Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Controversial Coin-Flips Return with Misty and Team Rocket Grunt

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Summary

  • Shining Revelry is the fifth Pokemon TCG Pocket set in six months, adding new mechanics and controversial coin-flipping cards.
  • Genetic Apex boosters included popular Gen 1 Pokemon cards like Mewtwo Ex and Sabrina that still see use in competitive decks.
  • Misty and Team Rocket Grunt are problematic cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket due to their potential for turn-one KOs and reliance on luck.

In about six months, Shining Revelry becomes the fifth expansion for the Pokemon TCG Pocket mobile game, and on April 30, another addition to the collection is expected. The Genetic Apex boosters were a fantastic beginning for the game due to the nostalgia and widespread fondness for Kantonian creatures and characters, particularly the three booster pack mascots, Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo. While Genetic Apex did many things correctly, such as its handling of the Gen 1 roster, it may have also made a significant mistake that continues to affect the game.

Many cards from the Genetic Apex set continue to be valuable in competitive decks even after years have passed, including Mewtwo Ex and Sabrina, which are frequently used across multiple decks. This is true for several cards, and while Genetic Apex isn’t the only set to receive such treatment, it stands out due to being Pokemon TCG Pocket’s first and largest expansion thus far. Shining Revelry also gained recognition for its shiny cards, but it introduced one card that perpetuates a debate-provoking and questionable trend from Genetic Apex – the use of flipping coins.

Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Misty and Team Grunt Rocket Are To Sides of the Same Coin

The surge in revenue for “Pokemon TCG Pocket” can be attributed to Shining Revelry, as per reports, largely because of the frenzy surrounding shiny Pokemon and their debut in the mobile game. However, this expansion also introduced a notorious card called Team Rocket Grunt, which enables players to keep flipping coins until they get tails, at which point they can remove one Energy from an opponent’s active Pokemon for each head they get. Essentially, this is the reverse of Misty from Genetic Apex, and while it’s less troublesome than Misty ever was, it’s still a potential cause for concern.

In the world of Pokemon TCG Pocket, Misty has long been a card considered overpowered. Under optimal circumstances, she can deliver a knockout blow as early as the first turn, especially when used in Articuno Ex decks. However, the gameplay mechanism involving flipping coins until tails appears may not be engaging for players since outcomes can heavily depend on luck rather than strategic decision-making. This is one of Misty’s main drawbacks, and there’s a possibility that future card sets could further develop this random element. With the introduction of Team Rocket Grunt, it’s conceivable that more cards might build upon this chance-based mechanic.

Why Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Misty and Team Grunt Rocket Are Problematic

It’s plausible that the character Misty from the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket edition significantly contributes to the creation and success of decks like Articuno Ex, which could potentially lead to a persistent preference for Water-based decks incorporating Misty in future games. However, this reliance on Misty is problematic because it may limit deck diversity. The Team Rocket Grunt card offers an opportunity to disrupt strategies or gain Energy advantages, but its effectiveness depends heavily on chance, as it can swing either way. It remains uncertain if the Misty-like cards will reappear in future expansions, but their inclusion should probably be avoided for the sake of game balance and variety.

In the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, I find myself constantly frustrated by characters like Misty and Team Rocket Grunt compared to cards that rely on luck, such as Gholdengo and Celebi Ex. The main issue is that these characters don’t need any buildup – they can be played as the Supporter card of a turn and instantly resolve their effects multiple times without warning. The outcome of the game can hinge entirely on luck in both situations, which isn’t much fun for anyone involved. It’s disheartening to see a card like the updated Misty appear in Shining Revelry, even though it’s less potent than its original version, but I fear these kinds of cards might not be rare occurrences in the future.

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2025-04-23 23:08