Time Capsule: TCG Throwbacks in Triumphant Light

The most outstanding feature of Triumphant Light is its eight Pokémon with "Link" abilities. Their Link abilities become active when either Arceus or Arceus ex is on their side of the field, unlocking new powers from the sheer presence of the deity. All these Pokémon have a different type and all Pokémon types are represented, with the exception of Dragon. All of these cards have a rippling pattern effect on their background, Arceus included.

This is a reference to the original Arceus cards in the Arceus set (2009), where an Arceus of each type was printed, each with a special rippling background effect depending on how far they were from the central Arceus.

In Pokémon TCG Pocket, the rippling pattern remains identical accross all cards and has a star at the center top. It's likely that this star represents Arceus in the middle of the Pokémon, as the immersive Arceus ex animation shows, where all Pokémon are sitting or flying at various layers of distance all around it.

If you wondered where the inspiration comes for Garchomp ex, look no further than Garchomp from Forbidden Light (2018). type, a first attack that deals 50 damage to any of the opponent's Pokémon, and a 3-Energy attack dealing 100 damage: looks familiar, doesn't it? Ironically, Royal Blades gets much stronger if you used the supporter Cynthia on your turn: in Pokémon TCG Pocket unfortunately, Cynthia doesn't work on Garchomp ex.

Leafeon ex, a star of Triumphant Light, is obviously inspired by Leafeon V from Evolving Skies (2021). Both have an ability that attach a Energy to one of your Pokémon, although with sensible differences: Leafeon ex only does it to Pokémon and while in the Active spot, while using Leafeon V's Greening Cells will then end the turn. There's even a bit of similarity in their Illustration Rare art!

Although the first strictly identical effect to Snowy Terrain in the TCG come very late with Trevenant from Obsidian Flames (2023), that kind of damaging effect between each turn can be seen as early as in 2004 with Victreebel's Acid Sampler. Back then, you had to have 2 Active Victreebel for it to work (yes, you could have 2 Active Pokémon back then!)

Besides the amount of HP healed (40 instead of 50), Irida is identical to Lana from Burning Shadows (2017). Both are important characters in their respective game: Irida is the leader of the Pearl Clan in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, while Lana is a Trial Captain (a kind of Gym Leader) in Pokémon Sun & Moon. Lana was marginally played in some decks back then: Irida is up for a brighter future in TCG Pocket!

The leader of the Diamond clan and Irida's rival Adaman has also a Supporter card that's rather similar in effect to a previous Gym Leader Supporter card, released in Surging Sparks (2024): Jasmine's Gaze. While her effect applies to all your Pokémon, Jasmine herself is a gym leader from Johto specializing in types.