Intermediate Step-Up Battles are the second and more difficult AI battles in Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket (PTCG Pocket).Read on for a list of all intermediate solo battles in the game, the rewards you can get, and more in this guide!

Intermediate Event Solo Battle Guides and Rewards

Lapras and Starmie Deck (Genetic Apex)

All Solo Battles
Lapras & Starmie Deck (Event)	Water Deck Tasks: ・Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Lightning-type Pokemon ・Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play ・Win this battle by turn 14 Best Deck to 100%: Lightning Deck

Note: The Lapras Solo Battle is only available until 11/18/2024 at 0:59 am EST

Lapras & Starmie Deck Card List

Lapras & Starmie Deck (Genetic Apex) Deck List
Pokemon Cards
Poliwag ×1				Poliwhirl ×2				Goldeen ×2				Seaking ×1
Staryu ×2				Starmie ×1				Lapras ×2				Doduo ×2
Dodrio ×1
Trainer Cards
Pokedex ×2				Poke Ball ×2				Professor's Research ×2

Lapras & Starmie Deck Rewards

Mission	Reward
Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Lightning-type Pokemon	Event Hourglass x3
Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play	Event Hourglass x3
Win this battle by turn 14	Event Hourglass x3

Lapras & Starmie Deck Strategy

Defeat Lapras quickly Use Sabrina Use Lightning-Type Pokemon

Lapras with 4 energy can be hard to deal with, even when using evolved Pokemon. Make sure to take out Lapras quickly, or finish the game before the AI can stack energy on Lapras!

For this battle, the AI will typically prioritize stacking energy on Staryu or Lapras, so having a Sabrina card prepared can come in handy to save you from an unfavorable position.

Lapras ex Drop Event Guide: Best Decks to Counter

All Step-Up Battle (Intermediate) Solo Battle Guides and Rewards

Venusaur & Exeggutor Deck

All Solo Battles
Venusaur & Exeggutor Deck (Genetic Apex)	Grass Deck Tasks: ・Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Fire-type Pokemon ・Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play ・Win this battle by turn 14 Best Deck to 100%: Fire Deck

Venusaur & Exeggutor Deck Card List

Venusaur & Exeggutor Deck (Genetic Apex) Deck List
Pokemon Cards
Bulbasaur ×1				Ivysaur ×1				Venusaur ×1				Paras ×1
Parasect ×1				Venonat ×1				Venomoth ×1				Exeggcute ×1
Exeggutor ×1				Rattata ×1				Raticate ×1				Spearow ×1
Fearow ×1				Jigglypuff ×1				Wigglytuff ×1				Chansey ×1
Trainer Cards
Poke Ball ×2				Professor's Research ×2

Venusaur & Exeggutor Deck Rewards

Mission	Reward
Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Fire-type Pokemon	Shop Ticket x4
Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play	Shop Ticket x4
Win this battle by turn 14	Shop Ticket x4

Venusaur & Exeggutor Deck Strategy

Use Rapidash or Magmar Use Fire-Type Pokemon

Rapidash and Magmar are Fire-Types with low-energy cost attacks, and are fairly easy to set up. Using these two should allow you to clear the Solo Battle tasks, and successfully evolving Ponyta to Rapidash allows you to clear all three missions.

If you do not have these Pokemon, you can use other Fire-types like the Charmander line, or even use the Blaine Rental Deck if you have it!

Venusaur & Exeggutor (Genetic Apex) Solo Battle Guide

Charizard & Arcanine Deck

All Solo Battles
Charizard & Arcanine Deck (Genetic Apex)	Fire Deck Tasks: ・Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Water-type Pokemon ・Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play ・Win this battle by turn 14 Best Deck to 100%: Water Deck

Charizard & Arcanine Deck Card List

Charizard & Arcanine Deck (Genetic Apex) Deck List
Pokemon Cards
Charmander ×1				Charmeleon ×1				Charizard ×1				Growlithe ×1
Arcanine ×1				Salandit ×1				Salazzle ×1				Sizzlipede ×1
Centiskorch ×1				Rattata ×1				Raticate ×1				Spearow ×1
Fearow ×1				Jigglypuff ×1				Wigglytuff ×1				Chansey ×1
Trainer Cards
Poke Ball ×2				Professor's Research ×2

