Top Trainer cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket (April 2025)

In Pokemon TCG Pocket, winning is not just about having powerful Pokemon, it's also about strategy, timing, and the right support cards. Trainer cards play a pivotal role in shaping the course of a match, providing essential boosts, healing, and clever tricks that can turn the tide in your favor.

Whether you're powering up a hard-hitting attack, healing a key Pokemon to keep it in play, or disrupting your opponent’s strategy, the right Trainer card can make all the difference.

We dive into the top Trainer cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket, exploring how each brings a unique advantage to your deck and why these are must-haves for serious players aiming to dominate the battlefield.

---

Top Pokemon TCG Pocket Trainer cards (April 2025)

9) Giovanni

Giovanni Trainer cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Effect: During this turn, attacks used by your Pokemon do +10 damage to your opponent's Active Pokemon.

Giovanni's card might not offer the highest damage boost, but its versatility makes it powerful. Adding an extra 10 damage can catch opponents off guard, especially when you have Pokemon on the bench with abilities that target the active card.

For instance, pairing Giovanni with a card like Greninja that can snipe at the opponent’s Active Pokemon lets you stack incremental damage. This chip damage may seem small, but it can make all the difference in tight matches, potentially tipping the scales in your favor.

---

8) Dawn

Dawn Trainer card as seen in the game (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Effect: Move an Energy from one of your Benched Pokemon to your Active Pokemon.

This card offers excellent energy control, allowing for unexpected power shifts that can catch opponents off guard. It’s particularly useful for accelerating key attackers or recovering after energy disruptions, making it a valuable addition to any deck.

---

7) Leaf

Leaf Trainer card as seen in the game (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Effect: During this turn, your Active Pokemon’s Retreat Cost is reduced by 2.

Leaf is essentially a superior version of X Speed, which only lowers retreat cost by 1 Energy. With many powerful Pokemon having high retreat costs, Leaf provides a strong tactical advantage.

It allows for easier switching in crucial moments, making it a must-have in decks that rely on mobility.

---

6) Erika

Erika Trainer cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Effect: Heal 50 damage from one of your Grass Pokemon.

Erika’s healing effect is a game-changer for Grass decks focused on endurance and sustainability. While the basic Potion card offers a 20 heal, Erika takes it up a notch with a 50 HP recovery, providing Grass Pokemon like Exeggutor ex with the staying power to last through prolonged battles.

Venusaur ex is particularly effective with Erika’s help, as its Giant Bloom move already heals 30 HP every use; paired with Erika, Venusaur ex becomes a tank that’s tough to take down.

Erika’s card is essential for other Grass-type cards as well like Leafeon ex and Celebi ex aiming to survive multiple rounds and wear down opponents.

---

5) Misty

Misty Trainer cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Effect: Choose one of your Water Pokemon, and flip a coin until you get tails. For each heads, take a Water Energy from your Energy Zone and attach it to that Pokemon.

Energy is everything in Pokemon TCG Pocket, and Misty’s card offers Water decks an edge in energy acceleration. With Misty, you have the potential to stack multiple Water Energy on one Pokemon in a single turn. The best part is that you can have two copies of Misty in your deck, which means setting up two high-energy Pokemon more efficiently.

Gyarados, Blastoise ex, Articuno ex, and Palkia ex can all thrive with Misty’s energy boost, allowing them to hit hard right when they enter the fray. Misty’s card is a staple in Water decks and a must-have for any player aiming to unleash powerful Water-type attacks.

---

4) Irida

Irida Trainer cards in the game (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Effect: Heal 40 damage from all Pokemon with a Water Energy attached.

While the Triumphant Light expansion introduced many strong cards, Irida pushed Water-type decks even further. Manaphy and Misty already made Water decks dominant, but Irida enhanced their survivability.

The best part? This ability isn’t restricted to Water Pokemon - it benefits any Pokemon using Water Energy, including Colorless Pokemon and even Dragonite.

---

3) Red

Red's trainer card as you can see in the game (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Effect: During the current turn, you do +20 damage to any opposing ex card

Given the popularity of ex cards in almost all competitive decks, Red holds high value in any creative or meta deck you run. With the introduction of Giant Cape into the game that bonus of 20 HP often results in being game-changing.

Red changes the entire perspective on how you can catch your opponents off guard and possibly end the match instantly.

---

2) Sabrina

Sabrina Trainer cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Effect: Switch out your opponent's Active Pokemon to the Bench. (Your opponent chooses the new Active Pokemon.)

Sabrina’s card is all about strategy, offering an advantage that does not rely on damage, healing, or energy boosts. Instead, it provides tactical control by forcing your opponent to switch out their Active Pokemon.

This card is invaluable for breaking an opponent’s momentum - perhaps swapping a powerful Pokemon for a weaker benched one to earn an easy knockout or avoid a threatening setup. It can also serve as a defensive measure, forcing out a threatening Pokemon to keep your own cards safe for another turn.

Sabrina’s ability to disrupt your opponent’s strategy makes it one of the most versatile Trainer cards in the game, and a clear top choice for players looking to control the battlefield.

---

1) Cyrus

Cyrus Trainer cards in the game (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Effect: Force your opponent to switch one of their damaged Benched Pokemon into the Active Spot.

Cyrus outshines Sabrina by removing the choice factor - your opponent doesn’t get to see or decide the switch. This makes it perfect for pulling weakened or key support Pokemon into the spotlight, setting up easy knockouts and securing extra points.

---

Each Trainer card brings its unique strengths to the table, so choosing the right one depends on your deck type and playstyle. From Giovanni’s incremental damage to Cyrus' disruptive tactics, these cards can help you secure the win.

Fine-tune your deck with these top Trainer cards, and watch as they enhance your strategies and give you the upper hand in every battle

---

If you are interested in Pokemon TCG Pocket topics, check out our other articles:

• Pokemon TCG Pocket decks tier list
• Is Trading in Pokemon TCGP the worst feature added?
• Best Psychic-type cards
• Best Water-type cards
• Best Fire-type cards
• Best Lightning-type cards
• Best Darkness-type cards
• Best Grass-type cards