The ongoing Genetic Apex SP Emblem Event in Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is challenging players and pushing them to their limits, requiring five consecutive wins in Versus battles for the top prize. With the competitive nature of the mobile game, this event is significantly more challenging than any of its predecessors. With the coveted gold emblem up for grabs, you will need to build the perfect deck for consistency and power, focusing on the strengths that suit your style of play.
This event offers several rewards for players that interact with it, including Shinedust for Flair, Pack Hourglasses, and, most importantly, Emblems. While picking up five consecutive wins is a tall task and will most likely cause you to have some setbacks, there are ways to improve your likelihood of winning these emblems. The most important thing to do is play with a deck that will consistently challenge any type of opponent.
8 Pidgeot And Arbok Deck
This Anti-Meta Deck Counters THe Majority Of Opponents
One of the ways in which players attempt to beat this challenge is by using anti-meta TCGP decks. This is because versus battles will, and has been, saturated with meta decks; most notably the Pikachu ex and Mewtwo ex decks. This is where the Pidgeot and Arbok deck comes in. This deck uses the unique abilities of these cards to counter the meta, giving you more of a chance to succeed in the event.
Pidgey | 2 | Basic (Colorless) | Gust: 10 Damage |
Pidgeotto | 2 | Stage 1 (Colorless) | Gust: 30 Damage |
Pidgeot | 2 | Stage 2 (Colorless) | Drive Off: Once during your turn, you may switch out your opponent's Active Pokémon to the Bench. (Your opponent chooses the new Active Pokémon.) Wing Attack: 70 Damage. |
Ekans | 2 | Basic (Darkness) | Bite: 20 Damage |
Arbok | 2 | Stage 1 (Darkness) | Corner: 60 Damage + During your opponent's next turn, the Defending Pokémon can't retreat. |
Farfetch'd | 1 | Basic (Colorless) | Leek Slap: 40 Damage |
Kangaskhan | 1 | Basic (Colorless) | Dizzy Punch: 30x Damage. Flip 2 coins. This attack does 30 damage for each heads. |
Giovanni | 2 | Supporter | During this turn, attacks used by your Pokémon do +10 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon. |
Professor's Research | 2 | Supporter | Draw 2 cards. |
Potion | 1 | Item | Heal 20 damage from 1 of your Pokémon. |
Poké Ball | 2 | Item | Put 1 random Basic Pokémon from your deck into your hand. |
X Speed | 1 | Item | During this turn, the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokémon is 1 less. |
Arbok’s Corner allows you to trap the opponent’s Active Pokémon in place, stopping them from retreating. Use this once the opponent’s more powerful cards are worn down, particularly ex cards, since they are worth two points when eliminated. Pidgeot’s ability Drive Off can be used from the bench and forces the opponent to swap their Active Pokémon for one on their bench. This will give you a more favorable opposing Pokémon to break down, either with Corner or an attack from Farfetch’d and Kangaskhan. X Speed will also give you some added fluidity, protecting your lower HP cards.
7 Marowak Ex Deck
Puts Major Pressure On The Opponent
The advantage of the Marowak ex deck is its high damage output and low energy cost ratio. This means you’re more likely to get the set-up that you need for a successful battle. Marowak ex’s attack, Bonemerang, allows you to flip two coins. For each heads, you deal 80 damage. Though it does rely on RNG, something that doesn’t help consistency, this attack is cheap to set up and gives you multiple chances to use it effectively.
Sandshrew | 2 | Basic (Fighting) | Scratch: 10 Damage |
Sandslash | 2 | Stage 1 (Fighting) | Slash: 70 Damage |
Cubone | 2 | Basic (Fighting) | Growl: During your opponent's next turn, attacks used by the Defending Pokémon do -20 damage. |
Marowak ex | 2 | Stage 1 (Fighting) | Bonemerang: 80x Damage + Flip 2 coins. This attack does 80 damage for each heads. |
Giovanni | 2 | Supporter | During this turn, attacks used by your Pokémon do +10 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon. |
Sabrina | 2 | Supporter | Switch out your opponent’s Active Pokémon to the Bench. (Your opponent chooses the new Active Pokémon.) |
Professor's Research | 2 | Supporter | Draw 2 cards. |
X Speed | 2 | Item | During this turn, the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokémon is one less. |
Poké Ball | 2 | Item | Put one random Basic Pokémon from your deck into your hand. |
Potion | 2 | Item | Heal 20 damage from 1 of your Pokémon. |
Sandshrew and Sandslash both may seem average at first. However, any player that has used them will know that they can be extremely effective. Sandshrew is perfect to place in the Active Spot for the first turn, having a strong 70 HP. Once evolved into Sandslash, you can start hitting for 70 damage for only two Fighting-type Energy. This will give you enough time to evolve Cubone to Marowak ex on the bench. You will also put some major pressure on the opponent.
