Pokemon TCG Pocket's Triumphant Light Expansion Just Gave Water Decks Another Powerful Card, and Everyone's a Little Over It

The Pokémon TCG Pocket meta has been dominated by a small number of decks since launch, notably those centered around Misty and water-type Pokémon. Initially criticized for its reliance on coin flips, the Misty deck's power has only increased with subsequent expansions.

Three expansions later, instead of being countered, Misty decks have been significantly strengthened, leading to player frustration. The issue isn't necessarily Misty's raw power, but the intensely frustrating experience of losing due to unpredictable coin flip outcomes. Misty's ability to attach multiple water-type energies based on coin flips can lead to overwhelming early game advantages, or conversely, a complete waste of a turn.

Subsequent expansions exacerbated the problem. Mythical Island introduced Vaporeon, enabling energy manipulation, while Space-Time Smackdown added Manaphy, further boosting energy availability. Powerful water-type Pokémon like Palkia ex and Gyarados ex capitalized on this energy surplus, solidifying water decks' dominance.

Triumphant Light introduced Irida, another Supporter card that heals water-type Pokémon, further enhancing the deck's resilience. While grass-type decks previously held the healing advantage, Irida allows water decks to stage significant comebacks.

Some TCG experts suggest DeNA, the developer, introduced Irida to counter Misty's dominance, forcing deckbuilding choices. The 20-card deck limit necessitates strategic card selection, potentially leading players to choose Irida over Misty. However, many players successfully incorporate both cards into their decks.

The upcoming regularly-scheduled event, offering rewards for win streaks in online competitive play, will likely see a surge in water decks. The difficulty in achieving a five-match win streak is amplified by the potential for swift defeats at the hands of well-played Misty decks, making it a strategic choice to either counter them or utilize the deck oneself. The prevalence of water decks is expected to persist for the foreseeable future.