Zach
"This is what I live for!"
Zach.png
Art from PTCGO
Gender Male
Eye color Violet
Hair color Brown
Hometown San Francisco
Region USA
Trainer class Trading Card Game Player

Zach works at the Game Store in Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. He greets new players at the entrance of the Game Store along with Ella. When players initially begin the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, he is part of the first tutorial match. Afterwards, in the Trainer Challenge, he can be faced in the Gold League and the Platinum League for a total of two matches.

Official biography

"Zach got his job at the game store through Ella. Enthusiastic but a little hapless, he loves the Pokémon TCG and reads fantasy novels. His favorite part of his job is helping new players get acquainted with the store's regulars."

League Appearances

Zach uses a Colorless   deck when players face him.

Gold League

Zach is the first opponent in the Gold League. After defeating Zach, players move on to face Mick.

Platinum League

Zach is the first opponent in the Platinum League. After defeating Zach, players move on to face Logan.

Diamond League

In the HeartGold and SoulSilver era, Zach appeared as part of the Diamond League. This league is no longer available for play.

Other appearances

Zach assists players when they access the "Help" feature, the Trainer Challenge mode, and the player versus player Versus Mode in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online.

Help

Trainer Challenge

  • Choose League"To get started, select a league and difficulty from below. The selections will be added to the current option area on the right."
Gold — "Every player begins in the Gold League. Defeat each trainer in the Gold League and you will unlock the Platinum League!"
Platinum — "Great job beating the 12 Gold League trainers. Now for the next challenge! Defeat each trainer in the Platinum League and you will unlock the City Championship!"
City Championship — "Do you have what it takes to be the City Champion? Let’s find out!"
"You have <number> overall wins with this deck."
"You have <number> overall wins with this deck. You have won <number> of <8 or 12> games necessary to unlock a booster pack."'
  • Choose computer-controlled Trainer opponent — "Please select a trainer to challenge!"

Versus Mode

Random Battle

Theme — "Both players can now use preconstructed theme decks in this format."
Standard — "Decks can only contain cards from current Standard legal expansions in their decks."
Expanded — "Deck can only contain cards that have been verified as Expanded legal."
Unlimited — "No cards are off-limits in this format! Play with your dream deck!"
  • Now retired "Ranked Battle" option which was folded directly into Random Battle rather than "Random Battle" being an option under "Ranked Battle""Ranked games allow you to progress and play against better and better trainers. Players also earn trainer tokens for these matches."

Friend Battle

"Now pick a friend to challenge."
<see Deck format selection in Random Battle above>
"Looks like none of our friends are available. You can only challenge friends who are currently online and aren't already in a match."

Play Testing

  • "Play a game against the computer and test out a deck."
"Next select a difficulty for the computer."
Easy — "Easy is a good option if you are new to Pokémon TCG."
Medium — "Select Medium if you have experience with Pokémon TCG."
Hard — "Hard is better suited for an expert Pokémon TCG player."
"Please choose one of your decks below" <with Theme, Standard, and Expanded decks mixed together in the same list>

Practice

  • Retired Practice Battle"Practice games help you learn the basics of the game in a friendly match. If you are new to Pokémon TCG this is a good game type."

Zach's decks

Zach's XY decks

Easy deck

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Bidoof    
Bibarel    
Dunsparce    
Farfetch'd  
Furfrou    
Lickitung    
Lickilicky    
Miltank  
Pidove    
Tranquill    
Skarmory    
Snorlax    
Acro Bike I  
Repeat Ball I  
Tool Retriever I  
Trainers' Mail I  
Exp. Share I  
Sparkling Robe I  
Professor Birch's Observations Su  
Team Flare Grunt Su  
Winona Su  
Grass Energy   E
Fire Energy   E
Water Energy   E
Lightning Energy   E
Psychic Energy   E
Fighting Energy   E
Darkness Energy   E
Metal Energy   E
Fairy Energy   E

Medium deck

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Bidoof    
Bibarel    
Dunsparce    
Farfetch'd  
Furfrou    
Lickitung    
Lickilicky    
Miltank  
Pidove    
Tranquill    
Skarmory    
Snorlax    
Acro Bike I  
Repeat Ball I  
Tool Retriever I  
Trainers' Mail I  
Exp. Share I  
Sparkling Robe I  
Professor Birch's Observations Su  
Team Flare Grunt Su  
Winona Su  
Grass Energy   E
Fire Energy   E
Water Energy   E
Lightning Energy   E
Psychic Energy   E
Fighting Energy   E
Darkness Energy   E
Metal Energy   E
Fairy Energy   E

Hard deck

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Bouffalant    
Farfetch'd  
Dunsparce    
Furfrou    
Lickitung    
Lickilicky    
Miltank  
Pidove    
Tranquill    
Unfezant    
Skarmory    
Snorlax    
Acro Bike I  
Repeat Ball I  
Tool Retriever I  
Trainers' Mail I  
Exp. Share I  
Sparkling Robe I  
Professor Birch's Observations Su  
Team Flare Grunt Su  
Winona Su  
Double Colorless Energy   E  
Grass Energy   E
Fire Energy   E
Water Energy   E
Lightning Energy   E
Psychic Energy   E
Fighting Energy   E
Darkness Energy   E
Metal Energy   E
Fairy Energy   E


