Deck Archetypes Guide
Master the fundamental deck strategies and playstyles
Updated for November 2025 - 6 Core Archetypes
Understanding Archetypes
Deck archetypes are fundamental strategic approaches that define how a deck wins. Understanding archetypes helps you:
- •Choose decks that match your playstyle
- •Identify opponent strategies quickly
- •Make better in-game decisions
- •Adjust your gameplan on the fly
- •Build more focused, coherent decks
- •Understand matchup dynamics
Fast Archetypes
Win by turn 5-8
Slow Archetypes
Win by turn 9+
Flexible Archetypes
Adapt to matchup
Aggro
Attack early and often. Never let opponent breathe. Win before turn 8.
Fast, aggressive decks that aim to win quickly by applying constant pressure from turn 1. Focus on low-cost attackers and dealing damage before opponents can set up.
Ideal For:
Players who like fast games, applying pressure, and winning before opponents execute their gameplan.
Strengths
- +Wins quickly (games end turn 5-8)
- +Punishes slow setup decks
- +Consistent damage output
- +Less decision-making required
- +Strong in best-of-1 formats
Weaknesses
- -Runs out of steam late game
- -Weak to healing/defensive strategies
- -Limited comeback potential
- -Struggles if opener is bad
Key Cards for Aggro Decks
Example Aggro Decks
Pikachu EX Aggro
S-TIERThe premier aggro deck. Pikachu attacks for 90 damage on turn 2-3 consistently.
Core Cards:
Rapidash Blaine
B-TIERBudget fire aggro with Rapidash. Blaine adds +30 damage for lethal reach.
Core Cards:
Playing Aggro: Pro Tips
- •Mulligan aggressively for basic Pokemon that can attack quickly
- •Always start attacking by turn 2-3, no exceptions
- •Use Giovanni to secure KOs on crucial turns
- •Don't overextend - protect your active attacker
- •If opponent stabilizes by turn 6-7, you're in trouble
Control
Disrupt, heal, and control. Outlast opponent's resources. Win through attrition.
Patient decks that disrupt opponent's strategy while building superior board states. Use healing, removal, and control tools to outlast opponents.
Ideal For:
Players who enjoy strategic thinking, managing resources, and winning through superior decision-making.
Strengths
- +Strong late game
- +Multiple win conditions
- +Resilient to disruption
- +Punishes aggressive overextension
- +Skill-intensive with high ceiling
Weaknesses
- -Slow to set up
- -Vulnerable to fast aggro
- -Complex decision trees
- -Requires experience to pilot
- -Games take longer
Key Cards for Control Decks
Example Control Decks
Palkia EX Control
S-TIERWater control with Palkia's energy manipulation and Cascading Falls draw engine.
Core Cards:
Weezing/Arbok Poison
B-TIERPoison control deck. Weezing poisons everything, Arbok capitalizes with bonus damage.
Core Cards:
Playing Control: Pro Tips
- •Prioritize staying alive over dealing damage early
- •Use Sabrina to pull up weak benched Pokemon for easy KOs
- •Play stadiums to disrupt opponent's field effects
- •Patience is key - don't rush to attack
- •Control the pace of the game, not the opponent
Combo
Set up combo pieces. Execute powerful multi-card synergies. Win through explosive turns.
Decks built around specific card synergies that create powerful explosive turns. Require setup but reward with game-winning plays.
Ideal For:
Players who love big plays, clever interactions, and the satisfaction of executing a perfect combo.
Strengths
- +Explosive damage potential
- +Can OHKO multiple Pokemon
- +Satisfying when executed
- +Hard to disrupt once set up
- +Unique gameplay patterns
Weaknesses
- -Inconsistent - needs specific cards
- -Vulnerable before combo online
- -Evolution/setup dependent
- -Weak to disruption
- -High roll vs low roll variance
Key Cards for Combo Decks
Example Combo Decks
Mega Blaziken EX
S-TIEREvolution combo deck. Mega Blaziken + Blaine = 230 damage, OHKOs everything.
Core Cards:
Mewtwo/Gardevoir
A-TIEREnergy stacking combo. Gardevoir accelerates energy, Mewtwo deals 50 damage per energy.
Core Cards:
Playing Combo: Pro Tips
- •Protect your combo pieces - losing evolution lines is game over
- •Use Rare Candy to skip evolution stages when possible
- •Don't commit to combo if opponent has too much pressure
- •Energy acceleration is key to faster combos
- •Have backup plan if combo gets disrupted
Midrange
Adapt to opponent. Aggro vs control, control vs aggro. Flexible game plan.
