PDF download Download Article
Build your deck around the world’s strongest Pokémon cards and start winning
PDF download Download Article

There are thousands of different Pokémon cards, so how do you know which ones pack a serious punch when they’re in your deck? Whether you’re playing competitively or casually with friends, there are tons of Pokémon cards to use that have powerful abilities, strong attacks, and high defenses. Rather than searching for the best cards on your own, we’ve broken down which ones to look for and why they’re a great addition to your collection. Once you start playing with any of these cards, you’ll easily be able to take down your opponent in any match.

1

Mega Mewtwo EX (BREAKthrough)

PDF download Download Article
  1. Mewtwo is already one of the most powerful Pokémon, so it makes sense that its mega evolution packs a real punch. Psychic Infinity inflicts an additional 30 damage points for each Energy card you’ve played onto this Pokémon. The attack isn’t affected by Weakness, so you can knock out your opponent really quickly. [1]
    • Mega Mewtwo EX has 210 HP (Hit Points), so it also puts up a great defense.
    • Make sure you also have a Mewtwo EX card in your deck since you’ll need to play that before you can use Mega Mewtwo EX.
  2. Advertisement
2

Charizard VSTAR (Brilliant Stars)

PDF download Download Article
  1. This special Charizard card has the “Star Blaze” VSTAR Power that deals a whopping 320 damage to your opponent. Pair that one-time power with its Explosive Fire attack that deals 100 extra damage if Charizard is also damaged, and you have one of the strongest cards in the game. [2]
    • Charizard VSTAR has 280 HP, so it can take a few big hits from your opponents as well.
    • You’ll need to play Charizard V before you’re able to play Charizard VSTAR, so put a couple of copies in your deck.
5

Arceus VSTAR (Brilliant Stars)

PDF download Download Article
  1. Use Arceus’ “Starbirth” VSTAR Power to search your deck for any 2 cards and put them in your hand so you can play them right away. Arceus’ Trinity Nova Attack also deals 200 damage and lets you find 3 basic Energy cards in your deck to attach to your Pokémon so they’re able to attack sooner. [5]
    • Arceus VSTAR has 280 HP, so it’s great defensively too.
    • Keep a copy of Arceus V in your deck since you’ll need to play it first before you’re able to play this card.
  2. Advertisement
8

Mewtwo EX (Legendary Treasures)

PDF download Download Article
  1. Mewtwo EX was one of the most powerful cards when it was released. Use its powerful X Ball attack to do an additional 20 damage for every Energy card on Mewtwo and the defending Pokémon. Since Mewtwo EX already needs 2 Energy to use the attack, you’ll already deal 60 damage. [8]
    • Mewtwo EX has 170 HP and is only weak against other Psychic cards, so it’s tough to take down unless your opponent also has a Mewtwo.
    • Mewtwo EX’s Psydrive attack deals 120 damage, but also makes you remove an Energy attached to the card.
9

Mewtwo & Mew Tag Team GX (Unified Minds)

PDF download Download Article
10

Tapu Lele GX (Guardians Rising)

PDF download Download Article
  1. As soon as you play Tapu Lele GX, look for a Trainer card with the “Supporter” label in your deck and add it to your hand. Since Supporters have a wide variety of powerful abilities, Tapu Lele lets you make surprising plays when your opponent least expects it. [10]
    • Tapu Lele GX has 170 HP, but it doesn’t have any weaknesses so it’s great at defending.
    • Tapu Lele GX also has the powerful Energy Drive attack, which does 20 damage for each Energy attached to both Active Pokémon that isn’t affected by weaknesses or resistances.
    • Use the “Tapu Cure” GX Power once per game to heal all the damage from 2 of your Benched Pokémon.
11

Cleffa (Call of Legends)

PDF download Download Article
12

Charizard GX (Burning Shadows)

PDF download Download Article
  1. Charizard GX’s Crimson Storm attack does 300 damage at the cost of 3 red Energy cards attached to it. Even more impressive is this card’s “Raging Out” GX attack that forces your opponent to discard a total of 10 cards off the top of their deck. Near the end of the game, using this ability could force your opponent to lose if they run out of cards. [12]
    • Even Charizard GX’s weakest attack does 70 damage so it’s perfect for taking out weaker Pokémon.
    • Charizard GX has 250 HP, so it’s a great defensive Pokémon too.
    • Charizard GX evolves from Charmeleon, so put a copy in your deck.
14

