The Crimson Blaze (B1a) expansion brought more Mega Evolutions to the Pokémon TCG Pocket roster, adding onto these meta-shaking monsters introduced in the Mega Rising set.
Among all these stalwarts, Mega Charizard Y EX has taken the spotlight due to its insane 250 DMG, the highest of all Pokémon in the game, at least until the Crimson Blaze meta.
But while Mega Char Y is undoubtedly the most powerful, it is not necessarily the deadliest.
That moniker goes to a Pokémon the Charizard line and fandom know too well: Venusaur. Specifically in this case, Mega Venusaur EX is creating shockwaves all around the TCG Pocket jungle, that too for more reasons than merely high damage output.
So let’s explore what makes Mega Venusaur EX the biggest bully in the current meta of Pokémon TCG Pocket, and how it can even tame the might of Mega Charizard Y EX!
Mega Venusaur EX is one of the best additions ever to Pokémon TCG Pocket, and for multiple reasons (not
Mega Venusaur EX is no less than any other in terms of stats. It has the highest HP of all current Pokémon in TCG Pocket, making it a bulky brawler. And yes, it is a brawler, as it dishes out a neat 120 DMG.
But there’s more!
While good ol’ Venusaur EX gained fame due to its recovery, Mega Venusaur EX sacrifices that for something better and more sinister.
You see, when Mega Venusaur EX hits its target with the 120 DMG Critical Bloom attack, it also poisons and puts them to sleep!
Status conditions
The poisoned opponent loses 10 HP at the end of every turn, and continues to do so as the battle progresses. The only way to recover from this effect is to evolve or retreat.
Now, evolution is fine if it happens, but what if the poisoned target is a Basic that can’t evolve or a Stage 2?
And that’s why the additional Sleep status is so risky.
Unless you get heads from a coin flip, the poisoned + asleep Pokémon can’t attack or retreat, making it a sitting duck to Mega Venusaur EX’s onslaught.
Remember that with the -10 HP loss from the Poison status, Mega Venusaur EX is effectively doing 130 DMG, and in two turns where the opponent remains asleep, it does 260 DMG!
260 DMG is enough to OHKO the base HP of any Pokémon, including the Mega Evolutions. As such, a coin turning tails from a coin flip on a Mega Evolution is a death sentence, as the said Mega is KO’d, and it’s +3 points (and victory) for the Mega Venusaur EX user!
Nihilego’s ability
Nihilego’s More Poison ability adds an additional -10 HP to an already poisoned Pokémon, even if Nihilego is on the Bench. Also, this effect stacks, adding another -10 HP.
Consequently, when Mega Venusaur EX hits a target and has 2x Nihilego on the Bench, the poor target not only gets hit with 120 DMG but also loses 30 more HP. That’s 150 DMG, and if it doesn’t wake up, it’s 300 HP loss. Once again, the win steers in Mega Venusaur EX’s favor, but with more brutality.
Lilligant’s HP boost + Leaf Cape
Grass Pokémon are blessed with a type-exclusive Pokémon Tool called Leaf Cape that adds 30 HP to a Pokémon’s base value. As such, arming it with this Tool turns Mega Venusaur EX into a 270 HP behemoth.
It doesn’t stop there, though! The Lilligant card from Mega Rising has an ability that adds +20 HP to all Grass Pokémon on the battlefield. This effect stacks, so having 2x Lilligant adds 40 HP, making a Leaf Caped Mega Venusaur EX boast a whopping 310 HP!
Ladies and gentlemen, even Mega Charizard Y with its 250 DMG and super-effective damage doesn’t KO, and Lilligant (x2) | Leaf Cape enabled Mega Venusaur.
In return, even if Mega Venusaur doesn’t hit first, it can tank and then beat even a Giant Cape Mega Charizard Y (240 HP) with 260 DMG.
Of course, if Mega Venusaur EX is able to draw first blood, the prospects are bleak for Mega Charizard Y EX.
Healing via Lillie
The Lillie Supporter is a boon for all Stage 2 Pokémon in TCG Pocket, healing 60 DMG. That’s a lot of healing for a base 240 HP Pokémon, and Mega Venusaur EX relishes this.
Of course, there’s also Potions to add more healing if necessary.
Crimson Blaze Ivysaur
You probably won’t even need a Rare Candy for Mega Venusaur EX decks, as the new Ivysaur from Crimson Blaze is a menace.
You must have noticed that Mega Venusaur EX requires 4 
Energy to attack. Worry not, as Ivysaur has it covered!
For just one Energy, Ivysaur grabs 2 free Energies for itself and in the next turn, attach Energy and voila! You’re ready to use Mega Venusaur EX.
Not to mention, Ivysaur is blessed with a neat 100 HP (130 HP with Leaf Cape), making it a very beefy Stage 1.
Now, if only Ivysaur and Mega Venusaur EX could be found from the deck quicker. Well, we have a new card from that as well, adding another feather to Mega Venusaur EX’s illustrious cap.
Quick-Grow Extract
Leaf Cape propelled Grass Pokémon to new heights in TCG Pocket, and now, we have a cracked Item that takes the Grass-type entourage a notch higher: Quick-Grow Extract.
Choose one of your
So, you can use this Item to pull out an Ivysaur (if used on Bulbasaur) or Mega Venusaur EX (if used on Ivysaur), achieving the desired evolution and creating havoc.
In the same vein, you can use it on a Benched Petilil to evolve it into Lilligant, and boost Mega Venusaur’s HP.
Pair it with the Copycat Supporter in a deck to accelerate your card drawing, and have your grassy beats live and kicking in no time.
Can beat Oricorio
As powerful as Mega Venusaur EX is, it can’t deal direct damage to the dreaded Oricorio. However, it still poisons the evil yellow birb and puts it to sleep. So, by virtue of the Poison status, it actually damages Oricorio, not leaving it toothless like many other EX cards. Since Oricorio only has between 70 HP to 90 HP (Giant Cape), Mega Venusaur EX can cut down its HP to size quickly, especially with Nihilego in the background.
Synergy with Crimson Blaze Venusaur
This issue is actually an extension of the Oricorio problem. If you aren’t interested in wasting your time and mental peace on Oricorio by hoping to keep it asleep, you can simply add the Venusaur from Crimson Blaze.
Requiring the same 4x Energy, this 160 HP hulk OHKOs Oricorio even if the birb is armed with Giant Cape. For other targets, it is also quite good since it also poisons them, resulting in a net value of 100 DMG.
Just stick one or two Venusaur into your deck to shed all worries about Oricorio. The best part is that Mega Venusaur EX contributes to Oricorio’s downfall with its Status shenanigans.
You know what to expect from Mega Charizard Y EX, but you never really know what tricks Mega Venusaur EX has up its vines.
Poison damage boost with Nihilego? HP boost with Lilligant and Leaf Cape? Excessive healing with Lillie, Erika, and Potions? Non-EX Venusaur for Oricorio? Leafeon in the deck? Meowscarada? Or just the Venusaur line and 14 Trainer cards?
This ruler of the jungle can do it all and more, firmly establishing Mega Venusaur EX as the biggest threat in Pokémon TCG Pocket!
