The wait is over—Pokémon TCG Pocket Celestial Guardians is dropping on April 30th, and I couldn’t be more excited (and slightly concerned). After checking out the full card list and trailer, I’ve got a lot to say about this new set. Some cards are pure brilliance, others… well, let’s just say I hope they stay out of competitive decks.
Here’s my breakdown of what I believe are the best cards in Celestial Guardians, the ones that could truly change how we play Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Rayquaza EX – The Surprise Powerhouse
Let’s start with the card that made me do a double take—Rayquaza EX. I didn’t expect them to just drop a Rayquaza promo like that, but here we are.
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Colorless typing makes it insanely flexible.
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Potential synergy with Dialga and Manaphy for energy acceleration.
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Even as a promo, this could be a meta-relevant one-off, which is rare.
Honestly, this might be the first promo card in a while that competitive players will chase.
Rare Candy – Classic Card, Massive Impact
They gave us Rare Candy exactly as we know it. No nerfs, no conditions (besides the usual first-turn rule). In a 20-card format like Pokémon TCG Pocket, this is game-changing:
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Skip straight to Stage 2 without wasting deck space on Stage 1.
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Opens doors for faster So Galeo, Lunala, or even Charizard plays.
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It redefines deck ratios—think 2-2-2 lines becoming 2-0-2.
If you’re running Stage 2s, this card is now essential. Competitive players will absolutely abuse this consistency boost.
Lunala – The Energy Manipulation Engine
At first glance, Lunala doesn’t scream power, but its ability to move all Psychic energy from a benched Pokémon to your active is huge:
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Perfect for Gueritina or Mewtwo setups.
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Enables late-game swings by consolidating energy.
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While its attack isn’t groundbreaking, its utility is undeniable.
It’s one of those cards that won’t win games alone but will be the backbone of successful Psychic decks.
Solgaleo – The Steel-Type with Mobility
I’m a sucker for good abilities, and Solgaleo delivers. Being able to switch itself from the bench to active every turn is exactly the kind of flexibility Steel decks need:
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Works around high retreat costs.
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Enables aggressive and defensive plays.
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If paired with solid Steel support, this could be a sleeper hit.
Now, whether Solgaleo gets the love it deserves will depend on future support cards, but the potential is there.
Alolan Raichu EX – Flexible Damage Dealer
A Stage 1 with 140 HP and an attack that scales with your opponent’s energy? Yes, please.
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Triple Colorless cost makes it splashable in any deck.
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Punishes energy-heavy strategies.
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Could become a staple tech choice to counter certain metas.
I love how this card balances versatility with targeted power—it’s not broken, but it’s clever.
Lana – The Budget Boss’s Orders
Here’s where things get spicy. Lana effectively gives you a Boss’s Orders effect—if you have Araquanid in play:
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Stage 1 requirement adds balance, but…
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It’s still dangerously strong in control or tempo decks.
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The key will be whether Araquanid is “pee poo poo” (weak) or secretly OP.
If Araquanid turns out decent, Lana becomes a scary card for anyone facing water-based strategies.
Acerola – Damage Control Specialist
The combo potential with Palossand and Mimikyu is intriguing. Move 40 damage around? That screams synergy with self-damaging abilities or tanky setups.
It’s a niche pick, but in the right deck, Acerola could frustrate opponents by denying KOs and extending survivability.
Sophocles – Boost Your Vikavolt or Togedemaru
+30 damage per attack for specific Pokémon sounds minor—until you realize how easily it can swing key trades. If Vikavolt doesn’t disappoint, this could create a surprisingly strong electric deck archetype.
Alolan Marowak – The Coin Flip Menace
Normally, I’m wary of RNG cards, but Alolan Marowak has hidden depth:
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Potential for 140 damage + burn chip if luck is on your side.
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Can be teched into fun decks or surprise burst strategies.
Not top-tier, but definitely a wildcard for creative players.
Lillie – The Stage 2 Healer
Healing 60 HP might not sound game-breaking, but in grindy matchups or for decks relying on bulky Stage 2s like Solgaleo, Lillie could buy critical extra turns.
It’s situational, but in the right hands, it’s a powerful support card.
Other Cards Worth Mentioning
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Ilima: A handy recovery tool for Colorless decks—situational but useful.
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Mallow: Targeted healing for Grass types. Depends heavily on Shinotic or Tsareena viability.
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Kiawe: Fast energy acceleration for Fire decks, though ending your turn is a steep price.
My Opinion on Celestial Guardians
Overall, I’m genuinely hyped for Celestial Guardians, but cautiously optimistic. The set introduces some incredibly fun mechanics and nostalgic Gen 7 love. However, Pokémon TCG Pocket’s 20-card format makes me wonder how consistent some of these Stage 2 strategies will actually be.
That said, Rare Candy alone changes everything. It makes previously clunky evolutions viable and opens up creative deckbuilding like never before. If I had to bet, Psychic and Steel decks will dominate early, but cards like Rayquaza EX and Lana will shape specific counters.
Also, can we talk about how Rayquaza EX just casually dropped as one of the coolest promos ever? That card alone will make collectors and competitive players alike scramble.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Celestial Guardians Best Cards
The Celestial Guardians set brings a refreshing mix of power, strategy, and nostalgia to Pokémon TCG Pocket. With standout cards like Rayquaza EX, Rare Candy, and versatile supporters like Lana and Acerola, this set could redefine the current meta.
Whether you’re a competitive player looking for the next top deck or a casual fan excited to pull your favorite Gen 7 legends, Celestial Guardians offers something for everyone.
Get ready—April 30th is going to be a big day for Pokémon TCG Pocket fans!
FAQs
When is Pokémon TCG Pocket Celestial Guardians releasing?
The set releases on April 30th.
Is Rare Candy in Celestial Guardians the same as the classic version?
Yes, it functions exactly like the traditional Rare Candy—no nerfs.
Is Rayquaza EX worth getting?
Absolutely. It’s a flexible, potentially meta-relevant promo.
Will Lana be overpowered?
It depends entirely on Araquanid’s strength. If balanced, Lana will be strong but fair.
Are Stage 2 decks viable in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
With Rare Candy in the format, Stage 2 decks just became much more viable.
Which type looks strongest in Celestial Guardians?
Psychic and Steel have strong support, but flexibility cards like Rayquaza EX could shift the balance.