ThePokemon TCGhas fostered a competitive meta that has evolved over decades of new cards, but its translation to the franchise’s latest mobile release inPokemon TCG Pockethas reignited hype around the unique offerings in its own first expansion. Among Genetic Apex’s 226 cards, however, one stands out as a defining force in the early meta of the game. With luck on the player’s side, Kangaskhan inPokemon TCG Pocketcan be nearly as overpowered as its Mega counterpart in the days of theX and Yvideo games.
While its first expansion has largely focused on the nostalgia of the original 151, the throwback effect ofKangaskhan’s sudden rise inPokemon TCG Pockethas given it a mixed status in battle. Playing the card optimally essentially makes the game into a probability-centric toss-up, a predictable strategy that almost mirrors the anxiety of facing Mega Kangaskhan in past generations.
Kangaskhan Has Achieved an Unexpected Prominence in Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Early Meta
Dizzy Punch Can Be Overpowered at the Beginning of Battle
As a one-cost move with a coin flip mechanic that dictates whether it will inflict two hits for 30 damage each, Kangaskhan’s Dizzy Punch has the potential to hit for 60 damage in one turn when it hits the field. As a Basic Pokemon with 100 HP, its bulk allows it to set up a snowball scenario if these coin flips favor the player. With the effectiveness of evolvingBasic stage Pokemon inPokemon TCG Pocket, Dizzy Punch can take them out before they even fulfill that strategy.
It’s not exactly the most overwhelmingly powerful card of its expansion, but the relatively low cost of its attack and the survivability of Kangaskhan tend to put it above similar contenders like Farfetch’d, with its more reliable 40 damage Leek Slap. It might have a high retreat cost along with being able to be checked by the likes ofPokemon TCG Pocket’s Giovanni Supporter card, any countering tends to hinge on Kangaskhan not landing its Dizzy Punch hits.
The Power of Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Kangaskhan Card is Reminiscent of Mega Kangaskhan’s Overbearing Dominance
The Parental Bond Ability Broke Pokemon X and Y’s Competitive Scene
While many fan-favorites with striking designs got Megas that pushed them even further into the hearts of players when thePokemon X and Ygames launched, Kangaskhan stands as an example of abland Pokemon redeemed by its Mega Evolution. This may have been an over-correction, however, as Parental Bond allowed Mega Kangaskhan to attack twice. The second hit might have reduced damage, which was even further lowered in Gen 7, but the strength of moves like Power-Up Punch and Fake Out made this Pokemon a constant fixture of the video game meta that many players felt the need to regulate. A double-hitting gimmick might seem like deja vu forTCG Pocketplayers now, but only time will tell if this remains the case.
Dizzy Punch Kangaskhan is Unlikely to Be as Much of a Menace
Even when the power creep of Z-Moves came around in the games, the status ofPokemon X and Y’s Mega Kangaskhanremained worthy of banning among competitive communities like Smogon. It would probably still be a problem if Megas hadn’t been removed, but the Dizzy Punch card inTCG Pocketwill have to endure further expansions that are almost guaranteed to bring similar options. Cards like Ambipom from thePokemon GOset can hit for 60 damage per Energy attached, for example, but it’s unknown if the meta of the mobile game will progress to that point any time soon.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the fun of collecting Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards with Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, an upcoming game for iOS and Android devices from Creatures Inc., the original developers of the Pokémon TCG, and DeNA Co., Ltd. In this game, you will be able to open two booster packs every day at no cost. You can collect digital cards featuring nostalgic artwork from the past as well as brand-new cards that are exclusive to Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket.Be on the lookout for new “immersive cards,” which will make you feel as though you’ve leapt into the world of the card’s illustration.
