Deck Building Guide
Build competitive decks that dominate the Mega Rising meta
Updated for November 2025 - Advanced Strategies & Meta Analysis
Core Deck Building Principles
Consistency is King
With only 20 cards and 2 copies max per card, every slot matters. Your deck must consistently execute its game plan.
Keys to Consistency:
- • Run 2 copies of your most important cards
- • Include multiple draw supporters (Professor's Research)
- • Play search cards (Poke Ball, Nest Ball)
- • Don't dilute your strategy with too many ideas
- • Test extensively to find weak points
Focus Your Strategy
Every card should support your win condition. Don't try to do everything in one deck.
Strategy Types:
- • Aggro: Fast damage, end games quickly
- • Control: Disrupt opponent, win late game
- • Combo: Set up powerful multi-card plays
- • Midrange: Flexible, adapt to opponent
- • Choose one and commit to it fully
Optimal Card Ratios
Standard Deck Structure (20 Cards)
Aggressive Deck
Focus on fast basics that attack early. Minimal evolution lines.
Balanced Deck
Mix of early pressure and late game power. Most common structure.
Control Deck
Heavy on draw and disruption. Win through superior resources.
Golden Rule of Card Counts:
If a card is essential to your strategy, run 2 copies. If it's situational but useful, run 1 copy. If you're unsure, it probably doesn't belong in the deck.
Energy Type Strategy
Mono-Type vs Multi-Type
✓ Mono-Type Decks (Recommended)
Advantages:
- • Maximum consistency - always have right energy
- • Can use type-specific support cards
- • Easier to pilot for beginners
- • Stadium cards benefit entire deck
Best for: Pikachu EX, Palkia EX, Mega Blaziken EX
! Multi-Type Decks (Advanced)
Considerations:
- • Energy can go to wrong Pokemon
- • Requires careful planning each turn
- • Can cover more weaknesses
- • Allows powerful card combinations
Best for: Mewtwo/Gardevoir, Charizard/Moltres
Energy Management Tips:
- • Plan 2-3 turns ahead - which Pokemon will attack when?
- • Bench Pokemon that need energy early, even if not attacking yet
- • Some Pokemon have Colorless energy costs (any type works)
- • Retreat costs also require energy - factor this into plans
Essential Trainer Cards
Must-Have Staples
Draw & Search
Professor's ResearchESSENTIAL
Draw 2 cards. Run 2 copies in every deck.
Poke BallESSENTIAL
50% chance to grab a Basic Pokemon. Run 2 copies.
Nest Ball (Mega Rising)
Search Basic Pokemon from deck. Very consistent.
Utility & Tempo
X Speed
Free retreat. Game-winning in many situations.
Potion
Heal 20 damage. Good in aggressive matchups.
Giovanni
+10 damage this turn. Secures KOs.
Type-Specific Support
Misty (Water)
Coin flips for bonus Water energy. High risk, high reward.
Lt. Surge (Electric)
Move energy between Electric Pokemon.
Blaine (Fire)
+10 damage to Fire Pokemon attacks.
Stadium Cards (Mega Rising)
Thunder MountainNEW
Electric Pokemon attacks cost 1 less energy. Huge for Pikachu EX!
Cascading FallsNEW
Water Pokemon +10 HP. Great for Palkia EX.
Current Meta Archetypes (November 2025)
Palkia EX - Dimensional Storm
The dominant force in the current meta. Palkia EX's Dimensional Storm ability lets you search your deck for any card when it evolves, providing incredible consistency.
Core Cards (12 Pokemon):
- • 2x Palkia EX (main attacker)
- • 2x Palkia (to evolve from)
- • 2x Froakie, 1x Frogadier, 2x Greninja
- • 2x Staryu, 1x Starmie EX
Trainers (8 cards):
- • 2x Professor's Research
- • 2x Poke Ball
- • 2x X Speed
- • 1x Cascading Falls
- • 1x Misty
Why it works:
Palkia EX's Dimensional Storm guarantees you get evolution pieces or key trainers exactly when needed. Greninja provides consistent draw power. Very difficult to disrupt.
