Summary
Not all players are happy with the recent announcement forPokemon TCG Pocket’s next expansion, Shining Revelry, releasing as early as next Thursday - just one month after Triumphant Light, which also came out just one month after Space-Time Smackdown. Yet, Shining Revelry will inevitably be a success if the physical version of the game is any indication, as sets based on shiny Pokemon tend to do very well in terms of sales. Just a handful of cards have been officially revealed so far in the trailer, with the expansion being confirmed to include 110 newPokemon TCG Pocketcards with no mention of secret rares. Of these, one new card seems set to break away from a staple gameplay restriction.
The trailer already revealed some powerful cards coming with Shining Revelry, and fans may want to get them as soon as possible for new decks. An example isPokemon TCG Pocket’s new Red card, based on the iconic trainer from the games, which allows an attacking critter to deal 20 more damage to opposing Ex cards in the active spot. Yet, another card that stands out from the current lineup is Giratina Ex, which can finally allow players to make the most out of going first.
Pokemon TCG Pocket Finally Allows Players to Attach Energy When Going First
Giratina Ex is not directly shown in the trailer like shiny Charizard Ex, Lucario Ex, Pachirisu, or other cards. Instead, it is one of thenew Ex cardsbelonging to specific decks for the missions tied to Shining Revelry. This Pokemon has an ability called Broken-Space Bellow, which allows Giratina Ex to take one Psychic Energy and attach it to itself once per turn, but when the ability is used, the user’s turn ends. This can be a big drawback because it means players cannot attack, but it completely negates the disadvantage of going first.
Going first inPokemon TCG Pockethas long been considered too harsh, as it exposes players to being attacked on turn one by their opponents without the ability to do much about it. Whenever one goes first, they cannot attach Energy to their active Pokemon if not by using alternative methods, like the powerful Misty Supporter card. This is still quite uncommon even for meta decks, and the ways to achieve this are extremely limited. There may be more in the future, though, as Giratina Ex proves - but it’s likely they will come with some form of drawback.
Why Shining Revelry’s Giratina Ex is Great Even After Its Turn-One Ability
Even then, though, Giratina Ex has 150 HP and an attack called Chaotic Impact, which deals 130 damage and then 20 back to Giratina Ex. As such, being able to completely ignore the restriction of going first in a match by giving Giratina Ex one Psychic Energy for free is amazing, and it levels the playing field quite a bit. On top of that, Giratina Ex doesn’t have to be in the active spot to use Broken-Space Bellow, meaning that players can safely play it on the bench and protect it while building it with cards likePokemon TCG Pocket’s Druddigon.
Although its 4-Energy attack does not compare well with other similar attacks in terms of damage and drawback, it can be effectively used on turn three of any game provided Giratina Ex is played from the get-go. Protecting Giratina Ex on the bench with something like Regirock, Druddigon, or other stall decks inPokemon TCG Pocketcan help it build four Energy very easily and safely, making it a great card for many decks. Furthermore, it builds its Psychic Energy on its own, meaning it could be used in any kind of deck if players want, givingPokemon TCG Pocket’s metamore variety.
