Don’t sleep on Sabrina in Pokémon TCG Pocket

The main thing I remember about the Pokémon character Sabrina was a pretty messed up anime episode where she talks using a creepy doll, like some sort of psychic ventriloquist. As a kid it kind of disturbed me, which makes my newfound appreciation of her surprising. In my battles in Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, the supporter card for the Saffron City Gym leader has become my go-to when building decks.

Sabrina is a Supporter Trainer card whose standard version is two diamond rarity. When played, Sabrina allows you to force your opponent to switch out their Active Pokémon for another Pokémon on their bench of their choosing. It’s a pretty simple action, but this flexible card has become a staple I tinker around with various decks.

Unlike similar supporter cards, like Misty or Lt. Surge, Sabrina’s power isn’t limited to psychic-types. This makes her useful in a wide variety of decks. Her effect feels uniquely tailored to the battles in TCG Pocket. The game features a streamlined version of the competitive trading card game; in this condensed style of play, forcing your opponent to switch their active Pokémon out can be pretty disruptive when done correctly.

There have been instances I’ve used my Sabrina card to pressure opponents to swap in high-investment Pokémon — like Zapdos ex — with no energy attached to them. That lack of energy leaves a strong Pokémon without the ability to attack — and completely vulnerable to my attacks. In another battle, I faced an evasive opponent who kept switching out their Pokémon at low health, but then my Sabrina card forced them to return one of the three Pokémon (whose HP I had whittled down earlier) to the match. Another time, I just needed one extra turn to properly equip my Pikachu ex, so I used Sabrina to stall my opponent just one more turn.

Sabrina’s helped me up my game, so much that I feel a little bit of relief each time I draw her. She might but not decisively win a battle, but her ability allows me to interrupt momentum and guide the flow of turns. It’s no wonder that she’s become a go-to card in my own deckbuilding — and several of the most popular decks people are running right now.

As it stands now, the TCG Pocket “meta” is a bit all over the place. The game just started its first PvP online event on Thursday. A lot of people are using Mewtwo ex and Pikachu ex decks, and that can frustrate some players. But the utility of Sabrina reminds me that sometimes the most useful cards aren’t always the flashiest ones. By carefully deploying her within my strategy, I’m surprised by how many big, “scary” Pokémon I can take out.

If you haven’t pulled Sabrina in a pack or Wonder Pick already, you can redeem her for 70 Pack Points in the card exchange. (I did, and I don’t regret the purchase.) I’m glad she’s no longer making spooky dolls talk, but she still might give my opponent a small scare.