The Pokémon TCG Pocket meta initially saw a few dominant decks, notably the Misty water-type deck. Its reliance on coin flips for energy attachment made it frustrating to play against, as a lucky streak could lead to overwhelming early-game power, while an unlucky streak rendered the Misty card nearly useless.
Three expansions later, instead of countering Misty decks, the latest expansion, Triumphant Light, introduced a card that significantly boosts their strength: the Irida Supporter card. This has left many players feeling disheartened.
The issue isn't necessarily Misty's raw power; it's the frustrating luck-based element. Misty allows players to flip coins, attaching a Water-type energy for each heads. This can result in anything from zero energy (a wasted turn) to an overwhelming surge of power, potentially securing a turn-one victory. This inherent randomness makes losses feel particularly unfair.
Subsequent expansions exacerbated the problem. Mythical Island introduced Vaporeon, enabling easy energy manipulation between Water-type Pokémon. Space-Time Smackdown added Manaphy, further boosting energy generation. Powerful Pokémon like Palkia ex and Gyarados ex capitalized on this energy surplus, solidifying Water decks' dominance.
Irida, from Triumphant Light, adds insult to injury. This Supporter card heals 40 damage from each Water-type Pokémon with attached energy, giving Water decks significant recovery capabilities. Previously, Grass-type decks were the healing specialists; now, Water decks possess potent healing alongside their already formidable energy generation.
Some TCG experts suggest Irida was intended to diversify the meta by forcing players to choose between Misty and Irida due to deck size limitations (20 cards). The abundance of strong Water cards means players must strategically decide which Supporters to include. However, many players have found ways to utilize both cards effectively.
An upcoming in-game event further highlights the problem. The event rewards players for winning consecutive matches, a feat significantly hampered by the potential for swift defeats at the hands of well-played Misty decks. The prevalence of these decks is expected to make achieving high rewards incredibly challenging.
Given the current meta, considering a Water-type deck yourself might be a strategic move for the upcoming event and the foreseeable future.
