Following a series of leaks hinting at a new set release shortly after Pokemon Day and a larger one anticipated at the end of April 2025, specifically on April 30, many Pokemon TCG Pocket fans were hoping for a breather between expansions to get up to speed with existing collections. Contrary to these expectations, the team has sprung a surprise by announcing the Shining Revelry set set for release on March 27th. This new set will feature a mix of new and familiar shiny Pokemon, along with Ex cards and intriguing tools. While only a handful of cards have been previewed, excluding alternate treatments, one stands out due to its potential to greatly influence the current meta.
With TCG Pocket’s competitive decks revolving around Triumphant Light, it’s reasonable to anticipate Shining Revelry could significantly stir up the game dynamics. At the heart of this potential upheaval is a new Charizard Ex card, promising a straightforward setup in just three turns to deliver a powerful 150-damage attack without drawbacks. While Genetic Apex’s Charizard Ex remains formidable with a whopping 200 damage capability, this suggests that Pokemon TCG Pocket is exploring more diverse gameplay options for beloved Pokemon. Despite showcasing multiple Ex cards, the standout card might actually be the Trainer card, Red.
Red offers a similar but enhanced function compared to the Giovanni card in Pokemon TCG Pocket, elevating the attacking strength of your critters each round. Giovanni increases all attacks by 10 damage against opposing Pokemon, which is already a strong and sometimes decisive advantage. This has been evident in tournaments, especially with Arceus Ex’s 140 HP and an attack racking up to 130 damage, making Giovanni a solid counter in mirror matches. Red takes this further by adding 20 damage to all attacks, but only when targeting Ex cards.
This new element is a game-changer since numerous decks depend on one or more Ex cards to secure victories. Therefore, this could necessitate a rethinking of deck compositions or deciding which Ex cards remain viable options. For instance, where one could argue Starmie Ex outshines Glaceon Ex in certain scenarios, with Red’s introduction, Starmie’s lower HP becomes a critical vulnerability because it can be knocked out with only 110 damage when Red is in play.
Another likely side effect of Red’s entry is that players might find themselves compelled to include two Giant Capes in most decks, and healing cards and effects could see a value surge. Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Irida Supporter presents a countermeasure for Red, but the primary concern remains the potential for a one-hit knockout at full health, given Red’s ability to boost attack damage by 20. This could result in underutilized Ex cards becoming more prevalent in play due to their synergy with Red.
Conversely, decks featuring Sudowoodo could gain an edge, as utilizing Red, along with two Lucario on the bench and one Energy, allows for an impressive 130 damage to Arceus Ex. This could introduce numerous deviations from the current meta with Red in play, prompting a reshuffling of strategies among the top-tier decks to tackle this emerging challenge. While the precise impact remains to be seen, Red is poised to become a pivotal card in the Pokemon TCG Pocket arena.
