Every Mega Evolution Pokemon Deck, Ranked
Looking for the best new deck to build from the upcoming Pokemon TCG set, Mega Evolution? Mega Evolution ushers in a whole new era for the Pokemon TCG. And just like with any main Pokemon set, one of the most fun things it brings into the game are a plethora of brand new decks and strategies to try out. Below, we’ll be ranking each new deck strategy entering the Pokemon TCG with Mega Evolution from meme deck to top tier, competitive staple!
#8 Mega Kangaskhan ex
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Pokémon: 2
4 Mega Kangaskhan ex MEG 104
1 Ditto MEW 132 PH
Trainer: 17
2 Mega Signal MEG 121
4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
4 Crushing Hammer SVI 168
1 Redeemable Ticket JTG 156
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Tool Scrapper WHT 85
2 Pokémon Catcher SVI 187 PH
3 Bravery Charm PAL 173
4 Arven SVI 166
3 Crispin SCR 133
4 Boss's Orders MEG 114
3 Penny SVI 183
2 Colress's Tenacity SFA 57
2 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145
4 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
2 Lively Stadium SSP 180
2 Technical Machine: Turbo Energize PAR 179
Energy: 9
1 Basic {M} Energy Energy 16
1 Basic {R} Energy Energy 10
2 Basic {P} Energy Energy 13
1 Legacy Energy TWM 167
1 Basic {D} Energy Energy 15
1 Basic {L} Energy Energy 12
1 Basic {W} Energy Energy 11
1 Basic {G} Energy Energy 1
1 Basic {F} Energy Energy 14
Total Cards: 60
Feeling lucky, punk?
If so, then you’ll love Mega Kangaskhan ex. This deck is all about luck and coin flips. Starting with Mega Kangaskhan ex – the 300 HP Basic Pokemon capable of taking one-hit-knock-outs against any Pokemon out there – assuming you get lucky.
As if coin flipping for the win weren’t enough, this deck incorporates a ton of additional effects that are really, really strong if you actually hit a heads. Of course, it’s not a deck that’s going to be for everyone, but certainly fun and random enough to help you climb a few rungs on the Pokemon TCG Live ladder.
#7 Mega Abomasnow ex
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Pokémon: 2
4 Mega Abomasnow ex MEG 36
4 Snover MEG 35
Trainer: 12
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
2 Ultra Ball MEG 131
2 Energy Recycler DRI 164
2 Super Rod PAL 188
2 Exp. Share SVI 174
1 Heavy Baton TEF 151
2 Arven SVI 166
1 Boss's Orders MEG 114
3 Larry's Skill PRE 115
3 Hilda WHT 84
2 Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking TEF 145
2 Artazon PAL 171
Energy: 2
25 Basic {W} Energy SVE 11
1 Legacy Energy TWM 167
Total Cards: 60
Looking for that next big meme deck to troll the competition and potentially sneak out a few wins? Then Mega Abomasnow ex might be just the deck you are looking for!
This build is all about just hitting as many energy as possible from the top of your deck to do as much damage as possible. It’s not exactly a new mechanic, but this version of that mechanic looks like one of the stronger ones we’ve seen.
#6 Mega Latias ex
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Pokémon: 10
2 Mega Latias ex MEG 100
2 Pecharunt PR-SV 149
2 Brute Bonnet PAR 123
1 Mega Kangaskhan ex MEG 104
2 Ethan's Ho-Oh ex DRI 39
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Latios MEG 101
1 Klefki SVI 96
1 Mimikyu PAL 97
1 Latias ex SSP 76
Trainer: 15
4 Nest Ball SVI 181
4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
2 Counter Catcher PAR 160
2 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
1 Precious Trolley SSP 185
2 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule TEF 140
1 Binding Mochi SFA 55
1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
1 Air Balloon BLK 79
4 Iono PAL 185
4 Arven SVI 166
3 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
2 Boss's Orders MEG 114
3 Perilous Jungle TEF 156 PH
Energy: 2
6 Basic {R} Energy SVE 10
4 Prism Energy BLK 86
Total Cards: 60
Mega Latias can be built as a poison toolbox deck, granting additional damage output via special conditions, while also combining with a plethora of additional attackers to maximize effectiveness. What really makes this deck stand out to me, however, is the powerful Mega Latias ex.
Swinging for 300 damage as a Basic Pokemon with no weakness thanks to draconic typing is very, very compelling. However, Mega Latias ex is lacking a smidge in utility. Don’t look its way for any handy draw effects or energy acceleration. To make up for that, you’ll need to combo your Latias ex with Latios from Mega Evolution.
