
Overview
- The Triumphant Light expansion has significantly altered the competitive landscape, particularly with Arceus Ex now capable of inflicting 130 damage using just three Energy cards.
- The combination of Celebi Ex and Leafeon Ex now represents a formidable counter to popular decks featuring Charizard Ex and Moltres Ex. This synergy is bolstered by Leafeon Ex’s Forest Breath ability, enabling faster and more potent attacks.
- The Articuno Ex deck has seen enhancements with the introduction of Irida—a new Supporter card that heals all Water-type Pokémon by using Water Energy.
Recently, the Pokemon TCG Pocket unveiled a compact set named Triumphant Light shortly after the major Gen 4-themed expansion, Space-Time Smackdown, which was released on January 30, 2025. Despite some player concerns regarding the rapid rollout of sets, especially with numerous leaks hinting at the significance of Arceus in this latest creation, the overall impact of Triumphant Light cannot be understated, particularly within the game’s evolving meta. This set includes 75 cards, aligning it more closely with the Mythical Island expansion rather than larger recent releases.
While not every player is focused on battles, as many enjoy collecting and the thrill of opening booster packs, the Triumphant Light set has sparked considerable excitement among competitive fans. For those drawn to strategy and combat, this compact set has dramatically redefined the strategies established by the Space-Time Smackdown expansion.
The Impact of Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Triumphant Light Set on the Meta


As the meta continues to evolve, three key archetypes have benefited from the introduction of the Triumphant Light set:
- Dialga Ex focused on energy acceleration
- Celebi Ex empowered by enhanced energy flow with Leafeon Ex
- Articuno Ex utilizing a heavy Trainer card lineup
Analysis of Dialga Ex and Arceus Ex Deck

While Dialga Ex was not a top contender when Space-Time Smackdown was released, it gradually gained traction due to its Metal Turbo attack, which distributes two Metal Energy to any benched Pokémon—a strategy particularly useful for supporting cards like Mew Ex and Yanmega Ex. The crucial addition of Arceus Ex in the Triumphant Light set changes the dynamics, as it can now unleash up to 130 damage using just three Energy cards, making it an incredibly potent option against other Ex cards. Additionally, many deck strategies incorporate Mew Ex and the new Sky Support Shaymin for improved retreat options.
Insight into Celebi Ex and Leafeon Ex Deck

The combination of Celebi Ex and Leafeon Ex has proven to be a crowd favorite, especially following the Space-Time Smackdown launch. However, the introduction of Leafeon Ex could signal a shift in strategy, as it offers a reliable Solar Beam attack delivering 70 damage and has the unique Forest Breath ability. This ability provides additional Grass Energy to any Grass Pokémon while Leafeon Ex is active, allowing for enhanced acceleration of Celebi Ex’s abilities. As a result, this duo has strong potential against commonly played decks featuring Charizard Ex and Moltres Ex.
Overview of Articuno Ex Deck with Trainer Focus

While the core structure of the Articuno Ex deck remains focused on utilizing 18 Trainer cards along with two copies of Articuno Ex, Triumphant Light has provided it with a significant boost through the introduction of Irida. This new Supporter card allows players to heal all Pokémon that have Water Energy attached, adding essential resilience to Water deck strategies and aiming to replicate the advantages seen in Grass decks with cards like Erika. Although this particular deck may not boast the highest power level or consistency, its ability to surprise opponents can lead to unexpected victories, particularly when combined with cards like Misty for retention of Articuno Ex.
Leave a Reply