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

When *Pokémon TCG Pocket* first hit the scene, the meta was swiftly dominated by a select few decks, with one in particular causing a stir: the Misty and water-type Pokémon deck. This deck became infamous for its ability to overpower opponents early on, largely depending on the luck of coin flips.

Despite the release of three subsequent expansions, the meta has not shifted away from Misty decks as one might expect. Instead, the latest expansion has introduced a new card that amplifies the strength of these decks, leaving many players frustrated and yearning for more variety in the game.

Some variety would be appreciated
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It's not that Misty decks are the most powerful in the game; rather, it's the luck-based nature of Misty that makes losing to them particularly frustrating. Misty, a Supporter card, allows players to select a water-type Pokémon and flip coins until they land on tails, attaching a water-type energy for each heads flipped. This mechanic can result in anywhere from zero to numerous energy attachments, potentially enabling a first-turn win or powering up strong cards before the opponent can respond.

Why would they ever make a card like this?
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The situation has worsened with each new expansion, as cards like Vaporeon from *Mythical Island* and Manaphy from *Space-Time Smackdown* have further bolstered Misty decks. These cards allow for the flexible movement and addition of water energy, supporting powerful water-type Pokémon like Palkia ex and Gyarados ex. As a result, water decks have remained at the top of the meta across multiple expansions.

DeNa, What the Heck are You Doing?
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The latest expansion, *Triumphant Light*, introduces Irida, another Supporter card that can heal 40 damage from each Pokémon with water-type energy attached. This addition allows water decks to stage significant comebacks, further solidifying their dominance. While grass-type decks were previously known for healing, Irida shifts this advantage to water decks.

Some experts suggest that DeNA introduced Irida to force players to make strategic choices about which Supporters to include in their limited 20-card decks. However, many players have found ways to incorporate both Misty and Irida, maintaining the deck's strength.

Three days away… what will you all be playing?
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With a competitive event on the horizon, where players can earn rewards like a gold profile badge for winning five matches in a row, the prevalence of water decks is expected to be even more pronounced. Given the challenge of achieving such a win streak, especially against decks that can dominate early and recover with cards like Irida, many players are considering joining the water deck trend to compete effectively.