Theme deck (TCG)

A Theme deck, previously known as a Preconstructed Theme Deck, is a playing deck of Pokémon Trading Card Game cards sold pre-packaged alongside mainstream card sets. Most Theme decks are designed with a TCG Deck archetype (specific strategy) (such as TCG Special Conditions) or theme (such as starter Pokémon) in mind.

Theme decks are mostly seen only alongside English-language releases and are seldom released in Japan, released only alongside debut sets such as TCG Base Set and TCG Neo Genesis, as well as alongside the original Gym sets. The vast majority of Japanese decks released are TCG Half Decks and are released alongside almost all sets.

For English-language set releases, most expansions are assigned two theme decks affiliated with the set, with the next most common number being three theme decks for releases such as TCG EX Crystal Guardians, TCG Diamond & Pearl, TCG Great Encounters, TCG Black & White and TCG Kalos Starter Set. Only three sets have included four theme decks so far (TCG Gym Heroes, TCG Gym Challenge and TCG HeartGold & SoulSilver), only two sets have included five theme decks (TCG Base Set and TCG Base Set 2), and only three mainstream sets have included no theme decks (TCG Neo Revelation, TCG Dragon Vault, and TCG Legendary Treasures). In addition, there are Online-exclusive Theme decks for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online.