Pokemon TCG Player Uses Math to Prove Developers “Dislike” Specific Pokemon

A player of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Pocket has uncovered a significant imbalance in the statistics of Stage 1 Pokémon, revealing that one particular creature has been notably neglected.

In recent years, Pokémon TCG Pocket has captivated fans of the franchise, attracting more than 30 million users and surpassing the financial success of Pokémon GO. This mobile adaptation of the renowned trading card game offers a distilled yet engaging experience.

Players eagerly open packs to find rare cards and assemble formidable meta decks for competitive duels with friends. The game effectively replicates the excitement of the physical TCG while providing a more streamlined format.

Despite its popularity, Pokémon TCG Pocket is not without flaws. Like any competitive game, it has its standout cards and those that lag behind. A Reddit user, Handsome_Claptrap, conducted an analysis revealing that one Stage 1 evolution is particularly underwhelming.

Liepard: The Unfortunate Stage 1 Evolution in Pokémon TCG Pocket

Handsome_Claptrap examined the primary stats of Stage 1 Pokémon that require only a single energy to attack. These Pokémon are advantageous in early-game scenarios, allowing players to diminish their opponent’s forces before they can mount a counterattack.

Why developers? Why do you hate it? by u/Handsome_Claptrap in PTCGP

A detailed review of these Pokémon’s balancing design indicates a typical stat spread of around 100 HP, with a single-energy attack that inflicts 40 damage. To diversify gameplay, some cards like Primeape opt for a trade-off, sacrificing HP for a stronger attack, such as the aptly named “Punch,”dealing 60 damage. Others may gain free retreat options at the expense of health.

However, Liepard stands out as a glaring exception. With only 90 HP, it retains the basic 40 damage output and imposes a retreat cost on its users. This discrepancy seems to highlight a trend of disadvantage toward Dark-type Pokémon in TCG Pocket.

Fortunately, Dark-type enthusiasts have alternatives, as Weezing offers a more robust HP pool, along with Poison capabilities and enhancements from Koga. Looking ahead, future sets may broaden the array of Dark-type options available to players.

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