[Top 5] Pokemon TCG Best Expanded Decks

A look at the top 5 Expanded decks in the Pokemon TCG.

Updated:

22 Oct 2021

Hello all you fans of the Pokemon Trading Card Game and casual readers. Today we’ll be looking at five of the best decks from the Pokemon Expanded format. This list takes into account the rules and bans effective after the release of the Evolving Skies set. Without further ado, let’s get into the list.

5. Pikachu & Zekrom

The main card of this deck is Pikachu & Zekrom GX with 240 HP. For three energy, its Full Blitz attack deals 150 damage and lets you search your deck for three energy to attach to your Pokemon. Then you can use Tag Bolt GX. This one use move deals 200 damage for three energy and an additional 170 damage to one of your opponents benched Pokemon if you have an additional three energy attached.
Pikarom utilizes Trainers like Thunder Mountain Prism Star, Volkner, Electromagnetic Radar, and Electropower.
All manner of Pokemon can be played to help out Pikarom. Some that have been included are Zeraora GX, Tapu Koko Prism Star, Raichu & Alolan Raichu GX, and Boltund V.

Speed energy from Rebel Clash, Thunder Mountain Prism Star from Lost Thunder, Electromagnetic Radar from Unbroken Bonds.

Here’s one version of the decklist:

Pokemon - 15

4 Jirachi TEU 99
2 Pikachu & Zekrom-GX TEU 33
2 Vikavolt V DAA 60
2 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Raichu & Alolan Raichu-GX UNM 54
1 Zeraora-GX LOT 86
1 Tapu Koko Prism Star TEU 51
1 Eldegoss V RCL 19
1 Marshadow UNB 81

Trainer - 32

3 Professor's Research SSH 178
3 Boss's Orders RCL 154
2 Marnie SSH 169
1 Guzma & Hala CEC 193
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Electropower LOT 172
4 Switch SSH 183
2 Tag Call CEC 206
2 Energy Switch SSH 162
2 Reset Stamp UNM 206
1 Electromagnetic Radar UNB 169
2 Big Charm SSH 158
1 Escape Board UPR 122
1 Thunder Mountain Prism Star LOT 191

Energy - 13

10 Lightning Energy
3 Speed Lightning Energy RCL 173

4. Volcarona

Zebstrika from Lost Thunder, Volcarona from Evolving Skies, and Volcanion EX from Steam Siege.

This deck employs the new Volcarona V, a Basic Pokemon with 210 HP. This Pokemon has the Surging Flame attack. For one energy, this attack deals 20 damage plus 20 more for each Basic energy card in your discard pile. Then shuffle those energy into your deck. This is very good as long as you have a way to continue putting energy in your discard pile. And you can accomplish that with…
All of the cards that expanded has to offer. Zebstrika from Lost Thunder has an incredible ability that discards and draws more cards. Volcanion EX can also discard while boosting damage.
In terms of trainers, Professor’s Research, Ultra Ball, and Battle Compressor are all incredibly helpful.

Battle Compressor from Phantom Menace, Professor's Research, and Ultra Ball from Shining Legends.

Here’s one version of the deck list:

Pokemon - 14

4 Volcarona V EVS 21
3 Blitzle LOT 81
3 Zebstrika LOT 82
2 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
2 Volcanion-EX STS 26

Trainer - 26

4 Professor's Research SHF 60
2 Guzma BUS 115
4 Fiery Flint DRM 60
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 Battle Compressor PHF 92
4 Ultra Ball SLG 68
1 Dowsing Machine PLS 128
2 Float Stone BKT 137
1 Heat Factory Prism Star LOT 178

Energy - 20

20 Fire Energy

3. Mad Party

Polteaguiest, Bunnelby, and Dedenne from Darkness Ablaze.

