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

When Pokémon TCG Pocket first launched, the meta was quickly dominated by a select few decks, with one centered around Misty and water-type Pokémon gaining notoriety for its potential to overpower opponents early on, largely depending on favorable coin flips. This deck's reliance on luck has been a point of contention among players, as losing to it can feel particularly frustrating.

Despite the release of three expansions, the meta has not shifted away from Misty decks as many had hoped. Instead, the latest expansion, Triumphant Light, has introduced a new card, Irida, which further strengthens Misty decks. This has led to growing dissatisfaction among the player base, who are yearning for more variety in the game.

Misty, a Supporter card, allows players to flip a coin until they land on tails, attaching a water-type energy to a chosen water-type Pokémon 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 the opponent can respond effectively.

Subsequent expansions have only amplified Misty's impact. Mythical Island introduced Vaporeon, which can redistribute the bonus energy among water-type Pokémon, while Space-Time Smackdown added Manaphy, further increasing the water energy on the board. These expansions also brought powerful water-type Pokémon like Palkia ex and Gyarados ex, cementing water decks' dominance in the meta.

The introduction of Irida in Triumphant Light adds another layer of strength to water decks. As a Supporter card, Irida can heal 40 damage from each Pokémon with water-type energy attached, enabling significant comebacks. This has traditionally been the domain of grass-type decks, but now water decks can leverage this healing capability, especially with the energy distribution facilitated by Misty, Manaphy, and Vaporeon.

Some experts suggest that DeNA, the game's developer, may have introduced Irida to force players to make strategic choices about which Supporters to include in their 20-card decks. However, many players have found ways to incorporate both Misty and Irida, maintaining the deck's formidable presence.

With an upcoming event in Pokémon TCG Pocket offering rewards for win streaks, including a coveted gold profile badge for five consecutive wins, the prevalence of water decks is expected to be even more pronounced. Given the challenge of achieving such a streak, especially against decks that can dominate early and recover from setbacks, many players are considering joining the water deck trend to compete effectively.