When you're first starting out as a player in the world of the Pokemon TCG it can be difficult to know which cards to play and which deck to construct! That's why we definitely recommend using a pre-constructed deck, or a precon for short. There are several different types of precon available however, so to guide those new to the hobby we've put together a bit of information about each!
My First Battle Deck
This is a relatively new product that is aimed at the youngest members of the Pokemon community. These decks won't be legal in any official or store tournaments unfortunately but they can be used as a tool for teaching very young children the basics of the trading card game. We also recommend this product for those adults that aren't Pokemon enthusiasts themselves but would like to play with their children.
Inside, you'll find everything two people need to play:
- 2 mini decks of 17 cards each
- 2 playmats
- A rulebook
- 1 large metallic Pokémon coin
- A sheet of damage counters
- 6 Prize tokens
ex Battle Deck
The humble ex Battle Decks (and the V Battle Deck that preceded it), are the lowest level of entry for most Pokemon players. They are full decks that are designed to be fun and straightforward. These boxes are marked as Play Level 1 (out of 3), which designates them as the place to start. If you don't have any prior knowledge of TCGs, then we think this is a good place to start. Battle Decks also come as bundles which include both decks as well as a few extra trainers cards; these are perfect if you're planning on playing with a friend or just want an extra deck!
In each box, you’ll find:
- 1 ready-to-play 60-card deck
- 3 reference cards
- 1 rules booklet
- 1 single-player playmat
- 1 set of damage counters
- 1 large metallic coin
- 1 deck box
- 1 strategy sheet
- 1 code card to play this deck online
Deluxe Battle Deck
The Deluxe Battle Deck is the next step up from the regular battle deck. They are designated as Play Level 2 - "Ready for a Challenge?", and contain most of the same contents as a regular Battle Deck but focus on more advanced strategies! If you've had some experience of TCGs in the past, then this might be a much better fit for you.
In each box, you’ll find:
- 1 ready-to-play 60-card deck
- 1 single-player playmat
- 1 set of damage counters
- 1 large metallic coin
- 2 condition markers
- 1 deck box
- 1 strategy sheet
- 1 code card to play this deck online
League Battle Deck
The next tier of deck is the mighty League Battle Deck. With a Play Level of 3, these decks have proved so potent in the past that even competitive players at the top level of play have utilised them. The strategies that are present in these decks are complex and the deck is designed to hold its own at any tournament or event. With a few tweaks, these could be considered tournament winning decks. If you find the Deluxe Battle Deck a bit too simple, then it is definitely worth picking up a League Battle Deck.
In each box, you’ll find:
- 1 ready-to-play 60-card deck
- 6 damage-counter dice
- 1 coin-flip die
- 2 coin condition markers
- 1 deck box
- 1 accessory box
- 1 strategy sheet
- 1 code card to play this deck online
World Championship Decks
The last type of precon that we'd like to talk about, as an honourable mention, are the World Championship Decks. These are released every year and are copied from the decks that won Championship tournaments the previous year! This means that these decks were the top of their format and super powerful! The main downside of these collectable decks is that each card is stamped, meaning that they are not legal to play in tournaments. If you want to play like a champion in a more casual setting, then these decks are for you.
Each World Championships Deck includes:
- 60-card World Championships Deck
- World Championships booklet
- Special World Championships pin
- World Championships coin
- World Championships deck box
- A playmat and poster
- A code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live
Next Steps
Once you've got to grips with your first precon, we then recommend that you graduate to your very own deck. Although the possibilities for deck construction are almost endless, most players tend to stick to the tried and true decklists. This is known as the meta! Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming article where we will discuss the most played decks right now!
