How to build a Pokémon deck from cards you already own
Pick a type, build around your best attacker, and fill out 60 cards with what's in the box.
Short answer: a Pokémon deck is exactly 60 cards, with no more than 4 copies of any card with the same name (Basic Energy doesn't count) and at least one Basic Pokémon. Pick one or two types, build around an attacker and its whole evolution line, add Trainers that draw and search, then add enough Energy to pay for your attacks. Digital Decks does this automatically from the cards your child has scanned, rates the deck out of five stars, and lists the cards that would make it better.
The deck-building rules
- Exactly 60 cards.
- No more than 4 copies of a card with the same name. Basic Energy is the exception.
- At least one Basic Pokémon, or you can't start the game.
- Evolutions need the stage before them in play. Rare Candy is the exception: it lets a Basic Pokémon evolve straight into its Stage 2.
- When you play: one Supporter per turn, as many Items as you like, and only one Stadium in play at a time.
Building it by hand
Sort the cards by type
Fire, Water, Grass and so on. One or two types keeps the Energy simple.
Choose a main attacker and its whole line
If your attacker evolves, include the Basic and Stage 1 too, with more copies of the lower stages.
Add Trainers
Supporters that draw cards, Items that search for Pokémon, and Rare Candy if you're running a Stage 2.
Add Energy to match the attacks
Count what your attackers need and pack enough of that Energy type.
Count to 60
Trim anything over 4 copies. If you're short, note what's missing.
How Digital Decks builds it
- Pick one or two types and it builds the strongest deck it can from cards the child actually owns. It never adds a card they don't have.
- Evolution lines stay together, and Energy is matched to what the attackers cost.
- Support cards are chosen by what they do, so the deck keeps room for search cards, Rare Candy and a Stadium.
- Every deck gets a 1 to 5 star rating and a list of cards to look for. If the collection is short of 60, it says how many more cards are needed.
- It explains how to play the deck in plain language, and only mentions cards that are really in it.
- Save decks with a name, and choose to use each card in only one deck.
It follows the deck-building rules above. It doesn't check which cards are currently allowed in tournament Standard format.
Questions people ask
How many cards are in a Pokémon deck?
Exactly 60, with no more than 4 copies of any card with the same name, except Basic Energy.
How many Energy cards should a deck have?
Enough to pay for your attackers' attacks. Count what they cost and pack that type of Energy to match. Digital Decks works this out from the attacks on the cards you own.
What is Rare Candy for?
Rare Candy lets a Basic Pokémon evolve straight into its Stage 2, so your biggest attacker can arrive a turn sooner.
Can I build a deck if I don't have 60 cards?
Digital Decks will build the best deck it can and tell you how many more cards you need, plus which ones would help most.
Is the deck tournament legal?
It follows the deck-building rules (60 cards, 4-copy limit, Basic Pokémon, complete evolution lines). It doesn't check which sets are currently legal in Standard format.