The Pokémon TCG Pocket meta has long been dominated by a few powerful decks, notably those centered around the Misty Supporter card and water-type Pokémon. Misty's coin-flip mechanic, while potentially a gamble, can lead to overwhelming early-game advantages, making losses feel particularly frustrating for opponents.
Despite the introduction of new expansions, Misty decks haven't been dethroned. Instead, subsequent sets have consistently boosted their power. Mythical Island's Vaporeon allows for energy manipulation, while Space-Time Smackdown's Manaphy provides even more water energy. Powerful water-type Pokémon like Palkia ex and Gyarados ex further solidify the deck's dominance.
The latest expansion, Triumphant Light, introduces Irida, another Supporter card that synergizes perfectly with Misty decks. Irida's ability to heal 40 damage from water-type Pokémon significantly increases their resilience, making comebacks more likely. This has shifted the healing meta, previously dominated by grass-type decks.
Some TCG experts suggest DeNA, the developer, intentionally added Irida to force players to make strategic choices within the 20-card deck limit, potentially replacing Misty. However, many players have successfully incorporated both cards, maintaining the dominance of water-type decks.
This meta is particularly relevant with an upcoming in-game event rewarding win streaks. The difficulty of achieving a five-match win streak is significantly increased by the potential for quick, luck-based defeats at the hands of powerful Misty decks. Consequently, expect a surge in water-type decks during this event and likely for the foreseeable future. Consider playing a water deck yourself to improve your chances of success.
