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

Tournaments44

Decklists3,249

SourceLimitless TCG public API

Snapshot13 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 — 779 of 788 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 · 92.4% of decks · 3002 decks · 7641 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #114 $0.29 · Collectible: Rebel Clash $50 · 13 printings

92.4%

Night Stretcher · 86.7% of decks · 2818 decks · 5740 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #196 $0.28 · Collectible: Surging Sparks $10 · 4 printings

86.7%

Poké Pad · 85.2% of decks · 2767 decks · 9710 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #81 $0.29 · Collectible: Perfect Order $8 · 4 printings

85.2%

Lillie's Determination · 83.0% of decks · 2697 decks · 10056 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #119 $0.33 · Collectible: Mega Evolution $55 · 4 printings

83.0%

Ultra Ball · 81.7% of decks · 2655 decks · 8379 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #131 $0.22 · Collectible: Plasma Freeze $839 · 22 printings

81.7%

Buddy-Buddy Poffin · 65.5% of decks · 2128 decks · 7492 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #144 $0.27 · Collectible: Twilight Masquerade $12 · 5 printings

65.5%

Fezandipiti ex · 61.7% of decks · 2005 decks · 2009 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #142 $5.05 · Collectible: Ascended Heroes $50 · 5 printings

61.7%

Meowth ex · 53.9% of decks · 1751 decks · 2261 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #62 $2.19 · Collectible: Perfect Order $92 · 3 printings

53.9%

Special Red Card · 53.8% of decks · 1747 decks · 1942 copies

Playable: Chaos Rising #82 $0.15 · Collectible: Chaos Rising $2 · 2 printings

53.8%

Psychic Energy · 46.9% of decks · 1523 decks · 4222 copies

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

46.9%

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, Meowth ex, Special Red Card, 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 · 10.8% of decks · 350 decks · 350 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #152 $20.00

$20.00

Unfair Stamp · 33.1% of decks · 1076 decks · 1076 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #165 $11.00

$11.00

Pecharunt ex · 10.9% of decks · 354 decks · 554 copies

Playable: Shrouded Fable #39 $7.22 · Collectible: Shrouded Fable $27 · 5 printings

$7.22

Latias ex · 19.9% of decks · 646 decks · 1063 copies

Playable: Surging Sparks #76 $5.57 · Collectible: Dragon $350 · 7 printings

$5.57

Secret Box · 14.1% of decks · 458 decks · 458 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #163 $5.42

$5.42

Meganium · 6.2% of decks · 201 decks · 401 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #10 $5.25 · Collectible: Expedition Base Set $200 · 16 printings

$5.25

Fezandipiti ex · 61.7% of decks · 2005 decks · 2009 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #142 $5.05 · Collectible: Ascended Heroes $50 · 5 printings

$5.05

Enriching Energy · 8.7% of decks · 282 decks · 282 copies

Playable: Surging Sparks #191 $4.32

$4.32

Mew ex · 10.4% of decks · 337 decks · 538 copies

Playable: 30th Celebration #66 $4.29 · Collectible: Holon Phantoms $1,000 · 16 printings

$4.29

Legacy Energy · 5.9% of decks · 191 decks · 191 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #167 $3.74

$3.74

Cheapest high-play-rate cards 10

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

Judge · 35.9% of decks · 1166 decks · 1723 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #76 $0.10 · Collectible: Lost Thunder $55 · 11 printings

$0.10

Switch · 27.7% of decks · 900 decks · 1248 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #130 $0.13 · Collectible: Primal Clash $19 · 31 printings

$0.13

Crushing Hammer · 14.8% of decks · 480 decks · 1781 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #71 $0.14 · Collectible: Ultra Prism $60 · 11 printings

$0.14

Special Red Card · 53.8% of decks · 1747 decks · 1942 copies

Playable: Chaos Rising #82 $0.15 · Collectible: Chaos Rising $2 · 2 printings

$0.15

Budew · 37.2% of decks · 1208 decks · 1794 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #16 $0.15 · Collectible: Stormfront $8 · 5 printings

$0.15

Rosa's Encouragement · 14.8% of decks · 481 decks · 482 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #84 $0.18 · Collectible: Perfect Order $41 · 3 printings

$0.18

Duskull · 12.2% of decks · 395 decks · 1151 copies

Playable: Prismatic Evolutions #35 $0.18 · Collectible: Stormfront $144 · 21 printings

$0.18

Gwynn · 11.0% of decks · 356 decks · 1038 copies

Playable: Pitch Black #78 $0.18 · Collectible: Pitch Black $27 · 3 printings

$0.18

Dusclops · 12.0% of decks · 391 decks · 774 copies

Playable: Prismatic Evolutions #36 $0.19 · Collectible: Deoxys $40 · 17 printings

$0.19

Risky Ruins · 15.5% of decks · 505 decks · 928 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #127 $0.20

$0.20

Every meta card 60

Boss's Orders · 92.4% of decks · 3002 decks · 7641 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #114 $0.29 · Collectible: Rebel Clash $50 · 13 printings

