Charizard ex / Pidgeot ex
Pidgeot ex finds any card each turn, so Charizard ex gets set up on turn two most games. Sample list with notes.
Pokémon 19Trainer 34Energy 760 cards
Pokémon
Cards and battles
Decklists and play guides for the Trading Card Game (TCG), and doubles teams for VGC, the official video game battle format.
TCG · Decklists
Full 60-card lists
Your first 60: a deck template
A starting ratio for building any deck. Swap in your favourite Pokémon and adjust from there.
Read the guideTCG · Play guides
Play your deck better
Your first turn, step by step
What to do, in order, on the very first turn of a game.
Steps
- Draw a card
You draw at the start of every turn, including your first.
- Play Basics to the Bench
Up to five.
- Search with Items
Ultra Ball and Nest Ball first.
- Play one Supporter
Not allowed if you went first.
- Attach one Energy
Then attack, unless you went first.
Mulligans and opening hands
No Basic Pokémon in your 7 cards? Here's what happens next.
Read the guideTaking prizes: plan your six
ex Pokémon give up two prizes. Map out which knockouts win you the game.
Read the guideVGC · Teams
Doubles teams
VGC battles are doubles: two Pokémon each on the field at once. VGC is played on Pokémon Champions, and the allowed Pokémon change with each regulation set, so check the current one before building.
VGC team template
Six jobs every doubles team needs covered, before you pick a single Pokémon.
- Main attacker1–2
- Speed control (Tailwind, Trick Room)1
- Fake Out user1
- Redirection (Follow Me, Rage Powder)0–1
- Spread attacker (hits both foes)1
- Flex pick for your worst matchup1
Build it in this order
- Pick your star
The Pokémon you want to win with.
- Add its best partner
Someone who helps it attack safely, like a Fake Out or redirection user.
- Add speed control
So your pair moves first, or last on purpose under Trick Room.
- Fill the gaps
Check which types beat your team and add answers.
VGC · Battle guides
Win more doubles
Team preview: pick your four
How to choose your four and your leads in the 90 seconds before a battle.
Read the guideSpeed control explained
Tailwind, Trick Room and why whoever controls speed usually controls the game.
Read the guideWhen to Protect
Protect blocks attacks for one turn. Here's when to use it.
Read the guideCollecting
Cards, sets and binders
Looking after your cards
Sleeves, toploaders and binders. How to keep your best pulls looking new.
Read the guideRules quick reference
The numbers to know
Trading Card Game
| Rule | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deck size | 60 | Exactly 60 cards. |
| Copies of one card | 4 | Basic Energy is unlimited. |
| ACE SPEC cards | 1 | Only one in the whole deck. |
| Opening hand | 7 | Must include a Basic Pokémon or you mulligan. |
| Prize cards | 6 | Take them all to win. |
| Bench size | 5 | Some Stadiums change this. |
VGC (Pokémon Champions)
| Rule | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon on your team | 6 | Both players see each other’s six at team preview. |
| Pokémon you battle with | 4 | The first two you pick lead. |
| On the field at once | 2 | Doubles: two each side. |
| Level | 50 | Set automatically for battles. |
| Copies of one species | 1 | The species clause. |
| Team preview timer | 90s | Time to choose your four. |