Balanced decks that can adapt to both aggro and control strategies. Versatile gameplan with solid early game and strong late game.
Ideal For:
Players who want consistency, versatility, and the ability to handle any matchup reasonably well.
Strengths
- +Versatile against all archetypes
- +Consistent performance
- +Multiple viable lines of play
- +Strong in diverse metagames
- +Forgiving of mistakes
Weaknesses
- -Master of none - no dominant matchups
- -Can be outpaced by faster aggro
- -Can be outscaled by control
- -Requires good matchup reading
- -Less explosive than specialists
Key Cards for Midrange Decks
Example Midrange Decks
Greninja
A-TIERCan pressure early with Starmie or build Greninja for late game. Draw engine provides consistency.
Core Cards:
Mega Gyarados EX
A-TIERTanks early hits, builds to Mega Evolution. 220 HP allows adaptation to any strategy.
Core Cards:
Playing Midrange: Pro Tips
- •Identify opponent's archetype early and adjust gameplan
- •Against aggro, prioritize defense and healing
- •Against control, apply steady pressure
- •Don't commit too hard to one strategy too early
- •Flexibility is your strength - use it
Tempo
Establish early lead. Maintain pressure efficiently. Win through resource advantage.
Decks that establish early board advantage and maintain it through efficient resource usage. Control the pace without sacrificing speed.
Ideal For:
Players who like calculated aggression, efficient plays, and maintaining momentum.
Strengths
- +Strong early and mid game
- +Resource efficient
- +Good at snowballing advantages
- +Flexible timing
- +Punishes misplays hard
Weaknesses
- -Needs early game success
- -Can't recover from bad starts
- -Vulnerable to board clears
- -Requires precise timing
- -Weak if tempo is lost
Key Cards for Tempo Decks
Example Tempo Decks
Pikachu EX Tempo
S-TIEREstablishes board control early with Pikachu. Uses X Speed to maintain pressure.
Core Cards:
Playing Tempo: Pro Tips
- •Every turn matters - don't waste energy attachments
- •X Speed is crucial for maintaining tempo
- •Know when to push advantage vs when to consolidate
- •If you lose board control, switch to different gameplan
- •Calculate efficient damage - don't overkill
Ramp
Accelerate energy. Power out big threats early. Overwhelm with resource advantage.
Decks focused on accelerating resources (energy) faster than normal to play powerful cards early.
Ideal For:
Players who like playing powerful cards ahead of curve and overwhelming opponents with raw power.
Strengths
- +Plays powerful cards early
- +Resource advantage
- +Strong scaling
- +Hard to race
- +Explosive potential
Weaknesses
- -Vulnerable if acceleration fails
- -Weak to disruption
- -RNG dependent
- -Can brick without accelerants
- -All-in strategy
Key Cards for Ramp Decks
Example Ramp Decks
Palkia Misty Ramp
S-TIERMisty accelerates Water Energy on Palkia. Can attack for massive damage by turn 3-4.
Core Cards:
Charizard Moltres Ramp
A-TIERMoltres EX generates Fire Energy. Powers up Charizard for 200 damage attacks.
Core Cards:
Playing Ramp: Pro Tips
- •Use acceleration abilities every turn when possible
- •Misty on turn 1 can win games - but RNG is involved
- •Have backup plan if acceleration fails
- •Protect acceleration Pokemon at all costs
- •Know when to commit vs when to hold resources
Archetype Matchup Matrix
| vs | Aggro | Control | Combo | Midrange | Tempo | Ramp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggro | 50/50 | Favored | Favored | Even | Unfavored | Even |
| Control | Unfavored | 50/50 | Unfavored | Favored | Even | Favored |
| Combo | Unfavored | Favored | 50/50 | Even | Unfavored | Even |
| Midrange | Even | Unfavored | Even | 50/50 | Even | Even |
| Tempo | Favored | Even | Favored | Even | 50/50 | Favored |
| Ramp | Even | Unfavored | Even | Even | Unfavored | 50/50 |
Note: These are general guidelines. Specific deck matchups vary based on builds and pilot skill.
Building Your Archetype Deck
Choose Your Archetype
- • Start with your preferred playstyle
- • New players: Try Aggro or Midrange first
- • Experienced: Explore Control or Combo
- • Consider the current meta
- • Match archetype to your collection
Stay True to Your Plan
- • Don't mix conflicting strategies
- • Aggro decks need low energy attackers
- • Control needs healing and disruption
- • Combo needs all pieces included
- • Test and refine your build
Ready to Build Your Deck?
Now that you understand archetypes, explore meta decks and start building!