Pokémon TCG meta

The cards driving competitive play, priced at the printing players actually use. Where the same name has a collector printing, that price is shown separately — competitive demand is never attributed to a chase card.

FormatStandard

Tournaments42

Decklists3,678

SourceLimitless TCG public API

Snapshot7 October 2026Current

Window: The most recent Standard tournaments with at least 16 players (up to 80 scanned), every published decklist. Play rate = share of decklists including the card. Printings are matched by set code and card number to the exact card seen in decklists — 814 of 824 resolved (unmatched set codes: mee, mep).

CardTrack's own 30-day price trend is being withheld sitewide while a pricing-basis reset settles, so the rising and declining sections below are empty for every staple, not because the meta is flat. Check the 7-day and 90-day movers for real recent price moves.

Most played 10

Ranked by the share of decklists that include the card.

Boss's Orders · 91.7% of decks · 3374 decks · 8660 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #114 $0.21 · Collectible: Rebel Clash $51 · 13 printings

91.7%

Night Stretcher · 86.2% of decks · 3171 decks · 6453 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #196 $0.23 · Collectible: Surging Sparks $9 · 4 printings

86.2%

Poké Pad · 82.4% of decks · 3031 decks · 10695 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #81 $0.32 · Collectible: Perfect Order $8 · 4 printings

82.4%

Lillie's Determination · 81.5% of decks · 2998 decks · 11044 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #119 $0.35 · Collectible: Mega Evolution $55 · 4 printings

81.5%

Ultra Ball · 81.4% of decks · 2993 decks · 9486 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #131 $0.18 · Collectible: Plasma Freeze $905 · 22 printings

81.4%

Buddy-Buddy Poffin · 66.4% of decks · 2444 decks · 8555 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #144 $0.29 · Collectible: Twilight Masquerade $11 · 5 printings

66.4%

Fezandipiti ex · 63.5% of decks · 2335 decks · 2343 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #142 $3.19 · Collectible: Ascended Heroes $50 · 5 printings

63.5%

Special Red Card · 56.7% of decks · 2084 decks · 2317 copies

Playable: Chaos Rising #82 $0.19 · Collectible: Chaos Rising $3 · 2 printings

56.7%

Meowth ex · 53.9% of decks · 1981 decks · 2664 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #62 $1.82 · Collectible: Perfect Order $100 · 3 printings

53.9%

Psychic Energy · 48.6% of decks · 1789 decks · 4953 copies

Printing not in our catalogue (mee-13) · 22 printings

48.6%

Tier list

By card play rate: S ≥15% of decks, A ≥8%, B ≥5%, C below.

SBoss's Orders, Night Stretcher, Poké Pad, Lillie's Determination, Ultra Ball, Buddy-Buddy Poffin, Fezandipiti ex, Special Red Card, Meowth ex, Psychic Energy

📈 Rising staples 0

Staples (≥5% of decks) whose playable printing is up more than 3% over 30 days.

No cards to show — CardTrack's own 30-day trend is withheld sitewide right now (see the note above).

📉 Declining staples 0

Staples whose playable printing is down more than 3% over 30 days — often a reprint landing.

No cards to show — CardTrack's own 30-day trend is withheld sitewide right now (see the note above).

Most expensive staples 10

Priced on the playable printing, so a secret-rare chase card cannot top this list.

Hero's Cape · 10.6% of decks · 389 decks · 389 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #152 $20.00

$20.00

Unfair Stamp · 30.6% of decks · 1124 decks · 1124 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #165 $11.00

$11.00

Pecharunt ex · 10.9% of decks · 400 decks · 555 copies

Playable: Shrouded Fable #39 $6.91 · Collectible: Shrouded Fable $33 · 5 printings

$6.91

Secret Box · 16.1% of decks · 593 decks · 593 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #163 $6.05

$6.05

Mew ex · 11.9% of decks · 439 decks · 722 copies

Playable: 30th Celebration #66 $5.75 · Collectible: Holon Phantoms $1,000 · 16 printings

$5.75

Enriching Energy · 9.1% of decks · 334 decks · 334 copies

Playable: Surging Sparks #191 $5.55

$5.55

Meganium · 5.4% of decks · 200 decks · 394 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #10 $5.54 · Collectible: Expedition Base Set $200 · 16 printings

$5.54

Latias ex · 20.7% of decks · 762 decks · 1297 copies

Playable: Surging Sparks #76 $5.49 · Collectible: Dragon $410 · 7 printings

$5.49

Fezandipiti ex · 63.5% of decks · 2335 decks · 2343 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #142 $3.19 · Collectible: Ascended Heroes $50 · 5 printings

$3.19

Dragapult ex · 19.6% of decks · 720 decks · 1967 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #130 $2.94 · Collectible: Prismatic Evolutions $100 · 5 printings

$2.94

Cheapest high-play-rate cards 10

In at least 10% of decks, cheapest playable printing first — the best value in the format.

