Summary
- The Triumphant Light expansion pack introduced new trainer cards that offer legitimate utility.
- Unique artwork in the expansion includes stunning illustrations of Pokemon like Marill and Shaymin.
- Cards like Houndoom capture different tones, from intimidating to whimsical, offering a variety of styles.
The Triumphant Light expansion pack brought a whole host of new cards to Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket. While, of course, you can talk about which cards are the best or the strongest, there’s something each card has that still pulls trainers to them, and that is the art.
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With 90 cards (including those hidden until you collect them), there’s a lot of artwork to admire. And, ultimately, compare. Which of these new additions deserves to be named one of the best illustrated?
10
Arceus
Rarity: Three Diamonds
It’s a little nervy to place god in the bottom spot of the list, but here we are. However, this version of Arceus deserved a spot on the list because of both the impressive range of colors used and the composition of the image, making Arceus appear like the powerful being they are.
Even the stone pillars that rise up into the sky seem to be bending themselves to surround Arceus. All of this forces your eyes to move from the edges of the card back to Arceus at the center. And you have to wonder about the brightest star in the sky. Or maybe it’s a cell phone falling into the legendary past.
9
Marill
Rarity: One Diamond
There is a reason there’s a mission to collect three of these cards, and an even bigger reason the reward for that is a new player icon. It’s because this art of Marill floating on their own tail during a pink sunset is the definition of adorable. Go grab a dictionary. The article will be here when you get back from confirming this fact.
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It’s a sweet, peaceful, wholesome scene that shows off the aqua mouse Pokemon in an environment that you hope exists outside of battles and competitive play. Honestly, make some room Marill. Everyone could use this sort of vacation right now.
8
Shaymin
Rarity: One Star
If this wasn’t printed on a Pokemon card, you could think this was a watercolor of some Italian or French archway in the spring when all the flowers are blooming. Instead, well, it is a Pokemon card you can pull out and shock your opponent with.
The colors and the lighting used in this image make it look so dreamy and elegant. It’s too bad this isn’t an immersive card. You probably wouldn’t be alone in replaying the video to explore this imaginative background while being guided by the mythical Pokemon.
7
Arceus ex
Rarity: Three Star, Immersive
If the three-diamond card made Arceus look like an important and powerful figure, this card pushes that narrative to the max. Arceus seems to appear in the middle of a decimated and ruined landscape with bright light shining behind them, literally the appearance of god in the Pokemon world.
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When it comes to the animation Arceus stays in the center while all the Arceus Link Pokemon are shown as the camera continues to pan in a circle around the divine Pokemon. It’s an epic way to show off each of the Pokemon picked for such an honor. Does that make them saints? Angels?
6
Unown
Rarity: One Star
Hidden away deeply within a temple, cave, or the like is a grouping of Unown, clinging to the wall, tucked safely away from the world. Besides the artwork being absolutely stunning, like you’ve made some historic discovery, there is another neat detail hidden in plain sight.
The Unown in the picture happen to spell out the Pokemon’s ability: Check. It adds just another layer of detail that makes the digital cards worth examining over and over. And might tip the scale for some players who may not have given this card much attention.
5
Marill
Rarity: One Star
Do you know what’s better than one Marill floating happily in a small body of water? A bunch of Marill floating happily in a bigger body of water. The top-down perspective sets this art apart from how most cards display Pokemon, usually preferring to at least be on the same visual plane as the subject ‘mon.
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The style of the art is also different from the majority of cards as it really leans into the cartoony appeal of Pokemon, focusing on more circular shapes than just the Marill, adding in pops of color through lily pads. And, similar to some past Pikachu artwork used for binders and card sleeves, the different expressions make it fun to keep looking at the card.
4
Houndoom
Rarity: One Star
Stow aside your love of whimsy and sweet charm. Instead, feel the bit of fear that rises up in your chest. If this was the Houndoom that showed up to fight you in the beginning of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, you’d really question if you were going to make it out of the cave and to the rest of the game.
This card not only attempts but succeeds at making Houndoom look intimidating, like a hellhound you’d expect to see in games far more horror-based than Pokemon. And the deep color palette that captures you being alone with this beast at night. Try not to shudder.
3
Magnemite
Rarity: One Star
Anyway, back to the cute and cuddly side of Pokemon. This Magnemite card captures a special, child-like whimsy. Especially the Magnemite that is most centered, their eye showing off such a happy expression. They are just pleased as punch to be featured as a one star card!
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The bright colors lean into those joyful feelings. Not bright in an overpowering sense, but in the bold way where there’s no darkness or shadows. Nothing spooky or eerie here. You’ll probably see this in a lot of display boards if you check the Community Showcase.
2
Leafeon ex
Rarity: Two Stars
The rainbow border tells you this card is just built different. On htis card, it blends so well with the art, making it believable that the lighting in this tranquil scene could cause a rainbow to cascade from the card into your hand.
Beyond the lighting, Leafeon is adorable, curled up in the grass and wildflowers of the Pokemon world. Perhaps they’re not too far from the Mossy Rock that triggers their evolution. Well, Eevee’s evolution. Thankfully, you don’t need to find a hidden rock to play this Leafeon.
Unlike in the mainline Pokemon games, most Pokemon cards do not need an item card to evolve. However, fossil Pokemon do need a fossil item placed as a Basic Pokemon.
1
Garchomp ex
Rarity: Two Stars
Garchomp said ‘I will fight god on sight’, and is doing just that. This card captures a snapshot of a fierce battle raging on between the mach Pokemon and Arceus. Arceus, the pokemon that spawns in a mote of light, granting power to all of those Pokemon.
The dynamic poses of both Pokemon help enforce that epic feeling with a scene to match. You can picture how the rest of the fight will go. Garchomp will dive bomb down toward Arceus, just barely missing the move Arceus has been charging up. Who do you think will win?
- Released
-
October 30, 2024
- Publisher(s)
-
The Pokemon Company