Triumphant Light Expansion: Top Cards and Deck Strategies for Pokémon TCG

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) keeps evolving, and the “Triumphant Light” expansion, released on February 27, 2025, is no exception. This set introduces powerful cards like Arceus ex, poised to reshape competitive decks with its versatility and innovative mechanics like Link Abilities. Here’s a deep dive into the top cards and strategies to dominate your next match. 

Key Cards in Triumphant Light

• Arceus ex:
  • Type: Colorless
  • HP: 140
  • Ability: Fabled Luster – Your Pokémon are immune to Special Conditions (e.g., Poisoned, Burned).
  • Attack: Ultimate Force – 2 Colorless Energy: Deals 70 damage plus 20 per Benched Pokémon.
    A Basic Pokémon ex, Arceus ex stands out with its protective Ability, shielding your team from status effects, and a scalable attack that rewards a full Bench. It’s a versatile cornerstone for decks aiming to maximize board presence.
• Leafeon ex:
  • Type: Grass
  • HP: 180
  • Ability: Forest Breath – Once per turn, attach a Grass Energy from your hand to one of your Grass Pokémon.
  • Attack: Solar Beam – 1 Grass, 2 Colorless Energy: Deals 70 damage. 
    Leafeon ex brings energy acceleration to Grass-type strategies with its Ability, making it easier to power up your team. While its attack is modest, its efficiency and support role make it a reliable pick for Grass builds.
• Garchomp ex:
  • Type: Fighting
  • HP: 170
  • Attack: Linear Attack – 1 Fighting Energy: Deals 50 damage to any of your opponent’s Pokémon. 
  • Attack: Dragon Claw – 2 Fighting, 1 Colorless Energy: Deals 100 damage.
• Probopass ex:
  • Type: Metal
  • HP: 160
  • Attack: Defensive Unit – 2 Metal, 1 Colorless Energy: Deals 90 damage and reduces damage taken by 20 on your next turn. 

Link Abilities: A Game-Changer

Triumphant Light introduces Link Abilities, activated when Arceus or Arceus ex is in play. For example:

• Tyranitar:
  • Link Ability: Sandstorm – Adds 30 damage to its attacks with Arceus active.
    This synergy encourages creative deck builds pairing Arceus with Link Ability cards.

Deck Building Tips

• Core with Arceus ex: Center your deck around its Ability and pair with Link Ability Pokémon.
• Energy Flexibility: Arceus ex uses any Energy, but match specific types for other cards.
• Bench Focus: Maximize Ultimate Force by filling your Bench with attackers and support Pokémon.