Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Review - Best Pokémon + Staples!

The next Pokémon TCG block marks a new era, as the new sets will be entirely dedicated to Mega Evolutions. This mechanic was originally introduced in the Gen VI VGC titles, in the X & Y era. The next VGC title, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, will also bring it back, alongside the Kalos region.

We've already discussed what we can expect from Mega Evolution as a set. Now, we'll go over its "staples", that is, the cards you should really consider getting. Let's go!

Pokémon ex

5 - Mega Latias ex

When the first spoilers started coming out, we in the West didn't consider this Latias useful because it needs a unique set of energies to work. Nonetheless, it deals 300 damage, which stood out to Japanese players, and they, in turn, developed a very interesting list with it. As a result, the Western players changed their minds and started playing this strategy.

You can check out more about it here.

4 - Mega Abomasnow ex

This Pokémon can deal a lot of damage quite easily because of its first attack, Hammer-lanche. It discards the top 6 cards in your deck, and for each basic Water energy it discards this way, it deals 100 damage.

You should keep an eye on this card.

3 - Mega Venusaur ex

Mega Venusaur ex is another promising Grass attacker in this set.

We've also covered this card in another article, where we explored a few deckbuilding possibilities with it. You can check out more here.

Its ability, Solar Transfer, reminds me of Venusaur BS 15 from the WotC Base Set, as it lets you move basic Grass energies from one Pokémon to another.

Its main attack, Jungle Dump, deals 240 damage and also heals it by 30 HP.

2 - Mega Gardevoir ex

This Pokémon is also quite promising. It was one of the first Pokémon from this set we were shown, alongside Mega Lucario.

We've covered it several times already. If you'd like to see more, click here.

1 - Mega Lucario ex

Our last Pokémon ex is Mega Lucario ex, which is probably the most promising card in Mega Evolutions. This new set also brought us support cards for the Fighting archetype, like Fighting Gong MEG 116 and Premium Power Pro MEG 124.

We wrote about its synergy with Cynthia's Garchomp ex DRI 104 months ago. Click here to check it out!

Honorable Mention: Mega Absol

Mega Absol ex has an interesting skill set. Its first attack Knocks Out the opponent's active Pokémon instantly if they have exactly 6 damage counters attached. This may seem difficult, but you can easily set it up with Munkidori PRE 44's Adrena-Brain.

Its second attack is a control tool, as it forces the opponent to reveal their hand and then lets you discard a card from there.

P.S.: In the future, we might be able to pair this card with Toxtricity, from Phantasmal Flames.

Once Mega Evolution: Phantasmal Flames gives us Toxtricity, we'll be able to use its ability, which states:

"Once during your turn, you may use this ability. Search your deck for a basic Darkness energy and attach it to 1 of your Benched Darkness Pokémon. Then, shuffle your deck. If you attached an energy to a Pokémon in this way, place 2 damage counters on that Pokémon."

Then, all we have to do is move these damage counters with Munkidori PRE 44's Adrena-Brain and create a loop.

So, you should definitely keep a keen eye on Mega Absol when it releases.

"Baby" Pokémon

5 - Kadabra & Alakazam

These two Pokémon are excellent for card draw combos because of their shared ability, Psychic Draw. Kadabra draws 2 cards and Alakazam draws 3 cards, as long as you evolve them directly from your hand on your turn.

4 - Lunatone

This Pokémon's ability, Lunar Circle, draws 3 cards if you discard a basic Fighting energy from your hand. But please note that you can only use it once per turn, even if you have multiple Lunatone in play.

3 - Inteleon

Inteleon stands out because of its attack, Bring Down (similar to Greninja UNB 117, from Sun & Moon, and also to Gardevoir LV.X SW 131, from Diamond & Pearl, originally). This attack lets you target the Pokémon with the least amount of HP in play (yours or the opponent's) and Knock it Out on the spot.

2 - Cinderace

This Pokémon is incredibly interesting because of its ability, which lets you put it in play directly when you are setting up if you draw it in your opening hand. You don't need to evolve anything!

