Pokémon TCG: Journey Together Review - Best Pokémon and Staples!

Journey Together is out! Let's see which are the best Pokémon from this set for Standard!

We'll also go through the best Trainers and Special Energies in this set.

Let's go!

10 - Wailord

This "baby" Wailord's attack, Hydro Pump, works perfectly with Baxcalibur sv2 60 because this Pokémon lets you move Water energies around. To be specific, you'll deal 50 more damage for each Water energy attached to Wailord, so it's a perfect synergy.

You'll easily be able to attach up to 8 Water energies to Wailord and deal 400 damage with it plus the 10 base damage, a total of 410 damage!

9 - Metagross

This Pokémon's second attack is quite interesting. However, to deal 280 damage with it, you'll have to put a Beldum and a Metang in play.

This is quite powerful for Standard, even more considering it is a "baby" Pokémon that can deal with the Pokémon ex in this format. Metagross might become a key piece in a "rogue" deck built around these threats.

8 - Banette

This Pokémon will be essential with Banette ex sv1 88 because of its attack, Cursed Words. It forces your opponent to shuffle 3 cards in their hand back into their deck, and, as such, disrupts their strategy.

7 - Tyranitar

Our last "baby" Pokémon from this set is Tyranitar, which stands out because of its ability: when it is your active Pokémon, it prevents your opponent from using Items!

Furthermore, its attack also "mills" your opponent, that is, it forces them to discard two cards from the top of their deck. This attack also doesn't cost a lot of energies, so it can be a true nightmare for any opponent.

6 - Mimikyu ex

This Pokémon is a redesign, inspired by the ex Starter Generations set. Its attack, Mischievous Hands, lets you put 3 damage counters on two enemy Pokémon, which, in turn, can enable many strategies with Gardevoir Box.

As it is part of this archetype, you can easily get the energies to use it. Furthermore, it can also help you Knock Out certain Pokémon, particularly if you use it with Scream Tail PRE 42.

5 - Salamence ex

This is an excellent Dragon Pokémon, as well as an alternative to Dragapult ex PRE 73.

Its first attack is a "sniper" attack. It deals 50 damage to all Pokémon on the enemy bench.

As for its second attack, it is a bit more straightforward, as it deals 300 damage (if you discard two energies). If you discard Water energies from it, you can simply use Baxcalibur sv2 60 to attach energies to it again, so it's more efficient that way.

Unfortunately, this Pokémon won't last long in Standard in the Regidrago VSTAR SIT 136 list because of the April 2025 rotation. It will still be a great option in Expanded.

4 - N's Zoroark ex

Zoroakr's ability is similar to Zoroark-GX SLG 53's ability, from Sun & Moon: it forces you to discard one card in your hand to draw two more.

The most significant difference is its attack, which lets you copy attacks from your Benched Pokémon, as long as they're N's Pokémon. As such, you'll have to build a deck around this archetype. Here are a few Pokémon you can add to this type of list:

1) N's Reshiram JTG 116's attack, Powerful Rage, is similar to Outrage: the more damage counters on it, the more powerful it is. Considering Zorark's HP, you can deal up to 540 damage with it (27 counters x 20).

2) N's Darmanitan JTG 27 is an excellent counter against Ceruledge ex SSP 36.

3) N's Sigilyph JTG 64's attack, Victory Symbol, lets you win the game immediately if you have 1 Prize card left.

3 - Blaziken ex

This Pokémon stood out in Japanese tournaments when ex Starter Generations was released, and renewed the Fire archetype in Standard.

Its ability is incredibly strong. It lets you recycle one basic energy from your discard pile and attach it to one of your Pokémon. This makes it an excellent support for many decks, and it is a solid attacker in the Fire archetype.

2 - Lillie's Clefairy

This Pokémon will be great in the Psychic archetype, particularly Gardevoir Box. Clefairy's ability makes Dragon Pokémon weak to Psychic Pokémon. With this card, you'll be able to deal with Dragapult ex PRE 73 and Raging Bolt ex TEF 123, the dominant decks in the format, quite easily, even more after Regidrago VSTAR SIT 136 rotates out of the format in April 2025.

Its main attack deals 20 base damage, as well as 20 extra damage for each Pokémon on both players' benches. So, if both benches are full, you will deal up to 220 damage (20 + 100 damage from your bench + 100 damage from the enemy bench).

Furthermore, you can set up combos with Dedenne ex sv2 93 and Area Zero Underdepths PRE 94, and extend your bench to 8 slots. This way, you'll deal even more damage with Clefairy.

1 - Hop's Zacian ex

The most promising card in this set, Hop's Zacian ex, is essential for the Metal archetype. It will be the new attacker in the Archaludon ex list after the April 2025 rotation.

There are a few other cards you can use to deal even more damage:

- Hop's Choice Band JTG 148 makes the Pokémon it is attached to deal 30 extra damage and makes their attack cost one less colorless energy.

- Postwick JTG 154 makes Hop's Pokémon deal 30 extra damage.

- Hop's Snorlax JTG 117 offers more support.

With all of these cards, its first attack, Insta-Strike, will deal 120 damage to the opponent's active Pokémon, and 30 to their bench, for free, thanks to Hop's Choice Band JTG 148. As for Brave Slash, it can deal up to 330 damage!

Supporters

Iris's Fighting Spirit JTG 149 draws up to six cards if you discard one card from your hand.

Ruffian JTG 157 is essential in "control" strategies. It discards one special energy and one Tool from an enemy Pokémon.

Brock's Scouting JTG 146 is a filter, as it lets you get two basic Pokémon or one evolution Pokémon from your deck.

Items

N's PP Up JTG 153 is essential in N archetypes. It recycles one energy from your discard pile and lets you attach it to any N Pokémon on your bench.

Redeemable Ticket JTG 156 lets you swap Prize cards with the cards on the top of your deck, so it is quite flexible.

Tools

Lillie's Pearl JTG 151 only works with Lillie's Pokémon. When your opponent Knocks them Out, they'll draw one less Prize card.

Hop's Choice Band JTG 148 also only works with Hop's Pokémon. It makes their attacks cost one colorless energy less, and makes them deal 30 extra damage.

Stadiums

N's Castle JTG 152 lets you retreat N's Pokémon for free.

Postwick JTG 154 makes Hop's Pokémon deal 30 extra damage.

Levincia JTG 150 lets you get two basic Electric energies from your discard pile and add it to your hand.

Special Energy

Spiky Energy

If this energy is attached to your active Pokémon, and this Pokémon is damaged by an enemy Pokémon, you get to put 2 damage counters on the enemy Pokémon, even if your Pokémon is Knocked Out.

What do you think of these cards? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time.