Mega Aggron EX (Primal Clash)

PDF download Download Article
23

Mega Rayquaza EX (Roaring Skies)

PDF download Download Article
  1. Mega Rayquaza EX is already pretty strong with 230 HP, but its Wild ability reduces incoming damage from Grass, Water, Fire, and Electric Pokémon by 20 points. Pair this impressive ability with the massive 300-damage Dragon Ascent attack, and this card is sure to sweep the most powerful of opponents. [23]
    • Dragon Ascent makes you discard 2 Energy attached to Mega Rayquaza EX, so time your attack when you have a few extra Energy in your hand to play.
    • You’ll have to play Rayquaza EX first before you’re able to play this card.
  2. Advertisement
25

Coalossal VMAX (Vivid Voltage)

PDF download Download Article
26

Alolan Golem GX (Crimson Invasion)

PDF download Download Article
  1. Once you get 2 yellow and 2 neutral Energy attached to this card, use Super Electromagnetic Tackle to hit your opponent for 200 damage. Alolan Golem takes 50 damage each time you use the attack, but it can withstand a few hits with 250 total HP. Once per game, use Heavy Rock GX to deal 100 damage and prevent your opponent from playing cards during their next turn. [26]
    • Put an Alolan Graveler in your deck since you’ll need it to evolve into Alolan Golem.
    • You’re only able to use a GX attack once during a match, so use it when your opponent is planning a big move.
31

Shadow Lugia (Promotional)

PDF download Download Article
  1. Shadow Lugia was only released as a promotion for Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness for the GameCube. Even though its extra-large size doesn’t fit with the other cards in your deck, this collector’s card has the only attack that does 4 digits of damage. [31]
    • Shadow Lugia has 300 HP, so it could take a few hits if you did use it in a game.
    • Since this card is oversized and it doesn’t shuffle into a standard deck, this card is normally just a collectors item rather than used in official matches. If you do use it in a game, let the other player know you have a special card you’d like to use.
  2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      1. https://screenrant.com/pokemon-tcg-celebrations-best-classic-cards-mewtwo-claydol/
      2. https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Cleffa_(HeartGold_%26_SoulSilver_17)
      3. https://www.wargamer.com/pokemon-trading-card-game/most-powerful-pokemon
      4. https://www.wargamer.com/pokemon-trading-card-game/most-powerful-pokemon
      5. https://www.serebii.net/card/primalclash/094.shtml
      6. https://www.wargamer.com/pokemon-trading-card-game/most-powerful-pokemon
      7. https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/M_Ampharos-EX_(Ancient_Origins_28)
      8. https://www.dicebreaker.com/games/pokemon-trading-card-game/best-games/best-astral-radiance-cards-pokemon
      9. https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Zoroark-GX_(Shining_Legends_53)
      10. https://youtu.be/4_fi3NBWGwY?t=141
      11. https://pokemonblog.com/2019/05/19/close-look-at-reshiram-charizard-gx-and-lucario-melmetal-gx-from-pokemon-tcg-sun-moon-unbroken-bonds/
      12. https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-tcg-best-ex-cards/#malamar-ex-from-phantom-forces
      13. https://www.serebii.net/card/primalclash/106.shtml
      14. https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/M_Rayquaza-EX_(Roaring_Skies_61)
      15. https://www.serebii.net/card/legendarytreasures/100.shtml
      16. https://youtu.be/NituEflEX7s?t=125
      17. https://youtu.be/OIrhy5uzoVA?t=123
      18. https://youtu.be/KETbrbSNzCU?t=55
      19. https://www.serebii.net/card/flashfire/013.shtml
      20. https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/M_Charizard-EX_(Flashfire_69)
      21. https://screenrant.com/pokemon-tcg-celebrations-best-classic-cards-mewtwo-claydol/
      22. https://screenrant.com/pokemon-card-strongest-shadow-lugia-scyther-hitmonchan-charizard/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 90,425 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Harmony N.

        Nov 19, 2023

        "Good for me to know. I want to collect one day. I wanted to know which ones are the best for gambling and ..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement