Pokemon TCG Pocket Supporter Cards Ranked

Supporter cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket might not be able to fight on the battlefield, but they can easily be the key to victory, thanks to the powerful effects they utilize when played.

In Pokemon TCG Pocket, the player can only use a single Supporter card a turn, unlike Item cards. This is because Supporters are strong, preventing someone from spamming several of them to completely change the game state.

During Pokemon TCG Pocket’s launch, the only Supporter cards are the Gym Leaders and allies from the Gen 1 games, but more characters are expected to follow in the future.

These are the current rankings for the Supporter cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket, in terms of their usefulness and presence in the meta.

Giovanni

The Boss Has Lost His Touch

Poor Giovanni. He might be the leader of Team Rocket and the final Gym Leader of the Kanto region in Pokemon Red & Blue, but he’s been done dirty in Pokemon TCG Pocket.

In Pokemon TCG Pocket, Giovanni allows any attacks done by the user’s Pokemon to deal an additional 10 points of damage. Unlike the other Gym Leaders (save for Sabrina,) Giovanni isn’t restricted by type, so any Pokemon can benefit from this power.

However, there are two problems with Giovanni’s Supporter card. Firstly, 10 damage is nothing in a game where meta decks involve building up powerful ‘Mons on the Bench and unleashing 100+ attacks on the enemy. It’s such a trivial amount that it would only matter against weak Basic Pokemon.

Secondly, the effect only lasts for the turn it’s used. If Giovanni’s effect was recurring each turn, then that damage would be beneficial, as it could build up over the match. As it stands, an extra 10 damage for one turn while burning a Supporter just isn’t worth it.

In certain situations, Giovanni could technically help push the player over the edge and KO an enemy, but there are better and more reliable Supporter options available.

Lt. Surge

The Lightning American Needs a Recharge

Lt. Surge brings his electric fury to Pokemon TCG Pocket with a Supporter card that moves power from the back to the front.

When Lt. Surge is used, the player can move any Energy from a Benched Pokemon to an Active Electrode, Electabuzz, or Raichu, allowing for an engine that can enable powerful moves to be fired off quickly.

The only problem with Lt. Surge is that it requires a lot of setup, as it only pulls Energy from the Bench and not the Energy Zone. It can be hard enough to get Energy on the Active Pokemon alone, nevermind the Bench, which means it will likely be useless during early rounds.

If Lt. Surge was compatible with the mighty Pikachu ex, then things would be different, as he would make for a great setter, but limiting him to three other Electric types means that he’s super situational.

Brock

There’s Just Two Perfect ‘Mons For Him

Similar to Lt. Surge, Brock is all about boosting specific Pokemon. In his case, it’s the ones he’s known for using in the Gen 1 & 2 games.

If the player has a Golem or Onix in play, Brock can add an additional Fighting Energy to them, even if they’re on the Bench. This doesn’t count towards the usual Energy draw for the turn.

The fact that Brock can boost Bench Pokemon means his effect is more useful throughout the game than Lt. Surge. The only problem is that it’s only linked to two specific Pokemon, one of whom is a Stage 2 evolution.

Brock isn’t a terrible Supporter, but the player needs to go hard on the Geodude and Onix line to get the most use out of him.

Blaine

The Fiery Scientist Can Enflame Allied Pokemon

Blaine is essentially a better version of Giovanni, even if there are tighter restrictions on what he can do.

When Blaine is played, any attacks done by a Magmar, Ninetales, or Rapidash will deal an additional 30 damage to the enemy’s Active Pokemon.

Blaine is obviously tied to a very specific deck, but the extra 30 damage is at least more substantive, especially if the player can pull off two in a row. A boosted Fire Mane can take out a lot of Basic ‘Mons, while Flamethrower can KO bigger threats.

Koga

Koga Bunshin No Jutsu!

The annoying ninja from the Fuchsia City Gym somehow manages to be just as frustrating in Pokemon TCG Pocket as he was in the Gen 1 games.

When Koga is played, the player can bounce one Muk or Weezing from the Active spot back to their hand.

Now, this might sound like a counter-productive ability. Wouldn’t bouncing a Pokemon mean all of the Energy is lost?

Koga is all about stalling the opponent, as bouncing a Pokemon also means the damage is removed. If it’s played again, then it’s healed back to full.

Also, the slippery Weezing automatically makes the opponent’s Active Pokemon poisoned when it’s moved to the Active spot, and it can do a 30 damage attack for a single Dark Energy. This means it’s cheap to use, so the player can keep bouncing it with Koga and kill the enemy via chip damage.

Erika

Touching Grass To Heal It

Pokemon TCG Pocket is currently low on healing effects, with the Potion Item being the primary source across different deck types.

The exception to this are the Grass-type Pokemon, as they’re helped by Erika: the Gym Leader of Celadon City and the patron of plants in the digital card game.

Erika’s effect is simple: heal 50 damage from one Grass Pokemon. 50 is a lot of health in the current meta, as it can stop a Basic Pokemon from going down during an early-stage scratching match and can keep a beefy boy alive when high-powered attacks are being thrown later in the battle.

When coupled with the healing power of Venusaur ex’s Giant Bloom, Erika can help keep that big forest-carrying toad alive against some of the harshest threats in the game, earning her a high space on this list.

Sabrina

The Old Nintendo Switcheroo

Sabrina has the potential to completely screw over the opponent, especially if they rely on Pokemon with high Retreat costs.

When Sabrina is used, the opponent must switch their Active Pokemon with one on the bench. They get to choose if there are multiple ‘Mons on the Bench.

Sabrina is great for forcing enemy trainers to bring out a Basic Pokemon that they threw on the Bench and killing them with a powerful attack, chasing down a weakened ‘Mon to finish them off, or force the enemy to waste Energy on a Retreat for their new Active Pokemon.

When used at the right time, Sabrina can win matches and is best saved for late-game plays.

Misty

(Don’t) Play Misty For Me

Possibly the most beloved or hated card in Pokemon TCG Pocket (depending on who is asked,) Misty can win games with a few lucky Heads.

When Misty is played, the player tosses a coin. If they get Heads, they attach a Water Energy to one of their Water Pokemon and flip again. If it’s Tails, they stop.

A run of luck with Misty means that Water-type Pokemon can gain an incredible Energy advantage early in the match. Blastoise ex can pull off its boosted Hyrdo Cannon for 160 damage, while Gyarados can use its Hyper Beam, long before either should be able.

Misty is very RNG based, but anyone who pulls off a good run of Heads has all but won the match.

Professor Oak

What Does Professor Oak Do?

Professor Oak is the Pot of Greed of Pokemon TCG Pocket and for all the right reasons.

When Professor Oak is used, the player draws two cards. It’s simple, elegant, and fits into every single deck type in the game.

Technically, “pay one to draw two” isn’t as useful as it is in other card games, considering Pokemon TCG Pocket’s smaller deck and field size, but it’s still a net gain whenever it’s used. Anyone playing this game should have the Professor in their deck.