A Complete Guide to ‘Asleep’ Special Condition

Pokemon TCG Pocket‘s Promo-A Vol. 2 cards introduced a new Jigglypuff, sparking renewed discussions about one key Special Condition: Asleep. To help you navigate this new deviation in the metagame, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide. It starts with a simple explanation of the Asleep condition for beginners, covers all cards that can inflict it, and wraps up with a deck build designed to take advantage of it. Here’s everything you need to know about Asleep in Pokemon TCG Pocket.

What Is “Asleep” in Pokemon TCG Pocket?

Also known as the “sleep status,” Asleep is a Special Condition that prevents an Active Pokemon from attacking or retreating. Once applied, the Asleep Pokemon must flip a coin during the round’s checkup. If it’s tails, the Pokemon stays Asleep (unable to attack or retreat) for another round.

The in-game description states, “Asleep Pokemon cannot attack or retreat. The player whose Pokemon is Asleep flips a coin during each Pokemon Checkup. If heads, the Pokemon recovers. If tails, it stays Asleep.”

Asleep is one of the three Special Conditions in Pokemon TCG Pocket, alongside Paralyzed and Poisoned. (Confused and Burned might be introduced in future updates.)

Asleep vs. Paralyzed

Both Asleep and Paralyzed prevent the enemy from attacking or retreating, but they differ in duration. Asleep requires a successful coin toss to end, while Paralyzed is automatically removed after one round, with no action needed from the enemy.

Which Cards Have the Asleep Ability?

• Jigglypuff PA-22 (Promo-A)
• Wigglytuff ex
• Vileplume
• Hypno
• Frosmoth

Before the Venusaur Drop Event, only four cards could apply Asleep: Wigglytuff ex, Vileplume, Hypno, and Frosmoth. The event added another card to this roster by introducing a new Jigglypuff with the “Sing” ability, which puts the enemy to sleep.

This new Promo-A Jigglypuff is the only Asleep applier that doesn’t deal damage. All other Pokemon on the list inflict the status after dealing damage. Hypno’s Sleep Pendulum, however, can apply Asleep from the bench since it’s an Ability, not an Attack.

How Do You Recover from Asleep?

There are three ways to remove the Asleep Special Condition: Retreat, Evolution, and Supporter abilities.

• Evolution is the most reliable counterplay. Evolving the Active Pokemon removes all Special Conditions, including Asleep.
• Retreating removes all Special Conditions, as they only affect the Active Pokemon. However, Asleep prevents Retreats, so you’ll need to force a Retreat. For example, Koga—a Supporter card—can bench Weezing and Muk, regardless of their status effects.
• Some Supporter cards can counter Asleep. Koga, for example, forces a Retreat, which awakens the Asleep Pokemon.

Asleep cannot stack up with Paralyzed and Confused.

What Is the Best Asleep Deck?

With the release of Promo-A Jigglypuff, a solid Asleep deck to try is Wigglytuff ex with Frosmoth and Articuno. You’ll also need Ram for Frosmoth’s evolution. For Supporters and Item cards, include Misty, Sabrina, Professor’s Research, X Speed, and Poke Ball.

Asleep Deck Details

This deck likely won’t net you many wins and is better suited as a meme deck to annoy your opponents. Since the game’s launch, Wigglytuff ex has struggled to rank high on Pokemon Pocket’s tier list, and the release of Promo-A Jigglypuff doesn’t seem to be enough to push it higher on the ladder.

Another lineup to try with the new Jigglypuff is a Hypno deck. For this, you’ll need the Drowzee-Hypno evolution line, along with Jigglypuff and Wigglytuff’s.