Pokemon TCG Pocket Meta Analyst

Analyze competitive Pokemon TCG Pocket meta with data-driven insights and strategic tier lists.

Meta Analysis Framework

1. Tier System (S-D Ranking)

S-Tier (Dominant):

• Define the meta
• 60%+ usage in top-level play
• Highly adaptable strategies
• Example: Mewtwo ex, Pikachu ex variants

A-Tier (Competitive):

• Viable in tournament play
• 20-40% usage rate
• Strong matchup spread
• Example: Charizard ex, Blastoise decks

B-Tier (Viable):

• Good in specific matchups
• 10-20% usage rate
• Niche but powerful
• Example: Gyarados, Alakazam strategies

C-Tier (Niche):

• Fun to play
• Below 10% usage
• Requires specific builds
• Example: Trainer-heavy decks

D-Tier (Casual):

• Collection value only
• Not competitive
• Missing key synergies

2. Deck Archetypes

Aggro Decks:

• Fast ex Pokemon (low energy cost)
• 1-2 energy attackers
• Hit hard and fast
• Win before opponent sets up

Key Cards:

• Pikachu ex (Circle Circuit)
• Zapdos (Lightning Bird)
• Rapid Strike Mastery

Control Decks:

• High HP Pokemon
• Defensive abilities
• Outlast opponents
• Win on points (3 Pokemon knocked out)

Key Cards:

• Mewtwo ex (Genetic Apex)
• Articuno (Freezing Ice)
• Starmius (Dangerous Evolution)

Tempo Decks:

• Early pressure
• Mid-game conversion
• Flexible strategy
• Adapt to opponent

Key Cards:

• Charizard ex (Chaos Hurricane)
• Typhlosion (Searing Wind)
• Blaziken (Flame Tail)

3. Type Meta Distribution

Lightning (Tier: S)

• Strong attackers (Pikachu ex, Zapdos)
• Energy-efficient attacks
• Fast deck potential
• Weakness: Fighting

Psychic (Tier: A)

• High HP options (Mewtwo ex)
• Versatile attacks
• Strong bench presence
• Weakness: Darkness

Fire (Tier: A)

• Aggressive strategies
• Energy acceleration
• Multiple ex options
• Weakness: Water

Water (Tier: B)

• Defensive options
• Stall tactics
• Energy synergy
• Weakness: Lightning

Grass (Tier: B)

• Healing abilities
• Status effects
• Sustainability
• Weakness: Fire

Fighting (Tier: B)

• Counter Lightning
• High damage output
• Slow setup
• Weakness: Psychic

4. Matchup Matrix

Favorable Matchups:

Lightning → Water (Zapdos melts Water Pokemon)
Psychic → Fighting (Mewtwo ex crushes Fighting-types)
Fire → Grass (Charizard burns Grass types)
Water → Fire (Blastoise extinguishes flames)

Difficult Matchups:

Lightning ← Fighting (LucarioSM beats Pikachu)
Psychic ← Darkness (YveltalEX overcomes Mewtwo)
Fire ← Water (Water neutralizes fire strategies)
Colorless ← Anything (No resistances = vulnerable)

5. Strategic Considerations

Energy Zone Impact:

• No energy in deck (unique to Pocket format)
• 1 Energy/turn auto-generation
• Focus on low-energy cost attacks
• 1-2 type decks recommended
• Avoid 3+ energy attackers

20-Card Format:

• High consistency required
• Limited bench (3 Pokemon max)
• Every card must have purpose
• No "bricks" (unusable cards)

Ex Pokemon Rules:

• Worth 2 points when knocked out
• High reward, high risk
• Attack first or be attacked first
• Bench protection limited

6. Current Meta Trends

Most Played Decks (2024):

1. Lightning Aggro (35% meta share)
2. Psychic Control (25% meta share)
3. Fire Tempo (20% meta share)
4. Water Stall (10% meta share)
5. Grass Value (10% meta share)

Rising Strategies:

• Mixed-type synergy decks
• Status effect exploitation
• Energy denial tactics
• Bench sniping strategies

Declining Strategies:

• Pure damage race
• High-energy investments
• Trainer-heavy builds
• Mono-support strategies

Data Sources

Analysis Based On:

• 2077 total cards analyzed
• 1068 unique cards
• 12 complete sets
• Competitive tournament data
• Win/loss statistics

MCP Server Metrics:

• get_type_stats - Type distribution and averages
• query_cards - SQL analysis for meta insights
• analyze_deck - Deck composition analysis
• find_counters - Counter-strategy identification

Tier Lists (Current Meta)

S-Tier Pokemon

1. Pikachu ex (Circle Circuit)
   - 110 HP
   - 70 damage for 3 energy
   - Paralyze potential
   - Lightning synergy

2. Mewtwo ex (Genetic Apex)
   - 120 HP
   - 60 damage + 20 damage
   - Versatile attacks
   - Psychic synergy

A-Tier Pokemon

1. Charizard ex (Chaos Hurricane)
2. Zapdos (Lightning Bird)
3. Articuno (Freezing Ice)
4. Blastoise (Blastoise ex)
5. Starmius (Dangerous Evolution)

B-Tier Pokemon

1. Gyarados (Lance)
2. Alakazam (Genetic Apex)
3. Typhlosion (Searing Wind)
4. Venusaur (Genetic Apex)
5. Machamp (Genetic Apex)

Usage Examples

Meta Questions:

"What's the current S-tier Pokemon?"
"Which deck counters Lightning aggro?"
"Is Psychic still meta after the latest update?"
"What type has the best win rate?"

Strategy Advice:

"How do I beat Pikachu ex decks?"
"Build a counter to Mewtwo ex"
"Which deck is best for beginners?"
"What should I craft first as a new player?"

Deck Building:

"Meta deck list for competitive play"
"Anti-meta deck recommendations"
"Fun but viable deck ideas"
"Deck for tournament tomorrow"

Analysis:

"Calculate win rate of Lightning vs Psychic"
"Energy curve comparison across decks"
"Most played cards in top tournaments"
"New set impact on existing meta"

Documentation Resources

Core References (in docs/pokemon-tcg-pocket-research/):

• meta/01-meta-analysis.md - S-tier deck rankings, win rates, tournament results
• meta/02-top-tier-decks.md - 5 complete S-tier deck breakdowns with 20-card lists
• meta/03-budget-vs-premium-analysis.md - Economic analysis, ROI data, budget competitive options
• strategies/02-tournament-strategies.md - Tournament prep, sideboard theory, metagame calls
• strategies/05-competitive-play.md - Professional insights and competitive decision making

Advanced Resources:

• strategies/06-ultra-competitive-mastery.md - Situational decision trees for meta matchups
• strategies/09-tech-cards-situational-plays.md - Tech cards by matchup and meta adaptation
• complete-guides/03-competitive-roadmap.md - 6-phase roadmap to professional play
• deckbuilding/02-deck-archetypes.md - Deep dive into all 5 major archetypes

Use these resources: When analyzing the meta, reference these comprehensive guides for current tier lists, tournament data, and strategic meta insights. These are located at ../../docs/pokemon-tcg-pocket-research/ relative to this skill.

Predictive Analysis

Upcoming Trends:

• New sets will shift type balance
• Energy zone encourages speed
• Ex Pokemon remain dominant
• Trainer cards seeing more play

Budget Recommendations:

• Best decks for new players
• Most cost-effective builds
• Long-term investment advice
• Free-to-play friendly strategies

Format Evolution:

• 20-card format rewards consistency
• Energy zone unique to Pocket
• Shorter games (10-15 minutes)
• More accessible than standard TCG