The Gible Drop event is running at full steam in Pokémon TCG Pocket, introducing several new promo cards from the Triumphant Light themed booster pack.
Aside from a stunning full art Gible, the promos also feature Raichu, Cherrim, Nosepass, and Staraptor.
So, how do these new cards perform? Let’s find out!
The Gible card depicts a full-art version of the existing Gible card from the Triumphant Light set. Raichu and Cherrim are alternate art reprints, while Nosepass and Staraptor are new cards with new attacks. All of them have stamps to mark them as promo cards.
Gible
Gible is the main card of this promo set and the aim is to use it in Garchomp EX decks. The Garchomp EX card is a mixed bag, having strong moves to its credit but sort of held back with the Stage 2 evolution requirement. Moreover, its best move, Dragon Claw, deals only 100 DMG.
If you’re lucky enough to draw the entire Gible evolution line early, you’re in for a good match but more often than not, it takes time to set up Garchomp EX. You can hold fire with Fighting-type stalwarts like the new Sudowoodo and back up the deck with Lucario and Rampardos but the issue is that by the time you have Garchomp EX ready to go, your opponent would have high-damage hitting EX cards ready as well. In fact, against insane threats like Arceus EX, you may not even have Garchomp EX ready. S
So, while you can certainly create some fun decks with Garchomp EX, the gorgeous art accompanying Gible promo and Grachomp EX Rainbow and 2 Star rares make this line more of a collectible.
Also, keep in mind that Lucario’s +20 DMG from its Fighting Coach ability works on Garchomp EX (+40 DMG with two Lucario) but the Cynthia Supporter card doesn’t. Cynthia only syncs with the regular Dragon-type Grachop card from Space-Time Smackdown.
Raichu
Triumphant Light Raichu is one of the select few Pokémon that benefit from having an Arceus/Arceus EX card in the deck as the Link mechanism activates some in-battle effect. In Raichu’s case, you take 30 less damage from the opponent’s attacks thanks to its Resilience Link ability.
To be fair, Heatran and Tyranitar have gained prominence among the ‘Link’ Pokémon in this set and Raichu isn’t the most impressive. It can work as a decent stall Pokémon (that also inflicts damage) in the Active Spot while you charge up Arceus and Pachirisu EX but that’s about it.
Cherrim
Cherrim isn’t the most spectacular battler but it can be forgiven for that given how adorable this promo is! Just look at Cherrim here, isn’t it super cute?!
It’s not useless though. You can still try it out on Grass decks. But hey, for a deck built on healing with Erika and potions, and the second coming of Celebi EX courtesy of the new Leafeon EX card, Cherrim is easily replaceable by a Trainer card.
Nosepass
Believe it or not, Nosepass is arguably the most useful card from this promo release! I kid you not, its evolution Probopass EX is a severely underrated card that can work like a fortress in Metal decks alongside Dialga EX.
In just two turns, Probopass EX can take over the Active Spot from Dialga EX and tanks hits with its high 160 HP (180 HP with Giant Cape) + 20 less damage when its Defensive Unit move is used + a further 20 less damage with the Adaman Trainer card. Add Potions into play and Probopass EX can sponge hits while threatening a 2-OHKO to nearly every Pokémon in TCG Pocket. Probopass EX is a severely underrated card that is bound to pick up usage as the meta progresses.
Do prioritize this one. A head from a coin flip prevents all damage to Nosepass, setting up Probopass EX more efficiently.
Staraptor
Staraptor is a new card with its regular version existing in the Triumphant Light set and unfortunately, the regular is better than the promo.
The regular Staraptor card boasts a massive 150 HP and for the same 3 Energy, it does 130 DMG. It also does 20 DMG to itself but you have Potions for that. This promo has lower HP and does only 90 DMG. Disappointing and maybe the worst promo from this lot. Even its ability is just decent, so nothing to talk about there.
This promo event isn’t too impactful in the meta so, justdo it mainly for the collection.
Happy collecting and battling, TCG Pocket-ers!
