This year the Pokémon Trading Card Game (or TCG) released six sets, all with powerful cards which impacted the game in their own ways. As the year winds down, we’re taking a look at our top 10 favorite Pokémon cards released this year.
10. Area Zero Underdepths (Stellar Crown)
Released during Stellar Crown, Area Zero Underdepths revitalized decks that want to play with a wide bench for various reasons, such as to bolster the damage of Terapagos ex, Raikou V, or just load up on utility Pokémon such as the Klawf – Terapagos ex deck.
However, as more and more Tera Pokémon are released, the effect will more often than not become two-sided, which may also benefit the opposing trainer. This plays into an interesting minigame of who bumps the Stadium to get rid of their liabilities!
9. Raging Bolt ex (Temporal Forces)
One of the most popular aggressive attackers in the format, Raging Bolt ex continues to be a popular deck due to its ease of play and its strength, which can punish unprepared opponents. It’s also one of the few bad matchups of the juggernaut that is Regidrago VSTAR, which was one of the most dominant decks of the year.
8. Dusknoir (Twilight Masquerade)
While its usage in other decks has tapered off, Dusknoir continues to be a metagame bogeyman as it can punish greedy players who don’t bench backups of their main attackers. Today it sees play mainly in Charizard ex decks, but may see inclusion in more decks in the future if we keep on seeing Rare Candy decks in the metagame.
7. Unfair Stamp (Twilight Masquerade)
We all know Iono is a strong card and can win games on her own. And thus, the printing of Unfair Stamp has given slower decks some time to set up – or has even given aggressive decks a way to stay in the lead by restricting the cards in the opponent’s hand. As it’s not a supporter, we can even pair it with a Supporter such as Boss’s Orders, or fetch it with an Arven. It’s still one of the most popular ACE SPEC cards in the format, often seeing play in Charizard ex and Gardevoir ex decks.
6. Iron Thorns ex (Twilight Masquerade)
Love it or hate it, Iron Thorns ex is here to stay! Often seen as an anti-meta pick, this futuristic Tyranitar can shut down Pokémon that are reliant on their Rule Box abilities, such as Lugia VSTAR and Teal Mask Ogerpon ex. Though often played as the sole four Pokémon in the deck (an archetype called Quad Thorns), this frustrating card has started to pop up in decks such as Dragapult ex to support its rather slow start.
5. Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex (Twilight Masquerade)
In the Pokémon TCG, decks often run an extremely lean amount of Energy Cards, often ranging from 10 to as low as four to pull of their attacks. And so, once the main attackers of the deck have been KO’d and more prizes have been taken, Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex comes to the rescue to end the game, taking key knock outs on most support Pokémon in the format.
4. Prime Catcher (Temporal Forces)
Undoubtedly the most popular ACE SPEC, Prime Catcher‘s strength lies not only on its powerful gust effect, but also the handy upside of switching your own Pokémon to the active spot. Most decks with Prime Catcher likewise run a copy of a free retreater such as Cleffa, so it can retreat into the main attacker, should it already be in the active spot. Just like Unfair Stamp, we can even combo this with a Supporter card for the turn to further accelerate our game plan.
3. Buddy-Buddy Poffin (Temporal Forces)
One of the reasons Stage 2 decks still have a foothold on the meta is Buddy-Buddy Poffin. An homage to the beloved Battle VIP Pass, this allows us to search our deck for tiny basics to kickstart our turn. Starting the game with one to two copies in hand is certainly a great way to begin the round.
2. Teal Mask Ogerpon ex (Twilight Masquerade)
What else can be said about Teal Mask Ogerpon ex? This legendary Pokémon has made the Basic Grass Energy more desirable, as its Teal Dance ability is a huge draw and consistency engine. Apart from its ability to draw cards, it also accelerates energy onto the board, which has propelled Regidrago VSTAR and Raging Bolt ex into popularity, as it gives the decks the necessary energy to pull off their attacks. As long as Energy Switch is legal, Teal Mask Ogerpon ex should find new homes as more cards get released.
1. Fezandipiti ex (Shrouded Fable)
An extremely divisive card, there is certainly no doubt Fezandipiti ex is the standout card of the year. With its Flip the Script ability, it neuters disruption such as Iono and Unfair Stamp and allows players to get back into the game. When ahead, however, we could argue it’s even stronger as it allows us to keep on drawing into resources that can further set up our future attackers, causing a snowball effect. The few counterplays to this member of the Loyal Three include not taking any KOs – which delays our own game plan, unless we’re on Dragapult ex – or to KO Fezandipiti ex first, but Night Stretcher exists as an easy way to recur the bird. Fezandipiti ex will continue to see play until the day it rotates in the far future, much like how Lumineon V and Rotom V continue to be heavily played until today, even though their time is nearly up.
Honorable Mentions
Though these didn’t make the cut, these are cards which made the meta more interesting – the list includes Jamming Tower, Secret Box, Binding Mochi, Briar, and Legacy Energy. These have significantly spiced up Pokémon TCG in 2024 and continue to be utilized by meta contenders as they attempt to usurp the top decks.
Did we miss any of your favorite cards for 2024? We’d love to hear your thoughts! As rotation is fast approaching, we’re ending the year with a rundown on staples to pick up heading into the following year.
Want more Pokémon TCG content? Check out our picks for the top five decks in the Surging Sparks meta.
