Mento, the Pokémon TCG Pocket card that completely changes the metagame

On July 30, 2025, Saber Marino and Celeste arrived, the A4 expansion of Pokémon TCG Pocket, with 241 new cards that shook up the metagame. However, one card in particular caught the attention of competitive players: Mento, a Trainer/Supporter card that guarantees a "heads" result on the next coin flip. This not only improves the consistency of several strategies, but also revalues combos previously considered unreliable or marginal.

Mento's effect is simple but powerful: after its use, the first coin flip related to an attack, ability, or Trainer card will have a guaranteed success. In a game where luck can decide matches, this detail completely changes the balance of power.

Its availability in expansion packs (in common and super rare rarity) or through pack-opening points (70 and 1,250 points respectively) makes it accessible, although highly desired.

The broken combos that Mento unlocks

Two cards are especially empowered by Mento. The first is Xatu, also introduced in the A4 expansion. Its Life Drain move leaves any rival Pokémon with only 10 HP if the coin flip result is heads. If the target is already poisoned, that small margin of life disappears at the end of the turn, causing an automatic KO. Mento guarantees that this combo works, turning Xatu into a lethal threat.

The second notable case is Bewear, from the Dimensional Crisis miniset. Its Superpower Hug attack automatically weakens the opponent's active Pokémon if both of two coin flips result in heads. Mento reduces the uncertainty by guaranteeing one of the heads, doubling the chances of attack success (from 25% to 50%), which can be devastating at certain moments in the match.

References to the lore and competitive potential

Mento is a clear reference to the Elite Four character from Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, who used two Xatu on his team. This connection not only enriches the lore of the card game, but also echoes in the construction of Psychic-type decks.

With the metagame in constant evolution,  players are already anticipating new combinations in future sets that could further exploit Mento's effect. For now, its use alongside cards like Xatu or Bewear positions it as a key card in surprise strategies and abrupt game finishes. Those who face these decks would do well to neutralize those  Pokémon as soon as possible, or they could face an unexpected ending.