How to Build a Pokemon TCG Deck: The Basics

If you're looking to build a Pokemon TCG deck for the first time, or maybe you're just looking for simple ways to improve your deck building skills, this video will teach your the core principles when it comes to building a competitive Pokemon TCG deck!
There will be more videos in this style that go into advanced aspects of deck building in the future, so if you are interested, certainly subscribe!
And let me know if you have any suggestions or thoughts about deck building that I may not have covered!
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[@donovang6911]

Thanks for the clean language. Then I can share this with my nephew

[@gyrosean]

Enjoy, and good luck on the collecting

[@sinfulxsociety]

Boo

[@rinzenmcpe4831]

@@sinfulxsociety stop it you bot

[@hcnhonor3239]

@@sinfulxsociety lol boo this man, booooo

[@ro3843]

Omg yes.

[@emircarpetgaming]

just started playing again (online only) at the ripe old age of 27 so needed a refresher as its been like 20 years lol. this video helped me a lot as i didnt realise i was diluting my pokemon pool when all i wanted was to get my alakazam VMAX and mewtwo/mew tagteam. thanks, gonna go check the rest of the series out now

[@WilbertBeltman]

Clear video! I was interested to learn the card game, but I had no idea people usually have 3 or 4 of the same card, I would find a deck with one of each more fun (apart from energy's ofcourse)

[@pizzaslice1702]

Great video! I will stick to my noob skills for now and play theme decks while I figure this out.

[@gyrosean]

I believe in you! 🙌

[@razer1158]

Theme decks are a great place to start, especially for Pokémon TCG online battling. I began with the Vivid Voltage Charizard theme deck and I’m interested to see what you started off with as well!

[@CJ-wj5ol]

No slur, clear point, God I am thankful I can share this with my little cousin

[@Ajezowski1699]

4:42 There was a Wailord GX deck that was OP at a sun and moon prerelease, cant remember what set though.

[@abubro333]

Thank you so much for making this video! I just recently got into collecting tcg cards to try something new - and this video helped me understand the deck creating process much better!

[@warrior5742]

Thank you for all the advice your so underrated keep going your amazing

[@aceadewaleedits]

This was soooo good! Thanks for being so clear and using an example build. !

[@gyrosean]

Glad it was helpful ☺️

[@erickadammen1508]

Ive been collecting since 1st edition but ive been dying to learn to play. This helped me a lot. I didn't know anything. I wanna try to make a deck with the new darkness ablaze when it comes out. Thanks! Looking forward to more videos.

[@gyrosean]

Awesome, and welcome to the world of playing the game!

[@Cringyningy]

4 gold metal saucers and 4 gold quick balls and 2 other gold trainers? How did you get all those? Wow

[@gyrosean]

The key is making poor financial decisions lol.

[@Cringyningy]

Wow lol

[@ArmaST7]

@@gyrosean Not if you KZbin about the cards AND know where to get them cheaper then ebay. lol really not as much as you'd think, I own a card shop.

[@rudy951]

@@ArmaST7 That's actually awesome. I have been thinking to myself how cool it would be to have my own card shop. but I have no clue on how to start one and how to not make it an instant flop or running it on 'life support'. Do you have some advice for someone with interest in the business?

[@anonanon1604]

I faced this same deck the first and only game I played of standard in the online game, there was literally not a single thing in my entire deck that could do anything about any of it. So I went back to theme feeling like standard was just too pay2win for me to have any chance at winning without farming all the best cards in the game first.

[@philcass1750]

Great video for a beginner like myself. Thanks a lot my dude :)

[@bigmclargehuge4767]

Thank you; this was super helpful!

[@seraphine7389]

this channel is amazing, thanks!

