What to Expect From Pokemon TCG's Mega Evolution Series

Every few years, The Pokemon Company releases a new series of expansions for the Pokemon Trading Card Game, each of which brings some new mechanics to the table. The series, or blocks, are often launched in conjunction with a brand-new Pokemon game that introduces a new generation of Pokemon. Ever since the debut of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, just about every mainline entry in the Pokemon franchise has kicked off a new block of the Pokemon TCG. For the first time in several years, however, the next Pokemon TCG block won't be tied directly to the release of a Pokemon game, at least not a mainline one.

The upcoming Kalos-set spin-off game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, is scheduled to make its debut on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 this October, and, to commemorate its release, The Pokemon Company is going to launch an all-new Pokemon TCG set called Mega Evolution on September 26. The launch of Mega Evolution will not only mark the end of the TCG's current Scarlet and Violet block, but it will also start an all-new era of the game, themed around the gameplay mechanic that it's named after.

The Pokemon TCG's Mega Evolution Series is Picking Up Where Scarlet and Violet Left Off

Unlike the gap between the Sword and Shield and Scarlet and Violet blocks, the differences between Scarlet and Violet and Mega Evolution don't seem to be that big. The Mega Evolution Series is going to retain many of the new mechanics, design changes, and features that were introduced in Scarlet and Violet, such as the new rarity system, the Pokemon ex cards, and the use of gray card borders. What makes it stand out from the previous series, of course, is its inclusion of Mega Evolution Pokemon ex cards.

The Mega Evolution set will mark the debut of a brand-new rarity called Mega Ultra Rare. Cards with the Mega Ultra Rare rarity will be completely gold-colored, and they will feature unique artwork of their own.

The Mega Evolution Pokemon Ex Cards Will Not Be the Same as Their X and Y Counterparts

In the mainline Pokemon games, Mega Evolution is a special mechanic that allows players to change the forms of certain Pokemon. These mega-evolved Pokemon are often a lot more powerful than their regular counterparts, and they sometimes have unique types and abilities, as well. The Mega Evolution Pokemon ex cards, as their name suggests, are going to adapt this mechanic to the Pokemon TCG. While Mega Evolution has appeared in the Pokemon Trading Card Game before (specifically during its X and Y block), this iteration of the card type is going to be considerably different in a few areas.

Mega Evolution Pokemon ex cards, like the newly-revealed Mega Lucario ex, will have incredibly high amounts of hp and very powerful attacks. When defeated, however, they will give up three prize cards, instead of the usual two cards for the standard Pokemon ex. Unlike M Pokemon-EX (the Mega Evolution-inspired Pokemon card type from the X and Y block), Mega Evolution Pokemon ex do not evolve from other Pokemon ex. Instead, they evolve directly from regular Pokemon cards, much like a normal Pokemon ex does. When a player plays a Mega Evolution Pokemon ex card, their turn will not end, as it would with M Pokemon-EX cards.

Types of Cards Included in the Upcoming Mega Evolution Set

180+ new cards in total
Nearly a dozen Mega Evolution Pokemon ex
15+ Trainer cards
50+ Pokemon and Trainer cards with unique artwork, including Ultra Rares and Special Illustration Rares

While the Japanese version of the Pokemon TCG's Mega Evolution set has already been released, The Pokemon Company has not yet provided an official card list for its international equivalent. That being said, the company has confirmed that Mega Evolution will contain over 180 new cards, including 10 Mega Evolution Pokemon ex, over 15 regular Trainer cards, and more than 50 Pokemon and Trainer cards with unique illustrations. It's not clear how long the Pokemon TCG's Mega Evolution Series will last, or if it will even continue after the launch of the as-of-yet unannounced Gen 10 Pokemon games, but it seems like it will be here to stay for the foreseeable future.

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