Water Decks Gain Powerful Card in Pokemon TCG Pocket's Triumphant Light Expansion

When Pokemon TCG Pocket first launched, the meta was quickly dominated by a select few decks, with Misty and water-type Pokemon at the forefront. These decks gained infamy due to their ability to overpower opponents early on, largely depending on favorable coin flips. This luck-based strategy made losing to Misty decks particularly frustrating for players.

Despite three expansions since the game's launch, the expectation that new cards would counter or replace Misty decks has not been met. Instead, the latest expansion has introduced a card that further bolsters Misty decks, leading to widespread player frustration. The community is vocal about their desire for more variety in the game.

Misty, a Supporter card, allows players to flip coins until they land on tails, attaching a water-type energy to a chosen Pokemon for each heads flipped. This mechanic can result in anywhere from zero to numerous energy attachments, significantly impacting the game's outcome based on luck. A successful flip can enable a first-turn win or accelerate the deployment of powerful cards before opponents can respond.

Subsequent expansions have only amplified Misty's impact. Mythical Island introduced Vaporeon, enabling energy redistribution among water-types, while Space-Time Smackdown added Manaphy, which increases water energy on the board. These expansions also brought in potent water-type Pokemon like Palkia ex and Gyarados ex, ensuring water decks remain dominant.

The latest expansion, Triumphant Light, introduced Irida, another Supporter card that heals 40 damage from each Pokemon with water-type energy attached. This addition challenges the traditional healing dominance of grass-type decks, allowing water decks to stage comebacks with the help of energy manipulation from cards like Misty, Manaphy, and Vaporeon.

Some TCG experts suggest that DeNA introduced Irida to force players to make strategic choices about which Supporters to include in their limited 20-card decks. However, savvy players have found ways to incorporate both Misty and Irida, maintaining the strength of water decks.

With an upcoming event offering rewards for win streaks, including a coveted gold profile badge for five consecutive wins, the prevalence of water decks is expected to continue. The challenge of achieving such a streak is heightened by the potential for these decks to dominate early game and recover from setbacks, making them a formidable choice for competitive play.