The Mega Shine set (B2b) in Pokémon TCG Pocket brings several Shinies and Mega Evolutions to the meta, marking a return of these powerful cards after a short detour during the Paldean Wonders pack.
Naturally, with Megas in the mix, the EX cards are expected to create some tremors, especially with the inclusion of Mega Charizard X and Mega Gengar.
Mega Evolutions in TCG Pocket take a cue from the Mega Evolution sets released in the physical TCG (Mega Symphonia and Mega Brave), and introduce a couple of new rules that are a little different from what we have been aware of in Pocket battles till now. Here are the battle rules for the Mega EX cards:
- Knocking out a Mega Evolution card rewards you with 3 points, granting you an instant win in TCG Pocket.
- Megas are Basic, Stage 1, and Stage 2 cards, and the latter two can be evolved directly from their respective Basic card or Stage 1 card.
To elaborate further on this:
- Mega Charizard X can be directly evolved from Charmander.
- Mega Gyarados can be directly evolved from Magikarp.
- Mega Absol is a Basic card, hence not requiring evolution at all.
Now, let’s check out just how shiny the EX cards from Mega Shine really are.
To start the fire, we have one of the most iconic Pokémon of all time, Mega Charizard X EX. After seeing the nuclear weapon that Mega Charizard Y EX from Crimson Blaze is, TCG Pocket players excepted Mega Char X to be equally or more destructive.
Unfortunately, this EX has turned out to be a dud, relying on losing half of its HP or less to really matter. While that would have been cute for a regular EX, it’s extremely risky for a Mega Evolution, losing which instantly ends the game with you on the losing side.
The only advantage of Mega Charizard X EX over any other Charizard in Pokémon TCG Pocket is its relatively low 3x Energy requirement. So yes, you’re definitely doing 100 DMG without much effort, especially with folks like Magby, Moltres EX, and Crimson Blaze Charmeleon around.
That’s why Mega Charizard X EX is not irrelevant. However, its lower levels of annihilation (unless weakened) puts it at a meta position lower than not just the insane Mega Charizard Y EX, but also Mega Blaziken EX.
Using this Zard is a gamble, and Cyrus can punish you. With stronger Fire type Megas and even better Charizard in the meta, Mega Charizard X EX is sadly underwhelming. In other words, it is not reliable enough for Ranked battles. Just use Mega Charizard Y EX.
Gengar EX from Genetic Apex has been the butt of all jokes since time immemorial. Despite banning Supporters from coming into play, it never kicked off, and the community speculated that the eventual Mega Gengar would be the saving grace for fans of the purple ghost.
Enter Mega Gengar EX, a Darkness type instead of Gengar EX’s Psychic typing, and taking the shenanigans to another step by preventing all Trainers from being used.
The problem? It’s Stage 2 and needs 4x Energies to attack. With the Drakness type having no Pokémon to ramp Energy, it’s highly likely that by the time Mega Gengar EX is live, your opponent would have used almost all of their Trainers.
If you’re high on using 4x 
EX cards, there’s Guzzlord EX, which is stronger with an additional 2x Energy attack (alongside the possibility to eliminate the opponent’s Energies) and is less risky as well. It’s also easily switchable via Celesteela, so there’s that to compensate for its high retreat cost.
So technically, Mega Gengar EX is poorer than Mega Charizard EX, and it only works in odd situations where you get it kicking quickly, and Chingling is there as a buddy.
Besides, even if you keep Guzzlord EX aside, the Darkness meta is brimming with meta-relevant Pokémon like the classic Drakrai EX. Mega Absol EX, Nihilego, and the new Darkrai from Mega Shine.
Mega Gengar EX will be forgotten by the next set, which is a major expansion by the way (B3).
Okay, after two major disappointments, we finally have a Pokémon that can click, although there are some conditions attached to its viability.
Mega Slowbro EX does 90 DMG for 3x 
Energy, but what’s really interesting is the coin flip mechanic it carries with this attack.
Flip 3 coins. For each head, it deals 20 DMG to all your opponent’s Benched mons. What’s really crazy is that if you get 3 heads, you do 60 DMG to each Benched Pokémon (40 DMG each for 2 heads).
So, the best-case scenario lets Mega Slowbro EX unleash a jaw-dropping 270 DMG on the entire battle arrangement of the opponent (90 DMG to the Active Spot and 60 DMG to each of the three Benched Pokémon).
60 DMG is superb, and you can immediately put yourself in a winning position with even 2 heads. While coin flip attacks are overall unreliable, the upside is tremendous. Consequently, Mega Slowbro EX is one of the best Water types in recent types, and will certainly make waves in the meta.
Mega Manectric EX looks amazing, and as you’d imagine from a Lightning type, it does damage for a low Energy requirement (only 2). The damage output is traditionally only 80 DMG, however, if you have got points already, it does 30 more damage for each point.
As such, if you have 1 point, Mega Manectric EX does 110 DMG, and if you have 2 points achieved, it does 140 DMG.
This makes Mega Manectric EX ideal for late game, leaving it in an awkward spot. Recent 
metas have had Jolteon EX and Bellibolt EX, two Pokémon that can win you battles in even some toughnut Ranked battles.
So overall, Mega Manectric EX is a situational star, and the fact that losing it is lights out, you are better off relying on other options.
Spoiler alert! Mega Scizor EX is the best EX card from the Mega Shine set, and also one of the strongest Metal Pokémon in TCG Pocket!
Mega Scizor EX inflicts 100 DMG for 3x 
Energy, but if it has moved to the Active Spot from the Bench, it dishes out a mighty impressive 150 DMG!
Let’s talk about the Energy requirement first. With Energy-ramping stalwarts like Dialga EX and Orthworm on the roster, grabbing 3 Energy is no hard work.
Even if you start with its pre-evolution Scyther, you can just U-turn to the Bench (after doing 10 DMG), setting up an eventual comeback to the Active pot after Dialga EX/Orthworm has gifted Energy to Scyther/Mega Scizor EX.
Now, all of these already make Mega Scizor EX pretty neat, but there’s more!
The Mega Shine set has a certain Metal type that makes Mega Scizor EX’s switching in from the Bench easier, without expending the Active Pokémon’s Energy to retreat: Revavroom!
Revavroom’s ability Metal Transport lets Dialga EX/Orthworm retreat for free, and bring in Mega Scizor EX to inflict 150 DMG. Once done, a Benched Revavroom withdraws Mega Scizor EX for free again, bringing it back again in the next turn for another 150 DMG!
Revavroom is basically Celesteela for Metal types, and you can also add Solgaleo EX to torment the opponent with more free switching mindgames.
This way, Mega Scizor EX with Red can OHKO Mega Absol EX and Mega Altaria EX (+20 super-effective damage), making it a scary threat in the meta.
Moreover, Metal types have damage-damping support from Adaman, the Steel Apron Pokémon Tool, and the Metal Core Barrier Pokémon Tool (which is one of the two Crown Rares in Mega Shine).
It is fitting that the Metal Core Barrier is the golden Crown Rare from this set, as Mega Scizor EX truly holds the crown (no pun intended) of the best Pokémon from Mega Shine! In fact, it is one of the best Mega Evolutions in TCG Pocket now.
Mega Shine is a meh set overall, but Mega Scizor EX is an absolute winner. This fierce Metal Bug is going to shred through the meta with a dominance reminiscent of Solgaleo EX, and we’re going to experience it with bated breath.
Happy collecting and battling, Pokémon TCG Pocket-ers!
