Sep 01, 2025

The Top 5 Competitive Pokémon TCG Decks Under $100 for 2025

Thinking about getting into the competitive Pokémon Trading Card Game but worried about the cost? You're in the right place. One of the best things about the Pokémon TCG is its accessibility. While building a tournament-ready deck for games like Magic: The Gathering can set you back hundreds, even thousands, of dollars, you can build a top-tier, competitive Pokemon deck for a surprisingly low price. "Budget" doesn't mean "bad" in this game—it means smart.

This guide is your ultimate resource for finding the best budget friendly Pokemon decks in the 2025 Standard format. Each of these lists is powerful, consistent, and—best of all—can be built for under $100. We'll break down the full decklist, strategy, and how to counter them, so you can walk into your next local tournament with confidence.

Disclaimer: Prices are based on TCGplayer market averages for mid-to-late 2025 and are subject to change.

Lost Zone Box Pokémon TCG decklist and prices under $35 for 2025

1. Lost Zone Box Deck Guide

Estimated Cost: ~$35

The Lost Zone Box is a fan-favorite for a reason. This highly flexible, single-prize deck uses the Lost Zone mechanic to power up a variety of attackers. Your goal is to use Comfey and Colress's Experiment to quickly build your Lost Zone, unlocking powerful, low-cost attacks from Cramorant and the game-finishing damage spread from Sableye.

Lost Zone Box Decklist & Price

Card	Quantity	Est. Price (per)	Subtotal
Comfey (LOR)	4	$0.50	$2.00
Snorlax (LOR)	1	$0.25	$0.25
Cramorant (LOR)	2	$0.25	$0.50
Sableye (LOR)	2	$0.50	$1.00
Radiant Greninja (ASR)	1	$2.50	$2.50
Manaphy (BRS)	1	$0.25	$0.25
Colress's Experiment	4	$0.50	$2.00
Battle VIP Pass	4	$1.50	$6.00
Mirage Gate	4	$0.75	$3.00
Nest Ball	4	$0.50	$2.00
Switch Cart	4	$0.75	$3.00
Escape Rope	2	$1.00	$2.00
Super Rod	2	$1.50	$3.00
Lost Vacuum	1	$0.50	$0.50
Hisuian Heavy Ball	1	$0.25	$0.25
Pokégear 3.0	2	$0.25	$0.50
Boss's Orders	2	$0.50	$1.00
Roxanne	1	$0.25	$0.25
Beach Court	3	$0.50	$1.50
Psychic Energy	2	$0.10	$0.20
Water Energy	2	$0.10	$0.20
Metal Energy	2	$0.10	$0.20
Total	60		~$32.35

Deck Strengths

Amazing Prize Trade: As a single-prize deck, you force multi-prize decks into a long, 6-knockout game.
Versatile Strategy: You have an answer for many situations, from free attacks to spreading damage counters that ignore effects.

How to Beat It

Ability Lock: Shutting down Comfey's ability stops the deck in its tracks.
Bench Protection: Manaphy is a must-have to block Sableye's "Lost Mine" attack from hitting your benched Pokémon.

Budget Charizard ex Pokémon TCG deck 2025 with Bibarel engine

2. Budget Charizard ex Deck Guide (Bibarel Engine)

Estimated Cost: ~$50

Charizard ex is a dominant force in the Pokémon TCG, and you don't need the most expensive version to win. This budget build cuts the pricey Pidgeot ex engine for the incredibly consistent Bibarel draw engine. The strategy remains the same: evolve into the 330 HP Charizard ex, use its ability to power up devastating attacks, and sweep your opponent's board.

Budget Charizard ex Decklist & Price

Card	Quantity	Est. Price (per)	Subtotal
Charmander (OBF)	4	$0.50	$2.00
Charmeleon (OBF)	1	$0.25	$0.25
Charizard ex (OBF)	3	$7.00	$21.00
Bidoof (CRZ)	2	$0.25	$0.50
Bibarel (BRS)	2	$0.50	$1.00
Radiant Charizard (CRZ)	1	$3.00	$3.00
Manaphy (BRS)	1	$0.25	$0.25
Arven	4	$0.75	$3.00
Professor's Research	2	$0.25	$0.50
Iono	2	$1.00	$2.00
Boss's Orders	2	$0.50	$1.00
Ultra Ball	4	$0.25	$1.00
Rare Candy	4	$0.50	$2.00
Nest Ball	3	$0.50	$1.50
Super Rod	2	$1.50	$3.00
Lost Vacuum	1	$0.50	$0.50
Choice Belt	2	$0.25	$0.50
Forest Seal Stone	1	$2.50	$2.50
Fire Energy	9	$0.10	$0.90
Total	60		~$46.45

Deck Strengths

Raw Power: Charizard ex can one-hit KO anything in the game, especially in the later stages.
Comeback Potential: Its attack gets stronger as your opponent takes prizes, making it a terrifying late-game threat.

How to Beat It

Exploit Weakness: Charizard ex is weak to Water-type Pokémon, making decks like Chien-Pao a major threat.
Target the Basics: Knocking out the Charmanders before they can evolve is the best way to slow this deck down.

Chien-Pao ex and Baxcalibur budget Pokémon TCG deck 2025 guide

3. Chien-Pao ex / Baxcalibur Deck Guide

Estimated Cost: ~$75

If you love dealing massive amounts of damage, this is the deck for you. Chien-Pao ex and Baxcalibur form a powerful duo that can unleash limitless damage. Use Chien-Pao's ability to search for energy, and Baxcalibur's ability to attach it all at once for game-winning knockouts as early as turn two.

