You want to play competitive Pokemon TCG.
But you don't want to spend $500 on a single deck.
I get it. I've been there. And here's the truth: You don't need to.
Temporal Forces is a great format for budget players. The power creep is real, and some of the best cards are uncommons and rares—not just the chase SARs.
I've built three budget decks that can hang with the pros. None of them cost over $150. All of them have taken me to 3-1 records at locals.
Let's break them down.
Deck 1: Budget Mewtwo ex ($85-120)
The Core: Mewtwo ex is the star of Temporal Forces. It's everywhere. And for good reason—it's busted.
Full list:
- 4x Mewtwo ex
- 3x Porygon-Z (energy acceleration)
- 2x Psychic Energy
- 4x Professor's Research
- 4x Boss's Orders
- 2x Erika's Invitation
- 4x Switch
- 3x Escape Rope
- 14x Psychic Energy
- Mewtwo ex SARs (2x) — Looks better, same functionality
- Foil Boss's Orders — Because why not
- Reverse holos only for commons
- No playset of rare trainers
- Basic energy from bulk box
- Mewtwo ex: $60-80 (2 SARs + 2 regulars)
- Trainers: $15-25
- Energy: $5
- **Total**: ~$85-110
Where I splurged:
Where I cut corners:
Cost breakdown:
Why it works: Mewtwo ex is a beatstick. It doesn't care about your fancy alt arts. It cares about dealing damage. This deck does that for cheap.
Weaknesses: Struggles against dedicated Dark decks. Colorless resistance is a thing.
Deck 2: Budget Charizard ex ($110-150)
The Core: Charizard ex. It's Charizard. You want to play it. I'm not gonna judge.
Full list:
- 3x Charizard ex
- 2x Fletchinder (search)
- 4x Professor's Research
- 4x Boss's Orders
- 3x Erika's Invitation
- 4x Switch
- 2x Escape Rope
- 14x Fire Energy
- 1x Charizard ex SAR (for the vibes)
- Foil Charizard ex (playset)
- No expensive tech cards
- Regular energy
- Bulk basic trainers
- Charizard ex: $80-110 (1 SAR + 2 regulars)
- Trainers: $20-30
- Energy: $5
- **Total**: ~$110-145
Where I splurged:
Where I cut corners:
Cost breakdown:
Why it works: Charizard ex hits hard. Like, really hard. Budget or not, nobody likes eating a 280-damage hit.
Weaknesses: Energy-hungry. Can brick if you don't draw energy.
Deck 3: Budget Pecharunt ex ($70-95)
The Core: Pecharunt ex is the "third chase" of Temporal Forces. Underrated, underplayed, and cheap.
Full list:
- 4x Pecharunt ex
- 3x Support Pokemon
- 4x Professor's Research
- 4x Boss's Orders
- 3x Erika's Invitation
- 4x Switch
- 2x Escape Rope
- 14x Darkness Energy
- Nothing, honestly. This deck is budget all the way.
- Everything
- Reverse holos only
- No foils
- Pecharunt ex: $40-60 (playset)
- Trainers: $20-25
- Energy: $5
- **Total**: ~$70-90
Where I splurged:
Where I cut corners:
Cost breakdown:
Why it works: Pecharunt is sneaky good. The damage spread is annoying, and nobody expects it to hit as hard as it does.
Weaknesses: Matchup-dependent. Some decks just auto-win.
Where to Buy Budget Cards
TCGPlayer: Best prices, huge selection. Filter by condition (LP/NM is fine for play).
Local Game Stores: Sometimes have better deals on bulk. Ask about "playset discounts."
Facebook Marketplace: People liquidating collections. Great for bulk energy and commons.
eBay: Only for specific singles. Watch out for shipping costs.
What I avoid:
- Amazon (overpriced, sketchy sellers)
- Walmart/Target singles (MSRP is a joke)
- Gas station cards (just... no)
Cards Worth Splurging On
Not all budget cuts are equal. Here's where I'd spend extra:
Boss's Orders (Guzman): The best supporter in the game. Worth having a full playset.
Erika's Invitation: Consistency is key. Don't cheap out on draw supporters.
Switch/Escape Rope: Mobility matters. These cards win games.
Main attackers: Your ex cards should be NM minimum. Don't play damaged grails.
Cards You DON'T Need
Full-art trainers: Same functionality, 10x the price.
Alternate arts: Pretty, but your opponent doesn't care.
First edition stamps: Vintage only. Modern first edition means nothing.
PSA graded cards for play: Slabs don't belong in decks. Keep them in binders.
My Actual Budget Deck Journey
I started with a $40 Mewtwo deck from Facebook Marketplace.
Won 2 out of 5 games at my first tournament. Felt good.
Upgraded to a $90 Charizard deck. Went 3-1. Beat a guy with a $400 Umbreon deck. Felt better.
Now I run all three budget decks at locals. Rotate them based on the meta. Still spending under $150 per deck.
Point is: You don't need to go broke to compete. Build smart, play smart, and you'll do fine.
The Bottom Line
Competitive Pokemon TCG doesn't have to be expensive.
Budget deck building tips:
- Focus on function over form
- Buy singles, not ETBs
- Trade with locals for better deals
- Don't be afraid of lightly played cards
- Upgrade gradually (don't rebuild from scratch)
- [Pokemon Card Protection Guide](/blogs/pokemon-tcg-insights/the-complete-pokemon-card-protection-guide-2026-sleeves-holders-and-storage-that-actually-work)
- [Temporal Forces Set Review](/blogs/pokemon-tcg-insights/temporal-forces-set-review-hits-misses-and-worth-the-hype)
- [PSA Grading 101](/blogs/pokemon-tcg-insights/psa-grading-101-which-cards-are-actually-worth-submitting-from-someone-whos-been-burnt)
[Shop Card Sleeves →](/collections/card-sleeves) — Even budget decks deserve protection.
*Look, I've lost to $500 decks with my $80 Mewtwo build. I've also won with it against the same decks. Skill matters more than your wallet. Usually.*
Happy playing. And may your topdecks be on time. 🦞
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