List of General and Essential Pokémon Cards | Important Cards Usable in Any Deck

When building a deck with Pokémon cards, are you unsure which cards to prioritize? To strengthen your deck, it is efficient to first gather important cards known as "general cards" that can be used in any deck.

In this article, we will explain the general and essential cards that beginners in Pokémon cards should gather, categorized by priority. We will provide detailed information on the effects and usage of each card, as well as guidelines for the number of cards to include, categorized by support, items, energy, and Pokémon. Use this as a reference to efficiently gather cards within your budget.

By gathering these general cards, you can reuse them across multiple decks, greatly expanding your deck-building options. If you aim to create a deck that can participate in tournaments or gym battles, we recommend starting with the cards introduced in this article.

What are General and Essential Cards? Why are they Important?

General and essential cards are those that do not depend on specific deck types or Pokémon types and possess high versatility that allows them to be included in any deck. These cards play a crucial role in enhancing the stability of the deck and broadening strategic options.

Characteristics of Cards Usable in Any Deck

General cards share common characteristics. First, they have effects that can be used regardless of Pokémon type. For example, "Professor's Research" can replenish your hand in both fire and water decks. Second, they have effects that support the basic movements of the deck. They assist in actions necessary for any deck, such as increasing your hand size, searching for Pokémon, and switching Pokémon. Third, they have effects that are easy to use regardless of the situation. Cards that do not require specific conditions and can reliably activate their effects at any time are considered highly versatile cards.

Reasons to Prioritize Gathering General Cards

The reason to prioritize gathering general cards lies in their high return on investment. Once purchased, they can be reused across multiple decks, eliminating the need to repurchase them every time you build a new deck. Additionally, they significantly improve the stability of the deck. Many general cards have effects that replenish your hand or search for Pokémon, making it easier for the deck to function as intended. Furthermore, they have the advantage of being resilient to changes in the environment. Even if specific decks become popular, general cards are always in demand, allowing for long-term use. For beginners, starting with general cards helps solidify the foundation of deck building.

By Priority: Order of Cards to Gather

To efficiently collect general cards, it is important to clarify the order of priority. If your budget is limited, it is recommended to first gather essential cards and then gradually enhance your collection. Here, we will categorize the cards into three groups: "Cards to Gather as a Top Priority (Essential)", "Cards to Gather Next (Important)", and "Cards That Are Convenient to Have".

Cards to Gather as a Top Priority (Essential)

The cards to gather as a top priority are essential cards that are guaranteed to be included in any deck. Specifically, these are four types: Professor's Research (draw support), Ultra Ball (Pokémon search item), Nest Ball (basic Pokémon search), and Basic Energy (type matching your deck). Without these cards, the deck will not function stably, making them the first cards to gather. If your budget is around 3,000 yen, start by gathering four copies of each of these cards.

Cards to Align Next (Important)

The cards you want to align next vary in number depending on the deck type, but they are highly versatile cards. These include Nanjamo (which disrupts the opponent's hand while drawing for yourself), Boss's Orders (which drags an opponent's benched Pokémon into battle), Pokémon Switch (which swaps the active Pokémon with one on the bench), and Battle VIP Pass (which allows you to put up to two basic Pokémon on the bench on your first turn if you go first). These cards expand your strategic options and play a crucial role in winning matches. If you can secure a budget of 5,000 yen or more, let's gather these cards as well.

Convenient Cards

Convenient cards are those adopted to respond to specific strategies or metagames. Examples include Snowy Path to the Summit (a stadium that nullifies the abilities of Pokémon with rules), Shiny Greninja (which has the ability to discard one card from your hand to draw two), and Pepper (a support card that searches for items and Pokémon tools). While these are not essential, incorporating them according to your deck's concept and the environment can further enhance the deck's completeness. If you have some budget flexibility, I recommend gradually gathering these cards.

List of Essential Support Cards

Support cards have the restriction of being usable only once per turn, but they possess powerful effects. They are important cards that support the stability of your deck, so I recommend starting with highly versatile support cards.

