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

When *Pokemon TCG Pocket* first hit the scene, the meta was quickly dominated by a select few decks, with Misty's water-type strategy becoming notorious for its potential to overpower opponents early on, largely dependent on the luck of coin flips. This deck, centered around Misty and her water-type Pokemon, became a source of frustration for many players due to its unpredictable nature and potential for early game dominance.

Fast forward through three expansions, and you might expect new cards to have introduced balance or counters to Misty decks. However, the latest expansion, *Triumphant Light*, has only bolstered Misty's strength, much to the chagrin of the community. Players are increasingly vocal about their desire for more variety in the meta.

Some variety would be appreciated
byu/Mizter_Man inPTCGP

It's not that Misty decks are the absolute strongest in the game, but their reliance on luck makes losing to them particularly frustrating. Misty, a Supporter card, allows players to select a water-type Pokemon and flip coins until they hit tails, attaching a water-type energy for each heads flipped. This can range from zero energy, making the card a wasted slot, to potentially attaching numerous energies, enabling a player to win on their first turn or power up strong cards before opponents can react.

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

The situation has been exacerbated by subsequent expansions that have introduced cards enhancing Misty's potential. *Mythical Island* added Vaporeon, which can freely move energy between water-types, while *Space-Time Smackdown* introduced Manaphy, adding even more water energy to the board. These expansions also brought powerful water-type Pokemon like Palkia ex and Gyarados ex, solidifying water decks' dominance across multiple expansions.

DeNa, What the Heck are You Doing?
byu/HolographicHeart inPTCGP

The latest expansion, *Triumphant Light*, introduces Irida, another Supporter card that heals 40 damage from each Pokemon with water-type energy attached. This card significantly boosts water decks' comeback potential, especially when combined with Misty, Manaphy, and Vaporeon. While some experts suggest Irida might be intended to force players to make strategic choices about deck composition due to the 20-card limit, savvy players have found ways to incorporate both Misty and Irida, further solidifying water decks' position.

Three days away… what will you all be playing?
byu/INDlGO inPTCGP

With a major event on the horizon where players can earn rewards, including a coveted gold profile badge for a five-win streak, the meta is expected to be flooded with water decks. The challenge of achieving such a streak is compounded by the presence of decks capable of early sweeps and mid-game comebacks, making water decks a formidable choice for players aiming to compete successfully.

Given the current state of the meta, it might be wise for players to consider joining the water deck bandwagon if they haven't already, as these decks are likely to remain a dominant force in *Pokemon TCG Pocket* for the foreseeable future.