How to Build a Budget Pikachu Deck in Scarlet and Violet

Penny trainer card art from Eevee Grove set A3b in a glossy holographic finish

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

How to Build a Budget Pikachu Deck in Scarlet and Violet

Pokémon TCG fans know that sometimes the simplest ideas deliver the most surprising wins. A budget Pikachu deck—crafted with a clever inclusion of Penny, the unique Eevee Grove Trainer—can punch above its price point in casual matches and local events. Penny isn’t a typical Pikachu partner, but this Two Diamond rarity Trainer from Eevee Grove (card number 069, illustrated by Susumu Maeya) adds a playful twist: it lets you look at a random Supporter card from your opponent’s deck (that isn’t Penny) and shuffle it back, then use that card’s effect as Penny’s own. It’s a mini-illusionist move that invites you to lean into disruption, resource management, and tempo. ⚡🔥💎

Why Penny matters in a budget Pikachu shell

In a deck built around fast, low-cost pressure, Penny acts as a wildcard for when you’re short on obvious draw and search options. The ability to mirror the effect of an opponent’s Supporter can derail their game plan and buy you precious turns to set up Pikachu’s aggression. Because Penny’s effect is contingent on what’s in your opponent’s deck, you gain a flexible toolbox without spending a lot of real estate on expensive Trainer cards. The art by Susumu Maeya, with its bright, energetic palette, practically invites you to shuffle up and dive back into the fray—the perfect mood for a nostalgia-friendly, pocket-friendly deck build. 🎴🎨

Core strategy: speed, disruption, and a Pikachu punch

A budget Pikachu deck thrives on speed and board presence. You want a steady stream of Basic Pikachu and draw support that keeps your engine humming while Penny creates a shifting target for your opponent. Here’s how to think about the core pillars:

Speed and consistency: Prioritize cheap search and acceleration to get Pikachu out quickly. Cards that search for Basics, like basic search and flexible trainer engines, let you assemble an early board before the opponent stabilizes.
Penny as a disruption engine: Use Penny to copy the effect of a drawn Supporter from your opponent. If they bench a crucial draw card or a reset-style Supporter, Penny can mirror that impact on your turn, giving you extra options even when you’re low on cards.
Budget draw and reach: Include affordable draw Supporters (think classic, name-brand staples in your local format) to maintain hand size while Penny handles the unpredictable mirror-move. If your meta leans heavily on stall or late-game setup, Penny’s copied effect can swing tempo in your favor.
Pikachu as a consistent attacker: Lean on a reliable Pikachu line that fits your local rules. In Scarlet and Violet, you’ll want a low-energy curve with quick attacks that threaten the active Pokémon on your opponent’s side. Keep energy costs manageable so you don’t burn through resources too quickly.

As you tune the deck, balance is key. You don’t want Penny to be a dead draw too often, so sprinkle in enough ways to search for it or to ensure you can reveal a usable Supporter from your opponent’s deck when Penny’s turn arrives. The result is a nimble, budget-friendly decklist that plays with tempo and mind games, celebrating the joy of Pikachu while weaving in Penny’s curious, mirror-like mechanic. ⚡🎮

Suggested budget skeleton and play patterns

While exact card pools vary by what’s locally available or legal in casual formats, here’s a flexible template you can adapt. Focus on cheap staples, a couple of Pikachu options, and Penny as the surprise lever:

2–3 copies of a Pikachu that fits your chosen energy curve and evolves into a suitable, inexpensive attacker if you’re using a small Evolution line.
1–2 copies of Penny to ensure you have at least one copy in play across a game.
2–3 general draw Supporters (Marnie, Professor’s Research, etc., depending on format) to keep your hand fresh while Penny’s effect plays out.
3–4 item-search cards (Quick Ball, level-ball equivalents, or affordable search tools) to fetch Pikachu quickly.
An economical mix of Lightning Energy (for Pikachu) and a couple of colorless alternatives to smooth transitions on early turns.

In practice, you’ll open with Pikachu on the bench, draw into Penny or a search tool, and threaten with early damage while you prepare to leverage Penny’s copied Supporter effect. When your opponent reacts, you respond with tempo plays that keep pressure and deny their setup. The joy is in the small wins—the quick fetch, the perfectly timed Penny effect, and the moment you realize you’ve locked in a favorable exchange. ⚡🎴

Art, rarity, and collector notes

Penny stands out in Eevee Grove as a Trainer with a distinctive If-you-can-copyhook twist. The card’s holographic variants (the set’s Normal, Reverse, and Holo) add visual pop that many collectors chase. With Susumu Maeya credited as the illustrator, Penny’s depiction captures a bright, energetic vibe that pairs well with Pikachu’s iconic charm. Although Penny’s legal status is noted as not legal in Standard or Expanded formats for certain printings as of the 2025 data, its rarity—Two Diamond—keeps it a coveted piece for players and collectors who enjoy offbeat synergy and the history of Eevee Grove. The set’s total card count and rarity distribution give Penny a special place within the Eevee Grove collection, and its playful text invites both nostalgia and experimentation. 💎

Market value and collecting perspective

Budget players might be surprised at how Penny’s unusual effect and its artwork can influence price and interest. Not being standard-legal in all printings doesn’t dampen its appeal for casual play and “fun deck” experimentation. For collectors, Penny’s holographic variants and the Susumu Maeya art make it a compelling addition to an Eevee Grove-themed binder. As Scarlet and Violet-era players explore reprints and reissues, Penny’s value may wobble up or down, but its story as a clever disruption tool endures in conversations about unusual Trainer mechanics. Keep an eye on print runs, condition, and whether a reprint lands—these factors can tilt values for a card that’s as much about flavor as it is about function. 🔍🎨

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