PocketMads blog

Meta Recap - August 14th

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The weekend is here! For many players this is a chance to catch up on the ladder. For others, the best event in gaming is happening once again. I’ll admit my bias, but PMPT is the best tournament to both watch and play in. It’s easier to join and compete than you think - I’d love to see you there.

For me, the weekends are a time of reflection. I take a step back, assess my week, and plan for the next. That’s exactly what I’ll be doing in today’s article, where we reflect on the tournament scene since the last weekend and look for insights using both the tournament page and the meta game data found on Pocketmads.

I’ll be mainly focusing on first place finishes, and will provide links to deck lists where I can. There’s a lot to go over, so let’s get to it.

Biggest Winners

When putting together this list, I decided to focus on standard tournaments with 32 or more players. Why 32? I feel like that’s a reasonable size of players to extract a consistently accurate reflection of the meta. If you’re like me, you’ve previously dismissed these “smaller” tournaments that don’t have close to one hundred or more participants, only looking at the top decks of larger sample sizes. I’m not sampling one large tournament, however - these past seven days we have a recorded 15,146 games on the site, with 411 unique decks being represented, across 32 different tournaments. By widening our scope just a bit we can get a better glimpse of what works and what doesn’t.

Side note - I sometimes forget that we in the Pocket community are incredibly spoiled by the sheer size of tournaments we have weekly. Last weekend we had over four hundred players in a tournament twice, which rivals many regional championships in other card games. To have access to a daily tournament scene where you’d have enough players to equal local qualifiers is amazing!

Mega Lucario exB3 081

It should not come as a surprise that the most tournaments this week were won by the best Mega in the game - Mega Lucario ex. With a whopping 12.5% of the metashare, Lucario is holding its own against strong contenders for the best deck. We find across 1,921 games that Bonsly is the most played lead, followed by a tie with Hitmontop and Sawk. The Hitmonchan ex version - as piloted by 1st place finisher 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮 Alana 𝗘𝗫 - should not be underestimated.

If you’re playing in this weekend’s PMPT, expect to see all types of Lucario. One 125-player tournaments was won with Lucario/Greninja.

Hoopa exB4 103

Hoopa ex showed up thrice on this created winner’s list; twice as the pure dark variant and once with Greninja. It’s currently boasting a 52% win rate, partly because I believe people are playing decks that counter fighting. I actually lost count to how many top eight finishes Hoopa has had this week! It’s as strong of a deck as ever, and not much has changed since I wrote about it on Monday.

Mega Blaziken exB1 036

Two fire decks caught me by surprise: One Mega Charizard Y and one Mega Blaziken with Skeledirge. Both of these decks were piloted by well-known players in PMPT, 7earless and Harian. The additions of Rainbow Cave and Wally have made Charizard much quicker, and the lack of yellow birds in the meta has removed the only barrier to seeing Char becoming relevant again.

Harian’s Mega Blaziken list forgoes the new energy ramp for card advantage by using Mime Jr.. The one line of Skeledirge helps you hit breakpoints otherwise impossible for the spicy chicken. It’s a super smart list, though we haven’t seen it pop up anymore since.

ChandelureB2 069

Chandelure has made a name for itself this past week due to its newest starter and inclusion, Oricorio. It’s only won one tournament this week, but at 135 players it showed it could hang with the best. It’s also made second place twice, and third place once. In other words, it’s putting in the work. This is currently Maddy’s favorite deck, who originally wanted to highlight it for a weekly wildcard but just kept winning with it to the point it didn’t qualify as a wildcard anymore. The decks I’ve seen have been testing different baby starters, such as Bonsly or Wynaut.

Other Movers and Shakers

Vespiquen, Mega Rayquaza, and Mega Sharpedo with Gyarados have also had their time in the spotlight Since Sunday. I suspect these will be prominent players this weekend,as well.

One Hydreigon list made it to the top while running Mega Sableye ex and Mega Absol ex. Hydreigon hasn’t gotten a lot of attention in B4, but this is one to watch out for; the only player running Hydreigon in this tournament made it all the way to first place.

Once again, I warn you: watch out for sleep. There is no such thing as bad publicity for those that run Igglybuff. Whether it’s in PMPT or on the ladder, you will face this archetype.

We’ve also seen an increase in grass decks. Check out yesterday’s article for more information on what’s been popping up!

Final Notes

Lucky Ice Pop has seen an increase in play; 45% of the top lists this past week slotted the best healing card in the game. We’ve also seen a resurgence of Repel, since Hoopa EX and Mega Rayquaza lists are strongly hurt by a well-timed gust.

