Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the Versus ladder of Pokémon TCG Pocket lately, you’ve seen it. That familiar yellow blur. The terrifying sound of a 20-damage bench snipe. Pikachu ex isn't just a mascot in this game; it’s a genuine menace that has redefined how everyone builds their decks.
Most people starting out think the big, beefy Stage 2 Pokémon like Charizard ex or Venusaur ex are the kings of the hill. They look impressive. They have massive HP pools. But then they run into a Pikachu ex deck and realize they’re dead before they even evolved their Charmander. It’s brutal.
The Math Behind the Pikachu ex Pokémon TCG Pocket Meta
Why is this card so good? It comes down to efficiency. In the standard tabletop game, we're used to complex setups and high energy costs. Pokémon TCG Pocket is a different beast entirely. The decks are smaller, the prizes are fewer, and the pace is lightning fast.
Pikachu ex hits for a maximum of 90 damage with its Circle Circuit attack. That sounds "fine" until you realize it only costs two Lightning energies. You can have this thing fully powered up by Turn 2. If you go second and find a way to accelerate, your opponent is already staring down a knockout on their basic Pokémon before they've even attached their second energy.
But 90 damage isn't the whole story. To hit that cap, you need a full bench of three Pokémon. In a game where the bench is limited to three slots, that's actually very easy to achieve. You just throw down a Zapdos ex, maybe an Electrode or a Raichu, and suddenly Pikachu is swinging for numbers that two-shot almost every ex card in the Genetic Apex expansion.
It's efficient. It’s scary. It’s honestly a bit exhausting to play against constantly.
Comparing Pikachu ex to the Competition
You might wonder why people aren't flocking to Mewtwo ex or Articuno ex with the same fervor. They are. Those are Tier 1 decks too. However, Pikachu ex has a specific advantage: it doesn't rely on a "Coin Flip" mechanic to be viable.
Take Articuno ex. If you miss your Blizzard Veil flips, you're sitting there like a wet noodle. Pikachu is consistent. As long as you have cards on your bench, you have damage. Consistency is what wins tournaments, and it’s what climbs the ladder.
How the Deck Actually Functions
If you're looking to pilot this thing, you can't just throw 20 random cards together. The most common version of the Pikachu ex Pokémon TCG Pocket build centers on speed.
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You run two copies of Pikachu ex—obviously. Then you almost always see two copies of Zapdos ex. Zapdos is your secondary attacker and a massive meat shield with 130 HP. But the real "secret sauce" is often the inclusion of the Raichu line or even just a heavy count of Trainer cards like Giovanni and X Speed.
Giovanni is huge here. That extra 10 damage might seem negligible, but it pushes Pikachu's 90 damage to 100. That’s the magic number for one-shotting many non-ex basics and putting a massive dent in the 150-160 HP tanks.
The Bench Problem
Here is what most players get wrong. They overextend. Because Circle Circuit relies on a full bench, players feel forced to play every Pokémon they draw.
Don't do that.
If you're playing against a deck that can snipe the bench (like another Pikachu or a Greninja), you’re just giving them free prizes. I’ve seen countless games lost because someone put a 40-HP Pikachu down just to get that extra 30 damage, only to have it picked off by a Pidgeot or a well-timed Red Card play.
Manage your resources. You only need the full bench when you're going for the knockout. Otherwise, keep your options open.
Countering the Lightning King
Is Pikachu ex invincible? No. Far from it.
Fighting-type Pokémon are the natural predator here. If you're tired of losing to the mouse, start looking at Marowak ex or Machamp ex. Because of the Weakness mechanic in Pokémon TCG Pocket, a Fighting Pokémon can basically sneeze on Pikachu ex and it will faint.
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The problem is that Fighting decks are currently a bit clunky. They require more energy or more complex evolution lines. You’re trading Pikachu’s speed for raw power, which is a risky gamble in a 20-card deck format.
Another way to beat it is through pure disruption. Use Erika to heal through the chip damage if you're playing Grass, or use Sabrina to force that fully-loaded Pikachu back to the bench. If you can reset their active Pokémon, you buy yourself a turn. In this game, one turn is often the difference between a win and a loss.
