The Pokémon TCG Pocket: Mega Rising expansion adds 80 new cards to the game, featuring Mega Evolutions of popular Pokémon like Charizard, Blastoise, and Lucario. This article lists every card in the set, explains how the new Mega Evolution mechanic works, and offers tips for building competitive decks around these powerful new additions.
Complete Card List
Here is the full card list for the Mega Rising expansion, organized by rarity. Note that card numbers follow the set’s official numbering, and rarities are indicated by the standard symbols (◊ for Common, ◆ for Uncommon, ★ for Rare, ★★ for Double Rare, and ☆ for Secret Rare).
- 001-010: Basic Pokémon including Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, and their evolutions (excluding Mega forms).
- 011-020: More basic and stage 1 Pokémon like Growlithe, Vulpix, Machop, and Abra.
- 021-030: Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pokémon, including Arcanine, Ninetales, Machoke, and Kadabra.
- 031-040: Powerful Stage 2 Pokémon like Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, and Alakazam.
- 041-050: Mega Evolution cards, including Mega Charizard EX, Mega Blastoise EX, and Mega Venusaur EX.
- 051-060: More Mega Evolutions, such as Mega Lucario EX, Mega Gengar EX, and Mega Aerodactyl EX.
- 061-070: Trainer cards, including Professor’s Research, Mega Energy, and Switch.
- 071-080: Special Energy cards and additional Trainer cards like Boss’s Orders and Potion.
Secret Rare cards (☆) include alternate art versions of the Mega EX cards and a special full-art Professor’s Research.
Mega Evolution Mechanic
Mega Rising introduces the Mega Evolution mechanic to Pokémon TCG Pocket. Unlike standard evolutions, Mega Evolution is a special transformation that occurs during your turn. You can Mega Evolve a Pokémon that has the same name as its base form (e.g., Charizard into Mega Charizard EX) by playing the Mega Evolution card on top of it. This counts as your evolution for the turn, and the Mega Evolution retains all damage counters and attached cards from its base form.
Mega Evolutions have higher HP and more powerful attacks, but they also have a drawback: your turn ends immediately after the Mega Evolution attacks. This means you must plan carefully when to Mega Evolve, as you won’t be able to attack again until your next turn.
Top Cards to Look For
Some of the most sought-after cards in Mega Rising include:
- Mega Charizard EX (Card #041): With 230 HP and the attack “Crimson Storm” that deals 150 damage, this is a powerhouse, but it requires discarding two Fire Energy after use.
- Mega Blastoise EX (Card #043): “Hydro Launcher” deals 120 damage and can hit any of your opponent’s Pokémon, making it excellent for sniping bench Pokémon.
- Mega Lucario EX (Card #052): “Aura Strike” deals 100 damage and also heals 50 damage from itself, giving it great sustainability.
- Mega Gengar EX (Card #055): “Phantom Gate” prevents your opponent from playing Trainer cards during their next turn, disrupting their strategy.
These cards are often used as finishers in competitive decks, so they are worth chasing if you plan to play seriously.
How to Build a Deck Around Mega Evolutions
Building a deck around Mega Evolutions requires careful energy management and setup. Here are some tips:
- Include Evolution Accelerators: Use cards like “Rare Candy” to skip the Stage 1 evolution and go straight to the Stage 2, then Mega Evolve the same turn if possible.
- Energy Acceleration: Since Mega Evolutions often need 3-4 Energy to attack, include cards like “Energy Retrieval” or “Professor’s Research” to get Energy into your hand quickly.
- Protect Your Setup: Use walls like “Snorlax” or “Miltank” to stall while you build your Mega on the bench.
- Consider a Secondary Attacker: Because Mega Evolutions end your turn after attacking, have a non-Mega attacker ready to keep pressure while your Mega recharges.
For example, a Fire deck might use Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard, then include Mega Charizard EX as the finisher. Add Energy Retrieval and Professor’s Research to fuel the attack, and use a basic Fire Pokémon like Growlithe as an early game attacker.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
One common mistake is assuming that Mega Evolution is treated like a normal evolution for all purposes. In fact, Mega Evolution is a special rule: you can only Mega Evolve once per turn, and it ends your turn after attacking. Also, Mega Evolution cards are not counted as “Stage 2” for effects that refer to Stage 2 Pokémon; they are considered “Mega” evolution cards.
Another misconception is that you can evolve a Pokémon that has just been played that turn. This is not allowed—you cannot evolve a Pokémon on the turn it is played, unless a card specifically says otherwise. So you need to set up your base Pokémon on a previous turn.
Comparison with Other Expansions
Mega Rising is the first expansion in Pokémon TCG Pocket to introduce Mega Evolutions, setting it apart from earlier sets like “Genetic Apex” and “Mythical Island.” While those sets focused on standard EX Pokémon and basic strategies, Mega Rising adds a new layer of complexity with the turn-ending attack mechanic. This makes Mega Rising decks more powerful but also more predictable, as opponents know you can only attack every other turn.
Compared to the “Space-Time Smackdown” set, which introduced new Trainer cards and support Pokémon, Mega Rising is more focused on the Mega Evolution mechanic itself. This means that decks built from Mega Rising cards will likely be more specialized, but also more fragile if the Mega Evolution is knocked out.
Cost and Availability
Mega Rising cards can be obtained from booster packs, which are available in the in-game shop for Poké Gold or purchased with real money. Each pack contains 5 cards, and the odds of pulling a specific card vary by rarity. Secret Rare cards are the most difficult to obtain, with a drop rate of approximately 0.5% per pack. As with any digital card game, the cost of collecting a full set can be significant, but you can also trade with friends or use the game’s crafting system to obtain specific cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards are in the Mega Rising expansion?
There are 80 cards in the Mega Rising expansion, including 10 secret rare cards. This is the same size as previous expansions in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Can I use Mega Rising cards in standard decks?
Yes, all cards from Mega Rising are legal in the standard format of Pokémon TCG Pocket, as long as they are not banned. There are currently no banned cards in the game.
What is the best Mega Evolution in the set?
Many players consider Mega Charizard EX to be the strongest due to its high damage output and HP, but it requires heavy energy investment. Mega Lucario EX is also popular for its self-healing ability.
How do I get Mega Energy?
Mega Energy is a special Energy card that can be attached to a Mega Evolution Pokémon. It is included in the set as a Trainer card, and you can also find it in booster packs. It counts as a basic Energy card for all purposes.
Is Mega Rising worth spending money on?
If you enjoy playing with powerful, game-changing cards, then yes. However, if you are a casual player, you might prefer to use free currency and trade to obtain the cards you want, as the cost of buying packs can add up.
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