The Best Pokemon TCG Standard Meta Decks (November 2025)
What are the best Pokemon TCG standard meta decks right now?
Below, we’ll be looking at the decks that are topping tournaments around the world – as well as those climbing the ranks via tournaments on Pokemon TCG Live – and sharing some tips on how you can pilot these decks to success in your own matches.
#1 Gardevoir ex is the best Pokemon deck right now
1st place by Gustavo Wada
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Pokémon: 17
3 Ralts MEG 58
2 Kirlia MEG 59
2 Gardevoir ex SVI 86
1 Mega Gardevoir ex MEG 60
3 Munkidori TWM 95
1 Drifloon SVI 89
1 Scream Tail PAR 86
1 Cleffa OBF 80
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Lillie's Clefairy ex JTG 56
1 Iron Bundle PAR 56
Trainer: 32
4 Iono PAL 185
3 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
3 Professor's Research JTG 155
4 Ultra Ball MEG 131
3 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
3 Rare Candy MEG 125
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
2 Nest Ball SVI 181
1 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Secret Box TWM 163
2 Bravery Charm PAL 173
2 Mystery Garden MEG 122
1 Artazon PAL 171
Energy: 11
8 Psychic Energy SVE 21
3 Darkness Energy SVE 23
At this point, Gardevoir ex is the longest standing threat in the Pokemon TCG meta, having proven itself as one of the greats of the Scarlet & Violet era no matter what new sets (or rotations) throw at us.
Indeed, the deck has been performing very well in the current format, getting even newer and better tools to work with like the powerhouse Mega Gardevoir ex attacker.
Meanwhile, this deck’s strategy works much like before, using Gardevoir’s “Psychic Embrace” to power-up single prize attackers and Munkidori to move damage around strategically and enable a favorable prize trade.
Gardevoir ex is one of the most difficult decks to master with an incredibly high skill ceiling. Get a head start on how to play it via my Gardevoir ex deck guide.
#2 Mega Absol ex
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Pokémon: 17
3 Munkidori TWM 95
2 Mega Absol ex MEG 86
2 Mega Kangaskhan ex MEG 104
2 Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 112
2 Yveltal MEG 88
1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
1 Latias ex SSP 76
1 Pecharunt ex SFA 39
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Psyduck MEP 7
1 Tatsugiri TWM 131
Trainer: 34
4 Arven OBF 186
3 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
3 Boss's Orders MEG 114
3 Penny SVI 183
2 Iono PAL 185
3 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
2 Nest Ball SVI 181
2 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Energy Switch MEG 115
1 Precious Trolley SSP 185
2 Bravery Charm PAL 173
2 Technical Machine: Turbo Energize PAR 179
2 Lively Stadium SSP 180
Energy: 9
6 Darkness Energy SVE 23
2 Mist Energy TEF 161
1 Fighting Energy SVE 22
Leave it to Pokemon TCG legend, Tord Reklev, to come up with an insane deck like this that actually works. Mega Absol ex is a Pokemon many certainly overlooked going into Mega Evolution – but even more profited from its odd collection of attacks that enables it to take a one-hit-knock-out in the right circumstances no matter the toughness of the opposing Pokemon.
Clearly, this powerful attack is at an unusual premium in the current format with so many powerful three-prize Mega Pokemon ex running around, but you still have to take your hat off to this legend for pioneering yet another innovative deck that has proven itself to be one of the strongest at the highest level of competition.
#3 Gholdengo ex
1st of 287 at Tournament of Doom by sigmaestofcats
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Pokémon: 15
2 Gimmighoul PAR 88
2 Gimmighoul SSP 97
4 Gholdengo ex PAR 139
1 Gholdengo SSP 131
2 Genesect ex BLK 67
1 Togepi OBF 83
1 Togekiss SSP 72
1 Munkidori TWM 95
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
Trainer: 34
4 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145
3 Arven OBF 186
3 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
4 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
3 Nest Ball SVI 181
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Energy Search Pro SSP 176
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Tool Scrapper WHT 85
1 Rare Candy SVI 191
1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
3 Air Balloon BLK 79
1 Levincia JTG 150
1 Artazon PAL 171
Energy: 11
3 Metal Energy SVE 16
2 Lightning Energy SVE 12
1 Water Energy SVE 11
1 Fire Energy SVE 10
1 Grass Energy SVE 9
1 Darkness Energy SVE 15
1 Fighting Energy SVE 14
1 Psychic Energy SVE 13
At one point in time considered an anti meta deck, Gholdengo ex has long since proven itself as a top contender in the Pokemon TCG standard meta. Currently, it’s the top trending deck in online tournaments post Black Bolt/White Flare.