[@charlienilsen9250]

omg it makes me so sad to see a amazing youtuber not get the clout :(

[@fabz115]

You forgot to mention another win set and that is if the opponents active pokemon dies and they don’t have a benched pokemon you win

[@oglog1344]

Very Good Video, thanks and greetings from Germany😊👍🏻

[@allerheiligengenetics8053]

Can't use metal sauser in the new mobile tgc

[@supersanex_x]

Nest ball is a way bettet option

[@gyrosean]

This video used a standard deck as the example, and nest ball is only expanded

[@supersanex_x]

@@gyrosean it is!

[@PokemonProable]

Love your vids especially the intro!

[@gyrosean]

Thanks!

[@Thugn1f1cent]

What if i have like 3 normal vulpixs and 2 alolan vulpix can I play those?

[@gyrosean]

That should be fine ☺️

[@jacobnelson408]

You can have 4 charizard and also 4 charizard gx, right?

[@doop6995]

good man

[@jeff_zilla5106]

Does my deck have to consist of one type of Pokemon like leaf and water

[@gyrosean]

Nope, you can combine different types in any way you like

[@pinkmilkbmx6258]

100/10

[@kronosis2767]

Bruh what cards are these?!?! They are pretty af!!!

[@roraxgaming3102]

Do i have to specifically use these cards? Like can i use alternate cards that still havethe same value?

[@gyrosean]

The cards I shared in the video are just an example deck, so you could use any cards you think could work. Just consider whether the cards you want to use are standard legal (that's the most played format). Otherwise the video is more a guide to help your decision making, so whatever cards you think will work for any deck, this hopefully can help guide you

[@BeerHuntor]

also note, there are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper versions than the cards shown here... Gold cards are secret rares.. just get the basic cards from the set that do the same thing, for a fraction of the price.. Buying these exact cards, is going to really increase the price of the deck.

[@gyrosean]

@@BeerHuntor ^^ so much yes! Don’t bother blinging out any deck until competitive play starts again

[@timmytombstone9390]

Please comment the links to all the cards or deck list.

[@gyrosean]

This deck list was just an example, but I wouldn't recommend this exact list.

[@prodbykris]

Ok so I have a fire type Volcanion and a Shining water type Volcanion. Does that count?

[@gyrosean]

Not sure exactly what you're referring to here. Could you give more detail to your question?

[@prodbykris]

I have a regular fire type Volcanion

[@prodbykris]

Then I have another volcanion but it’s type is now water. The volcanion is gold and has the word Shining next to its nsme

[@prodbykris]

These are two different cards but different typing and a slightly different nsme since the word shining is added to the water type version of a Volcanion

[@gyrosean]

XenoFrosty I believe you are correct, theoretically those could both have 4 copies in a deck. That said, shining volcanion is no longer standard legal, but that's a separate issue

[@dreamdog3499]

at this point i just think people dislike for a joke, i dont see whats wrong with this video?

[@FIREBURNase]

So you have all of those gold cards but not a single rainbow rare pokemon arceus dialga palkia or a gold zacian?!?!

[@gyrosean]

I do have 2 rainbow ADP, and 1 gold zacian. But it's easier to see the regular ADP for the video, and I prefer having all the same type so full art zacian was better there

[@FIREBURNase]

Ooooooh come on i have only one rainbow ADP, well i opend only 8 packs, guess i was just lucky

[@FIREBURNase]

My favorit card

[@FIREBURNase]

So, are you like the biggest collecter of pokemon of all times or something like that?

[@gyrosean]

leon drinx not nearly lol. Only been collecting for a year, and really just more of a player

[@aryg3922]

First

[@kaitlynnedgington1495]

he forgot stadium cards

[@gyrosean]

I did, but it's all part of trainers

[@jeremiahbachmann3901]

You look British.