Chien-Pao ex Decklist & Price

Card	Quantity	Est. Price (per)	Subtotal
Chien-Pao ex	3	$4.00	$12.00
Frigibax	3	$0.25	$0.75
Arctibax	1	$0.25	$0.25
Baxcalibur	2	$0.75	$1.50
Radiant Greninja (ASR)	1	$2.50	$2.50
Bidoof (CRZ)	1	$0.25	$0.25
Bibarel (BRS)	1	$0.50	$0.50
Irida	4	$7.00	$28.00
Professor's Research	2	$0.25	$0.50
Boss's Orders	2	$0.50	$1.00
Battle VIP Pass	4	$1.50	$6.00
Nest Ball	4	$0.50	$2.00
Ultra Ball	3	$0.25	$0.75
Rare Candy	3	$0.50	$1.50
Superior Energy Retrieval	4	$2.00	$8.00
Super Rod	2	$1.50	$3.00
Earthen Vessel	1	$1.00	$1.00
Water Energy	9	$0.10	$0.90
Total	60		~$70.45

Deck Strengths

Highest Damage Ceiling: This deck can knock out any Pokémon in a single hit.
Incredible Speed and Search: Irida provides amazing consistency, helping you set up your Baxcalibur engine on turn two.

How to Beat It

Ability Lock: This is the deck's biggest weakness. If you stop their abilities, they can't attack.
Snipe the Engine: Use Boss's Orders to target and knock out Baxcalibur on the bench to cut off their energy acceleration.

United Wings ultra budget Pokémon TCG deck 2025 with Flamigo

4. United Wings Deck Guide (Ultra Budget)

Estimated Cost: ~$20

This is the ultimate entry point for competitive Pokémon TCG. The strategy is simple, effective, and incredibly cheap. You want to discard as many Murkrow, Wattrel, and Flamigo as possible to power up their "United Wings" attack. For a single energy, you can quickly overwhelm opponents who aren't prepared for this fast, swarming strategy.

United Wings Decklist & Price

Card	Quantity	Est. Price (per)	Subtotal
Wattrel (SVI)	4	$0.15	$0.60
Murkrow (SVI)	4	$0.15	$0.60
Flamigo (SVI)	4	$0.15	$0.60
Ditto (MEW)	2	$0.25	$0.50
Professor's Research	4	$0.25	$1.00
Serena	4	$0.25	$1.00
Iono	3	$1.00	$3.00
Ultra Ball	4	$0.25	$1.00
Nest Ball	4	$0.50	$2.00
Trekking Shoes	4	$0.25	$1.00
Hisuian Heavy Ball	1	$0.25	$0.25
Super Rod	3	$1.50	$4.50
Pal Pad	1	$0.25	$0.25
Rescue Carrier	2	$0.25	$0.50
Level Ball	4	$0.25	$1.00
Dark Energy	6	$0.10	$0.60
Total	60		~$18.40

Deck Strengths

Unbeatable Price: The cheapest competitive deck you can possibly build.
Excellent Prize Trade: Your opponent has to work hard to take six prizes while you trade efficiently.

How to Beat It

Spread Damage: Pokémon that can damage multiple targets at once (like Sableye) can wipe this deck's low-HP board.
Stalling: High-HP Pokémon can wall this deck, as it struggles to hit past 240 damage.

Koraidon ex and Great Tusk budget Pokémon TCG deck 2025

5. Koraidon ex / Great Tusk Deck Guide

Estimated Cost: ~$30

If you prefer a direct, aggressive approach, the Koraidon ex deck is a perfect choice. This fighting-type deck aims to accelerate energy from the discard pile with Koraidon's ability and Professor Sada's Vitality, allowing you to attack on the very first turn. Great Tusk provides a powerful single-prize option to keep the pressure on.

Koraidon ex Decklist & Price

Card	Quantity	Est. Price (per)	Subtotal
Koraidon ex (TEF)	3	$2.00	$6.00
Great Tusk (TEF)	4	$0.25	$1.00
Radiant Greninja (ASR)	1	$2.50	$2.50
Slither Wing (PAR)	2	$0.25	$0.50
Professor Sada's Vitality	4	$0.50	$2.00
Professor's Research	3	$0.25	$0.75
Boss's Orders	2	$0.50	$1.00
Iono	2	$1.00	$2.00
Nest Ball	4	$0.50	$2.00
Ultra Ball	4	$0.25	$1.00
Earthen Vessel	4	$1.00	$4.00
Gutsy Pickaxe	4	$0.25	$1.00
Super Rod	2	$1.50	$3.00
Switch	2	$0.15	$0.30
PokéStop	3	$0.25	$0.75
Fighting Energy	10	$0.10	$1.00
Total	60		~$28.80

Deck Strengths

Explosive First Turn: This deck is famous for being able to attack on turn one, putting immediate pressure on the opponent.
Strong Typing: Fighting is a great offensive type, hitting popular decks for weakness.

How to Beat It

Exploit Weakness: Koraidon is weak to Psychic-type Pokémon, which can score easy knockouts.
Resource Denial: Since the deck relies on cards in the discard pile, disrupting their hand and discard can slow them down significantly.

Start Building Your Winning Deck Today!

As you can see, you don't need a massive budget to compete and win in the Pokémon TCG. These five decks offer a variety of playstyles, from tricky control to all-out aggression, proving that a smart strategy is more valuable than expensive cards. Ready to build one of these powerful decks? Check out our deck building guides to find every card you need to start your journey to becoming a Pokémon Master!

About the Author

This guide was authored by the TCG Protectors team. Our expertise is deeply rooted in the Pokémon Trading Card Game community, led by one of our founders—the owner of Phoenix Cards in Phoenix, Arizona. As a dedicated player for over 20 years and the host of weekly Pokémon TCG nights at his store, his hands-on strategic experience is a cornerstone of our knowledge base. We are dedicated to combining this deep community connection with our passion for protection, sharing our insights to help players master the game.