Honestly, if you haven't been saving your Pack Hourglasses, you're probably feeling the burn right about now. The PTCGP Celestial Guardians card list didn't just drop; it basically detonated the meta.
We're talking 239 cards. That is a massive jump compared to the smaller, single-booster sets we saw throughout late 2025. This expansion is heavily anchored in Generation 7, bringing that Sun and Moon flavor to our phones with a level of aggression I didn't see coming. Whether you’re chasing the immersive Lillie or just trying to survive a Solgaleo ex sweep, there is a lot to digest here.
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What’s Actually in the PTCGP Celestial Guardians Card List?
It’s big. Like, "Genetic Apex" levels of big. The set is split between two primary booster packs: Solgaleo and Lunala.
While most of the standard "filling" cards are shared, your choice of pack determines which heavy hitters you're actually pulling for. If you're looking for raw, unadulterated power, the Solgaleo packs are where the Metal-type Renaissance is happening. On the flip side, the Lunala packs are catering to the Psychic-type players who love a good "hit and run" strategy.
The Big Pulls: ex Pokémon
The "ex" cards are the backbone of any competitive deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket right now. Celestial Guardians introduces some terrifying new options:
- Solgaleo ex: A Stage 2 beast with a low-energy attack cost and an ability that makes your opponent's life miserable.
- Lunala ex: Not quite as "tanky" as Solgaleo, but the utility it offers in a Psychic-heavy deck is undeniable.
- Decidueye ex: The "Pierce the Pain" attack is going to be a staple. Doing 100 damage to a Pokémon that’s already taken a hit? That’s basically a finisher for 2 Energy.
- Alolan Raichu ex: This is the one everyone is panicking about. It can effectively one-shot high-energy threats like Charizard or Giratina if the timing is right.
- Incineroar ex: With 180 HP, this cat is an absolute tank. It’s one of the highest HP pools we’ve seen in the game so far.
Rare Candy and the End of the "Basic" Era
Let's get real for a second. The most important card in the PTCGP Celestial Guardians card list isn't even a Pokémon. It’s Rare Candy.
For the longest time, Stage 2 Pokémon were a liability. You had to draw the Basic, then the Stage 1, then the Stage 2. It was slow. It was clunky. You’d get knocked out before you even saw your final evolution. Rare Candy fixes that. It lets you skip the Stage 1 entirely.
Basically, you can have a fully evolved Solgaleo ex or Charizard ex on the board by turn two or three. That completely changes how you build a deck. You don't need a 4-4-4 line anymore; you can go 4-2-4 or even 3-0-3 if you’re feeling spicy and trust your draws. This card is going to be in every single deck that isn't running purely Basic Pokémon. It's mandatory.
The Alolan Variants You Need to Watch
It’s not just the legendary mascots. The Alolan regional variants are actually viable here. Alolan Muk ex is a standout for Darkness decks, especially with the "Poison Barb" tool card that’s making the rounds.
You've also got:
- Alolan Marowak: The Illustration Rare version is gorgeous, but the card itself is a solid mid-game attacker.
- Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales: These are becoming a nightmare for Grass and Fire decks alike due to their speed.
- The Tapus: Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Fini are all here. They act more like "glue" cards—high utility, decent damage, and they fit into almost any elemental archetype.
Immersive Rares and the "Chase" Cards
If you’re a collector, the PTCGP Celestial Guardians card list has two specific cards that will make you go broke: the Immersive Rares.
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Historically, immersive cards focused on the Pokémon—think Mewtwo or Pikachu. This set bucks the trend. We finally have a human character getting the immersive treatment: Lillie. The animation is fantastic, featuring her and Cosmog (Nebby) in a way that feels straight out of the 3DS era. The other "holy grail" is the Guzma immersive rare.
Besides those, the "Rainbow" versions of the Special Illustration Rares (SIR) are the highest tier of rarity. There are 10 in total, including the likes of Decidueye ex and Alolan Raichu ex.
How to Navigate the New Meta
If you’re jumping into Ranked right now, expect to see a lot of "Turbo" decks. People are using Rare Candy to force out Stage 2s as fast as humanly possible.
Quick Tips for Celestial Guardians:
- Pack Choice Matters: If you want Decidueye or Solgaleo, go for the Solgaleo packs. If you want Primarina or Lunala, stick to the Lunala packs.
- Don't Ignore Tools: Cards like Leaf Cape (an upgrade for Grass types) and Poison Barb are game-changers. A Tool card can be the difference between a survival and a knockout.
- The Rayquaza Factor: Remember that while Rayquaza ex is part of the "Celestial Guardians" era, it's often tied to the Promo events running alongside the set launch. Don't spend all your gold on boosters if you're just looking for the dragon; check your missions first.
Actionable Strategy for Players
Stop blindly pulling from both packs. Pick a lane. If you have a solid Grass core from previous sets, the Solgaleo side of the PTCGP Celestial Guardians card list has the Decidueye ex you need to make that deck tier-1. If you're more of a "tech" player who likes disrupting the opponent, the Lunala side offers the weird Psychic abilities and the Alolan Muk ex synergy.
Invest your Rare Candy early. It is the single most versatile card in the set. Even if you don't use it today, you will use it tomorrow. The meta is moving toward high-HP Stage 2 battles, and if you're still relying on Basic "hit-and-run" tactics, you’re going to get steamrolled by a turn-three 180 HP Incineroar.
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Update your deck lists, burn those hourglasses, and for the love of Arceus, keep Nebby in the bag.