Triumphant Light Best Decks and Cards in New Pokémon TCG Pocket Expansion

As players explore the new expansion in Pokémon TCG Pocket, certain deck combinations and standout cards have emerged as particularly potent. This guide breaks down the best decks and must-have cards from Triumphant Light, the complete card list with information also included.

Pokémon TCG Pocket Triumphant Light Best Decks and Cards

The Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) Pocket scene has been revolutionized with the release of Triumphant Light on February 28, 2025, an expansion that introduces over 70 new cards and gameplay mechanics. Headlined by the debut of the Mythical Pokémon Arceus as a powerful Pokémon ex, this set will change the competitive landscape with its Link Abilities and strategic possibilities.

Triumphant Light Card List

Here is the complete list of all 96 cards in the Triumphant Light (Arceus booster pack) for Pokémon TCG Pocket, along with their type, rarity, pull rate, HP, expansion, and card numbers.

Best Decks for Triumphant Light 

1. Arceus ex & Carnivine

The Arceus EX & Carnivine deck thanks to the Carnivine's Power Link ability, which adds 30 damage when Arceus or Arceus EX is in play. This deck builds on the popular Magnezone aggressive strategy but with a different setup condition. Running Magnemite, Magneton, and Magnezone alongside the Arceus-Carnivine combo provides energy acceleration through Magneton's Volt Charge. What makes this deck particularly strong is Carnivine's ability to hit for weakness against popular threats like Darkrai ex and Wailord ex, securing crucial two-hit KOs. Pokémon Communication is essential for assembling both the Carnivine-Arceus combo and the Stage 2 Magnezone line quickly. This is considered possibly the best deck in Triumphant Light because of its consistent damage output and strategic flexibility.

2. Arceus ex & Dialga ex

This deck pairs Arceus ex with Dialga ex to create a powerful energy ramping strategy. The key strength is Arceus's ability to provide free energy each turn, which perfectly complements Dialga's energy-intensive attacks. Shaymin Sky Support serves as essential support by reducing retreat costs for all Basic Pokémon, making it easier to pivot between attackers. The deck runs Giovanni to boost Arceus EX's 130 damage output past critical KO thresholds (like Darkrai EX's 140 HP). While Dawn enables energy movement to fuel Dialga's Heavy Impact attack, the deck's main weakness is its inability to attack effectively before the second turn, making it vulnerable to tempo-based strategies. Despite not being the most meta-defining combination, it represents one of the better applications of Dialga in the current format.

3. Arceus ex & Darkrai ex 

This deck creates a devastating damage engine by combining Arceus ex, Darkrai ex, and Crobat. The synergy produces extraordinary damage: Darkrai's Nightmare Aura places 20 damage counters, Crobat's Cunning Link ability adds 30 damage when Arceus is in play, and Arceus EX with a full bench can hit for 130 damage. This combination can reach 180 damage in a single turn, enough to overwhelm even tanky threats like Charizard EX or caped Exeggutor EX. The deck runs double Pokémon Communication to ensure consistent setup and multiple Dawn supporters to maximize value from Nightmare Aura. While assembling all three key Pokémon simultaneously can be challenging, even partial combinations (Arceus with either Crobat or Darkrai) still deliver significant damage output, making this one of the strongest contenders in the expansion.

4. Darkrai ex & Staraptor

The Darkrai EX & Staraptor deck offers a unique alternative to Magnezone or Greninja as Darkrai's Stage 2 partner. Staraptor's Brave Bird attack delivers an incredible 130 damage for just one energy when paired with Barry supporter, albeit with self-damage. This efficiency allows for devastating early-game pressure, particularly when combined with Darkrai EX's damage output (reaching 150 damage with a Dark energy). The deck includes two Dawn supporters to redistribute energy from Darkrai to Staraptor when needed. While you can't use Dawn and Barry in the same turn, the deck's ability to attack for massive damage with minimal energy investment makes it extremely disruptive against many popular strategies. This innovative combination represents one of the most effective and aggressive options from Triumphant Light.

Top 10 Best Cards for Triumphant Light

1. Arceus ex

Arceus ex is a versatile Basic Colorless Pokémon with 140 HP that serves as a powerful centerpiece in many decks. Its high HP for a Basic Pokémon and Colorless typing allow it to fit into nearly any strategy. Players value it for its attack that likely scales with your board presence, making it more devastating as you develop your setup. As a Colorless type, it can use any energy type, providing flexibility that few other Pokémon offer.

2. Irida

Irida offers crucial healing support for Water-type strategies, restoring 40 damage from each of your Pokémon with Water Energy attached. This widespread healing effect can completely swing battles in your favor by negating damage accumulation. It's especially valuable in longer matches where sustaining your Pokémon becomes essential for victory, making it a staple in Water-focused decks.

3. Leafeon ex

Leafeon ex stands out as an excellent Stage 1 Grass Pokémon with 140 HP. Its popularity likely stems from an ability that accelerates energy attachment or an attack that provides significant value. Grass types have strong matchups against common Water and Fighting Pokémon in the meta, positioning Leafeon ex as both a counter to popular strategies and a formidable attacker in its own right.

4. Adaman

Adaman provides critical protection for Metal-type Pokémon, reducing incoming damage by 20 during your opponent's next turn. This defensive support can prevent knockouts and disrupt your opponent's damage calculations, essentially functioning as a single-turn "resistance" effect. In a meta where precise damage planning is essential, Adaman creates uncertainty for opponents and breathing room for your Metal Pokémon.

5. Crobat

Crobat represents the pinnacle evolution of a popular evolutionary line with 110 HP. As a Stage 2 Darkness Pokémon, it likely offers powerful attacks or abilities that justify the investment in evolving it. Darkness types typically excel at disrupting opponents' strategies, and Crobat probably continues this tradition with effects that control the board state beyond simple damage output.

6. Sudowoodo

Sudowoodo provides exceptional utility as a Fighting-type Basic Pokémon despite its modest 80 HP. Its value likely comes from an ability that disrupts opponent strategies or an attack that counters popular Pokémon types. As a Basic Pokémon, it can be immediately played and impact the game from the first turn, making it a reliable tech card in many decks.

7. Arceus

Arceus (non-ex version) serves as a more accessible 120 HP Basic Colorless Pokémon for players who want Arceus's versatility without committing to the ex version. Its Colorless typing allows it to fit into any deck composition, while likely offering a different strategic approach than its ex counterpart. This flexibility makes it a popular choice for players exploring various deck archetypes.

8. Celestic Town Elder

Celestic Town Elder provides crucial recovery by returning a random Basic Pokémon from your discard pile to your hand. This recycle effect helps maintain resources throughout longer games and recover from knockouts, giving decks additional sustainability. The random nature adds an element of unpredictability that keeps games dynamic and interesting.

9. Probopass ex

Probopass ex delivers impressive defensive capabilities as a 160 HP Stage 1 Metal Pokémon. Its high HP combined with Metal's natural resistances makes it difficult to knock out, while likely offering attacks or abilities that capitalize on its defensive nature. It synergizes particularly well with Adaman, creating a formidable defensive core in Metal-focused strategies.

10. Garchomp ex

Garchomp ex represents a powerful late-game threat as a 170 HP Stage 2 Fighting Pokémon. While requiring significant setup through its evolution line, it rewards players with tremendous offensive power that can close out games quickly. Fighting types excel against Normal, Dark, and Electric Pokémon, which assists Garchomp ex as an answer to several popular deck archetypes.