Summary
Pokemon TCG Pocket’sCelestial Guardians set continues the trend started by Shining Revelry by including Shiny Pokemon in the packs. This means you have a slim chance of finding an off-color Pokemon each time you hit the gacha.
The Shinies included in Celestial Guardians are complete sets. This means the entire Evolution line gets the Shiny treatment, including their Pokemon ex counterparts. This includes variants from prior sets such as the original Genetic Apex and Shiny versions of cards found natively in Celestial Guardians. So which Shiny cards are the best and which ones don’t quite live up to the hype?
8Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, And Wigglytuff ex
A Change In Eye Color
As far as power goes, the Jigglypuff line has a mix of utility and disruptive Moves. Wigglytuff ex can use Sleepy Song to hit for 80 damage and put your opponent’s Pokemon to Sleep. Meanwhile, Wigglytuff’snon-ex counterpartcan keep your Active Pokemon patched up and ready for battle.
Where Wigglytuff really suffers is from the Shiny variants not really looking too different from their normal counterparts. The only major difference is the eye colors being green. At least the cards themselves have neat little details, like the special prism borders and sparkling backgrounds. So, when you use these cards, you can at least flex that you pulled the rarer copies.
7Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, And Gengar ex
Back From The Grave
The Gastly line falls into a similar category to the Jigglypuff line. The colors aren’t very different, so you can’t really admire it as much. On the bright side, each Pokemon has a unique difference in the color palette, such as the color of Gastly’s fog, Haunter’s tongue, and Gengar’s duller colors. For Ghost Pokemon though, these changes do make them look ghastlier.
Gengar ex is a Pokemon that greatly improves thanks to the presence of Rare Candy. It can now lock your opponent out of Supporter cards earlier in the game. So, while you may not want to pull from older sets just to get it, there is the chance you can pull it from Celestial Guardians.
6Machop, Machoke, Machamp, And Machamp ex
Raw Power Turns Green
The Machop line consists of a mix betweenthe Genetic Apex cardsand the ones found in Shining Revelry. This creates a smooth line that helps this Pokemon keep attacking as it Evolves throughout the match. Like many of the Shiny Pokemon featured in this set, green is a popular color swap in the collection.
The non-ex Machamp is from Shining Revelry. It can hit for 70 for two Energy and 120 for four, giving it a good mix of fast damage that scales as the match continues. This set also includes a reprint of the original Machamp ex from Genetic Apex with its beefy 180 HP and basic Mega Punch.
5Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise And Blastoise Ex
Completing The Starter Collection
While the Shining Revelry set includes the Shiny Charmander line, Celestial Guardians brings in the remaining two Kanto starters. Once again, all the starter lines get a significant power boost due to their compatibility with Rare Candy. With Water-types having as much support as they do, both versions of Blastoise can become powerhouses quite easily.
The color difference may not be as noticeable in the earlier Evolutions, but Blastoise ex really shows off the deeper blue color scheme. This, combined with the pose and the sparkling effects of the card, really make this Blastoise feel like it’s trying to show off every time you manage to Evolve into it.
4Cubone, Marowak, And Marowak ex
A Simple Shiny With Alternate Paths
The Cubone line has always been an excellent set for beginners. It doesn’t need much Energy to get going, and only one Evolution means you can easily Evolve it. If Pokemon TCG Pocket has taught players anything, it’s that coin flips aren’t always so bad. The color swap also gives it a noticeably different presentation.
The Shiny variant for Cubone is the best version of the card since it can stall during the early game using Growl. It even has the same color scheme as a Substitute doll. you may also slide this card into an Alolan Marowak deck due to its Colorless Energy requirements.
3Exeggcute, Exeggutor, And Exeggutor ex
The Price Of Eggs Is Worth An Exeggutor In The Basket
There’s nothing like finding a golden egg, let alone six of them. Shiny Exeggcute are the rarest eggs in Pokemon TCG Pocket. The only downside is that the card takes its Move from Celestial Guardians instead of Mythic Island. So noself-generating Energy. On the bright side, its Evolution Exeggutor is pretty simple to use.
Exeggutor does come from Mythical Island with its base 80 damage and pineapple-looking design. The Shiny variations really do pop with this card, including its Pokemon ex counterpart. This is the original Genetic Apex Exeggutor ex with its dirt-cheap Tropical Swing. It’s another great beginner card with a dazzling coat of paint.
2Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, And Venusaur ex
Bulbasaur Is Secretly The Best Kanto Starter
The color scheme for the Bulbasaur line is fantastic. With a yellow bulb, golden eyes, and brighter shade of green, this collection of shinies are the rarest flowers in the garden. Venusaur ex itself is one ofthe tankiest Pokemon in the game. With the power of Rare Candy, it becomes one of the most dangerous stage two Pokemon ex.
Venusaur ex has always been a powerful card due to hitting the ceiling in terms of HP and being able to heal itself. With Lillie, it only gets even more healing options. This is one of the better Shiny lines you can hit when opening a fresh pack.
1Staryu, Starmie, And Starmie ex
Blowing The Other Shinies Out Of The Water
Out of all the Shiny Pokemon in Celestial Guardians, the Staryu line has the best color palette and the fastest strategy. In two turns, you’re able to be hitting for 90 damage faster than your opponent can finish setting up their field. However, where this line really pops out is the choice of color scheme.
Staryu and Starmie have distinct designs when it comes to their Shiny variants. Staryu takes on a white form with a blue gem at the center. Meanwhile, Starmie gets a vibrant blue body and a blue gem to match it. Not only is this instantly noticeable, but the color diversity makes the entire line feel unique compared to others that simply use different shades of the same color.