92.4%

Night Stretcher · 86.7% of decks · 2818 decks · 5740 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #196 $0.28 · Collectible: Surging Sparks $10 · 4 printings

86.7%

Poké Pad · 85.2% of decks · 2767 decks · 9710 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #81 $0.29 · Collectible: Perfect Order $8 · 4 printings

85.2%

Lillie's Determination · 83.0% of decks · 2697 decks · 10056 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #119 $0.33 · Collectible: Mega Evolution $55 · 4 printings

83.0%

Ultra Ball · 81.7% of decks · 2655 decks · 8379 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #131 $0.22 · Collectible: Plasma Freeze $839 · 22 printings

81.7%

Buddy-Buddy Poffin · 65.5% of decks · 2128 decks · 7492 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #144 $0.27 · Collectible: Twilight Masquerade $12 · 5 printings

65.5%

Fezandipiti ex · 61.7% of decks · 2005 decks · 2009 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #142 $5.05 · Collectible: Ascended Heroes $50 · 5 printings

61.7%

Meowth ex · 53.9% of decks · 1751 decks · 2261 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #62 $2.19 · Collectible: Perfect Order $92 · 3 printings

53.9%

Special Red Card · 53.8% of decks · 1747 decks · 1942 copies

Playable: Chaos Rising #82 $0.15 · Collectible: Chaos Rising $2 · 2 printings

53.8%

Budew · 37.2% of decks · 1208 decks · 1794 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #16 $0.15 · Collectible: Stormfront $8 · 5 printings

37.2%

Judge · 35.9% of decks · 1166 decks · 1723 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #76 $0.10 · Collectible: Lost Thunder $55 · 11 printings

35.9%

Unfair Stamp · 33.1% of decks · 1076 decks · 1076 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #165 $11.00

33.1%

Munkidori · 32.5% of decks · 1056 decks · 2034 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #95 $0.50 · Collectible: Shrouded Fable $24 · 4 printings

32.5%

Shaymin · 29.8% of decks · 967 decks · 968 copies

Playable: Destined Rivals #10 $0.27 · Collectible: XY Black Star Promos $64 · 21 printings

29.8%

Crispin · 28.1% of decks · 912 decks · 2201 copies

Playable: Stellar Crown #133 $0.31 · Collectible: Prismatic Evolutions $26 · 4 printings

28.1%

Switch · 27.7% of decks · 900 decks · 1248 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #130 $0.13 · Collectible: Primal Clash $19 · 31 printings

27.7%

Rare Candy · 27.2% of decks · 885 decks · 2393 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #125 $0.25 · Collectible: Plasma Blast $167 · 25 printings

27.2%

Air Balloon · 26.8% of decks · 870 decks · 1412 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #181 $0.21 · Collectible: Sword & Shield $14 · 5 printings

26.8%

Hilda · 26.0% of decks · 845 decks · 2385 copies

Playable: White Flare #84 $1.34 · Collectible: White Flare $49 · 3 printings

26.0%

Team Rocket's Petrel · 25.4% of decks · 825 decks · 1900 copies

Playable: Destined Rivals #176 $0.29 · Collectible: Destined Rivals $8 · 3 printings

25.4%

Lillie's Clefairy ex · 23.8% of decks · 774 decks · 1024 copies

Playable: Journey Together #56 $1.61 · Collectible: Ascended Heroes $129 · 6 printings

23.8%

Dudunsparce · 23.6% of decks · 768 decks · 1436 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #129 $0.91 · Collectible: Paldea Evolved $12 · 4 printings

23.6%

Telepathic Psychic Energy · 22.8% of decks · 741 decks · 2812 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #88 $0.23

22.8%

Dawn · 22.4% of decks · 729 decks · 1694 copies

Playable: Phantasmal Flames #87 $0.33 · Collectible: Phantasmal Flames $20 · 3 printings

22.4%

Latias ex · 19.9% of decks · 646 decks · 1063 copies

Playable: Surging Sparks #76 $5.57 · Collectible: Dragon $350 · 7 printings

19.9%

Dreepy · 19.9% of decks · 647 decks · 2499 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #128 $0.21 · Collectible: Shining Fates Shiny Vault $10 · 8 printings

19.9%

Drakloak · 19.9% of decks · 647 decks · 2491 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #129 $0.21 · Collectible: Ascended Heroes $4 · 8 printings

19.9%

Dragapult ex · 18.8% of decks · 612 decks · 1676 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #130 $1.17 · Collectible: Prismatic Evolutions $100 · 5 printings

18.8%

Team Rocket's Watchtower · 18.2% of decks · 591 decks · 950 copies

Playable: Destined Rivals #180 $0.26 · 2 printings

18.2%

Dunsparce · 17.9% of decks · 582 decks · 1195 copies

Playable: Journey Together #120 $1.93 · Collectible: Skyridge $39 · 21 printings

17.9%

Mega Kangaskhan ex · 15.6% of decks · 507 decks · 1573 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #104 $1.41 · Collectible: Mega Evolution $53 · 4 printings

