Pokémon cards have taken the world by storm, and building the best Pokémon TCG decks can be both exciting and overwhelming for newcomers and veterans alike. As a long-time member of the Pokémon TCG community, I’ve seen decks rise and fall in popularity with each new expansion. In this guide, we’ll break down the top decks dominating the game in 2025, highlight the best card packs to buy (for both English and Japanese sets), and answer your burning questions about collecting and playing Pokémon cards.
Pokémon TCG decks constantly evolve with new sets and strategies. For example, Lugia VSTAR was a dominant deck when the Silver Tempest set released in late 2022, thanks to Lugia’s energy-accelerating power that made it a cornerstone of many championship decks. Fast forward to 2025, and a fresh batch of powerhouse decks has taken the spotlight.
But keep in mind that the “best” decks can change with each new expansion or rotation. These decks are smashing the competition in late 2024 and early 2025. So do stay updated with the latest sets – for instance, Japan often gets new sets earlier, so Japanese players might discover upcoming meta decks before the English release.
This Electric-type deck hits fast and hard. Centred on Miraidon ex (from the Scarlet & Violet series) and the Flaaffy engine, it floods the board with energy. The key is Electric Generator, an Item card that lets you look at the top 5 cards of your deck and attach up to 2 Lightning Energy to your Benched Pokémon. This means Miraidon can start attacking much earlier than usual.
Flaaffy’s Dynamotor Ability also re-attaches energy from the discard pile to your benched Pokémon, ensuring you never run out of firepower. Miraidon ex itself boasts the Tandem Unit Ability to summon more Basic Lightning Pokémon from the deck, and its Photon Blaster attack deals a whopping 220 damage. With ultra-fast setup and high damage, this deck can leave opponents stunned.
A staple of the current meta, Gardevoir ex decks prove that Psychic-types are here to stay. This deck revolves around evolving Ralts into Gardevoir ex as quickly as possible. Using Kirlia with the Refinement ability (discard a card to draw 2) and the Mirage Step attack (to fill your bench with more Kirlia), you can swarm your field with evolutions.
Gardevoir ex’s Psychic Embrace ability then lets you attach Psychic Energy from your discard to your Pokémon as often as you like (at the cost of a bit of self-damage). This means your attackers, like another Gardevoir or Zacian V, can ramp up damage quickly. The strategy is to cycle energies and draw cards rapidly until Gardevoir ex is fully powered to sweep. It’s a slightly slower start than Lightning decks, but once set up, this deck’s late-game is nearly unstoppable with continuous energy acceleration and big one-hit KOs.
One of the most hyped decks from the Paradox Rift expansion, Roaring Moon ex has made a ferocious entry into the meta. This Dark-type Pokémon ex hits the field with the Frenzied Gouging attack, which can knock out the opponent’s Active Pokémon in one blow at the cost of some self-damage. In fact, Roaring Moon ex can even take a KO on the very first turn of the game – an almost unheard-of feat, making it a terrifying opponent.
To mitigate Roaring Moon’s self-inflicted damage, players use the Ancient Booster Energy Capsule tool for +60 HP, ensuring Roaring Moon ex survives its own attack recoil. The deck is often paired with support Pokémon like Brute Bonnet and other Ancient trait cards that complement Roaring Moon’s strategy. Every card in this list is geared to support Roaring Moon ex’s all-or-nothing style. It’s a glass cannon deck: incredibly powerful and fast, perfect for those who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay – and it’s rightly considered one of the best decks from Paradox Rift.
The Giratina Lost Zone deck has been a fan-favourite since the Lost Origin set and continues to be a top contender. It combines the Legendary power of Giratina VSTAR with the quirky Lost Zone engine. The goal is to use cards like Comfey (Flower Selecting) and Colress’s Experiment to quickly send cards to the Lost Zone, unlocking powerful effects. Once enough cards are “lost”, Giratina VSTAR can use its attack Lost Impact for a massive 280 damage, wiping out most Pokémon in one hit.
