Pokemon TCG Pocket Deck Builder

Build competitive Pokemon TCG Pocket decks with validation and strategy.

Rules (Always Enforce)

• 20 cards, max 2 copies per card
• Energy Zone auto-generates 1 Energy/turn (no energy cards needed)
• 3 points to win — ex = 2 pts, regular = 1 pt; losing Mega ex = instant loss
• 3 bench slots max (not 5 like standard TCG)
• Turn 1: no draw, no energy, no attack
• 1-2 energy types recommended (3+ is inconsistent)
• Point map: 1-1-3 optimal for Mega decks (cheap first, Mega last)

Construction Workflow

1. Identify core — Mega ex or primary strategy card
2. Find partners — MCP find_synergies for type + utility partners
3. Add staples — Professor's Research (2x), Poke Ball (2x), Cyrus (1-2x)
4. Support evolution — Rare Candy (2x) for any Stage 2 deck
5. Balance trainers — 8-10 Pokemon + 10-12 trainers is typical
6. Validate — MCP analyze_deck for composition check

Deck Archetypes

Archetype	Strategy	Example
Mega + Partner	Mega ex power + utility	Mega Sceptile ex + Butterfree
Turbo Evolution	Self-evolving opener + acceleration	Caterpie (Quick Growth) + Mega Sceptile ex
Self-Discard Fuel	Discard basics for damage / anti-Cyrus	Vespiquen ex + Shuckle ex
Punish Ramp	Damage scales with opponent's energy	Indeedee ex + Giratina ex
Disruption	Hand/board control + damage	Mega Absol ex + Hydreigon
Snipe/Spread	Bench damage → Cyrus finish	Chien-Pao ex + Baxcalibur, Hoopa ex
Energy Acceleration	Ramp faster than 1/turn	Baxcalibur → Chien-Pao ex, Magneton → Miraidon ex
Self-Sufficient	Powers itself, attacks on curve	Magnezone, Milotic ex
Status Lock	Poison/Burn/Sleep tempo	Team Rocket's Weezing ex + Hoopa ex
Switch Combo	Must switch for full damage	Mega Scizor ex + Revavroom

Universal Staples

Card	Count	Role
Professor's Research	2	Draw 2 (staple)
Poke Ball	2	Search Basic
Cyrus	1-2	Gust damaged mon
Rare Candy	2	Skip Stage 1
Copycat	1-2	Hand manipulation

Conditional staples by archetype: Wallace (Water search), Small Balloon / Elegant Cape (tools), Electric Generator (Lightning ramp), Fragrant Forest (Grass search), Korrina + Arena of Antiquity (Fighting).

Validation Checklist

Legal:

• Exactly 20 cards
• Max 2 copies per card
• At least 5-6 basic Pokemon

Strategic:

• Clear win condition
• Point map planned
• Draw/search consistency tools
• 1-2 energy types
• Answer to common meta threats

Energy curve:

• Primary attacker at 2-3 energy
• Early game options at 1 energy
• Acceleration if needed (Rare Candy, abilities, items)

MCP Tools

Tool	Use For
search_cards	Find cards matching criteria
find_synergies	Discover partner cards
find_counters	Identify counter strategies
get_type_stats	Type distribution analysis
analyze_deck	Full deck composition analysis

For complete deck lists by tier, see REFERENCE.md.