Johto Beasts Surface in Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Secluded Springs — Here’s the Real Play

Secluded Springs Brings the Johto Beasts Back Into the Spotlight

The Pokémon Company is dropping Secluded Springs for Pokémon TCG Pocket on August 28, 2025, and it immediately caught my attention for one reason: the Legendary Beasts. Raikou, Entei, and Suicune aren’t just fan favorites; they’re cards that tend to define tempos and turn sequencing whenever they’re done right. Pair that with a theme leaning into water-and-wild motifs and a September slate of promo missions, and you’ve got a mid-season shake-up arriving exactly between July’s Johto legends push and the looming Mega Evolution wave this fall.

Key Takeaways

• Secluded Springs (Aug 28, 2025) focuses on Johto and Hoenn, headlined by Raikou, Entei, and Suicune.
• September brings promo cards and special missions-expect time-limited grinds that reward engaged players.
• This set slots between July’s Wisdom of Sea and Sky (Lugia/Ho-Oh) and fall’s Mega Evolution ex rollout-meta churn is real.
• If Pocket maintains recent patterns, anticipate utility Trainers that reward board control and elemental synergy.

Breaking Down the Announcement

Here’s the concrete stuff: Secluded Springs lands worldwide on August 28. Thematically, it leans into natural landscapes and water-adjacent ideas, while spotlighting Johto and Hoenn picks. The headline trio-Raikou, Entei, Suicune—signals flexible, pressure-friendly attackers that historically thrive when supported by consistent acceleration and reliable pivot tools. While the Pocket ruleset doesn’t mirror the physical TCG 1:1, previous digital packs have stayed true to a card’s “fantasy.” Translation: expect these beasts to do what they do best—get on board fast and force reactions.

The other headline is cadence. Pocket has been in a groove: Triumphant Light (Feb) made Arceus ex a meta staple, Shining Revelry (Mar) buffed competitive flow with skill-based matchmaking, A3b (Jun) layered more ex power on top, and Wisdom of Sea and Sky (late Jul) dropped Lugia and Ho-Oh for full-on Johto vibes. Secluded Springs arrives as a bridge before the fall Mega Evolution ex era. That’s great for variety, but it also means every new deck you craft should be future-proofed for another power bump within weeks.

What This Changes for Players

If you’ve been riding Arceus-centric midrange or testing Lugia/Ho-Oh synergies, Secluded Springs likely gives you new angles rather than forcing a hard pivot. The Johto Beasts tend to slot cleanly into shells that want early tempo and flexible typing. Pocket’s recent sets have rewarded decks that create repeatable, low-friction plays—think consistent draw, searchable threats, and compact win conditions. I’m expecting Secluded Springs to contribute utility pieces that reward staying active every turn, not just fishing for the one big swing.

My early plan: test a Suicune-centered list that leverages any new “flow” support Secluded Springs introduces, then keep a Raikou tech line ready to pinch mirror matchups that lean water-heavy after July’s Lugia surge. If Entei lands with efficient pressure tools, it could be the safety valve that punishes slow setups post-rotation. The point isn’t to lock anything in on day one—it’s to build cores that survive the inevitable balance tweaks and the Mega Evolution spike around the corner.

September Promos and Missions: Actually Worth Your Time

The September calendar is packed with promo cards and special missions tied to Secluded Springs. In Pocket, these mission tracks have consistently been where the best “glue” pieces show up—cards that don’t headline trailers but make your 60-card puzzle work. If you care about staying competitive without chasing every rare pull, grind these missions. Historically, Pocket’s limited-time events (Mass Outbreaks, Wonder Picks, and the June Ultra Beasts run) have paid out real deck value, not just cosmetic fluff.

Pro tip: plan a weekly loop early. Clear daily steps for mission ladders, stash any event-limited picks for the last week (when we’ve seen the full pool), and prioritize promos that support consistency—draw supporters, search effects, and reposition tools. These are the cards that keep you winning after the honeymoon phase of a new set wears off.

Healthy Skepticism: Hype vs. Substance

I love the cadence and the nostalgia hit, but let’s be real: Pocket’s rapid-fire schedule can turn your shiny new build obsolete in a month. The trading feature introduced earlier this year helps, though it’s restricted by rarity and set, so don’t assume you can swap your way into every chase card from Secluded Springs. Also, watch for early-week balance nudges. We’ve seen immediate meta overcorrections after new power cards land; don’t tunnel on a single archetype until the dust settles.

The timing also matters. With Mega Evolution ex slated for fall, Secluded Springs needs to deliver cards that still matter once megas crash the party. If the Johto Beasts come in as efficient, flexible role-players instead of one-trick nukes, they’ll remain relevant even after the meta inflates.

Looking Ahead

Secluded Springs feels like a meta palate cleanser—fresh threats, nature-themed support, and a September runway of missions to flesh out your binder. Build adaptable cores, use the events to fill consistency gaps, and keep one eye on Mega Evolutions. If Pocket maintains its recent design trend—power cards paired with fair, interactive tools—the Johto Beasts could be the flexible backbone of early fall decks rather than a two-week novelty.

TL;DR

Secluded Springs launches August 28 with Raikou, Entei, and Suicune plus September promo missions worth grinding. It slots between July’s Johto legends and the fall Mega Evolution wave, so build flexible decks and expect early balance shifts. The smart play is to farm the promos, test beast-centered cores, and stay nimble for the next big spike.