The newest additions to the upcomingBattle Partnersset forPokémon Trading Card Gamehave been revealed that break a 12-year tradition.Battle Partnersis an upcoming set that will spotlight certain trainers from the franchise, like N, Iono, and Lillie, along with their companion Pokémon.
Bedlam, Metang, and Metagross will appear in theBattle Partnersset, revealsPokéBeach. For the first time since the 2013Black & White Plasma Freezeexpansion, thePokémon’s evolutionary line will be a psychic type.Battle Partnersis scheduled for release in Japan on January 25 and will eventually make its way to the West on March 28 in theJourney Togetherset.
New Battle Partners Pokémon Are Not What Fans Expected
The Metagross Card Is Criticized For Being Too Specific
The three new cards are being met with some criticism fromPokémon TCGplayers for a number of reasons.The three cards are not associated with any particular trainer, which is the focus of theBattle Partnersset. Although not all the cards have to use the set’s gimmick, players seem to have been hoping for more entries in thereturning Owner’s Pokémon type of card.
Pokémon TCG’s Prismatic Evolutions Set Might Be Hard For Fans To Get Their Hands On As Demand Skyrockets In Store
The newest Pokémon Trading Card Game set will allegedly have low stock at many game stores, meaning that the product could be hard to find.
According to the translation provided by PokéBeach from the Japanese text on the cards,Metagross has a potentially devastating attack, but only in a very specific situation.The card’s “Joint Beam” attack does 130 damage on its own, but if both Beldum and Metang are also on the Bench, the attack does an additional 150 damage. Having such specific conditions for the stronger attack and needing two Energy cards to use it, make this card less useful in play.
Our Take: We Want To See Some More Iconic Trainer-Pokémon Duos
Hopefully The Coming Team Rocket Set Has Some More
Just because Metagross and the rest of its evolution line don’t use the special trainer’s Pokémon mechanic doesn’t mean there won’t be any more in the set. The return of the Owner’s Pokémon is agreat opportunity for the company to highlight some iconic trainersfrom both the show and the games.
Alongside the already revealed trainers like N, Lillie, Marnie, and asurprise appearance by the lesser-known Hop, theTCGhas teased many others for a future appearance, including Arven, Ethan, and Misty. It’s also possible that some other future cards will use the mechanic as well, like thehighly anticipatedThe Glory of Team Rocket. Bedlum, Metang, and Metagross might not have been what fans were anticipating for the nextBattle Partnersreveal, but even these smallerPokémon Trading Card Gamecards bring something new to the table.
