The Pokemon Company International (TPCi) has just launched their trailer and announcement for the newest expansion for Pokemon Pocket, Extradimensional Crisis.
Slated for release on May 29th, Extradimensional Crisis will introduce the Sun and Moon era Ultra Beasts to Pokemon Pocket. Alongside these, there will also be a few more Alolan Pokemon.
Some Extra Bit of News
Before we head over to look at the new additions to the roster, TPCi also announced a few upcoming events to celebrate the release of Extradimensional Crisis:
- June 3rd to 13th - Ultra Beast Drop Event: A chance to take part in special solo battles to obtain new promotional cards.
- June 11th to 21st - Wonder Pick Event: An event to earn event shop tickets and obtain more promotional cards.
- June 22nd to June 28th - Ultra Beast Mass Outbreak: Cards relating to the Ultra Beasts appear more often in rare and bonus picks.
New Ultra Beast Cards Revealed
Blacephalon
With only a single attack at three energy (2 Fire-type at that) and a 70 damage kickback, this Ultra Beast may do more harm to its controlling player than help.
Credit where credit is due, though, that 130 damage is highly lethal to all Basic and some Stage 1 Pokemon.
Ex Pokemon may be able to shrug it off, but it would come at a cost of a large chunk of health.
If nothing else, Blacephalon protects its controlling player by costing only a single point for its knockout.
Buzzwole ex
Buzwole ex suffers from some of the same issues as Blacephalon. While Buzzwole ex has a more standard attack with Punch ability, it still costs a healthy amount of energy for a pretty sub-par return. Furthermore, while a player can build a reserve of energy to activate Big Beat, it can’t be used repeatedly.
On the surface, Buzzwole ex may be looking worse than Blacephalon. As an ex Pokemon, Buzzwole is worth 2 points, after all, so fielding this Pokemon as the vanguard becomes very risky as the opponent is already at match point.
Hopefully, there are more cards in Extradimensional Crisis to work around these high-maintenance Pokemon.
Celesteela
Celesteela is keeping to the trend of Ultra Beasts having a three energy barrier-to-entry cost for one of their attacks.
While some players may shake their head at Celesteela’s coin flip dependence for its attack, we can admit that its Ultra Thrusters ability can come in handy in manipulating the field.
All three of the revealed Ultra Beasts so far have at least a two energy retreat cost. Being able to switch them out for free once a turn can lead to some interesting decision-making during a match.
Guzzlord ex
Guzzlord ex is probably the most dangerous Ultra Beast revealed so far. While its Grindcore attack does minuscule damage for two energy cost, its capability for discarding energy, even if it's coin flip dependent, makes this Pokemon remarkably dangerous.
On a good day, you’ll be setting back any Pokemon several turns worth of energy.
That said, Guzzlord ex isn’t infallible. As an ex Pokemon, it’s still under the mercy of Oricorio. That said, it looks like the reveals are showing that Ultra Beasts function better as part of a team than just a singularly powerful obstacle to beat over.
Nihilego
With only 70 health and only a 30 damage attack to its name, Nihilego is one of the weaker Ultra Beasts upfront. However, Nihilego’s ability to increase the damage output from the Poisoned special condition puts the enemy active Pokemon on the clock faster than expected.
Poison’s issue has always been its slow progress in a relatively fast game like Pocket. While Nihilego won’t magically make it a meta win condition, a savvy player may be able to use the higher damage over time to reach health breakpoints a lot quicker.
Pheremosa
While not as bulky as most of the Ultra Beasts on this list, Pheromosa can easily go on the offensive as soon as the game allows.
Twenty damage isn’t a lot coming from a singular source, but forty damage divided between two bodies can rack up fast.
Pheromosa’s speed may not knock out rival Pokemon on their own, but they can easily set up a scenario for a sweep to occur. Even if Pheromosa does get knocked out, it won’t be the end of the match right away as Phremosa is the equivalent to a single point.
Tapu Koko ex
The only non-Ultra Beast Pokemon on the list, Tapu Koko ex has insane energy acceleration. Its damage output may not rival the likes of Giratina ex, but quantity can be a quality of its own.
While most Pokemon need at least a couple of turns to reach their potential and start attacking, Tapu Koko ex can do so the moment the first energy is attached to it. Come the next turn, a player can easily attach a third energy and start hitting harder.
Tapu Koko ex’s most glaring issue, though, is its less-than-stellar health for an ex Pokemon. The aforementioned Giratina ex easily one-shots this Pokemon without Giant Cape.
Even the newly released Solgaleo ex can easily put Tapu Koko ex at death’s door after a single attack.
A player would have to carefully consider their next move when using Tapu Koko ex. It is distinguishing itself as being a glass cannon with a rather high risk, since a knockout immediately puts the opponent at match point.