Melony
Chilling Reign (CRE 195)

Melony is a Supporter Trainer card from the Pokémon TCG set Chilling Reign, card number 195/198, and classified as Rare Ultra. This card has quickly become a staple in many Water-type decks due to its unique effect: "Attach a Water Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Pokémon V. If you do, draw 3 cards." With only one Supporter allowed per turn, Melony offers both energy acceleration and card draw, making her highly versatile.

1. Overview of Melony

Melony stands out among Supporters for her dual utility: she fuels your board with essential Water Energy while also refreshing your hand. This combination is especially potent in a game where maintaining both energy attachments and card advantage can decide the outcome of matches. Her synergy with Pokémon V, which are central to many competitive strategies, further cements her place in top-tier decks.

2. In-Depth Review

Strengths of Melony

• Energy Acceleration: One of the most critical aspects of competitive play is powering up your main attackers efficiently. Melony enables you to recycle Water Energy from your discard pile directly onto a Pokémon V, effectively bypassing traditional attachment limitations.
• Card Draw: Drawing three cards after attaching an energy not only offsets the cost of playing a Supporter but can often provide the resources needed for your next moves. This helps maintain tempo and consistency throughout the match.
• Recovery Tool: In games where resources are stretched thin, Melony’s ability to recover discarded energy can be the difference between victory and defeat, allowing you to keep pressure on your opponent even after losing key energies.
• Flexibility: The card does not specify Basic or Evolution Pokémon V, meaning it can be used with any Pokémon V, opening up multiple deck-building possibilities.
• Synergy with Discard Strategies: Decks that intentionally discard Energy (for powerful attacks or other effects) can maximize Melony’s value, turning what would be a drawback into a tactical advantage.

Weaknesses of Melony

• Limited to Water Energy: Melony’s effect is restricted to Water Energy, so her inclusion is almost exclusively limited to Water-type decks or those using Water Energy as part of their strategy.
• Pokémon V Restriction: The card only works on Pokémon V, excluding non-V Pokémon and Pokémon VMAX/VMAX unless they are specifically labeled as Pokémon V. This limits her use in some mixed archetypes.
• Supporter Slot Competition: Since you can only play one Supporter per turn, including Melony means you might have to pass up on other powerful Supporters, especially those that offer more raw draw power or disruption.
• Reliance on Discarded Energy: If you haven’t yet discarded any Water Energy, Melony’s effect cannot be activated. Early-game hands may sometimes find her as a dead card until the discard pile is set up.

When Is Melony Advantageous?

Melony shines in decks built around Water-type Pokémon V, particularly those that benefit from rapid energy acceleration. She is especially useful in mid-to-late game scenarios, when your discard pile is stocked with Water Energy and you need to power up benched attackers quickly. Against aggressive decks that apply early pressure, Melony can help you recover from knockouts by refueling your next attacker and drawing into crucial resources.

Her value also increases in matchups where your opponent targets your energy attachments, as she allows you to recover and stay in the game. Decks that cycle through their cards quickly or have discard-based mechanics find Melony indispensable.

When Can Melony Be a Liability?

In the opening turns, before you’ve had a chance to discard Water Energy, Melony can clog your hand. If your deck doesn’t focus on Pokémon V or relies heavily on non-Water Energy types, she becomes far less effective. Additionally, in situations where you require immediate disruption or healing, other Supporters may be preferable, making Melony situational rather than universally optimal.

Why Add Melony to Your Deck?

If you run a Water-centric deck with multiple Pokémon V, Melony is almost a must-have. Her ability to provide both resource recovery and card advantage is unmatched for Water strategies. Even in hybrid decks, if you include a significant Water Energy package and Pokémon V, Melony can serve as a crucial tech choice to swing games in your favor.

For players who value consistency and recovery, Melony ensures you rarely miss an energy attachment and keeps your hand full of options. She fits perfectly into aggressive, tempo-based Water decks, as well as slower, control-oriented builds that rely on recycling resources.

Quality/Price Analysis and Collector Value

Melony’s market value reflects her popularity and effectiveness in competitive play. As a Rare Ultra from Chilling Reign, she holds significant collector appeal, especially in full-art or alternate-art versions. Players seeking to optimize their Water decks will find her worth the investment, as her impact on gameplay justifies her demand. Collectors are drawn to her rarity and the aesthetic appeal of her design, making her a sought-after addition to binders and display cases alike.

Given her continued relevance in the metagame and her potential for future synergy with upcoming expansions, Melony’s price-to-performance ratio remains favorable. Investing in her is not just a move for competitive advantage but also a wise choice for collectors looking to enhance the value of their collection.

Strategic Tips: When and How to Play Melony

• Early Game: Hold onto Melony until you’ve established at least one Water Energy in your discard pile. Use discard outlets or attack costs to set this up quickly.
• Mid-Game: Use Melony to power up a benched Pokémon V, preparing for a counterattack or surprise knockout. The card draw can also help you find switching options or additional attackers.
• Late Game: Melony can be pivotal when you’re running low on energy in deck or hand. Recycle energy to your main attacker and draw into game-finishing resources.
• Adaptation: Against decks that target your active Pokémon, use Melony to build up threats on your bench. Versus disruption-heavy opponents, time Melony to recover after forced discards or knockouts.
• Hand Management: Avoid overfilling your hand before playing Melony, as drawing three cards could lead to discarding valuable resources at the end of your turn.

Deck Synergies and Archetype Integration

Melony finds her best home in decks that combine aggressive Water-type attackers with self-discarding or high-energy requirements. Strategies that utilize abilities to discard energy, or attacks that require multiple attachments, can maximize Melony’s effect. She synergizes well with decks that need to accelerate energy to multiple attackers, enabling constant pressure on opponents.

Control decks can use Melony to maintain a steady stream of resources, while tempo decks use her to quickly power up new threats. Her flexibility makes her a cornerstone of any successful Water Energy-based strategy, and she can be adapted to fit both single-prize and multi-prize focused builds.

Conclusion

Melony is a standout Supporter in the Pokémon TCG, offering a rare combination of energy acceleration and card draw for Water-focused decks. Her strengths far outweigh her limitations, and her utility ensures she will remain a staple for both competitive players and collectors. Whether you’re looking to enhance your gameplay or add a visually striking card to your collection, Melony delivers exceptional value and performance. Don’t miss the opportunity to include her in your arsenal—she can easily tip the scales in your favor during crucial moments of any match.