Pikachu EX - Thunder Mountain
Made even stronger with Thunder Mountain stadium from Mega Rising. Now attacks for just 2 energy while dealing 100 damage with a full bench.
Core Cards (11 Pokemon):
- • 2x Pikachu EX (main attacker)
- • 2x Zapdos EX (secondary attacker)
- • 2x Voltorb, 2x Electrode (energy accel)
- • 2x Pincurchin (early attacker)
- • 1x Raichu (tech option)
Trainers (9 cards):
- • 2x Professor's Research
- • 2x Poke Ball
- • 2x Thunder Mountain (KEY CARD!)
- • 2x X Speed
- • 1x Lt. Surge
Why it works:
Thunder Mountain makes Pikachu EX incredibly efficient. Electrode provides energy acceleration. Full bench of Electric types = 100 damage for 2 energy. Simple and deadly.
Mega Blaziken EX - Mega Evolution
The flagship Mega Evolution from Mega Rising. Blaziken EX Mega Evolves for devastating 200+ damage attacks.
Core Cards (11 Pokemon):
- • 2x Mega Blaziken EX (finisher)
- • 2x Blaziken EX (to Mega Evolve from)
- • 2x Torchic (basic)
- • 2x Moltres EX (energy acceleration)
- • 2x Farfetch'd (early game)
- • 1x Entei (backup attacker)
Trainers (9 cards):
- • 2x Professor's Research
- • 2x Poke Ball
- • 2x Blaine
- • 1x Giovanni
- • 2x X Speed
Why it works:
Moltres EX accelerates Fire energy with its ability. Mega Blaziken EX hits for massive damage (200 with Blaine + Giovanni). Can OHKO any Pokemon in the game.
Tech Cards & Counter Strategies
Adapting to the Meta
"Tech cards" are cards included specifically to counter popular decks. Use 1-2 flex slots in your deck for meta calls.
Against Water Decks (Palkia EX, Starmie EX):
Grass Attackers
Exeggutor EX, Venusaur - hit for weakness
Electric Attackers
Pikachu EX, Zapdos EX - hit for weakness
Against Electric Decks (Pikachu EX):
Fighting Attackers
Marowak EX, Primeape - hit for weakness
Resistance Strategy
Psychic Pokemon resist Electric damage
Against Fire Decks (Mega Blaziken EX, Charizard EX):
Water Attackers
Palkia EX, Starmie EX - hit for weakness
Rock Pokemon
Golem, Onix - resist Fire damage
Testing & Refinement Process
The Testing Cycle
1. Build
Create initial decklist based on theory and meta knowledge
2. Test
Play 10-20 games against various matchups
3. Analyze
Identify weak spots, dead cards, missing pieces
4. Refine
Make 1-3 card swaps, then test again
Key Questions to Ask:
- • Did I have enough basics in my opening hand?
- • Did I draw my key evolution pieces consistently?
- • Were there any "dead cards" I never wanted to play?
- • Did I lose to specific matchups repeatedly?
- • Did I run out of cards before winning?
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: Inconsistent opening hands
✓ Solution: Add more basics or search cards (Poke Ball, Nest Ball)
Problem: Running out of cards too quickly
✓ Solution: Add draw supporters or Pokemon with draw abilities (Greninja)
Problem: Can't evolve consistently
✓ Solution: Increase basic counts or add evolution search (Palkia EX ability)
Problem: Losing to specific meta decks
✓ Solution: Add tech cards or change to favorable matchup deck
Budget Deck Building Tips
Competitive Without EX Cards
You don't need expensive EX cards to win. Some non-EX decks can compete with top tier strategies.
Budget Deck Options:
Greninja (No EX)
Draw engine + solid damage. Only needs evolution line.
Arbok/Weezing
Poison damage. All commons/uncommons.
Electrode Aggro
Fast damage with self-destruct mechanics.
Budget Building Strategy:
- • Focus on one deck type completely
- • Open packs from one expansion only
- • Use Wonder Picks for key cards
- • Prioritize staple trainers first
- • Complete events for free promo cards
Ready to Build Your Deck?
Now that you understand deck building principles, check out specific strategies and meta analysis!