★ Mega Rising (B1) introduces the Mega Evolutions!
☆ New Decks: Mega Blaziken ex | Mega Gyarados ex
Mega Altaria ex | Mega Absol ex | Greninja ex
★ Events: Wonder Pick | Anniversary Celebration
☆ Trading Board: A4b and B1 Available for Trading!
Using a deck without any Trainer Cards is required for some Solo Battle Missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket. This guide will show you how to make the best no-Trainer decks for each type of Pokemon!
Notice! |
This page contains old information that does not reflect the current state of the game. Please stay tuned for updates! |
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| No-Trainer Decks by Type | |||
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Tap to Jump to a Section!
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Since you are unable to use Professor's Research to draw more cards in a hand, you want to balance your deck with ex and non-ex Pokemon that are either basic or Stage 1.
Fighting types, in particular, are strong even without a Stage 2 evolution.
Using Pokemon like Lucario, who has both an ex and non-ex card, will also help increase the odds of evolving its Basic form into Stage 1.
| Alternate Cards | Possible Cuts |
|---|---|
![]() Marowak ex (A1 153) |
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It's recommended to bring cards that can draw out Pokemon like Combee or Sprigatito in the absence of Professor's Research and Poke Ball. It will make it much easier to evolve or get stronger cards.
| Alternate Cards | Possible Cuts |
|---|---|
![]() Meowscarada (A2b 007) |
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![]() ![]() ![]() • You can use Sprigatito's Call for Help to draw Grass Pokemon into your hand. |
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Genetic Apex Pikachu ex should be your ace in a No-Trainer Lightning deck. With a full Lightning Pokemon bench, Pikachu ex can do 90 damage for only 2 Lightning energy. Since it is also a Basic Pokemon, it can be set down really early if you have the right hand.
If you are unable to draw Pikachu ex on the 2nd Turn, you can consider surrendering then repeating the match until you do.
| Alternate Cards | Possible Cuts |
|---|---|
![]() Galvantula (A1a 029) |
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In place of Misty, you can use Manaphy to attach extra Water Energy to multiple Pokemon in your Bench.
The Water Pokemon in this deck are all viable attackers, but take time to set up. Ideally, you would want at least 2 Pokemon in your Bench to be ready to use their moves through Manaphy.
| Alternate Cards | Possible Cuts |
|---|---|
![]() Wash Rotom (A2 047) |
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![]() • Any Pokemon Card you do not own can be replaced with Wash Rotom |
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You want to leverage Pokemon who can deal bonus damage if the opposing Pokemon is inflicted with Poison. Balance your Darkness-type deck with Poisoners and Attackers.
You should also consider including Nihilego to boost your Poison damage.
| Alternate Cards | Possible Cuts |
|---|---|
![]() Weavile ex (A2 099) |
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![]() ![]() • Weavile ex can also take advantage of the Poison damage. |
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Mewtwo ex is a Basic Pokemon, so it can be immediately set down once it is in your hand. The advantage of Mewtwo ex is that it can deal a hefty 50 damage during the early game for only 2 energy, and deal a 150 damage attack for the late game when you are facing off against tankier Pokemon.
| Alternate Cards | Possible Cuts |
|---|---|
![]() Gardevoir (A1 132) |
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![]() ![]() ![]() • Can generate extra Psychic energy. • Difficult to evolve Stage 2 without the help of Pokemon Research and Rare Candy. |
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Ninetales can deal a consistent 90 damage with its attack, which only costs 2 energy so it is quick to set up.
However, you will need to keep giving Ninetales 1 new energy every time you use its attack. You may want to considering lowering your opponent's HP before having Ninetales come in for the finishing blow.
| Alternate Cards | Possible Cuts |
|---|---|
![]() Rapidash (A1 043) |
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![]() ![]() ![]() • Replace with Pokemon whose moves cost only 1-2 energy. |
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Dialga ex's Metallic Turbo can generate 2 Metal energy to attach to one of your Pokemon in the Bench while dealing damage.
We recommend attaching the extra energy onto Arceus ex if it is available. Arceus ex makes for a good secondary attacker, and can deal 130 damage if you have a full Bench.
| Alternate Cards | Possible Cuts |
|---|---|
![]() Wormadam (A2 115) |
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![]() ![]() ![]() • Has a low energy cost and could potentially deal big damage. |
For clearing missions that require decks without any Trainer Cards, you'll want to construct a deck based around the opponent deck's weakness. If you have already won against the deck before, you are able to view the full deck details, allowing you to see which Pokemon type you should use to maximize your damage.
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As long as this Pokemon is on your Bench, your Active Basic Pokemon's Retreat Cost is 1 less. |
Since you cannot use Trainer Cards like X Speed or Leaf, retreating is risky and requires energy. Shaymin from Triumphant Light will reduce the retreat cost of your active Pokemon, allowing you to move Pokemon to and from the bench much more easily.
| Pokemon with Colorless Energy Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
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Since it can be tough to find 20 Pokemon of the same type to fill a 20-Card deck with, it's useful to include some Pokemon that can attack with just colorless energy. In particular, Arceus ex can deal 130 damage if you have 3 benched Pokemon, a condition that is very easy to meet with this deck.
| Basic ex Pokemon | ||
|---|---|---|
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In a No Trainer Deck, you won't have Professor's Research or other Search and Draw cards, which make evolutions (particularly Stage 2) very difficult to achieve. Therefore, it's very important to have powerful Basic ex Pokemon that can attack for 2 energy or less, which will allow them to be a threat from the start of the game until the end.

| Lists of Decks by Type | |
|---|---|
| Best F2P Beginner Decks | Best Non-ex Decks |
| Which ex Starter Deck Should You Get? | List of Rental Decks |
| Best 18 Trainers Decks | Best Trainerless Decks for Solo Battle Missions |
| List of Meme or Troll Decks | List of Ultra Beast Decks |
| Best Eeveelution Decks | Best Baby Pokemon Decks |
| Deck-Building Guides | |
| Deck Building Guide | How Rental Decks Work |
| Staple Cards for Decks | - |
| Deck Analyses | |
| Deck Matchup Statistics | 10 Match Tests vs Pikachu ex Deck - Statistics |
Best No Trainer Decks for Solo Battle Missions



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why not use celebi-ex and evolutions for no trainer?