Budget Deck Guides
Competitive decks for F2P players - No expensive EX cards needed!
Updated for November 2025 - Mega Rising
0
EX Cards Needed
A-Tier
Best Budget Deck
1-2 Weeks
Build Time F2P
6
Budget Options
F2P Building Tips
Pack Priority
- • Focus on ONE deck at a time
- • Open Mega Rising for Greninja
- • Genetic Apex for staple trainers
- • Use Wonder Picks strategically
- • Save hourglasses for target packs
Crafting Strategy
- • Craft Trainer cards first (universal)
- • Complete ONE deck before starting another
- • Commons/Uncommons are cheap
- • Save dust for rares you can't pull
- • Never craft EX for budget decks
Daily Routine
- • Claim free pack hourglasses (12h)
- • Complete all daily missions
- • Use Wonder Pick energy (5 max)
- • Play ranked for extra rewards
- • Check event missions
Budget Deck Options
Greninja
The best budget deck in the format. Requires ZERO EX cards and competes in A-tier. Greninja's draw ability makes it incredibly consistent.
Dust Cost
0
Total crafting cost
Pack Cost
Low
Pack investment
Pros:
- +Zero EX cards needed - completely F2P
- +A-tier competitive deck
- +Excellent draw engine
- +Easy to obtain all cards
- +Consistent gameplay
- +Cheap dust cost for crafting
Cons:
- -Lower damage ceiling than EX decks
- -Weak to Electric types
- -Requires evolution setup time
Decklist (20 cards)
How to Get Cards:
- •All cards available in Mega Rising (B1) and Genetic Apex (A1) packs
- •Froakie line can be crafted for minimal dust
- •Cascading Falls is key - craft 2 if needed
- •Most expensive card is Greninja at rare tier
- •Can build complete deck in 1-2 weeks F2P
Weezing / Arbok
Poison control deck with no EX cards. Weezing poisons, Arbok deals bonus damage to poisoned targets. Fun and effective control strategy.
Dust Cost
0
Total crafting cost
Pack Cost
Very Low
Pack investment
Pros:
- +Zero EX cards required
- +Unique poison strategy
- +All commons and uncommons
- +Very cheap to build
- +Fun to play
- +Effective vs slow decks
Cons:
- -Lower tier (B-tier)
- -Weak to fast aggro
- -Relies on poison mechanic
- -Can be countered easily
Decklist (20 cards)
How to Get Cards:
- •All cards from Genetic Apex (A1) packs
- •Extremely common cards - likely already own
- •Can complete in under 1 week easily
- •Weezing and Arbok are only rares needed
- •Perfect for absolute beginners
Rapidash / Blaine
Fast fire aggro with Blaine support. No EX cards needed. Rapidash hits hard for low energy, Blaine adds extra damage.
Dust Cost
150
Total crafting cost
Pack Cost
Low
Pack investment
Pros:
- +No EX cards
- +Fast and aggressive
- +Blaine support is powerful
- +Easy to pilot
- +Good vs grass types
- +Rapidash is underrated
Cons:
- -Water weakness
- -Lower tier potential
- -Inconsistent damage
- -Falls off late game
Decklist (20 cards)
How to Get Cards:
- •All from Genetic Apex (A1) packs
- •Rapidash and Ninetales are only rares
- •Blaine is essential - craft if needed
- •Magmar provides early aggression
- •Can build in 1-2 weeks
Marowak / Fighting
Fighting type budget deck with Marowak as main attacker. No EX needed. Strong against colorless and dark types.
Dust Cost
100
Total crafting cost
Pack Cost
Low
Pack investment
Pros:
- +No EX cards needed
- +Strong vs Electric (counters Pikachu)
- +Multiple attackers
- +Giovanni synergy
- +Fighting type coverage
- +Cheap to build
Cons:
- -RNG dependent (Marowak flips)
- -Grass and Water weakness
- -Lower consistency
- -B-tier ceiling
Decklist (20 cards)
How to Get Cards:
- •All from Genetic Apex (A1)
- •Marowak and Sandslash are only rares
- •Giovanni is crucial for damage
- •Very common cards
- •Build in under 2 weeks
Budget Pikachu
Budget version of S-tier Pikachu EX deck. Uses regular Pikachu and Raichu instead of EX cards. Still competitive!
Dust Cost
250
Total crafting cost
Pack Cost
Low-Medium
Pack investment
Pros:
- +No EX cards
- +Similar playstyle to S-tier deck
- +Thunder Mountain synergy
- +Fast and consistent
- +Electric type dominance
- +Evolution gives more options
Cons:
- -Lower damage than Pikachu EX
- -Needs evolution setup
- -Still weak to Fighting
- -Not quite S-tier
Decklist (20 cards)
How to Get Cards:
- •Thunder Mountain from Mega Rising (B1)
- •Base cards from Genetic Apex (A1)
- •Electrode is newest addition
- •Raichu provides late-game power
- •Build in 2-3 weeks
Durant Mill
Unique mill strategy that discards opponent's deck. Durant attacks and mills cards. Fun alternative win condition!
Dust Cost
50
Total crafting cost
Pack Cost
Very Low
Pack investment
Pros:
- +No EX cards
- +Unique mill strategy
- +Very fun to play
- +Cheap to build
- +Surprising wins
- +Metal type has few weaknesses
Cons:
- -C-tier power level
- -Inconsistent win condition
- -Weak vs fast aggro
- -Requires specific setup
- -Not tournament viable
Decklist (20 cards)
How to Get Cards:
- •All from Mega Rising (B1) packs
- •Durant is key card
- •Very cheap overall
- •Fun casual deck
- •Build for variety
F2P Building Timeline
Complete tutorial, collect free packs, start building Greninja or Weezing/Arbok
Complete first budget deck, start playing ranked, collect daily rewards
Build second budget deck, start collecting EX cards for future meta decks
Transition to meta EX decks like Palkia or Pikachu EX while maintaining budget options
Ready to Build?
Start with Greninja for the best F2P competitive deck, or explore other budget options!