Pokémon TCG Pocket Fantastical Parade set launches and I might be behind the times

We covered the announcement of the Fantastical Parade set coming to Pokémon TCG Pocket recently, but now it is out. And usually, I prefer not to double up on articles for vaguely the same story, but this is different. Because, besides one or two cards, it is just such an underwhelming set in my eyes.

My eye was immediately drawn to Teal Mask Ogerpon ex, purely for its Ability. Any Pokémon with Energy attached recover from, and can’t be affected by, Special Conditions. It has a rubbish move, but I would consider a bench spot for them. There is also Alolan Ninetales ex, which, as a Stage 1, can stop enemies from taking Energy from the Energy Zone, which is pretty fun for a Turn 2 or 3 move. 

Then it goes downhill for me.

Fantasical Parade? More like...lacklustical...parade...

Continuing the trend of disappointing Megas, Mega Swampert ex is here. They are a Stage 2 whose three Energy attack discards 2 random Energy from all Pokemon on the field, including your foes. So you might shoot yourself in the foot. Even the poster child for the expansion, Mega Gardevoir ex, isn’t that good. They are a Stage 2 ramp, and if you are only setting up your field after 2 evolutions, you’ve already lost.

I feel like The Pokémon Company doesn’t have the balance for Mega Pokémon right yet. I understand they can’t be uber powerful, but then don’t make them worth 3 points. You knock out a Mega, and you win the game. There hasn’t been one I am willing to risk that on yet. Having said that, I feel like this is an underwhelming set.

I will be the first to admit, I am not great at this game. I like to build decks that I like over “good” ones. So perhaps this is the greatest set of all time, but even looking at Trainers and Items, I don’t see it. Maybe Protective Poncho to prevent Bench sniping, or Alolan Muk to neutralise Basic Pokémon's Abilities, but that's all.

Pokémon TCG Pocket is available to download from the App Store and Google Play.