Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon Best PTCGP decks tier list (March 2026)
Pokemon TCG Pocket best decks
Pokemon All Pokemon TCG Pocket Secret Missions (Updated for Paldean Wonders)
Pikachu on a brick path looking up over its shoulder into the foreground
Tabletop Gaming If you want to collect Pokemon cards again like me, this is the best place to start
Elite Trainer Box and Booster Bundle for Pokemon TCG Perfect Order, surrounded by white outlines
Tabletop Gaming Where to buy Pokemon TCG Perfect Order, with new offers and pre-orders available now
A Mega Floette ex wreaks havoc in Lumiose City
Tabletop Gaming The next Pokemon TCG set is Chaos Rising, with "Mega Floette ex wreaking havoc" across Lumiose City
Pokemon First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1 box against a colorful background with a Charmander, statues, and other items from the original video games
Tabletop Gaming Where to buy Pokemon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1, the highly anticipated new release
Three Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution cards laid out on a wooden surface
Tabletop Gaming Where to buy Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution now that the set is out in the wild
Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box and Booster outlined in white, against a multi-color background
Tabletop Gaming Where to buy Pokemon TCG Chaos Rising when pre-orders go live
Close up of two Pokemon TCG Ascended Heroes booster packs.
Tabletop Gaming Where to buy Pokemon TCG Ascended Heroes at the lowest possible price
Ascended Heroes Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box on a wooden table
Tabletop Gaming Ascended Heroes doesn't revolutionize Pokemon cards, but it's still an essential purchase
A Mega Starmie ex surrounded by flashes of color
Tabletop Gaming Next Pokemon TCG expansion is based on the Pokemon Legends: Z-A game
Three Pokemon Phantasmal Flames cards laid out on a wooden surface
Tabletop Gaming Where to buy Pokemon TCG Phantasmal Flames
Pokemon TCG Pocket Error code 102-243-099
Pokemon How to fix Pokemon TCG Pocket Error code 102-243-099 and claim Handy Card Collection Missions rewards
Hand holding Pokemon binder open with cards and placeholders in sleeves
Tabletop Gaming I'm collecting all 1025 Pokemon in two mega binders, here's everything you need to join me on the journey
Glossy Mew and Mewtwo artwork showing them side by side in a colorful background
Tabletop Gaming A new Pokemon TCG expansion celebrates 30 years, but nobody seems to know what it actually is
  1. Games
  2. Adventure Games
  3. Pokemon
  4. Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket

Best Pokemon TCG Pocket ex Starter deck to choose

Guides
By Joel Franey published 28 March 2025

The PTCGP ex Starter decks are powerful decks - and you can pick one for free with a Deck Ticket

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

ex Starter decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket
(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

The best Pokemon TCG Pocket ex Starter deck is probably the Dark-type Paldean Clodsire ex deck, at least at time of writing, but in reality the answer is a lot more complicated than that. There are nine ex Starter decks in PTCGP that players can pick between once they complete the associated challenge missions, but like starters in the other games, this is a careful choice to be made - as you can only pick one. We'll explain how to get the ex Starter decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket below, as well as the best deck to choose once you're allowed to pick.

What ex Starter deck in Pokemon TCG Pocket should you choose?

ex Starter decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket

(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)
More great Pokemon TCG decks!

Pokemon TCG Pocket Venusaur ex deck
Pokemon TCG Pocket Darkrai ex and Weavile ex deck
Pokemon TCG Pocket Palkia ex deck
Pokemon TCG Pocket sleep deck

The best ex Starter deck for players to choose in Pokemon TCG Pocket, having studied all nine of them, is the Dark-type Paldean Clodsire ex deck, at least by a small margin. However, the Charizard and Giratina decks are also strong contenders, with a very minor difference between them in power. These decks are fairly well balanced, so there's no very obvious standout right now, and none that are going to get into our list of the best Pokemon TCG Pocket decks on their own without major modification.

Ultimately though, choosing an ex Starter deck is more about the cards than the deck itself. When you choose a deck, all 20 cards within it are added permanently to your collection, and can be used freely - meaning that you can put them in decks you make yourself… so if you have all the cards in the Clodsire ex deck, it means there's no point in choosing that one, as you'll only get duplicates. Look at the cards you have and the cards you want, and choose accordingly.

You may like
  • Pokemon TCG Pocket Best PTCGP decks tier list (March 2026)
  • Pokemon TCG Pocket best decks All Pokemon TCG Pocket Secret Missions (Updated for Paldean Wonders)
  • Pikachu on a brick path looking up over its shoulder into the foreground If you want to collect Pokemon cards again like me, this is the best place to start

How to get an ex Starter deck in Pokemon TCG Pocket with a Deck Ticket

ex Starter decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket

Ex Starter decks are unlocked by buying them in the in-game Shop, for which you'll need to pay with a special currency: a Deck Ticket.

Players can currently obtain one Deck Ticket by completing an in-game mission as part of the "ex Starter deck event", celebrating the Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry expansion. The specific mission is to "Use Pack Stamina to open 5 booster packs". This means you can open two a day easily, and there are other challenges as part of the event to earn Hourglasses to refill stamina and speed up the process.

