Since the launch of the Space-Time Smackdown expansion for Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, certain cards have dominated competitive play while others remain overlooked. These underrated cards, featuring unique abilities and formidable damage outputs, have immense potential to enhance a player’s strategy.
While players often gravitate towards popular ex cards such as Darkrai ex and Infernape ex, incorporating these hidden treasures into your deck can provide a surprising edge. Their strengths, which may include stalling techniques or transformative abilities, can significantly boost your deck’s performance. Here, we delve into ten of these underrated cards that can transform your gameplay.
10 Fan Rotom Disrupts The Opponent
With Its Attack, Fan Rotom Can Stop Powerful Opposition Cards
At first glance, Fan Rotom may appear unremarkable— a basic colorless card with limited damage output and only 80 HP. However, its real value emerges in the right circumstances.
|
Type |
Colorless |
|---|---|
|
Stage |
Basic |
|
HP |
80 |
|
Attacks + Abilities |
Spin Storm: Flip a coin. If heads, put your opponent’s Active Pokémon into their hand. |
Its attack, “Spin Storm”, allows players to flip a coin, returning the opponent’s Active Pokémon to their hand if it lands on heads. Though it demands two Colorless Energy, this flexibility means Fan Rotom can fit into virtually any deck. While it might not deal damage directly, its potential to stall and disrupt strategies can be extremely useful, particularly against decks that rely heavily on strong, singular cards like Celebi ex.
9 Giratina’s Hidden Competitive Potential
A Powerful Attack and Versatile Ability Make This Card Ideal for Psychic Decks
Despite its stunning artwork often stealing the spotlight, Giratina is a powerful contender in competitive play. Its attack, “Spooky Shot”, inflicts 70 damage, significantly impacting opponents while being relatively easy to set up, especially with help from cards like Gardevoir.
|
Type |
Psychic |
|---|---|
|
Stage |
Basic |
|
HP |
120 |
|
Attacks + Abilities |
Levitate: If this Pokémon has any Energy attached, it has no Retreat Cost.Spooky Shot: 70 Damage. |
Additionally, Giratina’s ability, “Levitate, ” eliminates its retreat cost when energy is attached, providing strategic mobility. This can be particularly advantageous for stalling, especially when paired with item cards like Rocky Helmet.
8 Luxray: A Powerhouse with Exceptional Attack Potential
Its Impressive HP and Game-Changing Attack Make It Worth the Investment
Luxray stands out as a formidable attacker with 130 HP and a devastating attack called “Volt Bolt.” This card’s considerable damage potential allows it to target either an opponent’s Active or Benched Pokémon, making it a versatile threat.
|
Type |
Lightning |
|---|---|
|
Stage |
Stage 2 |
|
HP |
130 |
|
Attacks + Abilities |
Volt Bolt: Discard all Lightning Energy from this Pokémon. This attack does 120 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon. |
While discarding all Lightning Energy may seem limiting, players can treat it as a finishing move. Its notable HP allows Luxray to remain in play until the moment is right for a decisive strike, making it a worthwhile addition to any Lightning-type deck.
7 Gliscor: A Cost-Effective Fighter
A Fast-Acting Fighter Ready to Deal Damage Early
Gliscor, evolving from Gligar, is a Stage One Fighting-type Pokémon that can unleash damage rapidly after its second turn. Its attack, “Acrobatics, ” offers flexible damage potential:
|
Type |
Fighting |
|---|---|
|
Stage |
Stage 1 |
|
HP |
100 |
|
Attacks + Abilities |
Acrobatics: 20+ Damage + Flip 2 coins. This attack does 20 more damage for each heads. |
Utilizing only one Fighting Energy, the attack allows players to flip two coins and deal bonus damage based on the results, making it both economical and effective. With 100 HP, Gliscor can take hits, serving as an early-game damage dealer while supporting the setup of your other Fighting-type cards like Lucario and Gallade ex.
6 Shaymin: A Beneficial Healing Ally
A Useful Ability Makes Shaymin A Valuable Asset in Grass-Type Decks
While Shaymin boasts beautiful artwork, its prowess in battle shouldn’t be underestimated. Its attack, “Flop”, offers basic damage, but its true value lies in its healing ability:
|
Type |
Grass |
|---|---|
|
Stage |
Basic |
|
HP |
60 |
|
Attacks + Abilities |
Fragrant Flower Garden: Once during your turn, you may heal 10 damage from each of your Pokémon.Flop: 30 Damage. |
Its ability, “Fragrant Flower Garden, ” enables players to heal minor damage from all their Pokémon, enhancing the deck’s endurance. By placing it on the bench, Shaymin provides consistent healing support during battles, improving the overall strategy for Grass-type decks that rely on cards like Butterfree and Erica.
