Pokemon TCG Pocket Deck Builder

Build competitive Pokemon TCG Pocket decks with AI-powered analysis and strategy recommendations.

Core Capabilities

1. Deck Construction Workflow

• Initial Deck Build: Start with a Pokemon ex or core strategy card
• Synergy Analysis: Find cards that work well together (same type + trainers)
• Energy Optimization: Calculate energy requirements (1-2 types recommended)
• Coverage Analysis: Ensure diverse Pokemon types for matchup flexibility

2. Pokemon TCG Pocket Rules Integration

• Deck Size: 20 cards (standard format)
• Energy Zone: Auto-generates 1 Energy/turn (NOT from deck)
• Win Conditions: 3 points (ex Pokemon = 2 pts, regular = 1 pt)
• Bench Limit: Max 3 Pokemon on bench (not 5 like standard TCG)
• Turn 1: No draw, no energy, no attack
• Card Copies: Max 2 copies per card

3. MCP Server Integration

Access 2000+ Pokemon cards via integrated MCP server:

Tools Available:

• search_cards: Search with filters (name, type, HP, set, rarity)
• find_synergies: Find cards that work well together
• find_counters: Identify cards that counter specific strategies
• get_type_stats: Analyze type distributions and averages
• analyze_deck: Get detailed deck composition analysis

Example Queries:

"Find synergies for Pikachu ex deck"
"Calculate energy needs for Grass/Poison deck"
"What counters a Water-type deck?"
"Show me all Fire Pokemon with high HP"

4. Strategic Analysis

Deck Archetypes:

• Aggro: Fast ex Pokemon, low energy costs
• Control: High HP Pokemon, defensive strategies
• Tempo: Early game pressure, mid-game finish

Key Metrics:

• Average HP and attack power
• Energy curve (cost distribution)
• Type diversity and coverage
• Trainer card efficiency

5. Sample Deck Building Session

Step 1: "Build a deck around Charizard ex"
→ Search for Charizard ex cards
→ Find Fire-type synergies
→ Identify energy requirements

Step 2: "Add support cards"
→ Search for Fire trainers
→ Find energy acceleration
→ Check for complementary Pokemon

Step 3: "Analyze the deck"
→ Calculate average HP/attack
→ Verify energy curve
→ Check for weaknesses

Step 4: "Find counters"
→ Identify deck's weaknesses
→ Suggest counter-strategies
→ Recommend improvements

Best Practices

Deck Composition

• Core Pokemon: 8-10 Pokemon (mix of ex and regular)
• Trainers: 4-6 cards (support, items, stadium)
• Energy: 0 (handled by energy zone)
• Curve Balance: Mix of 1-3 energy costs

Type Synergies

• Mono-type: Consistent strategy, easier energy
• Dual-type: More flexibility, higher synergy potential
• Avoid: 3+ types (too inconsistent in 20-card format)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too many high-energy Pokemon (4+ cost)
• Inconsistent type spread
• Missing basic Pokemon for early game
• Overloading on trainer cards
• Not accounting for bench limits

Documentation Resources

Core References (in docs/pokemon-tcg-pocket-research/):

• rules/01-core-rules-guide.md - Complete rules, turn structure, energy zone system
• deckbuilding/01-deckbuilding-guide.md - Deck building fundamentals and evolution timing
• deckbuilding/02-deck-archetypes.md - All 5 major archetypes (Aggro, Midrange, Control, Combo)
• deckbuilding/03-budget-decks.md - Budget competitive builds (under $50) + F2P options
• strategies/04-energy-zone-mastery.md - Energy zone mastery (THE most important mechanic)
• meta/02-top-tier-decks.md - 5 complete S-tier deck breakdowns with 20-card lists

Advanced Resources (for competitive play):

• strategies/06-ultra-competitive-mastery.md - Situational decision trees and exact responses
• strategies/03-type-matchups.md - Complete type effectiveness chart with 81 matchup scenarios
• card-guides/01-best-cards-list.md - 200+ cards evaluated S-F tier with budget alternatives

Use these resources: When building decks, reference these comprehensive guides for detailed strategies, complete tier lists, and proven deck compositions. These are located at ../../docs/pokemon-tcg-pocket-research/ relative to this skill.

Workflow & Validation

Deck Building Workflow

Phase 1: Define Strategy

1. Identify core Pokemon (typically 1-2 ex Pokemon)
2. Choose archetype (Aggro, Midrange, Control, Tempo)
3. Determine type strategy (mono-type vs dual-type)
4. Set budget constraints (budget vs premium)

Phase 2: Build Core

1. Search for core Pokemon: search_cards({name: "Pikachu ex"})
2. Find synergies: find_synergies({cardName: "Pikachu ex"})
3. Identify supporting Pokemon (8-10 total)
4. Select Trainer cards (4-6 cards)

Phase 3: Validation

Use analyze_deck tool to validate:
✅ Exactly 20 cards
✅ Max 2 copies per card
✅ At least 5-6 basic Pokemon
✅ 0 energy cards (auto-generated)
✅ Reasonable type distribution