Once you have the Deck Ticket, you can go into the Shop and exchange it for an ex Starter deck of your choice, which you'll earn permanently.

Keep in mind that this event and the chance to earn the Deck Ticket is only live until April 27, 2025, and the ex Starter decks will only be in store for another week after that. You don't want to miss your chance - and no, none of these decks contain any of those new shiny cards. If you want those, our guide will explain how to get Shiny cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket.

All ex Starter decks

ex Starter decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket

(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

There are nine ex Starter decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket, all of which largely use cards from the Shining Revelry expansion. They are:

  • Beedrill ex (Grass)
  • Charizard ex (Fire)
  • Wugtrio ex (Water)
  • Pikachu ex (Electric)
  • Giratina ex (Psychic)
  • Lucario ex (Fighting)
  • Paldean Clodsire ex (Dark)
  • Tinkaton ex (Steel)
  • Bibarel ex (Normal/Psychic)

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Android iPhone iPad Platforms Mobile Gaming
Joel Franey
Joel Franey
Social Links Navigation
Guides Editor, GamesRadar+

Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and Very Tired Man with a BA from Brunel University, a Masters from Sussex University and a decade working in games journalism, often focused on guides coverage but also in reviews, features and news. His love of games is strongest when it comes to groundbreaking narratives like Disco Elysium, UnderTale and Baldur's Gate 3, as well as innovative or refined gameplay experiences like XCOM, Sifu, Arkham Asylum or Slay the Spire. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at Eurogamer, Gfinity, USgamer, SFX Magazine, RPS, Dicebreaker, VG247, and more.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon Best PTCGP decks tier list (March 2026)
 
 
Pokemon TCG Pocket best decks
Pokemon All Pokemon TCG Pocket Secret Missions (Updated for Paldean Wonders)
 
 
Pikachu on a brick path looking up over its shoulder into the foreground
Tabletop Gaming If you want to collect Pokemon cards again like me, this is the best place to start
 
 
Elite Trainer Box and Booster Bundle for Pokemon TCG Perfect Order, surrounded by white outlines
Tabletop Gaming Where to buy Pokemon TCG Perfect Order, with new offers and pre-orders available now
 
 
A Mega Floette ex wreaks havoc in Lumiose City
Tabletop Gaming The next Pokemon TCG set is Chaos Rising, with "Mega Floette ex wreaking havoc" across Lumiose City
 
 
Pokemon First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1 box against a colorful background with a Charmander, statues, and other items from the original video games
Tabletop Gaming Where to buy Pokemon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1, the highly anticipated new release
 
 
Latest in Pokemon
Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia player builds a working calculator less than 3 weeks after the life sim's release
 
 
Lumiose City Mini Tin and Mega Moonlight Tin against a blurred Lumiose City background
Tabletop Gaming "I can't wait to not be able to get my hands on any," fans say as new Pokemon card tins are announced
 
 
Zoomed-in, cropped box art for Pokemon FireRed shows Charizard roaring.
Pokemon "The biggest time save in nearly a decade of Pokemon speedrunning" has been discovered in FireRed
 
 
Ditto and Onix in Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Minecraft griefing returns in Pokemon Pokopia as player ruins "public island for co-op building" with 0 guilt
 
 
Pikachu on a brick path looking up over its shoulder into the foreground
Tabletop Gaming If you want to collect Pokemon cards again like me, this is the best place to start
 
 
Pokemon Pokopia Mosslax
Pokemon New Pokemon Pokopia update addresses early-game softlocking and more, because we all deserve to meet Mosslax ASAP
 
 
Latest in Guides
Fortnite Chaos Cubes
Fortnite Fortnite Chaos Cubes locations and rewards for finding them
 
 
Marathon Cryo Archive players at exfil beacon
FPS Games How to exfil from Marathon's Cryo Archive in time
 
 
A shootout in Warframe: 1999
Action Games Warframe codes (March 2026) and how to redeem them for boosters, glyphs, decorations, and more
 
 
A man with a Chainsaw on his head rides a shark, promoting Chainsaw Man Incremental codes.
Simulation Games All Chainsaw Man Incremental codes (March 2026)
 
 
Kaliok the Hornsplitter in Crimson Desert
RPGs How to beat the Hornsplitter in Crimson Desert
 
 
Blix in Crimson Desert
RPGs Where to find Blix in Crimson Desert
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. The Girl approaches Grace in Resident Evil Requiem, who is hiding in a well-lit room
    1
    Thanks, I hate it: Resident Evil Requiem's terrifying stalker sounds that way because its actor "went through two jugs of milk" as Capcom "wanted a very thick consistency to my spit"
  2. 2
    Red Dead Redemption 2 modder creates the perfect open-world game by turning Rockstar's masterwork into Elden Ring
  3. 3
    Truck driver replaces passenger seat with $6,000 sim driving rig, uses it to kill time while "stuck in traffic"
  4. 4
    Marvel greenlights Wonder Man season 2 with Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery confirmed to return
  5. 5
    With 100,000 Steam wishlists after 3 days, Cat Parents devs "never imagined" this response, and I'm surprised they're surprised: it's a game where you "save cats, give them love, care, and a place to call home"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...