The Pokemon series has taken its games all across the world with each entry being inspired by a real-world location giving us Pokemon that are etched with real world culture and details. Each game takes place in a region that is filled to the brim with inspirations, even in the smallest details.
The brilliantly well-done mobile titlePokemon Trading Card Game Pocketbrings us a new set every couple of months, which tends to be themed around a specific region from the mainline games. With regions such as Kanto, Sinnoh, and Alola represented, there’s plenty more that we can’t wait to see.
9Orre
More Spin-Off Regions Please
WithGameCube gameson the Nintendo Switch 2, we finally have an easy way to play the Colosseum spin-off titles in modern day. The Orre region is where both beloved titles take place, and it is a darker, desolate land where the iconic purple aura Shadow Pokemon originated from, and it deserves more recognition.
One thing that Pocket has giant potential for is collaborations with other Pokemon mobile games and spin-offs. The main TCG only ever focuses on the main titles, with smaller special sets such as Pokemon GO releasing once in a blue moon. Since Pocket is a digital TCG, it doesn’t have to sell any physical stock to make a profit, making non-mainline themed sets a lot less risky to do.
8Hoenn
Sea Versus Land
The region known for its massive amount of water, Hoenn, is where the seas rage and the land fights back, literally, with its legendary trio being all based around land, sea, and sky. Hoenn is one of the most unique regions, and to this day it is still one of the best despite its admiration for route after route of nothing but blue seas, and its legendaries Kyogre, Groudo,n and Rayquaza are icons to all.
While Rayquaza had a storming debut as an EX promo card as part of the Special Event celebrating the half-year anniversary of the game, Kyogre and Groudon still have yet to make their battle heard in Pocket. A great way to theme a Hoenn set would be to have two packs each around land and sea Pokemon fighting in Kyogre and Groudon’s eternal rivalry with the mini-set, after having Rayquaza come in to clean up the mess and stop the two, as always.
7Galar
Top Class Pokemon
The British-inspired glorious land of the Galar region is one of the best in terms of inspirations from its real-world counterpart, with countless British-coded elements flooding both the Pokemon designs and the world itself in the region.Sword and Shieldas games may have issues, but fans look back on Galar as one of Pokemon’s best regions.
In the main TCG, theSword & Shield era,while very good from a collector’s standpoint, really did not bring many unique elements to the table. V and V-Max Pokemon were really just EX Pokemon with slight changes, but Galar as a whole has so much potential with its brilliantly designed Pokemon, and we need to see it have a second chance to shine this time in Pocket.
6Hisui
The Past Of Sinnoh
Hisui is the region that we now know as Sinnoh; however, back in the Feudal-inspired period inPokemon Legends: Arceus, the region was very different. With a lack of modern technology and a rougher world, certain Pokemon took on different forms in the past that they could only become in this wild past land where Pokemon and people lived apart.
While Space-Time Showdown and Trimphant Light have already given us Sinnoh-themed sets, outside the Irida and Adaman Supporter cards, we received zero content from Hisui. With the untapped potential of both the Hisiuan forms and the Noble and Alpha Pokemon, Hisui could bring us some fantastic mechanics and cards as well as some unique, more traditional art styles to reflect the period Legends: Arceus takes place in.
5Pasio
Mobile Game Crossovers
Most fans forget that the Pokemon spin-off titles also have their regions and some, such as Pasio fromPokemon Masters EX,are just waiting for their time to shine in the TCG. Pasio is a large region with multiple islands, but what a set based around this would be so great for is the introduction of Trainer’s Pokemon in Pocket, thanks to Pasio’s focus on both trainers and their Pokemon.
We could also see the introduction of Sync Stones and various other Masters EX original concepts as this game does feature a ton of slept-on ideas that would work perfectly with the TCG format. With countless outfits and pairs to take from as inspiration, if Pocket ever runs out of mainline ideas, Master EX could provide it with more than enough in the meantime.
4Paldea
Deserves A Main Set To Itself
Paldea enthusiasts were thrilled to see that the Shiny-focused mini-set was also going to have a secondary focus on Paldean Pokemon. Once the set was released, however, we were left disappointed, as while many fan favorites from the region made their debut, the numbers were very few.
In the core TCG, we have seen Scarlet & Violet, giving us so many fancy mechanics and gorgeous cards in every single set, and with the Future andAncientPokemon in particular being some of the best. These two tags could be great for Koraidon and Miraidon-themed packs with them including the introduction of Paradox Pokemon to Pocket.
3Johto
The Second Most Iconic Region
Before the release of the second main set, many fans were eagerly awaiting what they were hoping was the next region in line after Kanto, that being Johto, but The Pokemon Company surprised everyone when it was instead themed around Sinnoh. Johto is nearly as iconic as Kanto, and yet Pocket seems to be avoiding it hard.
Johto has a ton to pull from for a set, including the introduction of baby Pokemon, and with so many classic Pokemon from the region still yet to see appear in any set, there are plenty of options for some fantastic cards. Lugia and Ho-Oh especially would look phenomenal as EX immersive cards, with potentially Lugia under the sea creating raging torrents and Ho-Oh flying through a sunset, just like in the very first anime episode.
2Unova
Beloved For A Reason
Unova is one of the seemingly most referenced modern regions thanks to its vocal fanbase that adores every single part of it. From excellent Pokemon designs and an American-inspired culture, Unova has many memorable aspects, and we can’t ever get enough of this Black and White region.
To satisfy the fans, many modern Pokemon products tie into Generation Five with things such as the TCG’s Black Bolt & White Flare expansion and Scarlet & Violet’s Blueberry Academy being set in Unova. While we love seeing Pocket have original sets, it would be incredible to get a set as wonderful as Black Bolt & White Flare, perhaps even featuring some cards from the set translated into Pocket’s mechanics.
1Kalos
Mega Powered-Up
Kalos is one of the regions that many fans love, while others think it is shallow and boring, but one part of Kalos always sways every fan, and that is the Mega Evolutions. These powerful forms give new life to old Pokemon with an even further evolution, and in the main TCG, we have seen these Mega Pokemon cards being some of the strongest EX’s in both the Scarlet & Violet andX & Y eras, respectively.
With Mega Pokemon making their debut in Kalos, a set themed around the region just has to bring them into Pocket too. Mega Pokemon may take Pocket to a level of power creep that may end up being worse for the game, but hopefully, this does not happen. It would be a shame to see Pokemon’s best gimmick ruin the casual and fun gameplay that Pocket has built up.
