Pokémon TCG: 2025 Rewind - The Rights and Wrongs

Greetings, Pokémon community! Today, we'll look back on everything that happened in Pokémon TCG in 2025.

The new year, 2026, will bring us new sets for the new block, Mega Evolution, and end the Scarlet & Violet block for good. In April, we'll welcome a new rotation, which will remove all G cards from Standard. Nonetheless, in the last 12 months, the Pokémon Company did some good things as well as some bad things.

That being said, I'll go over everything that happened this year (with examples) and offer you my perspective as a veteran player (both in Standard and in Expanded).

To start, some of the things we brought up in 2023 when we reviewed that year were addressed this past year, 2025.

But there is a lot to be done still.

Balance Between Stage 1/2 Pokémon ex and Basic Pokémon ex

A lot changed this season. Pokémon ex became more relevant, as they should be. The idea behind all the Pokémon games has always been to "evolve your pocket monsters to their best form". This was lost to time in Pokémon TCG because of "power creep" and how fast matches became, particularly in the Sun & Moon era with Pokémon TAG TEAM-GX. These Pokémon were basic in theory but quite destructive and powerful in practice.

In previous blocks, like Black & White and X & Y, we had Pokémon-EX (yes, EX, capital letters), but even then the Prize card race was more just, as knocking out Pokémon-EX gave us 2 Prize cards. Not to mention how different "rotations" were in the West at the time, more specifically the fact that all sets in a block were available at once. The Pokémon Company interacted with the cards in the meta differently, maybe even thinking, "what is the best time of the year for a rotation?"

Back to evolution Pokémon "ex" (yes, ex, lower-case letters), it was nice to see cards like Charizard ex sv3 125 and Pidgeot ex sv3 164 in 2025. Pidgeot ex sv3 164, in particular, felt like Pidgeot RG 10 for anyone who played in the Ruby & Sapphire era.

A few other great examples are Dragapult ex, Gholdengo ex, Gardevoir ex, and Ceruledge ex.

We also can't forget Trainer Partners, like Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex DRI 136 and N's Zoroark ex JTG 98. They were relevant in the meta, as well as popular evolutions.

Trainer Partners Mechanics Return

Trainer Partners are finally here again!

After a long time (since Diamond & Pearl, in fact), Trainer Partners have returned under new, fascinating colors, more powerful than ever. "Signature Pokémon" from famous game titles (and even other media, like the manga comics) now go through their entire evolution line. Before, we could only play their "basic" form or an upgraded "ex" form.

For instance, let's look at Cynthia and her Garchomp. In Diamond & Pearl, this was a "basic" Pokémon that could be upgraded to an "LV.X" Pokémon.

Currently, to set up a Garchomp, we need to go through its entire evolution line, which makes this mechanic quite balanced.

Redesigning "Mega Evolutions"

Another great change was that we no longer need to pass our turn and essentially "lose it" if we Mega Evolve one of our Pokémon. This was one of the most common complaints when they were first released in X & Y.

To mitigate this drawback, the Pokémon Company released cards like Spirit Link. With them, we could keep playing even after playing Mega Evolutions.

However, they didn't release Spirit Link for all Pokémon. Some we could only get with special products or promo products, like Lucario Spirit Link PR-XY XY211.

Now, as we can Mega Evolve Pokémon naturally but also lose 3 Prize cards if the opponent knocks them out, the mechanic is a bit more balanced.

ACE SPECs Return

The ACE SPEC mechanic, originally introduced in Black & White, made a few specific cards a lot more powerful, like the classic Computer Search BS 71 from the Wizards of the Coast Base Set era. Its effect was considered too strong because it draws cards in a deck that desperately needs it. It was eventually redesigned in Black & White as an ACE SPEC and only sees play as one copy in each deck.

I'd like to see more of these cards, and more often (we'll go over that further on), because they don't cause issues when they come out several times in different blocks. It actually encourages the dev team to create new "staple" cards and allows them to redesign a few cards that were powerful in Standard in the past but banned in Expanded. For instance, consider Unfair Stamp TWM 165, a redesigned Reset Stamp UNM 206.

I would like to highlight two excellent examples: Secret Box and Prime Catcher.

Reprinting Relevant Cards

Another great change in this block was that the Pokémon Company recycled a few cards in Standard, like Super Rod, Superior Energy Retrieval, and Counter Catcher.

These cards struggled a lot in Expanded because of "scalpers" in a few countries and because of the Gym Leader Challenge format. Once they were reprinted, this market problem was fixed.

Other great cards that returned in this manner were the many Technical Machines, now with new attacks and effects.

Categorizing Cards in Sets and Blocks

How a Set is Categorized

Up until Sword & Shield, each card followed the clear visual identity of its set, either with a sort of logo or stamp. This was quite charming and helped us properly absorb each card and set.

Take, for instance, Arceus VStar:

This set, Brilliant Stars, was identified by the symbol above, which was a direct reference to the ring in Arceus's body because it was the focal point in that set. This was quite helpful for anyone researching Arceus cards, this set, or even collectors.