One of the new innovations this deck has access to is the powerful Genesect ex card from Black Bolt. Genesect ex makes it very easy to ensure you have your Gholdengo ex in hand to evolve and start tearing up the board with “Make it Rain.”
Genesect ex
Beyond the Genesect ex, Gholdengo ex should remain a solid choice for players even after the anticipated Mega Evolution set releases. Thanks to Gholdengo ex’s virtually unlimited damage output potential, it could be a handy tool to take one-hit-knockouts versus there-prize Pokemon, thus enabling a pretty insane prize trade.
#4 Dragapult ex
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Pokémon: 20
4 Dreepy TWM 128
4 Drakloak TWM 129
3 Dragapult ex TWM 130
2 Munkidori TWM 95
2 Budew PRE 4
1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
1 Latias ex SSP 76
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Hawlucha SVI 118
1 Maractus JTG 8
Trainer: 31
4 Professor's Research JTG 155
4 Iono PAL 185
4 Boss's Orders PAL 172
3 Brock's Scouting JTG 146
2 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
3 Counter Catcher PAR 160
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Jamming Tower TWM 153
Energy: 9
4 Luminous Energy PAL 191
2 Fire Energy SVE 10
2 Psychic Energy SVE 13
1 Neo Upper Energy TEF 162
Dragapult ex is doing its best to continue to define the Pokemon TCG standard meta. With a combination of insanely high HP, powerful damage spread capabilities (made worse via Munkidori’s powerful Adrena-Brain ability) and backed by a plethora of handy basic Pokemon, Dragapult ex is just one tough deck to beat.
It’s not like it doesn’t have any weaknesses out there. Technically it can be taken out in a single blow via Lillie’s Clefairy ex, for example. However, given the current matchup spread this deck is seeing the second largest play share in the entire meta, forcing many to either play it themselves or learn how to play against it.
The nice thing for new players is that a competitively viable Dragapult ex deck can be upgraded from the basic League Battle Deck with relative ease, showing just how accessible Pokemon is as a TCG.\
#5 Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex
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Pokémon: 19
4 Marnie's Impidimp DRI 134
3 Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex DRI 136
3 Munkidori TWM 95
2 Snorunt TWM 51
2 Froslass TWM 53
2 Marnie's Morgrem DRI 135
1 Maractus JTG 8
1 Budew PRE 4
1 Shaymin DRI 10
Trainer: 33
4 Iono PAL 185
4 Arven OBF 186
3 Professor's Research JTG 155
1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
3 Counter Catcher PAR 160
2 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
2 Rare Candy SVI 191
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Secret Box TWM 163
1 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Energy Search SVI 172
1 Ultra Ball SVI 196
1 Rescue Board TEF 159
1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
1 Technical Machine: Devolution PAR 177
1 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
2 Spikemuth Gym DRI 169
2 Artazon PAL 171
Energy: 8
8 Darkness Energy SVE 15
Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex is showing itself to be the hot new deck of Destined Rivals. With insane damage spread potential thanks to combining it with Froslass and Munkidori, Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex’s ability to accelerate energy onto itself and other Marnie’s Pokemon combined with an effective Shadow Bullet is helping it edge out the competition.
Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex
While it initially showed tremendous promise in online tournaments, once we got to the big, in card events we found out that this deck certainly has the gas to be a presence in the meta, even if not an overwhelming one.
Still, it’s always an exciting event when a new deck breaks into the upper echelons of the standard format, especially decks as fun and creative as this one.
Learn more about how to play Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex in the guide.
#6 Raging Bolt ex
1st Place Singapore Master Ball League - Anselm Sim
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Pokémon: 20
2 Hoothoot SCR 114
1 Hoothoot PRE 77
3 Noctowl SCR 115
3 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25
2 Raging Bolt ex TEF 123
2 Fan Rotom SCR 118
1 Raging Bolt SCR 111
1 Ditto MEW 132
1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141
1 Budew PRE 4
1 Mew ex MEW 151
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Latias ex SSP 76
Trainer: 29
4 Professor Sada's Vitality PAR 170
2 Crispin SCR 133
1 Judge DRI 167
1 Iono PAL 185
1 Boss's Orders PAL 172
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
4 Ultra Ball SVI 196
3 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Energy Switch SVI 173
1 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
2 Area Zero Underdepths SCR 131
1 Jamming Tower TWM 153
Energy: 11
5 Grass Energy SVE 9
3 Lightning Energy SVE 12
3 Fighting Energy SVE 14
Although once a relatively straightforward turbo/aggro deck looking to quickly power up Raging Bolt ex for OHKOs against opposing two-prize decks, it’s evolved a lot following recent sets and innovations. Today, Raging Bolt ex is anything but simple, with the likes of the Noctowl “Jewel Seeker” effect bringing considerably higher levels of precision into play as you’ll be searching your deck for exactly the right trainer at exactly the right time.
