Grass

Grass types favor slower, steadier gameplay. Often, they feature healing that makes them harder to chip down (Venusaur EX and Erika). On top of that, the longer they're left to gather energy, the stronger they often become (Celebi EX).

Sample Decks

Leafeon EX - a newcomer in Triumphant Light, Leafeon EX generates all on its own. This provides some interesting strategies, including heavy ramp for Celebi EX (first decklist) and a battery for the -hungry Yanmega EX (second decklist). Both run water energy to enable the use of Irida. Consider Dawn for emergency energy pivoting.





Exeggutor EX - for one energy, Exeggutor EX places a very dangerous wall in the face of your opponent. High HP (higher with Giant Cape) and hitting for 40 or 80 each turn, it forces your opponent to burn it down fast before a Celebi can come online. Erika and Potion provide sustain to wall even longer. Consider adding Leaf to pivot out of tight situations.

Fire

The fire type is home to some of the biggest hitters in the game. Charizard EX has the single most powerful attack, Crimson Storm, which can OHKO nearly any opposing Pokemon. However, a signature of fire types is their attacks discarding energy, requiring a turn or two of recharge.

Sample Decks

Moltres EX - with a respectable 140 HP and generating up to 3 per turn, Moltres EX provides a powerful early game wall. This gives the stage 2 carries (usually Charizard EX or Infernape EX) time to charge up to one-shot most opponents. Both require a lot of draw, so Pokemon Communication is a key feature. For Infernape EX, all energies are removed, so Dawn is a staple that lets you hit twice in a row, whereas Charizard EX can stack sufficient energy before taking the stage.





Blaine - so I heard you wanted to go fast. This deck has the advantage of each Pokemon being only one point, meaning your opponent needs 3 KOs to win. Doing up to 120 damage with Blaine, Ninetales can wreak havoc on slower decks. Rapidash also provides early pressure if you can't get set up by turn 4, though I recommend using the version from Genetic Apex.

Water

Water type pokemon thrive on manipulating energy. Between generating energy (Manaphy and Misty) and rearranging it ([MI] Vaporeon), they can summon devastating waves of damage from seemingly nowhere. Additionally, many can "splash" the opponent's benched Pokemon (Palkia EX and Articuno EX).

Sample Decks

18 Trainers - This is certainly one of the strategies of all time. Basic EX-Pokemon are very strong in PTCGP. Between their bulk and high damage output, and the chance of being accelerated by a lucky Misty, these decks put all their eggs in one basket. While strong, they are very one-note, and thus predictable for opponents to counter. See two examples below.





Manaphy & Co. - if left untended, a Manaphy can generate 2 per turn. With Vaporeon, this means unleashing storm after storm with no issue recharging for Palkia EX. Consider dropping Articuno EX for Pokemon Communication or Sabrina. Other versions of this deck forego the Vaporeon line, using Origin Forme Palkia as a smaller, 1-point threat to be used in the midgame after Manaphy is defeated.

Lightning

Lightning (electric) types are typically characterized by energy recovery and paraalysis. Unfortunately, neither of these mechanics are particularly prevalent in PTCGP, meaning the identity falls short, and the type relies on strong and quick attacks to make a real impact. Pikachu EX is no longer the juggernaut it was in the release months, but it still can see some success. Pachirisu EX can work alongside Pikachu EX or on its own, taking advantage of the 18-trainer style with many tools. However, the lower HP of both cards means this type has fallen out of favor during the early 2025 meta.

Sample Decks

Pachirisu EX - not much to say here. This is a pretty standard 18T deck, where Pachirisu shines with consistent damage for relatively cheap, relying mainly on tool cards. This will probably be stronger when more tools are added, but for now, this deck lacks a backup plan, and can whiff pretty hard.



Pikachu EX - one of the first and strongest decks, this build is packed with basics to enable Pikachu EX to pack a punch early. With Zapdos EX and either Pachirisu EX or Zebstrika as filler, there are a few ways to wiggle out of a jam. Unfortunately, most meta opponents can OHKO anything in this deck, with retaliation taking 2 turns or more.

Psychic

Psychic type Pokemon often apply statuses to the opponent, making them confused or asleep. Only one real consistent playstyle has emerged for this type, featuring Mewtwo EX. However, many decks feature Mew EX, as Genome Hacking costs 3 .

Sample Decks

Mewtwo EX - This deck relies on the heavy hitting of Mewtwo EX and the energy generated by supporting Gardevoir. Stage 2 means Pokemon Communication can be quite handy, but Mythical Slab helps as well. Mew EX is a backup carry to help with odd matchups.

Fighting

Fighting Pokemon pack a punch, but often at a cost. Rampardos deals damage to itself, Marshadow requires a KOd Pokemon to do maximum damage, and many others need a heavy energy investment. Lucario provides bonus damage, bumping some attacks over critical breakpoints.

Sample Decks

Aerodactyl EX - with Hitmonchan (or occasionally Hitmonlee, meta permitting) to open, this deck can output 50+ damage on turn 3. Aerodactyl EX prevents evolving in the active spot, and can 2HKO most targets.



Rampardos - this deck utilizes Sudowoodo to deal heavy damage early to EX Pokemon, specifically the prevalent Arceus EX. When online Rampardos can OHKO nearly anything, and only gives one point when defeated.

Darkness

Dark types are often underhanded, making unexpected moves and throwing the opponent off their plan. Poison, discarding cards, extra damage, and more tools make this type a competitor, even when it lacks outright damage.

Sample Decks

Darkrai EX - the passive damage from Nightmare Aura makes Darkrai EX a threat even when winding up. When paired with Weavile EX, opponents can be surprised with 90 damage for very little cost. The second deck listed here is... annoying, to say the least. [GA] Magneton can generate its own energy, providing [STS] Magnezone with at least two uses of Thunder Blast.





Koga - have you ever wanted to make your opponent so mad they closed the game? Try poisoning them, trapping them, and negating any damage they've done to your [GA] Weezing. Darkrai EX optional.

Metal

Metal type Pokemon are pure bulk. They have high HP, mitigation abilities, and often high retreat and attack costs. They may have a Slow Start like Regigigas, but once they're moving they're hard to stop.

Sample Decks

Melmetal - true to the type, this deck uses beefy Pokemon that can hit hard. Dialga EX provides acceleration, speeding up the clock for the opponent to take Melmetal out of play. Skarmory can be included for some variety.



Dialga EX - to call this a metal deck is a bit of a stretch. Dialga EX's energy generation enables both Arceus EX and Mew EX to come out swinging. Paired with [STS] Shaymin for sustain, this deck is both versatile and powerful. Dialga EX can also be used with other carries, such as Probopass EX and Yanmega EX.

Dragon

PTCGP does dragon types no favors. They take multiple types of energy, and unlike the card game, the energy generated is purely random. While their attacks are strong, dragons can get stuck with a dozen of one type and never get an attack off before the game is over. Hopefully, we'll see some support for this in future expansions.

Sample Decks

Dragonite - if you really like dragons and want to tempt fate, Dragonite is your friend. With enough luck and stalling from Frosmoth, Draco Meteor can unleash mayhem on the opponent.



If for some reason you want to force this to work, you can have your energy zone generate exclusively , and include [GA] Magneton and Dawn for . But don't do this. Dragon is bad.

Colorless

These Pokemon are interesting, as they can utilize energy of any type to attack. This lets them fit in any number of decks, alongside Pokemon of different types. Most notably, Arceus EX has found a number of homes in various decks. Yanmega EX, while itself a grass type, can work with any type.

You won't find many dedicated colorless decks, as there isn't particularly any advantage to not using a specific type's strength.