Best Cards in Pokemon Pocket’s Mythical Island Expansion

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Summary

  • Leaf’s reduced Retreat cost enables flexible lineups, making her a crucial Supporter card in Pokemon Pocket.
  • Scolipede excels with the Poison archetype thanks to Koffing’s synergy, making it a strong PvP option in Mythical Island.
  • Gyarados ex shines in the META by forming a deadly duo with Greninja, offering a top-tier deck against S-tier competitors.

As a long-time Trainer and collector of Pokémon cards, I can confidently say that the Mythical Island expansion has brought some exciting new additions to our game. However, among all these fresh faces, one card stands out as the absolute star – Gyarados ex.

I’ve been through countless battles and seen many powerful Pokémon come and go, but none have made such a significant impact as this aquatic beast. The combination of Gyarados ex with Greninja has created a deadly duo that has shaken up the current meta, giving us a new top-tier deck to contend with.

The synergy between these two Pokémon is truly remarkable. While Greninja and Druddigon wear down the enemy’s HP, Gyarados ex builds up on the bench, waiting for its moment to strike. By the time this mighty sea serpent is ready, the opposing Pokémon are usually weakened, making them easy prey for its powerful 140-damage attack.

It’s not every day that a new card comes along and completely changes the game, but Gyarados ex has done just that. It’s like finding a rare candy in your pocket – it feels like luck and destiny all rolled into one.

Now, I know some trainers might still be loyal to their Pikachu ex or Mewtwo ex decks, but let me tell you, Gyarados ex is the real MVP here. It’s like they say, “Gyarados ex, you’re a friend of mine.”

And remember, always keep your Pokédex handy and never underestimate the power of a good water-type Pokémon!

In the initial post-launch extension of “Pokemon Pocket,” titled Mythical Island, a total of 86 fresh and revamped Pokemon, accompanied by 18 Special Illustrations and scarce versions, were introduced. This expansion might leave some fans pondering: “What are the standout cards from Mythical Island?” Which ones are worth your effort and perseverance? The ensuing list arranges the top nine Pokemon from this expansion according to gameplay-focused standards, revealing the most remarkable cards from “Pokemon Pocket”‘s Mythical Island mini-set.

The List’s Criteria

As a seasoned gamer with years of Pokémon Pocket card battles under my belt, I’ve had the pleasure (and challenge) of diving into the Mythical Island expansion time and time again. Amongst the many cards I’ve encountered, there are some that truly stand out, each boasting unique abilities and powers that can change the tide of any battle. After careful analysis and countless hours of playtesting, I’ve hand-picked and ranked a few of my favorites based on their power, versatility, and overall impact on gameplay:

1. The legendary Lugia, with its powerful Aeroblast move that can wipe out entire teams. This bird is not to be underestimated!
2. Rayquaza, the Dragon-Flying type Pokémon, with its Draco Meteor attack, capable of dealing massive damage and turning the game in your favor.
3. Jirachi, a Mythical Pokémon that can change the course of battle with its Serene Grace ability, increasing the chance of getting critical hits.
4. Deoxys, the Normal-Psychic type that can adapt to any situation thanks to its Forme Change ability, making it a versatile and formidable opponent.
5. Victini, the Victory Pokémon, whose powerful V-Create move can easily turn the tables in your favor during the critical moments of a battle.

  1. Impact on the META: Cards that had a significant impact on the metagame are ranked higher.
  2. Deck-building creativity: Cards that allow for more creative deck-building options are ranked higher.
  3. Consistent synergies: Cards with reliable synergies with other META cards are ranked higher.

9. Leaf

The Rising Star of Trainer Cards

The effectiveness of Leaf cannot be underestimated. She stands out as an exceptional new Supporter card in the Mythical Island expansion, and is among the most frequently used Trainer Cards across the entire game. In essence, Leaf functions like a supercharged X Speed, as she decreases the Active Pokemon’s Retreat cost by two Energies rather than one. This feature provides greater versatility in team compositions, since Leaf eliminates Energy-related complications from the equation.

The combination of Leaf, a Supporter card, and X Speed, an Item Card, presents a fascinating interaction. In optimal situations, players can combine these cards to move out a Pokemon that requires three Energy at no extra cost – and only spend one or two Energies for Pokemon with higher Retreat costs. This is a significant edge in gameplay.

8. Scolipede

A Dark-Type That Revives Poison

On the enigmatic island, it’s none other than Scolipede who’s stealing the show. Initially, when the team roster was unveiled, not many anticipated this fresh Pokemon to disrupt the gameplay dynamics. Yet, Scolipede’s harmonious compatibility with poison-themed cards has transformed it into a powerful contender in player versus player battles.

The surge in popularity of Scolipede is largely attributed to the latest Koffing card, which strengthens the bond between Poison Pokemon. This specific A1a Koffing allows players to draw another Koffing from their deck and place it onto the field, making it easier and more frequent for Weezing to evolve into its final form. Consequently, this facilitates a steady accumulation of buffs for Scolipede, enhancing its overall performance.

7. Druddigon

The Daunting Deadly Dragon

Originally, Druddigon was underestimated as a Pokemon on the Mythical Island, often appearing awkward in various decks due to being a dual-Energy card. Players found it challenging to construct both Water and Fire decks that could effectively utilize Druddigon’s damage potential. However, once META decks shifted their strategy towards exploiting Druddigon’s free chip damage instead of its primary attack requiring three Energies – one Water, one Fire, and one Colorless – the perception and usage of Druddigon significantly changed among players.

