Building a deck is one of the best parts of the game. Here's a starting framework that works for almost any strategy.
The rules you can't break
- Exactly 60 cards
- No more than 4 copies of any card with the same name (except basic Energy)
- At least one Basic Pokémon (realistically, many more)
- In Standard: only 1 ACE SPEC and 1 Radiant Pokémon
A beginner-friendly skeleton
| Part | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main attacker line | 8–10 | e.g. 4 Basic, 2–3 Stage 1, 2–3 Stage 2 |
| Support Pokémon | 3–6 | Draw engines, backup attackers |
| Draw Supporters | 8–10 | Cards that refill your hand |
| Search Items | 6–8 | Balls and other cards that find Pokémon |
| Other Trainers | 8–12 | Switching, gust effects, recovery, Stadiums |
| Energy | 8–12 | Fewer if you have Energy acceleration |
Paste your list into the Deck List Checker to see your counts instantly.
Common first-deck mistakes
- Too many different Pokémon. Pick one or two attackers and play 3–4 copies of their Basics.
- Too few draw Supporters. If you're often stuck with nothing to do, add more.
- Too much Energy. Most modern decks play 8–12, not 20.
- Thin evolution lines. A 1-1-1 Stage 2 line rarely works. Go thicker.
Test, then tweak
Play at least five games before changing anything, and keep notes. Use the Probability Calculators to see how often you'll find key cards.