Pokémon-EX (TCG)
- This article is about the variant of Pokémon introduced in the Black & White Series. For the Pokémon introduced during the EX Series, see Pokémon-ex (TCG). For the variant introduced in the Scarlet and Violet Series, see Pokémon ex (TCG).
Pokémon-EX (Japanese: ポケモンEX Pokémon EX), officially written Pokémon-EX, are a type of Pokémon found in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. They were first introduced in the Next Destinies expansion. Pokémon-EX have a stylized 
graphic on the card name.
Most Pokémon-EX are Basic Pokémon, regardless of the stage that the species of Pokémon normally uses. (Mega Evolution Pokémon and Primal Reversion Pokémon are exceptions.) Pokémon-EX have significantly higher HP and stronger attacks compared to the majority of regular Pokémon in the Black & White Series and the XY Series Pokémon-EX have the Pokémon-EX rule, printed in a Rule Box in the lower right corner of the card. The Pokémon-EX rule makes it so that when a Pokémon-EX is Knocked Out, the opponent takes two Prize cards instead of one.
The artwork on the Pokémon-EX cards mirrors the style introduced on Pokémon LV.X: having the Pokémon break the borders of the illustration. They also include special characteristics influenced by the card type and the Pokémon depicted. For example, Groudon-EX features crumbling rock and Kyurem-EX features a frozen card border. Most Pokémon-EX cards have an additional Full Art printing, which does not change the card border in this way.
Pokémon-EX do not have a Pokédex entry or Pokédex information. Their further variants, Mega Evolution Pokémon and Primal Reversion Pokémon, similarly lack these as well.
Mega Evolution Pokémon
Mega Evolution Pokémon[1][2], sometimes known as Mega Evolution Pokémon-EX[3][4][5][6][7] and once identified as Mega Pokémon-EX[8], were introduced in the XY expansion. They adapt the Mega Evolution mechanic from the Generation VI video games to the TCG. They are identified by the "MEGA" evolution stage and a stylized 
graphic (spelled "Mega") as a prefix of the card name.
These are still Pokémon-EX and evolve from a Basic Pokémon-EX of the same species. They have the Mega Evolution rule, contained within a Rule Box located below the artwork, which states that when a Pokémon becomes a Mega Evolution Pokémon, the players turn immediately ends. These cards also retain the Pokémon-EX rule, which works exactly as before. Mega Evolution Pokémon have increased HP and a more powerful attack compared to other Pokémon, including other Pokémon-EX. However, all Mega Evolution Pokémon only have one attack and cannot have an Ability.
The Mega Evolution rule can be circumvented through the use of "Spirit Link" Pokémon Tool cards, which are specific to each species of Pokémon and prevent the player's turn from ending when attached to the corresponding Pokémon-EX that will evolve.
Mega Evolution Pokémon share the same design elements as regular Pokémon-EX. Mega Evolution Pokémon also feature the name of the attack on the card as part of the artwork. This attack name is displayed in English on Japanese and Korean cards and in Japanese on cards released in other regions and on Japanese UR variants.
Atsushi Nagashima, the game director for the TCG, has stated that Mega Evolution is exclusive to Pokémon-EX because it would be impractical to evolve a single Pokémon three times during a game, and implementing Mega Evolution in that manner would constrain deck-building.[9]
Primal Reversion Pokémon
Primal Reversion Pokémon, sometimes known as Primal Reversion Pokémon-EX[10] were introduced in the Primal Clash expansion. They adapt the Primal Reversion mechanic from the Generation VI video games to the TCG. There are only four of these cards: Primal Kyogre-EX and Primal Groudon-EX from Primal Clash and Primal Kyogre-EX and Primal Groudon-EX from Ancient Origins.
They follow the exact same rules as Mega Evolution, down to even having the stage "MEGA" and being treated as though they are Mega Evolution Pokémon by effects.[11] They retain the Pokémon-EX rule, but the Mega Evolution rule is replaced by a functionally identical Primal Reversion rule. These cards' names use "Primal" as a prefix before the species name instead of . Primal Reversion Pokémon have an Ancient Trait in addition to their one attack. There are also Spirit Links for these cards.
Primal Reversion Pokémon share the same design elements as Mega Evolution Pokémon. However, the Primal Reversion Rule Box, stage, and evolves from field are all done in a "rocky" style. A banner denoting "Primal Reversion" is located just below the picture of the "Evolves from" field.
Pokémon that have appeared as Pokémon-EX
Trivia
- Prior to the release of the Legendary Treasures expansion, all Pokémon-EX were either Legendary or Mythical Pokémon.
- Pikachu-EX is the only Pokémon featured as a Pokémon-EX to not be fully evolved, barring Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion.
- Magearna-EX is the only Generation VII Pokémon to be featured as a Pokémon-EX.
See also
References
- ↑ Pokémon TCG Glossary, Pokémon.com
- ↑ Pokémon Trading Card Game Rules, Paradox Rift, "Appendix 23: Mega Evolution Pokémon Mega Evolution Pokémon represent a previously undiscovered peak of Evolution. These cards turn a Pokémon-EX into an even more powerful Pokémon!"
- ↑ Pokémon TCG: Mega Camerupt-EX and Mega Sharpedo-EX Premium Collections, Product Gallery, Pokémon.com
- ↑ Pokémon TCG: Mega Garchomp-EX and Mega Salamence-EX Premium Collections, Product Gallery, Pokémon.com
- ↑ Mega Metagross-EX Premium Collection, Product Gallery, Pokémon.com
- ↑ Big Changes in Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon!, Pokémon.com
- ↑ A Fresh Look at the Old Pokémon TCG Style, Pokémon.com
- ↑ Phantom Forces overview page, Pokémon.com
- ↑ How Pokemon Cards Are Made, GameSpot
- ↑ Primal Clash overview
- ↑ Rulebooks from Primal Clash onward
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This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. |