The highly anticipated Pulsing Aura (B3) set is on a roll in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and this themed booster pack has got everyone on the edge of their seats with its vibrant artwork, inclusion of fan favorites, and presence of several meta-relevant cards.
The Pulsing Aura expansion in TCG Pocket takes a cue from the Mega Evolution sets released in the physical TCG (Mega Symphonia and Mega Brave), and introduces 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 Lucario can be directly evolved from Riolu.
- Mega Sceptile can be directly evolved from Treecko.
- Mega Audino is a Basic card, hence not requiring evolution at all.
With such an exciting set, it goes without saying that the EX cards could very well ruffle the feathers of the meta. How much impact do they make? Let’s find out!
We kick things off with the star of the Pulsing Aura set and one of the best new Pokémon in TCG Pocket, Mega Lucario EX.
While 190 HP is not the bulkiest out there (expected from Mega Lucario), it does a decent 90 DMG for only 2 
Energy. And, if you have another Energy attached, you deal 140 DMG instead, which is pretty good.
These traits make Mega Lucario EX a strong Fighting Pokémon, but what makes this aura-farmer (and Fighting types in general) so deadly from the onset of Pulsing Aura are two new Trainer cards that have taken these hard-hitters from zero to hero!
First is Korrina, an extremely beloved character from the games and anime, who has established herself as one of the best Supporters to be added to TCG Pocket.
Korrina is a buffed Red, but for Fighting types, letting them do a whopping +30 DMG to opposing EX Pokémon. So, twice during the battle, Mega Lucario EX dishes out 170 DMG to any EX.
If you thought that’s all there is to Mega Lucario EX and the Fighting meta, well… you got another coming!
The Fantastical Parade set debuted Stadium cards in the game, and they have been slowly catching up… until now! The Arena of Antiquity, once live, adds +20 DMG to the attacks used by Fighting types against EX Pokémon.
If we do the math on Mega Lucario EX with Korrina and Arena of Antiquity on its side, 3x [fighting-ion] Energy lets it inflict 140 + 30 + 20 = 190 DMG!
But guess what, dear reader? We got something more to amp up the damage!
The presence of Fighting Coach Lucario (from Space-Time Smackdown) adds another +20 DMG! So, with a Fighting Coach Lucario on the Bench (recommended for Oricorio anyway), you end up dealing:
140 (Mega Lucario EX) + 30 (Korrina) + 20 (Arena of Antiquity) + 20 (Fighting Coach Lucario) = 210 DMG!!!
But if you want to drop one Lucario for something else, there’s actually a powerful hitter who also benefits tremendously from Korrina and Arena of Antiquity. What’s special about this Pokémon is that it’s a Basic, and with the help of the aforementioned Trainers, it does a ridiculous 100 DMG for 1 Energy to opposing EX, and a nice 50 DMG to all others. I’m referring to Hitmonchan EX!
Mega Lucario EX | Lucario | Hitmonchan EX with Korrina and Arena of Antiquity is now one of the strongest decks in the meta, and it puts everything on notice.
A huge factor that makes Mega Lucario EX a top-notch card is its 1 Energy retreat cost. Wild!! In other words… Lucario, one of the defining figures of the Pokémon franchise, has become one of the best Pokémon in TCG Pocket!
It may appear that Mega Sceptile EX is playing second fiddle to Mega Lucario EX, but make no mistake, this tacky Grass starter is one of the best in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
On the topic of starters, notice how Mega Sceptile EX is kind of a Grass version of Mega Blaziken EX. Both are of 210 HP, require 2x Energy to attack, and induce a Status condition on the target (Mega Blaziken’s Burn vs Mega Sceptile’s Poison), with the net damage amounting to the same 140.
However, Mega Sceptile EX is arguably better when you consider the sheer magnitude of support Grass types enjoy in TCG Pocket. Leaf Cape (+30 HP), Erika (50 HP healing), Quick-Grow Extract (easy to find Grass evolutions), Teal Mask Ogerpon EX (recovery and immunity from Special Conditions), and now in Pulsing Aura, the Fragrant Forest Stadium card to promote drawing of Basic Grass-type Pokémon every turn.
So Mega Sceptile EX is indeed a super meta addition, but is it better than Mega Vensaur EX? Short answer, yes. Mega Sceptile isn’t as Energy-hungry as Mega Venusaur, and can employ Nihilego’s help to deal +30 overall damage from Poison.
It’s worth mentioning that with 2x Nihilego on the Bench, Mega Sceptile dishes out a total damage of 160! The other position can be taken by Teal Mask Ogerpon EX for a safety net. You can even include the new Budew card to cancel the opposing Active Pokémon’s abilities. Note that Budew is a Baby requiring Colorless input to function, so while it can be used in any deck, usage in Grass with Leaf Cape gives it 60 HP, and recovery from Erika is brilliant.
