Summary
Pokemon Pocket’s battling system is a more streamlined and fast-paced version of the Pokemon TCG’s, and, as such, the best cards in the game are fast attackers that can come ‘online’ quickly.
While many of the best cards in the game are high-powered Stage Two Pokemon ex, there are a number of top-tier Stage One cards that pack an incredible wallop. Let’s take a look at the best Pokemon Pocket Stage One cards so far.
10Rapidash
Speedy Attacker With High Damage Ouput
A number of major archetypes have already established themselves as the best decks in Pokemon Pocket, but one major off-meta deck is based around the Blaine supporter card, which boosts the power of attacks from your Magmar, Rapidash and Ninetales by 30 damage.
That’s a massive power increase, especially when paired with Rapidash’s 40-damage Fire Mane attack, which only requires one fire energy to use. Because of that attack’s cheapness, you can surprise foes with the Blaine supporter card and then knock out many basic ‘mons with Rapidash’s Fire Mane relatively easily.
9Primeape
Thank You, Promo Mankey
One card that got a big boost after the Lapras solo battle event went live was Mankey’s evolution Primeape. Featuring the classic Primeape artwork fromPokemon TCG’s Jungle expansion, this card’s attack does a staggering 100 damage if it has any damage counters on it.
When combined with Mankey’s promo card (released during the aforementioned Lapras event), you may attack first with Mankey for 30 damage, which deals ten damage to itself, then evolve into Primeape and immediately swing in for a cool 100 damage.
8Exeggutor ex
Charizard ex First Pack Appreciators Unite
This is the ‘ultra rare’ card you get when you select the Charizard deck upon first downloading and firing up Pokemon Pocket. It’s also quite the powerhouse card, as any ‘mon with a strong attack that only requires one energy to use is going to be a tremendous threat.
Of course, much like the early days of the TCG, this card relies on a coin flip to truly reach its potential, but if it does, 80 damage for only one grass energy is quite the steal.
7Weezing
Annoying, Gassy Poison Type
Weezing is an eminently annoying card in Pokemon Pocket. First off, its Gas Leak Ability can automatically poison the opposing ‘mon – no questions asked. Not tying poison to an attack or a coin flip means that all of your foe’s ‘mons are going to be taking poison damage every turn.
Then, while its Tackle attack only deals 30 damage, that ratchets up to 50 damage against notable psychic-type Pokemon, such as the omnipresent Mewtwo ex, meaning that Weezing serves as a good counter to that archetype.
6Sandslash
70 Damage For Two Energy Is A Steal, Pt. 1
The first of a trio of Stage One ‘mons with an attack that costs two energy and deals 70 damage, Sandlash is perhaps the weakest because its retreat cost is two instead of one.
However, that trade-off occurs because Sandslash actually boasts the best HP stat of any of those three cards with 100. This card is also quite strong against Pikachu ex, which is easily the best deck archetype in the game currently.
5Golduck
70 Damage For Two Energy Is A Steal, Pt. 2
Golduck boasts nearly identical stats to Sandslash but has ten less HP and one less energy in its retreat cost. This card also goes beautifully in Misty-based decks, which are all about attacking quickly with super-strong ‘mons.
While that deck’s number one threat is Starmie ex, Golduck serves as a strong backup, especially because if you first attack with Psyduck, your foe can’t play supporter cards during their turn.
4Electrode
70 Damage For Two Energy Is A Steal, Pt. 3
The best card with a two-energy, 70-damage attack is Electrode, which can be found frequently inPikachu ex decks. While Electrode has the lowest HP of the three with 80, it makes up for it a retreat cost of zero – an incredibly important factor in making this card quite strong.
In Pikachu ex decks, this card is a potent threat, as it deals only 20 less damage than a fully charged up Pikachu ex itself. Combine that with no retreat cost and you’ve got an agile attacker than can threaten a sweep right away – whether you draw Pikachu or not.
3Wigglytuff ex
No Do The Wave, But Still Quite Strong
Colorless cards are not quite as strong in Pokemon Pocket as they were in the early days of the Pokemon TCG, though Farfetch’d is trying its darndest to make them relevant.
Jiggylypuff’s evolution Wigglytuff boasts the strongest Stage One colorless card in Pocket currently, as its Sleepy Song attack deals an impressive 80 damage for three energy and also, crucially, puts the foe’s ‘mon to sleep. While not as strong as the first printing of Wigglytuff in the TCG from Jungle, this is still a powerhouse Stage One ‘mon.
2Marowak ex
Flip Two Heads And Win
Cubone is an adorable ‘mon with a tragic backstory, so it’s only fitting that that beloved basic Pokemon receives a thunderously powerful evolution in Pokemon Pocket.
If you opened the Mewtwo pack upon first firing up Pokemon Pocket, you will know and love this Marowak ex, as its Bonemerang can deal a staggering 160 damage for only two fighting-type energies – that is, of course, as long as youcan flip heads twice.
1Starmie ex
One Of The Strongest Cards In All Of Pocketdom
The best Stage One ‘mon by far in Pokemon Pocket is Starmie ex, which anchors one of the strongest archetypes in the game based around the Misty supporter card and strong, swift attackers such as this one.
Boasting 130 HP, a two-energy attack that deals 90 damage and, most importantly, no retreat cost, Starmie ex is a massive threat befitting one of the strongest ‘mons in competitive battling history. Agile and powerful, Starmie ex is easily the strongest Stage One card in Pokemon Pocket.
