In addition, there are Online-exclusive Theme decks for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Only two mainstream sets have included no theme decks ( Neo Revelation, and Legendary Treasures). Except for a few decks, creature-based decks are still dominant in Standard. Only two sets have included four theme decks so far ( Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge), and only two sets have included more five theme decks ( Base Set and Base Set 2). With the next major set coming up in September, we still won’t expect drastic changes to the meta, especially in Standard. Taric Poppy is a fun Tier 2 deck in the current meta that can take your opponents by surprise with the raw amount of board pressure it can apply. The vast majority of Japanese decks released are Half Decks and are released alongside almost all sets.įor English-language set releases, most expansions are assigned two theme decks affiliated with the set, with the next most common number being three theme decks for releases such as EX Crystal Guardians, Diamond & Pearl, Great Encounters, HeartGold & SoulSilver, Black & White, Kalos Starter Set, Sun & Moon and Sword & Shield. A 62.7 percent ladder win rate between Platinum and Mythic seems about right to me. Creativity for Serra’s Emissary naming creatures is game over against most decks in Game 1. Theme decks are mostly seen only alongside English-language releases and are seldom released in Japan, released only alongside debut sets such as Base Set and Neo Genesis, as well as alongside the original Gym sets. This deck is excellent for ladder play because your opponent doesn’t know your deck list and can’t really mulligan for the right answers. There are many different variations, often with different rules set regionally by a play group or a local tournament organizer. Old School Magic typically refers to any type of throwback casual Magic format, using an older or limited card pool, or older rule sets perhaps. Most theme decks are designed with a specific strategy (such as Special Conditions) or theme (such as starter Pokémon) in mind. Welcome to the home of Old School Magic: the Gathering. A Theme Deck, previously known as a Preconstructed Theme Deck, is a playing deck of Pokémon Trading Card Game cards sold pre-packaged alongside mainstream card sets. With its own ranked option, here are the most common Standard 2022 decks players will encounter in competitive game modes.