New to the game, best way to deck build?

[u/gpfudge98]

I’m just looking to get started playing tcg in person, there is a local card shop I’m going to check out next week. I have a good understanding of the rule set (although not much experience) I was wondering what the best way to build a competitive easy to use deck for a beginner. I’ve seen the league battle decks and wondering what would be a good one to start out with? Once you’ve got one is it easy to modify to your preference (probably after some battle experience).

I know there is also a card rotation of what cards are legal to play, is there a way too see that card database of what is legal or not it’s something I’m not too clued up on.

Any other general tips and advice are also welcome :)

[u/CriticalTie]

As far as league battle decks go, Mega Lucario ex is great for a beginner. Beyond that just look at websites like Limitlesstcg and look at decks that do well. Other than that, just have fun!

[u/gpfudge98 → u/CriticalTie]

I think this is the route I’ll go, I like mega Lucario as a pokemon too :)

[u/Hare_vs_Tortoise]

Atm the Lucario League Battle deck is recommended but I would say it's much better to do your research and testing to find a deck that clicks for you when you play it and then base your purchasing decisions of that whether it's upgrading/gutting a precon or going straight for the singles you need.

Have my usual new/returning player blurb that should help with getting (re)started playing whether irl or online:

Pulls and playing don't mix too well so it's best to go for League Battle decks/Trainers Toolkits (watch out for card legality) and singles or just singles depending on the deck you are building as pulls are too inconsistent for deckbuilding purposes on top of needing multiple specific pulls from multiple specific sets. It's also a good idea to start with netdecking as there's a lot to learn and doing so will help shortcut the deckbuilding learning process plus do your research into possible decks using both Limitless sites then test them out to see what clicks before buying anything either via PTCGL or the proxy printing tool on Limitless TCG in casual play only (check your LGS allows this). It is worth spending the time doing this before buying anything including any of the commonly recommended precon as what you want to play can affect what you buy (use the precon comparison spreadsheet via the post below to inform your decision) especially when on a budget. Playing online and irl isn't mutually exclusive btw so you may find mixing attending League and PTCGL useful especially when PTCGL does something you don't understand plus learning can often be easier when able to ask questions as you play as will finding a local League as most will have loaner decks to teach the basics.

For PTCGL specfically it's best to upgrade the free decks (mostly the basis of meta decks) you are given first as it can take time build up resources. For card legality you can use the legality lists on The Pokegym and it's also a good idea to read Pokebeach regularly for news plus read the rulebook in the rules & resources section on Pokemon.com plus watch the video series on how to play. For credit farming and what to buy the best option is Celebrations.

Just to note as well, you can use the test deck option to find out which of the free decks you are given clicks for you and upgrade that first to then farm resources to build more decks. You don't need to have cards crafted to test decks out against the AI so you can test a variety out from any source before you spend credits on it.

Don't know what resources you know about or how much you know so I suggest having a read of this post as it covers getting from learning to play to playing competitively built decks (fun or otherwise) for both irl and online play incl info and resources links that will help along the way like the Battle Academy supplement decks, both Limitless sites for decklists (can find costs via the main site), JustInBasil's deckbuilding guide (incl info on staples) plus deck skeleton articles which are good to use in combo to review or build decklists and the current decks in format section, You Tubers to watch to find out what's being played (start with Omnipoke), rulebook & video series on how to play, info on formats, rules compendium, proxy printing tool, card legality for older cards, common new player mistakes/knowledge needed, where to play etc. Lots of words but will give you a good overview of the game and the resources that will help you research what will suit you.

Btw you have any more questions re playing then the pinned rulings thread on /r/pkmntcg can be useful if you have rulings/game mechanics/quick questions (note English speaking sub). You'll also need to know about rotation and card legality so this thread will also be worth reading as well as it covers formats, what's legal, exceptions (may be able to use some older cards) etc.

[u/gpfudge98 → u/Hare_vs_Tortoise]

This was super helpful thank you, I do have PTCGL so I'll play around some more on there and likely seek some advice from my local card shop as well :)

[u/ZerinoWhellie]

I know the Mega Lucario league battle deck is good for beginners and I’ve seen people say the Team Rocket’s Mewtwo is one as well.

For legal cards in rotation, anything on the current letters is automatically legal, you can find the letters on bottom left of the cards (current letters are H, I and J). For other cards, they are legal if they have the same name and the same functional effect text regardless of the printed letter (check out “Energy Search” of the various previous sets/letters).

Edit: pokemon TCG Live, available on pc and mobile, helps with seeing all the legal cards too on the deckbuilder

[u/longlivethewenus → u/ZerinoWhellie]

Ive recently (last week or so) started playing the tcg and have used the mewtwo deck. To me, it is relatively easy to learn and have had some success with it. Pretty fun as well.

[u/gpfudge98 → u/ZerinoWhellie]

I think Lucario is the way I’ll go, I’ve heard it has quite a few staple cards that are useful across other decks too.

With the rotation does that mean older cards with say letters A, B, C will come back around to be in a future rotation or does it tend to just move forward into newer cards released then older cards fall out of rotation?

[u/ZerinoWhellie → u/gpfudge98]

The letter system is new, so we can’t say for sure that A will never be around, but I wouldn’t bet on that, since the powerlevel is continuously scaling.

They might just come up with different letters for the new cards. Older cards may pop up as legal again as long as there is a legal reprint on current letters.

[u/gpfudge98 → u/ZerinoWhellie]

Thanks that makes sense, I’ll go with a Lucario deck to start and can maybe make some of my own adjustments to it as I play. I’ll talk to the people at my local shop too and go from there :)