Use when building, analyzing, or optimizing Pokemon TCG Pocket decks. **Activates when user mentions:** - Deck building ("build a deck", "create deck") - Deck analysis ("analyze my deck", "check deck") - Synergy finding ("what works with X", "synergies") - Optimization ("improve my deck", "fix my deck") - Energy calculations ("energy curve", "energy needs") **Provides:** Complete deck construction with validation, energy curve analysis, synergy recommendations, and optimization suggestions. References proven deck archetypes and meta strategies from comprehensive research. **Key benefit:** Legal, optimized, competitive-ready 20-card decks with detailed strategy explanations and improvement recommendations.
Builds competitive Pokemon TCG Pocket decks with AI-powered analysis and strategy recommendations. Activates when users mention deck building, analysis, optimization, or synergy finding. Provides complete 20-card deck construction with validation, energy curve analysis, and meta strategy references.
/plugin marketplace add briansunter/pokeclaude/plugin install briansunter-pokeclaude@briansunter/pokeclaudeThis skill inherits all available tools. When active, it can use any tool Claude has access to.
Build competitive Pokemon TCG Pocket decks with AI-powered analysis and strategy recommendations.
Access 2000+ Pokemon cards via integrated MCP server:
Tools Available:
search_cards: Search with filters (name, type, HP, set, rarity)find_synergies: Find cards that work well togetherfind_counters: Identify cards that counter specific strategiesget_type_stats: Analyze type distributions and averagesanalyze_deck: Get detailed deck composition analysisExample Queries:
"Find synergies for Pikachu ex deck"
"Calculate energy needs for Grass/Poison deck"
"What counters a Water-type deck?"
"Show me all Fire Pokemon with high HP"
Deck Archetypes:
Key Metrics:
Step 1: "Build a deck around Charizard ex"
→ Search for Charizard ex cards
→ Find Fire-type synergies
→ Identify energy requirements
Step 2: "Add support cards"
→ Search for Fire trainers
→ Find energy acceleration
→ Check for complementary Pokemon
Step 3: "Analyze the deck"
→ Calculate average HP/attack
→ Verify energy curve
→ Check for weaknesses
Step 4: "Find counters"
→ Identify deck's weaknesses
→ Suggest counter-strategies
→ Recommend improvements
Core References (in docs/pokemon-tcg-pocket-research/):
Advanced Resources (for competitive play):
Use these resources: When building decks, reference these comprehensive guides for detailed strategies, complete tier lists, and proven deck compositions. These are located at ../../docs/pokemon-tcg-pocket-research/ relative to this skill.
Phase 1: Define Strategy
1. Identify core Pokemon (typically 1-2 ex Pokemon)
2. Choose archetype (Aggro, Midrange, Control, Tempo)
3. Determine type strategy (mono-type vs dual-type)
4. Set budget constraints (budget vs premium)
Phase 2: Build Core
1. Search for core Pokemon: search_cards({name: "Pikachu ex"})
2. Find synergies: find_synergies({cardName: "Pikachu ex"})
3. Identify supporting Pokemon (8-10 total)
4. Select Trainer cards (4-6 cards)
Phase 3: Validation
Use analyze_deck tool to validate:
✅ Exactly 20 cards
✅ Max 2 copies per card
✅ At least 5-6 basic Pokemon
✅ 0 energy cards (auto-generated)
✅ Reasonable type distribution
Phase 4: Optimization
1. Analyze energy curve (1-3 energy costs)
2. Check for anti-synergies
3. Validate against meta
4. Test matchup spread
Legal Compliance:
Strategic Balance:
Energy Curve:
Invalid Card Names:
Error: "Card 'X' not found in database"
Response:
- Suggest spellings (ILIKE matching)
- Show available cards with similar names
- Ask for clarification (ex vs regular)
- Provide query examples
Illegal Deck Composition:
Error: "Deck has 25 cards (max 20)"
Response:
- List which cards exceed limit
- Suggest cards to remove
- Recommend prioritization
- Show complete analysis
Too Many Copies:
Error: "3 copies of Pikachu ex (max 2)"
Response:
- Identify duplicate cards
- Suggest alternatives
- Maintain energy curve
- Validate remaining 18 cards
Missing Basics:
Warning: "Only 3 basic Pokemon (recommend 5-6)"
Response:
- List current basics
- Suggest additional basics
- Explain importance (early game)
- Show revised composition
Energy Zone Confusion:
Error: "10 energy cards in deck"
Response:
- Clarify: No energy cards in TCG Pocket
- Explain energy zone system
- Reference: strategies/04-energy-zone-mastery.md
- Provide corrected deck list
Problem: Inconsistent Energy
Symptoms: Multiple types (3+), high energy costs
Solution:
- Reduce to 1-2 types maximum
- Lower average energy cost
- Reference: strategies/04-energy-zone-mastery.md
Problem: No Win Condition
Symptoms: No ex Pokemon, only basics
Solution:
- Add 2-3 ex Pokemon
- Build around ex as focal point
- Reference: meta/02-top-tier-decks.md
Problem: Bench Overflow
Symptoms: More than 3 benched Pokemon
Solution:
- Reduce bench Pokemon
- Focus on active Pokemon
- Reference: rules/01-core-rules-guide.md
Problem: No Synergy
Symptoms: Random card collection, no theme
Solution:
- Find card synergies: find_synergies
- Choose type-based strategy
- Reference: deckbuilding/02-deck-archetypes.md
Level 1: Basic Deck
Provide: 20-card list, simple validation
Good for: Beginners, casual play
Level 2: Optimized Deck
Add: Energy curve analysis, synergy explanations
Good for: Intermediate players
Level 3: Competitive Deck
Add: Meta positioning, matchup analysis, tech cards
Good for: Tournament play
Level 4: Expert Build
Add: Advanced tech, sideboard options, meta adaptation
Good for: High-level competition
Deck Lists Must Include:
Validation Report Format:
=== DECK VALIDATION REPORT ===
Legal Status: ✅ VALID
- Card Count: 20/20
- Max Copies: ✅ All cards ≤2 copies
- Basic Pokemon: 6 (recommended: 5-6)
- EX Pokemon: 2 (recommended: 2-3)
Composition:
- Pokemon: 14 (70%)
- Trainers: 6 (30%)
- Types: Lightning (14), Colorless (6)
Energy Curve:
- 1-energy: 8 cards
- 2-energy: 6 cards
- 3-energy: 0 cards
Warnings: None
Suggestions:
- Consider adding tech card for Fighting matchup
- See meta/02-top-tier-decks.md for optimization
The Pokemon MCP server is automatically integrated:
Deck Building:
"Build an ultra-competitive Mewtwo ex deck"
"Optimize my current Grass deck"
"Find the best cards for a Water-type strategy"
Analysis:
"Analyze my deck's energy curve"
"What Pokemon should I add to counter Fire decks?"
"Show me all Psychic Pokemon with good attacks"
"Calculate average HP of my current deck"
Strategy: "What's the current meta for competitive play?" "How do I beat ex Pokemon heavy decks?" "What trainers work best with Pikachu ex?"