pack. While you’re here, if you’re interested in what’s coming up in Standard, check out our Pokemon 151 card list, as well as our most expensive cards from Pokemon 151.