One huge advantage Raging Bolt ex still maintains when compared with the competition is that it can take out stage 2 Pokemon with a single hit and with relative ease, making it an absolute menace against Dragpult ex and Gardevoir ex in the right situations.
However, unlike both of those decks which excel at spreading damage around the board, Raging Bolt ex remains a full frontal attacker – sacrificing utility for an all out assault via Bellowing Thunder.
That’s pretty refreshing for a lot of players who love setting up for one big attack, and clearly (from this first place deck) good enough to top a major event.
#7 Charizard ex
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Pokémon: 19
4 Charmander PAF 7
1 Charmeleon MEW 5
1 Charmeleon PAF 8
3 Charizard ex OBF 125
2 Pidgey OBF 162
2 Pidgeotto MEW 17
2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164
1 Munkidori TWM 95
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Cleffa OBF 80
1 Chi-Yu PAR 29
Trainer: 34
4 Arven OBF 186
3 Iono PAL 185
2 Brock's Scouting JTG 146
2 Boss's Orders PAL 172
1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144
3 Rare Candy SVI 191
3 Ultra Ball SVI 196
2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
2 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Energy Search SVI 172
1 Picnic Basket SVI 184
2 Technical Machine: Evolution PAR 178
1 Maximum Belt TEF 154
2 Artazon PAL 171
1 Jamming Tower TWM 153
Energy: 7
5 Fire Energy SVE 10
1 Luminous Energy PAL 191
1 Darkness Energy SVE 15
Charizard ex reminds me most of Gardevoir ex – not because they are similar in gameplay but because of their incredible staying power in the meta. That being said, Charizard ex is far from the tier zero deck it once was. Today, it plays a role on the lower etchelons of the top decks. Yet it still is a top deck undoubtedly.
This version above is the most popular way to build Charizard ex right now – leaning heavily into the original plays that hav always made Charizard ex strong and consistent. This build uses Charizard ex to overwhelm opposing attackers, and Pidgeot ex to help you get what ever you need, whenever you need it.
Also interesting is the addition of Munkidori to the deck. With that powerful Adrena Brain ability, however, many decks run this in their lists.
Ultimately, Charizard ex may not have the greatest matchup spread of all, but it’s a solid and favorite pick that manages to remain meta relevant despite the challenges it faces. And it’s about to get a whole lot stronger when the new Mega Charizard X ex releases with Phantasmal Flames.
#8 Ceruledge ex
10th Place Regional Belo Horizonte - Bruno Ogashawara
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Pokémon: 14
4 Charcadet SSP 32
3 Ceruledge ex SSP 36
2 Lunatone MEG 74
2 Solrock MEG 75
1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Drilbur TEF 85
Trainer: 26
4 Carmine TWM 145
3 Boss's Orders MEG 114
1 Professor's Research JTG 155
1 Briar SCR 132
1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
4 Ultra Ball MEG 131
3 Night Stretcher SFA 61
2 Fighting Gong MEG 116
2 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
1 Pal Pad SVI 182
Energy: 20
10 Fighting Energy SVE 22
7 Fire Energy SVE 18
2 Jet Energy PAL 190
1 Legacy Energy TWM 167
I, for one, am so stoked players have finally accepted Ceruldedge ex for the fiery demon of a Pokemon attacker he can be. As it turns out the support added in Mega Evolution was just what this guy needed to reach the top of the heap of the very competitive Pokemon TCG. To be honest, I really liked this card when it first came out in Surging Sparks, and it definitely had potential then. However, it works much, much better now thanks to the combo of Lunatone and Solrock from Mega Evolution.
Use Solrock to fuel your discard with energy to power up Ceruledge ex’s Abyssal Flames while also drawing cards. Thanks to these new cards, Ceruledge ex is one of the most consistent, reliable, and straight shooting top Pokemon decks you can play.