5 Mesprit: The Reward for Dedication
Mastering Mesprit’s Supreme Blast is Key for Damage Potential
While Mesprit requires strategic investment to utilize, its rewards include substantial damage output. The attack “Supreme Blast” inflicts an impressive 160 damage:
|
Type |
Psychic |
|---|---|
|
Stage |
Basic |
|
HP |
70 |
|
Attacks + Abilities |
Supreme Blast: 160 Damage + You can use this attack only if you have Uxie and Azelf on your Bench. Discard all Energy from this Pokémon. |
Though powerful, this attack comes with limitations—it can only be activated if both Uxie and Azelf are on the bench, additionally discarding all attached Energy. Those willing to embrace non-meta strategies will find this card terrifying for opponents relying on conventional tactics.
4 Electrode: Fresh Art and Quick Impact
Rolling Attack Makes Electrode the Ideal Stall Card for Lightning-Type Decks
The Space-Time Smackdown expansion introduces a revised version of Electrode, showcasing striking new art and an efficient attack. This variant, already a staple in Pikachu ex decks, deserves recognition for its versatility.
|
Type |
Lightning |
|---|---|
|
Stage |
Stage 1 |
|
HP |
80 |
|
Attacks + Abilities |
Rolling Attack: 50 Damage |
Electrode stands as a prime stall option in a Lightning-type deck, offering players the chance to prepare powerful strategies on the bench while applying pressure with quick, effective damage. Pairing it with tools like Giant Cape or Rocky Helmet amplifies its effectiveness while maintaining control of the game in its early phases.
3 Skarmory: Enhancing Damage with Tool Cards
This Metal-Type Pokémon Shines When Used in the Right Context
Simplifying damage output, Skarmory is a basic Metal-type Pokémon that thrives when paired with the new Tool Trainer cards from the Space-Time Smackdown expansion. Its primary attack, “Metal Arms, ” initially does a modest 20 damage, but can effectively ramp up to 50 damage when equipped with a tool card:
|
Type |
Metal |
|---|---|
|
Stage |
Basic |
|
HP |
80 |
|
Attacks + Abilities |
Metal Arms: 20+ Damage + If this Pokémon has a Pokémon Tool attached, this attack does 30 more damage. |
Since it requires only one Metal Energy to perform its attack, Skarmory can instantly take an Active Spot, dealing considerable damage while stalling for powerful cards like Melmetal and Dialga ex to build strength on the bench.
2 Rampardos: High-Damage, High-Risk Attack
This Pokémon Uses Head Smash for Devastating Damage
Rampardos features a Stage Two Fighting-type card with significant offensive capabilities. Its attack “Head Smash” deals an astonishing 130 damage, which only requires one Fighting Energy:
|
Type |
Fighting |
|---|---|
|
Stage |
Stage 2 |
|
HP |
150 |
|
Attacks + Abilities |
Head Smash: 130 Damage + If your opponent’s Pokémon is Knocked Out by damage from this attack, this Pokémon also does 50 damage to itself. |
Although its strength comes with a drawback—50 self-damage upon knocking out an opponent’s Pokémon—Rampardos’ high HP (150) allows it to absorb pressure throughout battles, making it a formidable choice for any Fighting-type deck.
1 Empoleon: The Most Underrated Card in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Aqua Jet Turns This Card Into a Threat in Any Water-Type Deck
Empoleon is a Stage Two Water-type Pokémon that demands strategic setup but delivers high rewards. With its attack “Aqua Jet, ” it inflicts an impressive 80 damage and an additional 30 damage to one of the opponent’s Benched Pokémon:
|
Type |
Water |
|---|---|
|
Stage |
Stage 2 |
|
HP |
150 |
|
Attacks + Abilities |
Aqua Jet: 80 Damage + This attack also does 30 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon. |
This transformative attack can dismantle most Pokémon and disrupt the opponent’s strategy by targeting potentially threatening Benched Pokémon. Pairing Empoleon with cards like the Misty supporter enhances its utility, while its durable 150 HP allows it to stay in contention in even the toughest battles.
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