Professor's Research

"Professor's Research" is the most basic and powerful draw support in Pokémon cards, allowing you to discard your entire hand and draw seven cards. The reason is clear: it significantly reduces situations where your deck stalls by allowing you to increase your hand size to seven all at once. For example, if you have a bad hand at the start or run out of cards in the mid-game, using Professor's Research can quickly turn the situation around. A good guideline for the number of copies to include is 3 to 4, and it is included in almost all decks. Since the discarded hand does not return, you need to be careful about when to discard important cards, but it is an indispensable card for cycling your deck.

Nanjamo

"Nanjamo" is a support card that has the effect of both players returning all their hands to the deck, with you drawing cards equal to the remaining number of your prize cards and your opponent drawing five cards. Its strength lies in the ability to disrupt your opponent's hand while replenishing your own. For example, if you use it when your opponent has a large hand, you can significantly reduce their options. On the other hand, in the late game when you have few prize cards left, the number of cards you can draw decreases, so it is effective to use it from the early to mid-game. A good guideline for the number of copies to include is 2 to 3, making it an excellent card that can balance disruption to your opponent and drawing.

Boss's Orders

"Boss's Orders" is a support card that allows you to choose one of your opponent's benched Pokémon and drag it into battle. Its importance is very high, as it can determine the outcome of a match. The reason is that you can target Pokémon that your opponent is developing or Pokémon that cannot escape. For example, if your opponent is evolving a Pokémon on the bench, you can drag it out and defeat it, disrupting their strategy. Additionally, in a situation where there is one prize card left, using Boss's Orders to defeat your opponent's damaged Pokémon and win is also common. A good guideline for the number of copies to include is 2 to 3, and while it requires careful timing for use, making it somewhat challenging for beginners, it is a card you definitely want to include.

Pepper

"Pepper" is a support card that allows you to search for one item and one Pokémon tool and add them to your hand. The reason for its adoption is that it enhances the stability of the deck while allowing for flexible responses. For example, by searching for a Hyper Ball and a Choice Belt in the early game, you can prepare to increase your Pokémon's firepower while bringing them onto the field. It is particularly suited for decks that rely on items and Pokémon tools. In evolution decks, it shines in situations where you can search for a "Mystery Candy" or equip an attacker with a "Choice Belt." A good guideline for the number of copies to include is 1 to 2, making it a convenient support that can bring the necessary cards depending on the situation.

Other Useful Supports

In addition to the supports introduced so far, there are support cards that can be used depending on the situation. "Judge Man" has the effect of both players returning their hands to the deck and drawing four cards, allowing you to reduce your opponent's hand while also organizing your own. "Maxi" allows you to draw two cards from the deck after using a support, enabling you to replenish your hand without wasting your support rights. "Kai" can search for Water-type Pokémon and items, making it an essential support for Water decks. These supports should be considered for adoption based on the deck's concept and the environment.

Essential Item Card List

Item cards can be used any number of times in a turn, greatly improving the stability and flexibility of the deck. In particular, items that search for Pokémon or allow for switching are essential for any deck.

Hyper Ball

"Hyper Ball" is an item that allows you to discard two cards from your hand to search for any Pokémon from your deck and add it to your hand. The reason for its adoption lies in its high versatility, as it can search for any Pokémon, regardless of whether it is a basic or evolved Pokémon. For example, you can search for a basic Pokémon in the early game to set up your field, or search for evolved Pokémon or V Pokémon in the mid-game to strengthen your forces. A key to using it effectively is the selection of cards to send to the discard pile. Choosing cards that can be retrieved from the discard pile or cards that are not problematic to have in the discard pile is efficient. A good guideline for the number of copies to include is 3 to 4, making it one of the most important items in Pokémon cards.

Nest Ball

"Nest Ball" is an item that allows you to choose one basic Pokémon from your deck and put it onto your bench. The difference from Hyper Ball is that it does not require a cost from your hand and can be placed directly onto the bench. For example, it is very convenient in situations where you want to expand your bench in the early game or when you have no cards to discard from your hand. As a distinction from Hyper Ball, the basic rule is to use Nest Ball when you want to put a basic Pokémon onto the field, and Hyper Ball when you want to add an evolved Pokémon or a card to your hand. A good guideline for the number of copies to include is 2 to 4, making it an important item that increases the speed of deck development.