What a week! It’s been an absolute blast watching the meta develop since the last PMPT. I don’t think we’ve settled in yet; there is still plenty of space for rogue or older decks to upset the competitive scene. Looking forward to reporting back to you on Monday with my findings. Until then, see you on the Ladder!

Grass Decks that Demand Respect

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Grass decks are having an unspoken renaissance; the green energy types are eating well with dark decks running rampant, and its strength in other tournament-worthy decks have only gotten stronger as the meta shifts. I believe there are more grass decks that perform well into the meta than there are of any other type. Let’s take a look at what’s currently available and see what may be worth taking to the Ladder.

Mega Sceptile EX

Mega Sceptile ex currently has the third highest win percentage in the past seven days, and for good reason; it has a positive win rate into all but one of the other top eight archetypes. For this meta, Mega Sceptile is the top counter to the most prevalent archetypes with over 60% success rate over dark decks.

Decklist

Mega Sceptile ex Gre

Mega Sceptile ex / Furfrou · by Schmitty · 20 cards

Scan to import in-game

×2Copycat
×2Mega Sceptile ex
×2Poké Ball
×2Professor's Research
×2Rare Candy
×2Treecko
×1Cyrus
×1Froakie
×1Furfrou
×1Greninja
×1Grovyle
×1Hiking Trail
×1Pheromosa
×1Small Balloon

See this deck on PocketMads

The Greninja variant has had a few changes since last season, mainly the exclusion of Juliana in favor of a second Mega Sceptile. This is the number one variant on the platform because you have an answer for everything. The Furfrou is a starting blocker that you don’t attach energy to; instead use it to absorb damage, attach a small balloon when you’re ready to retreat. I’ve seen some who like to use the new Retaliate Furfrou. When it looks like an incoming attack is going to be too much, retreat into a sacrificial basic to then come back in with a 70 damage counter.

Decklist

Butterfree Mega Scep

Butterfree / Mega Sceptile ex · by Schmitty · 20 cards

Scan to import in-game

×2Butterfree
×2Caterpie
×2Fragrant Forest
×2Metapod
×2Professor's Research
×1Copycat
×1Cyrus
×1Grovyle
×1Leaf Cape
×1Mega Sceptile ex
×1Protective Poncho
×1Quick-Grow Extract
×1Rare Candy
×1Treecko
×1X Speed

See this deck on PocketMads

I’ve seen in tournament data where a few more players are running straight Sceptile with Celebi (even a Bonsly) than this highlighted variant, however Caterpie/Sceptile has the second best win rate for the big lizard. It trades out balance for pure aggression, which also thins out the deck as a bonus. If you’re having rough starts, I would recommend trying this one out.

Meowscarada EX

Decklist

Meowscarada ex Meows

Meowscarada ex / Teal Mask Ogerpon ex · by Schmitty · 20 cards

Scan to import in-game

×2Copycat
×2Fragrant Forest
×2Leaf Cape
×2Meowscarada ex
×2Professor's Research
×2Rare Candy
×2Sprigatito
×1Cyrus
×1Erika
×1Field Blower
×1Floragato
×1Meowscarada
×1Teal Mask Ogerpon ex

See this deck on PocketMads

Even though Meowscarada ex may not be in the top eight most played decks, it sure has top eight aura. It’s achieved one fourth place finish and two third place finishes in the past two days alone! The gameplan for the green cat hasn’t changed: Flower Trick the active, swap for the non-ex Meowscarada when needed, and use grass support to the fullest.

Vespiquen EX

Decklist

Vespiquen ex Shuckle

Vespiquen ex / Vespiquen · by Schmitty · 20 cards

Scan to import in-game

×2Copycat
×2Fragrant Forest
×2Leaf Cape
×2Professor's Research
×2Shuckle ex
×2Vespiquen ex
×1Combee
×1Combee
×1Cyrus
×1Field Blower
×1Sabrina
×1Teal Mask Ogerpon ex
×1Vespiquen
×1X Speed

See this deck on PocketMads

Maddy said in yesterday’s video that in any other meta Vespiquen ex would be a better overall deck than Mega Sceptile. Not much can be said about the queen that hasn’t already been said - it’s consistent and can hit like a truck. If you choose this deck, play around with which basics you wish to use(and dispose of).