Budew · 35.7% of decks · 1313 decks · 2000 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #16 $0.11 · Collectible: Stormfront $7 · 5 printings

$0.11

Judge · 35.9% of decks · 1320 decks · 1840 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #76 $0.12 · Collectible: Lost Thunder $55 · 11 printings

$0.12

Duskull · 13.2% of decks · 486 decks · 1401 copies

Playable: Prismatic Evolutions #35 $0.14 · Collectible: Stormfront $124 · 21 printings

$0.14

Crushing Hammer · 14.4% of decks · 531 decks · 1986 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #71 $0.16 · Collectible: Ultra Prism $55 · 11 printings

$0.16

Ultra Ball · 81.4% of decks · 2993 decks · 9486 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #131 $0.18 · Collectible: Plasma Freeze $905 · 22 printings

$0.18

Rosa's Encouragement · 14.8% of decks · 544 decks · 544 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #84 $0.18 · Collectible: Perfect Order $43 · 3 printings

$0.18

Special Red Card · 56.7% of decks · 2084 decks · 2317 copies

Playable: Chaos Rising #82 $0.19 · Collectible: Chaos Rising $3 · 2 printings

$0.19

Rare Candy · 28.0% of decks · 1031 decks · 2776 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #125 $0.19 · Collectible: Plasma Blast $172 · 25 printings

$0.19

Switch · 27.1% of decks · 997 decks · 1369 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #130 $0.19 · Collectible: Primal Clash $18 · 31 printings

$0.19

Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking · 16.4% of decks · 604 decks · 1069 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #145 $0.19 · Collectible: Temporal Forces $8 · 3 printings

$0.19

Every meta card 60

Boss's Orders · 91.7% of decks · 3374 decks · 8660 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #114 $0.21 · Collectible: Rebel Clash $51 · 13 printings

91.7%

Night Stretcher · 86.2% of decks · 3171 decks · 6453 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #196 $0.23 · Collectible: Surging Sparks $9 · 4 printings

86.2%

Poké Pad · 82.4% of decks · 3031 decks · 10695 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #81 $0.32 · Collectible: Perfect Order $8 · 4 printings

82.4%

Lillie's Determination · 81.5% of decks · 2998 decks · 11044 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #119 $0.35 · Collectible: Mega Evolution $55 · 4 printings

81.5%

Ultra Ball · 81.4% of decks · 2993 decks · 9486 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #131 $0.18 · Collectible: Plasma Freeze $905 · 22 printings

81.4%

Buddy-Buddy Poffin · 66.4% of decks · 2444 decks · 8555 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #144 $0.29 · Collectible: Twilight Masquerade $11 · 5 printings

66.4%

Fezandipiti ex · 63.5% of decks · 2335 decks · 2343 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #142 $3.19 · Collectible: Ascended Heroes $50 · 5 printings

63.5%

Special Red Card · 56.7% of decks · 2084 decks · 2317 copies

Playable: Chaos Rising #82 $0.19 · Collectible: Chaos Rising $3 · 2 printings

56.7%

Meowth ex · 53.9% of decks · 1981 decks · 2664 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #62 $1.82 · Collectible: Perfect Order $100 · 3 printings

53.9%

Judge · 35.9% of decks · 1320 decks · 1840 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #76 $0.12 · Collectible: Lost Thunder $55 · 11 printings

35.9%

Budew · 35.7% of decks · 1313 decks · 2000 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #16 $0.11 · Collectible: Stormfront $7 · 5 printings

35.7%

Munkidori · 32.2% of decks · 1186 decks · 2265 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #95 $0.50 · Collectible: Shrouded Fable $30 · 4 printings

32.2%

Crispin · 31.4% of decks · 1154 decks · 2878 copies

Playable: Stellar Crown #133 $0.24 · Collectible: Prismatic Evolutions $25 · 4 printings

31.4%

Unfair Stamp · 30.6% of decks · 1124 decks · 1124 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #165 $11.00