Mega Sceptile EX will immediately break into the meta, and is easily going to cement itself as one of the premier Mega Evolutions in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
On the surface, Mega Camerupt EX looks rough with that 4 Energy requirement. But hold your horses… er… camels! This beast boasts 210 HP, is a Stage 1 Pokémon, and with folks like Charmeleon, Moltres EX, Magby, and Items like Flame Patch, farming that amount of Energy isn’t a struggle in today’s fiery meta.
Coming to its explosive 160 DMG to a random, poor Pokémon from the opponent’s side, this is more or less a surefire OHKO. Even the meanest Mega Evolutions get absolutely rattled with a loss of 160 HP, making them easy fodder for Cyrus.
However, do keep in mind that its retreat cost is 4, which is quite heavy. Good reason to use Heavy Helmet and tank 20 DMG, but do keep that cost in mind, as losing Mega Camerupt EX is game over for you.
All things said and done, on a purely offensive standpoint, Mega Camerupt EX is a sleeper hit from the Pulsing Aura set. This camel can very well turn into the GOAT of the meta!
At long last, Vaporeon EX is finally here in Pokémon TCG Pocket! The regular Vaporeon card had dropped way back in Mythical Island and immediately became a meta pick.
Does Vaporeon EX enjoy the same luxury? Not so much.
In essence, Vaporeon EX is similar to Umbreon EX, that switched in a damaged Pokémon from the Bench, akin to a Cyrus effect. Vaporeon EX is more like Sabrina, and with Water types enjoying a lot of support in the game, this should work, correct?
Wrong.
In case you missed it, check out that silly retreat cost of 3. You may argue that Vaporeon EX works along with Greninja EX, with the latter paving the way with its switch-in ability, but by the time Greninja EX is set up in most cases, you’re lunch to Hydreigon or Mega Altaria EX.
Yes, Vaporeon EX is certainly fun to play with, and can really disrupt the opposition and often add insult to injury. But when business picks up, and you face formidable opponents in Ranked, you will see that Vaporeon EX is quite underwhelming/disappointing. You simply can’t count on it.
It looks like the devs at Pokémon TCG Pocket really love Magnezone! Two strong non-EX cards and now an EX, this Lightning type has gotten a lot of prominence.
Magnezone EX is one of the bulkier Pokémon in its type, and that add-on is offset by a 3 Energy cost. But wait… Lightning types don’t really care about higher Energy costs. Zeraora and Tapu Koko EX can generate Energy on their own will, and Elemental Switch and Dawn can do the transfers.
However, Magnezone EX is special, and that has everything to do with its pre-evolution’s card from good ol’ Genetic Apex:
This meta card can comfortably sit on the Bench and generate Energy on its own accord. In fact, you can combine both the Space-Time Smackdown Magnezone we are all aware of, and the new Magnezone EX, and combine them with Oricorio (obviously) and a strong Basic like Zeraora or Tapu Koko EX to create a literally electrifying deck.
However, do note that the Budew card from Pulsing Aura can cancel Oriciorio’s ability, so be wary of this nerf. This Magnezone duo would have been more of a menace if only it arrived in a precious set, but with Budew joining the fray, it’s no longer a smooth sail for Lightning Pokémon using Oricorio, as you’re bound to get targeted for that 1 point.
Still, thanks to Magneton, Magnezone EX ends up being a solid part of the meta.
Here’s a funny jig. Crustle EX, a second Fighting-type EX from Pulsing Aura, is decent when considered offensively. Thanks to Korrina and Arena of Antiquity, you’re hitting 140 DMG for only 2 Energy with a Stage 1 Pokémon. But, Crustle EX may not find usage at all.
Why do I say it “may not” find usage? Well, check out that awful retreat cost of 3 Energy. When Mega Lucario EX itself has only 1 retreat cost, then who does Crustle EX think it is?!
Sigh. Crustle EX and Vaporeon EX… two cards ruined by heavy retreat costs.
Darkness types never miss, do they? Zoroark EX sneaks into the TCG Pocket meta with 90 DMG for only 1 Energy as long as you have a full Bench. Being a Stage 1, you should ideally pair it with the strongest Darkness-type Basic in the game currently, Mega Absol EX, to form a fearsome.
The best part is that Zorua can immediately summon Zoroark EX with its 1 Energy move.
To move the damage needle higher, you can add Darkrai EX to the deck. Since Zoroark EX only requires 1 Energy and has a 2 Energy cost (add X-Speed), you can devote Energy to Darkrai EX.
But guess what? There’s a new Basic in Pulsing Aura that reduces the retreat cost of Darkness types by 1, Bombirdier (it’s one of the Crown Rares in this set!).
With Bombirider in tow, Zoroark EX and Darkrai EX have a retreat cost of only 1 Energy, while Mega Absol EX can retreat for free! To add more synergy and damage, you can replace Darkrai EX with Nihilego (another free retreat cost case thanks to Bombirdier), but remember that the new Field Blower Item card is bound to gain widespread usage due to its capability of removing Tools like Poison Barb or even a Stadium.
For generic meta usage, the Zoroark EX | Mega Absol EX | Bombirdier trio is good enough to torment opponents. Darkness keeps getting better with every set, eh?
