Pokémon TCG Pocket: Are EX Card Counters Finally Coming?

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As a dedicated Pokémon enthusiast since the days of Red and Blue, I can’t help but feel a bit torn about the current state of the franchise. On one hand, I’m thrilled to see the success of Pokémon TCG Pocket – it’s a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stagnant era for the series. However, on the other hand, the overuse of EX decks has become as predictable as a Charizard’s Fire Spin.

The last Pokémon games sparked significant controversy.

Back in November 2022, I eagerly awaited the arrival of Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet on my Nintendo Switch. These games were billed as groundbreaking additions to the beloved franchise, promising innovation that would excite long-time fans like me. However, upon playing them, I found myself left wanting more, as they didn’t quite live up to the hype and left many of us fans feeling a bit let down.

Critics found the story incoherent and the gameplay uninspiring.

Moreover, the move towards non-pixel graphics also faced criticism, with gameplay problems and unappealing visuals, characterized by blurry textures, often detracting from the games’ expansive world aspirations.

In contrast, Pokémon TCG Pocket has injected new life into the franchise.

Since its launch in October of this year, the mobile adaptation of the trading card game has been steadily attracting a dedicated group of players.

The EX Card Dilemma

It appears that the TCG Pocket game is tilting more towards imbalance lately. At present, a majority of players seem to prefer using EX decks, and among them, the Mewtwo EX deck stands out as the most dominant.

Over the last several days, if you’ve been engaged with the card game known as TCG Pocket, it’s likely that you’ve encountered the Mewtwo deck quite frequently, possibly even more than desired.

Why are so many people opting for Mewtwo EX decks? It’s becoming quite repetitive and tiresome. Let’s try something new, something original for a change.

— Cameron | Dat1guy2 | Video Editor | Open (@Dat1guy2_) December 10, 2024

These special trading cards, referred to as EX cards, represent Pokémon boasting superior skills and elevated statistics.

These cards are highly desired within the game since they hold significant value for both collectors and tactical players alike.

Given the prevalence of dominating EX decks in the game “Pocket“, Reddit user Lofus1989 has put forth an idea for a potential resolution.

In a recent post, Lofus1989 proposes incorporating new game elements called “EX Counter Cards” to enhance balance and boost excitement within the game.

As a gamer, I’ve found that the digital version of Pokémon, or Pocket Pokémon, operates quite distinctly from its physical card game counterpart. Unlike the traditional deck of 60 cards, in this digital format, my collection is limited to just 20 cards. This means I need to be extra strategic and choose each card with great care, as every decision counts!

The team needs to consider if it’s feasible to include stronger cards within the compact deck sets.

V Cards and Safeguard Ability as a Solution?

V cards act as the complementary version to EX cards, providing faster gameplay and greater starting health, which makes them stronger and more durable during battles.

One of their main advantages lies in their swift deployment and ability to effectively neutralize the unique abilities of EX cards.

Currently, these abilities and cards are absent from TCG Pocket.

Considering the small deck of only 20 cards, it’s essential to thoughtfully select each card to ensure a balanced and manageable gameplay experience.

I HATE MEWTWO GARDEVOIR. IT’S TURN 5 HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO COUNTER THIS

— TheSapphicSeas (@thesapphicseas) December 8, 2024

On Reddit, there’s a conversation revolving around possible response cards such as Sigilyph and Carbink, both boasting the shielding ability known as Safeguard.

This ability entirely negates damage from EX Pokémon, presenting a powerful countermeasure.

A more contemporary illustration is the character called Mimikyu, it not only obstructs EX but also V types of Pokemon, making it even more adaptable.

If introduced, these counter cards might substantially shake up the rule of EX-focused meta decks such as Pikachu-EX and Mewtwo-EX, encouraging players to integrate a wider variety of typical Pokémon into their game plans instead.

Currently, these counters are merely conceptual, but they might prove groundbreaking when introduced in upcoming updates or extensions.

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2024-12-10 19:09