The fan-favorite gimmick of any modernPokemon TCGfan, Mega Evolution pushed Pokemon EX cards to even stronger heights with unbelievable power that dominated the XY Era. With massive HP pools, strong attacks, and even special Ancient Traits and dual types, these Pokemon were able to obliterate any competition they had with ease.
Unlike the Scarlet & Violet Megas, which give a whopping three prize cards when knocked out, the XY Megas only gave up two prize cards; that’s the downside of ending your turn when evolving from their EX form (unless they have their Spirit Link Tool attached). Some of these Mega Pokemon are ludicrously strong, and the strongest can even compete with the power creep of today’s cards.
10M Sceptile-EX (Ancient Origins)
The Best Mega Starter Card
There is only one starter card that holds the crown of the strongest of all Mega starters, and that is M Sceptile-EX. This Hoenn veteran grew its way into the scene to become one of the best supportive Pokemon of all time, with an attack that not only deals 100 damage but also accelerates two Energy from your hand to any of your benched Pokemon and heals them of all damage.
If we were to rank these Megas based on the modern Expanded Format, M Charizard-EX (X) from Flashfire would be on the list due to its heavy use in Regidrago V-Star decks, but in the XY Format, it was rarely even seen due to how slow it was to set up. That still doesn’t stop it from being a dent in collectors' wallets for beinga Charizard card, though!
Sceptile also comes with an Ancient Trait, which stops any Pokemon abilities from touching it. Combining everything mentioned into one Pokemon made M Sceptile-EX into a defensive champion who can keep anything alive. This includes itself! If you have two M Sceptile-EX and retreat one when it is about to be knocked out, you’re able to fully heal it on the same turn.
9Primal Kyogre-EX (Primal Clash)
Overflowing Primal Power
Primal Kyogre-EX is a wave of terror for any benched and active Pokemon. This defender of the seas reverts to its Primal form to obtain a devastating attack that requires four Energy to dish out an unmatched 140 damage. It also does 30 to each of the opponents' benched Pokemon and moves two of Kyogre’s Energy to any of your benched Pokemon.
Four Energy to attack is quite slow, but this is where M Kyogre-EX’s Ancient Trait comes in to cover its one flaw. The Alpha Growth Trait makes it so that any time you attach an Energy to it, you can attach two instead of just one. This helps Kyogre get set up quicker, allowing it to start to flood the field with its massive spread of damage nearly every turn.
8M Scizor-EX (Breakpoint)
Cutting Away Resources
Taking away any kind of Energy is one of the most annoying yet consistently good ways to disrupt your opponent, and M Scizor-EX is able to do it while attacking. This brilliant card was introduced in Breakpoint and has the ability to attack for 120 damage for only two Metal Energy and discards either a Stadium in play or Special Energy on your opponent’s active Pokemon.
Special Energy is often pivotal to many decks, sometimes being the only way to power up many of the more expensive attacks. Being able to just take away these important pieces can easily secure a victory. M Scizor-EX is able to do this while hitting for a strong 120 damage, which becomes a massive 240 against many of the dominating Fairy-type decks.
7M Kangaskhan-EX (Flashfire)
Parental Bonding!
This Mega brings together a family of two, now powered up with Mega strength, ready to destroy even the toughest opponents around with just three Energy. M Kangaskhan-Ex hits strong with an attack that takes three colorless energy to deal 100 damage, and by flipping a coin until you get tails, each heads will cause the attack to do 30 more damage.
Despite lacking a Spirit Link item that was never printed, M Kangaskhan-EX is still one of the strongest Megas as long as you have good luck. Any deck with uncapped damage is always a blast to play, but unlike similar cards, since it starts with a base 100 damage, Kangaskhan is able to hit hard even if you only get one or two heads.
6M Manectric-EX (Phantom Forces)
Retreating Like Lightning
One Mega Pokemon that was an important piece for a lot of decks was M Manectric-EX. This Lighting type Mega features just a single attack that hides a secret strength behind its secondary effect. Using the attack allows you to accelerate up to two basic Energy to one of your benched Pokemon as well as hit the foe for 110 damage.
