The first Drop event of the Mega Rising (B1) set has kicked off in Pokémon TCG Pocket, headlined by Mega Pidgeot EX and other exciting Promo cards.
So does this new Mega Evolution shake up the meta, or is it just another addition that would soon be forgotten as more Megas debut in the game? How useful are the other Promos? Let’s get all those answers as we dive into each Promo available in the Mega Pidgeot EX Drop Event.
Mega Pidgeot EX is a brand new Pokémon card. Luxray and Pidgey are alternate art reprints of their counterparts from the Mega Rising set. Froakie and Petilil are also altogether new cards. All of them have stamps to mark them as promo cards.
Mega Pidgeot EX
Mega Pidgeot EX makes its way into the game as a Promo card in the first Drop Event of the B expansion series, and it’s quite good!
For starters, it is a Colorless-type Pokémon, making it instantly usable in any deck. Secondly, it is a Mega Evolution, which evidently makes it more of an asset than the other Colorless type, Tauros EX. Boasting an incredible 210 HP, Mega Pidgeot EX dishes out 100 DMG for 3 Energy. With this bulk, if it manages to hit an opponent first or has adequate healing support, it can easily KO most EX cards and even cripple Mega EX Pokémon.
But this 3 Energy, 100 DMG attack comes with a twist, as you also flip a coin, and for each head, you discard an Energy from your opponent’s Active Pokémon. However, if all coin flips show tails, you do no damage whatsoever.
Thankfully, the Will Supporter card exists, not only completely negating the chances of zero damage but also taking out at least 1 Energy from the target.
Mega Pidgeot EX may not shake up the meta, but it is undoubtedly a good addition to the meta. Use it with Dialga EX in a Metal deck or offer it Water Energy to be Irida’s beneficiary, it’s going to be fun!
Pidgey
Pidgey isn’t really an interesting card per se. It’s the Basic level of Mega Pidgeot EX, and you’d ideally use a Rare Candy to evolve it into the Mega ASAP. It would have honestly done better with a 1 Energy attack, as you’re definitely setting up for loss of HP, especially if you go first. It’s best to put on on the Bench and rake in free Energy from, say, Mantyke or Dialga, but be wary of Bench snipes from the Mega Rising Absol card.
Luxray
One look at Luxray, and you would think it is reminiscent of Pokémon that could have been an EX card. In Luxray’s case, it has the traditional not-too-high HP associated with Lightning types, as well as a low Energy and high damage attack.
It would have been great if not for the stingy 20 recoil damage it does to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. As mentioned, Lightning types already don’t have too high of an HP figure, and by the time you evolve Shinx to Luxray, it’s common to have a Pokémon or two take the brunt of the opponent in the Active Spot.
As such, this 20 DMG can often KO a weakened Pokémon, shifting the battle heavily in your opponent’s favor. Even if there’s no KO, why would you want your cards to lose HP, especially with Cyrus being an ever-dominant card! It’s best to pass on Luxray for a way stronger card from Mega Rising itself, Jolteon EX.
Froakie
Froakie (Genetic Apex) has established cult status in Pokémon TCG Pocket, thanks to Greninja’s successful 20 DMG snipes to one of the opponent’s Benched cards via its Water Shuriken ability. With Greninja EX debuting in the Mega Rising set, the new Froakie is actually an upgrade. For 2 Energy, you do 20 DMG, but more importantly, you induce Paralysis status on the opponent’s Active Pokémon if you get heads from a coin flip.
With Paralysis, your opponent can’t attack or retreat, making them a sitting duck for the next turn. Use the Will Supporter card to ensure heads, and if you evolve it into Greninja EX the next turn via Rare Candy, the opponent has a painful 100 DMG incoming, that too with the same 2 Energy!
This Froakie takes ease of attacking to the forefront with its Paralysis antics so it suits the hyper offensive Greninja EX better compared to Genetic Apex Greninja core, which mainly utilizes its ability and can even work in non-Water decks. BONUS: Greninja EX also offers free retreats and switch-ins. This Froakie is arguably the best Promo from the Mega Pidgeot EX Drop Event!
Petilil
Petilil may not be a useful card on its own (yes, neither the base set card nor this Promo), but what makes it interesting is its Stage 2 evolution, Lilligant, whose ability adds 20 HP to every Grass-type Pokémon on the playing field!
As if Grass types don’t get enough bulk support already (with Erika, Leaf Cape, and healing tech), Lilligant adds 20 HP, resulting in a whopping +50 HP for Leaf Cape users. No wonder Lilligant got a Crown Rare in the Mega Rising expansion!
Lilligant (and Petilil) offers a supportive role in Grass decks, preferably resting on the Bench, and, with the Promo having a 50% chance of doing nothing (tails, zero damage) while also having lesser HP, it is best to withdraw and let some other Grass Pokémon like Mega Pinsir EX, Leafeon EX, or Buzzwole EX get the job done with increased health from Lilligant.
Happy collecting and battling, Pokémon TCG Pocket-ers!