Mega Venusaur

Decklist

Mega Venusaur ex - c

Mega Venusaur ex · by Schmitty · 20 cards

Scan to import in-game

×2Copycat
×2Erika
×2Heavy Helmet
×2Ivysaur
×2Lucky Ice Pop
×2Professor's Research
×2Quick-Grow Extract
×1Bulbasaur
×1Cyrus
×1Field Blower
×1Lillie
×1Mega Venusaur ex
×1Repel

See this deck on PocketMads

No, I’m not kidding - I keep seeing Mega Venusaur ex at top placements in daily tourneys. It even placed 3rd in a pop-up this week, though unfortunately the data isn’t there to support its effectiveness in the wider meta. That being said, the best gen 1 starter(don’t @ me) has a game plan that is as effective as it is simple: ramp up, stay alive, and hit hard. Most of the venue decks I’ve seen run the solo mon, though I have seen one third-place deck that runs two bulbasaur and a copy of the non-ex Venusaur for the anti-ex matchups.

Conclusion

If you’re tired of facing Mega Lucario and Hoopa EX, try out these decks! Regardless of what you play, I hope to see you on the ladder soon!

Ready Set Ranked: B4 Season

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Ranked season has begun! For many this may be the first time you’ll try for the rank-up, yet for others this is that monthly grind you’ve craved when not playing on the PocketMads Match Play. For all who join, this season is the start of something different, and I feel like we need to talk about it.

You Can Hit Masterball

With Ruler of the Skies came a new change for the ranked ladder - you can no longer lose points on any tier below Masterball. This means that you can easily climb without concern of stalling out or entering a form of Ultraball purgatory where you win one, lose one and feel like Sisyphus rolling a poke ball up a hill only to get knocked down again. This is good news! It means that anyone of any skill level can eventually make it to the purple rank-up…

…Which reframes the ladder to something Maddy has said often - the real ranked experience begins at Masterball, not before. The change makes even Ultraball and below feel like a warmup or tutorial. I don’t think it devalues the journey to purple, but it does create a sense of longing for more. Living in North America, I woke up, got ready for the day, opened up my phone, and within an hour of starting made it to Masterball. It was easy, fun, and too short of an experience to feel satisfying. Now I have a new goal: to get as far on the ladder as I am able to without burning out.

With that in mind, let’s make a gameplan for the next fourteen days:

What to Expect on the Ladder

This article is not a meta report nor a best decks for ranked. Maddy’s near daily videos will always be the best source for up-to-date information. I can’t tell you what to play - your deck will likely change based on where you are on the ladder. I’ll assume, however, that your goal is like mine: to reach Masterball and to keep climbing up as high as you can, only stopping when you feel done for this season. This article, then, is to prepare us for what we’ll eventually face. You’ll never know your opponent’s full list, however people tend to play what’s worked before. Use this article for reference when playing against something well known.

Sleep decks are still around. They don’t have as much representation in tournaments because of the distaste for them by many, however that does not reflect the pseudo-anonymity of the ladder. People will want to win, and coin flips are a viable way to do so. In fact, the official Pocket social media account posted that Sleep Altaria made up 5.8% of the ranked ladder last season - the second highest deck representation overall. Be prepared to receive special conditions and a rough start.

Though Sleep Altaria is still the most prominent version played in tournaments, remember that this is not tournament play; people will play what you don’t expect, including sleep with Mega Lucario, Milotic EX, and Dedenne EX. A copy of PCL or Teal-Mask Ogerpon will help against this widely-used archetype. Clear Veil does not help against a turn 1 Igglybuff.

Hoopa EX currently shares a collective 11.1% of the tournament scene these past 7 days, and, as I described in a previous article, is probably here to stay. Knowing the signs of which Hoopa you’re facing is important, though the most likely one is what Maddy calls “Dark Hoopa”, with a single copy of Darkrai EX and Mega Absol. Grass decks will keep it in check, but for those not playing a bug or lizard you can mitigate the damage with either a Bonsly or Protective Poncho.

Mega Lucario is the biggest player on the field, bar none. It has its weaknesses, but as I discussed yesterday its greatest strength is its ability to switch things up in between games. Your number one objective is to take out the Riolu, or soften it up prior to it evolving. Be careful with your megas, as Lucario can swing for 210 damage when it has everything going for it.

Vespiquen EX is a force to be reckoned with; once they get going you’re facing 140 damage every turn. Your best bet is to slow them down by playing stadiums to bump theirs off the field, sniping their basics, or to play an equally aggressive deck like the ones below. Field Blower helps tremendously.

