Deck: Difference between revisions

Both players in a [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] require a playing '''Deck'''. An official deck is either purchased or built with 60 cards, composed of {{TCG|Pokémon|Pokémon cards}}, {{TCG|Energy card|Energy cards}}, and {{TCG|Trainer card|Trainer cards}}. The term ''Deck'', however, is a general term that may mean a player ''[[#Constructed Deck|Constructed Deck]]'', ''[[#Deck archetype|Deck archetype]]'', ''[[#Half Deck|Half Deck]]'', ''[[#Preconstructed Deck|Preconstructed Deck]]'' (''[[#Theme Deck|Theme Deck]]'' or ''[[#Trainer kit|Trainer kit]]''), or [[#World Championship Deck|World Championship Deck]].

:''See {{cat|Decks|Deck list}} for examples''<br />

'''Booster packs''' are a typical means for players to acquire cards for directly building or for trading in order to build player Constructed Decks. Booster packs contain cards from a given [[List of Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions|Expansion]] (typically four expansions are released per year). Boosters also offer the chance to acquire stronger cards to strengthen a purchased [[#Theme Deck|Theme Deck]] or [[#Trainer kit|Trainer kit]], create new decks of cards, or customize old ones. Every booster pack contains cards of different [[Rarity]] levels. They are guaranteed to contain at least one ''Rare'' ({{rar|Rare}}) card, with generally three ''Uncommon'' ({{rar|Uncommon}}) cards and the remainder being ''Common'' ({{rar|Common}}). Since the release of the {{TCG|Legendary Collection}} set, one ''{{TCG|Holofoil|reverse foil}}'' print of a common, uncommon, or rare card has also been included in every pack.

A '''Deck archetype''' is a player [[#Constructed Deck|Constructed Deck]] utilizing a set structure or theme (a certain {{TCG|Pokémon|Pokémon type}} and/or {{TCG|Energy card|Energy type}}, specific {{TCG|Pokémon|Pokémon cards}} and/or {{TCG|Trainer card|Trainer cards}}, etc.). Various players often have slight differences between their own decks of the same archetype. These decks are a great way for players to gain inspiration and see how others have used cards that may be available in their own player collection.

{{main|Half deck (TCG)}}

The '''Half Deck''' is popular among many [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] players, particularly in Japan. In Half Deck play, both players use ''Preconstructed'' 30-card decks instead of a traditional 60-card one and lays out three {{DL|Glossary (TCG)|Prize Card|Prize cards}} instead of six. Numerous {{cat|TCG half decks|official Half Decks}} have been released in Japan.

A '''Theme Deck''' is a ''Preconstructed'' 60-card deck that is sold pre-packaged. Most Theme Decks are designed with a [[#Deck archetype|specific strategy]] (such as {{TCG|Special Conditions}}) or theme (such as [[starter Pokémon]]) in mind. They tend not to be as strong as player [[#Constructed Deck|Constructed Decks]], but can otherwise be a sound introduction to the game for new players since they have all the cards necessary for a single player to begin playing immediately. Theme Decks are also a defined gameplay category in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]].

Similar to [[#Theme Deck|Theme Decks]], '''Trainer kits''', such as the {{TCG|Black & White Trainer Kit}}, come with two ''Preconstructed'' 30-card [[#Half Deck|Half Decks]], which may be combined to form one complete 60-card deck or can be built upon with a player’s own cards to make two 60-card play decks. Trainer kits also typically include game aids such as [[#Booster pack|Booster packs]], a rulebook, a {{DL|Glossary (TCG)|Field|double-player play mat}}, {{DL|Glossary (TCG)|Damage|damage counters}}, {{TCG|Special Conditions}}, a {{TCG|Coin}}, and a deck box – almost everything a single player could need to begin playing immediately. Current Trainer kits include:

* {{TCG|XY Trainer Kit}} {{ene|Psychic}} {{ene|Darkness}} {{ene|Fairy}} {{ene|Colorless}}

* {{TCG|XY Trainer Kit: Bisharp & Wigglytuff}} {{ene|Metal}} {{ene|Fairy}} {{ene|Colorless}}

Similar to [[#Theme Deck|Theme Decks]], '''World Championship Decks''' are purchasable [[Play! Pokémon|non-tournament-legal]] prints of 60-card decks used by [[World Championships|World Championship]] players. Like browsing [[#Deck archetype|Deck archetype]] decks, these decks are a great way for players to gain inspiration and see how others have used cards that may be available in their own player collection. They also offer a quick and easy way for players to see what is like to play some of the top player [[#Constructed Deck|Constructed Decks]] in the world.