The true boon of M Manectric-EX, however, is its free retreat. Having a no-retreat Pokemon is a key part of many decks, as they give you a way to pivot your Pokemon around, and M Manectric-EX’s attack makes it one of the best. Accelerating two Energy is terrifyingly quick, and combining this with the pivoting options M Manectric-EX is a card that can be wherever you need it, whenever you need it.
5M Gardevoir-EX (Steam Siege)
A Shining Highlight Of Fairy And Psychic
This beloved Pokemon is one of the few that got multiple Mega EX cards with different attacks, and on top of that, this Shiny one is one of the very scarce dual-type cards. The Fairy and Psychic-type M Gardevoir-EX from Steam Siege has one simple attack that does 110 damage for one Fairy and one colorless Energy with the effect of being able to increase it by ten as long as you discard one of your benched Pokemon.
Where this attack shines over any other is with the items and cards that came alongside it. Being a Mega means it can make use of Mega Turbo to accelerate one Energy from the discard pile, and since this specific M Gardevoir-EX is part Psychic type, it can make use of the Dimension Valley Stadium to reduce its attack from an already low two Energy to just one.
4Primal Groudon-EX (Primal Clash)
Ground Shaking Primal Power
Primal Groudon EX shook the XY Era with tectonic earthquakes when it arrived in the highly valuedPrimal Clash expansion.This legendary guardian of land brought strength and protection with unseen levels of power. Its attack, Gaia Volcano, can do a massive 200 damage for three fighting and one colorless Energy if there is a Stadium in play, and it also comes alongside an incredible Ancient Trait.
While the attack may be costly to power-up without the right items, the Ancient Trait makes Primal Groudon-EX untouchable and unable to be disrupted by a ton of Trainer cards, giving it plenty of time to get ready. The Omega Barrier Trait stops all Trainer card (except Stadiums and Tools) effects that would be done to Groudon, making it a tough wall to break through.
3M Audino-EX (Fates Collide)
Your Bench Is Not Safe
Mega Audino in the video games was struggling to be anything worth using your one Mega Evolution per match on, but in the TCG, it was one of the most threatening bench snipers around. The main draw of M Audino-EX is its fantastic attack, which, for only three colorless Energy, does 110 to the active Pokemon, and if you use a Supporter the same turn, it also does 50 to a benched Pokemon.
This attack’s additional effect is less of a bonus, as with many strong Supporters, including the dreaded andbanned Lysandre’s Trump Cardbeing around in this era, it was more common to use a Supporter card every turn. This allowed Audino to put easy bench pressure on so many basic Pokemon and easily take multiple prizes in one turn.
2M Mewtwo-EX Y (Breakthrough)
Genetic Domination
Since Mewtwo is canonically very strong, it’s no surprise that the Mega Mewtwo is a step above in both the games and the TCG. Mega Mewtwo Y is a special attacking machine in the video games, and here in the TCG, it makes sure to retain that Psychic strength through M Mewtwo-EX Y’s attack, which does ten plus 30 for each Energy attached to both active Pokemon.
This attack on its own is quite strong, but combining M Mewtwo-EX Y with the Shrine Of Memories Stadium is what makes it a threat that is nearly unstoppable. The Shrine Of Memories allows evolved Pokemon to use any attack from their previous evolutions. By using it with the Mewtwo-EX (62) from the same set, M Mewtwo-EX Y gains access to the powerful Damage Change attack, which switches the damage counters on both active Pokemon.
1M Rayquaza-EX (Roaring Skies)
M For Menace
Not only did Mega Rayquaza dominate the video games, but it also brought its terror over to the TCG in theRoaring Skies Expansion.With an attack that does 30 damage for each benched Pokemon, this M Rayquaza-EX card is strong in many ways. The main thing that made it one of the most played attackers of all-time, however, is its Delta Evolution Ancient Trait.
This Trait is obscenely powerful, allowing a Rayquaza-EX to Mega Evolve on its first turn on the field. Combining this with its Spirit Link Tool and low attack cost that could easily be satisfied with a Double Colorless Energy and the Mega Turbo item, it can start attacking instantly. On top of this, Sky Field Stadium allows a bench of up to eight Pokemon, making Mega Rayquaza hit for 240 damage!
