Pokemon TCG Pocket's A4 expansion has added several new cards that contribute to one of the game's most irritating archetypes: Mill. For those unfamiliar, in card games like Pokemon TCG Pocket, the mill archetype is a strategy that involves discarding or nullifying as many enemy cards as possible.
The main goal of a mill strategy is to restrict the opponent's playable cards so they're guaranteed to lose. What makes this approach viable are the cards or tools that attack enemy cards before they're played, something Pokemon TCG Pocket's roster has lacked until now.
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Pokemon TCG Pocket's A4 Set Adds Multiple Mill-Friendly Cards
- Murkrow: After a successful coin flip, Murkrow forces the enemy to reveal a random card and shuffle it back into their deck
- Houndoom (Dark-type): Discards a random card from the opponent's hand
- Dark Pendant (Tool): When attached to a Dark-type Pokemon, it forces the opponent to reveal a random card and shuffle it back into their deck each time they attack and damage the Pokemon it's attached to
- Silver: Reveals the enemy's hand and allows the player to send one of their Supporters back into the deck
Thanks to the addition of cards like Houndoom, Murkrow, Silver, and Dark Pendant, the mill archetype is no longer an impractical strategy. These new A4 cards can also synergize with Persian from Pokemon TCG Pocket's A1 set, which used to be the one-man army of the mill archetype.
Here's an example of how the overhauled milling could work: Houndoom is in the Active Spot with Dark Pendant equipped. Every time it attacks the opposing player, they lose a card from their hand and every time the enemy attacks Houndoom, they lose another card. Fans should also remember that Pokemon TCG Pocket's Trainer Cards, like Red Card and Mars, can support this strategy as well, leaving the enemy with almost no cards to play.
That said, the mill archetype still has a long way to go if it wants to top the meta. A4 has certainly enhanced the strategy, but milling isn't the best plan against Pokemon TCG Pocket's current meta-dominating decks. Most of them can deal with card discarders like Houndoom before they have a chance to make a lasting impact. What the archetype needs to have a say in the metagame is more synergies and a few new discard-oriented Trainers. Until then, it will remain in the "fun to play" category of decks, likely lacking the consistency needed to climb the competitive PvP ladder.
- Released
- October 30, 2024
- Developer(s)
- DeNA, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- The Pokemon Company
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes
WHERE TO PLAY
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket lets you easily collect Pokémon cards. Creatures Inc. Has created exciting new visual effects for cards that are only possible digitally.
Pokémon cards, played with by people in 89 countries, are now closer to you than ever!
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■ You can open packs every day to get cards!
Collect cards every day! You can open two booster packs every day at no cost to collect Pokémon cards featuring heartwarming illustrations from the past as well as all-new cards exclusive to this game.
■ New Pokémon cards!
Immersive cards, a brand-new kind of card, make their debut here! With new illustrations that have a 3D feel, immersive cards will make you feel like you’ve leapt into the world of the card’s illustration!
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You can trade certain cards with friends. Use the trade feature to collect even more cards!
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