Charizard & Arcanine Deck Rewards

Mission	Reward
Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Water-type Pokemon	Shop Ticket x4
Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play	Shop Ticket x4
Win this battle by turn 14	Shop Ticket x4

Charizard & Arcanine Deck Strategy

Use Seaking or Starmie Use Water-Type Pokemon

The Charizard & Arcanine Deck feature powerful Fire-types, but all require 3-4 energy to use their powerful attacks. Use Seaking or Starmie to make use of low energy cost attacks that target the Deck's weakness to finish the battle quickly!

Other Water-types can also be used to clear this Solo Battle, but prolonging the battle and allowing the AI to stack energy will make the match unfavorable for you, and finishing the match quickly is the best way to obtain all the rewards from the tasks!

Charizard & Arcanine (Genetic Apex) Solo Battle Guide

Blastoise & Gyarados Deck

All Solo Battles
Blastoise & Gyarados Deck (Genetic Apex)	Water Deck Tasks: ・Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Lightning-type Pokemon ・Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play ・Win this battle by turn 14 Best Deck to 100%: Lightning Deck

Blastoise & Gyarados Deck Card List

Blastoise & Gyarados Deck (Genetic Apex) Deck List
Pokemon Cards
Squirtle ×1				Wartortle ×1				Blastoise ×1				Goldeen ×1
Seaking ×1				Magikarp ×1				Gyarados ×1				Snom ×1
Frosmoth ×1				Rattata ×1				Raticate ×1				Spearow ×1
Fearow ×1				Jigglypuff ×1				Wigglytuff ×1				Chansey ×1
Trainer Cards
Poke Ball ×2				Professor's Research ×2

Blastoise & Gyarados Deck Rewards

Mission	Reward
Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Lightning-type Pokemon	Shop Ticket x4
Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play	Shop Ticket x4
Win this battle by turn 14	Shop Ticket x4

Blastoise & Gyarados Deck Strategy

Defeat Basic Pokemon quickly Use Lightning-Type Pokemon

Squirtle and Magikarp can easily be taken out by one energy Lightning Attacks, guaranteed if you have a Giovanni card that turn. Getting rid of these early on should allow you to prevent the AI from evolving them into their much more powerful evolved forms.

Lightning-type Pokemon are the most efficient in taking this deck down, and you can even use the Pikachu ex Rental Deck if you have it unlocked!

Blastoise & Gyarados (Genetic Apex) Solo Battle Guide

Magneton & Eelektross Deck

All Solo Battles
Magneton & Eelektross Deck (Genetic Apex)	Lightning Deck Tasks: ・Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Fighting-type Pokemon ・Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play ・Win this battle by turn 14 Best Deck to 100%: Fighting Deck

Magneton & Eelektross Deck Card List

Magneton & Eelektross Deck (Genetic Apex) Deck List
Pokemon Cards
Magnemite ×1				Magneton ×1				Blitzle ×1				Zebstrika ×1
Tynamo ×1				Eelektrik ×1				Eelektross ×1				Helioptile ×1
Heliolisk ×1				Rattata ×1				Raticate ×1				Spearow ×1
Fearow ×1				Jigglypuff ×1				Wigglytuff ×1				Chansey ×1
Trainer Cards
Poke Ball ×2				Professor's Research ×2

Magneton & Eelektross Deck Rewards

Magneton & Eelektross Deck Strategy

Use Mienshao and Dugtrio Use Fighting-Type Pokemon

Mienshao and Dugtrio's attacks only cost 1 energy, and are Stage 1 Pokemon, making them easy to evolve into. Using these Pokemon to continously deal super effective damage while the AI sets up should result in a quick victory for you.

