10 Best Basic Pokémon TCG Cards, Ranked

Playing Hearthstone competitively can prove surprisingly intricate for players who wish to engage at a higher level. Meta decks frequently involve elaborate setup phases, and deciding when to deploy a critical Boss’s Orders or Iono can tip the scales between triumph and defeat in a match. The majority of strategies currently popular revolve around a cautious early game, accumulating resources, and mounting a comeback during the late game. However, there are numerous cards within the game that don’t require evolution, and these often form the core of various tactics.

In a Pokémon Trading Card Game, it’s common strategy to use multiple turbo decks that primarily attack with basic Pokémon. This is because these cards can be particularly powerful during the second turn of the game, allowing players to secure early knockouts. Furthermore, basic Pokémon also play a crucial role in helping players recover after unfavorable situations. For instance, Fezandipiti ex is frequently used due to its ability to draw cards on the turn following one of your Pokémon being knocked out. While basic Pokémon might not be as flashy as their evolved counterparts, they are still essential components of the game.

An Integral Piece of Dark-type Decks

Due to the insufficient energy boost from Dark Patch, these strategies lean heavily on Supporter cards such as Janine’s Secret Art and Crispin. Nevertheless, these deck types boast an impressive tool for bypassing retreat restrictions, a feature that proves crucial in the present meta-game.

Card Name Type HP
Pecharunt ex Dark 190

Pecharunt ex possesses an ability called Subjugating Chains, which gives players the option to move any Dark-type Pokemon from their bench to the active field. This feature is crucial in decks capable of attaching energy to benched Pokemon like N’s Zoroark. Although Dark-type decks are currently facing challenges, Pecharunt ex offers them a valuable utility tool that helps them counter one of the most dominant decks in the current meta.

A Powerful Bench Attacker Dominates the Meta

In the aftermath of the recent rotation, competitive players are still figuring out the best strategy, but one standout contender that’s making waves is the Tera Box approach. This deck primarily uses strong Tera Pokémon for attacks and can adjust to numerous matchups due to its versatility. The cards in this deck each have distinct functions, but the frequent attacker often seals games, as Wellspring Mask Ogerpon is a significant early game challenge.

Card Name Type HP
Wellspring Mask Ogerpon Water 210

Wellspring Mask Ogerpon’s initial assault can keep the foe’s attacked Pokémon from fleeing during the next turn, a tactic that slows down many deck strategies. Yet, its second strike is substantially stronger, dealing 100 damage to the active opponent’s Pokémon and another 120 to one on their bench. This potent attack can wreak havoc with an opponent’s setup, making Wellspring Mask Ogerpon one of the top fundamental Pokémon in the game.

An Incredible Start to Any Match

In formats without Lumineon V and Rotom V, certain decks have had to compensate for lost consistency by incorporating cards like Dudunsparce. However, a draw card that was previously less common is experiencing a resurgence in the current format, as Cleffa has been included in some decks to address the consistency issues arising after rotation.

Card Name Type HP
Cleffa Psychic 30

With zero energy cost, Cleffa’s attack enables players to keep drawing cards until they possess seven cards in their hand. Although this move doesn’t inflict harm on the opponent’s Pokémon and may falter against cards like Budew, it does offer a way for players to refresh their hand after an extended setup phase. Despite its decreased popularity over time, Cleffa remains an excellent choice for decks aiming to boost consistency.

A Powerful Water-type Turbo Deck

Due to the April 11 rotation, a key element of consistency in one of the top turbo decks from the past two years, which features Irida, is no longer viable since Irida is now outdated for standard format play. Still, players are likely to tinker with novel adaptations of the Chienpao strategy, given its immense power and popularity within the current game meta.

Card Name Type HP
Chienpao ex Water 220

Chienpao EX has a skill called Shivery Chill, which lets you grab two basic Water Energy cards from your deck and put them in your hand if Chienpao EX is on the field. This, combined with Baxcalibur, gives the deck immense damage capabilities. However, due to cards like Raging Bolt EX and Gholdengo EX, the Chienpao EX deck has been outperformed by newer releases, but it remains a fantastic starting Pokemon.

A Nightmare for Basic Pokémon

Interestingly enough, one of the more potent fundamental Pokémons not only holds its ground against numerous other basic Pokémons, but also offers a strategic advantage in doing so. The current gameplay is moving at a slower pace compared to the past, and methods that can slow things down are highly valued in various decks. Remarkably, one of the most powerful basic Pokémons serves as an exceptional tool for decelerating the game, since it has the ability to annoy your opponent with its impressive skill set.

Card Name Type HP
Klefki Psychic 70

In summary, Klefki possesses the Mischievous Lock ability, which disables the skills of all basic Pokemon on the playing field when it’s in the active position. This can be challenging for decks like Raging Bolt, as they may struggle to draw cards effectively during the early stages if their initial hand isn’t optimal. In addition to its ability, Klefki’s attack is valuable since it may only inflict 10 damage but also discards any tools connected to the opponent’s Pokemon. Overall, Klefki serves as a powerful control card, and its effectiveness against popular meta decks makes it an appealing choice for various strategies.

