M Alzamora 
Paldean Wonders is out, which means that it’s time to start figuring out the best decks from the new Pokemon TCG Pocket set.
Themed around Generation 9, Paldean Wonders’ best cards all come from the Scarlet and Violet games released in 2022. Some, like Sprigatito, made their Pokemon TCG Pocket debut in earlier sets and are getting a glow up. Others still are now appearing in the mobile game for the first time.
With 93 main set cards to choose from, players have some flexibility if they want to build decks from Paldean Wonders. Some cards, however, are better starting points than others in trying to build the bes tnew decks for Paldean Wonders.
Best decks from Paldean Wonders
Paldean Wonders is far from the most stacked set to come out of Pokemon TCG Pocket. This is the first set since Mega Rising to not include mega Pokemon. With only five ex Pokemon and the dominance of Hydregion and Greninja ex, players will need to get creative in their deck building.
Pawmot/Nemona deck
While not an ex card itself, Pawmot may be able to hold its own competitively when paired with Nemona. At base, it does 100 damage for two energy, discarding one energy after attacking. Nemona, however, allows the Pokemon to deal an additional 80 energy to the opposing active ex Pokemon. This doesn’t take down mega Pokemon, it can tank most regular ex cards including Greninja ex.
Trainer cards will be a big reason for if and why this deck works. Nemona boosts damage. Protective Poncho protects the back line, while Electric Generator powers up Pawmot or Miraidon on the bench. Additionally, the new Arven card returns either an item or a tool card to the player’s hand. A used Lucky Ice Pop, then, could make a comeback.
- Pawmi x2
- Pawmo
- Pawmot x2
- Miraidon x2
- Rare Candy
- Arven x2
- Nemona x2
- Protective Poncho x2
- Electric Generator x2
- Lucky Ice Pop x2
- Pokeball
- Professor’s Research
Meowscarada ex deck
Meowscarada ex may help to counter Hydreigon and Absol ex in the current meta. For one energy, Meowscarada ex can deal 70 damage to any opposing Pokemon at the end of the next turn. If in the active spot early enough, this could take out Deino or Zweilous before they evolve into Hydreigon. Then, as its main attack, Meowscarada deals a hefty 80 damage for only two energy.
Adding Meowscarada from Shining Revelry and the Deluxe Pack helps the deck avoid getting blocked by Oricorio. Also, it can deal 130 damage to an ex Pokemon.
Ultimately, a Meowscarada ex deck has to evolve quickly and stay alive. This means including tools like Leaf Cape and supporters like Erika. Lilligant also gives every grass Pokemon an extra 20 HP, while Space-Time Smackdown’s Shaymin heals every Pokemon for 10 HP per round. A combination of all of these are needed to make this deck viable.
- Sprigatito (Paldean Wonders) x2
- Meowscarada (Shining Revelry)
- Meowscarada ex x2
- Shaymin (Space-Time Smackdown) x2
- Rare Candy x2
- Erika x2
- Arven
- Leaf Cape x2
- Protective Poncho x2
- Lucky Ice Pop x2
- Pokeball x2
- Professor’s Research x2
Other cards that could hold potential for the best decks of Paldean Wonders include Belibolt ex, which deals additional damage for more electric energy in play, and Arboliva, which can heal an ex Pokemon. Baxcalibur, which features as a rare gold crown card, could be good water heater as well as deal some damage.
As Pawmot and Nemona are both only two diamond cards, they’ll be the easiest deck from Paldean Wonders to get off the ground quickly. With a month in between set releases, players have plenty of time to see if anything from this booster works competitively.
Featured image credit: Nintendo
