The Pokémon TCG Pocket meta has been dominated by a small number of decks since launch, most notably those centered around Misty and water-type Pokémon. The inherent randomness of Misty's coin-flip mechanic, which determines the number of Water-type energies attached to a Pokémon, has made losing to these decks particularly frustrating. Despite the release of three expansions, intended to diversify the meta, Misty decks remain prevalent, and even stronger.
The issue isn't necessarily Misty's raw power, but the frustrating luck-based element. Misty's effect can range from a complete waste of resources to an overwhelming early-game advantage, potentially securing a turn-one victory. This inherent variability makes playing against Misty decks a gamble, leading to feelings of unfairness.
Subsequent expansions have exacerbated the problem. Mythical Island introduced Vaporeon, enabling energy manipulation, while Space-Time Smackdown added Manaphy, further boosting energy generation. Powerful water-type Pokémon like Palkia ex and Gyarados ex also capitalized on this energy surplus, solidifying water decks' dominance.
The latest expansion, Triumphant Light, introduces Irida, another Supporter card that heals water-type Pokémon. This further enhances the resilience of Misty decks, allowing for significant comebacks even after unfavorable coin flips. While grass-type decks previously held the healing advantage, Irida now provides water decks with comparable recovery capabilities.
Some TCG experts suggest that Irida's inclusion was a strategic move by developer DeNA to force players to make difficult deck-building choices, potentially reducing Misty's dominance by requiring players to choose between her and other Supporters. However, many players have found ways to incorporate both Irida and Misty, maintaining the strength of water decks.
An upcoming in-game event, requiring five consecutive wins for the best reward, will likely see a surge in water decks due to their potential for quick victories and Irida's healing capabilities. The high win-streak requirement makes facing these decks, with their reliance on luck and powerful synergy, even more challenging. The current meta suggests that adopting a water deck might be a strategic move for players aiming for the event's top prize.