[@tytheguy1245]

💩 poop

[@lolcoffin]

Switched from being comp yugioh player for years to Pokemon just recently, watched your whole video and genuinely learned a lot and will be picking up some of these cards for myself! Sub earned for sure 👍🏼

[@gyrosean]

Thanks! And glad this was helpful, from what I understand Yu-Gi-Oh can get pretty complex in terms of card interactions, so fingers crossed the simplicity of Pokemon will be easy for you to pick up

[@tylerisadumb]

Lol funny enough I'm in the opposite camp. I collected Pokémon cards in elementary and middle school but have since wanted to get into Yugioh lol

[@brycebeagle3647]

Same for me just quit this week and starting pokemon

[@sirhetmanpirate]

Hi from Melbourne AUS! Just bought my first decks today. My 7y.o. nephew introduced me - played 10 minutes with him and have been itching to go to the store and get my own cards. This was extremely helpful to me so thanks!

[@jarredwise]

My backyard is in ruins and I have no where to host bbqs now but my Pokémon skills have never been better

[@justanothergamer7918]

I find a very fun and easy way to make a deck is to buy a pre made deck and modify it to your liking. I got a team plasma deck and modified it a little bit to make it fun.

[@memetube8167]

You forgot about winning if you are out of basic pokemon on the play area. Don't know if that was mentioned yet

[@gyrosean]

I think you're right, forgot about the bench out mechanic

[@hardcorenacho1020]

Surprised he talked about running out of cards rather then running out of benched pokemon since I only had 1 game out of 100 where the deck ran out

[@gyrosean]

@@hardcorenacho1020 I think when I recorded this, Mill/Control was a very popular deck, so it was on my mind a lot. lol

[@Lunalately]

Great video. I just started building my own decks Been playing the pre made decks, straight up to get a hang of the games general rules. This was a big help, keep it up!

[@gyrosean]

Thanks!

[@veryfitting]

I just got back into collection after 20 years away from it and I never actually played the game so this has helped. Thanks 👍

[@damiennoah]

So many gold cards😂

[@zachl2581]

so non chalant when he pulled them out too lmao he knew he was dripping

[@rensaudade]

This single video made me fight against dozens of ADP, Zacian decks. Exactly like this deck. It's tiring and very repetitive.

[@palmermoynihan2628]

I mean its just a well known and popular deck. Your opponent could have found it somewhere else online as well. This one video isnt the reason people play ADPZ

[@user-gu1ed1kb8x]

I used to play all the time when I was a kid, but I stopped a while back. Finally decided to get back into it and can't believe there are pokemon with more than 200 health that also can do 200+ damage.

[@lucky115_5]

Thanks a lot for the tutorial! Before I had no idea what to put in my deck besides pokemon and energy

[@TridentFishing]

iv been play for 2 days and this was perfect, thanks man, iv learned most of the basics and this helps for long term for ideas....me and my 8 year old are learning together so thanks... Whats so cracy is i still remember in the 7th grade when pokemon came out and thinking , yeah ill prob never play that,,,lol 25 years later im building a deck

[@gyrosean]

So glad the video is helpful! And same for me, playing when it came out, and here I am again 20+ years later

[@doobie_rockz]

I’m in the same boat with my step son. Crazy!!

[@Threeze0]

Me and my friends have a no energy rule because we think it’s a bit boring

[@mousearts7079]

I thought at first that this would be a bad guide for me because I don’t have many good cards but you put a great tutorial on what to do not necessarily requiring those cards

[@gyrosean]

Thanks! Ya, my goal was take just a guide to build any deck, even if it's not "the best" deck, because all good decks share the same principles

[@mousearts7079]

gyrosean also this isn’t necessarily the deck but I can’t find anywhere that talks about evolution, and I’m wondering if there’s any point in using an evolved Pokémon if you don’t have e prevolve. Could you help at all?

[@gyrosean]

Mouse Arts generally speaking, there's no reason to have a stage 1 or stage 2 evolution if you don't play the basic. There are exceptions for special decks like mad party, but those are not common

[@mousearts7079]

gyrosean ok thank you for responding!

