The Pokémon Trading Card Game (or TCG) is at an all-time high, with products flying off the shelves at breakneck pace. The highly-anticipated set, Prismatic Evolutions, has also just been released, with several powerful reprints for players and chase cards for collectors. Pokémon TCG Live (PTCGL), the official online digital application of the Pokémon TCG, has also released the set, which means players can already play with the cards on their computer, tablet, or phones!
Affordability of Pokémon TCG Live
One of the best ways to get into the physical card game is through PTCGL. As a free-to-play game, players are able to earn cards without spending any money in-game and build exact copies of decks as they would in the physical, real-world card game! This app should not be confused with Pokémon TCG Pocket, a completely separate game with different rules and card pools.
In fact, Pokémon TCG Live at the moment has no way to actually spend money at all in-game – which is an odd decision, but is great news for players. However, the app also serves as a companion for the physical game, as booster packs contain codes which can be redeemed in-game for a random pack of cards.
Core Cards in Pokémon TCG Live
Pokémon TCG Live also outfits players with seven starter decks filled with lots of core trainer cards, which they can customize further to their liking. These cards are all considered to be a part of one’s own card pool, so they can then be used for other decks as well.
This means that if a new player were to just begin now, they would have access to all these core cards, for free!
Standout cards in these decks include Radiant Charizard and Radiant Greninja, Squawkabilly ex, Mew ex, and Lumineon V, which are all ran as one-of support Pokémon in several high-tier decks.
We also begin the game with near playsets of several important Supporter cards, such as Arven, Iono, Professor’s Research, and three copies of Boss’s Orders.
As for Item cards, we also begin the PTCG Live journey with playsets of Nest Ball, Ultra Ball, Rare Candy, Earthen Vessel, and Buddy-Buddy Poffin, among other cards.
Battle Pass Rewards
The game also has a free battle pass, which gives out (yet again) free decks containing core cards! For Prismatic Evolutions, the starting track of the battle pass rewards players with an Eevee ex deck, while the midway point awards an optimized Regidrago VSTAR deck, modeled after 2024 Senior Division World Champion Evan Pavelski’s.
Standout staples from these decks are the 3-3 Noctowl line, Fan Rotom, three copies of Teal Mask Ogerpon ex – arguably one of the best cards in the game right now – and even the ubiquitous Prime Catcher.
Most importantly, we also gain access to Fezandipiti ex, definitely the most-sought after staple in Standard, due to its ability to create comebacks even after disruptions from the opponent.
Crafting Optimized Decks
In PTCGL, there is a currency called Trade Credits. These credits can be used to craft new cards, with costs varying based on rarity of the crafted card. These credits can be earned by opening duplicate cards in booster packs or preconstructed decks in the in-game shop.
Let’s go over some decks we can build for cheap using the staples we already have.
Regidrago VSTAR
Since we receive a near-optimal Regidrago VSTAR deck this season, it could be worth crafting a few cards to keep it up-to-date with the meta, specially if you plan to give this Regi a last hurrah before rotation. Alolan Exeggutor ex was given out as a ladder reward during the December season, so you may already have this card, which drives down the price to craft the deck by a mile!
Craft: 1 Cleffa, 1 Alolan Exeggutor ex, 1 Jamming Tower
Cost: 140/740 Credits
Regidrago VSTAR – 4th Place Regional Sacramento, CA – Grant Shen
Pokémon: 19
3 Regidrago V SIT 135
3 Regidrago VSTAR SIT 136
3 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25
1 Dragapult ex TWM 130
1 Giratina VSTAR LOR 131
1 Hisuian Goodra VSTAR LOR 136
1 Alolan Exeggutor ex SSP 133
1 Kyurem SFA 47
1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Mew ex MEW 151
1 Cleffa OBF 80
1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20
Trainer: 32
4 Professor’s Research SVI 189
2 Iono PAL 185
2 Boss’s Orders PAL 172
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
4 Energy Switch SVI 173
4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
2 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
1 Tera Orb SSP 189
1 Canceling Cologne ASR 136
1 Switch SVI 194
1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
1 PokéStop PGO 68
Energy: 9
7 Grass Energy SVE 9
2 Fire Energy SVE 10
Dragapult ex
Since the Regidrago VSTAR deck also contains two copies of Dragapult ex, it could be worth looking into this deck, which is one of the top meta contenders for the Prismatic Evolutions format.
