In the world of Pokemon TCG Pocket, strategic battles aren’t solely decided by the formidable Pokemon on the field. Players have access to powerful Item cards, enabling them to heal allies, inspect their opponent’s hand, or summon Fossil creatures for play. These cards can define the course of a game, adding layers of strategy and surprise.
Although Item cards may lack the overwhelming capabilities seen in Supporter cards, they boast a key advantage: unlimited usage. While players can only deploy a single Supporter each turn, multiple Item cards can be played based on what is available in hand, amplifying tactical possibilities.
Given the strict deck size regulations in Pokemon TCG Pocket, careful selection of Item cards is crucial. Below is a rundown of the most effective Item cards to enhance gameplay strategy.
1. Old Amber
A Real Dinosaur
|
Card Effect |
Set |
|---|---|
|
Play this card as if it were a 40-HP Basic Colorless Pokemon. You may discard this card at any time during your turn. This card cannot retreat. |
Genetic Apex |
Old Amber serves as a bridge to the formidable Aerodactyl, emerging from the trio of Fossil Item cards available in the game. However, Aerodactyl’s attack, Primal Wingbeat, possesses limitations—dealing no damage and requiring a coin flip to shuffle the opponent’s Active Pokemon back into their deck. Consequently, this doesn’t lead to victory points, challenging the card’s viability for aggressive play.
Despite its current limitations, the upcoming Aerodactyl ex card from the Mythical Island set is anticipated to significantly enhance Old Amber’s strategic value.
2. Dome Fossil
The Ancient Vampire Summoner
|
Card Effect |
Set |
|---|---|
|
Play this card as if it were a 40-HP Basic Colorless Pokemon. You may discard this card at any time during your turn. This card cannot retreat. |
Genetic Apex |
Dome Fossil is the gateway to the Kabuto and its evolution, Kabutops, which wields the attack Leech Life, dealing a base damage of 50 while simultaneously healing for the same amount. This provides decent value for just one Fighting Energy.
However, the challenge lies in effectively getting Kabutops onto the field. While it offers more utility than Aerodactyl, it still doesn’t match the explosive potential of other powerful cards ended prior to it.
3. Helix Fossil
The Prophet Stone
|
Card Effect |
Set |
|---|---|
|
Play this card as if it were a 40-HP Basic Colorless Pokemon. You may discard this card at any time during your turn. This card cannot retreat. |
Genetic Apex |
The legendary Helix Fossil, celebrated from the Twitch Plays Pokemon phenomenon, allows players to bring forth Omanyte and its evolution, Omastar. Although attaching them requires effort, Omastar’s Ancient Whirlpool can be a game-changer, inflicting 70 damage while preventing the attacked Pokémon from striking during their next turn.
Such a shutdown tactic can be particularly punishing against opponents relying on a small number of formidable attackers, though it requires substantial setup and Energy investment, making it a riskier option compared to some more reliable strategies.
4. Pokedex
A Pointless Scanner
|
Card Effect |
Set |
|---|---|
|
Look at the top 3 cards of your deck. |
Promo-A |
The Pokedex could have been a strong asset, as it reveals the next three cards in the player’s deck. However, such limited utility in a game with concise decks renders it underwhelming. If the Pokedex allowed card rearrangement or an immediate draw, it would see much wider play. As it stands, the knowledge it provides often becomes irrelevant, especially with the Red Card Item, making it redundant in quick succession.
5. Red Card
Needs More Yellow Cards
|
Card Effect |
Set |
|---|---|
|
Your opponent shuffles their hand into their deck and draws 3 cards. |
Promo-A |
The Red Card presents an interesting challenge; if deployed incorrectly, it can inadvertently assist the opponent. When activated, the opponent discards their hand for three new cards—a simple effect that often lacks the impact players hope for. Furthermore, given the small hand sizes in this iteration of TCG, opponents are typically prepared to play what they draw almost immediately.
Still, Red Card’s situational use can temporarily delay powerful Supporters from being utilized, though players may find themselves holding onto it longer than desired as they wait for a strategic moment.
6. Poke Ball
Gotta Catch At Least One Basic
|
Card Effect |
Set |
|---|---|
|
Put 1 random Basic Pokemon from your deck into your hand. |
Promo-A |
Poke Ball is an excellent card for early stages of play, facilitating the acquisition of another Basic Pokemon to bolster the Bench and prepare for the ongoing match. Its limitation to Basic Pokemon, however, makes it less effective for evolution-based strategies, restricting access to crucial evolved cards.
Nevertheless, it can efficiently expedite the deployment of high-impact Basic Pokemon like Pikachu ex and Mewtwo ex, providing a strategic advantage in energy-heavy scenarios.
7. Potion
|
Card Effect |
Set |
|---|---|
|
Heal 20 damage from 1 of your Pokemon. |
Promo-A |
Potion stands out as a versatile Item card that fits seamlessly into any deck. By healing 20 damage from a chosen Pokemon, it proves invaluable in various situations, whether protecting weak Basics poised for evolution or ensuring a surviving attacker after an enemy onslaught.
It can even be utilized on benched Pokemon, reflecting its practical design reminiscent of core gameplay mechanics. Although pure Grass decks may prefer Erika due to her single-use healing effect, having even one Potion can offer essential backup healing.
8. X-Speed
Anime Teleport Away
|
Card Effect |
Set |
|---|---|
|
During this turn, the Retreat Cost of your Active Pokemon is 1 less. |
Promo-A |
Retreating can be a pivotal strategy within Pokemon TCG Pocket, albeit not without costs, as many Pokemon require Energy expenditure to move from the Active position to the Bench. The X-Speed Item card mitigates this by reducing the Retreat Cost for an Active Pokemon, making it a valuable asset in nearly all deck compositions.
While some decks may not utilize it, such as those centered around Starmie ex with zero Retreat Cost, X-Speed’s utility cannot be overstated for almost any other scenario, providing essential flexibility and counter-play.
9. Hand Scope
Reading Minds & Hands
|
Card Effect |
Set |
|---|---|
|
Your opponent reveals their hand. |
Promo-A |
While understanding your own deck order matters, knowing your opponent’s imminent moves can be even more beneficial. The Hand Scope card unveils the opponent’s remaining hand and any potential threats they might deploy.
This card is especially effective against evolution decks that rely on specific cards to evolve their Pokemon, and it can drastically alter the outcome of a match if used at the right moment. With knowledge of what cards the opponent holds, players can better strategize their own moves, setting the stage for a meticulously planned counterattack.
In conclusion, selecting the right Item cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket can have meaningful impacts on both offense and defense. Players must continue to adapt and refine their strategies based on the current meta and new card releases to maximize their competitive edge.
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