[@grantelmore6936]

@@mousearts7079 you could run the basic with the level 2 as long as you had rare candy to play. It allows you to skip the level 1

[@MegaAxxturel]

I’m trying to get the EDP Pokémon rn 💳💳💳💳💳💳💳💳💳💳💳💳💳💳💳💳

[@sleasymonster2105]

So if everyone builds a deck around the best meta cards, all the decks would kinda look the same?

[@ashedistler2052]

I'm a new Pokémon TCG player and I recently found your podcast, Metapod (which is absolutely fantastic, I listen to it religiously during my commute) and both you and Jake have been such amazing resources. I enjoy your easy-to-understand discussions about the meta, even for a new player like me, and I'm convinced you guys are good luck. The same day I listened to an episode where you discussed the Leon card, I pulled his full art version from Target when I grabbed a pack on a whim. I also really appreciate that you guys don't shy away from difficult topics, such as misogyny in the Pokémon community. It makes me feel welcomed as a female player.

[@gyrosean]

Thank you so much for these kind words! And a warm welcome to the Pokemon comminuty ☺️

[@DARKO_WZM]

I just Am trying to get back into it. I havnt played a game since 2015 and even then I played mainly back when I was 8 years old to 12. So base set to Neo. Came back 20 years later. Learned the game again And saw that there were all these new Pokémon EX types. And Sun and moon had just begun. And with that came all sorts of wild stuff. Gx cards tag team card a secret rares full art. Anyways I began collecting cards again right when XY evolutions came out But I look back at all my sun and moon cards now and ugh… Yuck. Idk why but Everything before Cosmic eclipse or around that time sucked. When cosmic eclipse came out or the last few sets of sun and moon the cards just got way better looking. I bought 2 Cosmic eclipse booster boxes. Then Sword and shield came out. And I bought two Booster boxes of those. Then just bought booster packs here and there a for awhile. Sometime later Vivid Voltage and whatever the last sword and shield set was, I bought a box of that. BUT my god when scarlet and violet Came out I went and Bought I think it was like 2 booster boxes worth of packs that were from Different Things like the Promo Card Packs with the coin. And or The double pack ones and Then just the regular single packs that are in the cardboard Sleeves. I had figured out that buying booster boxes was way cheaper than buying 37 packs of singles. But the odds for special pulls were Insanely lower. I had tested this theory out that I had been doing but it’s very specific and you have to Find a place that doesn’t get bought out quick and go when they first get stocked. And buying mostly all of the same Kind if it’s just been put out. But I’m not gojng into that. Anyways I think I counted 75 packs worth Sucked because I had like 40 of those Big coins so I went on Facebook and have a Pokémon group All of them and all the code cards. But the cards and Pulls from scarlet and violets first set were so good. I’m so glad they Refreshed the cards and design.

[@rustygorilla1545]

I recently started a group that battels and this really helped me out with the idea and basic i need to know thanks so much

[@gyrosean]

No problem, and have fun!

[@FERRYYY010]

Great and simple explanation! Keep up the great work. Excited for the new video's in the series. The explaining and thought process you explained is much clearer than most videos you'll see online about deck-building.

[@usedcomputersdotorg]

I have more then 7000 POKEMON BASIC ENERGY CARDS 2023 SVEen 001 to 008. I'm trying to figure out what they are worth and how to sell them. These came from a comic book store, I assume they opened packs of cards to find the more valuable card and sold theses separately. I do not want to small lots but I may if can make money selling small lots. I listed them in an ebay auction starting bid $200 for the whole lot of 7000 and it did not even one view.

[@mileswhite5672]

This needs an average quantity of card list... kinda like in magic, they say for 60 cards you may need 24 mana average but maybe one more if creatures are big, Thats like 35 cards left, youll need about 20 creatures that work well together, lets say 5 mana ramps, 8 removals and graveyard manipulation to 1 or 2 cards

[@mileswhite5672]

I creturn to this comment after a few days , and ive realised pokemon is a bit more fluid play than magic, and the amount of trainer to poke to energy cards can range in every deck as per the win condition of that deck. So its a ruling of average would be unstable for this game, as in, it either wouldnt be true for an evo deck compared to a tag team deck ... however 20/20/20 may be the only average you need but it cant be used as a hard and fast rule every time. I reckon

[@LavaHawk289]

In the game Waxman is fairy, but in the FCC its steel?