Uniquely, Giratina’s VSTAR Power, Star Requiem, can instantly KO the opponent’s Active Pokémon if you have 10 cards in the Lost Zone – a devastating finisher. This deck also techs in single-Prize attackers like Sableye (with Lost Mine to spread damage counters once 10 cards are in Lost Zone) and Cramorant (which attacks for free once 4 cards are in Lost Zone). Giratina Lost Zone decks truly shine in the late game – after a slow build-up, they unleash a flurry of attacks that opponents struggle to withstand.
Last but certainly not least, the Charizard ex deck is currently regarded as the number 1 deck in Standard play. It’s no surprise – Charizard has been an iconic figure in Pokémon TCG since the 1990s, and its newest incarnation in the Obsidian Flames set lives up to the hype. Charizard ex is a Stage 2 Pokémon with abilities that offset the usual slow evolution: its Ability Infernal Reign can accelerate Fire Energy onto itself, and once powered up, Charizard ex’s attacks deal devastating damage.
Many Charizard decks pair it with Pidgeot ex (for consistency via its vanishing Wings ability) or with the Lost Zone engine for quicker setup. The result is a fiery onslaught that’s both consistent and hard-hitting. For example, a Charizard ex can hit for 330 damage (enough to OHKO any Pokémon VMAX or ex) once set up, especially if combined with damage boosters. This deck often techs healing or defensive cards as well, to make sure Charizard stays in play after dishing out damage. Given its raw power and cool factor, Charizard ex has quickly become the most popular Pokémon deck of the moment, topping tournament rankings and local leagues alike.
Japanese “High-Class” booster sets like Mega Dream ex are highly anticipated by collectors for their guaranteed rare pulls and exclusive cards. In 2025, both English and Japanese Pokémon TCG packs offer exciting opportunities for players to pull powerful cards and for collectors to find valuable treasures.
Opening booster packs is one of the most thrilling parts of the hobby – who doesn’t love the chance of pulling a rare shiny Charizard or a legendary Pokémon? But with so many sets out there, which are the best Pokémon packs to buy right now? Here’s a mix of English and Japanese Pokémon TCG sets that are popular for their card quality, value, and fun factor:
The final main set of the Sword & Shield era, Silver Tempest is famous for its Lugia VSTAR and stunning Lugia V alternate art. This set was highly desired by collectors upon release, and for good reason. Not only did it introduce powerful cards that defined the meta (Lugia VSTAR was a championship-winning card), but it also has a gorgeous Trainer Gallery subset. If you’re hunting for a mix of playable cards and valuable collectibles, Silver Tempest booster packs are a top pick – plus it’s a bit nostalgic as the swan song of an era.
Crown Zenith is a special expansion packed with reprints and dazzling artwork, capping off the Sword & Shield series. It introduced the Galarian Gallery – a set of 70 beautiful art cards – including chase cards like the gold Arceus VSTAR and Giratina VSTAR. In fact, the secret rare Arceus VSTAR from Crown Zenith has fetched up to $2,800 in top graded condition, showcasing how coveted these cards are. Crown Zenith is great for collectors who love alternate art and for players looking to bling out their decks. With favourites like Mewtwo VSTAR, featuring Charizard in its artwork, and cute Pikachu secret rare, every pack feels rewarding.
Tip: Crown Zenith is only available in special products (like Elite Trainer Boxes or collections), but they’re worth picking up for the high hit rates.
The new generation of Pokémon TCG brings Scarlet & Violet base set, Paldea Evolved, Obsidian Flames, and more on the horizon. These packs are fantastic for players because they contain the latest Pokémon ex cards and Trainer cards used in current top decks. For example, Paldea Evolved introduced Chien-Pao ex and Iono (a powerful supporter), while Obsidian Flames gave us the mighty Charizard ex. The Scarlet & Violet sets also changed the card border to silver and guarantee at least a holo in each pack, which is a nice bonus for collectors.
Overall, if you want playable modern cards, you can’t go wrong grabbing a few Scarlet & Violet booster packs or an Elite Trainer Box.
An older set that remains a fan-favourite to this day, Hidden Fates is all about the Shiny Vault. If you love shiny Pokémon, this is the pack for you. Hidden Fates is packed with fan-favourite Pokémon like shiny Charizard GX, Mewtwo, Eevee evolutions, and more. The excitement of potentially pulling a shiny Charizard GX (which still holds significant value) makes every Hidden Fates pack a thrill.
