Summary
ThePokémonCompany just announced during the Pokémon Presents livestream that Mega Evolutions are finally returning to the physical TCG game next year, marking their first appearance in nearly a decade.
They were introduced in XY - Evolutions back in 2016. As the name suggests, these cards are an adaptation of the same mechanic introduced in Gen 6 (ie X/Y and Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire) where Pokémon can ‘evolve’ mid-battle to gain new abilities, stats, and sometimes even types.
Technically, the last time we saw Mega Evolutions was in Sun & Moon Cosmic Eclipse back in 2019, but they were team-up cards.
In the TCG version of the mechanic, when a Pokémon becomes a Mega Evolution Pokémon, your turn ends, and if you knock out a Mega Evolution Pokémon, you win three prize cards. And like the Gen 6 games, Mega Evolution Pokémon have increased HP and deal bonus damage, but they only have one attack and no abilities as a trade-off.
Pokémon Presents Gave Us Our First Look At Mega Lucario And Gardevoir
During the live stream, we got our very first look at the new Mega Lucario and Gardevoir cards, with designs ripped right from their video game counterparts.
Lucario is a Stage 1 Pokémon with 340 HP and two attacks. Aura Jab deals 130 damage, whereas Mega Brave doles out a staggering 270 damage for only two Fighting Energy. However, you can’t use it two turns in a row. Gardevoir, on the other hand, is a Stage 2 Mega Evolution Pokémon with 360 HP, which is"higher than any Pokémon ex revealed up until now". They have one attack, Mega Symphonia, which deals 50 damage for every Psychic Energy attached to your Pokémon. This pairs nicely with their Overflowing Wishes ability in which you attach one Psychic Energy to every Benched Pokémon.
We also don’t have a concrete release date, other than the vague, “2025 - Mega Evolution is coming”. But there is something for TCG fans to sink their teeth into in the meantime -an entire Arceus-focused set for TCG Pocket called Trimphant Lighttomorrow. The God Pokémon features on the front of the new booster packs, and as a standalone ex card within the set.
Pokemon
Pokemon has entertained both children and adults alike for several generations. Whether hit video games, anime series and movies, trading cards, or more, there’s something for every budding trainer hoping to catch ‘em all.