The Economy of Pulling Pikachu ex
Let’s talk about the "gacha" aspect for a second. We’re all opening packs here. If you're hunting for the Pikachu ex Pokémon TCG Pocket card, you should be focusing exclusively on the Pikachu packs in the Genetic Apex set.
Don't split your tokens. Don't go chasing the Mewtwo immersive art if your goal is a competitive Lightning deck. The pull rates are tough, but the "Pack Points" system is your safety net. If you open enough packs, you can eventually just buy the Pikachu ex directly from the shop.
It costs 500 points. That's a lot. It’s roughly 50 packs worth of points. But if you’re serious about the meta, it’s the most reliable way to complete your playset.
Is the "Immersive" Pikachu ex Better?
Functionally? No. The "Immersive" art Pikachu ex has the exact same stats and attacks as the regular ex or the Full Art version. It just looks cooler.
Don't feel like you're missing out on power if you "only" have the standard double-rare (RR) version. A win is a win, regardless of how sparkly your card is. Although, let’s be honest, seeing that 3D animation when you pull it is a massive hit of dopamine.
Misconceptions About the Deck's Difficulty
Some people call Pikachu ex a "braindead" deck. I disagree.
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Sure, the floor is low. Anyone can attach two energy and click "Circle Circuit." But the ceiling is actually quite high. Knowing when to retreat into a Zapdos to tank a hit, or when to use a Potion versus saving it for a later turn, separates the casual players from those hitting the top of the secret ranks.
You have to manage your limited bench space carefully. If you fill it with the wrong Pokémon early on, you might find yourself unable to play a crucial utility card later.
The Future of the Meta
We're currently in the early days of Pokémon TCG Pocket. As more sets are released, the power creep will inevitably happen.
Eventually, we’ll get cards with 200+ HP that can laugh at a 90-damage attack. We'll get better energy acceleration for other types. But for right now, in the current landscape of the game, Pikachu ex is the gold standard for efficiency.
It defines the "speed" of the game. If your deck can't handle a Turn 2 or Turn 3 assault of 90 damage, your deck isn't competitive. It's the gatekeeper of the Genetic Apex era.
Real World Tactics for Success
If you're struggling to climb, try these specific adjustments to your Pikachu ex deck:
- Drop the fluff. You don't need a 2-2 line of every Lightning Pokémon. Stick to the essentials.
- Prioritize Trainers. In a 20-card deck, drawing a Poké Ball or a Professor's Research is statistically more likely than in the 60-card game. Abuse this.
- Watch the Retreat Costs. Pikachu ex has a one-energy retreat cost. That's cheap, but it's not free. Running X Speed is almost mandatory so you can swap attackers without losing your precious energy attachments.
- Mind the Weakness. If you see a Cubone come down, start preparing your Zapdos. Do not let your Pikachu sit in the active spot longer than necessary.
How to Build a Budget Version
Can't find the ex? You can try a Raichu-based deck, but honestly, it’s not the same. The "ex" designation gives you that HP cushion and the specific attack scaling that makes the deck work. If you're F2P (Free to Play), save your shop tickets specifically for the specialized pack hourglasses to cycle through the Pikachu packs faster.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Session
Stop trying to build "all-rounder" decks. The meta is too fast for that. If you want to win with Pikachu ex, you need to lean into the aggression.
Go into your deck editor right now and check your energy curve. If you find yourself consistently waiting until Turn 4 or 5 to do significant damage, you're losing to the Pikachu players. Either join them by pulling for the card in the Genetic Apex packs or build a hard counter specifically designed to exploit that 120 HP.
Focus your Pack Points on completing a pair of Pikachu ex cards before anything else. Once you have two, the rest of the Lightning core is relatively cheap to assemble. Spend your next few hours of gameplay practicing "Retreat Dancing"—swapping between your two Pikachus to spread out the damage your opponent deals while you maintain a constant 90-damage output every single turn. This is the most effective way to climb the ranks and master the current state of the game.