Summary
ThePokemon TCG’s Battle Partners expansion includes Trainer’s Pokemon, a concept first introduced in the Gym Heroes expansion. It’s great to see familiar trainers and their iconic Pokemon in this set, but at the same time, you’ll want the best cards for your deck.
When choosing these cards, there are many deciding factors, and abilities play a significant role. Some abilities are defensive, others offensive, and some even allow you to draw cards, potentially turning the tide of battle. Curious about the best abilities in Battle Partners?
10Magearna
Ability: Auto Heal
As long as this Pokemon is in the Active Spot, whenever you attach an Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Pokemon, heal 90 damage from it.
Spike Draw (20)
Draw 2 cards.
Magearna’s ability is incredibly useful, but keep in mind it only works while Magearna is in the Active Spot. Healing 90 damage every time you attach Energy to one of your Pokemon is a blessing—bringing heavily damaged ex cards or other valuable Pokemon back to strength is something every player would want.
Being able to heal while also powering up your Pokemon speeds up their return to battle. However, since Magearna doesn’t have much HP and must stay Active for this ability to work, it’s uncertain how long your opponent will let it survive. Still, as long as Magearna holds its ground, its Spike Draw attack letting you draw two extra cards will keep your deck engine running smoother than ever.
9Regirock
Ability: Rock Armor
If this Pokemon has any Energy attached, it takes 30 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance).
Buster Latriat (120)
This attack’s damage isn’t affected by Resistance.
Regirock’s Pokemon ability is as sturdy as a rock. Any damage Regirock takes from attacks is reduced by 30, making it a reliable tank. This gives you extra time to power up your benched Pokemon while Regirock soaks up hits.
On top of that, Regirock’s attack, Buster Lariat, ignores resistance and hits hard, so you can count on it offensively too. While this ability may not shine as much in the late game, reducing incoming damage is always a comforting safety net.
8Hop’s Snorlax
Ability: Extra Helpings
Attacks used by your Hop’s Pokémon do 30 more damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon (before applying Weakness and Resistance). The effect of Extra Helpings doesn’t stack.
Dynamic Press (140)
This Pokemon also does 80 damage to itself.
Hop’s Snorlax is neither an ex card nor an evolution card from any stage, it is a basic card!. However, the effect it provides makes Hop’s Pokemon deal an additional 30 damage to your opponent. Snorlax itself also benefits from this.
you’re able to easily defeat even the final-stage evolved cards that your opponent has worked hard to evolve, and with some luck, you might even take down ex cards with this damage bonus. Many of Hop’sPokemon being colorlesscan make managing energy easier.Additionally, Pokemon like Sandaconda, Corviknight, and Zacian ex, which are all Hop’s Pokemon, will become even more lethal with this ability. If you’re using a Steel and Fighting-type deck, Hop’s Snorlax will fit perfectly.
7Ludicolo
Ability: Vital Samba
Your Pokemon in play get +40 HP. The effect of Vital Samba doesn’t stack.
Hydro Splash (130)
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Ludicolo’s Pokemon ability is quite defensive, providing an additional 40 HP to all your Pokemon cards, effectively giving you an extra layer of protection. Whether Ludicolo is your Active Pokemon or on the Bench, this ability works in both cases.
While an extra 40 HP may seem insignificant in the later stages of the game, it can be quite valuable when trying to evolve your basic Pokemon into stronger stages. Especially sincestatus effects like poison and burncan quickly deplete your Pokemon’s health, or when facing annoying attacks that deal damage to your Bench, this ability proves to be very useful.
6Meowscarada
Ability: Showtime
Once during your turn, if this Pokemon is on your Bench, you may switch it with your Active Pokemon
Rising Bloom (90+)
If your opponent’s Active Pokemon is a Pokemon ex, this attack does 90 more damage.
Meowscarada, one of the coolest Pokemonfrom Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, might not seem to have an ability as impactful as some others, but it’s actually quite versatile in both offensive and defensive situations.
If you want to protect your Active Pokemon, you can switch your Benched Meowscarada into the Active Spot using this ability without paying any retreat cost. On top of that, since Meowscarada’s attack, Rising Bloom, deals extra damage to ex Pokemon, your opponent will have to think twice before putting one of them into the Active Spot.
