- Primary Subject: Pokemon TCG Pocket (Current Meta)
- Key Update: Several long-standing cards like Greninja and Oricorio continue to dominate the competitive meta despite the release of 14 expansions and over 1600 cards.
- Status: Confirmed (Meta analysis based on current card abilities and ranked play trends).
- Last Verified: February 18, 2026
- Quick Answer: Cards like Oricorio, Cyrus, and Greninja remain top-tier due to abilities that bypass EX damage, force bench swaps, or prevent opponent item usage in ranked.
It's been over a year since Pokemon TCG Pocket took over our mobile phones and our lives collecting Pokemon cards with different art styles, nostalgic value, and, of course, combat power. For Pokemon collectors, simply opening packs and gathering favorite cards is enough, but to some, the value of the cards lies in their power to dominate the battlefield.
Despite having 14 expansions or pack sets in the game so far with over 1600 cards, there are a few select cards in the game that, to this day, since their release, have conquered the meta and shredded the world of Rank Battles. Curious to see which cards you can add to your decks to make them meta-competent? Keep reading.
What Are The Cards In Pokemon TCG Pocket That Never Left The Meta?
If you play Pokemon TCG Pocket, especially since day one, these cards shouldn't come as a surprise to you, as these cards have managed to shake every season and still do to this day. We have the battle-finishing Cyrus with its pull power, Chingling, who prevents Stage 2 presence, and of course, Oricorio, who takes attacks from Ex cards like bird seed in the morning.
If these examples don't bring a chill to your spine while reading and remind you of those defeats you got online, maybe the others on this list will.
Greninja (Genetic Apex)
This ninja froggy always has a way to creep into our "favorite Pokemon ever" list from the anime, to the console titles, the plushies, and now Pokemon TCG Pocket, and it's not hard to see why. This card, on the surface, can be deceivingly mid with its 120HP and 60 damage attack. But its ability? Top tier.
Greninja has the ability Water Shuriken, which allows it to deal 20 damage with any Pokemon in play, and yes, even the Bench. Cards like Cyrus and Umbreon ex are perfect partners to it as a way to pull damaged, often weaker, Pokemon from the Bench and deal a finishing blow.
Chingling (Mega Rising)
Although relatively new compared to others, this baby Pokemon should never be underestimated. As mentioned, Chingling is a baby Pokemon, so it has very low HP, but its moves have no energy cost. Therefore, even on your first turn, this cutie can deal damage. Small? Yes. Weak? Far from it.
Its attack Jingly Noise (10 damage), although weak in number, has a strong effect that stops the opponent from playing any Item cards on the next turn. Meaning? No more Poke Ball, Potion, Red Card, or Rare Candy for you. Good luck getting that Mega Charizard Y ex or that Greninja out.
Darkrai ex (Space-Time Smackdown)
Darkrai, both in the anime and the console titles, has been considered powerful, but its dark presence in TCG Pocket may be the final nail in its nightmare-filled coffin. This ex Pokemon is strong due to multiple reasons, namely: it's Basic, it has 140 HP, and the ability where every time you put a Darkness Energy to it, it deals 20 damage to the opponent's Active Pokemon.
You are literally hurting your opponent's Pokemon while you're making Darkrai stronger on your Bench, or if paired with Rocky Helmet Item, a wall of thorns as an Active defender.
Cyrus (Space-Time Smackdown)
This card, alongside our number 1 pick, has risen in notoriety and has been the subject of salt-produced memes for a good reason. This card is the ultimate war ender. This Supporter card of intergalactic power allows the user to choose a Pokemon from the opponent's Bench that already has damage to it and bring it to the Active Spot.
Need we say more? ex Pokemon and Megas are afraid of this guy because for Cyrus, rest is for the weak!
Oricorio (Celestial Guardians)
Of course, no "strongest TCG Pocket list" is complete without the internet-dubbed "yellow chicken", Oricorio. It's very simple to see why and it's all because of its Safeguard ability. What does it do you may ask? It prevents ALL damage done by attacks from ex Pokemon. Yes, especially for a game mostly dominated by powerful ex Pokemon, this little bird is standing tall.
It looks like a cheerleader but I doubt it'll bring you cheers when you face it in Ranked and your Mega Mawile ex or Mega Altaria ex is doing nada.
Honorable Mention: Professor's Research (Promo-A Pack)
I mean, it's the Pot of Greed of Pokemon TCG Pocket, we don't have to say more. Especially for a 20-card deck, drawing 2 cards is extremely reliable and a must if you want to get to all the cards you need in time.
These Pokemon cards, probably 40 to 70 percent of the time, will make an appearance on your journey to Master Ball rank, and at this point, it's mandatory if you want to succeed.
But what's good about this game is that the power creep is slow and every now then, we get new antis to the metas like Alolan Muk, Protective Poncho, or Mega Medicham ex. But we still highly doubt that the above cards will be leaving the spotlight anytime soon.