Zach's Tutorial deck

(As this match is scripted, Zach only uses the cards below)

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Meowth    
Rattata    
Metal Energy   E



Zach's Retired decks

Zach's Early XY era decks

Easy deck (List missing 1 card)

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Audino    
Bouffalant    
Chatot    
Jigglypuff    
Wigglytuff    
Minccino    
Rufflet    
Braviary    
Energy Retrieval I  
Full Heal I  
Great Ball I  
Professor's Letter I  
Revive I  
Roller Skates I  
Giant Cape I  
Tierno Su
22× Metal Energy   E

Medium deck (List missing 9 cards)

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Audino    
Bouffalant    
Chatot    
Jigglypuff    
Wigglytuff    
Minccino    
Rufflet    
Braviary    
Crushing Hammer I  
Great Ball I  
Revive I  
Roller Skates I  
Giant Cape I  
Rocky Helmet I  
Aspertia City Gym St  
Team Flare Grunt Su  
Tierno Su
22× Metal Energy   E

Hard deck

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Audino    
Bouffalant    
Chatot    
Jigglypuff    
Wigglytuff    
Minccino    
Rufflet    
Braviary    
Crushing Hammer I  
Energy Retrieval I  
Escape Rope I  
Great Ball I  
Professor's Letter I  
Revive I  
Roller Skates I  
Eviolite I  
Giant Cape I  
Rocky Helmet I  
Aspertia City Gym St  
Hugh Su  
Team Flare Grunt Su  
Tierno Su
16× Metal Energy   E


Zach's Black & White era deck

Platinum League (List missing 30 cards)

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Audino    
Bouffalant    
Jigglypuff    
Wigglytuff    
Rufflet    
Braviary    
Minccino    
Crushing Hammer I  
Escape Rope I  
Revive I  
Super Rod I  
Eviolite I  
Rocky Helmet I  
Aspertia City Gym St  
Bianca Su  
Hugh Su  
Metal Energy   E



Zach's initial decks

During the HeartGold & SoulSilver era, Zach used a different deck for each appearance.

Gold League

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Chansey    
Doduo    
Dodrio    
Rattata    
Spearow    
Fearow    
Starly    
Staravia    
Staraptor    
Energy Returner I  
Full Heal I  
PlusPower I  
Potion I  
Switch I  
Bill Su  
Engineer's Adjustments Su  
24× Grass Energy   E  

Platinum League

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Eevee    
Vaporeon    
Horsea    
Seadra    
Squirtle    
Teddiursa    
Totodile    
Croconaw    
Feraligatr    
Energy Switch I  
Full Heal I  
Pokémon Circulator I  
Potion I  
Bill Su  
Engineer's Adjustments Su  
24× Water Energy   E  

Diamond League

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Cyndaquil    
Quilava    
Typhlosion    
Eevee    
Flareon    
Magmar    
Rattata    
Vulpix    
Ninetales    
Energy Returner I  
Full Heal I  
PlusPower I  
Potion I  
Bill Su  
Copycat Su  
24× Fire Energy   E  


Zach's XY Tutorial deck

(As this match was scripted, Zach only used the cards below)

Quantity Card Type Rarity
Eevee    
Fletchling    
Metal Energy   E



Quotes

  • Tutorial match — "This is my favourite game. I hope you have fun!"
  • Gold League, before a game — "Time to play, <player>! This is what I live for!"
  • Platinum League, before a game — "Oh yeah! League Champion in the house! Let the games begin!"

Retired quotes

Tutorial Mode

Main article: Retired Tutorials

Match setup

"Welcome to the League and... ...Prepare to be trounced! Mwa-Ha-Ha! Good luck!"
"Welcome to the Platinum League, <player>! Let's see how you hold up under pressure!"

Player loss

"Nice try, <player>. But it looks like you met your match! Let's play again!"
"You fought well, <player>. But don't feel blue! It's time for a rematch!"

Player win

"Hey, great game! Looks like you'll fit right in! Say hi to Mick for me when you play!"
"Wow, you've come a long way. My Water Deck is... all washed up! Congratulations on your victory!"

Diamond League

Before a game — "'Grats on your victory in the Platinum League! Don't think you've got this one sewn up, though. No one's taking you lightly this time!"
Match setup — "Eager to throw your weight around? You'll have to take me down first. Good luck. <Player>!"
Player loses — "A noble effort, <player>. Unfortunately for you, I was on fire that game. Try again?"
Player wins — "Hello?! My Fire Deck was snuffed out! Great Job, <player>."
Game Store Players
Employees ZachElla
Professor Professor Holly
League contestants MickCalvinAliGraysonJujiKendallTysonPenelope
CammieLoganNathanBrittneyRikaOtisDaniel


  This article is part of both Project TCG and Project CharacterDex, Bulbapedia projects that, together, aim to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Trading Card Game and on each character found in the Pokémon games respectively.