These packs are a bit harder to find now, but they’re considered some of the best Pokémon packs to buy for collectors who enjoy the hunt for rare shiny cards. Even the regular subset has gems like the trio of Legendary bird Tag Team cards with beautiful art. If you find a Hidden Fates tin or collection box at a good price, it’s a great nostalgic rip.
Japan releases special high-class booster packs each year that often become the blueprint for international special sets. Recent examples include VSTAR Universe, which was later released internationally as Crown Zenith, and the upcoming Mega Dream ex and Terastal Festival packs.
These Japanese packs typically guarantee multiple holographic cards in each pack and have exclusive art or cards months before the West gets them. For instance, VSTAR Universe introduced stunning art rares and the first glimpses of certain VSTAR cards.
Collectors worldwide love Japanese cards for their high print quality, and some Japanese-exclusive cards command higher prices than their English versions because they’re rarer. If you’re looking to invest or collect, Japanese booster boxes (like the Pokémon 151 set or Eevee Heroes for Eeveelution fans) are among the best Japanese Pokémon card sets you can buy. Just be aware that Japanese cards have different backs and aren’t legal in English tournaments, but they are perfect for collecting and casual play.
When it comes to investing in Pokémon cards, the “best” cards are typically those with high rarity, popularity, and long-term value:
Pokémon-GX cards, introduced in the Sun & Moon era (2017–2019), were once a major part of the TCG. However, as of 2025, they’re no longer legal in the Standard format, since all Sun & Moon sets have rotated out to make way for newer mechanics. After GX cards came the V, VMAX/VSTAR (Sword & Shield era), and now Pokémon ex in the Scarlet & Violet era. So, GX cards can’t be used in official Standard tournaments.
That said, they remain legal in Expanded format (which covers sets from Black & White onward) and casual play. Note that the Pokémon TCG may ban certain GX or Tag Team cards in Expanded for balance reasons, so check the latest ban list before you compete.
In short: Players can no longer use GX cards in Standard, but they can still use them in Expanded and casual games. Collectors also still value these cards as part of Pokémon TCG history.
If someone asks “What is the 1 best Pokémon card?” a playful answer could be: Base Set Charizard – not because it wins games today, but because it’s the card that ignited a craze and still captures the heart of the hobby like no other. It’s iconic, valuable, and instantly recognisable as a symbol of the Pokémon TCG. However, for competitive players right now, a card like Charizard ex or Iono (a powerful trainer) might feel like the “best” due to their impact on winning games.
Ultimately, “best” is subjective. It could mean the rarest, the strongest, or simply your personal favourite. And in Pokémon, that personal connection is a big part of what makes any card the best to you! But in truth, no one card is objectively the best across all contexts. If we’re talking the single “best” Pokémon card of all time, the answer can vary depending on how you define “best.”
Here are two angles to consider:
The Pikachu Illustrator card is widely regarded as the most valuable Pokémon card ever made. Awarded to winners of a 1998 art contest, only a handful exist, and one has sold for around $5 million. Other top collectibles include the 1st Edition Base Set Charizard (Shadowless) and rare trophy cards awarded to championship players — all prized for their scarcity and iconic status.
In gameplay, the “best” card changes with each format. Currently, Charizard ex (Obsidian Flames) dominates Standard play, while past standouts include Giratina VSTAR, Mew VMAX, and Arceus VSTAR. Historically influential cards like Blastoise (Base Set), Eelektrik (NVI), and Tapu Lele-GX also shaped the meta in their eras. Consistency cards like Professor’s Research remain staples across nearly every deck.
Finding the best Pokémon TCG decks really comes down to your goals and what you enjoy. Remember, the meta will keep evolving – and that’s part of the fun! Feel free to experiment with different decks, collect the cards that you love, and trade with the community. And if you want to expand your Pokémon adventure beyond the cards, be sure to check out some of the best Pokémon games you can play to immerse yourself in the Pokémon world. Happy collecting, duelling, and remember: the best deck is ultimately one that brings you joy and victory in equal measure.
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