6 Blaine Deck
Has The Potential To Hit For Massive Damage
This Blaine deck is highly aggressive, making use of Ninetales' raw power and Blaine's ability. One of the major benefits of this deck is that every basic Pokémon is strong before they have been evolved. This means that whatever hand you are given at the start of a battle, you have a solid foundation for success. Farfetch’d, Ponyta, and Vulpix can all hold their own against most other basic Pokémon, giving you enough time to prepare the set-up you want or need.
Farfetch'd | 1 | Basic (Colorless) | Leak Slap: 40 Damage |
Vulpix | 2 | Basic (Fire) | Tail Whip: Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon can't attack during your opponent's next turn. |
Ninetales | 2 | Stage 1 (Fire) | Flamethrower: 90 Damage + Discards an Energy from this Pokémon |
Ponyta | 2 | Basic (Fire) | Flare: 20 Damage |
Rapidash | 2 | Stage 1 (Fire) | Fire Mane: 40 Damage |
Sabrina | 2 | Supporter | Switch out your opponent’s Active Pokémon to the Bench. (Your opponent chooses the new Active Pokémon.) |
Professor's Research | 2 | Supporter | Draw 2 cards. |
Blaine | 2 | Supporter | During this turn, attacks used by your Ninetales, Rapidash, or Magmar do +30 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon. |
X Speed | 2 | Item | During this turn, the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokémon is one less. |
Poké Ball | 2 | Item | Put one random Basic Pokémon from your deck into your hand. |
Potion | 1 | Item | Heal 20 damage from 1 of your Pokémon. |
The Pokémon you should put a focus on is Ninetales. Dealing a whopping 90 damage with Flamethrower, this Fire-type card can reduce opposing ex cards' HP to almost nothing. Blaine is the other key card in this deck. This supporter will add 30 extra damage to Rapidash and Ninetales. This gives them equal power to an ex card but will only cost one point if they are knocked out.
5 Misty Water Deck
Destroys Enemies Quickly With Some RNG Luck
The Misty water deck has quickly become popular in Pokémon TCG Pocket. By combining two incredibly strong ex cards with Misty’s overpowered ability, this deck will win you the Gold Emblem in no time. Misty allows you to flip coins until you get tails, and for every heads you flip, a Water Energy is added to a chosen Pokémon. This does rely on RNG, so players need to be careful not to solely rely on this Supporter card. This Misty card should be played as early as possible, maximizing your damage potential.
Staryu | 2 | Basic (Water) | Smack - 1 Water Energy: 20 Damage |
Starmie ex | 2 | Stage 1 (Water) | Hydro Splash - 2 Water Energy: 90 Damage |
Articuno ex | 2 | Basic (Water) | Ice Wing - 1 Water Energy and 1 Any: 40 Damage. Blizzard - 3 Water Energy: 80 Damage + This attack also does 10 damage to each of your opponent's Benched Pokémon. |
Giovanni | 2 | Supporter | During this turn, attacks used by your Pokémon do +10 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon. |
Misty | 2 | Supporter | Choose 1 of your Water-type Pokémon, and flip a coin until you get tails. For each heads, take a Water Energy from your Energy Zone and attach it to that Pokémon. |
Professor's Research | 2 | Supporter | Draw 2 cards. |
Sabrina | 2 | Supporter | Switch out your opponent’s Active Pokémon to the Bench. (Your opponent chooses the new Active Pokémon.) |
Red Card | 1 | Item | Your opponent shuffles their hand into their deck and draws three cards. |
X Speed | 1 | Item | During this turn, the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokémon is one less. |
Poké Ball | 2 | Item | Put one random Basic Pokemon from your deck into your hand. |
Potion | 2 | Item | Heal 20 damage from 1 of your Pokémon. |
The other two cards to be noted in this deck are Starmie ex and Articuno ex. Some players have opted to only go for one of these, rather than a partnership, but both options make for more flexibility in battle. Starmie ex’s Hydro Splash only costs two Water Energy for 90 damage. This is cheap, giving it the opportunity to make heavy hits quickly. Articuno ex is also relatively cheap for the damage output, hitting for 90 damage with three Water Energy.
Limit your deck to fewer Pokémon and more Item and Supporter cards. This will give you more consistency in drawing the key Pokémon you need.
