The Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket has introduced a groundbreaking card that allows players to retrieve knocked-out Basic Pokemon from the discard pile: Celestic Town Elder. While previous cards have facilitated energy recovery, Celestic Town Elder offers unique strategic advantages, potentially turning the tide of losing battles.

The Triumphant Light expansion, recently launched after its announcement at the February 27th Pokemon Presents livestream, adds 96 new cards, including 75 standard cards and unique variations with special illustrations and borders.

Celestic Town Elder, a new Supporter card, has a straightforward yet impactful function. Playing this card lets a player retrieve a Basic Pokemon (any non-evolved or non-fossil Pokemon) directly into their hand.  Limited to one Supporter card per turn, Celestic Town Elder's utility is slightly restricted compared to Trainer cards, but it provides a crucial second chance to deploy a previously defeated Pokemon, provided there’s bench space.

The community is divided on Celestic Town Elder's overall effectiveness as players adapt to the Triumphant Light expansion. The new Arceus EX card takes center stage in this expansion, with several powerful Pokemon whose abilities activate only when Arceus or Arceus EX is in play.  Some believe Celestic Town Elder was designed specifically to maintain Arceus's presence and maximize these other Pokemon's potential.

However, the card's limitations are also a concern.  Pokemon with evolutionary lines seem less compatible, as only the Basic form is revived, leaving evolved forms in the discard pile. While reviving powerful Basic Pokemon EX cards is possible,  reattaching energy can take several turns.  Furthermore, a discarded EX card signifies the opponent is just one prize card away from victory.