30.6%

Shaymin · 29.3% of decks · 1077 decks · 1079 copies

Playable: Destined Rivals #10 $0.29 · Collectible: XY Black Star Promos $64 · 21 printings

29.3%

Rare Candy · 28.0% of decks · 1031 decks · 2776 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #125 $0.19 · Collectible: Plasma Blast $172 · 25 printings

28.0%

Switch · 27.1% of decks · 997 decks · 1369 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #130 $0.19 · Collectible: Primal Clash $18 · 31 printings

27.1%

Air Balloon · 26.9% of decks · 989 decks · 1604 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #181 $0.22 · Collectible: Sword & Shield $13 · 5 printings

26.9%

Hilda · 26.3% of decks · 969 decks · 2796 copies

Playable: White Flare #84 $1.31 · Collectible: White Flare $48 · 3 printings

26.3%

Lillie's Clefairy ex · 25.6% of decks · 942 decks · 1276 copies

Playable: Journey Together #56 $1.83 · Collectible: Ascended Heroes $130 · 6 printings

25.6%

Team Rocket's Petrel · 24.8% of decks · 912 decks · 2261 copies

Playable: Destined Rivals #176 $0.35 · Collectible: Destined Rivals $10 · 3 printings

24.8%

Dudunsparce · 22.8% of decks · 840 decks · 1544 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #129 $1.14 · Collectible: Paldea Evolved $12 · 4 printings

22.8%

Dawn · 22.4% of decks · 825 decks · 1857 copies

Playable: Phantasmal Flames #87 $0.24 · Collectible: Phantasmal Flames $20 · 3 printings

22.4%

Telepathic Psychic Energy · 22.3% of decks · 819 decks · 3124 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #88 $0.28

22.3%

Latias ex · 20.7% of decks · 762 decks · 1297 copies

Playable: Surging Sparks #76 $5.49 · Collectible: Dragon $410 · 7 printings

20.7%

Dreepy · 20.5% of decks · 754 decks · 2908 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #128 $0.24 · Collectible: Shining Fates Shiny Vault $10 · 8 printings

20.5%

Drakloak · 20.5% of decks · 754 decks · 2896 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #129 $0.29 · Collectible: Ascended Heroes $5 · 8 printings

20.5%

Dragapult ex · 19.6% of decks · 720 decks · 1967 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #130 $2.94 · Collectible: Prismatic Evolutions $100 · 5 printings

19.6%

Dunsparce · 18.6% of decks · 685 decks · 1368 copies

Playable: Journey Together #120 $2.06 · Collectible: Skyridge $39 · 21 printings

18.6%

Team Rocket's Watchtower · 17.9% of decks · 657 decks · 1053 copies

Playable: Destined Rivals #180 $0.24 · 2 printings

17.9%

Mega Kangaskhan ex · 17.7% of decks · 652 decks · 2052 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #104 $1.70 · Collectible: Mega Evolution $54 · 4 printings

17.7%

Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking · 16.4% of decks · 604 decks · 1069 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #145 $0.19 · Collectible: Temporal Forces $8 · 3 printings

16.4%

Secret Box · 16.1% of decks · 593 decks · 593 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #163 $6.05

16.1%

Rosa's Encouragement · 14.8% of decks · 544 decks · 544 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #84 $0.18 · Collectible: Perfect Order $43 · 3 printings

14.8%

Risky Ruins · 14.8% of decks · 543 decks · 981 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #127 $0.29

14.8%

Energy Switch · 14.5% of decks · 535 decks · 1508 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #115 $0.27 · Collectible: Aquapolis $26 · 21 printings

14.5%

Pokégear 3.0 · 14.5% of decks · 533 decks · 1240 copies

Playable: Scarlet & Violet #186 $0.37 · Collectible: Unbroken Bonds $48 · 8 printings

14.5%

Crushing Hammer · 14.4% of decks · 531 decks · 1986 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #71 $0.16 · Collectible: Ultra Prism $55 · 11 printings

14.4%

Psyduck · 14.2% of decks · 524 decks · 530 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #39 $0.31 · Collectible: Aquapolis $200 · 30 printings

14.2%

Cyrano · 14.2% of decks · 522 decks · 949 copies

Playable: Surging Sparks #170 $0.21 · Collectible: Surging Sparks $2 · 2 printings