4 Moltres Ex And Charizard Ex Deck
Combine The Strength Of Three Ex Cards
This Fire-type deck is built for consistency and aggression, making use of three impressive ex cards. Firstly, Moltres ex is the soul of this deck, charging the powerhouses that come after it. With Inferno Dance, you can flip three coins. For each heads, you can attach a Fire Energy to Pokémon in any way you like. This can be placed on Charmander or Growlithe in order to have them ready when they evolve. Moltres ex should be placed in the Active Spot at the first turn. This Basic card has 140 HP and should withstand early battle attacks.
Charmander | 2 | Basic (Fire) | Ember: 30 Damage + Discard a Fire Energy from this Pokémon. |
Charmeleon | 2 | Stage 1 (Fire) | Fire Claws: 60 Damage |
Charizard ex | 2 | Stage 2 (Fire) | Slash: 60 Damage. Crimson Storm: Discard two Fire Energy from this Pokémon. |
Moltres ex | 2 | Basic (Fire) | Inferno Dance: Flip three coins. Take an amount of Fire Energy from your Energy Zone equal to the number of heads and attach it to your Benched Fire-type Pokémon in any way you like. Heat Blast: 70 Damage. |
Growlithe | 1 | Basic (Fire) | Bite: 20 Damage. |
Arcanine ex | 2 | Stage 1 (Fire) | Inferno Onrush: 120 Damage + This Pokémon also does 20 damage to itself. |
Professor's Research | 2 | Supporter | Draw 2 cards. |
Sabrina | 1 | Supporter | Switch out your opponent’s Active Pokémon to the Bench. (Your opponent chooses the new Active Pokémon.) |
Poké Ball | 2 | Item | Put one random Basic Pokémon from your deck into your hand. |
X Speed | 2 | Item | During this turn, the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokémon is one less. |
Red Card | 1 | Item | Your opponent shuffles their hand into their deck and draws three cards. |
Potion | 1 | Item | Heal 20 damage from one of your Pokémon. |
The other stars in this deck are Charizard ex and Arcanine ex. While Moltres is producing energy, Charizard ex can be going through its evolutions on the bench. Being a Stage 2 card, this does take time. You should focus on this card as Crimson Storm will hit for 200 damage, knocking out any Genetic Apex card it comes up against. Arcanine ex is also very powerful, having the attack Inferno Onrush for 120 damage. You must be careful with this though, as this attack does 20 damage to another Arcanine ex.
Stay Agile: Equip X Speed for added flexibility and to protect your low-HP Pokémon.
3 Arbok And Wigglytuff Ex Deck
Anti-Meta Deck For Controlling The Battle
The Arbok and Wigglytuff ex deck is built to counter the majority of meta decks that you will face in this event. This is the deck that I personally use, as the abilities of Arbok, Weezing, and Wigglytuff ex all make for entertaining gameplay. Firstly, Arbok and Weezing are both Darkness-type cards, making them strong against the Psychic-type Mewtwo ex decks. Weezing’s Gas Leak will poison the opponent’s Active Pokémon, adding to the damage consistency of this deck. Koga should be played with Weezing, protecting it from being knocked out too quickly.
Jigglypuff | 1 | Basic (Colorless) (Promo A) | Sing: Your opponent's Active Pokémon is now Asleep. |
Wigglytuff ex | 1 | Stage 1 (Colorless) | Sleepy Song: 80 Damage + Your opponent's Active Pokémon is now Asleep. |
Ekans | 2 | Basic (Darkness) | Bite: 20 Damage |
Arbok | 2 | Stage 1 (Darkness) | Corner: 60 Damage + During your opponent's next turn, the Defending Pokémon can't retreat. |
Koffing | 2 | Basic (Darkness) | Suffocating Gas: 20 Damage |
Weezing | 2 | Stage 1 (Darkness) | Gas Leak: Once during your turn, if this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may make your opponent's Active Pokémon Poisoned. |
Sabrina | 2 | Supporter | Switch out your opponent’s Active Pokémon to the Bench. (Your opponent chooses the new Active Pokémon.) |
Professor's Research | 2 | Supporter | Draw 2 cards. |
Koga | 2 | Supporter | Put your Muk or Weezing in the Active Spot into your hand. |
X Speed | 2 | Item | During this turn, the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokémon is 1 less. |
Poké Ball | 2 | Item | Put one random Basic Pokémon from your deck into your hand. |
Wigglytuff ex is the other key Pokémon in this deck, mixing control tactics and a high damage output to finish battles. Sleepy Song will hit the opponent’s Active Pokémon for 80 damage, putting them on the back foot. However, it’s the attack’s ability that makes this card so effective. Sleepy Song will put the defending card asleep. This stops them from being able to carry out the tactics they have put in place. You must note that this card needs three Energy to start attacking, making it a better option for later battle moves.
