In the latest release from Pokémon TCG Pocket, the Space-Time Smackdown expansion, debuted just under a month ago, fans have been introduced to a range of cards influenced by Generation 4 creatures and trainers, prominently featuring Dialga and Palkia. Within this fresh wave of cards, some have already made a significant impact on the game’s meta. Standouts like Darkrai Ex, with its passive damage courtesy of the Nightmare Aura ability, and Palkia Ex, renowned for its hefty 150-damage blow capable of taking down most trending threats, have quickly gained recognition. However, there’s a trio of cards, which, while not necessarily headliners, have the capacity to dominate the meta through sheer power and adaptability.
Among the most reliable decks in the meta currently are those centering around Exeggutor Ex from Genetic Apex and Celebi Ex from Mythical Island, facilitated by the new tools in Space-Time Smackdown like Giant Cape and Cyrus. While it’s common for Trainer cards and Items to seamlessly fit into any deck—it being less a challenge due to their non-specific type requirement—Pokémon cards often face stricter limitations. Despite this, Mew Ex, Yanmega Ex, and Magnezone defy these constraints, proving themselves to be invaluable assets across various deck configurations.
In Pokémon TCG Pocket, versatility isn’t often the cornerstone for meta decks as many thrive only in their distinct iterations. Yet, even the strongest decks can struggle against particular matchups despite high win rates. An exemplary deck harnesses the strength of Darkrai Ex and Magnezone, accompanied by Druddigon to wear down opponents until Magnezone can land the final strike with its 110-power move. Magnezone’s true strength lies in its versatility, making it a prime choice for any deck regardless of the main type, a quality shared with Mew Ex and Yanmega Ex.
Focusing on Magnezone, it’s lauded as one of Pokémon TCG Pocket’s prime cards, not merely for its impressive HP and damage potential but largely due to its stage-1 card capabilities. Magneton from Genetic Apex offers the exceptional Volt Charge ability, enabling it to generate one Electric Energy per turn irrespective of the Energy type and status within the Energy Zone. This allows players to have Magneton patiently benched, gathering at least three Energies before evolving into Magnezone to launch further attacks.
Turning to Mew Ex and Yanmega Ex, their worth is underscored by their broad adaptability. They stand out because their attacks don’t hinge on specific Energy types, granting them a distinct advantage as players can harness any available Energy to launch powerful attacks. This feature allows them to slot into various decks, even if Psychic or Grass aren’t the deck’s main types.
While Mew Ex has a minor caveat—its Psyshot attack for 20 damage necessitates one Psychic Energy—its primary move, Genome Hacking, remains extremely potent, requiring any three Energy types. These Pokémon cards are reshaping Pokémon TCG Pocket’s landscape, not needing a particular overarching strategy to unleash their potential. Yanmega Ex, for instance, excels in Grass decks not due to its type alignment but because it’s resistant to Fire, being vulnerable to Electric instead. Mew Ex, on the other hand, can mimic the opponent’s strongest move with Genome Hacking, countering high-damage decks effectively.
Ultimately, these versatile Pokémon have not only made themselves indispensable but are significantly shaking up the competitive scene, highlighting that sometimes, adaptability is the real game-changer.