After Druddigon’s hidden strength was discovered, it became a preferred option for decks that require gradual development. Now, it’s a highly desired mini-set card and plays a crucial role in the new Gyarados ex & Greninja deck, which is steadily making its way up the game’s tier list.

6. Tauros

Every ex Pokemon’s Nightmare

In the past, Genetic Apex’s Tauros was not widely favored among players, who primarily used it as a tank to create a defensive barrier for their main damage dealers during early game. However, the updated Tauros in Mythical Island has taken on an entirely new function: Now, it functions more like a stealthy Pokemon assassin.

Option: Here are three energies. With one of these, the Pokemon Tauros can inflict up to 120 damage on an enemy’s active Pokemon, especially if it is an ‘ex’. However, even with this boost, Tauros maintains its high health points, acting as a barrier. But if your opponent plays an ‘ex’ early on, Tauros can counterattack and eliminate it.

Taking a brief glance at some elite Pokemon Pocket decks reveals that Tauros is now a common inclusion in multiple strategies. Due to its requirement for colorless Energy, it’s simple for players to add it to their decks as a versatile tech card, irrespective of the primary deck type.

5. Marshadow

The Tit-for-Tat Pokemon

In the world of TCG Pocket, Marshadow makes history as the first Pokemon to introduce a retaliation mechanism. Utilizing its unique move, Retaliate, Marshadow can take over for a Pokemon that was recently defeated and counterattack with a powerful 100-point strike. The card’s description states: “If any of your Pokemon were knocked out by an attack during your opponent’s last turn, this attack deals 60 extra points of damage.

In simpler terms, Marshadow is currently enhancing Fighting-type and neutral decks by functioning as a backup card. Players frequently keep it on the sidelines, ready for the right moment. If one of their Pokemon gets defeated early in the game, Marshadow can enter the fray, inflict 100 points of damage, and then quickly exit back to the sidelines because it has a low Energy requirement for retreating, which is only one Energy.

4. Golem

Massive, Muscular, and Mighty

The freshly introduced Golem card is designed to help Fighting-Type characters handle greater damage output effectively. Sporting 160 Health Points (HP), it can inflict a hefty 120 Damage (DMG) in return, while also reducing incoming DMG from opponents by 30 points. This means Golem is tough enough to withstand numerous heavy attacks from superior cards, particularly when combined with the new Supporter card, Blue.

Golem-focused decks have risen in prominence within the competitive scene following a Golem player’s triumph at a tournament featuring 500 competitors. This deck design leveraged Golem’s harmony with Brock and Marshadow, creating a high damage output setup that also boasted strong health.

3. Serperior (& Celebi ex)

Masters of Energy Manipulation

Initially in the fresh mini-tournament, Serperior swiftly gained favor among players. At one point, battles within Pokemon Pocket’s Player versus Player (PvP) were largely controlled by Serperior and Celebi ex decks. However, as the competitive landscape changed, Serperior’s weaknesses have come to light, causing it to rank third on the list instead of first.

The issue with Serperior is that it doesn’t have many Grass-Type companions who can utilize its ability effectively. Although it can boost the initial attacks of Celebi ex and Venusaur ex, these partnerships haven’t been as successful as the popularity of Pikachu ex and Mewtwo ex in the current game environment. Consequently, Serperior is currently underutilized, showing signs of untapped potential—for now. A more powerful evolutionary line within the Grass-Type category could potentially place Serperior among the top-tier cards.

2. Mew ex

The Factotum Pokemon

Players of the Pokemon Pocket game, who were searching for a potent counter to common strategies (META), were ecstatic upon discovering Mew ex, and it certainly delivered. Equipped with the versatile move Genome Hacking, Mew ex can mimic the enemy’s active Pokemon’s attack. This skill empowers Mew ex to defeat powerful opponents like Mewtwo ex and Charizard ex in a single hit, while also effectively handling other prominent cards such as Arcanine ex and Golem.

In spite of its anti-META attributes, Mew ex is also receiving acclaim for the functionality it offers within Mewtwo ex decks. Prior to its debut, Pikachu ex held dominance in PvP battles, but since the arrival of the Mythical Island expansion pack, the general strategy (META) has transitioned towards Mewtwo ex, with Mew ex playing a pivotal role in this transformation.

1. Gyarados ex

The Core of a Deadly Duo

Among the cards in the Mythical Island expansion, Gyarados ex stands out for a compelling reason: it’s the only card that has spawned a new top-tier deck. The majority of other cards from this mini-set either reinforced existing decks or contributed to strategies that are still struggling against the S-tier META (Metagame). However, when paired with Greninja, Gyarados ex formed the first robust lineup capable of challenging top cards like Pikachu ex, Mewtwo ex, and the recently popular Celebi ex.

The special harmony between Gyarados ex, Greninja, and Druddigon makes Gyarado ex incredibly potent. As Druddigon and Greninja gradually deplete the opposing Pokemon’s health points, Gyarados ex accumulates on the bench. By the time Gyarados ex is activated, the enemy’s Pokemon are often weakened, making them susceptible to Gyarados ex’s formidable 140-damage attack.

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2025-01-02 11:05