Using this Latios, you can easily accelerate the energy you need onto your Mega Latias ex. But where do you get all of those energies? Play Ethan’s Ho-Oh ex and accelerate them from your hand!
It’s a clever, combo-heavy hybrid of heavy hitters and poison control that could very well take off in popularity once the set releases stateside.
#5 Mega Camerupt ex
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Pokémon: 7
3 Mega Camerupt ex MEG 22
3 Numel MEG 21
2 Volcanion ex JTG 31
2 Latias ex SSP 76
1 Mew ex MEW 151
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
Trainer: 16
4 Nest Ball PAF 84
4 Ultra Ball MEG 131
4 Pokégear 3.0 SVI 186
4 Switch SVI 194
3 Grabber MEW 162
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
2 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Pal Pad SVI 182
1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
3 Carmine TWM 145
3 Professor's Research JTG 155
3 Iono PAL 185
3 Wally's Compassion MEG 132
2 Boss's Orders MEG 114
2 Pokémon League Headquarters OBF 192
Energy: 1
6 Basic {R} Energy SVE 10
Total Cards: 60
Mega Camerupt won’t be a top tier deck. That being said, it looks pretty fun to play, especially for firetype enthusiasts. This deck strategy puts the emphasis on leveraging the burn mechanic. Force your opponent into a burn state via Volcanion ex.
Once you’ve used Scalding Steam to burn your opponent, use one of your many switching card to put your Mega Camerupt into the Active, and attack for a crazy amount of damage for just one energy.
Roasting Heat is going to be the main attack you’re using with Camerupt. Combined with the burn you are doing a total of 260 damage using just one fire energy. That’s pretty incredible. Meanwhile, having 340 HP (boosted via Hero’s Cape) makes Mega Camerupt ex a pretty beefy Pokemon.
#4 Mega Manetric ex
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Pokémon: 12
1 Zekrom ex BLK 34
2 Miraidon ex SVI 81
1 Iron Hands ex PAR 70
2 Mega Manectric ex MEG 50
2 Electrike MEG 49
2 Tynamo BLK 30
2 Eelektrik BLK 31
1 Magnemite MEG 45
1 Magneton SSP 59
1 Zeraora DRI 78
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Squawkabilly ex PAL 169
Trainer: 12
3 Nest Ball PAF 84
4 Ultra Ball MEG 131
4 Electric Generator SVI 170
1 Super Rod PAL 188
1 Prime Catcher TEF 157
1 Future Booster Energy Capsule TEF 149
2 Air Balloon BLK 79
1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
4 Professor's Research JTG 155
4 Arven SVI 166
2 Boss's Orders MEG 114
1 Academy at Night SFA 54
Energy: 1
15 Lightning Energy Energy 12
Total Cards: 60
Miraidon ex just keeps staying relevant. Last set it got a powerful new attacker within its toolbox thanks to Zekrom ex. Now with Manetric ex, it’s just that much stronger, setting up the bench easily thanks to Miraidon ex’s “Tandem Unit” ability and accelerating energies effortlessly thanks to the Dynamotor ability and Electric Generator.
Of course, Mega Manetric brings insane power to the electric box’s deck. While Flash Ray can be a handy defensive strategy in certain matchups, the Riot Blaster is your OHKO solution for stage 2 Pokemon ex.
#3 Mega Venusaur ex
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Pokémon: 9
3 Bulbasaur MEG 1
3 Ivysaur MEG 2
2 Mega Venusaur ex MEG 3
2 Meganium MEG 10 PH
2 Chikorita MEG 8 PH
2 Bayleef MEG 9 PH
4 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25
1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38
1 Mew ex MEW 151
Trainer: 12
4 Nest Ball PAF 84
3 Ultra Ball MEG 131
4 Bug Catching Set TWM 143
1 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
1 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189
1 Max Rod PRE 116
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
4 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
4 Iono PAL 185
2 Boss's Orders MEG 114
4 Forest of Vitality MEG 117
Energy: 1
10 Grass Energy
Total Cards: 60
Grass type decks have been sorely underrepresented in the Pokemon TCG meta for years. However, they’re getting a massive boost in Mega Evolution. First of all, the new Meganium doubles up the effects of energies, meaning a single grass type energy counts as two energies. Not only does this work very well with Mega Venusaur ex, it could be used in a host of other grass decks, including Hydrapple ex. Many grass type Pokemon cards benefit from having multiple grass energies, meaning the new Meganium we should be getting in Mega Evolutions could significantly up-level those decks.
