Pokémon TCG: Top 10 Best Celebi of All Time

Hey, guys!

Today, we'll continue reviewing Pokémon from Johto as we explore this region. We'll discuss one of the most iconic legendary Pokémon around, Celebi, the "time traveler", which is known for protecting all plant life in the franchise's universe.

We'll focus on cards that highlight Celebi's recursive nature, as well as a few exceptions that are more offensive.

Without further ado, let's go!

10 - Celebi (X/Y: Promo Cards)

This promo card from the X/Y era stands out because of its ability, Leap Through Time. It lets you toss a coin when it is knocked out. If it's heads, you can recycle Celebi back into your deck. And, the best of all, your opponent won't be able to draw a Prize card as well!

Its attack, Sparkle Motion, is ideal for spread strategies, and works well in Grass decks.

This card was included in the Triple Pack in the BREAKThrough set:

9 - Shining Celebi (Sun/Moon: Promo Cards)

This shiny "baby" version of Celebi stands out because of its ability, Time Recall, which lets you use attacks of previous Pokémon stages, either their base or evolution forms. So, it makes any deck it is in quite versatile, but you'll need to pay for each attack's original energy cost.

This card was available in a special box in the Shining Legends set:

8 - Celebi Crystal (e-Card Series: Skyridge)

During the e-Cards era, Crystal Pokémon would swap types depending on the energies you attached to them. Crystal Celebi would become a Grass, Water, or Psychic Pokémon depending on the energy you used, so it was incredibly versatile.

Furthermore, its attack, Mind Bend, was very efficient against Pokémon with weaknesses to these types, which made it great to beat different matchups.

7 - Celebi "Prime" (Heart Gold/Soul Silver: Triumphant)

Forest Breath is this card's biggest strength. It lets you attach Grass energies from your hand to your Pokémon.

This Celebi is only available in the Legacy format.

6 - Celebi ex (Ruby/Sapphire: Pop Series)

Part of Pop Series, the promo set, this Celebi stands out because of its ability, Time Reversal. It lets you recycle any card from your discard pile to the top of your deck when you move it from your hand to your bench.

5 - Celebi-EX (Black/White: Boundaries Crossed)

This Celebi introduced the Time Recall ability, which lets your Pokémon use any attacks of their previous evolutions.

It was a critical tool for many other cards in Expanded, and helped many tech decks because it supported stage 1 or 2 Pokémon. For instance, you'd often need to copy previous attacks with the Outrage mechanic, such as Charmeleon BCR 19's Raging Claws attack, which "baby" Charizard could copy with Celebi.

4 - Celebi V (Sword/Shield: Chilling Reign)

This Celebi's ability, Leaflet Dance, lets you move Grass energies from your hand to your Pokémon in any way you want. It is essential for strategies that need a fast, efficient energy setup.

If you evolve this Celebi into its VMax form, you'll be able to copy this attack with cards like Memory Capsule VIV 155, Memory Energy LOT 194, or Shining Celebi PR-SM SM79. That's how you'll be able to use its Time Recall ability.

3 - Celebi V (Sword/Shield: Base Set)

This version combines offensive and supportive effects. Its first attack lets you search for Pokémon, and the second one, Line Force, deals damage based on how many benched Pokémon you have in play. You can buff it with stadiums like Sky Field ROS 89.

2 - Celebi VMax (Sword/Shield: Chilling Reign)

This Celebi VMax is both a support Pokémon and an attacker because of its healing ability, Curative Forest, and its attack, Max Plant, which deals damage and lets you search a Pokémon in your deck.

You can significantly buff the damage it deals with tools like Supereffective Glasses ASR 152.

If you want to be more aggressive, like if you copy Celebi V SSH 1's Line Force, here are a few options:

- You can play Memory Capsule VIV 155, but then you'll have to give up Supereffective Glasses ASR 152;

- You can use Memory Energy LOT 194;

- Finally, you can use Shining Celebi PR-SM SM79 to take advantage of its Time Recall ability.

1 - Celebi & Venusaur TAG TEAM GX (Sun/Moon: Team Up)

Our first place just had to be this partnership with Venusaur that came out in the Sun & Moon block, alongside other TAG TEAM cards.

It has versatile attacks, like Pollen Hazard and Solar Beam, and a powerful GX attack that heals it completely while it lets you recycle your deck. It is one of the most versatile Celebi around.

What did you think of our list? What would your "Top 10 Best Celebi" list look like? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!