Other Fighting-Type pokemon can also be used against this Deck, just try to prevent the AI from stacking energy on Eelektross and Magneton to avoid facing a harder battle than it should be.

Magneton & Eelektross (Genetic Apex) Solo Battle Guide

Alakazam & Mewtwo Deck

All Solo Battles
Alakazam & Mewtwo Deck (Genetic Apex)	Psychic Deck Tasks: ・Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Darkness-type Pokemon ・Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play ・Win this battle by turn 14 Best Deck to 100%: Darkness Deck

Alakazam & Mewtwo Deck Card List

Alakazam & Mewtwo Deck (Genetic Apex) Deck List
Pokemon Cards
Clefairy ×1				Clefable ×1				Abra ×1				Kadabra ×1
Alakazam ×1				Mr. Mime ×1				Mewtwo ×1				Golett ×1
Golurk ×1				Rattata ×1				Raticate ×1				Spearow ×1
Fearow ×1				Jigglypuff ×1				Wigglytuff ×1				Chansey ×1
Trainer Cards
Poke Ball ×2				Professor's Research ×2

Alakazam & Mewtwo Deck Rewards

Mission	Reward
Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Darkness-type Pokemon	Shop Ticket x4
Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play	Shop Ticket x4
Win this battle by turn 14	Shop Ticket x4

Alakazam & Mewtwo Deck Strategy

Use Muk and Weezing Use Dark-Type Pokemon

Muk and Weezing's synergy should be enough to stand up against the heavy hitters of this Deck in Alakazam and Mewtwo ex. Weezing is especially great against Alakazam, since Tackle only costs 1 energy, reducing Alakazam's damage output against it.

Other Dark types can be used against this deck effectively, just keep in mind that Dark-types like Nidoking and Nidoqueen require time to set up, and lots of energy to attack, making the matchup somewhat favorable against Mewtwo ex and Alakazam respectively!

Alakazam & Mewtwo (Genetic Apex) Solo Battle Guide

Golem & Machamp Deck

All Solo Battles
Golem & Machamp Deck (Genetic Apex)	Fighting Deck Tasks: ・Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Grass-type Pokemon ・Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play ・Win this battle by turn 14 Best Deck to 100%: Psychic Deck

Golem & Machamp Deck Card List

Golem & Machamp Deck (Genetic Apex) Deck List
Pokemon Cards
Machop ×1				Machoke ×1				Machamp ×1				Geodude ×1
Graveler ×1				Golem ×1				Onix ×1				Clobbopus ×1
Grapploct ×1				Rattata ×1				Raticate ×1				Spearow ×1
Fearow ×1				Jigglypuff ×1				Wigglytuff ×1				Chansey ×1
Trainer Cards
Poke Ball ×2				Professor's Research ×2

Golem & Machamp Deck Rewards

Mission	Reward
Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Grass-type Pokemon	Shop Ticket x4
Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play	Shop Ticket x4
Win this battle by turn 14	Shop Ticket x4

Golem & Machamp Deck Strategy

Use Clefable and Swoobat Use Psychic-Type Pokemon

Clefable and Swoobat's attacks only cost 1 energy, and are Stage 1 Pokemon, making them easy to evolve into. Using these Pokemon to continously deal super effective damage while the AI sets up should result in a quick victory for you.

Other Psychic-type Pokemon can be used effectively against this deck, and you can even try out a Mewtwo ex and Gardevoir combo if you have the cards for it!

Golem & Machamp (Genetic Apex) Solo Battle Guide

Nidoking & Muk Deck

All Solo Battles
Nidoking & Muk Deck (Genetic Apex)	Darkness Deck Tasks: ・Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Fighting-type Pokemon ・Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play ・Win this battle by turn 14 Best Deck to 100%: Fighting Deck

Nidoking & Muk Deck Card List

Nidoking & Muk Deck (Genetic Apex) Deck List
Pokemon Cards
Pyukumuku ×1				Ekans ×1				Arbok ×1				Nidoran M ×1
Nidorino ×1				Nidoking ×1				Zubat ×1				Golbat ×1
Grimer ×1				Rattata ×1				Raticate ×1				Spearow ×1
Fearow ×1				Jigglypuff ×1				Wigglytuff ×1				Chansey ×1
Trainer Cards
Poke Ball ×2				Professor's Research ×2

