Pokémon has been around as a franchise for nearly three decades at this point. A lot of concepts and gimmicks have been introduced over the years. Some stick and some don’t. The concept of “Baby Pokémon” has been around since the second generation mainline games and the TCG card sets that followed. Now, we have them in Pokémon TCG Pocket and they’ve never been so useful.

What exactly is a Baby Pokémon?

Baby Pokémon
Baby Pokémon

Baby Pokémon is a term used to explain Pokémon that were introduced to be even less evolved than the version we had already grown to know and love. Pikachu, for example, is a great way to explain the concept.

When the first generation games were introduced, Pikachu only evolved into Raichu. But, when the Pokémon Gold and Silver games came out, they introduced the idea of Pokémon egg hatching, breeding, split gender differences, and (the important part for this article) baby Pokémon. So, they introduced Pichu, a pre-evolution of the iconic mascot.

Not long after the release of Pokémon Gold and Silver, we got the concept added into the Pokémon Trading Card Game with sets like Neo Discovery. Baby Pokémon generally meant it was a pre-evolution of already established Pokémon, such as the aforementioned Pichu, as well as Cleffa (the pre-evolution of Clefairy), and so on. But, with some Pokémon like Togepi and Generation 4’s Riolu, baby Pokémon have always had outliers as well.

The cards back then meant that you needed to evolve them up to their higher forms for them to be helpful or useful, but they were not always necessary to start with. It was a gimmick that didn’t last long at the time, but Pichu could evolve into Pikachu back then with special rules.

What are Baby Pokémon in Pokémon TCG Pocket and how do they differ from normal cards?

Baby Pokémon
Baby Pokémon

Pokémon TCG Pocket has always made a point to look at gameplay, ideas, and gimmicks from the mainline physical Trading Card Game and streamline them for shorter, easier-to-grasp ways to play (which is why there are so many sets so quickly). Baby Pokémon are no different.

The developers, making sure to include as many references to the second generation of mainline games, have stripped the original concept of Baby Pokémon down to some easy uses, deck fillers, and cute collectible cards.

Starting off, baby Pokémon no longer include card text to let them evolve into their higher evolutions. They remain as babies forever. This is likely to avoid confusion around the various other gimmicks and card types that weren’t even thought of when they were originally introduced 25 years ago.

Baby Pokémon also all have one attack, needing zero Energy attached to function. This props them up more as quick, early-game support cards for a deck instead of being a hindrance. Magby, for instance, uses “Toasty Toss” to take an extra Fire Energy from your Energy Zone to attach to a benched Pokémon.

Baby Pokémon in the August 2025 set, Wisdom of Sea and Sky

In the August 2025 set, known as Wisdom of Sea and Sky, there are six Baby Pokémon to collect.

These six Pokémon cards each include the lack of need for Energy cards to use them properly:

  • Pichu
  • Magby
  • Smoochum
  • Cleffa
  • Tyrogue
  • Elekid

In addition, some of the Baby Pokémon, such as Pichu and Magby, also have full-art “1-star” cards. While it’s considered a Promo Set-A instead of being part of the mainline set, a full-art Cleffa was also included in a login campaign for Premium users from August 1st to 31st, 2025, boasting the same stats and attack as the Wisdom of Sea and Sky counterpart.

There is also a Theme Mission to earn 12 Emblem Tickets for the Wisdom of Sea and Sky badges. The mission is named “Pokémon that can Use Attacks Immediately” and requires you to get one of each of the set’s Baby Pokémon.

Baby Pokémon will also be in the Secluded Springs set, as well as likely more in the future

As of writing, Baby Pokémon was also shown in the trailer for Secluded Springs, September’s themed booster pack set that will continue the second-generation theme. Mantyke was shown off in the trailer, which likely means others will make an appearance before we eventually move on to the already announced Mega Evolution gimmick that will encompass the rest of the year.

An important note to make is that even though baby Pokémon were introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver, the trend continued into the fourth generation games as well, such as with Mantyke. So, knowing that the tiny water-type Pokémon was introduced in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl makes a lot of sense here.

Similar to the ongoing “Shiny” gimmick, it’s likely that Baby Pokémon are something we may see again in the future after Secluded Springs. But only time will tell. For now, they’re just a time capsule of a moment in Pokémon’s history that Pokémon TCG Pocket is utilizing for these sets.

If you’re new to Pokémon TCG Pocket, you need to check out our guides on what “God Packs” are and how this game differs from Pokémon TCG Live, another mobile game that focuses more on the physical versions of the TCG. If you haven’t maxed out your hourglasses from Wisdom of Sea and Sky yet, check out our guide on how to do that!