How to Build a Pokémon Deck: 60-Card TCG Beginner Guide
November 9, 2026 · 6 min read
On this page
- Deck building rules
- A starter deck template
- How to build a Pokémon deck in 6 steps
- 1. Pick your main attacker
- 2. Add its evolution line
- 3. Add support Pokémon
- 4. Fill in Trainer cards
- 5. Add Energy
- 6. Count, then test
- Why the numbers matter: opening hand odds
- Common beginner mistakes
- Budget tips
- Frequently asked questions
- How many cards are in a Pokémon deck?
- How many Energy cards should be in a Pokémon deck?
- How many Basic Pokémon should a deck have?
- Can you have more than 4 of the same card?
- Are Pikachu and Pikachu ex the same card for the 4-copy rule?
- What is a good first Pokémon deck?
A Pokémon TCG deck must have exactly 60 cards, no more than 4 copies of any card with the same name (basic Energy is the exception), and at least one Basic Pokémon. For a first deck, the official rulebook suggests one or two Energy types, 12 to 15 Energy cards, about 20 to 25 Trainer cards, and Pokémon for the rest. This guide turns those rules into a step-by-step build, with the draw odds that explain why the numbers matter.
Deck building rules
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Deck size | Exactly 60 cards, not 59 or 61 |
| Copies per card | Up to 4 with the same name, except basic Energy, which is unlimited |
| Basic Pokémon | At least 1, or you can't start the game |
| ACE SPEC cards | Only 1 ACE SPEC card in the whole deck, not 1 of each |
| Radiant Pokémon | Only 1 Radiant Pokémon in the deck, in formats where they're legal |
The 4-copy rule counts card names, not artwork or attacks. A few details trip people up:
- "ex" is part of the name, so you can run 4 Miraidon and 4 Miraidon ex.
- Regional names count too: Meowth and Alolan Meowth are different cards.
- Cards with the same name but different attacks still share the limit. Four Pignite of any kind is the maximum.
New to the game itself? Start with our Pokémon TCG rules guide, which also explains what's legal in Standard format.
A starter deck template
The rulebook's guidelines give a sensible starting split:
| Card type | Starting count | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon | The rest, usually about 20 to 28 | Your attackers, their evolutions and support Pokémon |
| Trainer cards | About 20 to 25 | Drawing cards, finding Pokémon, switching and healing |
| Energy cards | 12 to 15 | Paying for attacks, in one or two types |
Make sure the three groups add up to 60. For example, 20 Pokémon, 25 Trainers and 15 Energy is a balanced first build. As you play more, you'll move cards between groups based on what your deck keeps running short of.
How to build a Pokémon deck in 6 steps
1. Pick your main attacker
Choose one Pokémon that will do most of your damage, usually a strong Pokémon ex or an evolved Pokémon. Build everything else around getting it into play and powered up. Two attackers that share an Energy type work well, but more than that makes a first deck inconsistent.
2. Add its evolution line
If your attacker evolves, include the full line. The rulebook suggests up to 4 of each stage. Running 4 of the Basic Pokémon matters most, since you can't evolve without it.
Remember that a Pokémon can't evolve on the turn it's played or on either player's first turn, so Stage 2 attackers take longer to set up than Basic ones.
3. Add support Pokémon
A couple of Pokémon that draw cards, search your deck or attack early can carry you while your main attacker sets up. Keep these to a handful so they don't crowd out your attacker.
4. Fill in Trainer cards
Trainers make your deck consistent. Aim for a mix of:
- Supporters that draw cards or search your deck. You can play one per turn.
- Items that find Pokémon, such as Nest Ball, which the rulebook names as a good example.
- Switching cards to move a damaged Pokémon out of the Active Spot.
- A Stadium or Pokémon Tools if they help your strategy.
- One ACE SPEC card, if you have a good one for your deck.
5. Add Energy
Use 12 to 15 Energy cards of your attacker's type. Count how much Energy your attacks need. A deck full of attacks costing three Energy needs more than one that attacks for one.
6. Count, then test
Check you're at exactly 60 and no more than 4 of any name. Then play practice games. The free Pokémon TCG Live app lets you build and test decks before buying cards.
Why the numbers matter: opening hand odds
You draw 7 cards to start. If none of them is a Basic Pokémon, you have to mulligan, and your opponent may draw an extra card. Here's how often that happens in a 60-card deck:
| Basic Pokémon in deck | Chance of no Basic (mulligan) | Chance of at least one Basic |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 60.1% | 39.9% |
| 6 | 45.9% | 54.1% |
| 8 | 34.6% | 65.4% |
| 10 | 25.9% | 74.1% |
| 12 | 19.1% | 80.9% |
| 16 | 9.9% | 90.1% |
A deck with only 4 Basic Pokémon mulligans more often than not. Aiming for at least 10 to 12 Basics, counting any support Basics, keeps mulligans down to roughly one game in four or five.
Energy follows the same math. Here's the chance of having at least one Energy in your first 8 cards, which is your opening hand plus your first draw:
| Energy cards in deck | At least 1 in first 8 cards | At least 2 in first 8 cards |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 70.6% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 79.0% | 40.0% |
| 12 | 85.3% | 50.7% |
| 15 | 91.6% | 65.0% |
These come from the hypergeometric formula, the exact math for drawing without replacement. You can try any combination, including Prize card odds, with our Pokémon TCG draw odds calculator.
Common beginner mistakes
- Too many single copies. One copy of a card shows up in your opening hand only 11.7% of the time. Four copies raise that to 39.9%.
- Too many Energy types. The rulebook recommends one or two types at most. Each extra type makes it less likely you'll draw the right Energy.
- Too few Basic Pokémon. As the table shows, a deck light on Basics spends a lot of games reshuffling its opening hand.
- Too many Stage 2 Pokémon. Each Stage 2 needs a Basic and a Stage 1 in play first. One Stage 2 line is plenty for a first deck.
- Forgetting Prize card values. Pokémon ex give up 2 Prize cards when Knocked Out, so a deck of only ex Pokémon hands your opponent quicker wins.
Budget tips
- Start from a pre-built deck. The rulebook suggests taking a ready-made battle deck and modifying it, which is cheaper than building from scratch.
- Buy singles, not packs. If you need a specific card, buying it individually is usually far cheaper than chasing it in packs. Our pull rates guide shows how rare the big cards are.
- Check legality first. Before buying for a tournament, check that the card's regulation mark is legal in Standard.
Want to see what's in the packs without spending anything? Open a few in our Pokémon pack opening simulator.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards are in a Pokémon deck?
Exactly 60. You can have up to 4 copies of any card with the same name, except basic Energy cards, which have no limit.
How many Energy cards should be in a Pokémon deck?
The official rulebook suggests 12 to 15 for a starter deck. Decks with cheap attacks or extra Energy-search cards can use fewer, while decks with expensive attacks may want more.
How many Basic Pokémon should a deck have?
Aim for at least 10 to 12. With 12 Basic Pokémon, you'll have one in your opening hand about 81% of the time, while a deck with only 4 mulligans about 60% of the time.
Can you have more than 4 of the same card?
Only basic Energy cards. Every other card is limited to 4 copies with the same name, and ACE SPEC cards are limited to just 1 per deck in total.
Are Pikachu and Pikachu ex the same card for the 4-copy rule?
No. "ex" is part of the card's name, so Pikachu and Pikachu ex count separately. You could run 4 of each.
What is a good first Pokémon deck?
A ready-made battle deck is the easiest start, since it's already a legal 60-card deck. Once you know how it plays, swap in cards one at a time to make it your own.
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