Metal is another one of those consistently good types in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and Corviknight EX, just like Skarmory EX, is a sweet addition to the gang, although it’s not the cream of the meta.
Getting 3 
Energy is no pain thanks to Dialga EX and Orthworm, and armed with a Metal Core Barrier, you take 50 less damage.
However, the Field Blower Item can play spoilsport to your defensive plans, and the damage output is only 110 DMG. Sure, discarding an Energy looks good on paper, but your opponent can simply regain that lost Energy the very next turn. Even its weakness, Fire types, can remain virtually unaffected by this mechanic via Flame Patch.
Corviknight EX is definitely usable, but you’re probably going to forget about it once the next expansion drops in TCG Pocket.
Ah, Dragons… the most awkward type in TCG due to their multi Energy requirements. Zooming into Pocket in this set is the fan-favorite Flygon EX, with its Grass and Ground Energy demand (3 in all). It does 140 DMG, which is meh when many Pokémon in Pulsing Aura do much more. Yes, doing 10 chip damage to every one of your opponent’s Pokémon is cool, but Flygon EX needs to be in the Active Spot for that.
It’s a Stage 2, so it’s going to take up some space with either Vibrava or Rare Candy (not ideal at all). The worst part is that it discards the top card of your deck. So, if you happen to throw away Cyrus, even its ability goes to dirt.
Bad card. Poor Flygon just can’t catch a break! 🙁
On a positive note, Flygon EX’s Rainbow Rare is breathtakingly gorgeous!
A top-tier Rainbow Rare!
The final EX in the Pulsing Aura themed booster pack is Mega Audino EX, a Colorless type. It could have potentially seen usage in decks had the Energy cost for attacking not been 3. Despite the 30 DMG healing from each of your Pokémon, you still do only 90 DMG for that much Energy. And 180 HP is easily 2OHKO-able in the current meta.
However… you can still exploit Mega Audino EX’s biggest strength: Healing.
Mega Audino EX does find a place in an interesting Psychic deck alongside Indeedee EX and the Brambleghast from Pulsing Aura.
With Brambleghast on the Bench, its ability “Accept Pain” moves 30 DMG from the Active Pokémon to itself. And what happens when Mega Audino uses its move? Exactly! That 30 DMG is healed!
To make matters worse for your opponent, add Indeedee EX to the deck, which deals 20 DMG from the Active ‘mon. Add a Lucky Ice Pop or two, the Pokémon Center Lady, and you’ve created a super annoying deck that would surely win you a bunch of battles.
On that note, you should be careful about the Claydol from Extradimensional Crisis. Its ability can prevent healing all across the battlefield.
Overall, Mega Audino EX is a spicy inclusion in the Pulsing Aura meta and can do wonders with its healing shenanigans!
Unlike the disappointing Rayquaza EX Promo, Zygarde EX is at least workable. But yes, it still needs a Pokémon to stall in the Active Spot while it goes through the tedious process of gathering 3x Energy (Fighting types have no Energy rampers, unfortunately).
Now, its display of power is entirely dependent on coin flips and brings back memories of Marowak EX from Genetic Apex. But now, we have the Will Supporter card to ensure a head, and as such, at least 100 DMG. Add the Korrina, Arena of Antiquity, and, if possible, the Space-Time Smackdown Lucario entourage, and you can end up doing a ton of damage.
And yes, if Will isn’t found yet, and you get two tails, you do zero damage. Honestly, it’s only due to the aforementioned Trainer cards that Zygarde may work. For stall, Tyrogue or Hitmonchan EX are good options. You may even go with Igglybuff.
Ultimately, it’s a classic case of ‘hero or zero,’ because if the stars align for Zygarde EX, it is phenomenal, and if they don’t, you are staring at surefire defeat.
It goes without saying that Grass types are some of the strongest in Pokémon TCG Pocket, but the new Grass Mega Evolution, Mega Heracross EX, is perhaps one of the worst EX in the game.
The other Mega with 4x Energy requirement is Mega Venusaur EX, and thanks to Crimson Blaze Ivysaur, Quick-Grow Extract, and even Megs Shine Darkrai, the iconic starter remains one of the scariest Pokémon in the meta. Mega Heracross EX, although a Basic, requires support from Leafeon EX or Mythical Island Serperior for a ramp of 4 
Energies. To make matters worse, if you get tails from a coin flip, it also faces 60 recoil damage. For a Pokémon that gives an instant win (+3 points) to the opponent on getting KO’d, losing 60 HP is bad.
Even if you make Mega Heracross work, other Grass Mega Evolutions like Mega Venusaur and Mega Sceptile are just so much better, even though they are Stage 2 cards. Mega Heracross EX is easy to overlook.
The meta is back and how! After some dismal sets, reprints, and misses, Pulsing Aura has the entire community on its toes. The artwork is stunning, most EX cards are amazing, and there are amazing new non-EX cards that shake the core of the battle. Most importantly, there is a continental shift in the fortunes of Fighting types in the meta. There are truly exciting times ahead!
Happy collecting and battling, Pokémon TCG Pocket-ers!