Nidoking & Muk Deck Rewards

Mission	Reward
Knock Out your Opponent's Active Pokemon 2 times with an attack from a Fighting-type Pokemon	Shop Ticket x4
Put a Stage 1 Pokemon into play	Shop Ticket x4
Win this battle by turn 14	Shop Ticket x4

Nidoking & Muk Deck Strategy

Finish the match quickly Use Fighting-Type Pokemon

Mienshao and Dugtrio's attacks only cost 1 energy, and are Stage 1 Pokemon, making them easy to evolve into. Using these Pokemon to continously deal super effective damage while the AI sets up should result in a quick victory for you.

Other Fighting-Type pokemon can also be used against this Deck, just try to prevent the AI from evolving Nidoking to avoid facing a harder battle than it should be.

Nidoking & Muk (Genetic Apex) Solo Battle Guide

Step-Up Battle (Intermediate) Solo Battle First Clear Rewards

EXP and Currencies

First-Time Clear Rewards
EXP x50	Pack Hourglass x3
Shinedust x100	Shop Ticket x1

Clearing all the Intermediate Solo Battles for the first time will reward you with EXP, Pack Hourglass, Shinedust, and Shop Tickets, regardless if you complete the other tasks or not.

Finishing all of the Intermediate Solo Battles should provide players with enough Pack Hourglasses and EXP to progress their game and expand their collection easily!

Pokemon TCG Pocket Related Guides

Solo Battle Guides:
All Decks, Battle Tasks and Counters

Event Battles

Venusaur Drop Event
Ivysaur Deck	Venusaur & Scyther Deck
Venusaur ex Deck	Venusaur ex & Lilligant Deck
Lapras ex Drop Event
Lapras Deck	Lapras & Starmie Deck
Lapras ex Deck	Starmie ex & Lapras ex Deck

Event Solo Battle Guides

Step-Up Battle (Beginner)

Ivysaur Deck	Charmeleon Deck
Wartortle Deck	Heliolisk Deck
Swoobat Deck	Grapploct Deck
Nidorina & Nidorino Deck

Step Up Beginner Solo Battle Guides

Step-Up Battle (Intermediate)

Venusaur & Exeggutor Deck	Charizard & Arcanine Deck
Blastoise & Gyarados Deck	Magneton & Eelektross Deck
Alakazam & Mewtwo Deck	Golem & Machamp Deck
Nidoking & Muk Deck

Step Up Intermediate Solo Battle Guides

Step-Up Battle (Advanced)

Genetic Apex Solo Battles
Venusaur ex Deck	Charizard ex Deck	Blastoise ex Deck
Pikachu ex Deck	Mewtwo ex Deck	Machamp ex Deck
Nidoqueen & Nidoking Deck
Mythical Island Solo Battles
Celebi ex Deck	Volcarona & Blaine Deck	Gyarados ex Deck
Raichu & Lt. Surge Deck	Mew ex Deck	Aerodactyl ex Deck
Golem & Brock Deck	Blue & Pidgeot ex Deck

Step Up Advanced Solo Battle Guides

Expert Solo Battle

Genetic Apex Solo Battles
Venusaur ex and Exeggutor ex Deck	Charizard ex and Moltres ex Deck
Starmie ex and Greninja Deck	Pikachu ex and Raichu Deck
Mewtwo ex and Gardevoir Deck	Machamp ex and Marowak ex Deck
Mythical Island Solo Battles
Venusaur ex & Serperior Deck	Celebi ex & Serperior Deck
Volcarona & Moltres ex	Gyarados ex & Vaporeon Deck
Raichu & Magneton Deck	Mew ex & Mewtwo ex Deck
Aerodactyl ex & Marowak ex Deck

Expert Solo Battle Guides