In the world of TCGs, cards are not made equal. Pokemon TCG Pocket is no different, with certain cards being objectively better than others in all aspects. It’s clear the game favors EX cards, balancing them around the risk of giving your opponent two points upon an EX Pokemon fainting. Even among said EX cards, though, Mewtwo, Charizard, Pikachu, and some others remain the best in the game.
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However, despite the meta revolving around these cards, some hidden gems not only rival their counterparts but can even be better at times. With most players focusing on their unbeatable Starmie deck, here are some underrated, off-meta cards that can help you win against the best decks in the game.
9
Arbok
Stop Opposing Pokemon From Retreating
Pokemon Pocket is all about defeating opposing Pokemon while saving your own. The main method you use to save your Pokemon from giving away points is to use Retreat when they’re low on health. Arbok’s Corner deals a decent amount of damage and stops the enemy from using the Retreat mechanic the next turn, ensuring you get another hit in.
With how strong Sabrina is, it’s easy to see why Arbok can be a troublesome foe to deal with as well. It might not have the raw damage output to finish the enemies it corners, but you can simply switch away to a different Pokemon to defeat the enemy on your turn, saving Arbok’s Corner for another enemy.
8
Lilligant
Energy Support For Grass-Type Decks
It’s no secret that some of the best cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket include Moltres, Misty, Gardevoir, and other energy acceleration cards. However, one card that is often overlooked is Lilligant. Its ability, Leaf Supply, deals damage and also gives one Grass-Type Energy to one of your benched Pokemon.
Granted, it has some drawbacks over other cards. It isn’t a Supporter, for example, meaning you need to have it on board and evolved before it can do anything. It also needs two Energy before it can start functioning and at least two turns to evolve. On the flip side, this means Lilligant can function as a tank while also dealing damage, something that Moltres or Misty cannot do.
7
Farfetch’d
Superb Opener
Certain base Pokemon are balanced around the fact that they cannot evolve or have access to other benefits, giving them better stats to make up for this. Farfetch’d is one such Pokemon, with a moderate 60 HP and a very fearsome 40 damage attack on just one colorless energy.
Farfetch’d might not do anything to break the game, but it’s one of the strongest cards to start the game with. If your opponent can’t find a way to deal with it after being hit once, Farfetch’d can very easily get you that first point right as the match starts, making it a lot riskier for your opponent to send in an EX.
6
Gengar EX
Stops Enemies From Playing Supporters
Gengar EX, on its own, is a relatively decent card. The 170 HP stat line saves it from meta cards such as Mewtwo and Pikachu. It also deals a decent amount of damage, 100 at three Psychic-Type Energy. However, what makes this card truly shine is its Ability, Shadowy Spellbind.
Shadowy Spellbind is a passive ability that stops your opponent from playing Supporters. To understand how strong this is, you have to look at some Supporter cardsin meta decks. Having an early Gengar EX on the board stops them from playing Professor Oak, making it more difficult for them to get their combo pieces. Similarly, Gengar EX is completely immune to Sabrina, which is a staple in every popular deck. Gengar is also an amazing counter to cards like Giovanni that rely on bursting you down and Koga’s ability to recycle Weezing cards.
5
Dragonite
Huge RNG Damage To Bench And The Active Pokemon
Dragonite has access to one of the strongest abilities in the game, though there is some luck involved. Draco Meteor deals 50 damage to random enemies four times, including those on the bench. Not only is this skill amazing for wiping out low HP back-row Pokemon, but a lucky streak can also very easily deal 150-200 damage to a singular Pokemon, one-shotting any ex in the game, even if they’re benched.
Dragonite requires two Colorless-Type Energies along with the specific ones.
Another benefit of putting Dragonite in your deck is how easy it is to get it working in Dual-Energy decks. Since it only needs one Water-Type and one Electric-Type Energy specifically, you can sacrifice the consistency needed for Mewtwo or Charizard decks.
4
Kangaskhan
Knock Out Pokemon Turn One
People often overlook just how important having a stronger opener tank in Pokemon Pocket is. Losing that first point makes you more prone to losing the entire match to a Sabrina putting your benched ex onto the active spot. Fortunately, one of the best Pokemon to start the game with, Kangaskhan, is colorless, meaning you can put it in any deck
Kangaskhan’s Dizzy Punch has you flip two coins, dealing 30 damage for each heads. While there is RNG involved, and you can deal no damage whatsoever, if you manage to hit two heads, you can one-shot many other starter cards that have 60 HP. This gives you that integral first point while also wasting the opponent’s resources.
3
Exeggutor
Cheap And Easy 80 Damage
Exeggutor might not do as much damage as some of the more popular EX picks, but that doesn’t mean it’s a card to be underestimated. Exeggutor’s Tropical Swing requires only a single Grass-Type Energy and deals 40 damage at base. Additionally, if you flip a coin and get head, this deals double the damage, totaling 80.
Not only is an 80-damage attack for one Energy unprecedented for any other card, but Exeggutor’s 160 HP gives you enough time to attack more than once since you can’t be one-shot by most cards. This tankiness is even more important due to Exeggutor being a Grass-Type since you can now use Erika along with your potions to keep healing it.
2
Weezing
Retreat And Heal For Free
There aren’t many Darkness-type Pokemon in the game, but Weezing might be one of the best ones. On its own, it’s a relatively underwhelming card that can deal 30 damage with its Tackle. Weezing also has an Ability that lets you afflict the Poison status on the opposing Pokemon, dealing ten damage whenever you attack them or when the turn ends.
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While none of this is bad, it’s certainly nothing to write home about. What makes Weezing one of the most underrated cards in Pokemon Pocket is the existence of Koga, a Supporter card that lets you put Weezing back in hand. This gives you a free retreat while also completely healing any damage done to Weezing. You can then simply recycle it back on board, frustrating the enemy.
1
Koga
Cycle Your Pokemon
We’ve already talked about Koga and how strong his combo is with Weezing. Saving a low HP Pokemon on your side by healing them to full is one of the strongest abilities in a game where the focus is on defeating Pokemon. This card also makes for some fun finishers as a makeshift Giovanni when paired with Weezing, letting you use his Gas Leak Ability to Poison an enemy and then switch to a different Pokemon to deal the last blow.
Koga also functions very well with Muk. While Muk isn’t nearly as strong as Weezing, the two can be paired up for some devastating combos since Muk deals bonus damage to those afflicted with Poison. If you have both in the deck, having a Koga gives you absurd amounts of flexibility in how to approach any situation.
- Released
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October 30, 2024
- Publisher(s)
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The Pokemon Company
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer