In the world of *Pokemon TCG Pocket*, Sleep is arguably the most frustrating status condition to deal with. It can be a game-changer, and understanding how to manage it is crucial. Here’s everything you need to know about Sleep in *Pokemon TCG Pocket* and the strategies to cure it.
What Does Sleep Mean in Pokemon TCG Pocket?
When your Pokemon in *TCG Pocket* falls asleep, it's rendered completely inactive. It can't attack, use abilities, or retreat to the bench. Essentially, your Pokemon becomes a helpless target in the active position until you find a way to wake it up.
How to Cure Sleep
Curing Sleep in *Pokemon TCG Pocket* can be a bit tricky, but there are two primary methods: a coin toss each turn or evolving the sleeping Pokemon. Each turn, a coin toss is conducted for both you and your opponent to see if your Pokemon wakes up. A successful coin flip (getting Heads) can cure your Pokemon in as little as one turn. However, consecutive unlucky flips can leave your Pokemon asleep for several turns, putting you at a significant disadvantage.
Evolving your Pokemon is another way to wake it up, but this requires you to have the right evolution card ready. While you're setting up alternative attackers or waiting for an evolution, your opponent might gain the upper hand.
There's also a lesser-known method involving the Koga Trainer card, which can return a sleeping Weezing or Muk to your hand, effectively curing the Sleep status for those specific Pokemon.
All Sleep Cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Image via The Pokemon Company
Currently, there are eight cards in *Pokemon TCG Pocket* that can inflict the Sleep status. These include Darkrai, Wigglytuff, and Hypno, with Hypno standing out as the most competitive due to its effectiveness in the current meta. Below is a detailed list of these cards, their methods of inflicting Sleep, and how to obtain them:
| Sleep Card | Method | How to Get |
|---|---|---|
| Darkrai (A2 109) | Through its attack, Dark Void, as a guaranteed effect | Space-Time Smackdown (Dialga) |
| Flabebe (A1a 036) | Using its move, Hypnotic Gaze, as a guaranteed effect | Mythical Island |
| Frosmoth (A1 093) | With its Powder Snow attack, also a guaranteed status effect | Genetic Apex |
| Hypno (A1 125) | Using its ability, Sleep Pendulum, based on a coin flip | Genetic Apex (Pikachu) |
| Jigglypuff (P-A 022) | The guaranteed effect of its Sing attack | Promo-A |
| Shiinotic (A1a 008) | A guaranteed secondary effect of its Flickering Spores attack | Mythical Island |
| Vileplume (A1 013) | A side effect of using Soothing Scent | Genetic Apex (Charizard) |
| Wigglytuff ex (A1 195) | An additional effect of its Sleepy Song attack | Genetic Apex (Pikachu) |
Among all the Sleep cards, Hypno stands out as the most formidable due to its ability to inflict Sleep from the bench without needing Energy. This makes it an exceptional support card for Psychic decks, allowing you to set up powerful attackers like Mewtwo ex and its Psydrive quickly. If you have a Gardevoir in play, Hypno's effectiveness is amplified even further.
While Frosmoth and Wigglytuff ex can also be integrated into various decks, Hypno remains the top choice in the current *Pokemon TCG Pocket* meta for its ability to disrupt opponents without hindering your own strategy.
Now that you're equipped with knowledge on the Sleep status and its cures, consider experimenting with the best Palkia ex deck in *Pokemon TCG Pocket* to explore other powerful combinations available with the latest cards.
