Summary
It has been less than one month since the original release ofPokemon TCG Pocket’s latest expansion. Called Space-Time Smackdown, this set involves a lot of cards inspired by Generation 4 critters and trainers, including the mascots Dialga and Palkia. There are many new cards that have made their way intoPokemon TCG Pocket’s meta, from the powerful Darkrai Ex with passive damage thanks to the Nightmare Aura ability to Palkia Ex with its massive 150-damage attack that can one-shot most meta threats. Yet, even if they are not the main Pokemon in a given deck, there are three cards that can govern the meta thanks to their power and versatility.
One of the most consistent decks in the meta is all about Exeggutor Ex from Genetic Apex and Celebi Ex from Mythical Island, yet it was enabled by somenew cards in Space-Time Smackdown, such as Giant Cape and Cyrus. These are incredibly strong cards that can fit in anyPokemon TCG Pocketdeck, but that’s an easier feat to achieve for Trainer cards and Items, as they are not tied to a specific type. For Pokemon cards, on the other hand, it’s a different story. Yet, Mew Ex, Yanmega Ex, and Magezone all perfectly fit this description.
How Magnezone Fits Most Pokemon TCG Pocket Meta Decks
Versatility is not necessarily the name of the game forPokemon TCG Pocketmeta decks, as some of them work in very specific iterations, and even if their win rate is considerably high, they can easily fail against certain match-ups. One of the strongest decks at the moment usesDarkrai Ex and Magnezone alongside Druddigonto stall opponents and deal chip damage until Magnezone can finish opposing critters with its 110-power attack. The reason this deck works so well is that Magnezone is extremely versatile and it can fit in any deck regardless of the main type, which holds true for Mew Ex and Yanmega Ex as well.
In the case of Magnezone, specifically, it is one of thebest cards inPokemon TCG Pocketbecause it not only has very high HP and an attack that can deal great damage, but also (and more importantly) because it has a great stage-1 card. Magneton from Genetic Apex has the incredible Volt Charge ability, which allows it to generate one Electric Energy per turn regardless of the Energy type and availability in the Energy Zone. As such, players can keep Magneton benched until it builds at least three Energy to then evolve it into Magnezone and use it to attack.
Why Pokemon TCG Pocket Players Shouldn’t Sleep on Mew Ex and Yanmega Ex
As forMew Exand Yanmega Ex, they fit the same criteria, but with one major exception. These Pokemon are extremely versatile and strong because they can attack with any type of Energy, even if they don’t generate it on their own. Energy generation inPokemon TCG Pocketis often key, as one can accelerate how fast their Pokemon can use their biggest attacks, but being able to use any Energy for attacks is equally powerful. Mew Ex and Yanmega Ex can thus be in any deck, even if the main type is not Psychic or Grass, respectively.
Mew Ex is somewhat an exception to this because it also has the Psyshot attack for 20 damage that requires one Psychic Energy. However, its main attack is Genome Hacking, which can use any three Energy.
These Pokemon cards are capable of reshaping themeta ofPokemon TCG Pocketand adapting, as they don’t need a particular strategy to be potentially very good. For example, Yanmega Ex is great in Grass decks not because that is its type, but rather because it’s not weak to Fire, and instead it’s weak to Electric. On the other hand, Mew Ex can “steal” the biggest attack on the opponent’s board with Genome Hacking, making it a great counter to hard-hitting decks.
