Quick Links
InPokémon TCG Pocket, you will want to find the right deck for any Pokémon that you want to be the main event, which in this case is the Machamp EX. The Fighting-type in Generation Apex so far is a little on the weaker side, as the Supporter cards are not as strong as they are in some of the other options. However, with the right build,you can still ramp into your EX Pokémon quicklyand deal devastating amounts of damage.
There are a lot of options when it comes todeck types inPokemon TCG Pocket, even withonly one set of booster packs out at the moment. The game will continue to evolve over time, just like Pokémon do, and players will want to pick the right deck style for them. The main thing to keep in mind iswhat your deck’s biggest weakness is, which is especially true for a Machamp deck.
Best Cards For a Machamp EX Deck In Pokémon TCG Pocket
Other Evolutions & Supporters To Keep In Mind
Right now, the pool ofcards inPokémon TCG Pocketis limited and therefore a little harder to build around. However, seasoned TCG players will know thatbeing able to work with a limited card pool is often half the battle. Players who do not have all the cards will also likely want to know what kind of substitutions to make, as I myself am still collecting all the cards for this set and have also had to make the same decisions.Knowing when and where to choose certain cardsis also part of the challenge.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Confirms New Booster Packs, Trades, & More New Features Coming Soon
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket provided new details on when trading and new cards will be coming to the popular card app, along with other features.
As for a Machamp EX deck, the main issue players will have to work around is getting him fully up and rolling, keeping him alive, and having a plan for if yourun into a Psychic-type. With just 20 cards, you might not be able to plan for everything, but you’re able to get something you can work with.
The rental decks tend to feature around 15 Pokémon cards and 5 other cards - split between Items and Supporters. I tend to build around10-12 Pokémon cardsdepending on the situation, with 8-10 other cards.
Fairly early on, the game will give you a mission tounlock a “rental deck”which features Machamp EX. It may not be the best deck, but it is agood place to startwhen you’re looking to build your own deck. This deck features the full line of Machop, Machoke, and Machamp EX Pokemon, as well as theMankey and Cubone evolution lines. However, they also include:
As for other cards, the rest of the rental deck is a spread of2x Poke Balls, 2x Professor’s Research, and a single Potion. I agree that all of these cards should probably be included. However, you should likely include 2 of each. This is because these cards are essential for making sure you have a full evolution in your hand when you need them. You willnot be able to make this deck work if you are missing part of the evolution line, so you need to be able to pull the cards you need out.
As for the rest, the main thing you should take from the rental deck is the Cubone line,replacing the regular Marowak with the EX variety. This is for two main reasons: 1) Cubone on their own can help you mitigate damage, particularly if you happen to be weak to your opponent’s Pokemon, and 2) Marowak EX is a good substitute if you may’t dig out Machamp EX, as it can alsowipe large Pokémon off the boardin one fell swoop if you are lucky.
Otherwise, the rest of the deck is not quite as good. The one thing you want in a 20-card deck is consistency. You will want tohave consistent evolutions availableand a high potential for quick attacks.
Another potential best card for the Machamp EX deck is theDuglett evolution line, particularly Dugtrio if you are looking to have a little more control. It only needs one Energy, so you can be building up a Machamp EX on your bench while Dugtrio uses itsDig ability to keep your opponent from being able to attackon a coin toss. It’s a bit risky, but it is one of your main potential sources for control.
As for Supporter cards, beyond the Professor’s Research, you will likely want to look forGiovanni. Since the only Fighting Supporter card with Energy potential is Brock, and those cards don’t work for Machamp, finding something that will let you hit even harder is likely your best bet. This could well be an early game difference thatallows your Pokémon to stay Active for an extra turnand can be used without feeling like you have to save it for a crucial moment.
Full Recommended Deck Card List For Machamp In TCG Pocket
With Recommendations For Substitutions
The following deck list is what I would buildgiven copies of all the cardsbased on my experience in the game so far. There are recommended substitutions below the table.
70
2x
100
180
Basic Fighting Pokémon
60
Growl (1): During your opponent’s next turn, attacks used by the Defending Pokémon do 20 less damage.
Stage 1 Fighting Pokémon
140
Bonemerang - 80x Damage (2): Flip 2 Coins. This attack does 80 damage for each heads.
1x
Dig - 40 Damage (1): Flip a coin. If heads, during your opponent’s next turn, prevent all damage from - and effects of - attacks done to this Pokémon.
Supporter/Trainer
–
During this turn, attacks used by your Pokémon do +10 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
PROMO-A (obtain from shop)
Item/Trainer
Put 1 random Basic Pokemon from your deck into your hand.
Now this is mainly to try to keep the Pokémon to a nice sweet spot where you can haveone of each Basic Pokémon on your benchwithout worrying about pulling a Basic Pokémon you don’t have an evolution for. You could also drop the Giovanni Supporter card and add in 1 more of Duglett and Dugtrio to make the deck a little more consistent Pokémon-wise with a little less outright damage. It might depend on what you are up against, which youcan plan for and rearrange if you are doing a Solo battle.
While it says some of the Trainer cards are only available in Shop, you will receive some of themby finishing Missions for free.
TheMankey/Primeape combo from the rental deck is not a bad one to substitute outfor Marowak EX if you don’t have it yet, as Primeape can hit opponents back quite hard given the chance. It’s not quite the same levels damage-wise, but it is fairly consistent, andyou won’t have to flip the coin.
Dome Fossil/Kabuto/Kabutopsis also one I have looked at as a possibility, as Kabutops can heal itself and stall for time, but it is not as fast and efficient as these other options. However, that in combination with Dugtrio and a possibleGrapploctcould be the basis of a more control-heavy deck, but I still think leaning toward an aggressive play style is the way to go.
Early in the game, you will likely just have to work withwhatever Fighting-type Pokémon you have, but you can get some of these cards fairly easily withPack Points inPokémon TCG Pocket, so keep that in mind. The EX cards will be the hardest to get, but I got the Marowak EX card within a couple of days of playing the game, and you can increase your odds byonly opening the packs they come in.
Yourweak spot will be Psychic-types, and there’s not much to do about that. Cubone and Dugtrio can mitigate that damage and stall for time, but you will have to hit fast and hard to not get eliminated. No matter what, always try to play Machop on the opening hand, as you may immediately attack with him and you can land on the Machamp EX by your 3rd turn. With any luck, you have the knowledge you need to go get these Pokémon cards and win with the Machamp EX deck inPokemon TCG Pocket.
