Pokémon TCG Pocket presents an entirely new way to get hooked on Pokémon cards—and the first expansion set is overflowing with incredible cards.
To help you build the best decks possible, we’ve picked the best Genetic Apex cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket to keep an eye out for when you’re ripping packs, including both Pokémon and Trainers.
Best Pokémon cards from Genetic Apex
It’s important to highlight the differences between the regular Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon TCG Pocket before we talk about the best cards. They’re incredibly different in terms of competitively viable cards and deck-building.
Cards that are powerful in Pokémon TCG Pocket need to be both Energy efficient and strong, as Pocket only provides one Energy per turn during a match.
Whereas a typical Charizard deck in the standard Pokémon TCG might have moves that require four or five Energy without it causing any issues, for example, a Pocket deck simply does not have the time for this, and thrives with more Energy-efficient cards.
Some cards can speed up Energy generation, but the 20-card decks and streamlined style of play means that the best Pokémon TCG Pocket cards are those which can get off the ground quickly, while providing extra perks and buffs for your other cards in the process.
Alakazam
Besides being one of the best looking cards in Genetic Apex, this Alakazam offers heaps of potential damage output without being too costly—and the Retreat Cost isn’t too high, either.
Psychic costs one Psychic Energy and two Colorless Energy, and it deals 60 damage, plus an extra 30 damage for each Energy that’s attached to your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
This is a potential one-shot in the late stages of a match, meaning it’s worth swapping in if your opponent is working on setting up a heavy-hitting, Stage Two Pokémon with high-demand attacks.
The fact that Alakazam only has one specific Energy requirement is useful too, meaning a multi-Energy deck won’t cause it to struggle. If you’re running a multi-type deck, your Energy generation will alternate between turns, giving you one Psychic and one Grass, for example.
Gardevoir
In the standard Pokémon TCG, Gardevoir offers exceptional Energy draw and control, and the Pocket iteration is no different.
The Psy Shadow ability kicks in once every turn, allowing you to pick up one Psychic Energy from your Energy zone and put it on your Active Pokémon. This doesn’t have to be Gardevoir, meaning you can use this card to set itself up or assist an ally instead.
On top of this, Gardevoir is decently durable with 110 HP, and it can deal 60 damage apiece, too. It’s not the hardest-hitting Psychic-type in the game by any means, but in terms of its utility and potential with deck-building, it’s currently unmatched.
The downside of relying on Stage Two Pokémon in Pokémon TCG Pocket is having to evolve them—which takes more time—but the power and utility here are worth the wait. Put a tanky Pokémon in your Active Position to give yourself time to evolve Gardevoir safely.
Greninja
In a similar vein to Gardevoir, Greninja is very reminiscent of its typical Pokémon TCG counterparts. It’s decently durable and offers both standard damage and Bench sniping capabilities.
Mist Slash deals 60 damage, only requiring two Energy up front. One of the tokens required here is Colorless, meaning you can slot Greninja into a variety of different decks without worrying about not being able to get it the necessary Energy.
The Water Shuriken ability kicks in once per turn, allowing you to hit one of your opponent’s Pokémon for 20 damage. Theoretically, you could use this to snipe an enemy’s Basic Pokémon and get an easy point without ever tackling the Active Pokémon.
Misty
Out of the Trainers in Genetic Apex, Misty stands out as one of the most effective thanks to her Energy movement ability.
To use this card, you select one of your Water-type Pokémon. Then, you flip a coin until you get tails—for every heads, you can take a Water Energy from the Energy Zone and attach it to the selected Water-type Pokémon.
Lady Luck willing, this is an exceptional way to bring an Energy-demanding Pokémon into your Active Spot with purpose. Additionally, Pokémon like Lapras which deal extra damage for additional Energy being attached to it can benefit from this card significantly.
Moltres ex
With a striking rainbow border and dynamic design, this card is one for the collectors. It’s one for the players too, though, as it offers some serious value in matches.
Inferno Dance lets you flip three coins when using it. For each heads, you get to take a Fire Energy from the Energy Zone and stick it to any of your Benched Pokémon.
Thanks to its tanky 140 HP, Moltres ex is sturdy enough to take a few hits, meaning this card is an effective way to set up your Bench.
Heat Blast deals a comfortable 70 damage, too, for just one specific Energy alongside two Colorless Energy. Despite being a rare ex Pokémon, Moltres ex is surprisingly versatile in terms of what decks you can build with it.
Victreebel
Finally, this Victreebel is like Boss’s Orders, but slightly more useful. It has a two-Energy attack called Vine Whip which deals 60 damage apiece. It only requires one specific type of Energy, making it viable for multi-type decks.
The Fragrance Trap ability is the star of the show. Kicking in once per turn, when Victreebel is in the Active Position, it allows the user to switch in an opponent’s Benched ‘mon to the Active Spot.
The competitive viability here is high, allowing for potential use of the game’s weaknesses and resistances to one-shot a weaker opponent.
When you’re deck-building in Pokémon TCG Pocket, make sure to keep your types in mind and build around your most energy-efficient heavy-hitters. There are plenty of routes to take when building quick and deadly decks.