Battle VIP Pass

"Battle VIP Pass" can only be used on your first turn as the first player, but it allows you to choose up to two basic Pokémon from your deck and put them onto your bench. The importance of the first turn as the first player is extremely high, and whether or not you have this card can greatly change the speed of your early game development. For example, if you can put two Pokémon onto the bench on your first turn, your options for the second turn and beyond will greatly expand. Especially in evolution decks, quickly lining up Pokémon before they evolve is a shortcut to victory. A good guideline for the number of copies to include is 1 to 2, maximizing the advantage when you go first.

Pokémon Switch / Escape Rope

"Pokémon Switch" is an item that allows you to switch your Pokémon in the battle area with a benched Pokémon. "Escape Rope" is an item that allows both players to switch their Pokémon in the battle area with a benched Pokémon. The importance of switching methods lies in the ability to switch Pokémon without paying the retreat energy cost. For example, if a Pokémon in the battle area cannot attack, you can switch it with an attacking Pokémon on the bench, continuing to apply pressure to your opponent. Additionally, you can use it to bring back a Pokémon like "Shining Greninja" to the bench immediately after using it in the battle area. A good guideline for the number of cards to include is about 3 to 4 combined between Pokémon Switch and Escape Rope, greatly enhancing the flexibility of the deck.

Other Useful Items

There are also convenient items that can be used depending on the situation. "Evolution Incense" is often included in evolution decks because it allows you to search for evolution Pokémon. "Capture Aroma" lets you look at the top 3 cards of your deck and add a basic Pokémon from among them to your hand. "Mystery Candy" is a powerful item that allows you to evolve a basic Pokémon directly into a Stage 2 Pokémon, making it essential for evolution decks. "Choice Belt" is a Pokémon tool that adds +30 damage to Pokémon V and Pokémon ex, helping to compensate for any lack of firepower. Consider including these items based on your deck type.

General Energy Cards

Energy cards are essential for Pokémon to use their moves. Basic energy must be prepared for each type, but there are also highly versatile special energy cards available.

The Necessity of Basic Energy

Basic energy is the energy card corresponding to each Pokémon's type, necessary for Pokémon to use their moves. For example, if you are using a Fire-type Pokémon, you will need basic Fire energy, and for a Water-type, basic Water energy is required. A general guideline for the number of cards is based on the amount of energy your deck's attackers need, but typically around 10 to 15 cards is standard. If there is too little energy, you won't be able to use moves, and if there is too much, it can clog your hand, so adjust according to your deck's composition. Since basic energy needs to be prepared for each type, it is recommended to purchase according to the deck you want to use.

Double Turbo Energy

"Double Turbo Energy" is a special energy that works as two colorless energy for one card. However, the damage of the move used by the Pokémon with this energy attached is reduced by 20. The reason for its high versatility is that it can be used by any type of Pokémon and allows for energy acceleration. For example, by attaching just one to a Pokémon that requires 2 retreat energy, it can escape, or you can quickly gather the energy needed for a move. It is particularly effective in decks that use Pokémon with high retreat energy or decks that include Pokémon that can use moves with colorless energy. A guideline for the number of cards to include is 1 to 3, adjusted according to the deck's strategy.

Other General Special Energy

There are also versatile special energies. "Gift Energy" is a special energy that can be returned to your hand if it is in the discard pile, allowing for energy reuse. "Legacy Energy" has the restriction that it cannot be attached to Pokémon V, but it acts as one energy of any type and has the effect of not becoming a special condition. These special energies should be considered for inclusion based on the concept of the deck. In particular, Legacy Energy is effective in decks that primarily use evolution Pokémon.

Versatile Pokémon Cards

Among Pokémon cards, there are cards called "System Pokémon" that serve to support the deck rather than act as attackers. These play an important role in enhancing the stability of the deck or disrupting the opponent through their abilities.