Craft: 4 Dreepy, 4 Drakloak, 1 Dragapult ex, 2 Duskull, 1 Dusclops, 2 Dusknoir, 1 Klefki, 1 Radiant Alakazam, 2 Lance, 2 Counter Catcher, 1 Night Stretcher, 2 Budew
Cost: 3420 Credits
Dragapult ex – 3rd Place Champions League Osaka – Ryunosuke Murata
Pokémon: 21
4 Dreepy TWM 128
4 Drakloak TWM 129
3 Dragapult ex TWM 130
2 Duskull BRS 60
1 Dusclops SFA 19
2 Dusknoir SFA 20
2 Budew SV8a 1
1 Klefki SVI 96
1 Radiant Alakazam SIT 59
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
Trainer: 32
4 Arven OBF 186
3 Iono PAL 185
2 Lance SIT 159
2 Boss’s Orders PAL 172
1 Professor’s Research SVI 189
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
3 Nest Ball SVI 181
3 Rare Candy SVI 191
2 Ultra Ball SVI 196
2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Switch SVI 194
1 Sparkling Crystal SCR 142
1 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
1 Rescue Board TEF 159
Energy: 7
4 Psychic Energy SVE 13
3 Fire Energy SVE 10
Charizard ex
A fan favorite, Charizard ex is always a great pick for new players as it’s fairly easy to pilot, but still has great potential when mastered. The recently-released Charizard ex League Battle Deck is also one of the most recommended ways to get into the physical card game, so most new players online will want to build the same deck online.
Craft: 2 Duskull, 1 Dusclops, 1 Dusknoir, 1 Rotom V, 1 Forest Seal Stone, 1 Professor Turo’s Scenario, 1 Thorton, 1 Briar, 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball, 1 Counter Catcher, 1 Grand Tree
Cost: 2645 Credits
Charizard ex – 16th Place Champions League Osaka – Haruki Kawata
Pokémon: 22
3 Charmander MEW 4
2 Charmeleon PAF 8
3 Charizard ex OBF 125
2 Pidgey OBF 162
2 Pidgeotto MEW 17
2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
2 Duskull SFA 18
1 Dusclops SFA 19
1 Dusknoir SFA 20
1 Radiant Charizard CRZ 20
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Rotom V LOR 58
1 Lumineon V BRS 40
Trainer: 33
4 Arven OBF 186
3 Iono PAL 185
2 Boss’s Orders PAL 172
1 Professor Turo’s Scenario PAR 171
1 Thorton LOR 167
1 Briar SCR 132
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
3 Nest Ball SVI 181
3 Rare Candy SVI 191
2 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Lost Vacuum LOR 162
1 Forest Seal Stone SIT 156
1 Grand Tree SCR 136
Energy: 5
5 Fire Energy SVE 10
Ancient Box
With a second place finish at the Champions League Osaka, Ancient Box is gaining steady popularity in the Prismatic Evolutions metagame. Since we start with four copies of Roaring Moon, Earthen Vessel, and a Radiant Greninja, it might be worth considering.
Craft: 4 Great Tusk, 4 Flutter Mane, 1 Munkidori, 1 Pecharunt ex, 3 Pokégear 3.0, 2 Counter Catcher, 2 Night Stretcher, 1 Hisuian Heavy Ball, 1 Brilliant Blender
Cost: 4260 Credits
Ancient Box – 2nd Place Champions League Osaka – Asuka Kamikariya
Pokémon: 15
4 Roaring Moon TEF 109
4 Great Tusk TEF 97
4 Flutter Mane TEF 78
1 Munkidori TWM 95
1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
1 Pecharunt ex SFA 39
Trainer: 38
4 Professor Sada’s Vitality PAR 170
4 Explorer’s Guidance TEF 147
1 Boss’s Orders PAL 172
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
3 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
1 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Dark Patch ASR 139
1 Pal Pad SVI 182
1 Ultra Ball SVI 196
1 Hisuian Heavy Ball ASR 146
1 Brilliant Blender SSP 164
4 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
3 PokéStop PGO 68
Energy: 7
7 Darkness Energy SVE 15
Lugia VSTAR
Lugia is back for one last hurrah due to the newest addition to the deck, Regigigas. This allows us to one-shot opposing Dragapult ex and Charizard ex, while still being able to answer most threats in the format due to our diverse lineup of attackers.
