‘Pokémon Pocket’ adds a “game-changing” new card that’ll help you win ranked battles

Pokémon Pocket’s latest update has added a load of new cards as part of the Celestial Guardians expansion – and one has completely changed multiplayer battles.

• READ MORE: ‘Pokémon TCG Pocket’: five things to know before you start playing

Pokémon TCG Pocket launched in October last year and quickly racked up millions of players. Designed to introduce the Pokémon card game to the more “casual” fan, Pocket is a card collector that also allows you to build decks and battle other players using a simplified version of the official rules.

Players can play solo battles or take on other users in ranked or friendly matches. New cards have been constantly added to the game, but competitive players typically use a couple of powerful Pokémon EX cards alongside a load of trainer cards to give themselves the best chance of winning.

However the launch of the Celestial Guardians expansion looks set to completely change that tactic thanks to the new Oricono card. It might only have 70hp but the basic Pokémon’s Safeguard ability stops all damage from opponent’s Pokémon EX, allowing you to chip away at them with the Zzzap attack.

whoever made this oricorio card has GOT to die bro WHAT IS THIS????? WYM IT DONT TAKE DAMAGE FROM EX POKEMONS pic.twitter.com/fDHnqsP2mz

— vy (@vybeyn) April 30, 2025

“Now this is cool, a basic that can block a whole meta,” one fan wrote on Reddit. “Just look at its smug face and bad manners as it’s cheering on the fact that your EXs can’t touch it,” added another. “This card basically invalidated ALL Exs in the game, it should be nerf. Any deck that run any EX will basically auto loses to this,” wrote a third.

“I think deck building is going to change to address this: If I play against an Oricorio, how do I not instant concede and actually have a chance. It’s literally so impactful that basically all new meta decks will need a solution,” explained another fan.

I would like to introduce your quick 50 win deck to get Ray in Pokemon TGC Pocket.
Super simple and quick.

To all you brain dead Solgaleo players… I was fun watching you concede. #PokemonTCGPocket pic.twitter.com/EEri2aqIrE

— Slavik (@GGSlavik) April 30, 2025

The new Rare Candy also allows players to evolve their Pokémon more quickly, which improves their chances against EX decks.

Fans are also praising the amount of hourglass that is being given away as rewards in the Celestial Guardians expansion. Completing daily challenges and solo battles can earn players more than 220 hourglass, allowing them to open 20 packs early.

In other news, a brand new Sonic The Hedgehog game has been delayed, one week before it was due to come out.

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