Pikachu EX Card
Image: Nintendo Life

Pikachu isn't allowed to be bad in a Pokémon game, right? We’re pretty sure there’s a division deep within The Pokémon Company that makes sure everyone’s favourite electric rodent is top-tier.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is no different, with a deck designed around the EX version of Pikachu being one of the very best and most consistent. If you’re looking to win matches consistently, this deck is for you.

We've put together this comprehensive guide on how to build the best Pikachu EX deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket. We've also covered alternative strategies, budget options, and the deck's strengths and (few) weaknesses.

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Note: This guide has been updated to reflect the new cards introduced with the Space-Time Smackdown expansion.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket - Best Pikachu EX Deck (Space-Time Smackdown)

As we mentioned above, Pikachu EX is one of the best decks to run in TCG Pocket. It's an S Tier in our opinion, which makes sense given that it headlines two different EX cards. It still maintains that status after the Space-Time Smackdown expansion, though the new Lucario card might give the electric mouse and pals some trouble.

Below are the best cards to make this meta-defining deck work, of which most can be found in Genetic Apex Pikachu packs for Pikachu EX and Zapdos EX. The list has evolved over time so we’ve included the core cards of the deck first along with some tips on what else you can run depending on how the meta shifts.

Core Pikachu EX Cards

  • 2x Pikachu EX
  • 2x Zapdos EX
  • 2x Blitzle
  • 2 x Zebstrika
  • 2x Poké Ball
  • 2x X Speed
  • 2x Professor’s Research
  • 2x Sabrina

Flex Pikachu EX Cards

As you can see, there are 4 spots left in the above list of core cards. Some players have chosen to run 2x Joltik and 2x Galvantula in this list, taking out one Zapdos EX, or 2x Dedenne for a chance to paralyze opponents and give you time to build up your bench for Pikachu EX.

As the meta develops with Space-Time Smackdown, it’s worth testing out these cards in turn, as well as new Pokémon Tools like Rocky Helmet.

How to play Pikachu EX

The win condition with this deck is to get Pikachu EX on the board with a full bench of Electric Pokémon behind it. Pikachu’s Circle Circuit attack does 30 damage for each benched Pokémon, making it do a consistent 90 damage for only 2 energy. As a result, you can steamroll opponents very quickly.

Zapdos EX is both a defensive tool and an alternate win condition. As a Basic Pokémon, Zapdos EX can be played first to allow you to place energy on Pikachu EX and find some Voltorbs to place on your bench. With 130 HP, it will survive most attacks early in the match. Zapdos EX also retreats for 1 energy, meaning you can swap in Pikachu EX easily or for free with an X Speed.

Furthermore, if you don't find Pikachu EX or it gets defeated early on, Zapdos EX’s Thundering Hurricane can do up to 200 damage for 3 Lightning energy.

Finally, Blitzle and Zebstrika have become staples in this deck due to their ability to one-shot Magikarp that are sitting on the bench, as Gyarados EX is a very common list. They’re also great at picking off Pokémon that your opponent retreated out of harm’s way.

Pikachu EX Best And Worst Matchups

This Pikachu EX & Zapdos EX deck does well against every other deck in the meta, especially decks that take a while to set up as you can overwhelm them quickly.

Mewtwo EX is about an even matchup with Pikachu EX, while Pikachu EX is heavily favored against Gyarados EX.

The emergence of strong Fighting-type decks with Primeape and Marshadow definitely means Pikachu EX isn’t the nigh unstoppable force it was before, and with the addition of Lucario in Space-Time Smackdown it’s even weaker, but that aside it’s still one of the most consistent decks in the game. Time will tell how well it stacks up against another aggressive deck, Darkrai EX and Weavile EX.

Pikachu EX Budget Options

If you haven’t pulled two Pikachu EX or Zapdos EX, then don't worry, there are a few alternatives! Pincurchin is a great choice as its Thundershock attack will paralyze an opponent’s Pokémon on heads. Otherwise, slotting in other Electric-type Pokémon like Blitzle and Zebstrika or Helioptile and Heliolisk to fill bench spaces.

For an alternate win condition, consider regular Pikachu with Raichu and Lt. Surge. With Lt. Surge, you can move all Lightning energy from your benched Pokémon to Raichu, which does 140 damage with Thunderbolt.

And that’s all you need to know to shock the TCG Pocket meta with Pikachu EX – don’t be afraid to make small changes in order to keep your opponents off guard.

Pikachu fans stay winning, right? Let us know if you enjoy using this deck, and have a look over our Tier List for more competitive options in Pokémon TCG Pocket.