The next wave of content for Pokémon TCG Pocket arrives this week with Paldean Wonders (B2a), a compact mini-set centered around Paldea’s starter trio: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.
Following the larger Fantastical Parade expansion — which introduced more than 230 collectibles and the new Stadium Trainer type — Paldean Wonders shifts focus toward a tighter, meta-impacting card drop rather than a massive collection update.
Release Date and Reveal Timeline
DeNA first teased the set on February 18 with a short mascot clip that immediately sparked speculation about pack structure and card counts. The full trailer later clarified that Paldean Wonders is indeed a smaller-scale release.
Official launch time:
- February 25 at 5 p.m. PST
- February 26 at 10 a.m. JST
Unlike Fantastical Parade, this expansion keeps things concise — but potentially impactful.
Set Scope: 16 New Cards
The Paldean Wonders mini-set introduces 16 new cards total, consisting of:
- 13 Pokémon cards
- 3 Trainer cards
Notable highlights include:
- Meowscarada EX
- Gholdengo EX
- Chien-Pao
- Squawkabilly
- Arboliva
The smaller card pool suggests a focused push toward competitive adjustments rather than collection expansion.
Key Card Effects Explained
Meowscarada EX
Meowscarada EX introduces targeted delayed pressure. Its ability allows players to:
- Choose any opposing Pokémon spot
- Deal 70 damage to that chosen target at the end of the opponent’s next turn
This delayed trigger could disrupt setup-heavy decks and punish fragile backline strategies.
Gholdengo EX
Gholdengo EX brings high-variance burst potential through Spending Rush:
- For each Steel Energy attached, a random opposing Pokémon is selected
- Each selected Pokémon takes 40 damage
The randomness introduces volatility, but stacking Steel Energy can result in significant spread damage across the board.
Nemona (Supporter)
Nemona directly supports anti-EX strategies:
- Pawmot’s attacks deal +80 damage against Pokémon EX
Given the current EX-heavy meta, this card is clearly positioned as a counter tool.
Arven (Supporter)
Arven introduces controlled randomness:
- Coin flip
- Heads: fetch a random Item
- Tails: fetch a random Pokémon Tool
This adds deck-thinning potential while maintaining balance through RNG.
Mesagoza (Stadium)
Mesagoza allows:
- Once per player’s turn
- Coin flip
- Draw a random Pokémon from deck
In longer matches, this could add steady value generation.
Starter Trio Effects
Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly feature simpler mechanics:
- Sprigatito: Leafage – 20 damage
- Fuecoco: bench a random Basic Pokémon
- Quaxly: coin-based protection effect
They serve more as thematic anchors than competitive centerpieces.
Competitive Impact: Can It Shift the Meta?
Currently, Hydreigon paired with Mega Absol EX remains dominant, holding:
- ~53% win rate
- ~17% meta share
The question now is whether:
- Meowscarada EX’s delayed targeting
- Nemona + Pawmot EX counters
- Gholdengo EX’s spread damage
…will meaningfully challenge that dominance.
If these cards fail to check Hydreigon’s consistency, Paldean Wonders may be remembered as a flavorful but low-impact addition.
Player Retention and Feature Requests
While content updates continue, DeNA still faces retention concerns. Community feedback frequently highlights requests for:
- Universal Pack Points
- Native dark mode
- More systemic gameplay improvements
As of now, it remains unclear whether Paldean Wonders includes broader gameplay system changes beyond its 16-card lineup.
Final Thoughts
Paldean Wonders is not a massive expansion — it’s a strategic injection into the competitive ecosystem of Pokémon TCG Pocket. With only 16 cards, each inclusion carries weight.
Whether Meowscarada EX and Gholdengo EX reshape the meta or simply add variety will become clear shortly after launch.
For competitive players, February 25 could mark the start of a subtle but meaningful shift.
Enjoy our updates? You can add GamingHQ as a preferred source in Google Search to see our articles more often.