[@9ElevenGamer]

So I can have 4 Bellsprout's and 4 Erika's Bellsprout's (If 4 exist I only have one) and I am just starting out.

[@screamforedits1645]

Man... I was excited to get my secret rare metal saucer lol. My guy got 4 of em haha 😂

[@abbygiles8072]

This really helps a lot I remember playing with my boyfriend but we stopped and I’m trying to get back into it! I used to run a gardevoir/Sylveon gx deck with the Mudkip lineup I forgot why I did that but thanks again this helps

[@gyrosean]

Glad you enjoyed it, and welcome back to the game!

[@hihihihi-ky6ml]

um i have no pokemon except for this one card called pikachu illistartor

[@gyrosean]

🤔 if you don't have 4 copies then it's probably not worth it. Happy to buy it off you for a couple bucks 😜

[@sivartwinscollectionmore6914]

You have a face for radio… I’m just kidding I started listening to the podcast about a week ago started from the first video, had to come check out the channel! I’ve been a couple decks but I wasn’t sure if I was doing it right, what better way than to start from the basic!

[@garygaarder329]

Another win condition is eliminating all your opponents benched and active pokemon.... even if they have cards left in their deck, if they don't have a pokemon on the bench after their active pokemon faints, they lose

[@MasterNeptor]

1 pokemon 59 energy... yeah iin 2022 we have one deck like that and lets just say its busted. one mewtwo deck is like that

[@NERDYGAMETURDY]

Just tellem the truth net deck cuz thats whut pokeman trainers in there moms basements doi ...lol

[@LetsPlayPokemon]

Hey Sean, I wonder if you have anything thoughts on how deck building in Pokemon compares with other TCGs. It feels like the core set of staples in Pokemon is very small, and it really limits creativity in deck building. Things like Metal Saucer and Welder are a step in the right direction. I'd like to see more unique archetype support and more unique basics (one-prizers specifically) to add some variety. Look at the Butterfree line from Rebel Clash. As much as I hate playing against it, the rapid evolution abilities and the Panic Poison attack make for a viable strategy to build a deck around. Or Spiritomb! That's a really unique mechanic that made a bunch of other niche cards relevant. I'd love to see more of that in the game, especially considering how many unique Pokemon there are now.

[@gyrosean]

I really might look into this, not an expert at other cards games tbh, just now learning Dragonball Super. Might need to bring in others who could speak to those differences a bit better, but I do think you might be right especially since Pokemon has a smaller Standard format than many other card games

[@LetsPlayPokemon]

​@@gyrosean Your point about the smaller Standard Format is well taken. The rotation takes a lot of interesting cards out of the format constantly. I think the game would benefit from more reprints if anything else. Like, I'd love to see more of the various Pokeballs in the format, allowing for some diversity in search options. Maybe we'll get some post Darkness Ablaze.

[@JazzyGrant]

Love the GT shirt! I bought one when Matt sold those a few years back too!

[@gyrosean]

Yoooo! KZbinr swag is what it's all about lol

[@markusmichler9475]

Can I use GX and VSTAR abilities Both during one match?

[@44lenihan]

Question if I add victini v would it help out my pikarom since I don’t have the boltund

[@manga3040]

38 year old dad and my son, who is soon to be 7, just got into pokemon so this is awesome!

