With the newPokémon Trading Card Game Pocketexpansion,Mythical Island, several Pokémon have received fresh new cards, different from theirGenetic Apexvariants. Many of these changes have shown significant improvements over what players are accustomed to, giving some Pokémon a fresh and exciting feel.Mythical Island’s new cardshave stirred up the meta, leaving some players struggling to decide which cards to use. Meanwhile, some improved cards have elevated previously mediocre decks, making them far more competitive.
These revamped cards offer more than just updated artwork – they feature different HP totals, new attacks, enhanced abilities, and more versatile strategic applications. Players looking to shake up their decks need to look at how these cards have changed and explore ways to incorporate them into their current strategies.
10Electabuzz Can Now Be a More Consistent Lightning-Type Option
Adds A Fresh Dimension To Lighning-Type & Pikachu Ex Decks
TheMythical IslandElectabuzz serves as a safer and far more consistent card compared to itsGenetic Apexvariant. Its new attack,Thunder Spear, does 40 damage to one of the opponent’s Pokémon, giving the player some freedom about what target they pick. This can be an important move when dealing with strong ex cards, which may be retreated when worn down. This, combined with a solid 70 HP, makes for an impressive card.
Basic
70
Thunder Spear: This attack does 40 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokémon.
This card stands out, especially when compared to itsGenetic Apexvariant, a card that is very rarely used in competitive decks. Those that have usedGenetic ApexElectabuzz will be familiar with its risky attack. It will do damage to itself in the hands of a coin-flip, making it a risky option for a 40-damage output attack. However, with the release ofMythical IslandElectabuzz,players will have a new Lightning-type card to include with their Pikachu ex decks.
9Pidgeotto Has An Improved Damage Output
Makes The Pidgeot Evolution Line More Effective
The Pidgeot evolution line is commonly used inPokémon TCG Pocket, but the new expansion has given players another direction to take with these cards. All three Pokémon – Pidgey, Pidgeotto, and Pidgeot – receive new cards, with Pidgeot boasting an exciting ex variant. However, the real standout is Pidgeotto,which sees an important improvement over itsGenetic Apexversion. This upgrade may be small, but a crucial one for players that rely on this evolution line.
90
Wing Attack: 50 Damage
Pidgeotto’s new Wing Attack deals a boosted 50 damage, ensuring that the player can deal effective damage while evolving this Pokémon. This is better than theGenetic Apexversion’s Gust, which only deals 30 damage. The only drawback is that Wing Attack costs three energy, giving it a longer set up. Although, as Pidgeot and Pidgeot ex both need two and three energy to charge their attacks, this is worth the time.
8Salandit Has Become Far Easier To Use & More Worthwhile
Cheap & Effective When Used In The Right Decks
Salandit is a basic Fire-type Pokémon, rarely making it into competitive decks. Though with theMythical Islandrelease, this reptile-like Pokemon might find its way into aCharizard ex deckwith a more effective attack. TheGenetic ApexSalandit and Salazzle are both worthless in decks, having low damage attacks and low HP. However,theMythical Islandversionof these cards are both cheaper and more effective. This is particularly useful for players that need a low-energy Pokémon to stall the battle for stronger Fire-type cards.
60
Venoshock: 10+ Damage + If your opponent’s Active Pokémon is Poisoned, this attack does 40 more damage.
Salandit has been highlighted due to its versatility.For just one Colorless Energy, this Pokémon can use Venoshock, which does 10 damage and a further 40 damage when the opponent’s Active Pokémon is poisoned. This can be extremely useful in decks with Weezing, coming in and dealing important damage in later turns.
7Rapidash Is A Risky But Powerful Fire-Type Card
Gives Brave Players Another Option In Aggressive Fire-Type Decks
Rapidash is commonly used in both Charizard ex and Blaine decks, famously creating low-cost problems for the opposition. However, players will struggle to choose which Rapidash to use in battles from now on, as theGenetic ApexandMythical Islandversions are both strong.Both have a solid 100 HPand are both simple Stage One evolution, but the attacks are different, with differing energy costs as well. Each of these cards is worthwhile in its own way, making the choice come down to the player’s tactical style.
Stage 1
100
Rising Lunge: 40+ Damage + Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 60 more damage.
TheMythical IslandRapidash has a new attack called Rising Lunge, costing two energy – one Fire Energy and one Colorless Energy.This deals 40 damage, as well as giving the player a chance to flip a coin.If heads, this attack does another 60 damage, totaling 100. This is potentially riskier than theGenetic Apexversion, but the damage output is more than worth it. This is particularly true when considering the fact that previously players could only use Fire Mane for 40 damage.
6Golem Is A Fresh Powerhouse That May Revitalize Fighting-Type Decks
A Vast Improvement Over Its Genetic Apex Version
Golem is a card often overlooked by players inPokémon TCG Pocket. While this neglect was once justified, it’s time for its story to take a turn. TheGenetic Apexversion of this Fighting-type card has an attack that costs four energy, just for it todo 150 damage and another 50 damage to itself. It is hard to find a reason to use this, as high energy costs and self-inflicted pain overpowers any kind of positive. However, the newMythical Islandversion is a breath of fresh air.
