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Best Pokémon TCG Pocket Decks: Meta Tier List

Find the best Pokémon TCG Pocket decks, ranked from S- to C-Tier, and guides on how to use them.

  • Expansion: Celestial Guardians (A3)
  • Updated: May 12, 2025
TierDeckGuide
S TierGiratina ex Darkrai exGuide
S Tier🟡🔵 Oricorio Greninja Giratina ex🔼
S Tier🟢 Arceus Crobat Carnivine🔼
S Tier🟣 Tapu Lele Greninja Giratina ex 🆕
A Tier🟤 Garchomp ex Rampardos 🆕
A Tier🟢 Decidueye ex Meowscarada 🔼
A Tier🟡 Oricorio Magnezone 🔽
A Tier🔵🟣 Snorlax Greninja Giratina ex 🔽Guide
A Tier⚪️ Solgaleo ex Skarmory 🔽Guide
A Tier🔴 Charizard ex Incineroar ex 🔽Guide
A Tier🔴 Charizard exGuide
B TierArceus Crobat Darkrai Giratina 🆕
B Tier🟤 Rampardos Aerodactyl
B Tier🟤 Rampardos Lycanroc 🔽
B Tier🔵 Crabominable ex Greninja

Tier Explanation

To create this Meta Tier list, I used data from tournaments and my expertise and opinions of respected players. This tier list will hold meta-staple decks that you'll likely encounter in tournament play and will be updated as the meta changes up.

The decklists shared here have found success in tournament events but can be tweaked depending on meta shifts or players' preferences.

S Tier: The top performers and most represented decks in the meta. They have good matchups in the current meta and can adapt to different game scenarios. Expect to encounter these decks frequently in tournaments, with players strategizing specifically to counter them.

A Tier: Popular Meta decks that have solid matchup tables. Tier 2 decks can rival Tier 1 decks in performance, but may have weaknesses and less representation, holding them back from joining Tier 1.

B Tier: Comprising less popular decks or those experiencing a decline in performance, Tier 3 includes options that may still yield respectable results in tournaments. However, they often struggle against certain prevalent matchups. Additionally, this tier encompasses decks with limited data, making it challenging to accurately assess their placement in higher tiers.

C Tier: The less popular off-meta decks or have fallen out of the meta. They might still show up in tournament top cuts but are less likely to perform against the top meta decks.

Giratina Darkrai ex

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The deck sets up two staggering win conditions by fully charging A2b-035 with its Ability and manually attaching to A2-110. With only Darkness Energy, Giratina powers itself while Darkrai chips away each turn — once both are online, the pressure becomes overwhelming.

Oricorio Greninja Giratina

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This deck runs Lightning and Water Energy for A3-066 and A1-089. You want to start with A3-066 as your tank thanks to its Ability that blocks damage from Pokémon ex, while you charge A2b-035 with Psychic Energy in the back as your late-game attacker. Meanwhile, evolve A1-087 into A1-089 using A3-144 to start dealing damage with its Ability.

Arceus Crobat Carnivine

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The list usually runs only Grass Energy, aiming to hit early with A2a-009 while setting up A2a-071 as your late-game damage dealer. Meanwhile, you evolve A1-172 into Crobat to activate its Ability and deal 30 extra damage every turn.

Tapu Lele Greninja Giratina

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The deck runs Psychic Energy only for A3-084 and A2b-035, with A2b-035 as your main attacker. You evolve A1-087 into A1-089 with A3-144, and use both A3-084 and A1-089 for chip damage — especially from the back. A2-150 lets you pull targets forward so A2b-035 can finish the job.

A Tier

Garchomp ex Rampardos

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The deck runs two win conditions: A2a-047 and A2-089. You’ll always start with A2-121, since it’s the only Basic — A2-089 evolves from a Fossil. From there, you evolve into either A2a-047 or A2-089 using A3-144 or their Stage 1s if you find them. A2a-047 deals 50 with Linear Attack or 100 for 3 Energy, while A2-089 hits for a solid 130.

