The Triumphant Light expansion for Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has introduced a myriad of exciting new cards, from powerful ex cards to Pokémon with fresh abilities. However, no card has had an immediate impact on the meta quite like the Irida er. The new trainer card has given water decks an overwhelming upgrade, offering them an advantage in the form of healing.

Water decks are a staple of competitive play, already powered by formidable cards like Starmie ex, Articuno ex, and the unforgettably effective Misty. With this game-changing upgrade, Water-type decks are set to become even more dominant, challenging the ever-popular Celebi ex and Pikachu ex decks. Irida now stands as one of the best — if not the best — er cards in the game, rivaling the ever-present Misty.

Irida’s Game-Changing Healing Effect

Irida Is A Must-Have For Water Decks

ers are a key part of Pokémon TCG Pocket battles, serving as an important component of every strategy. Irida’s ability is one of the most efficient seen in the game, becoming the best healing mechanic available. Irida allows players to heal 40 damage from each of their Pokémon that has any Water Energy attached. Unlike other healing abilities that focus on a singular Pokémon, Irida targets the entire board.

This effect provides massive value in Water-type decks, as many rely on energy acceleration and distribution. Most Water-type strategies require energy to be distributed quickly to several powerful ex cards, ensuring Irida will target every card in play. This makes Water-type decks more resilient against aggressive decks that can produce energy quickly, like Celebi ex.

How Water Decks Dominate With Irida

It’s Simple To Maximize Irida's Potential In Competitive Play

Before the release of Triumphant Light, Water-type decks were already powerful. However, their main weakness was sustainability over multiple turns, especially if the ideal opening hand didn’t materialize. The addition of Irida improves this problem, giving Water-type decks more longevity with it healing effect. Cards like Starmie ex and Articuno ex have 130 and 150 respectively. This is on the lower end of ex cards in the game. Therefore, Irida is able to give them more of a chance of lasting into later turns, especially if Misty’s coin flip did not work.

er cards can only be used once per turn.

Irida also partners perfectly with the Misty er card. Misty allows the player to choose one Water-type Pokémon and flip a coin until they get tails. For each heads they flip, they take a Water Energy from the Energy Zone and attach it to that Pokémon. This allows the player to distribute Energy quickly, meaning there are more cards that can be healed.

The perfect Water-type deck should include Irida, allowing the player to heal 40 HP in key moments. Starmie ex and Articuno ex make obvious choices for powerful ex crads to put in this deck also. However, the Gyarados ex and Vaporeon deck would also benefit massively from Irida. Obviously, Misty should be included in any Water-type deck in order to power attacks in a single turn. Irida has truly revolutionized Water-type decks, offering unparalleled healing and making them more resilient than ever. Water decks are now a force to be reckoned with in Pokémon TCG Pocket competitive play.