Stage 2
160
Guard Press: 120 Damage + During your opponent’s next turn, this Pokémon takes −30 damage from attacks.
Now, Golem can use Guard Press, whichdeals a strong 120 damage, and then has Golem take 30 less damage from attacks during the opponent’s next turn. This can dampen the strategy of the opponent and give the player an upper hand. This may give players a reason to use the neglected Brock Supporter card.
5Exeggcute Will Power Up Its Even Stronger Evolution
Pairs Perfectly With Mythical Island Exeggutor
When players first encounter theMythical IslandExeggcute card, they might find themselves more drawn to theGenetic Apexversion for its more effective damage potential. That said, when this card is properly inspected, it is far stronger.Exeggcute can use Growth Spurt, which allows the player to take a Grass Energy from their Energy Zone and attach it to this Pokémon. This is useless if the card is evolved into Exeggutor ex, but it is intended to be partnered with theMythical IslandExeggutor.
50
Growth Spurt: Take a Grass Energy from your Energy Zone and attach it to this Pokémon.
These cards together make for an incredibly fast and aggressive tactic.This Exeggutor card has a four-energy attack called Psychicthat does 80 damage plus 20 damage for every energy attached to the opponent’s Active Pokémon. Due to this fact, the Exeggcute’s energy production ability is incredibly useful, charging up the debatably overpowered attack.
4Weezing Can Partner Well With Its Genetic Apex Version
Effective In Control Decks
Both theGenetic ApexandMythical IslandWeezing cards have their own advantages as some ofTCG Pocket’s best Darkness-type cards, with there being reasons to use both alongside each other in a deck. Since both cards, along with their pre-evolution Koffing, feature unique attacks and abilities,they can each be strategically utilized to control the battle. These can work side-by-side in a Darkness-type deck, providing the player with a poison-based advantage alongside new, more consistent damage-dealing attacks.
110
Smokescreen: 50 Damage + During your opponent’s next turn, if the Defending Pokémon tries to use an attack, your opponent flips a coin. If tails, that attack doesn’t happen.
TheMythical IslandWeezing uses its attack, Smokescreen, to administer 50 damage– 20 more than theGenetic Apexversion. Additionally, it has a special ability: during the opponent’s next turn, if the Defending Pokémon tries to use an attack, your opponent flips a coin. If tails, that attack doesn’t happen. This can be extremely useful in control decks, putting a stop to an opponent’s carefully planned strategy. However, players will need to be careful as this relies on RNG.
3Ponyta Is An Exciting Option For Fire Deck Users
Replace The Genetic Apex Version In All Competitive Fire Decks
The newMythical IslandPonyta is a big upgrade from itsGenetic Apexversion, with an attack that may be more effective for competitive battles. Other than the factthe new artwork is beautifully striking, this card has an attack which makes it more worthwhile than its other version. This card can use Stomp, an attack that does 10 damage. With this, the player can flip a coin. If heads, this attack will do a further 30 damage.
Stomp: 10+ Damage + Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 30 more damage.
Mythical IslandPonyta should be used in Charizard ex and Blaine decks, rather than the less impressiveGenetic Apexversion. Players will have a potential to do 40 damage with their first energy, which can be extremely useful. This advantage is further amplified by its ability to evolve into Rapidash, making it a superior pick over other basic cards like Farfetch’d.
2Raichu Now Has A More Consistent Version
Very Effective When Partnered With Lt. Surge
Raichu has captured fans since the release ofPokémon TCG Pocketwith its strong attack that serves as a formidable finishing move. However, withMythical Island,players have a more reliable and consistent Raichu to use. This card has an attack called Gigashock, which deals 60 damage. This also does 20 damage to each of the opponents benched Pokémon. This costs three Lightning-type Energy, which can easily be built up when partnered with Lt. Surge.
120
Gigashock:60 Damage + This attack also does 20 damage to each of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon.
Mythical IslandRaichu is a better option for players that prefer to deal constant damage throughout the battle. TheGenetic Apexversion may deal more damage with Thunderbolt, but the fact that it discards all of its energy means that it is a one-turn move. Whereas,theMythical Islandversion can spread out its damage outputand cause further problems for the opponent.
1Mythical Island Eevee Is Vastly Superior To Its Genetic Apex Versions
Incredible Damage, As Long As RNG Is On Your Side
The newMythical IslandEevee card is vastly superior to its previousGenetic Apexversion.With Continuous Steps, players can flip coins until they get tails. For each heads, this attack will do 20 damage. This means Eevee can potentially do incredible amounts of damage, depending on whether the player gets lucky with RNG. It should also be noted that this is all just for one Colorless Energy.
Continuous Steps:20x Damage + Flip a coin until you get tails. This attack does 20 damage for each heads.
TheGenetic Apexversion of this card only does 20 damage, making it dramatically inferior and less useful. Players that want to use Eeveelutions should look to the newMythical Islandversion, as its damage output can be useful in early battle situations. This is a must-have card for players inPokémon TCG Pocket.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a mobile adaptation that reimagines the classic TCG experience for iOS and Android devices.
