Every set before Shining Revelry had a diverse selection of supporter cards inPokemon Pocket. Often, supporter cards only work with specific deck types of Pokemon, such as Misty supporting Water types and Cynthia working with Garchomp. Shining Revelry is the first set where every supporter can be used on any deck due to a lack of conditions.
Due to their flexibility, all four cards are viable and have a game-changing impact. Healing, damage, hand control, and energy control are all represented through the trainer cards in Shining Revelry. Because of how powerful these cards are, it is one of the most difficult sets to determine the premium trainer card.
4Team Rocket Grunt
Risky But Devastating Effect
Similar to their rivals, Team Galactic Grunt—an incredibly weak supporter card in Space-Time Smackdown—Team Rocket Grunt may be the worst supporter in its set, but the gap between it and the best trainer is very small. Working almost as a reverse Misty, it has a 50 percent chance of destroying your opponent’s energy, which can often win you the game on its own.
There is a lot of opportunity cost in playing a card like Team Rocket Grunt. Every supporter card in a deck is a high-impact card, so wasting a turn on one that has a good chance of not doing anything can be a major drawback in the long run. Since Pokemon Pocket is a resource management game, Team Rocket Grunt will always have its place as a haymaker type of card, but there are going to be many low energy cost Pokemon that won’t be too harshly affected by it.
3Iono
Draws Your Best Cards Faster And Hurts Your Opponent’s Hand
Drawing into your key Pokemon is incredibly important, especially for decks that rely on combos like Snorlax and Barry. Iono is a card that can help you land important pieces more consistently while also serving as a disruptor for your opponents. Usually you don’t want to fill your bench up too quickly, but with Iono you’re able to throw down a lot of your cards until you’re only left with your useless ones before exchanging it with a new hand.
Since Iono allows your opponent to draw as many cards as they put back into their deck, it isn’t quite as effective as Mars or Red Card. However, if you have a read on your opponent’s hand, it’s still a viable option to reduce the odds of them bricking. Iono’s impact is mainly intangible, so it’s difficult to measure when it’s giving you an advantage.
2Red
Allows You To One Shot Significantly More Pokemon
Giovanni was a dominant card in the first few sets of Pokemon Pocket, and it was making a steady comeback during Triumphant Light. Now, there seems to be an even better damage-based card. Red, the most iconic protagonist in Pokemon, finally gets his own card, and 20 damage to any ex is an incredible spike. Red essentially mitigates themost popular Pokemon tool, Giant Cape.
If Red had been launched alongside the other Kanto supporters, it would have been the best supporter bar none due to the reliance on ex Pokemon. However, it seems like one-point decks are becoming more viable as time passes, which means that Red will still be a top-tier card, but not one that is a no-brainer to play every time.
1Pokemon Center Lady
Not The Strongest Heal But The Most Versatile
Erika andIridia were major components in the rise of waterand grass-based decks. Pokemon Center Lady has leveled the playing field, as it can heal 30 damage to any type. While the total amount of health it heals is considerably less than other healing supporters, it still outdoes Potion in healing potential. Any deck can now combine Potion, Giant Cape, and Pokemon Center Lady for the potential to heal 70 HP in a single turn.
The secondary effect of this card will also help it scale into many sets. Since Pokemon Center Lady can remove conditions, this means that cards like TL Snorlax can get past its sleeping side effect. Strategies that revolve around poison or confusion can be nullified. Pokemon Center Lady isn’t the flashiest supporter card, but it’s almost always useful, making it more or less the best trainer in the set.