14.2%

Sacred Ash · 13.5% of decks · 498 decks · 511 copies

Playable: Destined Rivals #168 $0.24 · Collectible: Perfect Order $2 · 3 printings

13.5%

Lana's Aid · 13.2% of decks · 487 decks · 505 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #155 $0.33 · Collectible: Twilight Masquerade $34 · 3 printings

13.2%

Duskull · 13.2% of decks · 486 decks · 1401 copies

Playable: Prismatic Evolutions #35 $0.14 · Collectible: Stormfront $124 · 21 printings

13.2%

Dusclops · 13.2% of decks · 484 decks · 947 copies

Playable: Prismatic Evolutions #36 $0.24 · Collectible: Sandstorm $35 · 17 printings

13.2%

Dusknoir · 13.2% of decks · 486 decks · 930 copies

Playable: Prismatic Evolutions #37 $0.22 · Collectible: Plasma Blast $196 · 15 printings

13.2%

Teal Mask Ogerpon ex · 13.1% of decks · 483 decks · 1408 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #25 $2.80 · Collectible: Twilight Masquerade $20 · 8 printings

13.1%

Battle Cage · 12.8% of decks · 472 decks · 1114 copies

Playable: Phantasmal Flames #85 $0.25 · Collectible: Phantasmal Flames $1 · 2 printings

12.8%

Moltres · 11.9% of decks · 438 decks · 443 copies

Playable: Phantasmal Flames #14 $2.21 · Collectible: Skyridge $904 · 23 printings

11.9%

Mew ex · 11.9% of decks · 439 decks · 722 copies

Playable: 30th Celebration #66 $5.75 · Collectible: Holon Phantoms $1,000 · 16 printings

11.9%

Pecharunt ex · 10.9% of decks · 400 decks · 555 copies

Playable: Shrouded Fable #39 $6.91 · Collectible: Shrouded Fable $33 · 5 printings

10.9%

Gwynn · 10.7% of decks · 393 decks · 1113 copies

Playable: Pitch Black #78 $0.22 · Collectible: Pitch Black $30 · 3 printings

10.7%

Wally's Compassion · 10.7% of decks · 392 decks · 816 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #132 $0.22 · Collectible: Mega Evolution $20 · 3 printings

10.7%

Hero's Cape · 10.6% of decks · 389 decks · 389 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #152 $20.00

10.6%

Area Zero Underdepths · 9.8% of decks · 361 decks · 1132 copies

Playable: Stellar Crown #131 $0.23 · Collectible: Stellar Crown $10 · 3 printings

9.8%

Jamming Tower · 9.5% of decks · 348 decks · 413 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #153 $0.22 · Collectible: Destined Rivals $7 · 3 printings

9.5%

Prime Catcher · 9.5% of decks · 348 decks · 348 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #157 $0.89 · 2 printings

9.5%

Bug Catching Set · 9.1% of decks · 334 decks · 1176 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #143 $0.30 · 2 printings

9.1%

Enriching Energy · 9.1% of decks · 334 decks · 334 copies

Playable: Surging Sparks #191 $5.55

9.1%

Xerosic's Machinations · 9.0% of decks · 331 decks · 376 copies

Playable: Shrouded Fable #64 $0.25 · Collectible: Shrouded Fable $9 · 2 printings

9.0%

Mist Energy · 9.0% of decks · 332 decks · 1147 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #161 $1.69

9.0%

Frequently asked questions

What is the Pokémon TCG meta?

The meta (metagame) is the set of decks and cards dominating competitive Standard play. CardTrack measures it from 3,678 published decklists across 42 recent tournaments on Limitless TCG public API.

What are the most-played cards in the current meta?

In this snapshot the most-played cards are Boss's Orders, Night Stretcher, Poké Pad, Lillie's Determination, Ultra Ball — Boss's Orders appears in 91.7% of decklists.

Why does a meta card show two prices?

Competitive demand is earned by the printing players actually sleeve — usually a common or uncommon. The same name often also has a full-art or secret-rare printing that collectors chase. CardTrack prices the playable printing first and shows the collectible one separately, so a collector's price is never attributed to competitive play.

How often does the meta change?

With every set release and the annual Standard rotation. Check the snapshot date at the top of this page; a snapshot older than a month may not reflect the current format.

Prices are blended from real completed sales — eBay sold listings, Fanatics Collect and Goldin auction results, and PSA cert-verified sales — cross-checked against live TCGplayer, Cardmarket and PriceCharting market prices. How CardTrack prices cards →