Which ex Starter Deck Should You Pick?

Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Shining Revelry set introduced several new features, including the ex Starter Decks. This guide covers everything you need to know about them and helps you choose the best option from the nine available.

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All Shining Revelry Secret Missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket

There are eight secret missions in the Shining Revelry expansion, with an additional 32 themed collections available in the Missions menu.

In Pokemon TCG Pocket, ex Starter Decks are free pre-built lineups that can be unlocked using a special ticket. Each player can claim only one of these decks, and the chosen deck’s cards will be added to their collection while also remaining accessible in the “Theme Deck List” menu.

How to Unlock ex Starter Decks

how to get deck ticket and unlock free ex starter decks in pokemon tcg pocket.

To unlock an ex Starter Deck, you’ll need a Deck Ticket, which can be obtained by opening five booster packs using pack stamina. Once you’ve completed this objective, you can claim the ticket from the missions tab and redeem it in the shop’s “Limited Time / Events” section for the ex Starter Deck of your choice.

Daily booster packs are counted towards the progress of the Deck Ticket mission.

The Best ex Starter Deck in Shining Revelry

Based on Shining Revelry’s early metagame, the best ex Starter Deck to unlock is Giratina ex’s, as its synergy with Darkrai ex has been performing well in PvP. The second-best option is the Charizard ex Starter Deck, which includes several valuable cards.

If you’ve already collected the required cards for Giratina ex’s and Charizard ex’s decks, you can use the following ex Starter Deck tier list to decide which one is worth your ticket.

ex Starter Deck Tier List

Tier	ex Starter Deck
S	Giratina ex, Charizard ex
A	Lucario ex, Wugtrio ex, Beedrill ex, Pikachu ex, Paldean Coldsire ex
B	Bibarel ex, Tinkaton ex

How to Pick the Best ex Starter Deck

Choose the ex Starter Deck that contains cards you’re missing. A key advantage of this feature is that unlocking a deck adds all its cards to your Pokedex, making it a reliable way to obtain specific cards you need.

If you’re not sure how to check each deck’s card list, follow these steps:

Open Shop.
Tap the “Limited Time / Event” tab.
Select “ex Starter Deck.”
Tap the deck you wish to analyze.
Tap the small magnifier next to the deck box twice.
This will reveal all 20 cards in an ex Starter Deck.

List of All ex Starter Decks and Included Cards

Here’s the full list of all nine ex Starter Decks from the Shining Revelry set, along with their cards.

ex Starter Deck	Cards
Beedrill ex	Sprigatito (2), Weedle (2), Pinsir (1), Kakuna (2), Floragato (2), Meowscarada (1), Beedrill ex (1), Buneary (2), Lopunny (1), X Speed (1), Red (1), Poke Ball (2), Professor’s Research (2)
Charizard ex	Charmander (2), Magmar (2), Charmeleon (2), Paldean Tauros (2), Magmortar (2), Charizard ex (1), Rattata (2), Raticate (1), Cyclizar (1), X Speed (1), Red (1), Poke Ball (2), Professor’s Research (2)
Wugtrio ex	Tentacool (2), Buizel (2), Wiglett (2), Tentacruel (1), Floatzel (1), Tatsugiri (1), Dondozo (1), Wugtrio ex (1), Rattata (2), Raticate (1), X Speed (1), Iono (1), Poke Ball (2), Professor’s Research (2)
Pikachu ex	Voltorb (2), Pawmi (2), Pachirisu (2), Electrode (2), Pawmo (2), Pawmot (1), Pikachu ex (1), Lickitung (2), Lickillicky (1), X Speed (1), Red (1), Poke Ball (2), Professor’s Research (2)
Giratina ex	Abra (2), Mr. Mime (2), Drifloon (2), Kadabra (2), Drifblim (1), Alkazam (1), Giratina ex (1), Lickitung (2), Lickillicky (1), X Speed (1), Pokemon Center Lady (1), Poke Ball (2), Professor’s Research (2)
Lucario ex	Riolu (2), Machop (2), Machoke (2), Hitmonlee (2), Flamigo (1), Machamp (1), Lucario ex (1), Buneary (2), Lopunny (1), X Speed (1), Red (1), Poke Ball (2), Professor’s Research (2)
Tinkaton ex	Gimmighoul (2), Tinkatink (2), Varoom (2), Tinkatuff (2), Revavroom (1), Gholdengo (1), Tinkaton ex (1), Buneary (2), Lopunny (1), X Speed (1), Team Rocket Grunt (1), Poke Ball (2), Professor’s Research (2)
Bibarel ex	Drifloon (2), Drifblim (1), Bidoof (2), Juigglypuff (2), Buneary (2), Lopunny (1), Cyclizar (2), Wigglytuff (1), Bibarel ex (1), X Speed (1), Pokemon Center Lady (1), Poke Ball (2), Professor’s Research (2)
Paldean Coldsire ex	Ekans (2), Paldean Wooper (2), Shroodle (2), Arbok (1), Spiritomb (2), Grafaiai (1), Paldean Coldsire ex (1), Lickitung (2), Lickillicky (1), X Speed (1), Team Rocket Grunt (1), Poke Ball (2), Professor’s Research (2)

Are ex Starter Decks Worth It?

Pokemon TCG Pocket’s new ex Starter Decks are definitely worth unlocking. While the decks aren’t ideal for PvP on their own—due to their large number of cards and clunkiness—they are a great way to fill out your Pokedex.

ex Starter Decks are particularly useful if you’re missing the second ex Pokemon for a deck. For example, if you’re short one copy of the new Charizard ex, simply unlocking its ex Starter Deck will give you the free copy to complete your lineup.