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

When Pokemon TCG Pocket first launched, the meta quickly became dominated by a select few decks, with Misty's water-type strategy standing out due to its reliance on coin flips to overpower opponents early in the game. This deck, centered around Misty and various water-type Pokemon, has been a source of frustration for many players due to its luck-based mechanics.

Despite the release of three expansions since the game's launch, the dominance of Misty decks persists, much to the chagrin of the community. Instead of introducing cards to counter or diversify the meta, the latest expansion, Triumphant Light, has introduced a new card, Irida, which further bolsters the strength of Misty decks. This has led to growing discontent among players who yearn for more variety in the game's competitive scene.

Some variety would be appreciated
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Misty is a Supporter card with a unique ability that allows players to pick a water-type Pokemon and flip a coin until they land on tails. For each heads flipped, a water-type energy is attached to the chosen Pokemon. This mechanic can range from being a complete waste of a card to a game-changing advantage, depending on the luck of the flips. In extreme cases, a well-timed Misty can lead to a first-turn victory, leaving opponents with no chance to respond.

Why would they ever make a card like this?
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The situation has been exacerbated by subsequent expansions that have introduced cards enhancing Misty's effectiveness. Mythical Island brought Vaporeon, allowing the flexible movement of bonus energy among water-types. Space-Time Smackdown introduced Manaphy, adding more water energy to the board. Both expansions also featured powerful water-type Pokemon like Palkia ex and Gyarados ex, solidifying water decks' top position in the meta.

DeNa, What the Heck are You Doing?
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The introduction of Irida in Triumphant Light has further intensified the issue. Irida, another Supporter card, heals 40 damage from each Pokemon with water-type energy attached, providing water decks with significant comeback potential. While grass-type decks were traditionally the healing experts, Irida shifts this advantage to water decks, especially when combined with the energy manipulation capabilities of Misty, Manaphy, and Vaporeon.

Some experts suggest that DeNA's intention with Irida might be to force players to make strategic decisions about which Supporters to include in their 20-card decks. However, many savvy deckbuilders have found ways to incorporate both Misty and Irida, maintaining the deck's overwhelming advantage.

Three days away… what will you all be playing?
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As Pokemon TCG Pocket gears up for a scheduled event offering rewards for win streaks in its competitive mode, the prevalence of water decks is expected to be even more pronounced. Achieving the coveted gold profile badge by winning five matches in a row is a challenging feat, especially against decks capable of early sweeps and comebacks with cards like Irida. Given the current meta, players may find it advantageous to adopt a water deck themselves to compete effectively.