With the Shining Revelry expansion accompanying the first-ever Ranked season in Pokémon TCG Pocket has become its most competitive yet. To add to the charm, this shiny new set has introduced a bunch of meta-defining Trainer cards that are proving to be game-changers in even the most intense battles.
So without any ado, let’s delve into every new Trainer card up for grabs in the Shining Revelry set and understand how to use them best.
Red
Iconic Pokémon trainer Red is the top Supporter card from the Shining Revelry expansion. This card is essentially a buffed Giovanni, inflicting +20 DMG but against EX Pokémon in particular.
Considering that EX cards are the norm in almost every battle, this Supporter is incredible. With this assist, Mewtwo EX deals 170 DMG, enough to OHKO even Giant Caped Giratina EX, Arceus EX, Dialga EX, and even opposing Mewtwo EX. On the other hand, Giratina EX uses Red to OHKO non-Cape versions of most Pokémon.
Even non-EX cards like Meowscarada and Rampardos can use Red to dish out a crazy 150 DMG against EX mons. It also makes Sudowoodo all the more deadly.
Red has become a mandatory card in every deck as one simply cannot resist having something that does extra damage to EX cards. This card is often responsible for getting you the win, so be sure to stick at least one in your decks.
Pokémon Center Lady
After Erika (Genetic Apex) and Irida (Triumphant Light), we finally have a generic healing Supporter card in Pokémon TCG Pocket that applies to any type. Aside from healing 30 DMG, it also recovers the recipient of Special Conditions like Poison, Sleep, Paralysis, etc. Add two Potions and you can heal up to 70 DMG in a turn!
With Shining Revelry bringing a slew of high HP (>150) EX cards such as Charizard (180), Beedrill (170), Tinkaton (170), Clodsire (160), and Bibarel (160), and with Red around, healing these cards and keeping their HP afloat from 150 DMG hits is key to surviving battles.
Also, in Druddigon mirror bouts with Dakrai EX and Giratina EX on the Bench, this card can be pivotal in getting you a +1 KO, paving the way to your victory in the match.
Not to mention, Pokémon Center Lady can work wonders in present and future decks employing Erika and/or Irida, making for highly competitive sets.
The only issue with Pokémon Center Lady is that she should have been called Nurse Joy, lol!
Iono
Iono is a mixed bag. If you’re not happy with how the cards in your Hand look, Iono gives it a refresh and chances are rife that you would draw favorable cards by drawing the same number of cards again. But, keep in mind that your opponent is drawing a new Hand as well. It’s all RNG… you could have made your opponent lose cards like Red, evolutionary lines, or other live-saving cards and pretty much sealed yourself the win. Or, you actually helped your opponent and they end up snatching the win thanks to Iono.
Anyway, Iono does help decks with Stage 2 cards like Gyarados EX, Charizard EX, Meowscarada, and Rampardos. On that note, one instance Iono saved my match was when I faced a Fighting-type deck and I noticed the opponent confidently impart Energy to Skull Fossil and then Cranidos. I had a strong hunch that Rampardos was coming in next so I pulled Iono and guess what? They conceded! So, it’s a gamble with Iono but it can certainly become a match-winner in tight situations.
Team Rocket Grunt
The Team Rocket Grunt card is Misty inverse and equally (or more) frustrating since you’re going to find it in any deck, not just Water. So, if your opponent is stacking up Energy for high-octane moves, you may neutralize them completely if this Team Rocket Grunt card gets heads (ideally more of them) till you reach tails. As many heads you get, that many Energies on your opponent are deleted. Scared of that Giratina EX with 4 Energy or Charizard EX with 5 Energy as you bring forward your next card to the Active Spot? Well, use Team Rocket Grunt and if luck favors you, your opponent will lose enough Energy to not be able to use its move the turn, leaving it as a sitting duck, forcing it to retreat, or just take the loss if they don’t have means to bring another card.
Yes, tails make the card useless just like Misty getting tails on the first coin flip, but the reward is a high ceiling if you get those sweet heads from the flips.
Every Trainer card from Shining Revelry is great and undoubtedly more useful than the Triumphant Light expansion. These cards would prove instrumental in climbing the ladder in Ranked battles so strategize your decks well when it comes to the Trainer cards.
Happy collecting and battling, TCG Pocket-ers!