Sceptile Greninja is back on the scene and doing well for itself; it currently has the second highest win rate in the meta game, and has great matchups in all but one of the most prominent decks. I suspect you’ll see more Sceptile the higher you climb. If you can aggressively hit the bench or mess with their hand with cards like Mars and Red Card, you can secure a victory. Chingling is a great way to slow them down in the meantime.

Blaziken Greninja is both aggressive and quick - if they get a strong start. The king of highroll can and will make an appearance. Most are running a single Castform and Heatmor to help with starting hands. Typical stage 2 prevention deals with this deck well.

Mega Rayquaza has dropped in play, but still sees a 52% win rate overall. Even yesterday this deck won a decent-sized tournament. Its biggest threats are repels and taking out their Dragonairs. For this deck to work, your opponent must fill their bench and have rainbow cave out for multiple turns. Use that to your advantage as you leave Mega Ray slowly attaching energy.

And Many More

This is not an exhaustive list of decks you’ll face; instead I wished to show you the ones I believe you’d run into the most often. The best part of ranked recently is the sheer amount of viable archetypes there are! My hope is that you can come back to this article over the next few days to get a grip on the meta you’re facing.

One last thing before I sign off: low-tiered masterball will feel the same as low-tiered ultraball. You’ll face a slew of seemingly random and rogue decks. The higher you climb, however, the more likely you’ll face a smaller subset of well-performing archetypes that reflect tournament play with closed decklists. That’s where I’m headed - see you on the ladder!

Building Mega Lucario

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Ranked season is right around the corner! I’m still torn on the new changes to the ladder - since you cannot lose points prior to hitting Masterball, my starting position in Ultraball will feel more like a warm-up period before the real game of ranked begins when I hit purple, likely within the first hour or so of the release. I’m expecting that the low tiers of MB will be filled with lots of nonsense; I too will play a few casual decks on the way up. When it’s time to get serious, though, the best path forward is to become well acquainted with one, proven deck. For me, that’s Mega Lucario EX.

Mega Lucario EX

Mega Lucario EX has become a staple archetype in the game since its release in Pulsing Aura. Fighting needed a new kit, and Lucario led the way for my favorite type to be relevant again.

Lucario has a simple gameplan: lead with another fighter while you build up energy in the active. the 90 damage with two energy is great if you’re facing a deck that needs an immediate answer, however the extra 50 from the third attach is what makes this mega so great. With this scalable attack, you have flexibility on when to bring your finisher to the active.

The single retreat cost also helps for when you’re in a pinch, like being gusted up with Cyrus or Sabrina. According to the metagame data, 99% of the 2,800 decks piloted in the past week had at least one copy of X Speed to help with rough starts or for Cyrus plays.

There are two good Riolus to choose from: one that does a set 20 damage, and one that does a base 10 with +30 against an EX(pictured above). What I’ve seen in current decks is that most are running one of each basic. Honestly, go with your gut. I don’t see the appeal of running one over the other as they both have 60 HP, but it depends on what you see most on the ladder. If you’re facing a ton of Hoopa EX, then Fighting Fist Riolu may make more sense. Starting with Riolu isn’t ideal, though - you have much better Pokemon to run with.

The newest trend is worth taking note of: every deck this season has made room for a single Fighting Coach Lucario. This was a one-of when Pulsing Aura was first released, but died down to make room for tech cards. What we are seeing now is that the breakpoints in our opposition have increased, so having an extra way to hit an HP threshold is helpful.

Tools of the Trade

The most appealing part of running Mega Lucario to me is how easy it is to change the deck. Some archetypes, like Blaziken Greninja, are set in their ways and have few if any tech slots. Lucario, however, has a very small footprint: 75% of the deck is swappable.

Fighting is a toolbox type in that you have a set of “tools” at your disposal in the form of one-energy basics and a unique stadium/supporter. There are plenty of really great decks out there that have won or topped a tournament this past week, but each has a different set of tools to help face the developing meta. The best way to build Lucario is to read the meta well - include certain cards and exclude others depending on what you’re facing the most of.

There are staples, of course - Every deck that performed well this week had both a copy of Korrina and Arena of Antiquity in their deck. You can opt for one over the other, but there is versatility in having both. they, like most other lists, ran two copies of Research and Poke Ball, and most have two copies of Copycat. X Speed made every top cut this week. With that as our shell, we have:

We have room to play around with whatever we see fit. Two of the next cards are our potential starters, while the rest are our choice of trainers.