Furthermore, its main attack lets you attach 3 basic energies to any of your Benched Pokémon.

1 - Meganium

Our best "baby" Pokémon is this Meganium, whose ability doubles basic Grass energies (it is similar to Venusaur SLG 3 from Sun & Moon). This will be extremely useful with Pokémon that need lots of energies to attack, like Mega Venusaur ex MEG 3.

Supporters

From left to right:

- Lillie's Determination: this card shuffles your hand back into your deck and then draws 6 new cards for you. If you have exactly 6 Prize cards left, it draws 8 cards instead of 6.

It is an incredible card draw tool and will see play in many decks.

- Wally's Compassion: this card heals one of your Mega Pokémon ex in play fully. If you do, you'll also have to return all energies attached to it to your hand.

In decks that constantly attach energies every turn, like those that use Baxcalibur sv2 60 and Emboar WHT 13 again and again, this card is practically a must, particularly if you also play Mega Pokémon ex.

- Acerola's Mischief: you can only use this card if the opponent has 2 Prize cards or less. Pick one of your Pokémon in play. It will be protected from enemy Pokémon ex, in terms of damage and effects.

It might seem too specific, but it actually works pretty well. Likewise, it is less abusive than Phoebe BST 130, which dealt with Pokémon VMax. Despite being a bit limited, it is still quite functional.

- Lt. Surge's Deal: this card states, "Ask your opponent if each player may take a Prize card. If yes, each player takes a Prize card. If no, you draw 4 cards."

The odds of your opponent accepting this deal are low, particularly if they're about to win. As such, you'll nearly always draw 4 cards from the top of your deck.

It might not become that popular, but it could still be useful for certain situations.

Items

From left to right:

- Fight Gong: this card lets you look in your deck for a basic Fighting Pokémon or a basic Fighting energy. Then, you'll reveal your choice and put it in your hand.

This is an excellent setup tool for decks like Mega Lucario ex and Cynthia's Garchomp ex. If you want to play these archetypes, you'll simply have to get this card.

- Premium Power Pro: during your turn, this card makes your Fighting Pokémon deal 30 extra damage to the opponent's active Pokémon (before weakness and resistance).

Just like Fight Gong, this card will be crucial for decks centered around Mega Lucario ex and Cynthia's Garchomp ex, as it will make them significantly stronger.

- Mega Signal: this card lets you look in your deck for a Mega Pokémon ex, reveal it, and put it in your hand.

If your deck plays any Mega Evolution Pokémon, you simply have to get at least 1 copy of this card. It will complete your setup alongside your Ultra Balls and make your strategy more consistent overall.

- Repeal: this card lets you pull a Benched enemy Pokémon to their active spot (the opponent gets to choose which Pokémon).

It was originally released in the Sun & Moon block as an alternative to classic "catcher" cards. You can use it with Boss's Orders.

Stadiums

From left to right:

- Mystery Garden: during each player's turn, this card lets them discard an energy from their hand. Next, they can draw cards until they have as many cards in their hand as they have Psychic Pokémon in play.

If you play Gardevoir ex and Mega Gardevoir ex, you should definitely keep an eye on this Stadium. It will certainly define the meta, as it will give you a lot of cards and enable combos. Because of this card, your decks will be even faster.

- Forest of Vitality: with this card, each Grass Pokémon in play (yours and the opponent's) will be able to evolve on the same turn you put them in play, as long as it's after the first turn.

This card is a "controlled" version of the old Forest of Giant Plants AOR 74, which was banned in Expanded because it was incredibly powerful. It will be very useful for decks that rely on Stage 2 setups.

- Dangerous Ruins: this card will put 2 damage counters on any nonbasic, non-Darkness Pokémon you or your opponent put in play automatically.

It was designed specifically to see play with Mega Absol ex MEG 86.

- Surfing Beach: during each player's turn, this card will let us swap our active Water Pokémon with one of our Benched Water Pokémon*.

This card might not be as striking as the others we listed above, but you could use it in some strategies, and we definitely can't underestimate it.

What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time.