The Pokémon Trading Card Game's Mega Evolution - Pitch Black expansion promises to shake up the competitive scene with its diverse array of powerful Pokémon and strategic Trainer cards. This article delves into the top five cards that are sure to make a splash, offering a blend of commentary, analysis, and personal insights. From the sneaky Dhelmise to the mighty Mega Excadrill ex, each card brings a unique twist to the game, challenging the current metagame and pushing players to adapt and innovate.
Dhelmise: The Sneaky Assassin
Dhelmise takes the top spot with its ability to sneak up on opponents and deliver a devastating blow. Its Vengeful Anchor attack, which deals 170 damage to an Active Pokémon, is particularly effective when combined with the new Hide 'n' Sneak Ability. This Ability, shared by four Pokémon in the expansion (Poltchageist, Sinistcha, Shuppet, and Banette), allows them to stay hidden in the discard pile, making it harder for opponents to target them. The inclusion of Gwynn, a Supporter card that discards Pokémon from the hand to draw cards, further enhances the strategy by enabling quick activation of Vengeful Anchor.
The Hide 'n' Sneak Pokémon are not just about sneaking; they also provide valuable support on the battlefield. Banette's Puppet Pull can Knock Out most single-Prize Basic Pokémon, while Sinistcha's Matcha Spin sets up Basic Pokémon ex for a surprise KO by Dhelmise. The protection granted by the Hide 'n' Sneak Ability is a game-changer, preventing opponents from taking multiple Knock Outs in one turn and allowing the deck to compete more effectively in the Prize race.
Mega Excadrill ex: The Energy Excavator
Mega Excadrill ex is a formidable addition to the game, capable of undermining top-performing decks. Its Maximum Drilling attack can Knock Out Dragapult ex, the most dominant Pokémon in the current metagame, in one hit. As a user of Metal Energy, Mega Excadrill ex can quickly excavate five Energy from the deck and attach them to itself, ensuring Maximum Drilling's full potential. The Metang engine, which has already proven its value in damage-focused decks, complements Mega Excadrill ex perfectly.
The partnership between Mega Excadrill ex and Metang requires careful planning. Trainers can use cards like Metallic Signal and Itchy Pollen to search for and evolve Pokémon, while Itchy Pollen itself can be used to attack in the early game, buying time to set up the deck. If Metal Maker doesn't provide enough Metal Energy, Mega Excadrill ex can still create problems by discarding the top two cards from the opponent's deck and dealing 90 damage with Undermine.
Slowbro: The Turn-Around Attack
Slowbro emerges as a new archetype, offering a unique turn-around attack. If the player has no cards in hand, Slowbro's All Out attack deals 210 damage to the opponent's Active Pokémon. This attack can even reach 320 damage before applying Weakness when combined with Brave Bangle and Gladion's Final Battle. Slowbro's ability to Knock Out popular Pokémon ex like Dragapult ex in one hit is particularly intriguing.
Setting up Slowbro every turn and entering the attack phase with an empty hand may seem challenging, but it's achievable. Longtime players will recall the Sun & Moon - Lost Thunder expansion, which had a similar requirement for its attack. The success of that deck relied on prioritizing Trainer cards that could search for specific cards, discard hand cards, or do both. In the current Standard format, there are several cards that can be combined to set up Slowbro, leaving the player with an empty hand.
Dark Bell: The Turn-Disruptor
Dark Bell, an Item card, offers a low-effort way to potentially disrupt the opponent's turn. In a metagame where games are often resolved quickly, Dark Bell can be a strategic advantage. By Confusing the opponent's Active Pokémon, Dark Bell forces them to attack with a different Pokémon or find a way to recover. Timing is crucial; playing Dark Bell on the same turn as hand-disruption cards can maximize its impact.
Interestingly, many top competitive decks are already equipped to handle Dark Bell. Dusknoir and Darkrai ex can be targeted and removed via their respective Abilities, while Basic Pokémon Confused by Dark Bell can retreat using Latias ex's Skyliner. Darkness-type Pokémon in the deck can also be used to activate Dark Bell without taking a toll.
Fossil Quarry: Unlocking Fossil Power
Fossil Quarry is a Stadium card that brings Fossil Pokémon to life on the battlefield. It addresses two significant issues in competitive play: the limited ways to dig for Item cards and the difficulty of playing Items in the early game due to attacks like Itchy Pollen and Oceanic Gloom. Fossil Quarry, combined with the new Antique Armor Fossil and Rampardos ex, has the potential to rewrite history.
Bastiodon, an Antique Armor Fossil evolution, has an Ability that can spoil top-performing strategies. Decks optimized for low-Energy attacks may struggle against Ancient Bulwark, which can discourage the opponent from spending Energy on support Pokémon. Rampardos ex, with its Ability and attack, becomes more powerful when it remains in the Active Spot, making it challenging for opponents to attack.
The combination of Fossil Quarry, Antique Armor Fossil, and Rampardos ex could be the final pieces needed for excellent results in the Bastiodon and Rampardos ex deck or the Relicanth deck. The expansion's diverse offerings leave players with plenty of room for experimentation and innovation, ensuring that the competitive scene remains exciting and unpredictable.
