Pokémon TCG Pocket A4a miniset announced and fans raise concerns about a new mechanic

Pokémon TCG Pocket is gearing up for the upcoming release of the A4a miniset, titled Secluded Springs. This mini-expansion, which will focus on new ex versions of the Legendary Trio / Legendary Beasts (Raikou, Entei, and Suicune), has sparked concern among players due to the introduction of a new mechanic. Both Raikou ex, Entei ex, and Suicune ex feature a brand-new Ability that allows players to draw extra cards.

The A4a miniset in Pokémon TCG Pocket includes powerful versions of Raikou, Entei, and Suicune that let players draw more cards

In the early hours of Friday, August 22, 2025, several Reddit users noticed that Pokémon TCG Pocket had leaked its upcoming mini-expansion, the A4a set. Through a trailer—since removed—from the game’s Korean YouTube channel, fans were able to catch a glimpse of several new and powerful creatures that will soon be playable. The crown jewels of this expansion are Raikou ex, Entei ex, and Suicune ex, all of which have a new Ability called Legend Heartbeat. This Ability allows the Pokémon’s controller to draw one card at the end of the turn if the Pokémon is in the Active Spot.

Although it may not sound like a big deal, this has stirred controversy within the game’s community. In a card game, any play that lets a player draw additional cards accelerates strategies, increasing the likelihood of getting the cards needed to fully execute a plan and gain an advantage over the opponent. For this reason, many players already consider these Pokémon to have unfair Abilities even before their debut, believing they could drastically shift the game’s meta.

Comments from concerned users include statements like, “Even limited to the Active Spot, this is still a broken Ability,” and, “This is insane, it’s like having four or five copies of Professor Oak in the deck.” Players have emphasized how these advanced draw strategies could give a significant edge over those using other types of decks.

The A4a miniset Secluded Springs will launch on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Only a week remains before we can see firsthand whether the new Raikou ex, Entei ex, and Suicune ex cards are truly as overpowered as they seem—or if they are balanced by deliberate factors like lower HP. One thing is certain: this mini-expansion is generating unusually high excitement in the community, with some players dreading the arrival of the Legendary Trio, while others are eager to harness their extraordinary power. Only time will tell if the meta is significantly affected during this new phase of the game.

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