15.6%

Risky Ruins · 15.5% of decks · 505 decks · 928 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #127 $0.20

15.5%

Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking · 15.3% of decks · 496 decks · 921 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #145 $0.20 · Collectible: Temporal Forces $8 · 3 printings

15.3%

Rosa's Encouragement · 14.8% of decks · 481 decks · 482 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #84 $0.18 · Collectible: Perfect Order $41 · 3 printings

14.8%

Crushing Hammer · 14.8% of decks · 480 decks · 1781 copies

Playable: Perfect Order #71 $0.14 · Collectible: Ultra Prism $60 · 11 printings

14.8%

Lana's Aid · 14.4% of decks · 469 decks · 506 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #155 $0.25 · Collectible: Twilight Masquerade $35 · 3 printings

14.4%

Secret Box · 14.1% of decks · 458 decks · 458 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #163 $5.42

14.1%

Sacred Ash · 13.2% of decks · 428 decks · 454 copies

Playable: Destined Rivals #168 $0.29 · Collectible: Perfect Order $1 · 3 printings

13.2%

Pokégear 3.0 · 13.1% of decks · 425 decks · 991 copies

Playable: Scarlet & Violet #186 $0.35 · Collectible: Unbroken Bonds $48 · 8 printings

13.1%

Battle Cage · 12.7% of decks · 414 decks · 990 copies

Playable: Phantasmal Flames #85 $0.26 · Collectible: Phantasmal Flames $1 · 2 printings

12.7%

Duskull · 12.2% of decks · 395 decks · 1151 copies

Playable: Prismatic Evolutions #35 $0.18 · Collectible: Stormfront $144 · 21 printings

12.2%

Cyrano · 12.2% of decks · 396 decks · 726 copies

Playable: Surging Sparks #170 $0.21 · Collectible: Surging Sparks $3 · 2 printings

12.2%

Energy Switch · 12.2% of decks · 398 decks · 1107 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #115 $0.21 · Collectible: Aquapolis $26 · 21 printings

12.2%

Psyduck · 12.1% of decks · 392 decks · 394 copies

Playable: Ascended Heroes #39 $0.30 · Collectible: Aquapolis $228 · 30 printings

12.1%

Wally's Compassion · 12.1% of decks · 392 decks · 758 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #132 $0.24 · Collectible: Mega Evolution $20 · 3 printings

12.1%

Dusclops · 12.0% of decks · 391 decks · 774 copies

Playable: Prismatic Evolutions #36 $0.19 · Collectible: Deoxys $40 · 17 printings

12.0%

Teal Mask Ogerpon ex · 12.0% of decks · 390 decks · 1212 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #25 $2.54 · Collectible: Prismatic Evolutions $19 · 8 printings

12.0%

Dusknoir · 11.9% of decks · 388 decks · 769 copies

Playable: Prismatic Evolutions #37 $0.24 · Collectible: Plasma Blast $180 · 15 printings

11.9%

Moltres · 11.1% of decks · 361 decks · 368 copies

Playable: Phantasmal Flames #14 $2.10 · Collectible: Skyridge $799 · 23 printings

11.1%

Gwynn · 11.0% of decks · 356 decks · 1038 copies

Playable: Pitch Black #78 $0.18 · Collectible: Pitch Black $27 · 3 printings

11.0%

Pecharunt ex · 10.9% of decks · 354 decks · 554 copies

Playable: Shrouded Fable #39 $7.22 · Collectible: Shrouded Fable $27 · 5 printings

10.9%

Hero's Cape · 10.8% of decks · 350 decks · 350 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #152 $20.00

10.8%

Mew ex · 10.4% of decks · 337 decks · 538 copies

Playable: 30th Celebration #66 $4.29 · Collectible: Holon Phantoms $1,000 · 16 printings

10.4%

Bug Catching Set · 9.9% of decks · 322 decks · 1132 copies

Playable: Twilight Masquerade #143 $0.24 · 2 printings

9.9%

Dunsparce · 9.7% of decks · 315 decks · 461 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #128 $0.19 · Collectible: Skyridge $39 · 21 printings

9.7%

Gravity Mountain · 9.5% of decks · 308 decks · 486 copies

Playable: Surging Sparks #177 $0.16 · Collectible: Surging Sparks $11 · 2 printings

9.5%

Fighting Gong · 9.4% of decks · 307 decks · 1118 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #116 $0.16 · Collectible: Mega Evolution $2 · 3 printings

9.4%

Forest of Vitality · 9.1% of decks · 297 decks · 922 copies

Playable: Mega Evolution #117 $0.24 · Collectible: Perfect Order $3 · 3 printings

9.1%

Prime Catcher · 9.0% of decks · 293 decks · 293 copies

Playable: Temporal Forces #157 $1.26 · 2 printings

9.0%

Brave Bangle · 8.8% of decks · 287 decks · 508 copies

Playable: White Flare #80 $0.34 · Collectible: Pitch Black $2 · 2 printings

8.8%

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 3,249 published decklists across 44 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 92.4% 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 →