We have something cooking for you if you’re into ground or fighting types inPokémongames. There’s a new variant of the Golem deck inPokémon TCG Pocket, so if you’re looking for the best build for it, here’s what it looks like and how it plays.
Best Golem deck build in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Below is the list of Pokémon you’ll need in this deck to own and play:
With eight cards so far, you only need 12 more to have a complete deck. So now, fill the rest up with Item and Trainer cards of the following:
How to play the Golem deck
Here are the roles your cards need to play and breakdowns for what each card is used for and when you should use them. To start, let’s talk about the Pokémon:
Druddigon
This has been a staple meta card ever since the Mythical Island booster pack was released. Druddigon will be played simply as a stall wall of sorts.
You’ll never have to put energy into this Pokémon thanks to its passive ability to deal 20 damage to anything that attacks it. Once it starts to get too low HP or if you anticipate it’ll be knocked out on the next turn, you can let the first one die.
If you somehow pull out a second one, this is the one that must be withdrawn.
You’re only using Druddigon to build up energy and evolve your Geodude into a Golem. Preferably, you’re cooking up two while stalling with this ‘mon.
Geodude, Graveler, and Golem
While your Druddigon is out, you should focus all your effort and strategy on evolving this Pokémon lineage into Golem. Specifically, you want the Mythical Island version with the Guard Press move.
Once you hit four energy, you may let your first Druddigon die so you can then summon your (hopefully) Golem out with enough energy on the next turn to deal damage.
In this turn, you may use Guard Press, which will deal a significant amount of damage along with negating 30 damage dealt to you on your next turn.
With this setup, your opponent will have to deal 190 damage to kill you in one turn, or 170 if they have a type advantage on you. That would mean they have to have a strong buildup to get that much damage out too.
Brock
Brock is good for building up a second Golem or topping you off if you have to retreat for any reason. While his energy buildup is not as strong as a Misty for water-type decks, he’s consistent.
This card becomes even better once your first Golem is up, so you can start sweeping while you build a second one up. If your first one gets knocked out, you can have a second one at the ready.
Leaf
Golem and Druddigon’s retreat costs are a bit expensive. If you need to retreat your second Druddigon or your Golem out, Leaf will come in clutch.
This pairs well with the Brock card since you’ll want to store excess energy into your Golems in events where you need to retreat. It’ll also be very valuable to save yourself if you were in a situation where you lost two Druddigons.
Poké Ball
This is sort of another staple in most decks in the game. Poké balls just get stuff drawn quicker. It’ll remedy any sort of bad luck you may have gotten in the initial draw or if your opponent puts down a Red Card.
Plus, it can get you another Pokémon out to evolve your Geodude faster or even use a Druddigon to stall longer (if you need to).
Professor’s Research
Yet another staple in most decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket; Professor’s Research will help you get more useful cards if your initial pulls were weak.
Play this once your hand gets low. Don’t use this just to get Red Carded or have your hand seen by your opponent.
Giovanni
If you need just a bit more oomph in your attacks to potentially one-hit KO your opponent’s Pokémon, this will be the ace in the hole.
Giovanni is yet another staple card in most standard decks that can be the difference between a win or loss.
Potion
You’re already negating a lot of damage each time you use Guard Press, why not negate more or at least get some health back to essentially make it a -30 to a -50?
Golem build weaknesses
If you are facing a Celebi EX, Serperior, Venusaur EX, or Exeggutor deck, you may run into issues mostly from the type disadvantage and coin flips.
When you start going up against grass types, what you may really do is hope you get good draws so you can bring your build out first to get ahead in damage.
Benefits of a Golem deck build in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Compared to a lot of other “top tier” decks in Pokémon TCGP, the Golem deck does not utilize EX cards. This means that you can lose a total of three Pokémon before losing.
Your risks for building up late-game attackers are less fatal if you lose them early. You also get some more wiggle room by being able to lose a Druddigon in the process. Just build up energy as fast as you can for your Golems and start sweeping with robust defense.