5Iono’s Bellibolt ex
Ability: Electric Streamer
As often as you like during your turn, you may attach a Basic Lightning Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Iono’s Pokemon.
Thunderous Bolt (230)
During your next turn, this Pokemon can’t attack.
Iono’s Bellibolt ex allows you to attach as many Basic Lightning Energy cards from your hand to any of Iono’s Pokemon during your turn. SinceIono is an Electric-type Gym Leader, her Pokemon cards are also Lightning-type. This ability makes Iono’s Voltorb especially deadly, as its Chain Bolt attack deals 20 damage for each Lightning Energy attached to Iono’s Pokemon.
This turns a basic card like Voltorb into a powerful weapon. Imagine having multiple Voltorbs! Additionally, in the early turns of a match, suddenly adding Lightning Energy to one of Iono’s Pokemon can give you a speed advantage, pushing you ahead with electric-like speed!
4Iono’s Kilowattrel ex
Ability: Flash Draw
You must discard a Basic Lightning Energy card from this Pokemon in order to use this Ability. Once during your turn, you may draw cards until you have 6 cards in your hand.
Mach Bolt (70)
Kilowattrel ex’s Ability is one of those precious draw Abilities — letting you refill your hand to six cards if you’re running low. This can be a game-saver, especially when you’ve got no cards left in hand. However, you can’t do this for free — you must discard a Basic Lightning Energy from this Pokémon to activate it.
Luckily, it pairs incredibly well with Iono’s other Pokemon, Bellibolt ex. Thanks to Bellibolt’s Ability, the Lightning Energy cards you draw can immediately power up any of Iono’s Pokemon, setting the stage for a devastating electric attack that your opponent won’t see coming!
3N’s Zoroark ex
Ability: Trade
You must discard a card from your hand in order to use this Ability. Once during your turn, you may draw 2 cards.
Night Joker
Choose 1 of your Benched N’s Pokemon’s attacks and use it as this attack.
N and Zoroark areiconic battle partners, and this card’s Ability makes it even better. you may draw two extra cards every turn, which is incredibly valuable. You’ll quickly find the Energy, Item, Trainer, or Pokemon cards you need — getting game-changing cards before your opponent. You have to discard a card to activate this Ability, but draw power like this is always worth it.
Finding key cards faster lets you build synergy much sooner. Plus, N’s Zoroark ex’s attack, Night Joker, works perfectly with this Ability. Maybe you can find N’s Reshiram from your deck with Zoroark’s Trade ability and copy its attack — a fitting illusionist trick.
2Mamoswine ex
Ability: Mammoth Hauler
Once during your turn, you may search your deck for a Pokemon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
Rumbling March (180+)
This attack does 40 more damage for each Stage 2 Pokemon on your Bench.
Mamoswine’s ability is incredibly powerful and useful. Being able to take any Pokemon card from your deck once per turn is an unmatched advantage. Instead of waiting for the best card to come up, you may grab it immediately, place it on your Bench, and start attaching energy to it right away.
Whether it’s an ex card or an important evolution for a Pokemon on your Bench, there’s nothing stopping you from getting it. You don’t even need Mamoswine to be your Active Pokemon to use this ability. A guaranteed card every turn is a step toward victory!
1Lycanroc
Ability: Spike-Clad
When you play this Pokemon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokemon during your turn, you may attach up to 2 Spiky Energy cards from your discard pile to this Pokemon.
Clamping Fangs (40+)
This attack does 40 more damage for each damage counter on your opponent’s Active Pokemon.
Lycanroc, one ofAsh’s coolest Pokémon, has a powerful ability in Battle Partners. As soon as Lycanroc evolves, you can attach two Spiky Energy cards from your discard pile. Spiky Energy counts as neutral energy, but when your Active Pokémon takes damage, the attacker takes two damage counters.
With two Spiky Energy, any Pokemon hitting Lycanroc takes 40 damage. Lycanroc’s attack, Clamping Fangs, deals 40 plus 40 more for each damage counter on the opponent’s Active Pokemon. This makes Lycanroc a threat, even to the strongest Pokémon. Make sure Spiky Energy is in your discard pile before evolving.
