Pokémon TCG Pocket: Celebi's secret strategy that is revolutionizing the meta

The release of the A4a Hidden Spring miniset in Pokémon TCG Pocket on August 28, 2025, brought 105 new cards to the game. Among them, the card that caused the most controversy and curiosity was Celebi, a legendary creature that, far from standing out for its offensive power, became a true anti-meta wildcard.

The key to its strategy lies in its move Temporal Foliage, which deals a modest 40 points of damage but with an additional disruptive effect: it devolves the opponent's active Pokémon. Although it may seem like a limited resource, this mechanic opens the door to unexpected plays that can ruin well-crafted plans and cause instant defeats.

How Celebi's instakill strategy works

Celebi's true potential appears when it faces opponents who rely on Rare Candy to accelerate evolutions. When the affected Pokémon devolves, all damage dealt is transferred to the basic version, which usually has fewer health points.

By combining Celebi's attack with supports like Red (which grants 20 additional damage points against Pokémon ex) or Giovanni (which adds 10 extra points to the turn's damage), it's possible to eliminate major threats like Charizard ex in a single play. In the most extreme case, if the opponent has no more creatures on the bench, the result is an immediate instakill.

Pros and cons of using Celebi in competitive play

Advantages:

• It devolves opposing Pokémon, which neutralizes strategies based on Rare Candy.
• It isn't a Pokémon ex, so its defeat only gives the opponent one prize point.
• It can surprise and destabilize dominant meta decks.

Disadvantages:

• Its base damage is low and it requires support cards.
• It's fragile: with 70 HP (154 pounds), it's easy to eliminate.
• Situational strategy: it only shines against opponents who use fast evolutions.

A niche resource that can change games

Celebi won't be the foundation of a competitive deck, but it can serve as a surprise tool within a Grass-type archetype. Its ability to dismantle opposing strategies and turn a lost game into an immediate victory makes it an option to consider in tournaments and high-level matches.

Ultimately, Celebi positions itself as a "secret weapon" in the current Pokémon TCG Pocket format, capable of frustrating the most confident opponents and redefining the way people play around Rare Candy.