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Your first pack choice in Pokémon TCG Pocket matters more than it looks, because it affects both the cards you see early and the starter deck you're handed. If you're just trying to get moving without wasting your first few pulls, Pokemon TCG Pocket Accounts can also be something players look at when they want a quicker start, but for a fresh account the safer in-game pick is still usually the Charizard pack from Genetic Apex. The main reason is Exeggutor ex. It's simple, sturdy, and still turns up in playable lists, especially for newer players who don't want a deck that needs ten rare pieces before it works.
Why Charizard is the easiest early pick
The Charizard pack gives you a cleaner path into real deckbuilding than the other two Genetic Apex starters. Exeggutor ex is the headline, but Erika matters too, since she keeps Grass decks alive in games where you'd otherwise run out of time. Keep opening Charizard packs and you're chasing a second Exeggutor ex, two copies of Erika, Greninja pieces, Blaine cards for a cheap Fire deck, and Sabrina, who fits into loads of decks. It's not flashy every time, but it gives you cards you'll actually use.
Don't stop after the starter pack
A lot of new players overthink the first choice and forget how fast the early game throws resources at you. Do your first Wonder Pick, clear the beginner missions, and spend those Pack Hourglasses. You'll level up quickly, and that means more packs. Within a short session, you can usually open enough boosters to fix a weak start or lean harder into a deck you've already pulled pieces for. So yes, the starter choice helps, but it doesn't lock your account forever.
How the main packs compare right now
Among Genetic Apex packs, Charizard is the most beginner-friendly. Pikachu can build toward Pikachu ex and includes Misty, Arcanine ex, and Magneton, but it's less flexible if your pulls miss. Mewtwo used to be a great option for broad deckbuilding, but power creep has hit it hard. Mythical Island's Mew pack has the same issue. It once offered Leaf, Druddigon, Gyarados ex, Celebi ex, and Marshadow, yet most of those plans have been pushed down by newer sets. Space-Time Smackdown is much stronger today. Dialga brings Darkrai ex, Rampardos, Dialga ex, Gallade ex, Lucario, Dawn, Giant Cape, and Pokémon Communication, while Palkia offers Cyrus, Palkia ex, Weavile ex, Manaphy, Infernape ex, and Rocky Helmet. Both also include Magnezone, which is still a nasty one-point threat.
The newer packs worth chasing
Shining Revelry and Extradimensional Crisis are the big names for beginners who want power now. Shining Revelry has Giratina ex, Red, Meowscarada, and several useful ex Pokémon. Giratina ex is especially scary, whether paired with Darkrai ex or support like Greninja. Extradimensional Crisis gives you the base for Buzzwole ex and Guzzlord ex, plus Silvally, one of the best Stage 1 Pokémon around. Celestial Guardians is also worth opening because both Solgaleo and Lunala sides include Rare Candy, which stage 2 decks badly need. Eevee Grove is useful too, mostly because Sylveon ex draws cards and slots into plenty of lists.
What I'd open as a new player
If you want the cleanest route, start with Charizard in Genetic Apex, then put most of your later packs into stronger modern sets. Extradimensional Crisis, Shining Revelry, and Dialga from Space-Time Smackdown are the packs I'd prioritise first. After that, look at Eevee Grove, Celestial Guardians, or Palkia depending on what you've already pulled. Some players also browse Pokemon TCG Pocket Accounts for sale when they'd rather skip the slow collection phase, though opening packs yourself is still part of the fun if you like building from scratch.
Why Charizard is the easiest early pick
The Charizard pack gives you a cleaner path into real deckbuilding than the other two Genetic Apex starters. Exeggutor ex is the headline, but Erika matters too, since she keeps Grass decks alive in games where you'd otherwise run out of time. Keep opening Charizard packs and you're chasing a second Exeggutor ex, two copies of Erika, Greninja pieces, Blaine cards for a cheap Fire deck, and Sabrina, who fits into loads of decks. It's not flashy every time, but it gives you cards you'll actually use.
Don't stop after the starter pack
A lot of new players overthink the first choice and forget how fast the early game throws resources at you. Do your first Wonder Pick, clear the beginner missions, and spend those Pack Hourglasses. You'll level up quickly, and that means more packs. Within a short session, you can usually open enough boosters to fix a weak start or lean harder into a deck you've already pulled pieces for. So yes, the starter choice helps, but it doesn't lock your account forever.
How the main packs compare right now
Among Genetic Apex packs, Charizard is the most beginner-friendly. Pikachu can build toward Pikachu ex and includes Misty, Arcanine ex, and Magneton, but it's less flexible if your pulls miss. Mewtwo used to be a great option for broad deckbuilding, but power creep has hit it hard. Mythical Island's Mew pack has the same issue. It once offered Leaf, Druddigon, Gyarados ex, Celebi ex, and Marshadow, yet most of those plans have been pushed down by newer sets. Space-Time Smackdown is much stronger today. Dialga brings Darkrai ex, Rampardos, Dialga ex, Gallade ex, Lucario, Dawn, Giant Cape, and Pokémon Communication, while Palkia offers Cyrus, Palkia ex, Weavile ex, Manaphy, Infernape ex, and Rocky Helmet. Both also include Magnezone, which is still a nasty one-point threat.
The newer packs worth chasing
Shining Revelry and Extradimensional Crisis are the big names for beginners who want power now. Shining Revelry has Giratina ex, Red, Meowscarada, and several useful ex Pokémon. Giratina ex is especially scary, whether paired with Darkrai ex or support like Greninja. Extradimensional Crisis gives you the base for Buzzwole ex and Guzzlord ex, plus Silvally, one of the best Stage 1 Pokémon around. Celestial Guardians is also worth opening because both Solgaleo and Lunala sides include Rare Candy, which stage 2 decks badly need. Eevee Grove is useful too, mostly because Sylveon ex draws cards and slots into plenty of lists.
What I'd open as a new player
If you want the cleanest route, start with Charizard in Genetic Apex, then put most of your later packs into stronger modern sets. Extradimensional Crisis, Shining Revelry, and Dialga from Space-Time Smackdown are the packs I'd prioritise first. After that, look at Eevee Grove, Celestial Guardians, or Palkia depending on what you've already pulled. Some players also browse Pokemon TCG Pocket Accounts for sale when they'd rather skip the slow collection phase, though opening packs yourself is still part of the fun if you like building from scratch.