Never Go Solo

Choosing your ideal lead comes down to both personal preference and your opposition. There are three main inclusions that I’ve seen in RotS:

Hitmontop was the staple for a few months with Lucario - dealing 20 damage to both the active and a benched opponent is nothing to scoff at. 80 HP helps it survive a turn 1 sleep, which I expect we will see more of on the ladder than we have in tournaments. Its biggest downside is the two-cost retreat, however this is also the reason we run an X Speed.

What we see in ppitopin8’s first place finish at PMPT #41 is also the inclusion of Bonsly. This is the perfect inclusion against a swathe of Hoopa EX’s, as Bonsly’s -30 damage reduction affects both its main attack and the 20 damage to the bench, making the card effectively useless against you. There are ways around it, of course, but it’s such a strong start it’s worth considering.

It cannot be overstated that Hitmonlee’s 30 damage to the bench is useful in this meta. As long as you’re not seeing Protective Poncho this can punish the opponent for carelessly emptying their hand. This was essential in PGX | LikoUnite’s road to second place in the TCGPocket Community Series this past weekend.

Sawk is the best one-pointer direct damage for this deck. 90 HP, 30 damage is nothing to scoff at. Though not played this week, I’ve seen a few decks choose the promotional Zygarde instead, however with Vespiquen and Mega Sceptile running amok I do not think that’s wise. If you just want to start punching out the gate, this is your best bet. Sawk is also better than the previously-used Hitmonchan.

Finally, Hitmonchan EX is a powerhouse. It has its drawbacks; it cannot hit for weakness against Heliolisk/Manectric nor Miraidon and it’s a two-pointer lead with only 130 hp. What makes up for this is its speed - 50 damage that’s boostable by Korrina, Arena, and Fighting Coach Lucario, as well as a one-cost retreat that plays well with the already-included X Speed. If you just want to beat down your opponents, this is the way. The 130 hp does help keep your Lil Mac alive long enough for you to build up your Mega Lucario. Knowing when to switch out the active is the most important part of running this deck, especially if you play out the one-point Lucario for increased damage. This is what led 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮 Alana 𝗘𝗫 and others this week to victory.

Conclusion

Mega Lucario remains to be a tour de force with plenty of options to build the deck your way. Don’t be afraid to make changes as you go from one game to another. See you on the ladder soon!

Which Hoopa EX Deck Should I Play?

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Out of the many incredible Pokemon we received in Ruler of The Skies, Hoopa EX is shaping up to be the biggest contender for this season. Even in the midst of Vespiquen EX, Hoopa has continued to rise in popularity and in top cuts in several tournaments this past week. Our weekly tournament is no exception - six out of the top eight players were piloting a version of Hoopa, with a combined total of over 15% of the meta share for day two - rivaling Mega Lucario’s equally significant presence.

There were three archetypes within top eight, each boasting a different play style. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the star player in these decks and examine the ways we can build around it.

Hoopa EX

Hoopa EX has three things going for it: it’s a basic, it has 150 HP, and it has a strong, one-energy attack. The large health pool lets you sit in the active without fearing an immediate K.O. Its second attack - Dynamite Punch - could get you a knockout if you’re in a desperate situation, however that’s nowhere near as good as Shadow Bullet, dealing 30 damage to the active and 20 to a Pokemon on the bench. This creates both an aggressive line of play, as well as enabling control with Cyrus, which all but one of the top eight Hoopas ran a full playset of. This 30/20 split is probably the best unassisted split damage in the game, with the ability to take out baby Pokemon and soften up a basic for a single energy on your first energy attach. Deceptive Needle only makes this card better, hitting whatever happens to be in the active at the end of your turn. This makes Hoopa the ideal “setup” Pokemon for dark, as the rest of your energy can go to the “payoff” ‘mon to close out the game.

Hoopa’s two retreat makes it difficult to move out of the active. None of the top decks played Bombirdier, opting to instead include a single Small Balloon or X Speed.

Vespiquen EX is Hoopa’s greatest threat - the busy bee can hit Hoopa for weakness, taking it out with a single attack. Data from this past weekend shows that no Hoopa variant did well against Vespi, with one variant even going so low as a 25% win rate against the grass deck.

Another defense against this card unexpectedly appeared this weekend to Hoopa’s detriment - Bonsly. Bonsly’s -30 damage reduction affects both Hoopa’s main attack damage and the 20 damage ping to the bench. This secured ppitopin8 first place against the sea of Hoopa’s we saw this past weekend.

