Pokemon TCG Pocket - Best starter pack, deck, and how to start again | VGC

Don’t let that cute little mouse trick you

Faced with the choice of three different packs from the start, knowing which is the best Pokémon video games [790 articles]" href="https://www.videogameschronicle.com/games/pokemon/">Pokemon TCG Pocket starter pack for your goals can make collecting or battling much easier.

Pokemon TCG Pocket is designed to scratch the itch of opening packs and collecting beautiful cards. But there’s also a diluted version of the TCG battle system in there to put them to use. Rerolling in Pokemon TCG Pocket can help you complete a collection or meta deck.

Whether you’re looking for a meta deck or just want to start with some specific cards in your collection, or you want the full art of your favourite Kanto starter Pokemon here’s what to do:

Though you’re made to choose between three different packs at the start, don’t base your choice on the Pokemon on the front. You won’t get it no matter how many times you reroll that first pack.

That’s because the Pokemon TCG Pocket starter packs feature pre-determined pulls. Not only that, but the choice you make will determine both the starter deck you get from the 6-part battle tutorial and the full art Kanto starter Pokemon featured in your first Wonder Pull—which isn’t up to chance despite how it look.

Here exactly what you’ll get based on the first Pokemon TCG Pocket pack you open:

Genetic Apex Charizard

If you choose the Genetic Apex Charizard pack, you’ll get Exeggutor EX. You’ll unlock the Grass starter deck, but you’ll get the full art Charmander from the Wonder Pull.

Genetic Apex Pikachu

If you choose the Genetic Apex Pikachu pack, you’ll get Arcanine EX. You’ll unlock the Fire starter deck, but you’ll get the full art Squirtle from the Wonder Pull.

Genetic Apex Mewtwo

If you choose the Genetic Apex Mewtwo pack, you’ll get Marowak EX. You’ll unlock the Fighting starter deck, but you’ll get the full art Bulbasaur from the Wonder Pull.

Note: Each starter deck comes with the same Item and Supporter cards but the Colorless Pokemon can differ slightly.

So, what’s the best starting pack to pick in Pokemon TCG Pocket to secure a game-winning deck?

Best strategic choice: Genetix Apex Charizard

If winning battles is your thing, grab the Genetic Apex Charizard pack at the start. Though the starter deck isn’t the most well-rounded, Exeggutor EX card can be terrific given its low energy cost and high damage potential.

Best damage potential: Genetic Apex Mewtwo

Marowak EX from the Mewtwo pack is another strong choice. Its High HP and damage makes it very tempting, but its reliance on lucky flips can make it a very risky play.

Worst pack for battle: Genetic Apex Pikachu

That leaves poor old Pikachu as the the one you’ll probably want to avoid. Arcanine takes too much energy to be worth using in most battles. No Farfetch’d for easy damage is a major hinderance, too. Again, that’s if you’re looking to make a quick start in competitive play.

At the end of the day, it’s a brand-new game. And like any card game, the best cards can quickly be usurped by newer cards, leaving your first choice ultimately trivial.

It’s always recommended to simply grab the card you enjoy the most in these situations and to not sweat the details, but it’s entirely up to your individual goals, tastes, and preference.

If all this is new information to you and you’ve already picked your first pack, it’s not too late. You can start fresh in Pokemon TCG Pocket with ease.

Just follow these steps to delete your Pokemon TCG Pocket account so that you can start again:

Once that’s done, you’ll be kicked back to the start screen where you can begin the account creation process again. Once you’re happy with your account, link it to your Nintendo [4,794 articles]" href="https://www.videogameschronicle.com/platforms/nintendo/">Nintendo Account to earn a couple more freebies through the missions menu.

Though you’ll eventually only get two packs a day in Pokemon TCG Pocket, the game’s many missions and objectives dish out Pack Hourglasses on the regular early on. With these, you’re able to open dozens of packs before things start to taper off.

With that in mind, it can make sense to reroll in Pokemon TCG Pocket if you don’t get specific cards you’re after by the time these Pack Hourglasses become sparse.

Ultimately, it’s best to set a personal time limit for each reroll and go from there. Spend 30 minutes or an hour breezing through the tutorial and completing missions and open all the packs you can.

Once you’ve exhausted your resources, follow the steps above to reset your account and try again if you don’t get the card (or cards) you’re looking for.

Whether they’re cards essential to a meta deck, your favourite deck, cards you simply want in your collection, or rare pulls you want to save for the Pokemon TCG Pocket trade mechanic is up to you.

Got the itch to play another Pokemon game? Check out the Shiny Sandwich combinations to start farming shinies in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. And use these Mystery Gift codes before they expire to get some cool and powerful Pokemon for free.

We sometimes publish affiliate links on VGC. For more information read our affiliate linking policy.

Josh is now closing in on a whole decade of writing about games for a living. Whenever he isn't meticulously dissecting a new game to conjure handy guides, he's looking after a Dachshund named after a sushi roll and plodding along with amateur garden work. He's slowly but surely entering what he calls his "Titchmarsh era" of life.