Shining Greninja

"Shining Greninja" has the ability "Hidden Card" and allows you to discard one card from your hand to draw two cards from your deck once during your turn. Its high versatility comes from the ability to improve the quality of your hand while filling the discard pile. For example, if you have unnecessary cards in your hand, you can discard them while drawing two new cards, preventing hand issues. Although you can only include one Shining Pokémon in your deck, it has performance that more than compensates for that restriction. While the recommended number of copies is limited to one, it is a Pokémon worth considering for inclusion in most decks.

Manaphy

"Manaphy" has the ability "Wave Veil," which prevents your benched Pokémon from taking damage from your opponent's attacks. The importance of bench protection lies in its ability to nullify the opponent's bench sniping strategies. For example, if the opponent tries to take down low-HP benched Pokémon like "Shining Greninja" or Pokémon before evolution, Manaphy can completely prevent this. In decks that line up multiple low-HP system Pokémon on the bench, the value of including Manaphy increases. A guideline for the number of copies is one, and it is an essential card if there are many bench sniping decks in the environment.

Other Versatile Pokémon

There are also versatile Pokémon that can be used depending on the situation. "Crobat V" has a powerful draw ability with the ability "Night Asset," allowing you to draw cards until you have six in your hand. "Bidoof" can draw cards every turn until you have five in your hand with the ability "Working Beaver," making it a stable draw source. "Neolant V" can search for a support card when it enters play with the ability "Luminous Sign," enhancing early game stability. "Yareyutan" can look at the top card of your deck with the ability "Monkey's Path" and choose to add it to your hand or return it to the bottom of your deck. These Pokémon should be considered for inclusion based on the concept of the deck and the necessary support functions.

How to Choose Stadium Cards

Stadium cards can only be played one at a time on the field and provide ongoing effects to both players. By including versatile stadiums, you can support your deck's strategy or disrupt your opponent.

Snowy Path to the Summit

"The Snowy Path to the Summit" is a stadium that nullifies the abilities of Pokémon with rules (such as Pokémon V, Pokémon ex, Pokémon GX, etc.). Its role as a meta card is significant, as it can incapacitate the opponent's powerful Pokémon with abilities. For example, if the opponent is using a deck that relies on abilities, such as "Mew ex" or "Arceus VSTAR," simply playing the Snowy Path to the Summit can greatly restrict their movements. The criterion for adoption is whether there are many ability-dependent decks in the environment. If your deck does not rely on the abilities of Pokémon with rules, the value of adoption increases. A guideline for the number of copies to include is 1 to 2, and adjustments should be made according to the environment.

Bowl Town

"Bowl Town" is a stadium that allows you to add one rule-holding basic Pokémon from your deck to your hand once per turn. It greatly contributes to improving early-game stability, especially in decks that utilize many Pokémon V or Pokémon ex. For instance, if you can add a Pokémon V that will be your attacker to your hand early on, the development from the second turn onward will be smoother. It is particularly effective in decks centered around basic Pokémon V or decks that utilize multiple Pokémon V. A guideline for the number of copies to include is 1 to 2, and you should consider adopting it if you want to enhance the stability of your deck.

How to Obtain Cards and Price Trends

Understanding how to efficiently gather generic cards is important. There are methods to collect them from packs and to purchase single cards, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Recommendation for Purchasing Single Cards

The most efficient way to gather generic cards is to purchase single cards from card shops or online stores. The reason is that you can obtain the specific cards you need and minimize unnecessary expenses. For example, generic cards like "Professor's Research" or "Ultra Ball" can often be purchased for around 50 to 200 yen each, which is much cheaper than buying multiple packs. The price trends fluctuate based on the popularity and rarity of the cards, but many of the generic cards introduced in this article can be obtained relatively cheaply. Online, you can purchase from major shops like Card Rush, Hareruya, and Surugaya, and in physical stores, you can buy them at card shops or hobby shops that handle Pokémon cards.

