Summary
Despite the recent release of the big Gen 4-themed set called Space-Time Smackdown,Pokemon TCG Pocketreleased another small-scale set just a few days ago, immediately after Pokemon Day 2025. There were many leaks leading up to the launch ofPokemon TCG Pocket’s Triumphant Light set, and several of them mentioned that the main critter for the expansion would be Arceus, following the Origin Temple theme of set A2 featuring Dialga and Palkia. Some fans lamented the release cadence of sets in 2025 due to Space-Time Smackdown coming on January 30 and Triumphant Light just 28 days after, but the A2a expansion is reasonably small - just not in terms of impact on the meta.
Not allPokemon TCG Pocketplayers like to engage with the battling aspect of the game, and the title’s main appeal could simply be its free booster pack-opening feature and collecting cards. For those fans, Triumphant Light may be a bit too soon out of the oven, but it only contains 75 cards, and is much more similar in size to Mythical Island than any other set. However, for the fans who do like battles in any shape or form, this small set completely reshaped the meta that Space-Time Smackdown established.
How Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Triumphant Light Set Changed The Meta
Three maindeck archetypes forPokemon TCG Pockethave benefitted a lot from Triumphant Light so far, though the meta is still evolving, and things may change further. These decks include:
Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Dialga Ex and Arceus Ex Deck Explained
Dialga Ex was not in the top spot when Space-Time Smackdown came out nor did it climb up the ranks all that much in the following weeks. It’s a solid deck thanks to Dialga Ex’s Metal Turbo attack, which grants 2 Metal Energy to any benched Pokemon, making it great for combos withPokemon TCG Pocket’s Mew Ex or Yanmega Ex- if not another Dialga Ex. With Triumphant Light, however, the deck can now count on Arceus Ex to deal up to 130 damage to opposing Pokemon with just 3 Energy, making it incredibly strong and reliable against opposing Ex cards. Furthermore, some decklists run Mew Ex to counter big hitters as well as the new Sky Support Shaymin to replace Leaf in the deck for easier retreat.
Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Celebi Ex and Leafeon Ex Deck Explained
Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Exeggutor Ex and Celebi Ex deckhas been very popular so far even into Space-Time Smackdown, but Exeggutor Ex is probably going to see significantly less play moving forward thanks to Leafeon Ex from Triumphal Light. This is because Leafeon Ex has a more reliable attack in Solar Beam for 70 damage, but more importantly, it has the Forest Breath ability, which provides any Grass Pokemon with 1 Grass Energy if Leafeon Ex is in the active spot. This can accelerate Celebi Ex with ease and even counter decks like Charizard Ex/Moltres Ex, which would normally win this matchup.
Pokemon TCG Pocket’s 18-Trainer Articuno Ex Deck Explained
Not a lot has changed forArticuno Ex decksin terms of Pokemon used, as the theme remains to run 18 Trainer cards and two copies of Articuno Ex, but the deck has gotten stronger still in Triumphant Light. This is because of the new Triumphant Light card Irida, which is a Supporter card that heals all Pokemon that have Water Energy attached to them. This is an amazing card that gives Water decks some of the healing power Grass has with Erika, and in an 18-Trainer card deck it’s enough to push its usage rate up high by quite a lot. This may be the least powerful or consistent deck of the bunch, but players can still pull a surprise victory with Misty or otherwise keep Articuno Ex alive more easily with Irida.
