Hi everyone. On the official Pokemon Youtube Channel, there is a new upcoming set for the Pokemon TCG Pocket mobile game. The new set is called Fantastical Parade. Featured Pokemon include Mega Gardevoir and Teal Mask Ogerpon.
Screenshots taken from the Youtube video.
Note: This post is long.
Oricorio & Vanillite
Oricorio is an okay early game attacker that boosts damage during your next turn. I don't know if this is good enough in the metagame.
Vanillite's Chilly attack is good in the early game. One Water Energy for 20 damage is good.
Falinks
Falinks is a Basic 70HP Fighting Pokemon that grows stronger if there is a second Falinks in play. Because the Pocket TCG game allows up to 2 copies of a Pokemon, the Coordinated Unit ability lasts for a short time. If the second Falinks gets Knocked Out or is not in play, then the ability fails.
Teal Mask Ogerpon ex
Teal Mask Ogerpon ex is finally in the Pocket game. The Energized Leaves attack seems kind of weak. For 2 Grass Energy it does 60 base damage. If the amount of Energy is 5 or more from both Active Pokemon then this attack does 60 more damage. In other words, if the opponent's Active Pokemon has 3 or more Energy then Energized Leaves does 120 damage.
The Soothing Wind ability can be useful. Any Pokemon with Energy attached recovers from Special Conditions and can't be affected from Special Conditions. Special Conditions include Asleep, Confusion, Paralysis and Poison. Teal Mask Ogerpon ex can be used in a Grass deck or as a Support Pokemon to prevent Special Conditions.
Mimikyu ex
Mimikyu ex as an attacker is okay but the Disguise ability makes it stand out. The Disguise ability prevents damage from the first attack that deals damage to Mimikyu ex.
The Claw Slash attack is okay. Two Psychic Energy for 70 damage.
Ledian & Pumpkaboo
I do like Ledian's Swift attack. One Energy for 40 damage not affected by Weakness or any effects on the opponent's Active Pokemon. My issue with Ledian is that it is a Stage 1 Pokemon and you need the Ledyba. The firepower is not really there.
Pumpkaboo is an okay Basic Pokemon attacker. One Psychic Energy for 20 damage is okay for the early game.
Meloetta & Galarian Obstagoon
Meloetta looks like a powerful Support Pokemon for Psychic decks. The Strange Singing ability can only be used if Meloetta is in the Active Spot and during the beginning of your turn. Then you put a random Psychic Pokemon from your deck into your hand. Even though the Psychic Pokemon is random, you can potentially get fast setups and fast Psychic evolved Pokemon in play.
Galarian Obstagoon can deal big damage if only the opponent's Active Pokemon has damage on it. My issue with this is that it is a Stage 2 Pokemon. Stage 2 Pokemon are generally kind of difficult to get into play.
Diantha
Diantha is a powerful Supporter card for Psychic Pokemon. Heal 90 damage from 1 of your Psychic Pokemon with 2 or more Psychic Energy attached. For any damage healed in this way, you discard 2 Psychic Energy from that Pokemon.
Piers
Piers is a niche Supporter card that can only be played if you have Galarian Obstagoon in play. Discard 2 random Energy from the opponent's Active Pokemon.
There is a possibility of really slowing down the opponent by discarding 2 random Energy. In every turn, you are allowed to attach 1 Energy manually. Discarding 2 random Energy on an opponent's Pokemon with a high Energy cost for its attack can potentially be game winning.
Sightseer
Sightseer is a niche Supporter card for decks that have Stage 1 Pokemon. It is gamble Supporter card. Look at the top 4 cards of your deck and put all Stage 1 Pokemon you find there and put into your hand. (Shuffle other cards back into your deck.)
Stadium Cards Now in Pocket Game, Peculiar Plaza
Peculiar Plaza is a Stadium card where its effect can be used by both players. The retreat cost for each Psychic Pokemon in play is two less.
With this stadium in play, it is easier for Psychic Pokemon to retreat and switch to a different attacker. A lower retreat cost also helps as you don't discard as much Energy for retreating.
Mega Mawile ex
Mega Mawile ex is a Basic Mega Pokemon with 170HP, a one retreat cost and Fire weakness. The Heat-Up Crunch requires 1 Metal Energy and 1 Colorless Energy to deal 60 damage. This effect allows the Heat-Up Crunch deal 30 more damage every time it is used unless this Mega Mawile leaves the Active Spot.
I don't know if this will be good. The opponent could use a powerful Fire Pokemon to knock this out for the win. There is also Repel or Sabrina to reset the attack damage on Heat-Up Crunch.
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Mega Gardevoir ex
Mega Gardevoir ex in Pocket is very similar to the physical TCG version. Fantasia Force requires 2 Psychic Energy to deal 110 damage and you have 3 Psychic Energy acceleration to your Psychic Pokemon in any way you like.
Cinderace Promo Card
I like Cinderace as a Pokemon but this card is not great. Getting a Stage 2 Pokemon in play is difficult and the Fireball Shot attack is okay for a single Point Pokemon but it lacks firepower. More damage needed to compete against Pokemon ex and Mega Pokemon ex.
Mega Medicham ex Promo Card
Mega Medicham ex Drop Event (Feb. 11 at 10 p.m. PST to Feb. 21 at 9:59 p.m. PST): Players can take on special solo battles to obtain B Series promo packs vol. 4.
Mega Medicham ex is the evolved form of Meditite. This Fighting Mega Stage 1 Pokemon has 180 HP with an unknown retreat cost.
The Chakra Fist attack requires one Fighting Energy and 2 Colourless Energy to deal 100 base damage. If this has any Psychic Energy attached to it, then this attack does 40 more damage.
This Chakra Fist attack also ignores effects on the opponent's Active Pokemon. Defensive walls or abilities that reduce damage are ignored like Oricorio or Furfrou.
Closing Thoughts
The introduction of Stadium cards in the Pocket game does shake things up in terms of gameplay. It does makes Pokemon Pocket a decent introduction to the physical Pokemon TCG game.
Psychic Pokemon get a big boost from this set. I really do think that the higher-ups at Pokemon really like Gardevoir. Gardevoir had too much support in the regular Pokemon TCG and they support it in the Pocket mobile game. If Psychic Pokemon becomes really popular then Dark decks would be a popular counter deck.