Celestial Guardians: Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Odd Exclusion of Primarina Ex

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Summary

  • Celestial Guardians set in Pokemon TCG Pocket gives Alola love with unique cards and support.
  • Some Gen 7 characters get powerful Supporter cards, but Primarina is left out as an Ex card.
  • Hope remains for a Primarina Ex card in the future releases of Pokemon TCG Pocket.

Following an initially sparse presence for Generation 7 Pokemon and characters in the game prior to Shining Revelry, the latest Pokemon TCG Pocket set, Celestial Guardians, has showered Alola with affection. Abundant with quality Pokemon cards, this set appears to be a heartfelt tribute to Alola, boasting numerous Illustration Rare cards and more than 20 shimmering creatures, as well as the debut of the first-ever Immersive Supporter card. However, despite the abundance of chase cards in Celestial Guardians, there’s a notable absence in representation for one particular Pokemon in the set, which comes across as rather surprising.

The Pokemon TCG Pocket excels at incorporating cards representing the numerous NPCs from Gen 7 games, with some of these characters proving to be potent Supporters. For instance, Acerola can function exceptionally well as a Supporter due to its capacity to transfer 40 damage from one of your Pokemon to one of your opponent’s, effectively healing and inflicting damage at the same time. However, it’s worth noting that this ability requires either Palossand or Mimikyu to be in play. While it’s commendable to see character representation, the balance could be improved for Pokemon, as only two of the three final starter evolution Ex versions are included.

One Alolan Starter Gets The Short End of the Stick in Pokemon TCG Pocket

Interestingly, even though Alola was heavily spotlighted in Generation 7, the set Celestial Guardians only included Decidueye EX and Incineroar EX as the EX versions of the starter trio, leaving Primarina behind. This omission may be explained by certain factors, but it’s still disappointing for fans who are fond of the Popplio evolutionary line. What makes it more frustrating is that both Decidueye EX and Incineroar EX are quite potent, which leaves us wondering how a Primarina EX card could have compared.

Decidueye EX possesses an attack capable of inflicting 100 damage onto a Pokemon already injured, aligning with its archer persona and making it a formidable addition to certain decks. Similarly, Incineroar EX boasts an attack that delivers 30 damage for a single Fire Energy while also causing Burn damage over subsequent turns. Furthermore, it offers a second attack requiring three Energy, dealing 80 damage initially with an additional 60 if the target is already damaged. Although they are both Stage 2 cards in the Pokemon TCG Pocket, the new Rare Candy card can assist in this regard, enhancing their consistency overall.

In contrast, Primarina retains its Rare version, which while useful, lacks the strength of an Ex card. Compared to Decidueye with 170 HP and Incineroar with 180 HP, Primarina boasts Celestial Guardians’ 140 HP. Additionally, it possesses Melodious Healing, a capability that restores 30 damage from each Water Pokemon controlled by the user. Although this skill is potent, it can be challenging to incorporate Primarina and its predecessors into a deck solely for healing other creatures.

Why Pokemon TCG Pocket is Not Too Late For a Primarina Ex

While it may seem disheartening that a Primarina Ex card isn’t currently available, there’s a possibility of its arrival. The Pokemon TCG Pocket series has introduced Decidueye Ex or Incineroar Ex in Solgaleo packs and Lunala packs respectively. This could hint at a third standalone mini-set arriving next month, potentially featuring Primarina Ex. Moreover, there might be plans for a Primarina Ex event card in the future. For now, the latest expansion of Pokemon TCG Pocket may bring mixed feelings for Alola fans, particularly those who started with Popplio in the original Gen 7 games.

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2025-05-01 02:08