However, in Scarlet & Violet, each card came with a code for their particular set. These codes were often ambiguous, which became a challenge for any new player or outsider. For instance, the third set in this block, Obsidian Flames, was coded OBF when it could have been OBS or OFL. This created a lot of confusion.

My suggestion is to follow the Japanese standard. The code for the block (for Scarlet & Violet, it would be SV) comes with a number:

- Scarlet/Violet: Base Set = SV1 (Main Set)

- Scarlet/Violet: Paldean Evolved = SV2 (Main Set)

- Scarlet/Violet: Obsidian Flames = SV3 (Main Set)

- Scarlet/Violet: 151 = SV3.5 (Special Set)

Special sets could have different codes, but keep the numbers as a reference.

This was also a problem in Mega Evolution. The Pokémon Company initially started with MEG, but then they followed with generic codes, like Phantasmal Flames (PFL). It should be like so, for instance:

- Mega Evolution = ME1

- Phantasmal Flames = ME2

- Ascended Heroes = ME2.5

Card Categorization

Another simple categorization issue they could address is Trainers.

In the official catalogue, Supporters, Items, Tools, and Stadiums are all jumbled together and aren't organized at all.

Let's see a few images from the Mega Evolution Base Set:

Please note that the card numbered 115 is an Item - it's Energy Switch. Next comes another Item (number 116), and then comes a Stadium out of nowhere (number 117). Right afterward comes another Item (number 118), and then a Supporter, Lillie's Determination, as number 119.

This is too chaotic.

Considering there are four Supporters in this set ("Lillie's Determination", "Lt. Surge Bargain", "Pokémon Center Lady", and "Wally's Compassion"), they could all be the first four cards in this sequence, from numbers 115 to 118. Then, we could have Stadiums, Items, and Tools. It would be cleaner.

The Sets in Each Block Aren't Separated Correctly

Another problem is how they separated each set in their blocks, particularly if we consider how Pokémon TCG evolved since Sun & Moon, when base/main sets were more consistent in terms of numbers.

To sum up: Sun & Moon had 12 main sets and 4 special sets. Sword & Shield once again had 12 main sets, but 5 special sets.

Now, Scarlet & Violet only had 10 main sets and still 5 special sets. Please note that Black Bolt & White Flare can be considered a base set.

See how the standard number of sets for each block has been broken?

There is also another problem. We first saw this type of problem in Heart Gold & Soul Silver, when Call of Legends came out as a special set but also followed the overall identity of the block.

This happened again with Mega Evolution: even though the Pokémon Company introduced it as a new block, the mechanics in it are similar to Scarlet & Violet mechanics. Even some card designs are similar. When a new phase rolls out, usually all cards go through a visual redesign, but that didn't happen this time either.

The Pokémon Company considers this the official categorization:

But, it should actually look like this:

The Scarlet & Violet set should have 12 main sets, and then Mega Evolution could be introduced as extra content. Black Bolt & White Flare should still be a main set.

Special Sets

Too Many Special Sets In Between Main Sets

Special sets are another problem in Pokémon TCG. They might be called "special sets", but the Pokémon Company considers them "common", a natural part of the main set schedule. This dilutes the concept of "special".

In Sun & Moon, they introduced these sets sporadically: once per year from 2017 to 2019 (except for Detective Pikachu and Hidden Fates, which were released in March and August 2019). Hidden Fates, featuring "shiny" Pokémon, was timed perfectly.

Meanwhile, in Sword & Shield, Champion's Path focused solely on Charizard V CPA 79, which occupied a lot of space. Charizard VMAX SHF SV107 was eventually released in Shining Fates. Both could have come out at the end of this block and leave more space for other "shiny" Pokémon, like Arceus VStar, Giratina VStar, Origin Forme Palkia VStar, and Origin Forme Dialga VStar.

This also happened in Scarlet & Violet, more specifically Paldean Fates. This set only had three "shiny" Pokémon: Charizard, Gardevoir, and Mew.

This was a missed opportunity. They could have released more "shiny" Pokémon from Paldea and other meta Pokémon ex, like "shiny" Dragapult ex and Ceruledge ex. Even Koraidon and Miraidon deserved "shiny" cards.

Powerful, Rare Staples

Another matter we must consider is the small number of playable cards in Standard, which makes it harder for us, players, to keep up with the game. Usually, these cards would be "reprinted" in other products, like Fezandipiti ex SFA 38 did.

Initially, this card was very popular but very rare. Later on, the Dragapult League Deck made it a bit more accessible. This was terrible for those who bought Shrouded Fable products at absurd prices just to keep up with the meta.

Another problematic case was Night Stretcher SFA 61. The regular version was only available in Shrouded Fable, while the Full Art version (Night Stretcher MEG 173) was in Mega Evolution, and the Gold Full Art (Night Stretcher SSP 251) was in Scarlet & Violet: Surging Sparks. These last two versions were very difficult to obtain, as the odds of getting them in boosters were quite low.

And we don't even have to mention Prismatic Evolutions, which was released for greed alone.

Cards Designed to Answer the Meta with Short Shelf Life

The Pokémon Company tends to answer specific cards that are dominating the meta "as fast as possible", without much thought.