New Variants Propel an Exciting Strategy

Following the rotation on April 11th, players assumed Terapagos ex would be less prevalent due to its inability to utilize Double Turbo Energy as a dedicated strategy. However, surprisingly, it remained in the meta with a more diverse approach than before. Additionally, it’s noteworthy that Terapagos ex is an exceptional Basic Pokémon, offering a boost to other decks in the format since it is a Tera Pokémon.

Card Name Type HP
Terapagos ex Colorless 230

Terapagos EX amplifies its attack damage based on the number of Pokemon on the opposing player’s bench, dealing 30 times that number as damage. With the Area Zero Underdepths stadium, it can dish out a whopping 240 damage, making it potent enough to handle Raging Bolt without requiring additional tools such as Defiance Band or Maximum Belt. Although Terapagos EX currently favors slower strategies that use Bouffalant to absorb damage, it remains an exceptional Basic Pokemon with exceptional versatility.

A Powerful Attack Pairs Well With a Strong Ability

2024 saw Teal Mask Ogerpon ex as a game-changer in many strategies, with Raging Bolt ex initially struggling but gaining prominence following the introduction of Teal Mask Ogerpon ex. By the start of 2025, this card has become a staple in various decks due to its versatile abilities, placing it among the top Basic Pokémon in the game.

Card Name Type HP
Teal Mask Ogerpon Grass 210

Teal Mask Ogerpon possesses the skill known as Teal Dance, enabling players to connect a card to it and retrieve another one. Combined with cards such as Energy Switch and Sparkling Crystal, this makes it an exceptionally effective attacker in certain scenarios. To put it simply, Teal Mask Ogerpon is undeniably among the top cards introduced in 2024, and it plays a crucial part in the current game dynamics, particularly in decks like Tera Box and Raging Bolt.

Punishing The Opponent For Hasty Actions

Winning the Pokemon Trading Card Game primarily revolves around dealing knockouts, which grant prize cards. However, timing the knockout of the right Pokemon is crucial, as players can often regroup if an inopportune one is defeated. Notably, Fezandipiti-X stands out among recovery cards due to its exceptional ability to alter the game’s momentum swiftly. This versatile Pokemon is a staple in virtually every strategy in the game.

Card Name Type HP
Fezandipiti ex Dark 210

When a Pokemon is defeated in the preceding round, the card “Fezandipiti ex” enables players to pick up three additional cards, thus aiding in recuperating from a less favorable game situation on the battlefield. Although “Fezandipiti ex” primarily functions as a target for Boss’s Orders, it is indispensable in numerous matchups, and certain games could be lost without it. In summary, “Fezandipiti ex” is among the most frequently used cards in the current meta, and its potent Flip the Script ability places it among the top Basic Pokemon in the game.

The Strongest Basic ex Pokémon

In some cases, turbo decks might find it tough to establish their setup and draw crucial cards on specific turns. But one deck stands out as it cleverly bypasses this challenge and delivers knockouts efficiently when playing second. The Raging Bolt EX is an exceptional Basic Pokemon attacker in the current format due to having the highest Health Points (HP) among all Basic Pokemons in the game, making it a powerful choice for players.

Card Name Type HP
Raging Bolt ex Dragon 240

In the initial strike of Raging Bolt EX, players can choose to get rid of all their cards and receive six fresh ones instead. This feature proves particularly handy when players don’t have enough energy on their first turn if they are playing second. The true power of this card lies in its second attack, enabling players to discard any quantity of energy tokens from the battlefield and inflict 70 damage per discarded energy token onto the opposing Pokemon that is currently active. Raging Bolt EX stands out as the top choice for turbo decks and is also considered one of the greatest Basic Pokémon ever created.

Slowing the Game to a Screeching Halt

The existing structure is noticeably slower than its predecessor due to numerous control cards that aid in customizing decks. While a few of these cards cater to specific matchups, many are staples across almost every deck in this format. Budew stands out as the most potent starting Pokémon in the game, providing evolution decks with an edge.

Card Name Type HP
Budew Grass 30

As a gamer, I’ve found that Budew, my chosen Pokemon, packs quite a punch with its attack dealing 10 damage to the opponent’s active Pokemon. However, what truly sets it apart isn’t just the damage it inflicts; it’s the ability it holds to disrupt my opponent’s strategy on their turn after attacking. You see, once Budew has attacked, my opponent can’t play Item cards, which can significantly impact their capacity to shape the game board in their favor. In essence, Budew is more than just a powerful card; it’s a game-changer that makes it the best Basic Pokemon in the game, offering an edge in numerous decks.

Read More

2025-04-24 02:18