Pokemon TCG Pocket (PTCGP)

Zapdos Deck Strategy Guide and Card List

Pokemon TGC Pocket - Zapdos Deck Deck Build and How to Play

The Zapdos Deck is a non-ex focused Deck featuring Zapdos from the Genetic Apex Set in Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket (PTCG Pocket). Read on for the complete list of cards in this deck, basic information on the deck, how to play the deck, and optimal matchups for it!

Zapdos Deck Guide

Deck Evaluation

Ace Pokemon Tier Ranking
Pokemon TCG Pocket - A1 103 ZapdosZapdos

Genetic Apex (A1)
D Tier
Energy Type(s)
Lightning
F2P Friendly?
✔️
Deck Difficulty
★★★
Deck Strengths
Pokeball Icon Has access to all the best Trainer cards.

Pokeball Icon Only gives up one point when KOd.

Pokeball Icon Can deal a solid 100 damage but will deal 30 damage to your Benched Pokemon.
Deck Weaknesses
Pokeball Icon Weak to Lightning-type decks.

Pokeball Icon Can't attack until turn 3.

Pokeball Icon Outclassed by its ex counterpart.

Best Meta Decks Tier List

List of Cards

Zapdos Deck List
Pokemon Cards
Zapdos ×2
Trainer Cards
Old Amber ×2 Giovanni ×2 Sabrina ×2 Potion ×2
X Speed ×2 Hand Scope ×2 Poke Ball ×2 Red Card ×
Professor's Research ×2

Deck Building Guide

Packs Required for Zapdos Deck

Pack Featured Card
Pokemon TCG Pocket  Promo-A Image
Pokemon TCG Pocket  Genetic Apex (Mewtwo) Image
Pokemon TCG Pocket  Genetic Apex (Pikachu) Image
Pokemon TCG Pocket  Genetic Apex (Charizard) Image

How to Play Zapdos Deck

How to Play Zapdos Deck



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Zapdos Deck Core Combos and Interactions

Primary Attacker Disruption Description
Pokemon TCG Pocket - A1 103 ZapdosZapdos Pokemon TCG Pocket - P-A 006 Red CardRed Card ・Zapdos serves as the primary attacker of the deck, being its sole option for Pokemon.
・Red Card when used in conjunction with Hand Scope can be great at disrupting evolution-centric strategies.

Best Starting Hand

Best Starting Hand
Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Zapdos(A1 103) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Hand Scope(P-A 003) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Poke Ball(P-A 005) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Red Card(P-A 006) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Professor

Make use of Hand Scope to check if your opponent has useful cards in their hand. Use this information to decide if it would be effective to use Red Card to disrupt them. Use Poke Ball to quickly get your second Zapdos out of the deck if necessary, then finish your turn with Professor's Research.

Attach an Energy and attack if you are going second.

Other Good Starting Cards

Recommended Starting Hand
Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Zapdos(A1 103) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Sabrina(A1 225) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Potion(P-A 001) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Poke Ball(P-A 005) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Red Card(P-A 006)

Use Sabrina to pull out vulnerable low-HP Pokemon from your opponent's Bench. Use Potion to keep Zapdos out of KO range.

Best Cards Tier List

Zapdos Deck Strategies

Zapdos Deck Strategies

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Strategy 1: Hand Scope and Red Card

Hand Scope and Red Card
A1 103
P-A 003 P-A 006 A1 104

Hand Scope and Red Card are a great one-two combo for disrupting your opponents' hands. This is especially effective against evolution-heavy decks.

Strategy 2: Zapdos Offense

A1 103

Zapdos needs three Energy to start attacking. Make sure it survives three turns so that it can apply offense!

Don't Bench a second Zapdos to keep it fresh from damage, and Bench it only when your Zapdos appears to be in danger of getting KOd.

Game Phases

Early Game

Key Card(s) Required
Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Zapdos(A1 103) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Hand Scope(P-A 003) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Red Card(P-A 006)
Step Description
1 Use Hand Scope and Red Card to disrupt your opponent.

Mid-Game

Key Card(s) Required
Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Zapdos(A1 103) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Old Amber(A1 218) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Poke Ball(P-A 005) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Professor
Step Description
1 Use Professor's Research to dig for more resources.
2 Send a Fossil out into the Active Spot if Zapdos isn't ready. This works as a Basic Pokemon that can be discarded instead of retreating, making it a useful tool for buying us a valuable turn. Do note that knocking out a Fossil scores a point.

Late Game

Key Card(s) Required
Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Zapdos(A1 103) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Giovanni(A1 223) Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Sabrina(A1 225)
1 Use Sabrina to gust up vulnerable Pokemon or Giovanni for an extra 10 damage boost to Zapdos ex's damage.

Zapdos Deck Best and Worst Matchups

Best Matchups

Deck Commentary

Water Decks
Type: Water

・Positive type matchup against Water decks.
・Usually trades damage favorably.

Worst Matchups

Deck Commentary

Pikachu ex Decks
Type: Lightning

・ Zapdos in the deck are all weak to Lightning.
・ Difficult counterplay to disadvantageous damage trades.

Overall Consistency

The variant with Zapdos ex instead of just Zapdos is vastly superior to this list, as Zapdos ex is a superior Pokemon to its non-ex counterpart. It has the advantage of being able to attack with one Energy, and does not have to damage its Benched teammates.

It is also capable of much more damage than Zapdos and is much quicker to get started. Overall, this deck is mediocre at best and should only be considered if you're up for a challenge.
Zapdos ex Deck Strategy Guide and Card List

Zapdos Deck F2P & Substitutes

Zapdos Deck Card Substitutes

Card Explanation

Electrode
・An Electrode line would give the deck a more Energy-efficient attacker.
・Voltorb is also a decent start, as it can KO a Staryu with the help of Giovanni using only one Energy.

Pokemon TCG Pocket Meta Guide

Zapdos Deck Other Viable Options

Card Possible Cuts

Zebstrika
Pokemon TCG Pocket-  Old Amber(A1 218)

・ Consider running a Zebstrika line for the option to snipe an opponent's Bench.
・Blitzle can also OHKO Staryu with Giovanni.

F2P Zapdos Deck List

F2P Zapdos Deck List
Pokemon Cards
Zapdos x1 Voltorb x2 Electrode x2 Blitzle x2
Zebstrika x2
Trainer Cards
Potion x2 X Speed x2 Poke Ball x2 Professor's Research x2
Giovanni x2 Sabrina x1

A list consisting of lots of single-point attackers would be superior to just Zapdos and 18 Trainers. It offers more flexibility, options, and would be less susceptible to getting donked. There would also be more single-Energy attackers for the early game, and would not be reliant on Zapdos's three-Energy attack.

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Meta Decks

Best Meta Decks
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Pokemon TCG Pocket - Venusaur ex and WeezingVenusaur ex and Weezing Pokemon TCG Pocket - Lapras exLapras ex Deck Pokemon TCG Pocket - BrockBrock Deck
Pokemon TCG Pocket - Dragonite and WeezingDragonite and Weezing Pokemon TCG Pocket - KabutopsKabutops Pokemon TCG Pocket - KabutopsAerodactyl and Dragonite
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