2 Mewtwo Ex Deck
Incredibly Consistent And Simple Psychic-Type Deck
Mewtwo ex will easily dispatch of the opponent when set up correctly. “Psychic Drive” is a 50 damage attack for only two energy, causing some problems for the opponent in early battle situations.
Mewtwo ex | 2 | Basic (Psychic) | Psychic Sphere: 50 Damage. Psydrive: 150 Damage + Discard two Psychic Energy from this Pokémon. |
Hypno | 1 | Stage 1 (Psychic) | Sleep Pendulum: Once during your turn, you may flip a coin. If heads, your opponent's Active Pokémon is now Asleep. Psypunch: 50 Damage. |
Drowzee | 1 | Basic (Psychic) | Mumble: 30 Damage. |
Ralts | 2 | Basic (Psychic) | Ram: 10 Damage. |
Kirlia | 2 | Stage 1 (Psychic) | Smack: 30 Damage. |
Gardevoir | 2 | Stage 2 (Psychic) | Psy Shadow: Once during your turn, you may take 1 Psychic Energy from your Energy Zone and attach it to the Psychic Pokémon in the Active Spot. Psyshot: 60 Damage. |
Sabrina | 2 | Supporter | Switch out your opponent’s Active Pokémon to the Bench. (Your opponent chooses the new Active Pokémon.) |
Professor's Research | 2 | Supporter | Draw two cards. |
X Speed | 2 | Item | During this turn, the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokémon is 1 less. |
Poké Ball | 2 | Item | Put one random Basic Pokemon from your deck into your hand. |
What makes Mewtwo ex so strong, though, is Psydrive. This hits for a massive 150 damage, and discards two Energy with each use, but with Gardevoir you can charge this for an every-turn use.
In decks like Blaine’s Fire deck and the Pikachu ex deck, having strong basic Pokémon like Farfetch’d or Pikachu ex is essential. These cards can hold their own from the start, giving you time to evolve or power up your more impactful Pokémon.
1 Pikachu Ex Deck
This Lightning-Type Deck Will Easily Win The Gold Emblem
Pikachu ex has emerged as one of the best cards in the game, having extremely quick application that strikes fear into your opponent. When put in a deck alongside some strong Lightning-type Pokémon, it becomes even more formidable. Pikachu ex is a basic card, meaning it can be placed in the Active Spot from the very first turn, and should be. Players can charge its attack, Circle Circuit, doing 30 damage for each Lightning-type Pokémon on the bench. You should place as many Pokémon on the bench as quickly as you can, using Poké Balls to make this process quicker.
Pikachu ex | 2 | Basic (Lightning) | Circle Circuit: 30x Damage + This attack does 30 damage for each of your Benched Lightning-type Pokémon. |
Zapdos ex | 2 | Basic (Lightning) | Peck: 20 Damage. Thundering Hurricane: 50x Damage + Flip 4 coins. This attack does 50 damage for each heads. |
Blitzle | 2 | Basic (Lightning) | Zap Kick: 20 Damage |
Zebstrika | 2 | Stage 1 (Lightning) | Thunder Spear: This attack does 30 damage to 1 of your opponent's Pokémon. |
Pincurchin | 1 | Basic (Lightning) | Thunder Shock: 30 Damage + Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent's Active Pokemon is now Paralyzed. |
Professor's Research | 2 | Supporter | Draw two cards. |
Sabrina | 2 | Supporter | Switch out your opponent’s Active Pokémon to the Bench. (Your opponent chooses the new Active Pokémon.) |
Giovanni | 1 | Supporter | During this turn, attacks used by your Pokémon do +10 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon. |
Potion | 2 | Item | Heal 20 damage from 1 of your Pokémon. |
X Speed | 2 | Item | During this turn, the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokémon is 1 less. |
Poké Ball | 2 | Item | Put one random Basic Pokemon from your deck into your hand. |
Zapdos ex can be powered on the bench, preparing its Thundering Hurricane attack. This does 50 damage for each heads you flip from four coins. This can come into play when either your Pikachu ex is knocked out, or you retreat it with X Speed. With the combined attacks of Zebstrika and Pincurchin, this deck offers the perfect balance of consistency and power to help you succeed in the Genetic Apex SP Emblem Event for Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a mobile adaptation that reimagines the classic TCG experience for iOS and Android devices.
Released October 30, 2024
Developer(s) DeNA , Creatures Inc.
Publisher(s) The Pokemon Company
Multiplayer Online Multiplayer
English (US) ·