The Trainers are back in Ithiel Town
The 2024 Pokemon World Championships closedown ceremony brought legion announcements , the most exciting of which belonged to the TCG . The return of Trainer ’s Pokemon was confirm for 2025 in a magnificently inspire , detail - robust trailer .
Trainer ’s Pokemon , sometimes referred to as Owner ’s Pokemon , were first introduced to the TCG in the Gym Heroes set . These Pokemon are owned by dissimilar Gym Leaders or Team Rocket , and as such , are mean to work together in gameplay even if their type do n’t all match . While many of these cards depict Pokemon , the Trainers own the video games , such as Brock ’s Onix and Lt . Surge ’s Raichu , while other cards take a more liberal approach . Some are inspired by the anime , such as Brock ’s Vulpix and Zubat , while others are entirely unique to the TCG , like Erika ’s Dratini , Lt . Surge ’s Fearow , and even Blaine ’s Moltres .
Trainer ’s Pokemon have been appear on and off in the TCG since then . Their swelled return was in the form of Pokemon SP in the Diamond and Pearl era . Pokemon SP could be under the possession of Team Galactic , Gym Leaders , the Elite Four , the Champion , or a Frontier Brain . Pokemon like Luxray GL LV.X ( owned by the Gym Leader Volkner ) were incredibly pop in the metagame for their time .
The announcement preview for the mechanic ’s return showcases Lillie , Marnie , and N battling against different Pokemon representative of modern competitive - level decks . Lillie and Clefairy ( shown to be a Pokemon ex ) feather off against Murkrow from the democratic “ United Wings ” deck . Marnie , Morpeko , and Grimmsnarl ( another x card ) struggle against Cramorant and Sableye from the “ Lost Box ” deck of cards . N uses his team of Pokemon to present off against the Chien - pao ex and Baxcalibur combo , Iron Hands ex-wife , Dragapult ex , and Charizard ex .
Like Lillie and Marnie , N ’s squad comprises of Pokemon he has used in the video game . We get to see a card version of Reshiram , along with its jaw - deteriorate example rarified version . N ’s Zoroark ex-husband is also unwrap , notably with the Ability “ Trade . ” This is the same powerful power that was on the popular Zoroark GX wit . Zoroark GX ’s GX attack , Trickster GX , also returns in the alter form of the attack “ Night Joker . ”
Image via Pokemon Official YouTube Channel
In addition to these three Trainers , the trailer render Arven and Mabosstiff , a trope who seems to be Misty and Psyduck , and Ethan and Pichu . Not only will this mark the first time Pichu has appeared on a bill of fare since the HeartGold and SoulSilver set , but its left auricle is entirely off - screen , so this may be the Spiky - eared Pichu . As if this all was n’t enough , the trailer terminate with the Team Rocket logo and a Mewtwo fly by , suggest that Rocket ’s Pokemon will also make their comeback . From Pokemon x to ACE SPEC visiting card and now Trainer ’s Pokemon , the TCG has been reviving classic mechanics in new and fun ways . Even for fans who have n’t played the TCG , seeing these Trainers in such an exciting poke was a fantastical announcement worthy of the World Championships stage .
Image via Pokemon Official YouTube Channel
Image via Pokemon Official YouTube Channel
