What comes in a Pokémon battle deck?
Everything inside a Pokémon battle deck, from the 60-card deck to the coin and the code card. Plus how Deluxe and League Battle Decks compare.
In this article
- Everything inside a Pokémon battle deck, from the 60-card deck to the coin and the code card. Plus how Deluxe and League Battle Decks compare.
A battle deck is the fastest way to actually play Pokémon. Open the box, shuffle the cards, and you can sit down against someone right away. Here is what is inside, and what you may still want to add.
A ready-to-play 60-card deck
The core of every battle deck is a complete 60-card deck. That is exactly the number the rules ask for, so you do not need to add or remove anything. The deck is built around one strong Pokémon. In the Kangaskhan ex Battle Deck that is Kangaskhan ex, and every other card supports it: Pokémon that back up the main attacker, trainer cards to find what you need, and energy cards to pay for attacks.
That is the difference with a booster pack. Boosters give you random cards, and those rarely add up to a working deck on their own. A battle deck is pre-built and playtested by The Pokémon Company.
What else is in the box?
The Kangaskhan ex Battle Deck comes with more than just the deck:
- a single-player playmat
- a set of damage counters, the markers you use to track damage
- a large metallic coin for the opening flip
- a deck box to store your cards
- three reference cards, a rules booklet and a strategy sheet
- a code card to play online in Pokémon TCG Live
One thing to keep in mind: not every battle deck holds the same items. Contents vary per deck and per series, so check the list on the product page before you order.
Battle deck, Deluxe or League Battle Deck?
There are three versions, and the difference is mostly about level and extras.
A regular battle deck is the entry point. The Kangaskhan ex Battle Deck is Play Level 1, which means it is built for people who have never played before. Around 13 euro.
A Deluxe Battle Deck sits in the middle. The deck is a bit stronger and usually comes with more extras, aimed at players who already know the basics.
A League Battle Deck targets players who can already play and want to join League nights or tournaments. These decks often hold sought-after cards that fit into other decks too. The Mega Lucario ex League Battle Deck, for example, packs staples like Secret Box, Fezandipiti ex and Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex. You can play it straight out of the box, or pull those staples into a deck of your own.
What do you still need?
Strictly speaking, nothing. That is the whole point of a battle deck: everything you need to play is in the box.
Two things are still worth considering. First, sleeves. Cards you shuffle often pick up white edges quickly, and sleeves prevent that. A 65-count pack is the standard size for a 60-card deck, leaving a few spares. Second, a second battle deck. You need two decks to play together, so if nobody at home has one yet, buy two.
Still choosing between a battle deck and an Elite Trainer Box? A battle deck is made to play with, an ETB is made to open and collect. If playing is the goal, the choice is easy.
Ready to play?
Have a look at our battle decks below. They ship with bpost from Oudenburg, usually at your door within 1 to 4 working days.