Phase 4: Optimization

1. Analyze energy curve (1-3 energy costs)
2. Check for anti-synergies
3. Validate against meta
4. Test matchup spread

Deck Validation Checklist

Legal Compliance:

• Exactly 20 cards
• Max 2 copies per card
• No energy cards (energy zone auto-generates)
• All card names match database
• Valid set codes (A1, A2, A3, A4b, P-A)

Strategic Balance:

• 5-6 basic Pokemon (early game)
• 2-3 ex Pokemon (win condition)
• 1-2 stage 2 evolution Pokemon (mid game)
• 4-6 Trainer cards (support)
• Type diversity: 1-2 types (consistency)

Energy Curve:

• 30% low-cost attackers (1 energy)
• 40% mid-cost attackers (2 energy)
• 20% high-cost attackers (3 energy)
• 10% utility/support

Error Handling

Invalid Card Names:

Error: "Card 'X' not found in database"

Response:
- Suggest spellings (ILIKE matching)
- Show available cards with similar names
- Ask for clarification (ex vs regular)
- Provide query examples

Illegal Deck Composition:

Error: "Deck has 25 cards (max 20)"

Response:
- List which cards exceed limit
- Suggest cards to remove
- Recommend prioritization
- Show complete analysis

Too Many Copies:

Error: "3 copies of Pikachu ex (max 2)"

Response:
- Identify duplicate cards
- Suggest alternatives
- Maintain energy curve
- Validate remaining 18 cards

Missing Basics:

Warning: "Only 3 basic Pokemon (recommend 5-6)"

Response:
- List current basics
- Suggest additional basics
- Explain importance (early game)
- Show revised composition

Energy Zone Confusion:

Error: "10 energy cards in deck"

Response:
- Clarify: No energy cards in TCG Pocket
- Explain energy zone system
- Reference: strategies/04-energy-zone-mastery.md
- Provide corrected deck list

Common Deck Problems & Solutions

Problem: Inconsistent Energy

Symptoms: Multiple types (3+), high energy costs

Solution:
- Reduce to 1-2 types maximum
- Lower average energy cost
- Reference: strategies/04-energy-zone-mastery.md

Problem: No Win Condition

Symptoms: No ex Pokemon, only basics

Solution:
- Add 2-3 ex Pokemon
- Build around ex as focal point
- Reference: meta/02-top-tier-decks.md

Problem: Bench Overflow

Symptoms: More than 3 benched Pokemon

Solution:
- Reduce bench Pokemon
- Focus on active Pokemon
- Reference: rules/01-core-rules-guide.md

Problem: No Synergy

Symptoms: Random card collection, no theme

Solution:
- Find card synergies: find_synergies
- Choose type-based strategy
- Reference: deckbuilding/02-deck-archetypes.md

Progressive Disclosure

Level 1: Basic Deck

Provide: 20-card list, simple validation
Good for: Beginners, casual play

Level 2: Optimized Deck

Add: Energy curve analysis, synergy explanations
Good for: Intermediate players

Level 3: Competitive Deck

Add: Meta positioning, matchup analysis, tech cards
Good for: Tournament play

Level 4: Expert Build

Add: Advanced tech, sideboard options, meta adaptation
Good for: High-level competition

Quality Standards

Deck Lists Must Include:

1. Card names (exact database match)
2. Card counts (e.g., "2x Pikachu ex")
3. Validation summary (legal/compliant)
4. Strategy explanation
5. Matchup notes
6. Improvement suggestions

Validation Report Format:

=== DECK VALIDATION REPORT ===

Legal Status: ✅ VALID
- Card Count: 20/20
- Max Copies: ✅ All cards ≤2 copies
- Basic Pokemon: 6 (recommended: 5-6)
- EX Pokemon: 2 (recommended: 2-3)

Composition:
- Pokemon: 14 (70%)
- Trainers: 6 (30%)
- Types: Lightning (14), Colorless (6)

Energy Curve:
- 1-energy: 8 cards
- 2-energy: 6 cards
- 3-energy: 0 cards

Warnings: None

Suggestions:
- Consider adding tech card for Fighting matchup
- See meta/02-top-tier-decks.md for optimization

MCP Server Configuration

The Pokemon MCP server is automatically integrated:

• Database: 2077 cards across 12 sets
• Unique Cards: 1068 (auto-deduplicated art variants)
• Search: Advanced filters and SQL queries
• Analysis: Deck stats, type breakdowns, synergy matching

Usage Examples

Deck Building:

"Build an ultra-competitive Mewtwo ex deck"
"Optimize my current Grass deck"
"Find the best cards for a Water-type strategy"

Analysis:

"Analyze my deck's energy curve"
"What Pokemon should I add to counter Fire decks?"
"Show me all Psychic Pokemon with good attacks"
"Calculate average HP of my current deck"

Strategy: "What's the current meta for competitive play?" "How do I beat ex Pokemon heavy decks?" "What trainers work best with Pikachu ex?"