3 Gen 4 Pokémon That Deserve New TCG Cards

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As a devoted fan, I often find myself in a dilemma when it comes to choosing which Pokémon to feature in a new expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game (PTCG). With over a thousand unique creatures to pick from, making a decision can be quite challenging! The designers and developers tend to lean towards popular Pokémon such as Charizard, Pikachu, or Eevee due to their widespread fame. However, these beloved characters already have numerous card variations spread across various PTCG booster packs.

It’s truly exhilarating when lesser-known creatures like Chingling receive new designs after a decade since their last one! And let’s not forget that other Pokémon from Generation 4 also deserve their moment in the limelight now that Chingling might finally get some recognition.

Based on a recent announcement, there’s a possibility that a new Chingling card might be part of the upcoming Japanese Team Rocket Glory collection. This would mark the first time a Chingling card is released in over 15 years; its last appearance was in the Platinum – Supreme Victors set from 2009. The new Chingling card could force an opponent to discard a random face-down card among their cards. Many baby creatures from Generation Four have received updated designs, but none can match the variety seen among more popular Pokemon.

Generation 4 Has Many Baby Pokemon that Deserve Newer Releases

Many Pokemon from Generation 4 have garnered widespread popularity across different types of Pokemon games, such as Lucario with more than 52 unique versions of its base card. This is not surprising given their appealing character designs, which translate into effective moves for competition or attractive artwork for collecting. On the other hand, it appears that Baby Pokemon often receive less attention. For instance, Munchlax, a well-liked Generation 4 baby, only has five different cards. Some, like Budew, Bonsly, and Mantyke, have even fewer variations.

Bonsly

In the year 2006, Bonsly was initially introduced to the world of Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) via the Diamond & Pearl series. Its initial version featured an ability called Fake Tears, which was costless and prevented opponents from using Trainer Cards, while also reducing damage from attacks on the opponent’s next turn by 30 if the player successfully flipped a coin to heads. The latest version of Bonsly in the TCG appeared in 2023, in the Obsidian Flames set. This time, its ability is called Blubbering, which inflicts 10 damage on and confuses the opponent’s active Pokemon. Interestingly, Bonsly can also evolve into Sudowoodo if the player holds it in their hand. It’s been just two years since the latest card iteration of Bonsly, but it only has two variations, which is significantly fewer than its fellow Generation 4 companions.

Mantyke

Mantyke is a baby form that evolves into Mantine. Initially introduced in the games Diamond and Pearl during Generation Four, it was only equipped with the ability Call for Friends, enabling players to search their deck for a basic Water Pokemon to add to their hand. Two later versions of Mantyke (standard and full art) were launched about 16 years later as part of the Paradox Rift series. This updated version of Mantyke possesses the ability Buoyant Healing, which heals 120 damage from one of the player’s benched Pokemon.

Budew

In the Diamond and Pearl series, Budew possessed both Psychic and Grass type cards. Its unique ability allowed players to choose a Pokemon from their deck, but they had to reveal it to their opponent before incorporating it into their hand. On the other hand, its Prismatic Evolutions card introduces Itchy Pollen, which inflicts 10 points of damage and prohibits the adversary from utilizing item cards during their next turn. This updated version is a preferred choice in the current meta, as it eliminates the need for players to use essential Item Cards, potentially altering the course of a game.

4th Generation Baby Pokemon might appear insignificant in a deck at first glance, but they provide essential functionality at an affordable cost. Moreover, their charming designs make them appealing not only to competitive players, but also to enthusiastic collectors. With the launch of the new Chingling card, there’s a possibility that other Generation Four Babies may be revived in future releases.

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2025-04-24 16:13