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

When Pokémon TCG Pocket first launched, the meta quickly became dominated by a small handful of decks, with one centered around Misty and water-type Pokémon gaining notoriety due to its ability to overpower opponents early on, largely dependent on coin flips. This deck's luck-based nature made losses feel particularly frustrating for players.

Three expansions later, one might expect that new cards would have emerged to counter or replace Misty decks. However, the latest expansion, Triumphant Light, has only strengthened these decks further, much to the dismay of many players. The community is increasingly calling for more variety in the game.

Some variety would be appreciated
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Misty, a Supporter card, allows players to pick a water-type Pokémon and flip coins until they land on tails, attaching a water-type energy for each heads flipped. This mechanic can result in anywhere from zero to numerous energy attachments, potentially enabling a first-turn win or powering up strong cards before opponents can defend effectively.

Why would they ever make a card like this?
byu/EfficientTrainer3206 inPTCGP

Subsequent expansions have exacerbated the issue. Mythical Island introduced Vaporeon, which allows energy to be freely moved between water-types, while Space-Time Smackdown added Manaphy, which adds more water energy to the board. These expansions also brought powerful water-type Pokémon like Palkia ex and Gyarados ex, keeping water decks at the top of the meta.

DeNa, What the Heck are You Doing?
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The Triumphant Light expansion introduced Irida, another Supporter card that heals 40 damage from each Pokémon with water-type energy attached. This card has shifted the healing advantage from grass-type decks to water-type decks, enhancing their comeback potential.

Some experts suggest that Irida was added to force players to make strategic decisions about which Supporters to include in their 20-card decks, potentially crowding out Misty. However, many players have successfully integrated both cards into their decks.

Three days away… what will you all be playing?
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As Pokémon TCG Pocket prepares for a competitive event where players can earn rewards, including a coveted gold profile badge for a five-match win streak, the prevalence of water decks is expected to be high. Given the current meta, participating with a water deck may be advantageous for those aiming to compete effectively.