One example of that is Dusclops PRE 36 and Dusknoir PRE 37, which are currently dominating the meta. After a long time, as a "quick fix", the Pokémon Company released Psyduck as a promo card in Mega Evolution.

The impression we are left with is that the Pokémon Company releases cards without considering the long-term consequences. When problems arise, the company tries to fix each particular problem as fast as possible, without considering broader alternatives. No other Pokémon, for instance, does something similar to Dusclops and Dusknoir.

Not Planning Mechanics Long Term

Terastal Mechanics

This problem has existed since Sword & Shield.

Back then, we had single strike, rapid strike, and fusion strike Pokémon, which didn't stand out too much when they were available in the main formats. They were relatively relevant when they first came out, back when Battle Styles and Chilling Reigns came out, but soon lost traction. The Pokémon Company still focused on these mechanics in Evolving Skies but "buried them" in Fusion Strike, which only focused on one Pokémon: Mew VMAX FST 114.

This is still a problem in Scarlet & Violet. The Pokémon Company clearly doesn't plan a lot for their Terastal Pokémon, and when they do them, they're not very diverse. Most keep their basic types, like Dragapult ex PRE 73, Gholdengo ex sv4 139, and Ceruledge ex SSP 36, as well as the Prismatic Evolutions Eeveelutions.

This lack of planning (which is also related to the abrupt split between sets in a block) also includes Ascended Heroes, from Mega Evolution. It might use Mega Evolutions as a foundation, but it also features Terastal Koraidon ex and Terastal Miraidon ex.

The question we are left with is why didn't they include these Pokémon in Scarlet & Violet, the logical choice, instead of "filling" it with ex cards that aren't that relevant, like Toxicroak ex sv1 131 and Magnezone ex sv1 65 (from Scarlet & Violet's Base Set)?

Trainer Partners Mechanics

We welcomed this mechanic back into the game with open arms, undoubtedly, but we can't say it was well planned.

Journey Together only included four characters, even though we expected more Paldea characters, like Iono. It's true that this generation had just begun, but they could bring characters like Mela and even Professors Turo and Sada and their respective signature Pokémon.

Mela, for instance, appears with many Pokémon:

Ethan was a nice surprise in Destined Rivals. However, this was also a missed opportunity. They could have featured Silver and Kris to complete the Gold, Silver, and Crystal trio.

Furthermore, Lyra, a striking character from the Heart Gold/Soul Silver remakes, could also have made an appearance in this set.

Journey Together also brought us N, one of the most popular antiheroes in the franchise. I would have really enjoyed seeing Ghetsis, his "father", and Hydreigon as well.

Even if we consider Black Bolt/White Flare a special set instead of a main set, they could also have included other iconic characters from the Unova generation, such as Iris, Alder, Cailin, Cheren, Drayden, Elesa, and others.

Unova Gym Leaders

Unova Elite 4

Considering the very few spoilers we got of the latest Japanese sets, the Pokémon Company seems to be addressing this discrepancy. The Nihil Zero set (the one after Mega Dream ex) will bring us striking characters from the past, like Erika, from Kanto.

ACE SPECs Take Another Break

As we mentioned before, we were glad to see this mechanic return to Standard. However, that didn't last long. Once again, the Pokémon Company decided to stop releasing this mechanic and stop reprinting popular cards like Dowsing Machine and Computer Search.

Power Creep Related to Pokémon ex

As time went on, the Pokémon Company began releasing cards that were more and more powerful, with more and more HP, a problem that has existed since Sun & Moon with Pokémon TAG TEAM-GX. I've been saying for a while that they have to make "Rule Box" Pokémon weak to two Pokémon types to:

1) Make the meta more diverse, without relying on a single archetype or strategy.

2) Balance the cards.

This was also a problem in the Sword & Shield era, when Mew VMAX FST 114 dominated the meta. If it was weak to another Pokémon type (as a Psychic Pokémon), other decks could see play in Standard without relying exclusively on specific solutions, like Drapion V LOR 118.

Without two type weaknesses, the meta becomes a lot less flexible. Meanwhile, Dragon archetypes, for instance, are still not weak to any type of Pokémon and have a lot of HP as well as devastating attacks.

Mega Dragonite ex, for instance, could be weak to Electric Pokémon, while Dragapult ex could be weak to Darkness Pokémon, considering its weakness to Ghost Pokémon in the games.

No Pokémon ex Attackers and "Baby" Pokémon That Don't Have Relevant Attacks

Ascended Heroes revealed the Legends Z-A starters: Mega Emboar, Mega Feraligatr, and Mega Meganium. However, these cards are not very diverse in terms of attacks. It's a sign of laziness from the Pokémon Company that they only have one main attack and don't have other abilities or secondary attacks to make up for this.

"Baby" Pokémon (mostly bulk cards) are not relevant at all. Their evolution lines deal very little damage and are not diverse in terms of attacks either, like Cynthia's Gible and Gabite.

In comparison, check out Exploud from Emerald, Ruby & Sapphire: it had diverse attacks and dealt a reasonable amount of damage.

What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!