Dark Greninja

This archetype was the first one to arrive on the scene with RotS, which makes sense; Dark Greninja was already a strong archetype, and adding Greninja to anything makes it more playable. What is fascinating about this variant is what it replaced - Chingling. Basics and Stage 1s are played more than any stage 2 line currently, making Chingling less effective against decks that don’t run Rare Candies. Vespiquen doesn’t even run Pokeball, opting for Fragrant Forest instead. Instead, Hoopa EX makes this archetype shine with the combined bench snipe from Greninja. While Toxology’s deck only runs a single Cyrus, Eisen’s fifth place build goes all in for more control. In addition, Greninja’s ability with Deceptive Needle takes down that pesky Bonsly.

The matchup data suggests that Dark Greninja has a 54% win rate, though its worst matchups - the straight dark deck below and the previously mentioned Vespiquen - have a dismal 25% win rate each. Greninja is a boon and a bane; it helps control the battlefield but also takes up six slots in your deck. This can lead to bad starts or tighter decks with no room for variance.

Dark Good Stuff

Hoopa with Deceptive Needle has enabled a pure dark archetype that would normally make room for a Poison Barb and Nihilego. Instead, this compact package lets you keep a tight list of basic, powerful Pokemon with 15-16 available slots for trainer cards. All of these decks run Mega Absol EX and Darkrai EX, giving you the ability to increase damage output and control the end game. Unlike the Greninja variant, these lists had at least one Lucky Ice Pop and one Starting Plains, increasing the longevity of your starting Hoopa. Field Blower and Repel also made their way into this variant, with Repel being a great tool against other Hoopa decks, Gouging Fire with Mega Rayquaza, and Vespiquens who hide behind a Shuckle EX.

This shows with an impressive 55.5% win rate for the tournament, with incredible matchups into other top performing decks - something necessary in top cut. Its worst matchup, however, stole the show. All three of the Dark Good Stuff decks in top eight were taken out by Mega Lucario, which gave it a 39% win rate against. It also struggled against Magnezone/Miraidon and Vespiquen, though out of these two rivals only one Miraidon deck was faced on day 2 with a victory for third place’s Pdon. This was the only player to run a single Indeedee EX in the list.

Hoopa Sabeleye

though it’s not much different from the above lists, Meijyi’s 6th place build swaps out the single Mega Absol for a Mega Sableye. Doing so enabled a more aggressive variant to this pure dark archetype, requiring special attention. Out of six players int he tournament running this, only Meijyi made it to top cut. However, the deck does boast an impressive 54% win rate overall.

Its greatest weakness was against other Hoopa decks - Meijyi’s only losses were against two of the other top eight players the entire weekend. However, the player only faced a single Lucario to a tie and did not see a grass deck all weekend.

Conclusion

Hoopa Ex is a card with a low floor but high ceiling - great players can overcome much with both skill and well-timed inclusions. Whether you choose the Greninja route or one of the pure dark archetypes, the biggest piece of advice I could offer is to take your time with the deck. This is not a passive style of play; thinking on your feet and choosing the right tech cards will give you the upper hand in the next PMPT!

Welcome to PocketMads

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

PocketMads started as a YouTube channel about Pokémon TCG Pocket, with daily videos covering deck lists, news and strategy. It’s grown into a bit more than that, so here’s a quick tour of everything under the PocketMads umbrella and what this blog is for.

The videos

The heart of PocketMads is still the YouTube channel: new videos every day covering deck guides, meta breakdowns, set reviews and tournament runs. If you’re new, that’s the best place to start. The latest uploads are always on the home page here.

The app

app.pocketmads.com is our free companion app for Pocket players:

Deck builder: build, save and share deck lists with full card search across every set.
Tournament data: results and archetype breakdowns from competitive play, so you can see what’s actually winning.
Match play: a ranked queue with leaderboards for playing matches against other people in the community.

There are no paywalls. It’s built for the community and it stays free to use.

The community

The Discord server is where most of the day-to-day conversation happens: deck help, tournament pings, meta arguments, and a direct line to Mads and the regulars. We also stream on Twitch and run community tournaments through Limitless. Links to everything are in the footer.

What the blog is for

Some things don’t fit a video. Written deck guides you can skim mid-match, meta reports with the numbers laid out, set reviews you can search and come back to. That’s what will live here: the same content the channel covers, in a form you can read at your own pace.

New posts will show up on the home page and on the blog index. If there’s something you’d like covered, tell us or drop it in the Discord.

Thanks for reading. See you in the next one.