Decidueye ex Meowscarada

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Start with A2b-005 and evolve into A2b-007 to deal with EX Pokémon efficiently. Meanwhile, set up A3-010 into A3-012 as your late-game option, capable of sniping any damaged Pokémon on the board — even on the Bench — for 100 damage. Both evolutions are supported by A3-144, letting you skip Stage 1s entirely for a faster setup.

Oricorio Magnezone

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A3-066 shines against EX-heavy decks with its Safeguard Ability, blocking all damage from Pokémon ex and forcing opponents to adjust. Evolve A2-051 into A1-098, then into A2-053 to ramp Energy and take control. Once A2-053 is set, it delivers steady damage, with A3-066 backing you up against EX threats.

Snorlax Greninja Giratina ex

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Start with A2a-063 to tank, use A1-089 as your main attacker, and keep A2b-035 as a late-game backup. The deck typically runs only Water Energy to support A1-089 and heal with A2a-072, but you can also run both Water and Psychic Energy to fuel A2b-035 earlier if needed.

Solgaleo ex Skarmory

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This deck runs two attackers — A2-111 for fast early pressure and A3-122 for heavy follow-up damage.

Open with A2-111, attach a Tool, and hit for 50 damage right away. While applying early pressure, you’re also setting up A3-085 into A3-122 using A3-144. Once evolved, A3-122 swings for 120 damage with just 2 Energy.

If you go second and start with A3-085, you can evolve and attack on your very first turn for a strong tempo lead. A3-122’s Ability also gives free retreat to A2-111, letting you pivot smoothly between attackers as the game develops.

Charizard ex

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This deck focuses on just one main attacker — A2b-010.

Use A3-144 to evolve directly from A2b-008 into Charizard ex, then use Stoke to load up 3 Energy. On your next turn, swing for 150 damage with Steam Artillery.

Without A1-047 in the list, there’s no need to manage support setup or retreating — just a clean, fast-paced Charizard game plan.

Charizard ex Incineroar ex

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This Fire deck runs two strong attackers — A2b-010 for setup and A3-033 for sustained pressure.

If you open with A2b-008, evolve directly into A2b-010 and use Stoke to ramp up 3 Energy. On your next turn, you’ll be ready to swing for 150 damage with Steam Artillery.

Alternatively, starting with A3-030 lets you use A3-144 to skip the Stage 1 and evolve straight into A3-033. Its first attack burns the opponent for just 1 Energy, while its second deals 140 if it has already taken damage — making it a dangerous backup attacker or finisher.

Arceus Crobat Darkrai Giratina

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This deck runs multiple win conditions — A2a-071, A2-110, or A2b-035 — depending on what you draw, all using Dark Energy. A2-110 chips damage with its Ability whenever you attach Energy to it, while A2b-035 charges Psychic Energy on its own through its Ability. A2a-071 can swing for 130 and also activates A2a-050, which you evolve with A3-144. When everything clicks, the deck puts out a surprising amount of damage.

Rampardos Aerodactyl

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This variation runs just one A3-101 line, since you’re guaranteed to fetch it with A3-098 on turn one. From there, you evolve your Fossil into A2-089 as a primary win condition, while also including a second Fossil line for A1a-046 — giving you a strong backup if you don’t hit Rampardos in time.

Rampardos Lycanroc

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The deck always starts with A3-098, its only Basic, and uses its attack to fetch A3-101, ensuring a strong early setup. You then evolve your Fossil into A2-089 with A3-144, setting up your main damage dealer for the mid to late game.

Crabominable ex Greninja

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Evolve A3-097 into A3-049, and with its Insatiable Striking effect, you'll deal 80 damage after your first attack — letting you reliably hit 80 every turn for just 1 Energy. Meanwhile, evolve A1-087 into A1-089 in the back to chip in 20 damage each turn, steadily ramping up your total pressure over time.