This deck is focused on Pokemon with the Mad Party attack. The Mad Party attack deals 20 damage for each Pokemon with the Mad Party attack in your Discard Pile. Pokemon with this attack include Polteagiest, Bunnelby, Dedenne, and Galarian Mr. Rime.
When you play this deck in the Expanded format, you can also use Marshadow GX and Mew so that more of your Pokemon can be discarded.
In the Expanded format, playing both Double Colorless energy and Twin energy helps to make this deck more consistent.

Double Colorless Energy from Evolutions, Marshadow GX from Burning Shadows, and Mew from Fates Collide.

Here’s one version of the decklist:

Pokemon - 22

4 Bunnelby DAA 150
4 Dedenne DAA 78
4 Polteageist DAA 83
4 Galarian Mr. Rime DAA 36
2 Dedenne-GX UNB 57
1 Oranguru SSH 148
1 Crobat V SHF 44
1 Marshadow-GX BUS 80
1 Mew FCO 29

Trainer - 32

2 Professor's Research SHF 60
1 Pokémon Ranger STS 104
1 Guzma BUS 115
1 N FCO 105
4 Trainers' Mail ROS 92
4 Battle Compressor PHF 92
4 Ultra Ball SLG 68
4 Quick Ball SSH 179
4 VS Seeker PHF 109
1 Rescue Stretcher GRI 130
1 Escape Rope BST 125
1 Special Charge STS 105
1 Dowsing Machine PLS 128
1 Float Stone BKT 137
1 Muscle Band XY 121
1 Parallel City BKT 145

Energy - 6

4 Double Colorless Energy SLG 69
2 Twin Energy RCL 174

2. Shadow Rider Calyrex

Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX has a long name and 310 HP. It is one of the most powerful of the new Pokemon cards and features the Underworld Door ability. This ability allows you to attach a psychic energy from your hand to a benched Pokemon and draw two cards. Then the Max Geist attack deals 10 damage plus 30 more for each energy attached to all of your Pokemon in play. Since this Pokemon can carry you with damage, you should use other cards to back you up.
Both Wobbuffet and Alolan Muk can help to nullify your opponents abilities and make your life much easier.
In expanded, you can use the powerful Psychic specific trainers like Fog Crystal and Mysterious Treasure.
Image
Wobbuffet from Phantom Forces, Alolan Muk from Sun & Moon, and Mysterious Treasure from Forbidden Light.

Here’s one version of the decklist:

Pokemon - 15

4 Shadow Rider Calyrex V CRE 74
4 Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX CRE 75
2 Tapu Lele-GX GRI 60
2 Wobbuffet GEN RC11
1 Alolan Grimer SUM 57
1 Alolan Muk SUM 58
1 Gengar & Mimikyu-GX TEU 53

Trainer - 31

2 Professor Sycamore BKP 107
2 Acerola BUS 112
2 N FCO 105
1 Guzma BUS 115
4 Mysterious Treasure FLI 113
4 Fog Crystal CRE 140
3 VS Seeker PHF 109
2 Field Blower GRI 125
1 Quick Ball SSH 179
1 Super Rod BKT 149
1 Scoop Up Cyclone PLB 95
1 Trainers' Mail ROS 92
4 Float Stone BKT 137
2 Silent Lab PRC 140
1 Parallel City BKT 145

Energy - 14

12 Psychic Energy
2 Weakness Guard Energy UNM 213

1. ADP Dragonite

Dragonite V from Evolving Skies, Double Dragon Energy from Roaring Skies, and Arceus & Dialga & palkia GX from Cosmic Eclipse.

Let’s be honest: the main focus of this deck is the Double Dragon energy. This Special energy provides two of any kind of energy as long as it is attached to a Dragon Pokemon. And you’ll be attaching that energy to Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX as well as Dragonite V.
Arceus & Dialga & Palkia GX is a Basic Pokemon with 280 HP. It has the powerful Alter Creation GX attack that makes your Pokemon do 30 more damage and allows you to take extra prize cards.
After Alter Creation GX boosts your attacks, Dragonite V comes out to be your main attacker. The Dragon Gale attack deals 250 damage and 20 damage to each of your Benched Pokemon. This attack is very good with the boosted damage.