Craft: 2 Minccino, 2 Cinccino, 1 Regigigas, 1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna, 1 Iron Hands ex, 1 Wellspring Ogerpon ex, 1 Carmine, 1 Jacq, 1 Thorton, 1 Great Ball, 1 Jamming Tower, 2 Gift Energy, 1 Jet Energy, 2 Mist Energy, 1 Legacy Energy
Cost: 3820 Credits
Lugia VSTAR – 4th Place Champions League Osaka – Kiriya Shima
Pokémon: 21
3 Lugia V SIT 138
3 Lugia VSTAR SIT 139
4 Archeops SIT 147
2 Lumineon V BRS 40
2 Minccino SVM 107
2 Cinccino TEF 137
1 Regigigas SV8a 132
1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
1 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
1 Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 64
1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
Trainer: 23
3 Boss’s Orders PAL 172
3 Professor’s Research SVI 189
2 Iono PAL 185
1 Carmine TWM 145
1 Jacq SVI 175
1 Thorton LOR 167
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
4 Capturing Aroma SIT 153
1 Nest Ball SVI 181
1 Great Ball PAL 183
1 Mesagoza SVI 178
1 Jamming Tower TWM 153
Energy: 16
4 Gift Energy LOR 171
4 Jet Energy PAL 190
4 Mist Energy TEF 161
3 Double Turbo Energy BRS 151
1 Legacy Energy TWM 167
Raging Bolt ex
Raging Bolt ex is a simple and straightforward deck that is ideal for newer players, as it can hit for high numbers, all while being rather easy to pilot without going into too many sequencing errors. As we are set to receive three Teal Mask Ogerpon exs, this deck could be a consideration by the time you’ve climbed up the battle pass.
Craft: 4 Raging Bolt ex, 1 Slither Wing, 1 Iron Bundle, 1 Briar, 3 Energy Retrieval, 2 Night Stretcher, 2 Pokégear 3.0, 2 Bravery Charm
Cost: 3300 Credits
Raging Bolt ex – 3rd Place Regional Toronto – Vincent Owen
Pokémon: 12
4 Raging Bolt ex TEF 123
3 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25
1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Slither Wing PAR 107
1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
Trainer: 37
4 Professor Sada’s Vitality PAR 170
1 Iono PAL 185
1 Briar SCR 132
4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
3 Energy Retrieval SVI 171
3 Pokémon Catcher SVI 187
2 Switch Cart ASR 154
2 Ultra Ball SVI 196
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
2 Trekking Shoes ASR 156
2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
1 Lost Vacuum LOR 162
1 Pal Pad SVI 182
2 Bravery Charm PAL 173
2 PokéStop PGO 68
Energy: 11
5 Grass Energy SVE 9
3 Lightning Energy SVE 12
3 Fighting Energy SVE 14
Archaludon ex
A deck steadily gaining popularity, Archaludon ex took the world by storm by winning in the 5,000 player Osaka Champions League. Coincidentally, the deck’s core was also given out as a reward in the Surging Sparks battle pass, which means we also have copies of Archaludon ex, Origin Forme Dialga V and Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR, and Scoop Up Cyclone.
Craft: 1 Relicanth, 1 Thorton, 2 Night Stretcher, 2 Pokégear 3.0, 1 Counter Catcher, 2 Jamming Tower
Cost: 1280 Credits
Archaludon ex – 1st Place Champions League Osaka – Yota Wakai
Pokémon: 15
4 Duraludon SCR 106
4 Archaludon ex SSP 130
2 Origin Forme Dialga V ASR 113
2 Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR ASR 114
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Radiant Greninja ASR 46
1 Relicanth TEF 84
Trainer: 35
4 Professor’s Research SVI 189
3 Iono PAL 185
3 Boss’s Orders PAL 172
2 Professor Turo’s Scenario PAR 171
1 Thorton LOR 167
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
4 Night Stretcher SFA 61
3 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
2 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Pal Pad SVI 182
1 Scoop Up Cyclone TWM 162
2 Jamming Tower TWM 153
Energy: 10
10 Metal Energy SVE 16
The best part about crafting these cards is you’ll eventually gain a pool of staple cards which can be used in succeeding decks you make. This then drives down the crafting cost of the next deck you plan to make, and so on. This is in addition to the random assortment of cards you’ll gain from opening booster packs, either from codes or as ladder and battle pass rewards.
My personal recommendation is to begin with any of the starter decks, as they’re decent enough to get a feel for the game, and maybe look into upgrading them as you progress through the battle pass. Then, once you’ve unlocked the Regidrago VSTAR deck, it would be good to use it, as it’s nearly optimal, then branch out into other decks if you feel like it. My top pick would be Dragapult ex, although it requires a little bit more credits to finish. If you played during the December season, the Archaludon ex deck is also a great option and requires little to optimize.
Want more Pokémon TCG content? Check out the five best Prismatic Evolutions cards for your decks.