[@xtinxtz3617]

he makes a basic guide and already be flexing his super rare cards

[@LavaHawk289]

Zacian (auto correct sux)

[@nelsonhunter9091]

Thank you for teaching me this 😁😁😁

[@jt1625]

This is the best information for pokemon

[@ZenoDLC]

You should have deleniated Basic Energies and Special Energies

[@bigwiener8336]

...you can only have 4 special energy cards, normal energy is whatever floats your boat tho

[@gyrosean]

Yup, I suppose I didn't specify that because in my mind they are "named cards" but I could see how someone might not see that

[@brycebeagle3647]

This video helped so much now I think I can build something lol

[@aarontbrooks]

getting back into the card game for the first time since i used to play back in the first and second gen of pokémon. your videos definitely help! especially with how it’s changed and played today! thanks so much! subscribed!

[@gyrosean]

Thanks! And welcome back ☺️

[@noahmuniz4711]

Hey ur video was very helpful so thank u for this

[@MarshtompGames]

3:05 This now applies to Radiant Pokémon.

[@evanoviedo8809]

This video was literally way too long for some lack luster information. Just get to the point and tell us how to structure it. Obviously trying to milk minutes for revenue, but you bet your ass I skipped the ads altogether.

[@gyrosean]

Sorry you felt that way, just tried to explain everything in an interesting manner, particularly for new players. As for the revenue jab, I released this video before my channel was monetized, I have a normal 9-5 job, and had no expectation that it would be this popular. 🤷‍♂️

[@unknown_vibes1270]

What do you do if you don't want to do battles and just want to get them🤔

[@amandasarfehjoo6879]

Can u help me make a celebi & venusaur gx tag team 1/181

[@hegstertcg8943]

100K VIEWS HOLY! Huge milestone brother good stuff

[@gyrosean]

Absolutely wild

[@eternallwatchestoomanyvids3428]

Thanks so much! I have collected cards for 5 years but now im finally starting to learn!

[@gyrosean]

Good luck!

[@Mashmatics]

Whew I was here before 1k nice to see you grow congrats

[@gyrosean]

Appreciate it!

[@takeawaygamer7135]

Thanks for this video really informative and easy to understand, as someone who switched from yugioh to pokemon recently I had no idea where to begin when it came to deck building but now I have a much better understanding so I'm giving you a sub too dude keep up the good work

[@gyrosean]

Thanks!

[@sthgamingnetwork8317]

dude. you have so many secret rares. lol

[@LavaHawk289]

And tcg

[@zalchemyzender8307]

Are there any other cards I can use other than ZacianV?

[@mewmewpowergirl1625]

Your hiding something in your closet shiteru miteru

[@jovanniballardo]

Hi there my daughter and I are trying to build a deck and I was wondering if you can help us?

[@gyrosean]

I can certainly try and point you in the right direction. Easiest way to chat is via the Discord: discord.gg/GByC7WX

[@BlastOffBobby]

Congratulations on 1k! Very well deserved!

[@YakFam]

dang, about time. This helped a LOT! I was the guy that only knew theme decks lol thanks for the video! subbed!

[@Pnegu]

Nah bro, I only used theme decks too!

[@ziljin]

How many cards do you need to start deck building. I just started. I have the relentless flame theme deck. I'm guessing I need a lot of cards to be able to win matches in other modes?

[@Pnegu]

You only need 60 (And at least 1 Pokemon), but some cards are banned at this current time

[@ziljin]

@@Pnegu yes of course. But won't other players have much stronger decks because they have a huge card collection from playing the game for years?

[@Pnegu]

No, most cards have been banned so that they could make room for the new Sword and Shield sets, so the playing field is more balanced.

[@mothr26]

I HAVE Pokémon cards yay!

[@xtheonethatgotawayx2677]

he didn't put zazin or the lengenderis he needed in the deck so he can't play the tag team or v

[@liamengram6326]

Yes he can. They are basic pokemon. They don't need evolving.

[@namanagrawal7060]

Can we use these deck to play in versus

[@W0lfbaneShikaisc00l]

So in conclusion build Sword and Shield Deck: even though the old players will force you to use the old cards because they're annoyed that the new cards trump theirs easily... ugh, this sucks only way I'm going to win the old game is using paralyzing and ghost pokémon because of how broken and wildly banned these pokémon are.