Early decks from Japan are building their Mega Venusaur ex deck specifically around it. And that makes sense – having nearly 400 HP is no small matter. Combine that with an attack that does 240 damage and you could unlock some very favorable prize trades against your opponent.
Meanwhile, Teal Mask Ogerpon ex becomes much more deadly in this deck. Use Teal Dance to accelerate grass energy onto it, then use Mega Venusaur ex to transfer those energies onto your main attacker. Don’t overlook Teal Mask Ogerpon ex as an attacker as well, however. Myriad Leaf Shower becomes much, much stronger when bolstered by Meganium.
Take advantage of the excellent support given to grass decks and learn how to play this deck in my Mega Venusaur ex deck list and guide!
#2 Mega Lucario ex
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Pokémon: 6
3 Riolu MEG 76
3 Mega Lucario ex MEG 77
2 Makuhita MEG 72
2 Hariyama MEG 73
2 Lunatone MEG 74
2 Solrock MEG 75
Trainer: 15
4 Fighting Gong MEG 116
4 Ultra Ball MEG 131
2 Nest Ball PAF 84
4 Premium Power Pro MEG 124
2 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
2 Air Balloon BLK 79
1 Rock Chestplate SVI 192
1 Maximum Belt TEF 154
4 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
2 Iono PAF 80
3 Professor's Research PRE 122
2 Boss's Orders MEG 114
2 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171
2 Gravity Mountain SSP 177
Energy: 1
9 Fighting Energy
Total Cards: 60
Could we finally once again have a top tier fighting-type Pokemon? Mega Lucario ex looks like a solid deck so far with an impressive array of support coming its way in Mega Evolution. Mega Lucario itself acts as your primary attacker and energy accelerator.
With Mega Lucario ex, you’ll want to go first, then evolve Mega Lucario ex on your second turn. From there, you’ll be looking to use Aura Jab to either weaken a strong opposing Pokemon or knock out a weaker Pokemon all-together. Not only does Aura Jab do 130 damage for just one energy, you can then attach up to 3 Basic Fighting energy to your Benched Pokemon. Use this to power up another Lucario on the bench or Hariyama to take a follow up knockout.
Don’t forget: this deck also benefits from having access to the powerful Premium Power Pro card, one that can easily stack the damage output from your fighting type Pokemon.
Mega Lucario ex also benefits from having access to the powerful Lunatone “Lunar Cycle” draw engine – letting you ditch an energy card to draw three. While you can only use this ability once per turn, it’s still a very solid draw engine to help back this deck up.
While early rendition of this deck in Japan lean heavily into a Mega Lucario ex build, I could see it evolving overtime into more of a fighting type box deck, with its main weakness right now being a glaring type disadvantage to Gardevoir ex and lack of bench snipe.
Learn more about how to play this powerful fighting type deck via my Mega Lucario ex deck guide.
#1 Mega Gardevoir ex
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Pokémon: 8
2 Mega Gardevoir ex MEG 60
4 Ralts MEG 58 PH
3 Kirlia MEG 59
1 Scream Tail PAR 86
3 Munkidori TWM 95
1 Mew ex MEW 151
1 Drifloon SVI 89
2 Gardevoir ex PAF 29
Trainer: 14
3 Buddy-Buddy Poffin PRE 101
4 Ultra Ball MEG 131
3 Earthen Vessel PRE 106
2 Night Stretcher SFA 61
1 Super Rod PAL 188
2 Rare Candy SVI 191
1 Counter Catcher PAR 160
1 Bravery Charm PAL 173
1 Hero's Cape TEF 152
4 Professor's Research PRE 122
4 Iono PAL 185
3 Lillie's Determination MEG 119
1 Boss's Orders MEG 114
1 Mystery Garden MEG 122
Energy: 2
9 Basic {P} Energy SVE 13
3 Basic {D} Energy SVE 15
Total Cards: 60
As if Gardevoir ex needed more help dominating the Pokemon TCG meta (as evidenced by its stunning victory in the Pokemon TCG World Championships this year), just wait – it gets better. The primary new card Gardevoir ex gets access to in the new Mega Evolution era is Mega Gardevoir ex.
Mega Gardevoir ex gives this deck an insanely powerful new attacker – one with 360 HP and complete with an attack that has no limit. If witnessing the potential of this attacker doesn’t cause you to tremble in your boots, then you’re probably a Gardevoir player anyways.
Learn more about how to play this deck via my Mega Gardevoir ex deck guide.