Points to Note When Collecting from Packs

When collecting generic cards from packs, it is important to understand the included packs and the pull rates. Many generic cards are included in various expansion packs, but some may be concentrated in specific packs. For example, "Professor's Research" and "Boss's Orders" are reprinted in many expansion packs, making them relatively easy to obtain. On the other hand, the latest generic cards may only be included in specific packs. A point to note when collecting from packs is that the targeted card may not always appear, making it more costly than buying singles. If you prioritize the enjoyment of opening packs, that’s fine, but if you want to build a deck efficiently, I recommend buying singles.

Plans for Collecting by Budget

This section introduces how to assemble general-purpose cards according to your budget. If your budget is 3,000 yen, prioritize acquiring 4 Professor's Research, 4 Hyper Balls, 4 Nest Balls, 2 Pokémon Switch, and 15 Basic Energy cards. This alone will stabilize the basic movements of your deck. If your budget is 5,000 yen, in addition to the above, add 2 Nanjamo, 2 Boss's Orders, and 2 Battle VIP Passes. This will greatly enhance the strategic nature of your deck. If your budget is 10,000 yen, further add 1 Shiny Greninja, 2 Pepper, 1 Snowy Path to the Summit, 4 Mysterious Candies, and 2 Choice Belts, which will improve the completeness of your deck. It is recommended to gradually assemble according to your budget.

How to Incorporate into the Deck

Once you have gathered general-purpose cards, the next step is to incorporate them into your deck. Understanding the balance of card counts and the composition according to deck type will enhance the completeness of your deck.

Balance of Support and Item Counts

In a 60-card deck, the balance of support and item counts is very important. As a general guideline, a standard composition is about 10-15 support cards and 20-25 item cards. Since you can only use one support card per turn, having fewer than 10 can lead to a lack of hand circulation, while exceeding 15 may result in too many cards piling up in your hand. You can use as many item cards as you want in a turn, so having more will improve the stability of your deck. Adjustments based on deck type are also necessary; for example, in an evolution deck, you would include more items like Mysterious Candy and Evolution Incense, while in a basic Pokémon-centered deck, you would include more Hyper Balls and Nest Balls. It is important to make gradual adjustments while observing how your deck operates.

Examples of General-Purpose Card Composition by Deck Type

The composition of general-purpose cards varies by deck type. In an evolution deck, the basic support composition would include 4 Professor's Research, 2 Nanjamo, 2 Boss's Orders, and 2 Pepper, along with a basic item composition of 4 Hyper Balls, 3 Nest Balls, 4 Mysterious Candies, 2 Evolution Incenses, and 2 Pokémon Switches. In evolution decks, cards that support evolution become important. On the other hand, in a basic Pokémon-centered deck, the basic support composition would include 4 Professor's Research, 2 Nanjamo, and 3 Boss's Orders, with a basic item composition of 4 Hyper Balls, 4 Nest Balls, 2 Battle VIP Passes, 3 Pokémon Switches, and 2 Choice Belts. In basic Pokémon-centered decks, quick development and firepower enhancement are crucial. These are just basic compositions, so be sure to adjust as you actually play.

Conclusion: Strengthen Your Deck by Assembling General-Purpose Cards

This article provided a detailed explanation of general and essential Pokémon cards, categorized by priority. The most important point is to first gather essential cards like "Professor's Research," "Hyper Ball," "Nest Ball," and "Basic Energy." With these cards, the basic movements of your deck will stabilize, greatly increasing the enjoyment of battles.

Next, according to your budget, add important cards like "Nanjamo," "Boss's Orders," "Pokémon Switch," and "Battle VIP Pass." These cards play a crucial role in enhancing the strategic nature of your deck and improving your win rate. If you have extra budget, gathering cards like "Shiny Greninja," "Pepper," and "Snowy Path to the Summit" will further enhance the completeness of your deck.

When collecting universal cards, purchasing single cards is the most efficient method. You can start with a budget of 3,000 yen, so let's begin by gradually gathering the essential cards. Universal cards can be reused in multiple decks, making them a highly cost-effective investment in the long run.

For those who want to know more about deck building, please also check out the Complete Guide to Pokémon Cards | How to Start, Rules, Deck Building. Gather universal cards and further strengthen your deck.