Time Capsule: TCG Throwbacks in Space-Time Smackdown

Cynthia's ace Pokémon is one of the few in TCG Pocket with a drawing effect, and the only one that does so through an ability rather than an attack. Garchomp's Reckless Shearing lets you discard a card from your hand to draw a new one. This "rumaging" effect increases your chances of finding the card you need at the right moment. TCG Pocket seems to be cautious with this powerful ability, limiting it to a Stage 2 Pokémon.

The first instance of this effect in the Pokémon TCG appeared with Dark Kadabra's Matter Exchange in the Team Rocket set.

Scratching Nails belongs to a line of attacks that deal more damage when the opponent's Active Pokémon is already damaged. The first of this kind was Rend, an attack used by several Pokémon during the Ruby & Sapphire era of the TCG (2003), starting with Donphan.

The specific Scratching Nails attack first appeared on Meowscarada ex in Paldea Evolved (2023).

The Legendary trio from Generation 4 is always printed together and often becomes more powerful when all three are on the field, with Mesprit acting as the "boss" of the group. Its Supreme Blast attack references Mesprit LV.X from Legends Awakened (2008) and deals the same damage as Mesprit's Guardian Burst from Surging Sparks (2024). In all cases, these attacks require the full trio to be on the field to function.

Levitate is a recurring ability in the TCG, first appearing on Vibrava from the Dragon set (2003). Unlike in the video games, where it makes the Pokémon immune to Ground-type attacks, in the TCG, it removes a Pokémon's Retreat Cost when it has an Energy attached.

Skarmory's design is likely inspired by the aggressive Skarmory from Darkness Ablaze (2020). It reuses the Metal Arms attack with the same effect and deals identical damage when a Tool is attached!

Having a Pokémon Tool attached can be a drawback too! This type of punishing attack first appeared with Kingler in Crystal Guardians (2006), but the first Assault Laser attack was introduced with Manectric ex in Phantom Forces (2014). Some variations of this type of attack also discard the attached Tool.

Although Pokémon Tools have been in the TCG since 2003, the first attack specifically designed to discard a Tool from an opponent's Pokémon appeared with Aipom in Mysterious Treasures (2007). This effect is often found on attacks named Pluck and Peck Off (for bird Pokémon) or Joust (for various Pokémon). The latter is commonly associated with this type of attack, as seen on Klefki from Scarlet & Violet (2023).

As for Starly, it retains the name Pluck, fittingly appropriate for a bird.

Dusknoir's ability and illustration are taken from the Dusknoir from Flashfire (2014). There is a slight difference with Shadow Void: in the TCG, you can choose how much damage to place on Dusknoir, whereas in TCG Pocket, you must transfer all the damage at once.

This type of ability dates back to Fossil (1999), where Strange Behavior was Slowbro's signature ability.

Raging Hammer is directly taken from Regigigas ex in Next Destinies (2012), maintaining the same Energy cost, damage, and effect. More recently, Regigigas V had a similar "revenge attack" with Angry Wack, which had the same effect but a base damage of 100 and a
Energy cost.

For now, TCG Pocket remains free from power creep!

Energy acceleration is one of the most decisive ways to gain an advantage in the TCG. Today, most top decks include at least one engine of this type to stay ahead.

Attaching Energy from the discard pile is a common effect (e.g., Dark Patch, Professor Sada's Vitality), and Volkner immediately brings to mind the iconic Blacksmith from Flashfire (2014). Blacksmith is significantly stronger as it does not require a specific Pokémon for attachment.