Pokémon TCG Pocket players are fully immersed in opening packs and battling in the Mega Shine meta. But with two Mega Charizard EX cards on tap, many are confused which version of the iconic Fire starter is better for gameplay.
Mega Charizard Y EX is a nuke, being able to technically OHKO anything in the game. On the other hand, Mega Charizard X EX is the cheapest Charizard EX in TCG Pocket, being able to attack for only 3x 
Energies, a welcome departure from the traditional 4 or 5 Energies associated with Zard.
The debate between picking power and efficiency has the community split, but we all know the popular saying: “Unity is Strength.”
Keeping that in mind, seasoned players have curated a fiery Zard arrangement that combines both Mega Evolutions and some more, to create a monstrous deck that is ruling Ranked battles in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Let’s check out this winner Mega Charizard deck!
Time to break down this deck!
Mega Charizard Y EX
Your main attacker, Mega Charizard Y is the strongest Pokémon in TCG Pocket as such, dishing out a jaw-dropping 250 DMG for 4x Energy while taking a recoil damage of 50. Once this thing is live, there’s no stopping it. Bar a few instances of HP boosts via Tools, Stadium card, or support from other Pokémon, Mega Char Y is the leading counter to any Mega Evolution. If you’re able to get it ready, you don’t need to worry about anything else except healing, maybe.
While the deck above recommends the Pokémon Center Lady Supporter to deal with the pandemic of Statud conditions in the meta (and also heal 30 DMG), you can feel free to use Lillie instead to heal the entire 50 HP lost.
Honestly, your aim should be to go for Mega Charizard Y EX, but since that’s not always feasible, we have strong backup options.
Mega Charizard X EX
The newest Charizard card on the block seems to be a little underwhelming compared to other Zards on paper. It deals only 100 DMG, and to reach its top potential of 180 DMG, it needs to have its HP reduced to at least half (110 HP). Quite a risky move for a Pokémon that gives an instant win of +3 points to your opponent on getting KO’d.
But when you see that getting 4 Energies is sort of a long draw, or, more importantly, you can quickly set up a quick offensive play using one or two Flame Patch cards, then Mega Charizard X EX can turn into a phenomenal sweeper. This card is amazing against regular EX cards, and if it’s able to survive one hit (ideally going at or below 110 HP), it can then take Cyrus’ help to hit for a net 280 DMG to the same Pokémon (preferably a Mega), and win the battle.
Charizard (Crimson Blaze)
No matter how powerful the Mega Charizard cards are, they are useless against the dreaded Oricorio. Mega Blaziken EX can burn Oricorio, and Mega Venusaur EX can poison and put the birb to sleep, giving you potential win conditions, but what to do in a Mega Char deck?
Well, take a step back from Mega Evolution and meet the regular Charizard card from Crimson Blaze. A neat 150 HP and 150 DMG for 4 Energy, with 30 recoild damage. This damage output is brilliant for a 1-point card, honestly, and totally smokes Oricorio. And even if you end up losing it after teaching a lesson to the silly yellow birb, you only fumble a single point. This Zard is a neat backup plan in the odd case your EX cards won’t work, making your deck self-sufficient.
Entei EX
Entei EX has become a staple for Fire decks and rightfully so! Its main draw (no pun intended) is its ability to draw a card at the end of every single turn, making it a boon for Stage 2 decks like Mega Charizard or Mega Blaziken, and also bringing some much-needed Trainers to the rescue.
Moreover, it serves as a great stall. Armed with a Rocky Helmet, it can hit for 60 DMG with only 2x Energy. With Charmeleon’s support from the Bench, you can rake it up to 4x Energies and inflict a heavy 120 DMG.
The best part is that when you retreat Entei EX to bring Charmeleon/Zard to the Active Spot, two Flame Ptch cards can bring two free Energies to the fire-breathing lizard.
You may replace an Entei EX with a Moltres EX for Energy acceleration, and perhaps drop one Flame Patch for Lillie, but Entei EX’s card-drawing ability is extremely handy.
Other considerations
- Copycat synergizes with Entei EX to draw cards, especially in situations wherein you are stuck with bad finds or have a small hand. You can drop this for Lucky Ice Pop instead.
- You may go with the OG Charmander from Genetic Apex to do 30 DMG and OHKO Baby Pokémon (the recommended Charmander does 20 DMG), but this one also discards a Energy on doing so. For an Energy-hungry deck like this, which can sometimes cost you the game.
- Using the Mega Shine Charmeleon is a no-brainer, as it only requires 2 Energy to attack (the Crimson Blaze variant uses 3). If you have 3 Energy, just go ahead with Mega Charizard X EX. At the end of the day, Charmeleon’s Ignition ability is what really matters.
- Ideally, use Flame Patch only after retreating or losing Entei EX. You are anyway required to have discarded at least 2x Energy to the discard pile to employ two Flame Patch cards, so there’s that.
- May can also be used to send a second Entei EX and a regular Charizard back to the deck to possibly withdraw more useful cards like Charmander, Charmeleon, or the Zard Mega Evolutions. However, there will be many cases you won’t require May at all. Instead, go for healer Supporters like Pokémon Center Lady or May.
The Mega Charizard duo deck has been proving its worth in Ranked battles and tournaments, outperforming threats like Darkrai | Mega Altaria EX, Suicune EX | Chien-Pao EX, and even Hydreigon | Mega Absol EX. There’s a lot of flexibility in this deck, and with some practice, you can surprise even the most seasoned of battlers.
Fans in TCG are familiar with the concept of “Every Era, One King: Charizard” when it comes to card prices, and while this iconic starter may be overexposed, it is certainly very powerful, and excels in every game it is a part of!
So, Pokémon TCG Pocket players, light it up with Mega Charizard X & Y, and earn the bragging right you deserve!
