The western release for Mega Evolution is getting closer. With many players eagerly awaiting the return of Mega Pokemon, it’s time to take note of some of the best cards coming in this set.
For the sake of brevity, we’ll be clumping some of these cards together under a single category so we can also highlight the potential of other cards coming in this expansion. Notably, this list is neither definitive nor are these ranked in any particular order.
The Mega Pokemon
We’ll be starting off this list with the marquee feature of the expansion. The Mega Pokemon all offer robust bodies, respectable damage outputs, and the occasional utility option. Mileage will vary depending on the player and the Mega Pokemon they find enticing, but some of the more notable Mega Pokemon so far seem to be Mega Lucario ex, Mega Gardevoir ex, and Mega Manectric ex.
Mega Lucario ex is a fast and hard-hitting Stage-1 Fighting-type that can easily knock out any Normal-type (colorless) Pokemon. Even without the type advantage, Mega Lucario ex’s ‘Mega Brave’ attack can easily put even beefier rivals into lethal thresholds, and that’s not accounting for any damage boosters like Premium Power Pro being added into the mix.
Mega Gardevoir ex further enhances the current competitive frontrunner, Gardevoir ex, by being an excellent vanguard unit while the controlling player builds up their board. This Mega Pokemon can tank the opening attacks from the opponent, act as an energy accelerant for allies on the bench, and can technically output some respectable damage with only a single energy investment.
Mega Manectric ex’s overall potential was found when players realized a few details. One, it’s a Stage-1 Mega Pokemon with a free retreat cost. Two, Magneton from Surging Sparks has an ability that can easily reload Mega Manectric ex’s ‘Riot Blaster’.
With all the support Lightning-type decks have been getting, like Electric Generator and ‘Dynamotor’ Eelektrik from Black Bolt, this Mega Pokemon may be able to steal some victories in tournaments.
Stadiums
Dangerous Ruins, Forest of Vitality, and Mystery Garden
Dangerous Ruins
Whenever either player puts a Basic non-Darkness-type Pokemon onto their Bench during their turn, put 2 damage counters on that Pokemon.
Forest of Vitality
Each player's Grass-type Pokemon can evolve into Grass-type Pokemon on the turn they are put into play, except each player's first turn.
Mystery Garden
Once during each player's turn, that player may discard an Energy card from their hand in order to draw cards until they have as many cards in their hand as they have Psychic-type Pokemon in play.
There are a lot of good stadiums appearing in this set. Each one offers a solid tool in elevating deck types that can take advantage of them.
Dangerous Ruins not only starts chipping away from any of the opponent’s non-Darkness type Basic-Stage Pokemon but also allows Munkidori to start flinging damage counters across the board.
Vitality Forest accelerates any deck reliant on any Grass-type evolution line. It may not allow evolutions to happen in the first turn, but it offers players a way to eschew the use of Rare Candy which can sometimes be harder to find during a match.
Mystery Garden, much to the chagrin of some players, lets any Psychic-type focused decks (i.e. Gardevoir ex) have another tool to redraw their hand after being depleted. With other draw cards like Professor's Research and Mew ex (Pokemon 151) keeping a player stocked on resources already, Mystery Garden just adds another layer of consistency to a deck type that doesn’t necessarily need it, but makes it all the better for it.
Lillie's Determination
Speaking of generic draw cards, Lillie’s Determination is the new Professor’s Research should the latter not receive an update for the next yearly rotation. While Lillie’s Determination draws one less card than its predecessor, it comes with two upsides.
First, the controlling player’s cards are shuffled into the deck. This feature may be a little hit or miss depending on the deck, but not losing your resources to the discard pile is generally viewed as a net positive.
Second, if the controlling player happens to be on the back foot and still on 6 prize cards, Lillie’s Determination arguably becomes more powerful than Professor’s Research, drawing one more card than the latter.
Regardless of the level of competition, active players will definitely want a playset of Lillie’s determination to at least futureproof their decks come the next yearly rotation.
Solrock and Lunatone
Solrock (Left)
Cosmo Beam: If you don't have a Lunatone on your Bench, this attack does nothing. Damage from this attack isn't affected by Weakness or Resistance.
Out of all the cards on this list, this pair has to come as a matched set because they cannot function without the other. And while normally that could be seen as a detriment, the returns these cards have to offer Fighting-type decks are well worth the price of admission.
Solrock’s contributions are pretty simple: early game aggression. For a single energy investment, Solrock can easily OHKO (One-Hit Knock Out) most Basic-Stage Evolution Pokemon. Gimmighoul, Dreepy, Ralts, all these Pokemon are used in highly competitive decks, and they all can fall to Solrock’s standard attack.
Lunatone is the more utilitarian of the pair. The barrier-to-entry cost of discarding a Fighting-type energy limits players from abusing its ability. That said, it’s hard to deny that net +2 to card advantage without an upper ceiling like Mew ex’s ‘Restart’ ability. Coupled with the fact that this is on a Single-Prize body, and even bench sniping via the opponent’s Dragapult ex would be an acceptable loss if Lunatone can get you the tools you need to close out the game
Meganium
Meganium is more or less one of the better enablers for Grass-type decks. By allowing a player to double-up on their Grass-type energy, Pokemon like Teal Mask Ogerpon ex’s are able to increase their damage output if not activate them faster than normal.
Meganium allows the incoming Mega Venusaur ex to go from a 4-energy activation cost to just a 2-energy cost activation, greatly accelerating this particular Mega Pokemon’s viability.
While Grass-type decks aren’t currently in the competitive zeitgeist of the TCG (Trading Card Game), Meganium is the energy acceleration tool these decks have been needing for a long while.